- The Destroyer of Worlds -

The long black limousine pulls up in front of the larger-than-normal house that marked the landscape in Phoenix.  Three stories it looks, with a simple yet decorative string of icicle lights hanging around the edges of the rooftop.  How suburban.

Disgusting.

How suburban!

She wants to do this however.  She sighs deeply as the motor stops, the driver exits, and opens the door for her.  Out she steps.

Marissah straightens her blouse and jacket, and rings the door bell.  She sneers again at the outside of the home, wondering what ghastliness awaited inside.  Certainly wasn't taken from the pages of Architectural Digest, she mumbles to herself.

Rebecca Finnegan opens the door, with some shock and with plenty of wonder.  And suspicion.

"What in the hell do you want?"

Marissah is taken a bit back by her hostility, but smiles nonetheless. What could she expect?

"Hi Rebecca.  I'm sure I'm not really welcomed here...but I felt I had to come by anyway."

"Oh, you did, did you? An' I suppose you're proud o'what yer man did to my husband, are you? ARE YOU???"

The future Duchess of Wessex pats the air with a hand, trying to calm Finnegan's irate wife.

"Believe me, I had no idea he was going to do that.  Robert knew Seamus was thinking about retiring...but like I said, I really had no foreknowledge.  Besides,
I've come to talk to you not as Robert's fiancée, but as a woman, face to face, with you.  Please understand."  Marissah's expression turns to one of pleading
insistence.

"Aye, all right then...you'd better come inside."

Rebecca's expression is one of extreme caution, wondering what Marissah had to say, but at the same time, well aware that she might not like what she was about to hear.  Rebecca escorts Marissah to the living room, where the two women take a seat.

"Oh, I forgot."  Marissah reaches into her purse and pulls out a small box, ornately wrapped with a perfect pink ribbon tied around it.  She hands it to Rebecca who is still weary of the entire situation.

"What's this?"

"Open it," Marissah states pleasantly.

With much hesitancy and trepidation, she slowly unties the ribbon, and looks inside the box.  Inside was a bottle of Rebecca's favourite scent, which was only
available in Ireland.  Rebecca is slightly stunned to say the least.

"What's this in aid of?"

Marissah shrugs.  "A late Christmas gift?  A peace offering between us girls?  Call it what you will. It's for you.  I hope you enjoy it."

While Rebecca is most grateful for the gift, something still weighs heavily on her mind. "Why have you REALLY come? Did Robert send you?"

She shakes her head "no." 

"Robert doesn't know I'm here.  I'm doing this on my accord."  She places a hand on Rebecca's.

"Aye, all right then...go on."

"I don't like what's happened.  I know it's not easy for you either, with your little boy and all.  I'm actually hoping that Robert and I can have a son...I know you
know Edward, Robert's first born...he's a precious little boy, isn't he?"  Marissah's expression lights up.

A soft smile broke from Rebecca's lips as she thought of her own son, sound asleep upstairs. "Aye, indeed...Seamus and Robert used to talk about how Edward and Nathaniel were gonna be future 'Whiskey Devils,' just like their fathers..."

"Well in any case, there's a marriage that has to occur before we have children...I don't believe in intercourse before marriage, but anyway, I really would love it if you could come to the wedding."  Marissah stares at Rebecca hopefully.

"You what??? You are joking, right? After everything he put my husband through - you want US to come to the wedding???"

Her voice began to rise. "You think Seamus can just forget about the concussions, forget about the fact that he may never again have a normal life, much less be able to step back into the ring??? Do you think that???"

Marissah lowers her head ashamed.  "No...of course not.  But...I was more thinking of just you attending...I know it was a foolish thought.  But I like you
Rebecca."  She raises her eyes.

"I see the way you love your husband.  You're so devoted to him.  And as a mother too.  I hope to emulate that someday...I really want a happy family with Robert.
I'm sorry."

"Aye, you got one thing right there, Marissah. I AM devoted to my husband...devoted enough to tell you where you can stick your wedding invitation...and your bottle of fancy perfume."

Marissah watches as Rebecca returns the perfume to her, placing it in her lap.  Tears begin to gently roll down her face.

"So this is what I get?  I came all the hell the way from New York City for this?  On my own accord?"  Marissah stares right into Rebecca's eyes.  "I came here
hoping to resolve at least any tension that may...may...have existed between US.  And you do THIS to...to...me?"

Suddenly, Rebecca feels remorseful for the words that had just come out of her mouth, and offers Marissah a tissue.

"You must understand, Marissah...I love my husband, just as I'm sure you love Robert. But because of what Robert did to my husband, I...I can't accept your invitation. Not without my husband by my side...and considering what happened at Outrage...well, I'm afraid there's not much chance of that. I'm sorry."

Marissah takes the tissue and wipes her eyes gently.  She nods her head with some understanding.

"I understand. I... [still choking back tears to an extent] ...can only hope that there might be a bright spot between us girls, despite the unfortunate situation between our men."  Her red eyes look at Rebecca with hope.

Rebecca nods. "Aye, you and me both, Marissah...you and me both...how'd you know this was my favorite scent, anyway?"

Marissah's smile returns quickly.  "Robert told me, one time he and Seamus went shopping for you while they were in the UK once.  I'm so glad you like it."

"Aye, it's lovely...and I'm sorry about what I said earlier...heat o'the moment, you know?"

"It's okay, it really is.  Some women can be so just...manipulating and can just blow their control at any moment.  Thank you though, I know you're so not like that...I hate women like that.  You're a dear lady, really."

Her cell phone rings abruptly.

"Oh pardon me...hello?  Yes?  Okay, I'll be out in a moment."

Marissah turns to Rebecca.  "That's the driver, my flight is leaving soon."  She stands up as Rebecca leads her to the door.

"Thank you so much." Marissah extends her hand forward for a handshake, smiling gently.

"Thank you, Marissah...I do hope everything goes well for you...in spite of everything else."

Rebecca opens the door and Marissah hurries out to the limousine, where the driver opens the door and closes it upon her entry.  Rebecca watches the limousine drive off as she shuts the door.

Just as she closes the door, the voice of her husband comes from behind.

"Who was that, love?"

"Oh...just a visitor."

Marissah in the meantime settles into the limousine, pouring herself a small sherry.

"How it'd go."

She turns her head.

"Beautifully."

She leans forward and deeply kisses her fiancé.