"Well howdy pardner fancy meeting you here" John attempting John Wayne was more like John attempting John Cleese... his strides towards Issy at the clothes line awfully close to the Monty Python comics' ministry of funny walks. Issy stifled a giggle as she bent to grab another dark navy bath towel and pegs out of the wicker laundry basket, to hang on the line.

He was happy, well he had the right to be. The lads had had a blast, memories drizzling like rain over them creating an absolute flood of laughter and smiles.

"I'm hanging this 'ere washing, sheriff. Did you run all the rustlers outta town?"

Falling at her feet, John spread-eagled wordlessly on the ground. She kicked him lightly.... He wasn't moving. Shrugging with indifference Issy continued on with the washing, John would get up soon, the dogs lapping and licking his face would make short work of his spread-eagled form.

The many tablecloths flapped as Issy tugged them straight, the line overflowing with linen from the wedding and guests.

"Have you forgiven me 'bout the novel porno loo travesty yet? I know you're happy as an author in the bestsellers list what with the girls knowing you are the gloriously talented Isabelle AKA Giselle.... but the loo-asco fiasco....???"

He wasn't going to beg he surmised as he see-sawed his hand wondering if he was in the clear or in the shit. Nah, sweet talking and kisses were much more entertaining and useful in bringing Isabelle round. But he did need to know her stance, nothing much had been said on the matter apart from Paul' s limp dick comment which, by the way, newsflash... Entirely untrue. And then she was gone, the three other nutter's wives had rounded Isabelle up and drenched her in question upon silly women's question.

Didn't Geo, Rings and Paul sate their ladies?
Christ if Isabelle was nattering away about some porn novel fella he'd have to take her over the nearest table to make her remember exactly what was real and what was fiction. Hard and fast too...

The tablecloths flapped and fluttered as the wind lifted and dropped them in inconsistent harmony. While she was a tad peeved Issy understood, well, at the very least, she saw the sense in John taking off with the dodgy chapters. They were well written if she did say so herself, they were very sexy, they were essentially, them. "I'm no more annoyed than I'm bothered you would feel the need to hide them"

She sank down on the grass, kneeling over John as he lay eyes closed in the dappled sunlight, fingers running over his eyebrows, cheeks and jaw. He said he had something for her as they lay together recovering from the wedding party. Everyone was late rising that next day- two pm, three; John a little closer to four. The day was wasted away in repose and cuddles and lazy sleep ins. Glorious.

"Will you finally show me your something if I do forgive you...?"

His grin was fetching and terribly swift, with his eyes still well and truly sealed shut. Much, much too late did Issy realise her lead line was laden heavy with innuendo that he loved oh so much...... "Oh darlin' I'll show you my something anytime at all..." Then he launched grabbing Isabelle and rolling her away with him across the grass as far as the rim of the fire remains and rolling back toward the wash basket again. Ben and Max began barking excitedly as Issy squealed and John attacked with tickles and kisses, and squeezes too.

They rolled again and she grinned and giggled and squealed up at him, then down at him as he rolled them. His groaning, over-done wiggling and naughty groping making them both laugh and snicker happily.

He was delicious and wonderfully childlike when he was like this. A quality to keep her on her toes, to keep her young and possibly drive her slightly insane...

John stopped suddenly halfway between the cold ashes of the fire and the reality of life- the washing, the laundry. She was under him, his weight a delightful anchor holding her firm, warm and safe and the fast, sometimes raspberry-like kisses in his playfulness developed and deepened into delving and devilishly daring ones.... Moans erupting sporadically from both parties' throats as he took his time delivering to her mouth devouring and devastatingly sexy French tongue lashings....

John paused, grinning and truth be told, catching his breath. Paul's words of encouragement the day before gathered in his thoughts, cementing the idea.

The moment was perfect, the moment was now...

Fingers roamed his hair as Issy grinned contentedly up at him savouring his features and fascinating talent of making her forget time and chores and most probably, decorum. She smiled. He had paused his assault, and she joined him in breathing a lungful of oxygen in. His features stilled almost as if he was coaxing himself to speak, but before she could question the look and emotion crossing his face he began singing softly.

All my little plans and schemes
Lost like some forgotten dream
Seems like all I really was doing
Was waiting for you

Just like little girls and boys
Playing with their little toys
Seems like all they really were doing
Was waiting for you

Don't need to be alone
No need to be alone

It's real love
It's real, yes it's real love
It's real

Pulling him back as he tried to turn his face, Issy smiled, nodding encouragingly for him to continue singing to her.

It was alright, he could do this...

Could sing the lyrics here, straight-up to her, unaccompanied and alone.

Without piano, without overdub or double track, without anger at his shortcomings of his own minds making. He could sing how he felt, sing from his heart and she would never criticise or frown.

He could be him. And he sang on...

From this moment on I know
Exactly where my life will go
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for love

Don't need to be afraid
No need to be afraid

It's real love
It's real, yes it's real love
It's real

He tried his hardest to impress the words' importance as he sang down to her, his only fan in the moment, the only one he needed. The only one he possibly ever needed.

'Real love' he impressed through his eyes, deep into hers as she let her fingers tangle and pause in his hair as he sang... The pauses occurring when he dug deep and really concentrated on conveying, through the lyrics, his real feelings for her.

Telling her finally his little secret he had known forever but failed to tell her in the meantime.

Thought I'd been in love before,

The gently squeezes his hand seemed to inflict on her waist, without thought, were killing her softly, and that of his fingers tracing her cheek.

John sang on, his face so laden and heavy with emotion which was equally beautiful and agony to her. The agony was of having to let him finish before she could kiss him to bits and congratulate him on another stellar achievement. Another beautifully worded and sounding song.

The song was breathtaking and fragile in his sweet delivery and she could see future couples holding this song close to their own hearts; Making it their own 'our' song.... The song lovers used as an audible symbol of their love while entwining hearts together on the dance floor.

This song, she could see, would carry across time and generations with it's words of love and want.

But in my heart I wanted more
Seems like all I really was doing
Was waiting for you

Don't need to be alone
No need to be alone

It's real love
Yes it's real, yes it's real love
It's real, yes it's real love...

"Do you like it?" He whispered into her neck, disappeared he had as the final lyrics fell from his lips.

How does someone with so much abundant character and charm and talent and dare she think it- ego.... need her to reassure, quell and say yes?

It was strangely intoxicating that he needed little ole Isabelle to give a blessing the world would more than likely give him anyway... everyday.

"It's ... beautiful, John. Just stunning"

Leaning back up so he could watch her as he told her the truth of his words, John pressed a kiss to her lips then divulged one of the biggest secrets of his life, one that he had carried around for far too long.

"It's yours Isabelle. It's you- It's me. It's us.... You are my song. Christ I should scream this from that bloody ridge up there Iss! Tell the world!" His voice raising higher as the words tumbled. John paused and breathed short breaths.

Almost pants of impatience from the bubbling and boiling feelings that threatened to derail his sincerity. Then he smiled... a full smile although it was tainted slightly, maybe a little rueful, around the edges.

Yes, rueful that his eagerness, at finally getting these few words off his chest and out into the open, had catapulted him into wanting to yell like a madman.

Big breath "... You're the one Isabelle. The only one...." John paused, his face clearing of the madness he felt and the impatient feelings he seemed to be unwittingly let take over.

The pause, the effect of the seconds of silence only aided him, bellying and deepening the meaning of his uttered secret... making it all the more real, true and so very important.

Like taking a leap off a tall building he knew now he would fly when he said the words to her, because she was the very air that would hold him high "You're the one I love Isabelle"

Issy stilled as she let the words, those wonderful words seep in to her body, mind, soul then tears burst forth after she desperately tried to capture and harness them inside. To stop them from scaring him. But he had said it- something she had dreamed and wanted and prayed he would say one day in their future... and today was that day.

That day had arrived, he was hovering over her, smiling softly for only her, no one else, her alone. A million-dollar smile blessed her features, happy tears trailing slowly down her cheeks. Issy tugged him to her, arms tight, breathing him in as his weight dropped comfortably on top of her " Oh John, I'm so very lucky"

"I'm the lucky one, Isabelle. I've won the lottery"

With birch trees swaying high above and linen swaying just below, further down on the green carpet of grass John ran hands over her face. Like she was fine china, like she was ever so fine china and as he roamed he grinned and met her lips over and over again. Like his sanity was right here inside her, she was his mind and soul and his lips needed to reflect the wholeness and oneness of them.

"I love you so, so much John"

Max and Ben had had enough of their shenanigans. The importance of this moment and the romance that wove around the two humans was totally, utterly lost on them.

They wanted a petting like their mistress was currently receiving...and really enjoying.

And as John attempted to seal his emotions for her, claim her for his own, the two furry friends invaded the lover's space and whimpered and pressed noses into the intimate realm surrounding the two. Nuzzling into sides and tummies.

Yes, they were definitely requesting all the petting, kisses and love for themselves. "Go away you mutts! My mummy...." John grumbled happily. "Aww hell alright come on you two. Max make way for Benji man, he wants a snuggle too you big oaf!"

Laughter filled the air, Issy cackled as Max pressed in, paws and snout asking gently for her attention and John gave up, pulling Issy up from under an overly excited 'puppy packaged in a massive doggy' jovial Max.

They sat sated, smiling at each other over the dogs heads as the two, too big for laps, dogs flopped and overflowed in their, you guessed it, laps.

John happily gave up, rubbing and patting Max's undercarriage in big Max enjoyed smacks. "Oh you're a big bloody baby aren't you Maxxy" They laughed at the pup-like yapping and 'talking' of the giant Shepherd and wiggling slightly arthritic form of the aged Ben, both wagging tails frantically.

Giggling, and trying to reclaim John, Issy kneeled and smiled at the group in front of her. Her tears had dried, yet the moisture had her eyes shining bright for him. She gazed in wonderment at this- them... and the peace she felt within was glowing brighter than she had ever known. Leaning in, snatching a kiss, Issy crawled around the dogs and John to find a spot beside him to snuggle herself into his side.

After the dogs grew tired of the antics they settled and the noises of nature returned to the fore, Issy dropped her head onto Johns shoulder. Letting her fingers stroll, she moved in closer and let both arms circle his waist, squeezing him gently to her.

John happily grinned down at her, squeezing her fingers that laced in front of him, just enjoying the moment. After minutes of companionable silence Issy kissed Johns cheek, squeezed him once more and smiled. Then whispered

"...I think we both won the lottery John"