After The Vineyard

By Valerie Lumer

Following their surprise reunion in 2014's "A Vineyard in Australia," Susan DeMarcus and Daniel Freeman resume life together back in London. While Susan is adaptable and looking forward to the upcoming changes, it's a constant struggle for Daniel. Will he be able to handle John's occasional absenteeism, as he develops his own new relationship? Marriage to Susan? Could he ever handle having children? Find out how life begins to evolve for Susan and Daniel here "After The Vineyard."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Valerie Lumer
• Release date: Dec 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370332366

Valerie Lumer

Valerie Lumer is a writer and actor from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Recently, she moved to Norman, Oklahoma for a change of pace and escape from the crazy northeastern winters. When she isn't bouncing from one manuscript to another, Valerie can also be found in front of the camera on TV and short film.

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After The Vineyard

By: Valerie Lumer

Copyright 2016 Valerie Lumer

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Table of Contents

After the Vineyard

About the Author

After The Vineyard

The air in London was warm and sprinkled with a light cool breeze. The sky was mostly blue with just a few picturesque puffy clouds. Birds were chirping. There was very little street noise. It was the perfect day for an outdoor wedding.

But of course Daniel Freeman and Susan DeMarcus weren’t having an outdoor wedding. That was probably the normal, beautiful thing to do especially if you are blessed with a day like this one. But they weren’t normal. Well … Daniel wasn’t normal. And they really wouldn’t have it any other way.

I would have been fine getting married in that church a few blocks up. Daniel muttered the morning of their wedding inside his bedroom. John, his best man obviously, was helping him get situated while Susan was being helped by her mother and Maryanne in her bedroom. Yes, they were, in fact, getting married. And yes, they both still had their own bedrooms in the flat. Again . . . they weren’t your ordinary couple.

Daniel, that was the church where we had your funeral. Or you know, you’re . . . whatever. Do you really think that would be appropriate? To get married inside a place where we previously mourned for you?

Daniel shrugged as he pulled on the vest of his four piece suit. For a moment, it looked as though he had no intention of answering.

I don’t see the problem with it. I’m not actually dead.

John chuckled and shook his head. We all know.

Don’t act like you’re not happy about it.

Daniel, seeing you walk back through that door six months ago was the greatest moment of my life.

Thank you.

And the most frightening.

Okay.

After Daniel and Susan had been reunited at the vineyard in Australia, they stayed there for two weeks alone and reconnecting. It had been a long journey for them before even getting to the vineyard. Separated for weeks after Daniel faked his own death to keep Susan and his other loved ones safe, they were in no hurry to get back to life in London once reunited. Most of the time they spent there was based on simply realizing how much they each learned that they loved each other. For Susan, thinking she had lost Daniel was a torture she almost couldn’t bear. And for Daniel, having to knowingly deceive her and be away for that time triggered feelings in him he never knew he was even capable of. Quite simply, he learned he was capable of unconditional love. Once he met Susan he quickly learned that he did, in fact, have more emotion in his soul than he could have ever anticipated. But it wasn’t until he was forced to allow her to believe he was dead that he felt the true potential of his own heart.

Perhaps that stemmed from the fact that Daniel Freeman lost his parents at the very young age of five. They sadly passed away in a car accident. For years afterwards, Daniel bounced around among foster homes before finally reaching one at fourteen years of age that was loving enough and took care of him until he could be on his own at eighteen. His upbringing wasn’t normal, and it explained a lot about him.

Some of it. Daniel was odd enough that some things could never quite find an appropriate explanation.

But after being alone together for two weeks in the beauty of Australia, Susan and Daniel did go back to London where he was introduced back into his life. It was emotional for everyone, to say the least. Susan had prepared both John and Maryanne ahead of time, informing them before she and Daniel returned that he was actually still alive. There were a lot of tears, screams, and general disbelief. But the happiness to have him back outweighed everything else. Even someone as awkward as Daniel realized how precious life and love really were. So he then decided that he wanted Susan in his life forever, and never wanted to be apart from her again.

As John got Daniel situated for their marriage on this day, Susan was busy doing the same. She stood in front of her mirror wearing the very simple, yet very beautiful wedding gown she purchased from a discount wedding shop. She didn’t believe in spending loads of money on a dress that she would only wear once, and she certainly didn’t believe that it had to be overly elegant. Especially given that her wedding to Daniel was taking place in their very own living room. But she wanted to have a dress nonetheless for the occasion. She didn’t see herself marrying this man that she loved so deeply in anything less than at least a beautiful, white dress.

Susan slowly shifted her stance to ensure her fit was right, while her mother studied the fit as well with a smile. Two months ago they had finally seen each other since Susan embarked on her journey that came to a permanent end in London. Mrs. DeMarcus decided it had been long enough since she had seen her daughter, but had no idea what she was in for when she met Daniel. But the timing was perfect … Susan and Daniel had decided only days prior to get married, and they were able to both shock and frighten Mrs. DeMarcus with that news in person.

You look gorgeous, hon. Mrs. DeMarcus confessed proudly.

Thanks, Mom. Susan smiled.

Are you sure about this? Daniel, I mean?

Susan shot her mother a stern look. She knew why she was asking, but didn’t appreciate it.

I’m sorry, her mom quickly interjected with a hand held up. I am. It’s just … he’s so strange, Susan. Mrs. DeMarcus, from the get go, never hid her lack of fondness for Daniel.

He’s not strange, Mom.

Oh, he’s a total nut, Love. Maryanne added with a giggle.

Susan couldn’t help but smile and laugh. I know. She admitted. But Mom, once you get to know him better, you’ll love him too.

Well maybe that’s it. I don’t know him. And what I do know doesn’t seem so great. So why does this wedding have to happen so soon?

It doesn’t. Susan moved away from the mirror and began adding her jewelry. "We decided we wanted to get married two months ago. We went through a lot and connected in ways most people never do. But when we realized that getting married within six months of me being back in England would save us the trouble of finding some way to get me a citizenship, that’s when we decided we would do it quickly."

Oh, so you’re marrying for citizenship then? Mrs. DeMarcus was only slightly joking.

Susan rolled her eyes. "No. That’s only the reason we are marrying so soon. Marrying was going to happen no matter what."

Well as long as you’re happy, I guess.

Very. Susan assured with a smile. She checked her alarm clock to see that it was almost the time that the priest should be arriving, but as far as she could hear, he wasn’t there yet. Suddenly, there was an obnoxious knock on her door.

Suzie! Suzie the priest is late and I’m having a drink. Do you want one? Daniel called out.

Maryanne stifled some laughter while Mrs. DeMarcus looked a bit shocked. Susan was about to answer when she heard John intervene.

Daniel! Get away from there, what’s the matter with you?

What? I’m offering her a drink.

I’ll get it if she wants one. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, don’t you know that?

No.

Alright, well normal people know that. Now go.

The three ladies looked at each other and shared a brief giggle from behind the closed door. Any other groom would know not to go near the bride just minutes before a wedding.

Susan, would you like anything? John politely inquired.

Yeah, I’ll take a glass of white wine please. Mom? Maryanne?

Maryanne and Mrs. DeMarcus looked at each other and nodded.

Make that three glasses please.

Coming right up. John answered as he walked into the kitchen where he met up with Daniel. He had already fixed himself a rum and Coke. The man was fast with his drinks whenever he was uncomfortable.

The priest isn’t late you know. He still has three minutes to be here on time. John corrected.

Well, close enough to being late. Daniel tossed back a hearty portion of his drink.

Are you nervous?

Nervous about what? Daniel finished off his drink.

Getting married.

Look John, a man in funny clothes is about to come here, tell us things we already know, make a few hand gestures, pronounce us husband and wife, and then leave. Then, a few friends are going to come by to eat and have drinks with us. What’s to be nervous about?

Hand gestures? John lowered his brow.

Then Daniel did his version of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. It wasn’t right, but John got the gist of it.

The Sign of the Cross. Was that the Sign of the Cross?

Whatever. Daniel shrugged as he began to pour himself another drink. John stopped him as he got the glasses of wine for the ladies.

No, no, no. I’m not letting you get drunk and ruin this moment for Susan. No way.

I’m not ruining anything.

Just shut up and … sit somewhere, will you? For the love of God.

John made his way to Susan’s room, knocked on the door, and handed the ladies the wine once Susan answered.

My God, you look beautiful. John gushed when he saw her.

Thank you, John. Susan grinned.

Daniel is a lucky bastard. And an idiot too, really.

Why, what did he say? Or do? Is he okay?

John held a hand up and Susan anxiously tossed back some wine.

He’s fine. He’s just being . . . well . . . Daniel.

Susan nodded and sipped more wine. She glanced at Maryanne, since she knew Daniel so much better than her mother. Maryanne looked amused and happy. Mrs. DeMarcus looked less amused and much less happy.

Ah. Well, I expect nothing less. Susan smiled.

I think he’s terrified. John confessed with wide eyes.

Well, if he manages to go through with it, he’ll find out soon enough that it’s not really changing anything.

He will, Darling. He loves you more than anything. Just please forgive him if he’s drunk. Because I can’t promise that he won’t be.

"Seriously? That man is going to get drunk now right before -," Mrs. DeMarcus began angrily when both Susan and John jumped in to stop her.

It will be fine. John assured.

Mom, stop! Susan barked at the same time. Before John said anything else, he leaned back a bit to peak out into the living area to see if Daniel had taken his advice. He leaned back more when he couldn’t find him, and caught a glimpse of Daniel pounding back another drink in the kitchen.

Damn it! What are you doing? John charged out of Susan’s room.

What does it look like I’m doing? Daniel snapped.

Daniel, you must stop drinking. Now.

Susan made a quick and bold decision. Once again, she bypassed her mother who just didn’t understand and looked to Maryanne for guidance. Maryanne knew exactly what she was thinking and simply answered her with a slight nod. And with that, Susan exited her bedroom in full and finished bridal attire and made her way into the kitchen.

John nearly had a heart attack when he saw her coming.

Oh my God, really? Really? This is wrong, he shouldn’t be seeing you - ,

John, Susan whispered and took his hands into hers. Everything is okay. This is me and Daniel, remember? None of the ordinary applies. I don’t care that he’s seeing me right now.

John took in a long breath and smiled before taking her face in his hands. You’re right. I want this to be perfect because I love you both, but you’re right. I’ll give you two some time and if the priest gets here I’ll let him in.

Thank you, John. I love you too. She watched him walk away for just a second before turning her focus to Daniel. He stood before her with a look of absolute awe on his face. She had never seen him so still. There was no denying that he was nervous in his own odd way. And she felt compelled to see him and talk to him before this got started.

Susan grinned widely at him. She couldn’t help it. He was beyond dashing in his suit, and those emerald eyes glistened while he gawked at her with that gorgeous face of his. It was obvious the he was overwhelmed by the beautiful sight in front of him. And when he finally offered her that classic half smile, Susan fell in love with him all over again. That was usually all it ever took.

Are you okay? Susan asked and gently took his hand.

Yes. He offered his most common one-liner.

John was a little worried. Susan didn’t want to say that she was also, due to his heavy drinking in the last five minutes.

"I wasn’t fine. I’m fine now. Now that I’m looking