21Author's note: This next chapter is written two ways. This first one is written for any audience ( 27a ). The other one is a bit more mature. It would be rated for older teens and above. Thank you and enjoy. I truly enjoy the comments/reviews that you have sent. Bless you!
Chapter 27a
Marian moved forward to wrap her arms around Robin's neck. She let her lips find his and kissed him again. This time, it was a slow kiss. He wrapped both of his arms around her back and they found themselves lowered back to the ground. He moved so she was lying partially on top of him. They continued to kiss each other. Marian stopped, and looked deeply into his eyes. She moved her hand to caress the side of his face and moved a lock of hair from the forehead. "I love you" she said with great emotion.
"We make such a great pair. We are so much stronger together", he smiled. He kissed her one more time and said, "We should be getting back to camp".
"Not yet."
Robin cocked his head and asked, "Something else you'd like to do?"
Marian bit her lip nervously and nodded her head.
"What ?"
Again, she caressed his face and kissed him. "I thought I had lost you. We have been given a second chance. I don't want to lose it."
"We won't", he promised.
"You can't promise that."
"Marian…"
She put her finger on his lips and shushed him. "Let me speak. I do not want to go another day without you. I want to start today with you as my husband."
"Marian, as much as I would love to, I don't think we will find a priest to marry us, being outlaws."
"I know. What if we do it ourselves? Right here, now?"
"What?"
"If you think it's silly…..", she said starting to get up.
He held her arm and stopped her from getting up. "I didn't say that. What do you have in mind?"
"What if we say vows to each other right here, in front of God? We have our own private ceremony."
"All right."
"I'll start. I Marian, take thee Robin, to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, 'til death do us part."
"I Robin, take thee Marian, my beautiful Marian, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, 'til death do us part. I promise to love you all the days of my life." He smiled and kissed her hand. "What do we do about a wedding ring?"
"We will just use this one. It is beautiful and will work just as well" she smiled.
Nodding, he kissed her finger with the ring on it and asked, "Now what?"
"Now we live", she smiled. "We take care of England until the king returns, but we also take care of us. Us being ….you, me, and the rest of the gang. We protect each other and love each other. No more silly arguments. Together we are stronger!" she asserted.
Robin nodded and kissed her once again. He reached for her hand, and holding it tight, pointed toward camp. "Ready?"
She mumbled, "Mmmmhmmm" as she shook her head, and they started off toward camp where they would await the rest of the gang. Tomorrow they would continue their fight for justice safe in the knowledge that they have each other and holding their faith for a brighter future.