The Wedding Present

Andrew Sedgwick

Well-Known Member
Messages
99
The sun rose over a beautiful Egyptian morning, beaming down it's heat upon the earth below. But the high temperatures went unnoticed by the young newlyweds as they slumbered peacefully in their hotel room. The morning grew on, and it wasn't until half past eight that Mr. Sedgwick awoke. He smiled over at his sleeping wife, stroking her hair. It was just the two of them, now. He had her all to himself.

Andrew smiled to himself as he turned to lay on his back, feeling the faint breeze from the window hitting his bare chest. They had spent their first night as a married couple, as many couples often did. It had been the first time they had been together like that, and though he had not really known what to expect, he had been far from disappointed. To Andrew, everything in the past twenty-four hours, had seemed so tremendously romantic, and even now, the romance within his mind had yet to stop. It was all just so perfect. How could life really be this good? Andrew didn't care to dwell on how he had grown so lucky, and, instead, focused it on remembering each passing second. He had no doubt that Larissa, like him, would prefer to spent the first day of their honeymoon at the hotel, taking a quick dip in the pool, and spending the rest of the day relaxing in each others company.

The clock ticked on. Nine O'clock was fast arriving. It was likely time to get up. Andrew hauled himself from the bed. The sheets were so soft an enticing that he almost gave in to the temptation of sliding back inside them and going to sleep. They had been lucky enough to get an en-suite bathroom, and Andrew was soon within its walls, cleaning himself up for the day. His hair was an absolute mess, and his stubble was beginning to show. Perhaps he could get away with letting his hair grow a little longer? Perhaps Larissa would like it if his stubble slowly transformed into a beard? He winked at himself in the mirror. Yes, he would test those waters. After all, he looked rather more mature and dashing like this.
 
For a few blissful moments after opening her eyes, blue orbs scanning the side of the room she could see, Larissa forgot exactly why it was she had felt so miserable the previous day. And then she remembered. She blinked her delicate eyes a few times, stretching out her arms, and rolling onto her back, turning her head to look to her side for her husband. But he wasn't there. Perhaps it had all just been a dream? Maybe she wasn't married, and maybe she was actually just some wealthy, single, millionairess? No, if anything, that was the dream. Now Larissa lay there, listening to the sounds of someone getting ready for a long day ahead. Maybe she should just let up and enjoy herself? After all, she hadn't exactly let the small fact of a loveless marriage get in the way of her wedding night. This was her honeymoon, her break from the riot of life, and she might as well enjoy it while it lasted.

In a considerably more cheerful mood, Larissa slithered out of the bed because, like Andrew, she had noticed just how soft the sheets were, and how tempting it was to remain within them. Larissa found one of the fluffy white dressing gowns and slipped it on, before padding barefoot into the en-suite bathroom. Andrew seemed too preoccupied with grooming his physical appearance to notice Larissa sneaking in behind him, shooting him a worryingly happy smile. She leant back against the opposite wall, flicking her hair aside. "Morning," Larissa said, hoping to give Andrew a little surprise, before stepping up behind him and wrapping an arm around his stomach. "I was thinking.. Let's not waste our first day by the pool. Let's go out. Let's go and see the wonders of the world."
 
Andrew gave a slight start as he heard a voice behind him, but what worried him more was the fact that the owner of the voice seemed genuinely pleased to see him. He had to wonder if he was dreaming or not, and if he was, would it be better to stay dreaming or to wake up? Andrew was going to take advantage of her good mood. If his wife was happy and willing, then why go against his desires and deny her her wish? "Are you alright?" He looked her over with some concern as he turned around. Oh, she looked beautiful, and more so than ever, now that she was smiling, but why the sudden optimism?

"Sure, if that's what you really want to do." His heart felt a little strange. He had a feeling it was concern, worry that his wife was unwell, or the wedding had sent her over the edge. Still, he might as well make the most of this good mood and if he hadn't sussed out the cause by the evening, he would fully confront her about it. "Let me just get dressed- it wouldn't do for me to go out like this." And, smiling, Andrew headed back out to the main room to get ready.
 

The day seemed to follow a very laid-back theme, and though she walked through the sweltering heat, pausing, now and then, in front of a pyramid or monument for her husband to photograph her, Larissa felt completely at ease with her life. Something was different. Something was very different, and though Larissa couldn't quite put her finger on it, she was only too aware that her behaviour had grown stranger as the day progressed. The late afternoon ached into existence, and the couple soon became aware that they had not stopped for lunch. Larissa had been prompted by Andrew, on this factor, and the two of them had returned, at long last, to the hotel, stopping at the buffet to grab something to eat.

Larissa filled her plate with the array of delicacies for consumption. In fact, she piled her plate with quite a lot of food, before sitting down at the table with Andrew, tucking into her meal. "Quite amazing what you can get done," Larissa commented, sipping at a glass of water. She'd decided it might be better to avoid alcohol until she had discovered what was causing this abnormal behaviour, "those pyramids- enormous things, were built so quickly, and all it took was someone to beat the life out of everyone available." She speared something circular with her fork, popping it into her mouth and munching merrily at it. Her eyes were soon drawn from her plate, to Andrew. She continued eating, but fixed him with a questioning look.


 
Andrew had been a little more picky in his choice of food, and he sat at the table with Larissa, watching her eat, hearing her talk, without so much as lifting a finger to feed himself. This odd behaviour had continued the entire day. It wasn't that Andrew disliked Larissa being cheerful, on the contrary, it was wonderful to be free of the usual demands, but it bothered him. It was time to say something. She seemed to notice that he had not touched his food, and Andrew had the feeling she had, at some points of the day, been aware of her abnormal mood. "Yes.." Andrew replied distantly.

He straightened his back, observing a passing couple of only a few years difference. They seemed so happy together. Perhaps that could be him and Larissa in the future? A bleak hope in a troubled fog. That's what it was. It occurred to Andrew that he was putting off speaking to Larissa, and that she was still munching away at her food, waiting for his words to come out. Which, inevitably, they did. "Larissa," how on earth was he supposed to word this without getting his head chopped off? "is everything alright? What I mean to say is that.. Well, you've been acting a little.." Think, Andrew, think, "A bit different, today. You seem- and I mean, it's great, but you seem, well, happy."
 
"What?" she said, attempting to sound surprised by the idea that she was not usually happy. But she couldn't continue to fool herself like this. There was something wrong and Andrew was well aware of it. Larissa put down her fork, staring down at the food on her plate. It was a lot more than she was used to. Far more than she cared to normally eat. But surely she had just decided to eat a lot because of all that walking, because of the long day, because they were in a different country with different flavours to sample? "I'm fine, don't be silly." The words felt so alien as they fell from her mouth. They didn't sound like her own. She looked back to Andrew, meeting his eyes, yet again. "Actually," she said quietly, pushing her seat back and standing up, "I don't feel too great. I think I need a lie down. You finish eating." she added, gesturing to his untouched food, before turning and heading back up to the hotel room.

The days following seemed to fly past, and Larissa did not once mention the worries on her mind, the growing concern as to what was going on with her life. She had entered an unhappy marriage, and yet, she felt amazing. Why? They had been booked into the hotel for two weeks, and as the end of the holiday drew near, it seemed as if Larissa had forgotten how much her behaviour had altered supposedly overnight. The next time she brought up the subject, was the night before the couple were due to return home, and Larissa had been sat beside the swimming pool in her black bikini and sunglasses, her feet taking a dip in the water. Andrew was in the hotel room, finishing packing his bags. It was nice there, alone by the pool. Larissa had gained some definite colour, and she now possessed a golden tan. In the past, she had found her pale skin better suited to her needs, but now she was out of Hogwarts, now she had joined the Death Eaters, she would have to do her best to blend in. She had always intended to sever communications with school 'friends', when the time came, and the moment she had left school, she had done just that. She almost missed some of them, but this was the life she had chosen, and it was time to follow it through.

As she watched the ripples of water, and the other guests swimming through the clear blue pool, Andrew arrived, taking a seat beside her, taking off his shoes and rolling up his trousers, before allowing his feet to enter the water. They sat in silence for a few minutes, just paddling and enjoying the gentle murmur of visitors. At last, Larissa broke the silence. "I think I'm going to miss this place. There's some amazing history, here. But I suppose I still have the surprise of our new home to look forward to." Silence fell again. Larissa was thinking about her new attitude, thinking about dates, calculating, answering, seizing all movement. Her eyes widened. No, she told herself, attempting comfort, you're jumping to conclusions. That can't be the case. Well, it could, but it's unlikely. You'd know if that was the cause, wouldn't you? You'd have been acting- "differently." Larissa finished her thoughts aloud, swallowing hard. Through the evening heat, came a sudden chill. They would be traveling home, come the morning. Once she got home, she would be able to make arrangements and know for sure. She hoped to heaven that she was wrong.


 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top