“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch.  17 (PG-13): Wedding Planning & Such, Part 1,November 30, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace 

 (An original fiction copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace;  all rights reserved)
[(1) top right, story logo] 

[I will illustrate my story using my dream cast of --Richard Armitage for Matthew Drake, Kate Beckinsale for Jocelyn Burrows, Brenda Blethyn for Aunt Madge, Michael Crawford for Michael Ferguson, Gina McKee for Marcia Glass, James Frain for Vicar Nelson Marshall, Shirley MacLaine for Lucretia Baldridge, and others.]

Author’s Mature Content Note:  “Lost & Found” is love story with mature themes (D for drama and S for sensuality) of love and relationships.  Most chapters will be PG or PG-13. However, if you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings I provide, then please do not read that chapter.  This is my disclaimer.

Recap from the previous installment:   After Matthew and Jocelyn find each other again when she attends Matthew’s final A Christmas Carol performance--then talking at Matthew’s flat about their future together when Matthew guesses that she is pregnant with their child--they make love tenderly and joyously, despite Jocelyn feeling uncertain because of her pregnant condition.  Then they fall asleep in each other’s arms, dreaming of turning their hopes and wishes into reality.

“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch.  17 (PG-13): Wedding Planning & Such, Part 1

After sleeping for two hours on the Friday night of December 19th, Matthew and Jocelyn awaken in each others’ lover’s embrace.  They kiss and cuddle tenderly a bit more before rising to each visit the bathroom in their turn.  Jocelyn puts her slip and panties back on--as well as, one of Matthew’s sweaters that he loans her for warmth, and that swallows up her petite frame.  And Matthew puts on light weight exercise pants and a black athletic style t-shirt [(2) right].  Jocelyn appreciates Matthew’s effortless masculinity and strength--when he is so tender and gentle with her.

Then, they go to the kitchen and heat up their take out dinners and sit on the couch to eat them as instrumental Christmas music plays softly in the background.   After dinner, they chat about their future together.

Matthew:   “Jocelyn, I want to be with you always.  I love you so.”  Then taking Jocelyn’s hand in his and gazing into her sweet face, Matthew asks.  “Jocelyn, will you marry me.” 

Jocelyn:  “I love you so, Matthew.  And, I want to be with you always.  Yes, I will marry you, Matthew.”

Matthew:  They kiss and smile at each other and Matthew kisses Jocelyn’s hand.  “I would like you to move in with me right away Jocelyn.  Depending on how much stuff you have to move, we could at least start to move you over on Saturday.  And then return to your flat to get anything else you need next week.”

Jocelyn:  “Well, I basically came with my clothes on my back and my laptop.  So, I don’t have much to move.  However, with me staying in England permanently and getting married, I’ll also need to apply for a change in my VISA status.”

Matthew:  “But wouldn’t us getting married in the next week mitigate the need for a lot of paperwork and forms?”  Jocelyn raises her eyebrows in surprise at the speed with which she has reunited with Matthew and become engaged—let alone, planning a wedding.  Then he says with a twinkle in his eyes. “Too soon?”

Jocelyn:  Jocelyn rolls her eyes in amusement, then laughs [(3) right].     “Ha ha ha!  Well, Matthew, with me entering my fifth month of pregnancy with our child, I don’t think that too soon is a statement we can make.”  They both laugh, then kiss each other adoringly.

Matthew:  “Ha ha ha!  Good.  Then we can move you over here on Saturday, talk to the vicar on Sunday, and then visit the American Embassy on Monday for any last minute details.  Actually, I think we could be married the next day on Tuesday, December 23rd—before the the busy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services occur.  That way, we can celebrate our first Christmas together as a married couple.”

Jocelyn:  “That sounds heavenly.”  She says kissing him.  Then practicalities ensue.  “But what about my dress and flowers and such?”

Matthew:  Rolling his eyes now, Matthew smiles.  “I think the flowers are covered. “  Matthew alludes to his Aunt Madge’s flower shop.  “And you and Madge can shop on Saturday for your dresses. I will just wear my blue suit.

Jocelyn and Matthew make more plans for their future that night.  Then, they make love again sweetly, tenderly, lovingly, and gently, before they fall asleep in each others’ loving arms.

***

Jocelyn and Matthew awaken Saturday morning, make love joyfully again and eat breakfast a deux.  Then, as they discussed last night, they go to her flat at the university and pack up her things and bring them back to Matthew’s flat—now their flat.  Jocelyn changes into a day sweater dress, from her frilly holiday dress from last night. 

And then Jocelyn and Matthew take a taxi to Michael’s pub to join he and Aunt Madge for lunch.  As Jocelyn and Matthew walk into the pub arm in arm smiling, Aunt Madge and Michael are already there and giving them knowing looks and smiles as well.  You see, though Jocelyn’s purple holiday dress somewhat concealed her growing pregnancy belly, she has not had time to buy any maternity outfits yet.  So, Jocelyn’s pregnant belly is blooming in her simple figure hugging sweater dress [(4) right].   

Michael:  “Aye Jocelyn, Lassie.  Now, I know that I’m a wee man.  But even I can tell that you’re glowing.  Am I right Madge?”

Aunt Madge:  “Yes, Michael, my dear, she is.”  Aunt Madge fairl glows with the thought of a new baby in the family [(5) right].  

Matthew:  Looking lovingly into Jocelyn’s eyes Matthew says to her, and to them  “Well, Jocelyn darling, they’ll have to know that we’re having a baby in four months if they’re going to help us plan our wedding for this Tuesday.”

Jocelyn:  “Ha ha ha! Oh Matthew, my love.”  Jocelyn says laughingly smiling at him.  “Nothing like springing it on them.”

Actually squeals of delight come forth joyfully from both Madge and Michael.  And hugs and kisses are given all around—gently to Jocelyn, of course.

Madge:  “Oh my dears this is wonderful!”  And she means it.  For all the difficulty and separation that Aunt Madge caused for Matthew and Jocelyn initially, Madge is truly happy for them.

Michael:  “Well, if I didn’t have a passel of relatives who would shoot me, I’d say let’s make it a double wedding.”

Madge looks at her Michael with love in her eyes.  She has waited a long time to be with him.  So she guesses that she can wait a bit longer.  But Matthew is not quite so sanguine and he challenges Michael to think differently.

Matthew:   “Well, why don’t we make it a double wedding?  Jocelyn, would you mind making it a double wedding?”

Jocelyn:  “No, that will be perfect.  But, we haven’t heard from Aunt Madge yet.”

All eyes now turn to Madge, who smiles coquettishly as she formulates her answer. 

Madge:  “Well Michael, that’s an interesting proposition.  But don’t you think it should be preceded by a formal proposal?”

Michael:  “Absolutely.”   Michael [(6) right] nearly bounds from behind the bar and he kneels at Madge’s feet.  “Madge Darrrling, I’ve loved you for twenty yearrrs, me gerril.  I ca na wait any longerrr.  I love you with all of me hearrrt.  Marrry me, my Madgie?”   He says taking her small hand in his and kissing it.

Madge:  “Well, since you put it nicely.  Yes, I will marry you, Michael.”  Madge leans down and she kisses her Michael tenderly. 

And though Madge is Matthew’s Aunt—Matthew is the son of her late older brother Charles, which is Matthew’s middle name--and Madge is really only ten years old than Matthew.  So, Madge is only 50 years old—with Michael being 55 years old--and she glows like the not so matronly bride to be that she is.  Hugs and kisses are given all around again.  And, of course, Michael proclaims exuberantly to his pub patrons.  

Michael:  “A round of drinks are on the house to celebrate!”  Cheers go up from all quarters now.

Matthew:  “Let’s sit down and have lunch and discuss our wedding plans.”   And that is what they do.

***

Over lunch at the pub on Saturday Decmeber 20th, Matthew and Jocelyn and Madge and Michael plan their double wedding.  They will discuss it formally with their parish vicar tomorrow after Sunday service.  And though they know that this is a busy time for vicars, they hope that they can all be married in a small wedding on Tuesday, December 23rd.

Madge:  “Now Jocelyn Dear.  You and I will have to buy our wedding gowns.”  She says excitedly—having waited a lifetime for her own wedding.

Jocelyn:  “Yes Madge.  But it’s going to be challenging finding a maternity gown suitable for a wedding.”

Michael:  “Oh, I’d bet you’d be surrrprised.  Our parrrish has had a few underrr the gun weddings, shall we say, and the lasses all looked lovely.”

Jocelyn:  Laughing Jocelyn asks “Well Michael, I don’t suppose you know where they bought their dresses do you?  Although, I doubt that I want to be in a traditional wedding gown given that I’m in my fifth month of pregnancy.”

Madge:  “Actually, Jocelyn Dear.  One of those wedding gown shops is down the lane.  We could look at it after lunch today.”

Matthew:   “Right, and I’m not too fond of tuxes.  So, why don’t we go the men’s suit route, Michael?  Hmmm?  Let’s just keep things low key.”

Michael:  “Alrrright then, but ye know wherrre the rrreception will have to be?”  Michaelsays with an impish grin and raising his gaelic eyebrows.  After hosting so many other people’s joyous occasions, Michael’s pub will now be the site of his own joyous occasion--when he marries Madge, and with Matthew marrying Jocelyn.

Jocelyn:  “Perfect!  The parish church, the local pub, what more could we want?”  Jocelyn beams with the glow of an expectant bride to be.

Matthew:  “Well, maybe verifying the vicar’s availability with him tomorrow and also attending to your VISA paperwork on Monday.”  He says looking teasingly overwhelmed.

The four of them proceed to have a lovely lunch.  Then the ladies and the men part ways for an hour—wedding gown shopping for the ladies and another pint for the men.

***

The boys—Michael and Matthew—gratefully accept their ladies’ suggestion for them to have another pint of ale while Aunt Madge and Jocelyn go wedding gown shopping for an hour after lunch on Saturday.

Jocelyn:  “Thanks for letting me visit the wedding gown shop that has some pregnancy dresses first, Madge.  I still think it’s going to be challenging finding something to wear that looks wedding like and doesn’t make me look like a meringue.”

Madge:  Laughing she says  “Oh, Jocelyn Dear, you do have a way with words.”

Jocelyn:  “But, what about you, Madge.  We want to make sure we shop for a wedding gown for you, too.”

Madge:  Madge leans in to Jocelyn, conspiratorially whispering. “Actually Jocelyn Dear, I’ve had my wedding gown for five years.”  Jocelyn stifles a giggle.  “I’ve been waiting for Michael to pop the question.  I just hope that I can still fit into it.”

They both laugh and continue to talk as they look over the wedding gown selection.  Then a particular gown catches Jocelyn’s eye.  Pulling the wedding gown off the rack to look at it more closely, Jocelyn sees that it is a floor length empire waisted ivory lace over an ivory satin wedding gown [(7) right] that will perfectly conceal her pregnant tummy.  Actually, the wedding dress looks very romantic, as if the gown was out of another era--and Jocelyn falls instantly in love with it.  Unfortunately, then she sees the price tag--500 pounds, which is almost $1,000 US.

Jocelyn:  “Oh, if only this gown were on discount, I think it would be lovely.”  Jocelyn bites her lip and pouts cutely.

Madge:  Madge smiles knowingly.“Jocelyn, Dear.  Why don’t you go and try it on anyway.  I know the proprietor and maybe we can work something out.”

So as Jocelyn goes to try on her dream wedding gown, Madge does some negotiating with the wedding gown shop proprietor.  Madge works out a deal that her flower shop will supply five free 50 pound bridal bouquets for the dress shop to offer to its customers as an incentive and the dress shop will drop Jocelyn’s wedding dress price to 250 pounds.  And, Madge even manages to have the dress shop throw in a veil if Jocelyn wants one.

Jocelyn:  Walking out of the dressing room in her wedding gown, Jocelyn beams.  “Oh, Madge, this gown is so beautiful.  I think that Matthew will really love me in it.  But, it will take almost all of the money that I’ve saved up from my university job to buy it.”  Jocelyn winces at the extravagance of it--considering all of the baby expenses they will have.

Madge:  “No it won’t, Jocelyn Dear.  The wedding gown shop proprietor and I have worked out a deal.  She gets five free bridal bouquets for her brides, and you get to buy the gown for $250 pounds, or $500 US.”

Jocelyn:  “Oh Madge, that’s so wonderful of you.  But, I hate to have you missing out on money for your business.”

Madge:  “I’m not, really.  Because if the brides are getting their wedding bouquets from me, they will also probably order their other wedding flowers from me.  So, it’s a win-win situation for us both.”  Madge smiles very pleased with her business acumen.  “And, the dress shop will even throw in a veil for you if you want it.”

Jocelyn:  “That’s wonderful!” 

Then the two women hug gently—now more to be careful of Jocelyn’s beautiful wedding gown that she is wearing rather than due her pregnancy.  Then, after Jocelyn chooses a chapel length ivory lace tulle veil, the dress shop carefully encases her gown and veil in a garment bag for her to pick up with Matthew on their way home today.  Then, Jocelyn and Madge head back to the pub and their fiances.

***

In their ladies’ absence, Matthew’s and Michael’s double wedding news racheted up the merriment factor at Michael’s pub such that it essentially evolves into an impromptu bachelor’s party for the two of them.  So, as Jocelyn and Madge return to the pub, they find their men—Matthew and Michael, sitting on top of the gleaming wood  bar at opposite ends, with navy admiral looking hats made out of napkins on their heads, a pint in each of their right hands, and them singing raucously with the pub patrons.

Madge:  “Jocelyn Dear!”  She says as they enter the pub.  “I think we’ve come back none too soon to save our men from embarrassing themselves.”

Jocelyn:  Laughingly she says   “Ha ha ha! You mean, even more than they already have?”

Michael and Matthew:  (singing)  “There once was a lad from East Chisick…”  But their bawdy limerick song is curtailed when they see their lady loves enter the pub.

Matthew:  “Jocie!”  Matthew calls to her excitedly. 

Matthew has never called Jocelyn by her family’s nickname for her.  So, Jocelyn knows that he must be drunk—a state that she has also never seen Matthew in.  And Jocelyn looks at Matthew in utter astonishment--coupled with mirth about their glad baby and wedding tidings.

Madge:  “Michael?  What did you do to the poor boy?  He’s tanked!”

Michael:  “Me?”  Michael gets cutely defensive.  “Matthew’s therrre is the  one tha got me drrrun.”  Michael says pointing his thumb at Matthew.   “Isn’t tha rrrrigh, Laddie?”   Michael asks as he and Matthew wave at each other across the bar with big smiles on their faces.

Jocelyn:  “Okay, whomever started it, we don’t care.  We’re glad that you’ve made a little merry.  But, we really need to get you sobered up now before we leave the pub.”  Then pointing to her very pregnant belly, she says pointedly to Matthew.  “I’m in no shape to prop you up Matthew Dear, were you to keel over.  So, you  had best be starting to drink some coffee, tea, or whatever it is you Brits drink to get sober.”

Madge:  “That goes for you, too, Michael.  And, you should know better.”  She pouts chastisingly.

Matthew:  “Sorry, Jocelyn.”   He smiles sheepishly.   “I never drink.  So the one pint I had really affected me.”  Matthew’s head wobbles around like a bobble head doll.

Jocelyn:  “Really?”   Jocelyn asks looking at Madge.   “This is Matthew on one pint?  If I were Catholic, I’d say Saints preserve us.  But, I’m just Episcopalian—well, I guess that I’ll be Anglican now.”  Jocelyn shakes her head in bemusement.

Michael hops off the bar and kneeling in front of his fiancé  Madge, Michael tries  to affect a childlike voice with his booming fifty five year old baritone as he looks up at her batting his eyelashes humorously.

Michael:  “Sorrrry, me Madgie.”    Then Michael collapses into giggles--negating the contrite effect he was going for.  “Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

Mathew:  Ever the thespian, Matthew demonstrates for Michael, with his forty year old baritone, now in high falsetto.  “Michael?  Like this. Sorry.” 

Jocelyn & Madge: Of course, this collapses Jocelyn and Madge into giggles.  “Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

Weddings and babies are joyful events.  So, everyone can be excused for their abundant happiness.  The ladies—Madge and Jocelyn—spend the next hour sobering up their men to go home this Saturday evening.  And then they all plan to meet together again at church on Sunday tomorrow--to meet with the vicar after services about their wedding plans.

To be continued with Chapter 18

“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch. 17  References for Wattpad, Nov. 30 2014 Gratiana Lovelace

1)      “Lost & Found” title graphic representing Matthew is an artistic blurring of a portrait of the Spooks character Lucas North (as portrayed by British actor Richard Armitage) found at http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Spooks/Spooks9/album/episode2/album/slides/2_199.html

2)      Image representing Mathew is a cropped Lucas North (as portrayed by Richard Armitage) portrait from Spooks series 8, episode 5 (pix 48)  http://www.richardarmitagenet.com/images/gallery/Spooks/spooks8/album/Episode5/slides/ep5_048.html

3)      Image representing Jocelyn is that of British actress Kate Beckinsale and found at http://www.iceposter.com/thumbs/G162409_b.jpg

4)       Sweater dress image representing Jocelyn’s pregnant tummy is from http://www.jcpenney.com

5)      Image representing Aunt Madge is a portrait of the British actress Brenda Blethyn found at http://www.playbill.com/images/photo/b/r/brenda200.jpg

6)      Image representing Michael Ferguson Madge’s boyfriend is a portrait of the British Actor Michael Crawford found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/images/episode/p00941p7_640_360.jpg

7)      Jocelyn’s empire waisted ivory lace over satin wedding gown was found at http://www.shopweddingdress.co.uk/upfile/Wedding%20Dresses/Maternity%20Wedding%20Dresses/Short%20Sleeves%20Empire%20Lace%20Maternity%20Bride%20Wedding%20Dresses.jpg

“Lost & Found” (Revised), Ch. 17 Images for Wattpad, Nov. 30, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace
http://gratianads90.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/blostfoundch17wattpadimages_nov3014gratianalovelace.jpg