You opened your eyes. The bright sunlight that beamed through the window was blinding. You lied in bed for a moment and then got up slowly, enjoying the last peaceful moments of sleep. You walked over to your window. The ocean sparkled in the distance and the town of Port Michaels was alive and energetic. The door creaked behind you as it opened revealing your Aunt and Mother.
"Happy Birthday Arabelle!" They said in unison. You smiled and sat down on the end of your bed.
"How does it feel to be 19 years of age?" your Aunt Penelope said.
"I suppose it feels OK." You replied.
"She says it feels OK. Child you are 19, the day is young! You are done with schooling at the convent and you say you feel ok?" Penelope laughed and looked at your mother.
"Darling we wanted you to open our gift first." Your mother handed you a large rectangular box. It was wrapped in gold ribbon. You untied the bow and opened the lid to the box carefully. You saw a beautiful gold dress with silk lining. Small roses were stitched into it. You lifted up and swung it around.
"Oh mother, Aunt Penelope, It's absolutely exquisite! I love it, thank you so much. But how could you afford it?"
"Don't worry about it child. It's your Birthday and you deserve everything you get and more. Now let's get this on you and begin the celebrations!" your mother said.
"Celebrations?" You said. You had absolutely adored the dress although you hated wearing a corset. You knew your Aunt and Mother had paid a lot of money for it and you sure didn't want them spending more on celebrations.
"Yes there is a party at the garden and the Birthday girl must arrive on time, don't you think?" Your mother said smiling. You could tell from the look in her eyes she was very proud, and the loss of money didn't matter to her at all.
You lifted your arms as the corset was wrapped around you. The strings tightened and you felt your ribs begin to crush. You gasped for air but it kept getting tighter. Then the dress was lowered onto you. You long Brown hair was curled and clipped up into a pile on top of your head. You were powdered anywhere that was revealed and made up to look like a porcelain doll. Your mother stood back with tears in her eyes.
"You look beautiful. You have become such a lady and I am so proud. "She wiped her eyes, then proceeded with her little birthday speech. " I hope that you have the best birthday, my little girl!" Then she broke out into tears. Your aunt put a comforting arm around her and winked at you. She walked your mother out of the room, and you were left alone to admire your birthday gift. The gold and silk brought out the tan in your skin. The roses emphasized your soft pink lips and chocolate brown eyes. The corset, so painfully wrapped around you, made you look petite. You did look more mature. You gave your mom a little time to calm down, and then you went outside to the garden. So many familiar faces smiled at you as you passed. Some were proud, some surprised, and even some jealous. You smiled and made your way to a table near the harbor. Your best friend Anna sat there with her husband George.
"Happy Birthday Arabelle!" She said when you sat down. You thanked her and smiled. The only thing you had really wanted to do on your birthday was maybe have a family dinner and hang out by the harbor with Anna. You knew only too well that your mother would be pressuring you to get married to some bloke she had chosen. The last thing you had wanted was a party to celebrate you're coming out to society as a lady. You loved what your mother and aunt had done for you but what you wanted to be anywhere else but here. You hated attention; especially when there were 50 people all watching you.
"Hey Arabelle , can we talk for a moment please?" Anna asked. You nodded and stood up, following her to a spot far from the crowd.
"Are you okay Anna?" You asked. She nodded and frowned.
"Ara, I have some news. I-I come today bearing a child." She said. Then she started to cry. You held her in a hug and then began to comfort her.
"Why are you crying? You will make a fine mother. With your looks the child will be flawless."
"I am just a-afraid that George will get angry with me." She whimpered. You looked at her questionably.
"I'm sure that by bedding you he would surely know you would soon bear a child." You replied.
"He knows that I would someday bear a child, but-but" She stopped for a moment, and then continued. "I've been pregnant for 5 months and I haven't told him. You know how his temper is, what if he hurts the baby when he finds out I kept this from him?" She said. You looked her in the eyes and saw how frightened she was.
"Anna, I'm sure that the baby won't be harmed. If you wish, I will be there when you tell him, and if she tries to hit you, I can try to stop it." You said, trying to assure her everything would be alright. Truly, you had no idea how to handle this. Before you could do anything, your mother walked over and eyed you suspiciously.
"Is everything OK?" she asked seeing Anna crying.
"Yes mother, I'm handling this. What do you need?" You asked.
" There is someone I would like you to meet. " She said. You looked over to Anna who was wiping her eyes and her nose.
"I'm okay, Arabelle. Go and meet someone then comeback." She sat there and closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down a little. You turned and followed your mother. She led you through the crowds to a young man. He was Blonde with blue eyes. He had a navy uniform on and was very polite.