Chapter Text
Chapter 6
Anne and Ann had decided to change into something more comfortable after all the photos were taken and their wedding certificate had been signed. Vere appointed herself as photographer. Tib and Emily drove Anne and Ann back to Shibden to change. Everyone else made their way to the Monte Bello Italian Restaurant in the centre of Halifax. Tib was there to make sure Anne and Ann weren’t late for the reception.
Anne and Ann sat in the back of Tib’s Corvette. It was cozy there. Ann snuggled against her wife who was gently massaging her shoulder.
‘Ann Walker, we did it.’ Anne said as she kissed Ann on her head. ‘You are my wife and no one can take this moment away from us.’
‘And you, Anne Lister, are my wife and no one will ever take you away from me.’
‘Is that a promise?’ Tib bellowed from the driver’s seat. ‘The best promise ever, Isabelle.’ Ann said.
They quickly changed. Ann changed into a floral dress and a pair of nude flats. Anne had a crisp white shirt and slim, black jeans and a pair of cowboy style boots. They hugged for a beat until Tib called them. ‘Come on, you two or the party will start without you.’ Anne and Ann raced down the stairs. Tib drove them to the restaurant where everyone else had been waiting. There was a loud cheer as they entered the room they had reserved for their reception.
Aunt Anne stood up and called them over. ‘Ann. welcome to our family. Thank you for rescuing Anne and making her life so much better. She is a better person because you are in her life.’ Ann blushed. ‘Anne Lister, remember this day and never forget that you are important no matter what others say about you we love you as you are.’
Anne did her best to hold the tears back. She couldn’t. She put her head on Ann’s shoulder and sobbed silently. Ann cradled her in her arms. Aunt Anne handed her a hankie and one for Ann. ‘I think you might need these later. Come with me and we will find out where you are sitting.’ They followed Aunt Anne to where father was seated. ‘You sit here Ann Walker and Anne you sit next to your father. I will sit here next to Ann.’ They sat down in their seats. Anne and Ann sat holding hands. They were smiling as though they won the lottery.
‘Hi, I am Rachel. I will be your server for tonight. If there is anything you need just ring this bell. I will attend to your every need.’ She said as she placed two jugs of water on their table. Anne reached for the nearest jug and poured water into Ann’s glass. She passed it to Ann who gulped it down. ‘Were you that thirsty, Ann?’ Anne said. ‘I always come prepared.’ She pulled a flask out of her pocket. Ann looked at it dubiously. ‘It’s only water. I will save it for later. Okay!’ Ann nodded. They had only been married for a beat and here was Anne attending to her every need. ‘
‘Thanks. I might take you up on that offer later but I don’t think you have water in that flask. Wouldn’t that be a waste of fine pewter?’
‘You’re very observant, Ann. How did you know that?’ Anne asked. She was surprised Ann seemed to know her metals. ‘My father was a metallurgist.’ Ann said with a hint of pride. ‘What’s that?’ Anne asked as she eyed and Elizabeth smiling at each other. ‘You tell her, Liz.’
‘He studied the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements their metallic compounds and mixtures, which are called alloys.’ Elizabeth said. The two sisters seemed to share a lovely memory then Anne could see tears in Ann’s eyes. ‘Father wasn’t always my favourite person but I do miss him more than I ever imagined I would. I have Liz and her three children. I think Sackville, her eldest son is so much like father.’ She had Elizabeth show Anne a photo of Sackville and their father which Elizabeth had in a locket around her neck. The photos were small but Anne could see the likeness. ‘How old was your father when he passed?’ Anne asked. ‘I don’t know. He never told us his age. I have never been to their grave since the funeral.’
‘Okay!! I think you should for closure but not until you are ready, Ann. Let’s enjoy our special day. I’m sorry I made you relive your past.’
‘You weren’t to know that. What would you like to eat? I think our server is coming to take our orders.’ Anne and Ann ordered two different meals so they could share. Anne had never shared her meal with anyone, she didn’t understand why Ann had suggested it until their meals arrived.
It was great especially when she wished she had ordered what Ann had. Ann had ordered chicken & shrimp carbonara. She had only ordered herb garlic salmon. While it was good Ann’s meal smelt divine. That was why she was glad Ann suggested they share their meals. ‘Hey, I did say share not gobble down nearly all my meal, Mrs Lister. I think next time I should eat all yours too.’ Anne grinned then took a bit of her garlic bread.
After they had finished eating Anne gave a speech. Ann thought it went on too long and tugged at her shirt tails to stop her. Anne just ignored her. Then it was father’s turn. He did his best. He wasn’t one for long speeches. All he said to Ann was welcome to the family. Enjoy the ride because it tends to get a bit bumpy at times. Aunt Anne smiled at Ann with a similar message. Aunt Anne wrapped her arms around Ann, ‘Welcome to our family. You are one of us now. How does that feel?’
‘Different, Aunt I feel as if I finally belong somewhere.’ Ann said looking at her sister she added. ‘Crow Nest never felt like home after you married George and moved to Scotland..’ Elizabeth understood what she meant. Even she missed her life there with her sister. ‘So, what is the plan now? Are you going on a honeymoon?’ Vere asked as she sat next to Anne. Father had stood up and wandered outside for some fresh air. ‘We haven’t thought about that. I booked a motel in York for the night. What happens after that is all a mystery right now.’ Ann looked at her wife. ‘I think we are expected up at Fortrose for a few days then who knows.’ Elizabeth smiled. She was looking forward to having Anne and Ann visit. They had talked about it when Ann called and told Elizabeth, she and her family were invited to their wedding.
‘Marian, are you okay with Ann moving into Shibden to live with me?’ Well, she had been living there for about twelve months and while we imagined it was permanent there was never any guarantee that would happen. Now, it was a permanent thing she wanted to know how Marian would react to that. ‘Looks like I need to brush up on my backgammon skills otherwise I am looking forward to having another sister.’ Ann smiled. Marian was never her sister-in-law. Ann had always seen Marian as a friend and now as a sister.
Anne and Ann left the gathering not long after their wedding cake appeared. Cordingley had made it for Anne and Ann. it was only one layer with a bride and bride on top. Anne screwed up her nose when she was they were two brides in wedding dresses. ‘That’s all I could find, ma’am.‘ She said. ‘That’s okay. Thanks for baking and decorating the cake. It is lovely.’ Ann said. ‘You’re welcome. It is the least I could do for you on your special day.’
As Anne and Ann walked out the restaurant they saw someone approaching them. Anne grabbed Ann’s hand. She had hoped they weren’t seen as she pushed Ann into the single user bathroom and pressed her lips against Ann’s to keep her quiet. ‘Keep quiet.’ She said in hushed tones. ‘I think she is here. I don’t know how she found out where we were having our reception.’ They kissed passionately. There was a knock at the door and a familiar voice. ‘I have something I want to give you and Ann, Anne. Will you please open the door? I have to accept that you and Ann are married.’ Mariana said as Tib stood next to her. ‘What the fuck are you doing here, Mariana?’ Mariana held up the peace offering she had bought. ‘Open up please, Anne.’ Anne opened the door. Mariana was standing there holding a parcel. Tib was standing next to her. ‘I will stay here just in case she tries something stupid, ladies.’ Ann smiled at her wife. She knew they were safe. Mariana handed the parcel to Ann and requested she open it. Inside was an apology letter and a framed photo of them taken by Mariana as they were walking up the aisle together. ‘Thank you, Mary. I know we will treasure this for always. We both accept your apology. We will read the letter later. Okay!!’
‘Okay!! Look after yourselves. Stay safe.’ Mariana said. ‘We will. You do the same and we will endeavour to keep in touch.’ They hugged and all the animosity from the previous months was washed away.
Anne and Ann looked at Tib as Mariana walked away from where they were standing. When they heard the door to the restaurant closed Tib spoke. ‘Do you think she was being honest with you, Anne?’
‘I hope she was. I don’t think she would like to come face to face with the fury that is Ann Walker. Not that I have experienced that against me.’ Ann smiled she knew her wife was stretching the truth but Ann didn’t care right now. ‘We are going to go for now. You take care and look after Emily. She looks like a keeper.’ Anne said as Emily came into view. ‘Are you talking about me again, Tibby?’
‘No, Anne Lister was just mentioning that I should look after you because you are a keeper in her eyes and mine too, Em.’
Anne drove Ann to the hotel they were staying at in York. It was easy for Anne to find as she had stayed there a few times. Ann hadn’t stay in York. In fact she had never visited York. So, this trip would be a new adventure for her. She chose the Travelodge York Micklegate. It was reasonably priced and had all the amenities they needed, bed, shower and maybe tv if they weren’t otherwise occupied.
They checked in at the front desk. A man in a black suit with a starched white shirt and floral blue tie gave them their key. He said breakfast is served between 7AM and 10AM. Late comers will only get what others don’t want. He bid them help to take their luggage up to their room. They only had one suitcase. So, they said they were fine. He gave them a puzzled look and left saying he had other visitors to deal with.
When he was gone Ann wrapped her arms around her wife and kissed her lips. Anne returned the kiss. It wasn’t much fun when they couldn’t show their love in from of others. Only they could feel there was change in the air.
Anne and Ann rode the elevator to the second floor. They were in room 201 which the desk clerk had told them was at the end of the corridor. They walked briskly to their room and when Anne opened the door with the keycard and opened it. As soon as it closed Ann had her up against it. She didn’t’ give Anne enough time to push their suitcase away.
So, here was Anne her hand still wrapped around the handle of their suitcase with Ann’s body up against hers and her lips firmly planted against Anne’s lips. When Ann finally pulled away to breathe again Anne smiled. It wasn’t often that someone took charge and she was reveling in this moment. She gently pushed Ann away and walked their suitcase into the middle of the room and placed it next to their bed.
‘Ann Walker you’ll be the death of me.’ She said with a smirk on her face. All Ann did was smile as she sauntered over to where Anne was standing and proceeded to remove her clothes. Anne was tempted to stop her. Only she could find no reason to do that. Then Ann crashed her lips to Anne’s and was kisses her furiously. It was as if this would be her one and only chance to make passionate love to her wife.
Anne thought she would join in and began removing Ann’s clothes. It was only moments until they were both naked. Ann smiled. Her life had been dull and so predictable until Anne Lister strolled into her home that wonderful morning. She was only there as a distraction from her predictable life. It wasn’t until they got to know one another that Anne’s thoughts about Little Annie Walker changed.
Now, they were married. Something Anne never imagined would happen. She always thought she would die a lonely, unhappy spinster. That word she detested. It made her sound like someone who needed constant help. Ann brought her from her thoughts when she gently pushed her onto their king size bed. ‘Anne Lister, where are you now?’
‘I am here with you. Where should I be?’ She said hoping Ann didn’t notice the gruffness in her voice. ‘Are you sure? You seemed to be so far away from me even though there is only a hare’s breath between us.’
‘I was just thinking.’
‘What were you thinking about, Dearest Anne?’ Anne smiled no one have ever called her dearest. ‘Us!’
‘What about us?’ Ann asked sincerely. ‘How I visited you only to take my mind off what Mariana had done to me and how I could make our day brighter.’
‘You certainly did that. You made my day so much brighter that day and you still do.’
‘Ann, you were really a distraction that day. I never intended to fall in love with you but it happened and now here we are. You and I are married, Ann Walker.’
‘No Anne, Ann Lister. You should always remember that I am a Lister now.’
‘Oh I do apologise, Adney. Anne said. ‘I do hope you will forgive me.’
‘Always.’
‘Is it possible that I have found someone who accepts me as I am? Someone who loves me for me and not for what they can get from me. Is it possible?’
‘Anything is possible if you wish it to be.’ Ann said as she lay beside her wife in bed. They lay there for a beat then wrapped their arms around each other. They fell into a deep sleep. Just before that happened Anne kissed Ann on her forehead and said. ‘I love you.’