June 1422
“Pippin is dancing with Laura Boffin again,” Estella whispered. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful if he met his future wife at our betrothal party?”
“It would be wonderful if he met his future wife anywhere,” Merry snorted.
“Merry!” Estella scolded and pinched his arm. He laughed and gathered her up in his arms, kissing her quite soundly.
“Are you sure you want to be stuck with me?” Merry asked.
She looked up at him, her face glowing with her smile. “Yes, I’m sure,” she said. Then her face grew serious. “Are you sure you want to be stuck with me?”
Merry caressed her cheek. “Always. I want to be stuck with you until we’re old and grey and bouncing grandchildren on our knees.”
She smiled again. “That long, huh?”
He grinned. “That long.” He bent to kiss her again, but a small hand tugging on his coat interrupted.
“Daddy?” Ivy pleaded, looking up at him. “I have to go,” she whispered. She was shuffling her feet and looked a little uncomfortable.
“Would you like me to take you?” Estella asked.
“All right,” Ivy said and took Estella’s hand.
“Back in a little bit,” Estella said to Merry.
He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. “Thanks,” he said. He glanced down at Ivy. “For everything.”
She just smiled and touched his cheek, then let herself be dragged off to the privy by Ivy.
Merry sighed happily as he watched them go. He was so lucky to have Estella and Ivy was lucky to have her, too.
“That was a lovely meal, Mrs. Bolger.”
Rosamunda Bolger beamed at her future son-in-law. “Are you sure you’ve had enough, dear?” she asked.
“You never ask me if I’ve had enough!” Freddy complained.
His mother just shot him a glare, then smiled at her daughter. “Why don’t you two go for a walk. It’s a lovely evening.
“Don’t you want help with the dishes first?” Estella asked.
“No, no. You two go have a walk. Freddy will help with the dishes.” She ignored Freddy’s groan of protest and started gathering up the plates.
“Can I come?” Ivy asked, looking up at her father.
Pippin pushed back from the table. “How about you stay here with me?” he asked, holding out his arms.
Ivy grinned and raced around the table to jump into his lap, throwing her arms around his neck.
“We’ve got new piglets,” Mrs. Bolger said. “Maybe your Uncle Pippin will take you out to see them.”
“Can we?” Ivy pleaded. Pippin made a show of thinking about it. Ivy squirmed impatiently.
“Oh, all right then,” he said. Ivy squealed in his ear, making him cringe, and jumped down off his lap.
“Here, sweetest,” Mrs. Bolger said, reaching up into a basket on top of the sideboard. “Here’s some bread for the sow. She’ll like that.” She handed a very excited Ivy the half loaf of bread.
“Thank you!” Ivy said and raced back over to Pippin. “Let’s go!” she cried, grabbing his hand and pulling at him.
“Ivy!” Merry scolded. He gave her a stern look and she sighed.
“Let’s go, please,” she said to Pippin.
“Well, since you asked so nicely,” Pippin said, winking at the others. He got up and followed Ivy down the hall to the back door.
“Here, Freddy,” Mrs. Bolger said, handing her son a pile of plates, “you take these off to the kitchen for me.”
“Yes, Mum,” Freddy said. He wrinkled his nose at Estella.
She smirked back at him and took Merry’s hand. “How about our walk, then?”
They walked down the path to the small road that ran along the Bolger’s fields, holding hands. Merry chuckled. “I can’t believe your Mum lets me take you out alone,” he said. “Especially now that we’re betrothed. Isn’t she afraid I might try something?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
Estella laughed. “I’m thirty-six, Merry, and you’re the first lad who’s ever had a real interest in me. I think she’s just happy I’m not going to be an old maid!”
He sighed. “I’m sorry I made you wait so long.”
She squeezed his hand. “I know. But I also know it’s better that you waited until you were sure.”
He stopped and pulled her around to embrace her. “How did I get so lucky to find a lass like you?” he asked.
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m not perfect, Merry. There’s been many times when I’ve wished you’d never left the Shire with Frodo.” She bowed her head, “That you’d never met Éowyn,” she said softly. She looked up at him. “But then you wouldn’t have Ivy, would you? And I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
“See, that’s what I mean?” he said. He bent down and kissed her. She sighed and opened her mouth slightly, letting him deepen the kiss. He let his hands trail down her back to the beginning of the soft curve of her behind. He pulled her closer and he couldn’t help but push his hips against her. He wanted her so much...
She broke the kiss. “Merry?”
“Sorry,” he murmured. He stepped back a little and nuzzled his nose against her ear. “I forgot myself.”
“Do you want to...?” She sounded nervous. “I mean, I know you’ve done it before--obviously--and if you want me to--”
He kissed her, cutting her off, then looked in her eyes. “If you want to wait, we will wait,” he said. “It’s only a year. I think I can survive that long.”
She smiled. “I think I want to wait.” She gave him a coy smile. “But I could always change my mind.”
He laughed. “Are you going to try something with me, Estella Bolger?”
She winked at him. “You never know.”
He put his arm around her shoulders and they continued their walk. “We don’t have to wait, you know,” he said. “For the wedding, I mean. I know May is traditional, but if you want to get married earlier...”
Estella sighed. She smiled at him. “I would, truly. But I’ve been so busy with Gammer Brook and I haven’t even started thinking about planning things. Though I think my mum has.” She winked at him.
Merry chuckled. “Mine, too. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to take care of everything.”
“I know.” She sighed again.
Merry pulled her to a stop. “What’s wrong Estella?”
She bowed her head again. “I just think the year will be good. It’s traditional and...” She looked up at him. “It will give you a chance to make sure this is what you really want.”
“Estella...” He embraced her, resting his cheek on her head. “I’m sure. I’ve made my choice and I have no regrets.”
“I know, but... I don’t want to you do this if you have any... doubts.”
“Besides the fact she is happily married,” he said, pulling away to look in her eyes. “I chose you. I love you.” He caressed her cheek. He knew he hadn’t given her a whole lot of reasons to truly trust him, stringing her along for so long. “But if you want to wait, that is fine. Whatever you want to do.” And he’d spend that year proving to her that he loved her, that he truly believed he had made the right choice.
