We Will Be Happy, Chapter VI
Time went by quickly for Isobel and Richard who were either busy with the hospital or busy planning their wedding.
It was now 30 days, one month, until the date, and everything that needed planning had been planned. Their flower was Ivy, their colours yellow and blue, their guest list was finalized, and Isobel was attending her penultimate dress fitting.
She sat with Cora, Violet, Edith, and Mary in the dress shop, waiting for the seamstress to bring her dress out.
"Really ladies, you didn't need to come along, I'm fine," she said.
"Are you not pleased that we are here?" Cora asked. "We said we would be with you for this."
"I'm pleased that you'e here, of course I am, you're family, but at the same time, you all have very busy schedules," Isobel remarked.
"Family comes first," Violet said, "after all, you've taken time out of your own to care for me when I've been ill."
"But you were ill, and there was no available staff at the hospital, so since I had the means, I took it as my duty. A duty I enjoyed as you got better, and one I was afraid I wouldn't succeed in at one point, but a duty to my family and their health."
"Family sticks together in sickness and in health, through the good times and the bad. Or at least, Crawleys do. But, in true Crawley fashion, you're stubborn," Violet said, "and sometimes you forget that your family is on your side through everything."
Isobel nodded, "I know I do, but..."
"There no buts about it. Family doesn't let their family hurt alone," Cora said, "look what happened when Robert and I let that happen after we lost Sybil. Our family is stronger that that. Don't do anything alone."
Isobel smiled, "so no more on that topic?"
Mary shook her head. "The matter is closed. Crawleys stick together at all times with no exceptions."
Once the seamstress brought out Isobel's dress and she put it on, the ladies expressed their approval at Isobel in her long, cream coloured gown. It fell to just about an inch above her ankles, the train brushing the floor ever so slightly. The lace on the bodice adding more elegance to the gown without going over the top.
"Dr Clarkson is going to fall even more in love with you when he sees you in that gown," Edith said.
"Robert cried on our wedding day, when he saw me in mine. Remember mama?" Cora asked, a bright smile on her face.
Violet nodded. "At first, I thought it was because he knew he was going to be unhappy, but now I know that it was the beginning of him falling in love with you. Edith is right, Isobel. Dr Clarkson is going to fall even more in love with you."
To her horror, Isobel felt her face turn red.
Cora chuckled. "Are you excited Isobel?"
"I am. I really am. After Reginald, I never thought I'd be in love again. I'm sure many people have felt that way before. But after what happened with Matthew, Sybil, and even my relationship with Dickie, I learned that life is too short to deny yourself happiness with family and friends. But for so long, I was scared of being happy."
Mary and Edith nodded. "We have to be strong in the wake of loss, and no matter how sad we are, and how long we want to mourn for, we have to remember that our loved ones wouldn't want us to be unhappy because of them," Mary said. "Sybil and Matthew never brought a day's despair to anyone, and while we should mourn their loss, we should also make sure that we celebrate their lives and remeber them that way."
"Let us not dwell on the unhappiness that has struck our family in recent years," Isobel said, "Instead, let's make them a part of the hapiness that we feel right now."
"What would you suggest? A seance?" Violet asked, half-sarcastically, half wanting to know what Isobel was thinking.
Edith laughed while Mary rolled her eyes.
Isobel shook her head. "No, more of a party where we celebrate their lives. We gather old friends, family, and have a happy occasion where we can talk about them."
"Before the wedding? It might be a little bit too much to handle with the time and work that we're currently putting in for it," Violet said, "it's a wonderful idea though. The last events that were all about them were sad. We need a happy event to remember them by."
"I'm glad that you agree with me," Isobel said.
"How could I not?" Our family should take all the happiness that we're offered," Violet asked.
"Mama's right. But we should be heading home. Tea time is coming up soon," Cora said.
"And we don't want to keep Dr Clarkson waiting, don't we?" Mary asked.
Isobel shook her head, and within 45 minutes, the ladies had returned to Downton. Isobel was pleased that, at that time, the dress needed no alteration.
Walking into the drawing room, Robert almost immediately embraced Cora.
Richard walked up to Isobel and kissed her on the hand. "How was the fitting?"
"It went well. No alterations needed. How was your day?"
"It was fine. Nothing very exciting, but I should be grateful for that. Usually when something exciting happens, it ends badly for everyone even distantly involved," he replied.
"You make a fair point Richard. Shall we have some tea?" she asked.
"Certainly," Richard said," after all, it's time for tea."
Isobel laughed lightly and the two of them walked over to Mr Carson who poured them their tea, with a small smile on his face.
Sitting beside one another on the sofa, they drank their tea and discussed more plans for the wedding, specifically the arrival of his family.
"Have you heard when James and his family are arriving?" Isobel asked.
"I have. They're arriving three days before the wedding by train," he replied.
"Well then, the family and I will have some time to become acquainted with them. I'm very much looking forward to meeting them," Isobel said.
"James says he's looking forward to meeting you as well. He's a tad nervoud about meeting the rest of the family though. He's a farmer in Scotland," Richard said.
"Well, Tom and Robert will certainly want to make conversation with him, hear what he has to say. You should tell him not to worry about it," Isobel said.
"I did tell him that Isobel," Richard replied.
Isobel and Richard left after tea, returning for dinner. Once they were in their respective homes however, they looked around. Soon they would have to decide where they would live once they were wed. It was the only decission not made.
Both had their merits, but Isobel's belonged to the estate.
They went to bed, both planning to discuss it the next day.
After all, they had less than a month until they would be wed.
end of chapter vi