"Oh! I'm sorry," a woman said, as she went to pick up the books that's had fallen on the floor.
"No harm done," the man replied. The woman had accidentally knocked down his stack on the floor.
He spied the green book in her hand.
"Ah, Jane Eyre. A wonderful tale indeed!" She looked at him doubtlessly "You've read it before?"
"Indeed, to my grandmother when she was still alive. What's your name? Mine is Walter Shirley."
"My name is Bertha James." She answered shyly.
"Do you have any family Walter?"
"No, my parents passed a year ago. We weren't really on good terms; they wanted me to become a doctor but I didnt want to. Currently I work as a blacksmith. What about you? You got folks around?"
"Mum died when I was little and my father died when I was eighteen. He left me a sizable inheritance, being the frugal man he was. I have been living off of that and I work at the dress shop."
Walter observed this Bertha. She seemed no older than twenty and she was gorgeous with black hair, hazel eyes, and a shapely nose. He himself was twenty-two and had brown hair, brown eyes , and was rather tall for his age.
"How old are you?" She asked him shyly, blushing a little.
"I'm twenty-two."
"Oh, I'm twenty-one."
They stared at each other awkwardly for a minute until Walter finally cleared his throat; and looking down at the books in his hands, said, "well I better go and pay for these books."
"Oh, right. Will I see you around?"
"Maybe. I'm staying at the Maplewood Boarding House until I can afford a home." He told her boldly.
Bertha looked surprised, "The Maplewood House? Why, I'm staying there!"
Walt laughed, "I guess I will see you around, wanna go for a walk tomorrow?"
"How do I know you're trustworthy?" Bertha asked him, suddenly suspicious.
"I have read a lot of books."
"And?" She prodded, not sure where this stranger was going.
"Well, it is to my belief that a well-read person generally isn't harmful."*
"True indeed. I guess I'll go for a walk with you in town, how about five? Will that work?"
"I look forward to it."
With that the two parted ways, but after, they spent all of their free time together. Something they both enjoyed doing was reading by the fireplace in the boarding home at nighttime.
It was so cosy in the bright-lit room, with the orange and yellow flames dances in the hearth, making shadows on the walls.
After a year had gone by, on a warm July day, Walt asked Bertha if she would go for a walk down by the pond with him,and of course, she accepted.
Hand in hand they strolled through the woody area and reached the pond, Bertha had brought a picnic basket and set it down near the water bank. Walter spread a blanket down and they enjoyed the sandwiches Bertha had made.
"Isn't it so pretty Walt? The butterflies-and look! A swan! She looks so peaceful on the water, as if she was floating through the air."
Walter chuckled, he loved her imagination, he too was in total bliss. Next to the woman he loved, on a warm, sunny day, wishing it would last forever.
"It is indeed." He agreed, kissing her forehead.
He hesitated and then looked at her he held her hand. "Wouldn't it be nice if it could last forever?"
"It would indeed." Bertha agreed.
"Bertha James, will you do me the honour of marrying me?" Walt asked going down on one knee.
Bertha started crying, in tears she said, "of c-course I-I will!"
He swooped in and kissed her softly on the lips.
"Now I don't have a ring or anything but, this will do until I can get you one." He grabbed a long piece of grass and tied it around her ring finger.
Laughing all the way back to the boarding home they decided to wed the next week.
"I now pronounce you man and wife." The Reverend Miller declared.
Bertha stared at the wood ring Walter had made. It wasnt anything fancy, just a Walnut wood circle, but she could feel Walt's love radiating off of it.
It was a small wedding and the only people there was Walter's friends Peter and Martha Thomas.
Afterwards as the happy couple walked out of the church they looked at each other.
"Let's go home Mrs. Shirley." Walter declared.
Peter let them borrow his extra horse and buggy. The newlyweds drove to their new, little house, secluded from the town and people.
Between Bertha's inheritance and Walter's pay from the smithy, they could afford the bungalow.
It was a cosy white house with a stream that ran from the field behind it. It only had two bedrooms but they weren't expecting children anytime soon. Apple and cherry trees grew on the property, making it perfect for a family because there would always be food to sell or eat.
Both of them were able to get a better paying jobs at a school. Walter taught the older ones while Bertha taught the little ones.
They settled into married life rather quickly, both eager to finally have family again. Six months later Bertha wasn't feeling her normal self. Certain smells make her nauseous and she was tired most of the time.
Walt came home one Saturday, to see her napping on the grey sofa.
"Sleeping again?" He asked concerned.
"What? Oh! Hello, Walt. I'm exhausted." She said yawning.
"You haven't been yourself lately. Is everything alright?"
"I don't know." Bertha admitted confused.
"Why don't we go to the doctor?" He suggested
"Alright." She consented.
He hitched up their new grey horse to the new buggy.
The doctor was available to see them.
She explained her symptoms to the doctor and he screwed his face up.
"I think I know what is wrong," he announced.
The Shirley's looked at each other worriedly.
"I think you're expecting."
Bertha's hand flew up to her mouth and Walter was in shock.
"We're going to have a baby?!" Bertha's emotions were all over the place; should she be happy or not?
"But that's not possible! It can't be!" Walter said, rather confused. Already? We have only been married for half a year!
"And why isn't it?" She asked, winking at him.
He had to admit that she was right.
"Well thank you doctor." He told the man who was stifling a laugh.
"You're very welcome. And I will see you very soon," He said, winking at Bertha.
Walter was still in shock. I'm going to be a father?! Already?!
Bertha couldn't stop smiling. Really this wasn't a ideal time to have a child, but she knew that they would manage.
When they got home Walter finally got out of his shock. He kissed her lips and held her close to his chest.
"Are you happy?" He asked.
"Yes, are you?" She looked straight into his bright brown eyes.
"If you are." He smiled, then he kissed her stomach.
*Series of Unfortunate Events.
A/N: A few things are a reference to people. Them having brown and black hair then having a redhead is a reference to my cousin and Bertha's last name is a reference to...well...Ill let you guys figure that out. ;)