by Aqua Allsopp
James smirked. “You know the sort of things – whether you are married or not, what’s your latest update regarding your relationship status – these sorts of things.”
There was no change in her facial expression as Annie continued to focus on her food. “Annie, look I have been meaning to say this thing to you for quite some time now but have never managed,” James said. “This, I think, is as good a time as any so I would like to take this opportunity to say to you that would you be interested in marrying me?”
“No!” came the prompt answer from Annie.
James looked surprised. “But why not? Everything seems to be going quite well, so what is the problem?”
“You don’t understand, James! It had been my decision all along to stay away from the troubles of getting married. In fact, I have made my decision of becoming a member of the Church. The baptism will take place as soon as a suitable time and place are found.”
“But…”
“No more ‘but,' James. This conversation has been going on for too long, and I wish to put an end to it. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get back home.” Saying so, Annie stomped out of the room and was soon on her way back to the County on a small public bus.
James Boston continued sitting in his chair long after she had departed. He had no idea what had just happened.
*****
“Darling, what seems to be the matter?” Ruth asked as soon as Annie had entered through the front door to the house. “You look like you have been crying!”
“James proposed to me this morning, mamma, he wants me to get married to him,” she replied.
“Married? But that’s really good news for you! I don’t understand why you would feel sad about that. Do you not like him or anything?”
“Mamma, I love him very much! But the thing is I have already declared my wishes of becoming dedicated to the church, so won’t it be ill of me to back out at the last moment?” Annie asked through sniffs and sobs.
“Oh, my dear, that is something only Brother Marshall will be able to say for sure.”
And as providence would have it, the Brother Marshall was standing just outside their door at that very moment. He had been summoned by Jacob to make arrangements for the baptism of his only child. The priest was just about to enter when their conversation had caught his attention, and he stood in the doorway, listening to their words.
“That will not be any kind of a problem,” Brother Marshall said as he walked in. “You are not baptized as yet, and as long as that has not happened, you don’t have to worry about any association with the church.”
Annie gave a big smile. That was easily the best piece of news she had heard all day, discounting the proposal that James had sent. The time had come to give it a suitable response.
*****
The church in Lancaster County was just about big enough to accommodate the huge array of guests who had dropped in for the special occasion. There was a remarkably happy atmosphere all around the place. The building was decked up in white and pink streamers along the inside.
The audience did not have to wait for too long. Very soon, Annie was led down the aisle by her father. James stood at the altar, decked up in complete wear befitting of a groom. The bride arrived and soon the formalities and rituals of conducting a holy and fulfilling marriage played out. And the end took place with a proud and loving kiss between the bride and groom.
Two people whose lives would never have been connected were it not for the storm were now one happy couple. This was just the kind of beginning that every human needed from time to time – a new one to wash away the memories of the previous beginnings and false dawns!
THE END
Another bonus story is on the next page.
Bonus Story 4 of 6
A Mismatch Made in Muscle
She let out a quiet grunt while she bench pressed her new set of weights. She always loved a challenge – but never loved her results. She was never satisfied and was always chasing the next big accomplishment.
She loudly slammed the weights on their hoisting arms and took a deep breath. Sitting up, she took a whiff and could smell her own foul perspiration. It was time – not to quit of course. It was time for a new exercise. This time, it would be highly cardiovascular.
She matted her sport-shoe covered feet on the ground, and slowly walked to the elliptical. With a big step onto the machine, she tightened her strong, almost manly hands around the handle grips, after pushing the “Go” button on the machine.
She was ready, but her skinny, and nerdy husband entered the room and offered an interruption. He pushed his thick, farsighted glasses up to the bridge of his nose. “Honey, I brought your Dymatize home”, he smiled as he placed it on a small bench in the room.
It was one of her favorite supplements. Bottom line – it made muscle and it worked really well. The right corner of her mouth curved into a half-smile. She briskly stepped off the machine and quickly walked in his direction.
He, like her, half-smiled. It wasn’t a full smile, because he didn’t know what to expect. Sometimes, she was rugged and rough, and he tried to steer clear of her during those times. He stilled himself and stiffened his back, and extremities into place.
She wasn’t angry or hostile at all. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hoisted him up against the wall. She pressed her body firmly against his and held him in place. At 6’ 2” and loaded with muscle, it was easy to lift her scrawny, 5’ 8” husband off the ground and hold him.
She watched him wiggle around because he was nervous of being dropped. This time, her smile was broad, full, and with both corners of her mouth. “Thank you, baby, your hottie needs that to stay in shape”, she kissed him softly on the lips, and gently eased him to the floor.
That was a lie. She didn’t need that powdery, supplemental mess to stay healthy. She needed it to keep up her bulk. Nevertheless, he didn’t have a problem giving it to her – because he really was attracted to her physique.
He winked at her and let her do her own thing in her makeshift home gym. In some respects, she was high maintenance because she always needed meds, supplements, machines, equipment, and everything else that bodybuilders love.
On the other hand, she gave back quite a bit. She was a bad-ass mechanic and contractor who could fix, build, and repair. She would sometimes joke that she fixes and repairs stuff for a living, so why not fix and repair her body? She sure did that – quite beautifully.
The way they met was pretty nifty. He was a fact-driven, boring, secular scientist. He had an amazing brain though, and that’s what she fell in love with. The guy was a genius. He had literally taken a leadership role in helping to invent drugs and supplements.
He studied at Yale University and graduated cum laude. He excelled in medical school, as well. Due to some old connections he made in college, he was able to get a job at Pfizer as a prescription inventor – where he would invent new drugs. On the side (because apparently that wasn’t enough of a challenge), he also invented nutritional supplements.
He met his wife by freak coincidence after he spoke at a doctor’s conference. He had walked out to his car, got inside, and couldn’t get it to start. She was doing part of her cardio workout – a powerwalk in the parking lot. She approached him, and played with the car for a few minutes.
She put the key in the ignition, looked at the dash, and had a peek under the hood. “Alternator” she murmured as she slammed the hood shut.
“Alter-what?”
He didn’t know what she meant. He was a scientist who didn’t know anything about cars. He could have been told to get muffler bearings and he would have believed it, and gone looking for them. He felt silly and paused for a moment, then propped up his shoulders into a shrug.
She sighed deeply, in a somewhat sarcastic way, and looked at her watch. She would miss dinner if she helped him, but she still had a heart.
“I can help you get a new one” she blurted out before looking into his
eyes.
She took him to Autozone, got the free alternator test, and not surprisingly, the alternator failed. He whipped out some cash, bought a new one, and got his car fixed.
That wasn’t the only thing that happened, though. He always had a fetish for women with muscle. He thought it was hot. Accordingly, he made sure that his car kept breaking down, and really made sure to tell her about it.
Even though she has loads of muscle, she still has a big heart. She had to help him fix the God-awful car whenever it broke, which was often. The relationship between them had budded, and was flourishing before too long.
She didn’t like him at first. She thought he was a wimp who was clueless. Although, she likewise had a strange fetish – she liked nerds – especially smart ones. On one occasion, she was changing the water pump in his car, and overheard him having a conversation with a pharmacist.
His vocabulary and language stunned her. She didn’t understand half of what he was saying, but she didn’t need to. She calculated that he could handle all the smart stuff that required complex thought. She, in turn, could give the muscle and might to help move the Earth around.
Before long, she began making her own excuses to go see him. She would tell him that she needed advice on supplements and medications. He would smartly explain in great detail, how the various supplies would react with her and help her. When he was done, she would quietly stare at him with an entranced look on her face.
Then one day, she couldn’t hold back anymore. She straddled him and pinned him on the couch. She cutely said “I can’t move my legs because I’m having problems with cramps”.
Initially, he thought she was serious, so he asked if she was referring to the quadriceps, hamstrings, or calves. He started to explain where the muscles were located, how to stretch them, how to rest them, and so on. She pulled her lips apart and smiled widely – and then french kissed him.
The usually smart scientist figured it out at that point. She liked him! He was a bit giddy, and felt like he really hit the jackpot with her. He was right. Their relationship is the opposite of conventional – the polar opposite. But, the relationship is strong and fruitful.
In just six months, they already had their wedding, honeymoon, and new house. The relationship grew quickly, but it also grew passionately. It was a match that was well, odd. At the end of the day, they really loved each other and the bond was strong.
Fast forward to present day – where Douglas – the scientist – promised to treat his wife to dinner and a movie. He put a lot of thought and planning into it. They would have a nice Italian dinner and have eggplant Parmesan, along with some calamari and rich red wine. Then, they would top if off with some delicious cannoli desert.
Douglas knew that would earn him a kiss – and hopefully a hearty French one. Then, they would go to the movies and watch American Sniper. He wasn’t into high-energy action, but not surprisingly, she was.
Even though he had naughty thoughts on his mind, he cared more about spending time with his love – doing something they both enjoyed. He was grateful to even have that, given that Jennifer, his wife, was always so busy working, and training for the next female Mixed Martial Arts. Although it wasn’t everyone’s dream – it was her dream. And, to some extent, it was also Douglas’ dream to watch his wife get muscular and sexy.
“Hey, handsome. We’ve got to go!” she pointed her nose and line-of-sight at the plain, black and white clock in the kitchen. She waited and softly huffed.
When it came to Jennifer, she had two speeds – now, and yesterday. When it came to Douglas, he also had just two speeds – slow and reverse. It was yet another odd mixture between the two of them.
Douglas took a skip and a fast walk to the kitchen. He began buttoning his trench coat and sighed. “Sorry, hottie. I’m ready.”
They swung open the creaky door and stepped outside. The wind was soft and gentle, but the rain was not. It was pouring like crazy. God had released a mild-sized “Noah rain” on them. They both quickly jogged to their Chevy Silverado, and jumped in. They quickly clashed the doors closed.
Jennifer isn’t always brash and rough. She has a sweet side, too. The main thing with her is that she doesn’t like to lollygag and beat around the bush. As long as that isn’t going on, she stays as sweet as a fresh, apple pie. “So, handsome, where is my man taking me tonight?”
He turned the key to start the vehicle, and zoomed off. “Gregario’s”.
She smiled and lovingly rubbed his thigh. She sure did like that response. “Oh, nice! That’s one of New York’s finest.”
He didn’t respond, other than to give her a loving smile. He saw the commercial for the restaurant, and liked the catchy tune. In essence, he agreed it was one of the best in New York, but he didn’t need a commercial to reaffirm that for him.
“So, I thought of you while I was out today…” he paused and waited to see how she would react.
Her reaction was soft, but attentive. “Mm hmm?”
“There was a female doctor at the conference today that jokingly asked if our supplements would be strong enough to create a female bodybuilder. I told her she would be better off to ask my wife.”
She just smiled away. It was bright and pleasant, like the sun washing away dark clouds.
He squinted his eyes and spotted the restaurant sign. “We’re here. Don’t forget, I want to treat you like a lady when we get there. Okay?”
She had a plan, but that was hardly it. She deceptively nodded and gave a cute smile. When the car was pulled into a parking spot, she did her feminine business and waited for him to come around and open the car door.
He did exactly that, but his gentleman etiquette went no further than that. Once out of the vehicle, she shot out her arms and scooped him up, and off the ground. She jokingly cradle-carried him to the front door of the restaurant and kept her strong, incredible grip on him.
Earlier in their relationship, he probably would have been offended or angry about her doing that. As time went on, he was able to finally realize that she did it with joking love, and not torment. She loved him. She really did.
It took him a while to release himself to her and let her physically dominate him. Again, it was a loving domination. From a practical point of view – it would be hard for a 140 pound man to be dominant over a huge, and much taller woman. He didn’t know her weight – because a lady rarely reveals that. It really didn’t matter, because he loved her so much, he was okay not knowing that. He loved her physically, emotionally, spiritually, morally, and holistically.
He still had a few ounces of self-respect, so he asked her to put him down. “Okay, hot muffin. Can you put me down since we’re right outside the restaurant?”
She smiled and gave him one final kiss on the cheek, and carefully eased him to the floor. When she put him down, he softly laughed. She always kept him on his toes and made sure he was surprised.
He opened the door the front door to the restaurant, and bowed to be cute about pretending she was a princess. She entered and he followed her from behind.
They walked into the restaurant and the scent was amazing. He took a whiff of the slightly moist, sweet air and moaned softly. “Hey sweetie, do you smell that? It smells amazing.”
Her interest was limited on just two things. First, she wanted to have a nice big Porterhouse steak. The other, was to spend time with her husband – her cherished partner that made everything worthwhile. She quickly sniffed in the air, and shrugged her shoulders. “That smells like chicken parm. I don’t smell my steak.”
He knew that’s what she wanted, so he really wasn’t all that surprised. When all was said and done, his giantess would chow down, and they would have a wonderful time together. That’s what it was all about.
*****
“Sweetheart, we’re going to be late to the charity drive!” she pointed to her wristwatch as she held her forearm up in the air. She wanted to go. Period.
After a full minute, her lovable, but n
erdy husband ran to her and blushed, ever-so slightly. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t find the camera. It seems like tonight would be a good night to have it ready.”
“Uh huh. Right.” she opened the entry door to the home and walked out of it with him. She was looking forward to the special night.
It was a charity drive that had a spin that was somewhat unique. It starred several children with Down Syndrome, who were taking pledges to dance. For every half hour they danced, they would receive whatever amount they got a pledge for. The dance could theoretically last all night, but the children could stop dancing whenever they wanted to. At that point, they could turn in their pledges and donate the money to charity.
She started the Mercury Grand Marquis and drove off. It was a nice car, for sure. It had leather seats, tons of room, and was comfortable. It was also fast – it had a 4.6 liter V8 under the hood. It wasn’t a Rolls Royce, but it was still nice.
She put on her blinker and got onto the highway. She sped up to 80 mph, but the car wasn’t the only thing accelerating. His heart was doing the same thing. “Sweetie, you’re going too fast. Please slow down.”
She looked at the clock on the car stereo and dismissed his concerns. “We’re going to be late, and I’m supposed to be one of the hosts. You know how embarrassing that would be?”
It was a rare occasion when they argued, but in this case, that’s exactly what happened. He lovingly grasped her forearm and kept his panic at raps. “Honey, please slow down. I’ll take responsibility if we’re late, okay?”
She didn’t say anything, but kept speeding up. The car was just a nose hair under 90 mph. He was never a religious man, but began to pray that she would slow down. She wouldn’t listen to him, and he felt like he was sidelined and ignored.
All of the sudden, they spotted a deer in the road that stupidly just stood in place and stared at them. Like the old saying goes, he was a ‘deer caught in the headlights.’ His eyes bulged open and he pointed at the deer while yelling. “Watch out for the deer!”