It was all she had to say — hell, she could have said nothing and he would still delight in the way she smiled at him while the small bouquet was wrapped with sprigs of baby's breath and green leaves to complement the purple tones of the bouquet. A final wrap in some brown paper and the shop hand smiled to them as he handed the finished bouquet to Marie. As the bell tinkled signaling another customer, Faustus looked up to find not a complete stranger, but Mrs. Bagshot with one hand on the door (Mr. Bagshot waved from the other side of the glass window where they had been perusing the other flowers) and the other hand raised slightly as if in warning. "Ah, I believe that's our signal," Faustus proclaimed as payed the shop hand before taking another look at his pocket watch. "Thank you so much, sir."

Offering Marie his arm once more and donning his hat, Faustus led the way back outside where the carriage had gone and Mr. and Mrs. Bagshot had moved to a news stand, gathered around a specific newspaper. "We're about to take a Portkey," Faustus warned her as they approached, knowing that even in the best of times they tended to make his stomach a tad queasy. He certainly hoped that this method of transportation wouldn't spoil the trip for all of them.

---

  

It took the shop attendant only a moment to assemble a beautiful bouquet for her, the Danish orchids nestled among soft white flowers. A new memory, a new arrangement of flowers, a new smell to envelope her memories. "Thank you." She murmured gently in thanks both to the attendant and Faustus.

Behind them a bell tinkled and Malou turned to see Mrs. Bagshot stepping into the store. But her gaze was turned back to Faustus at his words. "Our signal?" She asked weakly, although she suspected it was likely just that Mrs. Bagshot was eager to be on her way. Normally Mrs. Bagshot had servants buy the flowers, Malou was honestly not sure Mrs. Bagshot had ever actually spent much time in a flower shop. Perhaps she was merely impatient. Or perhaps she thought it improper to leave Malou and Faustus alone for as much time as it would have taken them to leave the shop.

Clutching the bouquet close, Malou took a discreet sniff of the flower, a soft smile on her lips, as she took Faustus's arm and let him lead her back into the sunlit world of the August day. Ahead of them the Bagshots had reached a newstand and Mr. Bagshot seemed intent on one of the selected papers. This seemed to be perhaps the most normal thing she had seen all day, Malou supposed. That was until Faustus warned her of a portkey.

Questioningly she looked up at him, wondering what this was all about, but she remembered his question from the gate. Do you trust me? Yes. And with the Bagshots surely there was even less reason to be worried. So she gave him a small smile and followed the rest of them, touching her pale fingers to the edge of the paper and bracing herself for the sensation of magic that flowed around them, swallowed them up and sent them to their location - wherever that might be.

  

---

On the way to the portkey, he gripped her hand. His confidence in his plans was wavering slightly, if only because her reaction to the unknown seemed to be (while expected) apprehensive at best. And for that, Faustus couldn't blame her; being in a profession where he saw the dealings of nefarious intentions on a regular basis, he would also be skeptical of any sort of surprise that he was being roped into, even if it was involving the closest of his kin. It was for that reason that he'd told the Bagshots every bit of the plan, which they'd approved of. In turn, he hoped that with the Bagshots close by, she would rely on their presence to assuage any residual hesitations she had.

Once he saw that everyone had taken hold of the newspaper, Faustus took out his pocket watch with one hand whilst holding onto the portkey with the other. Counting down in his mind, he was prepared for the tell-tale jolt of the portkey as it yanked them unceremoniously to their destination.

The first thing he heard once they landed was the familiar sound of field sparrows. The smell of the nearby seaside was next, billowing gently as the party landed in a nearby field. Faustus straightened, counting their party to make sure everyone made it one piece. While looking a little rattled, they seemed to be in one piece. To his right was yet another carriage (complete with the only horses that Faustus would frankly let sniff him; again, something that he would disclose to Marie at a later time) and he held his hand out for Marie once more, inclining his head: Shall we?

"It's only a short carriage ride to our destination from here," He assured her with another smile. "I promise I won't keep you in the dark for longer than I have to."

---

  

They appeared to have landed in a field, Malou realized as they all got their feet under them. Her gaze caught on the carriage nearby though and again Faustus reached out to lead her. She nodded in answer to his silent question, leaning in toward him, flowers still firmly pressed into her hand (and thankfully still intact after their trip), their smell wafting up to her as a gentle reminder of their presense.

Malou met his gaze at his words, "I trust you." She echoed her earlier words, finally feeling reassured this was indeed Faustus's entire plan. What the occasion was she wasn't sure. Typically he made plans with her rather than surprising her, but she was finding she was rather enjoying the whole experience, when she wasn't trying to work out what was going on in her mind. "Since this is your outing, and not Mrs. Bagshot's, is it not?" She asked as he handed her up into the carriage a small teasing smile on her lips.

  

---

Even though she'd said it at the beginning, Faustus still felt another bout of relief flow through him as she echoed her previous statement. He had thoroughly enjoyed planning this outing, but it would only be deemed successful in his mind if Marie enjoyed it every step of the way. Nodding at the encouragement, his smile widened and he was so very tempted in this moment to take her by the waist and sweep her into a passionate embrace. Of course with Mr. and Mrs. Bagshot knowing his intentions, they might not be as opposed to it, but he still tamped down the urge and instead had to settle for another firm squeeze of her free hand as he helped Marie into the carriage, with another conspiratorial wink at her: "Am I that transparent, Miss Skovgaard?"

Once Mr. and Mrs. Bagshot were situated with them, Faustus tapped the roof of the carriage and they were off once more. Instead of the bustling of Wellingtonshire to accompany this carriage ride, the streets were much wider, though still as lively with citizens negotiating prices, mothers calling to their children who had run ahead, and the smell of summer air wafting through their open windows. Another key difference was that most of the citizens milling about around the carriage were speaking in French.

"You might be able to guess where we are at the moment." Faustus said jokingly, after a particularly clear string of French sailed through the windows. In actuality, they were in the South of France, a place Faustus had particularly fallen in love with after quite some time spent abroad one summer on a case. There his French had gotten to be quite proficient, but he still mixed up his tenses, something that the locals found rather charming (though in Faustus' estimation it made him sound like an imbecile).

---

  

The gentle pressure of his hand sent warm tingles up Malou's arm, a small embrace when it was not allowed. Malou smiled back at him, gentle, and full of love. This man never seemed to cease to amaze her. He hadn't flinched when she had drafted him into service at Sanditon. He had indulged her love music, her love of healing. He always seemed to try to protect her and to make her smile. None of that had been anything she would have been able to imagine even a year before.

"Hardly." She whispered to him in response as she slipped into the depths of the carriage.

With everyone situated in the carriage they started on their way. Knowing now that it was Faustus's plan Malou relaxed, oddly more comfortable with him leading the way then she had been with Mrs. Bagshot. Faustus knew and respected her wishes whereas Mrs. Bagshot was less open to them on a wide variety of things.

Quietly, hoping no one would notice, Malou slid her hand next to Faustus so he could hold it as they went, but kept her eyes on the window, watching the people as they passed. Something about the area reminded her of a long ago memory. But she couldn't place her finger on it.

Then she realized the difference. French. They were in France. Her eyes widened as the realization hit and she turned to Faustus just as he spoke. "You brought me to France?" She asked wonderingly, almost feeling like she could cry at the kindness. She hadn't been on the continent since that last Christmas with her parents, hadn't been in France since she had been younger still.

  

---

And there it was. The look of incredible awe and joy spread across her lovely features that sent his heart soaring. It was then that he took her hand in his, unable to contain his eagerness at her reaction. "Yes." He replied, further tempted to move even closer to her, despite the fact that they were already next to each other in a small carriage. "We're in Aix-en-Provence," He explained, looking past her fondly at the colorful buildings and the bustling streets. "I came here on assignment a few years ago, and for some reason..." He mused, his gaze shifting back towards her. "It seemed so familiar, though why I'm not sure."

The town was just large enough to compare to the bustling energy of London, but small enough that it was a perfect place Faustus figured to retire to during the lazy summer months for a few weekends at a time. He had wanted to show her this for a while, ever since he came back a few months ago for a few appointments. It would be only a few minutes until they would arrive at their destination, a place where Faustus was most eager to show her.

---

  

"Oh Faustus." She sighed so quiet she doubted he would even hear her, let alone their companions. His warm hand engulfed her's, warming and comforting. Only moments before she hadn't thought she could love him more, that he could surprise her more, and yet here he had.

Malou followed his gaze out the window and watched the colorful buildings they drove past, listening to his words. "It's beautiful." Came her gentle voice floating between them, a world of their own as they sat together on the carriage seat. She gently gave his hand a squeeze at his last comment and looked closer at the buildings.

She hadn't been here before, but she had spent a summer in the south of France as a child when her parents had been hoping the climate would help her mother. This town reminded her of the one they had visited, but yet it was altogether so different. "Father brought us to France when I was a child." Malou divulged quietly, "I always loved it. The ocean was so different than the ones in Denmark."

  

---

Hearing his name in such a serene, peaceful way coming from her as quiet as it was, Faustus' heart leapt once more and he sat back, enjoying watching her soak in their surroundings. Looking at her, it struck him that perhaps the reason why this place seemed so familiar wasn't so vague after all. Perhaps it wasn't mere coincidence that he'd been drawn to this place for some inexplicable reason, when the reason seemed so clear and resonant and in the form of the woman next to him.

He knew there was a melancholy tone to this, new that perhaps reminding her of her past would bring back bitter sweet memories that he could never sweeten enough to the point where they would never hurt. But, he figured as he looked out at the passing scenery, maybe it was time to make some new ones. They'd now turned down a more secluded street, sparsely lined with various charming houses. Soon the houses began to become further and further apart as they made their way through the nearby countryside.

And soon the smell of the sea wafted through the windows again, fresh and crisp, and the carriage came to a halt. Out the window was a small secluded park where one might take advantage of the dappled sunlight streaming through the trees facing a nearby lake. On either side of the path, was quite structured, with well groomed foliage and a few modest marble statues stood. Faustus once again went first, opening the door to let the carriages occupants out. It was here that he walked them in a different direction, just ahead towards a small, marble gazebo. Mr. and Mrs. Bagshot who were ahead of them took the right path and sat on a nearby bench.

"Tell me, how are you enjoying it so far?" Faustus said, handing her back the bouquet of flowers now that they were on their own path. His voice level now that they had no cause to whisper. It was at this point that his heart started to thud in his chest.

---

  

The carriage came to a stop at the edge of what Malou assumed was a park. It was a beautiful location, so different from anything one might see in England, or even Denmark. She took a moment to stand there and take in their surroundings.

The group set off down the path, the Bagshots giving them some space, chatting ahead of them as Malou and Fautus trailed behind. Malou was grateful for their distance, for the moments she was able to spend with just Fautus. Mrs. Bagshot had been rather good had managing those before, but only in so much as priority would allow and those had become increasingly less than the amount Malou wanted (which was merely to say that Malou wanted more time to themselves than they had been given, rather than having less given at all).

Ahead of them the Bagshots headed down a different path, but Faustus steered them toward a gazebo. Malou accepted the flowers from him with a smile, it was almost as if her parents were watching them. A comforting thought as they would very much have liked Faustus.

"This," Malou spread her hands out as if she could incompass everything that had happened from the moment she saw Faustus after breakfast in one gesture, "is all so very wonderful, Faustus." She met his gaze, hoping he heard the sincerity in her words. "I have no idea what I've done to deserve such an outing, but I feel so very blessed." Here she leaned toward him and placed a kiss on his cheek, afterall it wasn't as if anyone were watching them - or even knew who they were.

  

---

He was listening to her response and yet he couldn’t help but watch in awe as she gestured out to the grounds and to the scenery, her voice alone enough to convey her feelings. As she spoke a smile lit up his features. It was a far cry from what she deserved, in Faustus’s estimation. He knew he would go to the furthest depths of the ocean if it meant finding something that would bring that smile to her features again.

She seemed to come into his life by sheer will, a bright light accompanied by a nightmare of a hurricane. And yet despite the setting, he couldn’t help but count himself as the luckiest man in the world to have been by her side that day. He had never managed to tell her exactly how impressed he was by her fortitude, especially after having almost drowned. Her resilience spoke volumes and it was a marvel to him that she remained so modestly unaware of exactly how much power she possessed.

He would spend the rest of his life cherishing that, if she would permit him.

“You deserve everything in front of you and more, Marie,” he murmured, his hand coming up to rest on her waist as she kissed him on the cheek. As his heart seemed to pick up rhythm, Faustus felt himself grow solemn.

“Marie, as you know I’ve been on my own for quite some time,” he began, his tone quiet as he observed her expressions to his words. “And as a result it’s been….a different experience entirely to lose one’s heart and to try and find it again. It has been lonely. And it yet it’s also been fulfilling, figuring out this path.”

Here, he walked past her, his hands laced behind his back as he gathered his thoughts:

“Being a father to Iris, Edelweiss and Mezereon has been nothing but wonderful and filled with so many unexpected challenges. Especially involving Mezereon and food from the kitchen….” He chuckled at the memory of sharing this with her at the Sanditon before continuing: “But they need a mother, someone to look up to and someone who cherishes them.

And I would like….” He turned back to face her. “Someone I might share my day with. Someone I might look to for strength and resilience when I need, and who might feel –” His stomach twisted as his breath caught in his throat. “– who might feel the same about me.”

Faustus paused again, his eyes meeting hers, searching for a sign that she might feel the same. That she still felt the same as she did after the events of Valentine’s Day. “Who might wish to accept all that I have and all that I am.”

---

  

In response, his hand found her waist, gentle and reassuring - as he had always been for her. Malou knew it was the type of memory that would be imprinted in her memory, a gentle reminder of all she had gained in the past year.

Always modest, Malou wished she could object to his words, she hardly deserved any special treatment, but it would be rude to say as much. Besides Faustus had begun speaking again, saving her the awkwardness of trying to wave away his comment so sincerely meant.

At the sound of her name Malou felt as if something had shifted, her eyes met his as he spoke, watching him as he moved away from her, took in his words. And realized, her heart stilling for a second in surprise, what this was all about. Was he.... was he about to propose?

She smiled slightly at the memory of Fautus sharing the kitchen escapades of his son with her, of the stories about them that had followed. But they need a mother. The thought stilled her for a moment. Could this mean.... could it mean he felt she could be the one to fill that void for them? Malou herself wasn't certain, but she loved Faustus and understood the burden of losing a parent. She didn't think she'd ever replace their mother, but perhaps she could help soothe the ache the children felt in some small way.

He turned back to her and Malou watched him, taking in his words. Without realizing it she had stepped forward, clasping his hands, one in each of her own and squeezing gently, before letting one go and reaching up to place a hand on the side of his face in a gentle caress. "Always." Came her whispered response, an answer just for him.

  

---

Always….even though he hadn’t spoken those final words, something lifted from his chest and the rest was clear and simple. The feeling of her hand in his was too perfect for words, and he leaned into her palm, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment, enjoying the sensation. Enjoying such peace.

“Marie, I tell you all of this because I know it is a lot. And because you deserve the absolute truth. I know I am not as young as you deserve. The children can get out of hand, and be wild and alive and wonderful and loud.

“I work long days and long nights that exhaust me to my core that I’m not able to do much else other than to say goodnight to the children before I go to sleep.”

He lifted his hand to brush a tendril off hair that had fallen into her eyes. The pointing in his chest had ceased as he looked down at her, and a grin tugged at his lips. “And I know the days at the hospital must tax you just as much.” Because of course they did. He knew how hard she worked and how much she must have sacrificed. The words she murmured to him from the Christmas party came back to him suddenly: and yet this feels right. And I know that it is so very selfish of me.

He remembered the blush that splashed itself across her cheeks when she’d said it. So lovely, so selfless and yet she’d thought it was an act of sacrifice to put herself before others. Faustus took another breath, though his voice remains quiet; for her ears and hers alone. “I would never expect you to give up your way of life. But I ask, in the event that you might want to share your life with us. With me.

I know these flowers and this country remind you of what you have lost. But I do so to provide you with a future glimpse into what you might gain.”

His hand came down from her cheek to take her hand in his again, and he stepped backwards. “Marie. Miss Skovgaard.” He relished the feeling of her name on his lips, smiling as he said them. “I wish to be your home, where you might wish to find yourself at the end of your darkest days and brightest nights. I wish to be the one you might seek out in times of distress and times of your greatest successes.”

Another breath, his eyes fluttered closed before his vow slipped through his lips: “My heart is yours. I am yours. Unreservedly.“

He lowered himself down on one knee to take the bouquet and present it in front of her. The flowers were what they had always been, a vibrant purple, with the speckle of baby’s breath scattered amongst them. And yet now there was something else that had appeared in the center, placed so gently as if it had taken just a whisper to summon it. A ring, purple and gold, dusted with blue sapphires winked up at her as it nestled amongst the petals. “Marie Skovgaard,” he murmured, smiling up at her.  “Would you do me the highest honor of becoming my wife?”

---

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   Fallon Gillespie

Malou's throat tightened at his words, his belief that he wasn't good enough for her. She knew where this was going and it tugged at her, pulling her irrevocably toward him. Her fingers squeezed his gently as he explained what his life - their life would be like. It was a picture of a life Malou had never thought to have and a picture of a life she was finding she desperately wanted - because it was with him.

And then, he brought up the very reason she had hesitated all those years, all the years she had tried not to listen to Mrs. Bagshot's discussions to go to balls and court. He wouldn't ask her to give up her career. She almost cried at the statement. Tears pulled in her eyes as she nodded that yes, she did want to share his life. She couldn't think of anything more perfect. No matter how crazy and imperfect he thought it was.

Her name upon his lips, his wishes and vows left her speechless. Her heart beating furiously in her chest as love swelled through her. And then he was on his knee, the bouquet in his hands before him, nestled in the petals was the most gorgeous ring Malou had ever seen. The picture one of old and new combined together. Her past, her present, her future.

It was his question though that undid her, a tear escaping down her cheek as she nodded, forgetting for a moment to use her words. But then whispering,"Yes." In the air between them.

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   Aldous Crouch, Faustus Prewett

---

Just today within the span of a few hours, she had set him free with the beauty, the simplicity of her words: I trust you, Always...Yes... Something burst in his chest, and Faustus couldn't stop himself from smiling; couldn't stop the relieved laugh that escaped him as he looked up at her, a single tear escaping down her cheek. "You will?" He couldn't stop the question from coming out. Her answer was too good for words, too sure, too good to be true. But he'd heard her the first time, as if the word had been fabricated from her lips for the very first time.

It lifted him to his feet and closed the gap between them, his palm pressing to her cheek as his thumb caught the tear and wiped it away. "You have no idea the happiness you've just given me, Marie." he said tenderly, leaning forward to press a kiss to her lips. So very happy.

---

  

"I will." She agreed, her voice choked with emotion even as a smile slid over her lips. How could he doubt that her answer would be anything else? She was honored to even have him consider the option. Just eight months ago she had been convinced she wouldn't be good enough for him and his family, and yet here they were. Each believing they were not worthy of the other. Perhaps that was what made their love so great, the fact that they strove to never take each other for granted.

Faustus was standing up then, leaning toward her. Her eyes fluttered shut as his warm palm embraced her face, his thumb brushing away the tear and leaving only a damp trace of it. Her hand reached up over his own and held his in place against her face. At his words she opened her eyes and met his gaze. Their lips met and in that moment Malou was quite certain she had never been happier. When he moved back she met his gaze and gave him a shy smile, "I may have some idea." She admitted a small blush on her cheeks.

  

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