My goodness, she was excited. And it surely showed in her little gestures. She got more jittery and she couldn't seem to concentrate on checking the papers she was holding in her hand. She'd called Everett from the house earlier this morning, and it was agreed that they meet in the Coffeebeans later for a little chit-chat. And mostly because Nat wanted to tell Everett how great she was feeling in her new happy marriage with Marco Marsters. It had been a source of embarrassment and shame, staying with Gunther for those years, and she did turn to Everett once in a while for help, but mostly she'd stayed away from most of her friends, turning into a hermit, really. Now that life was back on track she had vowed to return to relationships once more with close ties. Her marriage had been a small ceremony, and she wondered if Everett had heard about it at all. Nevertheless, whatever the answer was to that question, she was determined to tell him all about her whirlwind romance and how the Vow had found her match. She was now so optimistic that the Vow could find him a new match as well, since she'd learned how he became a widow years ago. They'd been the type of friends who didn't need to see each other everyday to still maintain that close connection. Nat was happy she'd met Everett, since she didn't really have many close friends at all. She'd come to see him as the brother she'd never had, and he was always open to lending a hand or listening to her when she felt unhappy. For despite the fact that she was blessed with a lot of good tidings, not having to worry about money and finding herself settled happily with a stable job that she loved, Nat's life wasn't perfect, and she did get by with a kind word or two. She did get some pictures from him sometimes, showing where he'd been. His job demanded a lot of travelling. Nat sometimes sent him pictures, too, of her digs and sometimes of herself in lectures or conferences.

Wearing a simple white outfit with the practical brown sandals, she made sure to switch off the lights in her office before locking it. Usually she would feel that sense of dread, with her back turned towards the corridor, as if expecting that someone (her ex) to be lurking. But since finding happiness in marriage, the feeling had melted away, and now she was just glowing with anticipation of meeting her old friend.

She took a cab to Coffeebeans, checking her simple gold watch and smiling to herself as her eyes caught sight of the ring on her finger. Married again. And this time the marriage was the type that seemed to last. Her first marriage had been a disaster, and she'd chosen to ignore the warning signs. Since learning that Everett was going to get married again, she hoped to put in a word or two of advice for her close friend and confidant. She wasn't sure if he was already here, so she decided to wait a few minutes outside the shop, looking at the little display by the window to appreciate it.

It didn't take long for her to see him stride up to her and envelop her in a hug. He looked good, as usual, and she hugged him back, giggling, then straightening the back collar as she was wont to do with Marco sometimes before he went to work. Those who didn't know them could could easily mistake the two to be a couple, but these two people were strictly of a brother-sister relationship. Everett set her down, and they immediately went inside the coffee shop. It was sort of suspicious, how things were going so great now. She'd been happily married and then met Everett, who was proving time and time again that people could become very close in a short span of time. She'd taken a liking to him after seeing him at an opening of the restoration of an old majestic building. He was the gentleman, opening doors for the ladies and engaging in friendly chats with fellow appreciators of architecture. They'd talked about random everyday things, then they met up again a few times and things just grew from there. Exchanging numbers, they learned they actually lived in the same vicinity, so it was possible to meet up. They become close and told each other secrets. He knew about the Gunther issue, some vague details about having her heart broken and then going through divorce (because Nat was still kind enough not to really bash about him), and he'd told her about his wife and twins. They were just two similar souls who'd searched for comfort and found it in each other.

Nat felt comfortable around him now, that she was more chatty than usual. She was actually quite shy and soft-spoken. But she was talking about Marco here, so there was a lot to say and be delighted about. "I just have to tell you how happy I am that I'm married to someone whose caring and generous and handsome," she started saying, really proud about Marco. "I had a low-key wedding last month. It was all really simple. The planning didn't take as long as that first one. But what's really romantic was how Marco and I met. You know I've gone through the Vow, but I haven't told you yet how I first met my match." her blue eyes sparkled as she remembered the day at the park. They were at the counter now, and Everett, as was natural, had gallantly offered to pay. She ordered coffee with brown sugar, and when the orders were ready, Everett got the cups and they moved to find a table. As soon as they were settled, Nat immediately launched into storytelling mode again.

"I hadn't contacted him yet, but I did bring along the envelope with the paper to the park with me. I'd been using it as a bookmark for my Pride and Prejudice copy, which I wanted to read. I was sitting on a bench, and lo and behold, it turned out that my match was seated next to me! Isn't that just the scene found in movies?" It was a rhetorical question of course. "But first, enough about me. My goodness." Nat said, giggling in a pleased way as she put her fingers gently on her lips, as if that could stop her from revealing more about her story with Marco. "How are you?" she asked, taking a sip from her coffee and leaning forward to show her interest.

She laughed good-naturedly at the joke. It was sort of corny, but it was the kind of corny that Nat liked. She elbowed him back, her smile still wide with excitement. She wanted to hear all about Everett's match and see if maybe it was someone she knew. The name was unfamiliar, though. A certain Charlotte Palmer. Nat was curious as to who she was, but was hopeful and would pray that Everett had found a good match. How devastating it would be if the first match didn't turn out okay. She gave his arm a gentle squeeze of reassurance with her fingers. She nodded when Everett asked her about the information found in the letter from the Vow. Yes, she remembered her letter. It was the same for everyone who went through the service. She remembered thinking about whether to call Marco already or not yet. She waited for more information about Ms. Palmer. She didn't have to wait long. "A bear expert? Wow. That's some specialization, I must say." she said. "She probably works at the zoo, then." Nat said, speculating. "I can imagine that not many opportunities to meet men would come from having that job..." Nat could honestly see why Charlotte would want to be in the Vow.

Everett looked away for a moment, looking towards the window. Nat watched him carefully. He seemed nervous about the match. Well, Nat had gone through the same process, so she knew how it was. She herself hadn't really been sleeping well after she returned the contract papers to the Vow service. It took a lot of courage to leave your love life in the hands of strangers who had only information about you from a piece of paper. And it took even more guts to know that you would probably marry someone whom you knew virtually nothing about. Everett was looking towards the outside of the shop. Was he thinking the same things? Maybe Charlotte was coming and he was waiting for her...and Nat was moral support? However, the expected match didn't arrive, no movement on Everett's part to stand up and go towards anyone who arrived. "Are you waiting for her?" Natalie asked softly after thinking about whether to ask the question at all. First meetings were most of the time awkward, as Natalie knew from experience. But she knew that Everett was more than capable of being charming when he wanted to. He was a sweetheart, and Charlotte Palmer was a lucky girl. "How are you feeling about being matched? I think that you are excited, even if just a little, to be planning a honeymoon already. What is your idea?" she asked, tilting her head to the side as he turned back to her. The whole thing was bothering him, that was obvious, but Nat thought that maybe it would help him if he talked about it.

A honeymoon. Wow. Nat and Marco had been married more than a month already and they didn't have any honeymoon. They'd mutually decided to work on furnishing the house and all that business, ready to start a new home of their own. It had been an unconventional wedding, with a few invited guests, so they didn't take the normal route of a honeymoon after their non-existent reception. "I'm just surprised you've thought of a honeymoon already... Take it a step at a time, my dear." Nat told him, smiling. She was amused that he had thought so far ahead already. Did he have a ring? Or actually, he should be focusing on how to contact his match and where they should meet.

"Not waiting, just... hoping by some miracle she'll appear and say 'Hi. You're smashing. Let's get married.'" he replied to her quiet whisper on whether he was waiting for Charlotte. e let a small smile play over his face before looking back at Nat. She knew he was kidding, but that he really did hope she , Charlotte, would like him. Yes he was a people pleaser, and was a little obsessed with his books, but he would make sure she was comfortable and the only woman in his life. She would see that wouldn't she?

"Being matched? Oh it's just, how you American's say, 'Peachy'. He laughed at his joke. Sometimes being British made things a little weird, especially in small towns. 'It's nerve wracking really. I don't know this woman, but I have to get married to har by the end of the week. But yes, it is exciting. I'm ready to get a family; you know that."

He listened and watched Nat, the confusion over his spoken idea of a honeymoon obvious in her features. "I just thought it would be nice. It's something... different. I don't know if she wants me to get the ring, so I'll pay for a honeymoon. It just seems logical enough. Speaking of, I'm going to try and call her again real quick. Pardon me."

He got up and dialed the number once again. This time though, she picked up. They had a brief conversation on meeting that night, and then ended the call. He sat back down next to Nat, a grin on his face. "So, guess who has a date?"

"Well, I myself wouldn't be able to say those words to a stranger." Nat said, making herself sound as if she was taking his words seriously but actually knew he was joking. "And I daresay, those wouldn't exactly be the right words to hear. Makes one suspicious about a match whose judgment on marrying you depends on whether or not you are 'smashing'". Nat laughed now, she couldn't help but tease him. "You are smashing." Nat said, thinking that a compliment was in order. A man needed an ego-boost once in a while to keep his confidence. She wanted to ease his nerves. He hadn't met his fiancee yet and no doubt was already thinking about the many ways in which their first meeting would play out. "You'll be a great husband and father, I'm sure." Natalie told him. From what she knew about what had happened with his previous wife, the one who had deemed him a widow, he had still cared for her a lot even after her death. It was just so sad, that had happened, and he didn't even have the children. It was amazing how he had been able to cope and overcome those feelings of loss. Nat admired him for that; he was starting once more towards getting a new life with a new wife.

Nat wished she was as ready and eager as he was for a new family. So far she was content just it being she and Marco, nevermind a baby. But who knew, it could come to that. Christmas was just around the corner after all, and she wanted to make Marco the happiest man on earth. She knew she wasn't the most ideal match for anyone, being what would be termed 'used goods' and all.

He still had not told her about his plans for the honeymoon. Maybe he was keeping it a surprise. Their topic on the match did prompt him to try and call her, though. Natalie waited patiently as he made the call, suddenly finding the festive tablecloth very interesting. She didn't want to appear as if she was eavesdropping on the conversation. Everett had gotten up and walked away a bit, though. He came back soon enough. It was quick, like he said. She smirked at his expression. Just priceless. "Well, judging by that look on your handsome face, mister, I'm guessing that's you." Natalie replied. She was really excited for him, and was glad she was able to witness how he transformed from the nervous guy to this optimistic upbeat one, all because of a phone call! Everett already knew that if he needed any help, she was just a phone call away. No doubt the nerve-wracking what-to-wear stage might happen to him as he started preparing for the date. "So, how soon is this date of yours?" she asked.