WHO: Graciela Cervavntes and Edward Pennifold
WHAT: Anxieties lead to talks about the future aka CUTENESS
WHERE: Portugal!
WHEN: This past Sunday!




Graciela had to remind herself that she did not have to feel guilty every time she put her foot down, or had an opinion that opposed that of someone she loved. She could not help it, however, and even though the first two days in Portugal with Edward and Zacharias had been quite nice, she still felt very guilty about the almost fight that she had gotten into with her boyfriend. It had not even been an almost fight, it had felt almost like a stand-off, which was close enough to the territory of a fight to make Graciela feel immensely guilty!

But she didn’t have to be!

She was not wrong, she should not have to cut her trip short because Edward believed his publishing company would fall apart without him for a few days! That was silly! His boss Patrick skipped town all the time! Edward had really never taken a holiday? Graciela knew that her schedule was a bit easier to work around, but she still had deadlines to meet and appointments to make that could help her see how useful a holiday would be----Edward was the one that made her schedule, surely he could figure out a way to arrange it so that they could have a nice time together!

Graciela pursed her lips as she pushed the towel against her hair, stepping out of the loo. The shower was a very good place to think, but it was also a very good place to overanalyze problems that were not even there. She and Edward had made it to Portugal; she should not be worrying herself over an almost fight. Dressed in a Braga shirt and a pair of shorts, Graciela toed around the room of their hotel (her mother had subtly warned her that her father would have forced them to sleep in separate rooms if they wanted to stay at her parents’ home), looking for Edward. Zacharias had been latched onto his grandfather’s side, and had proclaimed that he would be sleeping at his abuelo’s house, thank you very much. Graciela had pretended to be very, very sad about this, but was quite happy for the alone time with Edward.

“Edward?” she called, noticing that the glass door to the balcony was open, the breeze swaying the thin curtains gently.

Edward shifted in his chair, head picking up at the sound of his name. Portugal’s nights, he found, were much more agreeable and therefore much more enjoyable than it’s days, and why he had chosen to sit on the porch whilst Graciela washed up. He may also have been trying to subdue this pressing apprehension bubbling in his temple concerning the current day, time and location he was in... which was not England, but he did not want to fully admit that.

If, instead, Graciela would just release him, back to England, then this budding sense of anxiety would disappear. Then, at the smallest hint of labor, he would pop back here, to Portugal, without a second thought! It made perfect sense to him, a scenario where everyone would be happy, technically speaking. Though Edward knew Graciela would not take as happily to this suggestion as he would. So it left him here, trying his best to not give into this tension headache forming.

“I am on the balcony!” he called back, leaning slightly for a better angle. Perhaps if he just created an office here in Portugal! Since Graciela’s family was here, there was no doubt in Edward’s mind that issues like this would come up again, so if perhaps for next time that was set in place... but that did not help with his current situation.

Regardless, Edward still smiled when Graciela entered. A smile was still a smile, even if it was slightly off.

She pushed past the curtains and smiled right back at Edward, the warm feeling of knowing that she had him all to herself for the night returning. Maybe she should apologize for seemingly dragging him here. They really didn’t have an idea when Santiago’s son would be born, but a week at a hotel with a beautiful view of the beach and ocean should really make up for that, she believed. They deserved some time to themselves, too! They had not been...anywhere as a couple, really. One night in Portugal for Andrea’s wedding, but then it had been back home for a Prophet interview and book signing.

It was exciting! At least, she was excited! Graciela knew her namorado well enough to decipher his strained expression. Maybe she could make him forget that there were manuscripts to be read...the thought made her flush, and she was still standing a good two feet away from Edward. Well!

This was the man she was waiting for a proposal of marriage from, she supposed she should not be feeling so overwhelmed at showing him how much she appreciated him.

Graciela let out a short breath and moved to Edward, not hesitating in taking a seat right in his lap, her legs draping over the arm of the chair. She kissed him quickly, her arms going around his neck, and she wiggled to get comfortable.

“I love being here with you,” she said against his lips.

Edward immediately wrapped his arms around Graciela’s waist, and pressed his face lightly into her arm briefly. Yes, he enjoyed being here as well. Traveling, while the act itself never absolutely sat well with him, always led to places with new adventures and joy--- he would simply have to focus on that feeling, alone, and not on anything else. Edward did not want his emotions concerning work to come between him and his girlfriend, which whom he had never fought with before, so he would try. To let it go, at least. That would be the logical thing to do.

“I love you, too,” Edward responded calmly. He knew that she had said something differently, but he didn’t want her to think... the two loves of his life were books and her, so reminding himself and her that was important. Fretting over not being in the offices tomorrow morning would have to be put to an end; his mind just needed to remember that these two things came hand in hand now. He supposed since he had gone so long without a serious love in his life that he may have forgotten this important skill. That was not good.

“When do you think the baby will be born?” he asked curiously, raising his hand to push a bit of hair out of her eyes. That was simply because it was an interesting question to ask. It seemed her family all had their own idea, and since Edward’s portuguese was still not fluent, he had to admit some phrases still did not make sense to him. In English or Portuguese. Accents were difficult to adjust to.

He really warmed her heart. Even though she had been married, she had not dated like this, ever. It was nice to not have any obligations, though Zacharias was a handful now that he had accepted Edward’s presence in his life. Graciela had not had the chance to feel the excitement of what would happen next, where would things go, and she was enjoying every minute of it.

“Hm,” she wondered, having forgotten in the moment why they were in Portugal to begin with. “I will say Wednesday.”

She dropped her head to his shoulder, feeling rather comfortable though she didn’t know if Edward could say the same. She would revel in the feeling, however, and Graciela felt a sense of bravery come over her as they watched the sun set. In her heart, she believed she and Edward would be together for a long, long time. For the rest of her days, she hoped. It was a good feeling to have, and she was quite certain that Edward felt the same way...but sometimes it was nice to hear things for yourself rather than assume. Was marriage something that went along with being together forever? Graciela supposed that it did not have to be, with how happy she was at the moment. Her parents would not approve, but they were not the ones living her life.

Would she be all right with that? Graciela really had no idea where Edward’s mind was when it came to taking the plunge, and she had no desire to pressure him like her friends had roughly suggested. Things were good...still. It would be nice to know that they were on the same page.

“Where do you think we will be in five years?” she wondered out loud, the calm of her question mirrored by her relaxed state on his lap. It wasn’t a demand--she would like to hear his thoughts.

Edward did not have to think long, for he had already thought of his life with Graciela five years from now, and even longer. But, to not seem brash, he waited a couple of moments, adjusting his hold on her and moving slightly in his chair before speaking. It was important that she knew he was speaking from the heart, and truthfully.

“I thought we would be married,” he answered just as calmly as her, almost like a fact that had already been established. Well, he supposed it had been in his head, but not to Graciela because he had never spoken to her about it. He had always just assumed she felt the same way. He found nothing wrong with voicing your thoughts, however, so Edward continued.

“And with more children than Zacharias, if you would like,” Edward smiled slightly, and he gently pushed his face into her hair. The thought of children in existence that had been created by him and Graciela made him smile. It made him feel happy! Yes, that was something that he wanted. Perhaps not this very instant, as he was sure marriage would be first, but eventually, most definitely.

“I also thought... we would have a house in the country, and move away from the city,” he finished, closing his eyes and tightening his grip on her. Now that he had expressed his thoughts out loud, a bit of nervousness took over him. What if Graciela did not agree with these ideas? What if his forwardness made her uncomfortable? Edward took in a breath, and sought to calm his nerves he had no idea existed.

“Two more,” she said, almost immediately, pushing herself closer to Edward. Graciela paused, thinking that she would want an even number of children, to be fair, “Maybe three.”

She grinned, tilting her head up to kiss his neck. It was so good to hear him say the same things that she had been thinking herself, for them. A lot of her recent worry was that maybe she had different ideas for where they currently stood than Edward. Graciela supposed now that they were both just quiet people who enjoyed the comfort they brought each other...why mess it up with potentially awkward conversations? These sort of talks needed to happen, however, and she was glad that she’d built up the courage to bring it up.

Maybe it was the Portuguese sun...her family always said that it had healing abilities, maybe it also brought strength. The thought made her heart thud heavily and she continued to lounge in Edward’s lap.

“With a horse,” she said, her hand going to the back of his head, playing with his hair. Their children would have such nice hair. “Zacharias has always wanted a horse, but I tell him there is no room in his closet.”

Edward genuinely smiled. Yes, he liked the idea of owning a horse. It could go in their large field, and perhaps be accompanied by some other farm-based animals. But not too many; there would be just enough to be appropriately reminiscent of 18th century rural England, not a barnyard gone awry.

And two children! Three! For Graciela, he would have as many children as she wanted. Edward could say that when he thought of his future life at a younger age, children had not been something that intimidated him. He had just known, that when the time came, and with the right person, it would not feel ridiculous or frightening. And it didn’t! There was nothing that worried him concerning children with Graciela. She was a very good mother, and he thought his experience with his brother’s daughter was preparing him for fatherhood. They were both financially fine, and would be for a long time, so there wasn’t that to be concerned about, either. He found nothing to be concerned about.

“Yes,” he agreed, now nodding slightly. “I like all these things.” It made him feel... happy to finally have said these things out loud to Graciela, and her him. It was good, it was a good step forward in their relationship. Not that there was anything wrong, Edward had never felt like their relationship was lacking. It was simply a step that had been needed, only in this moment. He moved his face to press his lips against hers momentarily.

“Do you have any names in mind?” Edward asked when he pulled away. He did not move his hands, as he was enjoying his grip on her. His curiosity was getting the best of him, however, and he meant his tone to be only that. He had not thought about it as much as anything else, but he would like to hear them if she had any.

Names. Names! Did she have names? Graciela paused, taking a moment to not only imagine names, but to think of the beautiful faces of her future children. They would all be so happy. Zacharias would be an excellent older brother, for as stubborn as he was in most things, he was very devoted to those in his life. Her boy always made sure she had all her things before they left the house, he managed a calendar for when Alex was to come pick him up, and with Edward he did things like save pages in books that had passages her boyfriend might find interesting. Zacharias would be a lovely big brother, it was a fact.

“I have always loved Isabella,” she said with a smile, and Graciela let out a happy sigh. The name had always been on her mind, from the moment she had found out she was pregnant with Zacharias. Well---after she had stopped crying and thinking that she was going straight to Hell for having premarital sex, of course. “I had to have my brother swear he would not use the name if he was to have another girl.”

She had made her sister swear, too, but Graciela believed her point had been put across thoroughly enough. She smiled, feeling a strong blush creep up her neck. Mackenzie would be very proud of her for her next words.

“Isabella Pennifold sounds very nice, I think.”

Isabella Pennifold. Edward thought for a moment, and smiled further. “It does,” Edward agreed, the back of his neck beginning to feel hot. But in a good way, he was sure, because if he felt perfectly calm about everything in his future, that would not be living, yes? There had to be excitement, and acceptance of the unknown, along with all things meticulously planned to live. So, while the action of talking about future children’s names brought up nerves, it was of the good kind.

“I like it,” he continued, nodding. Risking it, Edward moved one of his hands from tightly grasping Graciela’s waist to gently place it on the side of her face. Holding her head, he smiled and tilted his head slightly. This moment, like this, he wanted to remember it for a long time. He could barely even remember what he had been fretting about before, as nothing else could ruin or be as important as this meaningful and joy-inducing state he felt he was in. Looking at her intently, it made Edward think just how very much he loved this woman, and looked forward to spending a very long time, potentially the rest of his life, with her.

If it was possible, his smile furthered. “We’ll need official sanctioning from Zacharias, first.” Edward hoped Graciela would enjoy the joke, despite he himself deciding it to be a very serious matter.

Que romântico, Graciela thought, feeling lightheaded. Even though he was asking a silly question (though not so silly, with how serious Zacharias was), it was embedded in a brand new foreseeable future for the two of them. The three! And in a few years time, four. Or five? The idea that the future she had been dreaming of was actually to become a reality sent a surge of adoration for Edward throughout her entire being.

How lucky was she, that she had found someone so kind and understanding, even after she had seemingly lost her way? Her faith had been shaken, she had taken a few wrong turns, but Graciela finally felt like she was back to living a good and fulfilling life. Edward had helped her regain her confidence and she hoped that she had bettered his life as well.

“Yes,” she said before kissing him much deeper than before and not feeling like letting go for some time. Yes, yes, yes, anything for him.