His Sun, Stars and Moon

Mavis was a cruel woman with a terrible temper whose sister had passed away, leaving her eighteen year old daughter to be cared for by Mavis. She believed the teenage daughter of her dead sister was not worthy of a decent education and was made to cook and clean for the Clarence family instead of attending university.

***

Some time in the early nineties Edward was studying in the drawing room when he heard sniffling and crying coming from the cupboard under the bookshelves. He inched forwards until he could hear the breathing of the crying girl.

"Hello? Are you alright in there?" he called out.

The sniffling stopped.

"Are you stuck in there? One moment I'll get you out"

"No! I-I-I'm fine, I'm sorry, I-I-I didn't mean to disturb you." a broken yet beautiful voice replied from behind the doors.

"Would you like me to help you out?"

"I'll be out in a moment, I am so sorry, I really didn't mean to disturb you Master Clarence."

"Okay, I'll be leaving then..." he walked towards the door, opened then closed it again, before quietly returning to his desk to sit and wait to see who was the body attached to the beautiful voice from the cupboard.

A few moments later out stepped the most beautiful sight Edward Clarence Jr. had even seen. Her long slender fingers, gripped the side of the cupboard as she unfolded her endless legs. Her exquisite features were hard to hide, even under the bouncing blonde curls that covered her face, a delicate nose and smooth flawless cheeks could be seen, flushed pink from a mixture of tears and the temperature inside the wooden cupboard.

As she rose to stand, he noticed her impeccable figure, she could have been a dancer or a model, with limbs that seemed to continue forever, but it was her eyes that almost stopped his heart beating - they were the deepest shade of green with flecks of pure gold. He was breathless, not even in the high society women he was forced to spend his time with, had he ever encountered such an incredible beauty.

"you're still here!" she was so startled to see that Edward Jr. was still there, she could have sworn that she heard the door open and close..

"I am, it is my house after all." why did he have to sound so smug, he thought to himself - he could barely pull a sentace together and that's what came out!

"I'm so sorry Mr Clarence, I'll leave immediately"

"Wait!" he almost shouted. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"I mean please, sorry for raising my voice, it's just, I just, what I mean is, sorry. What's you're name?"

Edward had no idea why he was so flustered in her presence, after all, you could see by the uniform she was wearing that she was just one of the maids, he really needed to pull himself together!

"My name? Well - I - I'm called, well I get called,l.. Lizzie, you can call me Lizzie." Elizabeth had no idea why her words were failing her. After all, he only asked what her name was.. Maybe it's his piercing eyes, she thought, those incredible eyes, so brown they were almost black, but wait, there was a hint of gold in there too.

Pull it together Elizabeth she internally scolded herself! He is just a man, a man with muscular arms that could carry a woman with ease, a figure that was hinting at a hidden washboard of abs and a chisled jaw line, above which his lips curled up with a slight hint of a smile, like he knew a juicy secret that was desperate to escape. Lizzie! She could not think straight, so she needed to leave, but before her brain could force the words out her mouth, the handsome man infront of her asked her another question which she had completely missed while fantasising about what was really hidden under his loose fitting shirt.

"S-s-s-sorry, I didn't quite catch that?" She stammered.

"I said is Lizzie short for something else?"

"Yes, sorry, Elizabeth, my name is Elizabeth Clary. I just started as the new housekeeper this week."

"Well Elizabeth Clary, may I ask why you were hiding in the cupboard crying?" Edward could not quite put his finger on it but for some reason it had made him angry to think that something had upset this impeccable beauty.

"I don't want to get anyone in trouble, I was just being too sensitive I guess. Please just forget what you saw, I promise it won't happen again"

Elizabeths Aunt Mavis had beaten Lizzie just moments before stuffing her in the cupboard, but she dared not tell Mr Clarence, for fear of her Aunt losing her job, if that happened there was no telling what she would do to Lizzie.

"I hate to do this but as Master of the house, if I ask something of you, it's not polite to deny me an answer. Please Miss Elizabeth, how did you find yourself inside this cupboard."

Lizzie thought for a moment, he was right, if she refused to answer then she could lose her job, if she lost her job then Mavis might well kick her out the house and she had nowhere else to go.

"Okay.. but please, my Aunt meant no harm, she just lost her temper with me.. I was supposed to have the library set up for your mothers book club by eleven and I must have forgotten to dust some of the book shelves because, when the ladies started their reading they couldn't control their sneezing, my Aunt had trusted me and I let her down, I could have sworn I cleaned the whole room.." she trailed off as she noticed the shocked look on Edwards face.

Here it comes, I am about to lose my job, she thought.

Edwards face paled at the memory, he had paid one of the boys from Rugby to add sneezing powder to every one of those pompous ladies’ books, he had no idea that this poor angel of a woman would be getting the blame, much less locked in the cupboard for something that was entirely out of her control!

"Actually, that was my fault, I mean I didn't actually do it myself of course, but I paid a lad from Rugby, I mean it was only twenty quid, but he said it would be a funny way to get my mum back, I didn't think, I should have realised someone would get the blame. I'm sorry, I should have it's just, she took my car keys, I didn't deserve it, I was only ten minutes late and it wasn't even my fault, I had been to party and had to drop the other lads home, they were drinking I wasn't and by the time they finally got out I was late! But yeah it was sneezing powder, the books, he put it in the books for me, it was supposed to be a joke." Edwards words tumbled out his mouth so fast he couldn't control what he was saying.

The girl in front of him, changed her emotions with every sentence Edward spilled. First relief, then confusion, then what could be anger, then humour, was she laughing at him? She was, she was laughing right at him!

"Are you laughing at me?" Edward was confused but the look on this girls face was so purely happy that he couldn't help but laugh too. Soon they were both in fits of happy giggles with tears streaming down their faces clutching their sides.

When Lizzie regained her composure, the laughing man in front of her took her breath away, he was so incredibly handsome he was completely out of her league. What was she doing, this was her boss, she had to get out of there!

Lizzie turned to leave but someone had grabbed her wrist, she was spun around and pulled into a solid wall of muscles, she breathed in delicious sandalwood, vanilla and musk as the faint lingering scent of mud and sweat filled filled her nostrils.

Wow, she shuddered at how intoxicating he was.

"Where are you going" Edward could hardly talk, she was so close he could smell her shampoo, sweet raspberries and cherries, with the smell of cleaning chemicals lingering on her clothes. He did not want her to leave, from the moment he laid eyes on her his life was forever changed, the world no longer revolves around the sun, she was his sun, stars and moon.

His world now revolved around her.

****

"I should really get going" Lizzie whispered into his chest, she could feel the rise and fall of every breath he took. She didn't want to move but she knew she didn't belong there, she couldn't understand why but she had never felt safer than in this moment.

Edward didn't want to let her go, but he had no idea if she felt this instant connection that he was mesmerised by. He could hear her breathing, and feel her deep breaths on his chest. She seemed nervous, maybe he had scared her when he pulled her back towards him.

"Lizzie, I didn't mean to scare you, I am sorry, please. Could you do me one thing before you leave?"

"I-I-I'm not scared of you." She replied.

"Good, I know how this is going to sound but believe me when I say this, I have never felt this was just from meeting someone for the first time, you are absolutely gorgeous and I don't want this to be the last time I see you, please can you promise me it won't be last time, please" Edward had never been this forward in his life, but he knew that if he didn't tell her he would go crazy, looking for her every day.

Moments passed by.

"I don't want it to be the last time either"

It was like Edward had been holding his breath waiting for her to answer, after what felt like hours had passed, she finally answered and he was instantly relieved.

"Great! I'm, my number, or your number can I have my number, I mean your number? Smooth Edward, he thought to himself.

Lizzie giggled and pulled her phone from the apron pocket, she opened a new contact and handed her phone over, Edward typed rapidly, even adding heart emojis to his name.

"Wait, can you call me so so have your number too?" Edward knew he sounded too keen but he didn't care.

Lizzie pressed the number and to Edwards delight his phone rang from the desk, he almost pounced on it, as he ran to collect it and save the number of his future wife.

Okay, I’m happy now, I’ve got some way of finding you again, so I’ll let you go this time, but next time I see you it will be on our fist date”

Lizzie was taken aback by his confidence, maybe he was used to getting his way with ladies he had just met, but she wasn’t just another girl.

“So you think that just because I gave you my number that I won’t just instantly block it when I walk out this room, are you that sure of yourself?”

“Yes”

“Ha!” Lizzie laughed, he may be the sexiest man she had ever laid eyes on but she was not a fool, she wasn’t just going to come running because he thinks she should be kneeling at his feet, these rich boys are all the same.

“Are you laughing at me again? You really know how to wound a man’s pride!” Edward was unsure as to why Lizzie wasn’t happy to have bean asked on a date by the son of the second richest man in the country.

“Look, I’ll be honest,” Lizzie was about to really lay her cards on the table. “You are incredibly handsome, you smell great and you are obviously rich, but I am not a gold digger, nor am I desperate. Don’t get me wrong, it would probably be great fun to see how the other half lives, expensive dinners, nice wines, fast cars, but for how long? How long until you get bored of me and move onto another Jane, Susan, Monica or Denise? I am not a play thing, I want someone to spend time not money on me and I want a man who will love me for all the things I can do, not how good my tits look in a satin dress, so thanks but no thanks.”

And with that she turned and walked away.

Edward was too dumbfounded to run after, he had never been rejected like that in his life. He just couldn't understand what had he done wrong?

When Edward finally regained his ability to think and move he realised she was gone. He rushed into the hallway only to find there was no one there but the empty suit of armour pompously guarding the wine cellar.

Edward didn’t hesitate, he took out his phone immediately to text the girl who had stolen his heart, but it seemed she had also taken his brain with him. No matter how he started the message he couldn’t find the right words. ‘Hey, I can’t believe you ran out on me like that…’ no, that’s desperate. ‘Hi Lizzie…’ no that’s pathetic. ‘How you doing?’ What is this a booty call?

No, it had to be perfect. He decided to call her, but it went straight to voicemail. She must be at work, surely she wouldn’t have blocked me already?

“Hey Lizzie, I’m sorry if I said something to offend you, I really didn’t mean to, I just wanted to say, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to get to know you better. I am sorry if I came across as arrogant or cocky, I didn’t want to let on you how stupidly nervous I was! I really hope you can give me a second chance, I would love to take you out to one of those fancy dinners in a fast car, if you would be willing that is - Ed x”

Send.

*Missed Call*

Lizzie had ran so fast from the drawing room that she had dropped her phone on the solid stone floor smashing the battery out the back! She grabbed the pieces and fumbled to put the back together when she reached her room that night after work.

She was shocked when she saw the missed call on her screen.

*buzz*buzz*

*New Message*

She checked her messages, it was from Edward! Lizzie read and re-read the message several times.

Nervous? He was nervous around her, she didn’t imagine it! His heavy breathing, the look of disbelief in his eyes when she shut him down and ran away.

*buzz*buzz*

Edward was just getting into bed when his phone went off. It must be the one of the boys from Uni, he would look at it in the morning.

Edward couldn’t sleep, he tossed and turned thinking of Lizzie, so close to him, her head on his chest, her hand in his. The smell of her shampoo, the delicate breath on his body. Something compelled him to check the message he received earlier, maybe he was looking for a distraction, after all it had been almost twelve hours since he sent the message to Lizzie. She clearly wasn’t interested in him as he had heard absolutely nothing back.

*opens message*

“Hey Edward, I’m sorry I missed your call, I dropped my phone and had to rush back to work. Okay. One chance and one chance only, but nothing fancy, meet me at the Pub in Camden Square - the Black Bull. 8pm do not be late. L x”

His heart started racing! I didn’t mess it up, he thought, brilliant, I can still win over this incredible vision of a woman.

He quickly typed a response.

“8pm it is. I’ll see you there - Ed xx”

****

8:01pm

Lizzie tapped her foot impatiently.

“Thirty seconds, I’ll give him thirty more seconds.. I knew he was just like all the rest, why did I think he would be different.. “

8:03pm

“What am I doing!” Lizzie turned to walk away when she was suddenly caught by the wrist and flew into that solid wall of muscle once again.

“You are late.” She didn’t dare to look up, she knew it was him by the butterflies she could feel in her stomach and the gentle fragrance of vanilla and sandalwood enveloping her as she was pressed into his muscular chest.

Edward wanted to apologise, he wanted to kneel in the street and beg her to forgive him for being late, but he dared not move. The soft breeze was blowing the loose strands of her hair, into his face, once again allowing him to smell the delicious raspberry and cherry fragrance of her shampoo but this time it was edged with a faint floral scent, not the cleaning products from the previous day, a sweet perfume maybe?

He could feel her slender fingers resting gently above his heart, rising and falling with his breathing. He glanced down to see her deep green eyes peeking out below her lashes, her full lips were glistening and her cheeks were slightly flushed as if she was nervous or maybe frustrated. She really was too beautiful to be real, Edward thought.

The fabric of her dress was light and delicate, it floated on the breeze while the late evening sunshine glistened in her hair like she was an illusion in a mirage.

Everything about this woman was incomparably exquisite.

Edward nearly toppled over as he yelped in surprise.

“Woah!” he called out.

He looked around to see where that almighty force had come from, he rubbed his chest. “Ouch!” He looked down at Lizzie to make sure she was okay, but her beautiful face had been screwed up into a face that could only be compared to a toddler in a tantrum. Her cute button nose was scrunched up in disgust, her brows furrowed and the deep pools of green became dark and ominous. Edward could tell in that second that the pain in his chest was caused by a powerful shove from Lizzie.

Okay, Edward knew she would be mad, he was late after all. But what he didn’t expect was the sheer strength that came from such a petite frame and the way his heart was breaking at the sight of her displeasure in him.

“Lizzie I’m so sorry, I know you told me not to be late, I tried! I tried so hard, I swear, I was all the way across the other side of town, my car keys got stolen… I had to run, I tried to catch a bus but it was too slow, I ran Lizzie, I ran all the way from Kensington! Please don’t be mad, please.” He looked at Lizzie with imploring eyes as the worlds fell from his mouth in a desperate attempt to persuade her that he really tried to be here on time. He wanted to tell her that from this moment onwards he would do everything is his power to never see that look on her face again.

Lizzie was so infuriated, not at the fact that he was late, after all she herself had waited when she said she wouldn’t, and she probably would have convinced herself to wait another hour, had he been much longer. She was furious because of the effect his presence had on her. The way her legs had gone weak when she felt his heart beating through his chest, or the way her stomach was doing summersaults at the sound of his velvety smooth voice. But there was something about the pleading look in his eyes that just melted away the anger she felt radiating through her body. The longer she looked at him the more the feelings of frustration were replaced with a need to say anything or do anything to see him smile once more.

“I need a drink.” She said and turned on her heels and disappeared into the pub.

Lizzie gave him no explanation for the shove, nor did she apologise and Edward didn’t care, whatever urge she felt, he probably deserved it, and he followed her into the dim building like a moth to a flame.

Wherever Lizzie went Edward would surely follow.

***

After five years together Edward and Lizzie had grown to become an unstoppable force. Edward had started a promising business in the hospitality industry, buying dilapidated buildings and turning them into luxury hotels, spas and restaurants. Lizzie’s sharp mind and impeccable eye for detail had helped transform her into a shrewd business woman who’s taste in decor gave every building they owned, an obvious, tasteful design that created an aura of high end luxury and the comfort of home all rolled into one beautiful experience.

Edward was still as totally in love with with Lizzie as the day they met and Lizzie still felt the same butterflies every time he walked in the room. They were the ultimate couple. Edward respected her word, and worked hard to give her everything she could ever dream of, Lizzie was so proud of him and so incredibly grateful to be the woman he came home to every night.

It was the middle of the night, Lizzie and Edward were cuddled up in their bed, musing about the kind of life they wanted to lead. Would they have children, would they not?

Would they get a dog? Maybe a cat?

Lizzie smiled in the dark room.

Edward was sweating profusely, he had never been more nervous.

Lizzie reached for the lamp and pulled the switch.

She rolled over to see Edwards eyes flash a look of panic.

“I have something I have been meaning to tell you..” Lizzie was confused by the look on Edwards face but she continued. “I found out yesterday and I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you, but I can’t hold it any more..”

Edward reached under the pillows and carefully pulled out a small box.

‘Please don’t ruin the surprise..’ he thought to himself as he fumbled with the tiny black box..

“I’m pregnant.”

Edwards jaw dropped.. “I-I-I..”

“Edward my love, are you okay? I didn’t think you would be this shocked.. I know it’s a surprise but.. I’m sorry, I should have sprung this on you.. we can talk about it in the morning..” Lizzie’s once bright and shining eyes has dimmed with the disappointment of his reaction.

Edward laughed and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.. “Only you my love, could steal my thunder and make me so happy about it all in one sentence.” He reached held out his hands and presented her with the tiny black box.

“Elizabeth Anna Clary, will you do me the honour of promising to spend the rest of your life with me and make me the happiest man alive?”

Lizzie squealed with delight and almost rolled them out of the bed with the force of her arms flying around him. “Yes! YES! You absolute idiot! I promise, completely and utterly!! YESSSS!!!”

****

The cries of the mother and child were piercing but it was the happiest sound Edward had ever heard.

“Congratulations Mr Clarence, it’s a healthy baby girl.”

“Did you hear that Lizzie, you did it! It’s a girl!” Edward could not control his emotions, he kissed Lizzie’s forehead and looked deep into his wife’s eyes.

“What should we name her, my love, what about Millie?” He asked, looking down on the wriggling bundle of joy in his wife’s arms. “How about Anna, after your late mother?”

“It’s perfect. Anna Joy Clarence.”

“I love it, we are a real family now, the three of us is all that matters in this world, I love you to the moon and stars my darling”

“I love you to the moon and stars and back again.” Lizzie replied.