Of course she did; and it was the knowledge that she reciprocated his feelings that sung such a sweet melody to him, gentle and tender and strong. Her blush caused a small pitter patter in his chest, and Faustus moved forwards once more, his arm encircling her waist as he lifted her up against him, his lips meeting hers again as if they hadn't touched in an eternity. He spun her on the spot then, his other hand having caught the bouquet so it wouldn't get crushed.

It was with fervor that something else lit inside him and everything seemed brighter, fresher and so alive. He couldn't help but laugh into the kiss as he allowed his hand to slip into her hair, partially for support and partially for the wonderful sensation against his fingers before he lowered her back onto the gazebo floor.

---

  

Malou was certain she never wanted this moment to end, especially as he wrapped her in his warm embrace again. His lips met her's again as she felt her feet leave the ground as he held her to him. She wrapped her own arms around him, holding him close as he spun her around. His proximity, the joy of the moment, sent shivers throughout her body, aware of every small place that their bodies were touching between their clothes. His fingers tugged into her hair and for once Malou found she didn't worry about propriety or how disheveled she would look afterward. In fact she never wanted this to end.

All too soon he set her down again, as her toes touched the ground again and Faustus's lips left her own Mslou found a grin over her lips. "I love you." She murmured, the only words that could encompass even a portion of her feelings in that moment.

  

---

It was the first time he’d felt allowed - by himself, by society - to be so close to her. Feeling her against him, so close in his arms felt electrifying, and Faustus only wanted to deepen the embrace. His heart felt wonderfully full, and light as he looked down at her, a grin tugging at his lips once more (he wouldn’t stop smiling after this for quite some time, even as he was writing to his family). “And I you, Marie.” He breathed, his eyes moving to her hair and he stifled a sheepish chuckle as he saw he’d caused a bit of a disturbance in her otherwise flawless appearance.

As his hand came back up to fix the tendrils he’d shaken loose, with his other hand he brought back the bouquet to between them, glancing down at the ring still nestled comfortably between the flowers. “I do hope you like the ring?” He’d worked with one of the jewelers his family had worked with in the past, doing his best to take into account everything he knew about her. Her beauty, elegance, simplicity, her gentleness…and of course, her career.

Picking it up, he offered to slip the ring onto her finger. “If there’s anything you’d like to change about it, it wouldn’t cost anything.” It truly wouldn’t, given how loyal the family had been to the jeweler and his business.

---

  

One look at the sheepish smile was all Malou needed to confirm that the strands she'd felt pulling loose were likely beyond repair. But honestly, she didn't mind. She was sure she'd had hair tousled more from work then from this - although that was usually a simple bun and not what the maid had worked so hard on. Let Mrs. Bagshot cluck, Malou decided, nothing could ruin this morning, especially when Faustus was brushing the hair away from her face in such a loving gesture.

He brought the bouquet back up for her to view and again Malou's gaze fell to the ring. She hadn't fully taken it in before, but now she couldn't help but feel that Faustus had found the most perfect ring he might have for her. As much as she had accustomed herself to a simple life she still loved things of beauty. "It's perfect." She breathed her finger reaching out to gingerly touch the stone at the middle.

Faustus took the ring from it's nestled spot between the petals and guided it toward her hand, she held her fingers splayed out for him to place it on her and shook her head. She couldn't imagine what she would ever need to change on it. But at his words, she began to realize her simple life, her life living on charity, was coming to an end. It had been an adjustment in the early days, but what would her adjustment be going the other way? What about the fact that her dowry had been taken from her? Did he know? Surely Mrs. Bagshot would have told him.

"Fasutus," Came her quiet voice, looking up at him eyes widening in worry, "I- you should know. I don't have a large dowry." A flush colored her cheeks at this as she realized she ought to have told him before she had accepted his proposal. Now her eyes met his, concern clear on her face that she may have accidently trapped him in an arrangement that would not be suitable for him.

  

---

It fit like a glove, and Faustus grinned as the ring slid onto her finger as if it had merely been missing for a short period of time. Perfect.

But then he caught the glimmer of nervousness that flitted across her face. Ah, her dowry. Yes, he knew very well about what had happened to her dowry. He would usually be able to keep his composure as she told him, but here, feeling her nervousness at this confession it was that his expression darkened, a frown tugging at his lips.

Once Faustus had declared his intentions to the Bagshots and asked them permission to marry her, they’d been delighted of course but underneath that happiness ran a current of apprehension. It was soon after that they’d disclosed the full story - of course with tact and full transparency, but Mrs. Bagshot did not hesitate to make her biases known. To her it was plain and simple. Marie had been stolen from, cruelly and without mercy by her Uncle. But the end Mrs. Bagshot had been almost vibrating with fury at the injustice Marie had suffered.

Faustus, having dealt with many a case where families were stolen from, did not begrudge her her anger. Indeed he was rather incensed himself, and made a mental note to look further into it once he’d returned to work. Regardless of Marie’s answer to his proposal, he would track down Gabriel Skovgaard and find a way to make him pay.

“I’m well aware of what has been stolen from you, Marie,” he said, his tone only cooler to contain the rage that had suddenly sparked in him as he remembered being told. His gaze shifted back to her, determined now as he held her hands and lifted one to press his lips against her knuckles. “I know the full story. You needn’t worry about me,” He smiled softly. “There are perks to coming from a family like mine.” He was not a habitually extravagant man by any means, but knew the value of his family’s security and comfort meant that Marie would be able to seamlessly join them and it would barely be a drop in the bucket.

But her lack of money to join his family’s wealth was never the reason for his ire. No, it was how cheated of her birthright she had been, and how swiftly it had been taken from her. “Your lack of a dowry was never of concern, Marie.” He said softly, furrowing his brow. “I find myself enraged on your behalf at what you went through.” And I swear I will make him pay.

---

  

He hadn't known. Malou realized with a sinking feeling as the happiness seeped from his face. He hadn't expected that, hadn't known what a burden she actually would be to him. Her oddities he could accept, but not her lack of money. Malou couldn't meet his gaze, her eyes dropping down to his collar, resting there as she waited for his judgment - the withdrawing of all her happiness.

There was no warmth in his voice as he began to talk, Malou could have cried at that. But then there was that word. Stolen. He knew then. He knew and it still wasn't enough. But then his voice softened as he mentioned himself and she braved a look up at his face to see the small smile on his features, reassuring her, but she couldn't smile back, all she could do was swallow back the emotions clawing at her throat.

It had never been a concern? She met his gaze then, blinking as she took in what he said. She had been so worried in December that his family would never accept her because of what had happened. That she was wasting both their times. But she couldn't give him up then. To give him up now? She wasn't sure she could do that either.

It dawned on her now that his tone before hadn't been directed at her - it had been directed at her uncle. At the way life had dealt her the hand it had. She gave him a wavering smile and found that the only word she could think to say was, "Oh."

  

---

He could see she was still wavering. For as soft-spoken as Marie could be, to Faustus it seemed as if he could read all the emotions across her face: love first, then happiness, then fear, guilt and sadness. In a way he wished she would share these things with him, for he didn't wish to merely guess and assume that he knew her innermost thoughts. But that would come with time, he hoped. However, for now he wanted to be sure of what she wanted. If there was even a glimmer of hesitation for whatever reason, he wanted the decision to be hers, even if it meant fracturing a piece of himself so she might be certain.

Dropping her hand, his own moved to cup her cheek once more, tenderly to brush against the skin below her temple. "I cannot know what it is to have a family member betray you," Faustus prayed that he would never know that day. He may have his disagreements with his family — Fitz was too impulsive by half, his mother and aunt: too meddling at times, his children: often rowdy and loud, himself: well, he could distance himself from his family too much, and by consequence appear to be extremely disinterested in their lives — but he knew that they would never betray him in such a way that Marie's kin had. "However I know what it is like to feel as if the world is against you. When the Ministry killed my father, there were dark days, but what I did have was my family, however chaotic it might have been. We stayed our course and came out the other side, and I only wish the same for you, to help in whatever way you may want me to. I mean what I said, Marie I want to share my life with you and for what is mine to become yours."

His brows knitted together, worried he wouldn't be able to say much else to convince her that she would never be seen as a blight to him.

---

  

His caress was reassuring and she leaned into the warmth of his hand. It would all be alright, she told herself. Faustus was still here, he understood, he still wanted her. Together they would move forward and make new memories, soothing the wounds of the past. She wanted that with her very soul. A life twined with his, new memories to surround them.

Malou listened as he explained his past, his own shadows, for the first time, her gray eyes meeting his blue ones. Mrs. Bagshot had shared some of Faustus's history with her, but he himself had never explained it. It reassured her to know he was by her side. She no longer felt anger or resentment toward her uncle, but instead she felt an ache of knowledge that it felt her with no family and no home. The money had never really mattered to Malou, so lost in her grief and her grand plans of life, but she had never truly accepted the disapperance of the last thread of her past.

At his final words, Malou's heart swelled. She loved this man. This new family of her's. The one who wanted to bind himself to her despite everything. Her eyes never wavered, her voice quiet and strong as she replied, "And I you." As she clasped his hand and gently squeezed it.

  

---

If it took a moment for Faustus to trust what Marie was saying, it was only because of the weight behind her decision. He wanted to make absolute certain it was what she wanted — but as usual when she was certain (he'd learnt how to pick up on those small moments of hers especially quickly the last time he had ended up in one of her hospital beds), her voice was resolute, and there was determination behind her expression. He was tempted to pick her up once more and spin her around even further, however even though they were still within distance of Mr. and Mrs. Bagshot, Faustus reigned in his urge and he leaned down to kiss her on the cheek.

Looking down at her hand, the ring sat there twinkling happily. "I have...one more thing I would like to ask you, Marie." He murmured, a sheepish expression overtaking his features as he turned to face the park once more and offer her his arm. He nodded to Mr. and Mrs. Bagshot (Mrs. Bagshot clasped her hands together, a joyful look upon her face, while Mr. Bagshot gave a small cheer) before heading further down the path towards an opening in the trees.

---

  

A smile spread over her lips as Faustus placed a kiss on her cheek. The worries easing as they fell back into their farmiliar rhythm. This was happening. She was binding her life to Fautus's. The fate she had spent years dreading suddenly bloomed brightly in front of her. How could she had found such a wonderful path as this? Malou found herself wondering, the smile lingering dreamily on her lips.

At his words Malou looked up at his face, surprised. What more was there to ask? Had he not just asked the penultimate question? The question that would change both their lives so entirely? She might have teased him about it, but looking up at his face, reading the look there, she merely nodded and gave him an encouraging smile.

Instead of answering, though he led her from the gazebo. Concious of the Bagshots looking on, Malou tried to ignore them, tried to keep from looking at them.She heard something like a cheer from Mr. Bagshot and found her cheeks warming. "They knew, didn't they?" She asked as they moved deeper down the park's paths.

  

---

He had to chuckle at the Bagshots' outbursts. While it was entirely characteristic of them, he found their support of their goddaughter quite endearing, and nothing short of expected. Though he'd set out to get to know Marie, he'd found delightful company in her godparents, getting to know them further than merely how-do-you-do's at society events. "They knew every step of the way," He said, not bothering to hide his amusement as they strolled towards the opening. At first it looked as if the opening was rather hidden between the trees, but upon further inspection, there was a charming little iron gate, which would only be there if one was looking for it. If the flowers that only adorned the iron gate looked familiar, it was because it was speckled with the very same flowers from Marie's bouquet.

Placing a hand on the gate, Faustus swung it open easily — in its state it should have rusted, but it made no noise as it swung open. Peeking through, Faustus checked to make sure the view would be right before motioning for Marie to join him. Upon further look, it was clearly an entry way only visible to magic-folk. Behind the garden gate was a stone path, just narrow enough but would widen to accommodate its occupant. The stone path led down a small hill where just in the distance one might see a modest-sized cottage nestled by the sea, adorned with vines and flowers. Faustus grinned, looking to Marie as he did so. "Tell me, what do you think?" He asked, anticipation bubbling up in his voice.

---

  

For some reason knowing the Bagshots had known about everything made Malou grin. Her mother would have liked that. Would have liked that Faustus had let them know what was happening. Her father too would have liked that, would have liked all the planning and effort that Faustus had put into this.

Following the path led them to a small hidden gate, twined with Danish flowers. Malou's eyes widened in surprise to see them here in such a climate, but they were gorgeous. Faustus swung up the gate and stepped through then came back for her.

She stepped through and the view that greeted her was like something out of a fairy tale. A small flower covered cottage sat near the sea, a quaint stone path leading to it. "It's gorgeous." Malou breathed. Small and quaint, and exactly the type of place that she could envision spending time away from the world in. A place to set one at ease and enjoy the company of a family. A family. She'd have that again soon. The thought swelled in her, a comforting glow that warmed her and held her close as much as Fasutus's hugs did. Even if it were just a family of two, her and Faustus, it was a family. Something she had lost and never thought to find again.

  

---

"It's yours."

Well, that was it was nearly theirs, but he had intended for it to belong to Marie; a place where she might be able to escape if the days were too long, too overwhelming. It would serve as a summer home for the family, and was large enough to accommodate a decent quantity of the extended family, but he intended for Marie to fully have the run of it once the papers were signed. Faustus came across the listing one day, and knew it would be the perfect present for her. He'd added the touches of the iron gate, but the rest was hers to envision.

He hadn't been so foolish as to purchase it fully on the chance that she might not say yet; however given how their courtship seemed to have been going, Faustus knew it would be worth the risk to declare his intentions for the place.

"We'll be able to come here whenever you please." He murmured as they looked down on the cottage. "Once it's final, we can bring the Bagshots here and look over what needs to be done." He felt excited about the very prospect.

---

  

Those two words had Malou turning to Faustus her eyes wide. He'd gotten her a house? He had so much hope in their future that not only had he planned a day to surprise her, but he had found a house that was perfectly to Malou's tastes in a location she loved. When he had mentioned bringing up memories and creating new ones she hadn't thought he meant this. But she could so easily see it twined, there in the gate, here in Faustus's gaze, in the house before them.

"Oh Faustus." Her voice hardly more than a whisper, blown away by his thoughtfulness. "It's perfect." The whole day, his whole plan, him himself, it was all perfect. She leaned toward him tilting her head up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you." She whispered against his cheek. Not just for this, but, "For everything." She leaned back to look up in his eyes, amazed all over again that this man before her wanted to share his life with him - had planned for it and not just thought on it.

  

---