Quick note - I have finally given in and created a blog for this story. The link is in my profile. As of right now, it's nothing fancy, but I hope it will help explain some things in this story.
Thanks again to javamomma0921 (Jen) for all of her help with this story, and even bringing up the idea of possibly entering a canon contest. I'm still undecided there.
I do not own the Twilight Saga or any of its characters, they belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. Nor do I own the events of the Civil War. That belongs to history.
Chapter Seven: Vows
I meandered downstairs at half past three, straightening the jacket of my dress uniform, and pulling the cuffs further over my black gloves. I had spend the remainder of the afternoon trying to fix my appearance. I had managed to tame my wild curls with a dab of pomade and shave the stubble off my chin and upper lip, but beyond that, I was a hopeless mess.
Mrs. Blackburn had kindly arranged for the laundering and repairs of our uniforms and the servants offered to polish our boots. I had declined the polishing, preferring to achieve the mirror shine myself. I found the manual labor relaxing.
"Major." Charles greeted me with a smirk as I took my post next to him.
"Sergeant." I grinned. The two of us always felt out of place when we were forced to dress up, and the result was often a failure for at least one of us to keep a straight face in a serious situation.
"You ready for the fun to begin?" I asked, the sarcasm heavy in my voice.
"Yes. I am happy for Robert, don't get me wrong, but you are right. This has turned into one giant mess."
"Agreed. Just try to hold your tongue once you start drinking." I warned, watching the first carriage draw up to the house. "And…we're officially on duty."
In unison, Charles and I stepped up to the carriage and helped to escort the female occupants through the house. Over the next hour and half we repeated our motions, making small talk as we escorted guests into the backyard. I lost count of how many times I muttered something indistinct in response to being asked how happy I was for the couple. Truthfully, I was not sure.
The backyard had been transformed beautifully, awash with flowers and some kind of white, gauzy fabric. I was pleased to note that my garlands had remained in their original positions, at least as far as my eye could discern.
Charles and I slipped into two chairs in the back row on the groom's side, and nodded to the rest of the company. From my position, I could quietly observe what was going on around me.
Robert stood at the altar, his rugged, sun-burnt face surprisingly pale. His fingers twitched nervously at his sides as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. Yet, despite his obvious nerves, his mouth was spread into a huge grin.
Mrs. Blackburn was in the front row, beaming as well, but dabbing tears out of her eyes with a lace handkerchief. My observations of the crowd lead me to Alicia and her family. Mr. Perdue had made it out of the house, and the three ladies were doting on him before the ceremony began.
All the emotions I was witnessing were positive ones: happiness, joy and love. Nobody else seemed bothered by how quickly their courtship had progressed. For everyone's sake, I hoped it was a blissful union. I hoped the infatuation lasted.
Off to the side, tucked under an rear awning of the house, the hired band began to play a joyful, familiar march, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. All the guests rose, turning to face the back door of the house.
The couple had decided not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen, keeping the wedding simple. Robert had explained to me privately that neither of them were very close to anyone in the town, and wanted to avoid insulting anybody they decided to exclude. The reasoning made perfect sense to me, even if Mrs. Blackburn continually begged her daughter to reconsider.
An audible gasp rushed through the crowd at the first sight of Miss Rebecca Blackburn. She had been tucked away with her mother and her mammy since suppertime, getting ready for her big day.
Now, Rebecca was a vision in white satin. Her usually stick straight hair had been transformed into a cascade of light brown curls. And with the sun dancing off the crystals in her veil, the crowd discovered hints of blonde amongst the strands. Her rosy cheeks were the result of her blushing as all eyes settled on her.
I noted, with a sigh of relief, that the wedding gown did indeed fit perfectly. The gentle shape of the bodice with its full cap sleeves and full skirt enhanced her tiny waist, or so the dressmaker had claimed. Judging by the murmurs and muted whistles, she was correct. The train on the gown flowed elegantly behind her, accented by the gold leaves embroidered along the bottom hem.
Clutching her father's arm, Rebecca cautiously glided town the aisle toward Robert and the minister. I could have sworn I heard Mr. Blackburn whisper in his daughter's ear to slow down and enjoy the moment. I stole a closer glance at their faces as they passed. Their matching hazel eyes were shining with tears, Rebecca's making tiny tracks down her cheeks.
When her gaze focused finally on Robert, her lips parted into a grin. Throughout the rest of her walk, her eyes never left his, and I suspected they would remain locked throughout the ceremony. The two made a handsome couple. Mr. Blackburn pressed his daughter's hand into Robert's and sat down heavily next to his wife. When seated, he allowed himself to dab at his own eyes with a handkerchief, thinking everybody was too focused on the happy couple to pay him any mind.
I had attended one other wedding prior to this, a drawn out affair in a stuffy old church, in the middle of the afternoon on a hot July day. In my eyes, this ceremony was already one hundred times better. The weather tonight was cooler, but still pleasant, and we were outdoors.
The minister had a deep, clear voice that effortlessly carried through the backyard. When he asked us to "speak now or forever hold your peace," I held my breath, praying no soul would object. After a moment's pause, the minister was able to segue smoothly into the vows.
Robert's voice carried just as well, his pride making up for any nerves he was experiencing earlier in the day. His hands trembled slightly as he slid the thin gold band onto Rebecca's thin finger. At this act, Mrs. Blackburn stifled a sob into her handkerchief while Mr. Blackburn awkwardly patted her back.
Rebecca initially had to be prompted to speak up, both by the minister and her mother, but as she progressed through her half of the vows, something changed. Her voice grew stronger, and filled with unbridled emotion. Robert's ring slid onto his finger effortlessly, Rebecca's movements as sure as the sun.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride," The minister intoned, smiling at the couple.
Robert bent his head and pressed a sweet kiss on Rebecca's lips. It lasted just a few seconds, but the entire yard could feel the love it carried.
"May I present Mr. and Mrs. Robert Breen. Please rise."
Powerful applause filled the air as the married couple processed down the aisle, back into the house where they would receive the guests before carriages escorted us all to the rented church hall. I was forced to stifle a yawn, feeling emotionally drained from the past two weeks. One thing was certain, I would sleep well tonight. I couldn't deny that I was excited about the dancing later tonight, I had a few tricks up my sleeves.
"Major Whitlock!" Mrs. Perdue appeared at my side. "Won't you ride to the reception with us? Mr. Perdue isn't up to being out all night, and we would love for you to be our escort."
"Of course ma'am. I would be honored." I agreed and quickly arranged for a manservant to drive Mr. Perdue home. I felt it was my responsibility to look out for all members of the family, even if Mr. Perdue insisted he would be just fine setting off on his own.
I then made my way through the receiving line, congratulating the newlyweds. The pair wore matching smiles and when they weren't being addressed, were busy gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn stood next to them, somberly thanking the guests for coming and helping them celebrate this joyous day.
Mrs. Blackburn's mood belied the smile she forced upon her face. Already, she was missing her little girl. In my gut, I knew she wouldn't be celebrating long during the reception. I made a mental note to watch her liquor consumption, and that of Mr. Blackburn.
By the time the Perdue family carriage arrived at the reception, the band and party was in full swing. Many of the young ladies, including Alicia, had changed into ball gowns, ready for a night of dancing and frivolity. The styles and colors varied, but all the skirts were wide, full and ruffled, made for swinging around ankles and showing off shoes as their wearers soared across the floor.
The deep green taffeta of Alicia's dancing gown brought out the red in her hair, and accented the green of her eyes. She was growing up quicker than I expected. In my mind she was still too young to be sporting the bare shouldered look that was popular.
When the bandleader announced the next dance, I turned to Alicia, "May I have the honor of the next dance ma'am?"
"Of course!" Alicia grinned, knowing what I had planned. She was eager to show off as well.
The Virginia Reel was a favorite of mine, I could perform each variation without blinking an eye, and more often than not, I didn't need a caller. Alicia, my sister and I had many opportunities over the years to practice. Despite my tall frame, I never went through a gangly, awkward stage, and was able to keep full control over my limbs, allowing for a graceful dance experience.
I spun Alicia effortlessly across the dance floor, leaving the other couples in our wake. When the partners finally remained fixed, the two of us added our own twists and spins, making the dance more complicated than it needed to be. For a time, we were lost in our own little world. When the song ended, I bowed to a giggling Alicia and returned her grin with one of my own.
"Jas, I've missed this. The days of you escorting Jessie and I to social functions, putting the other boys to shame with your dancing skills." Alicia sighed as we wandered over to the punch bowl. "The other girls used to be pea green with envy when you showed up."
"I miss my dancing days too. Reminds me of simpler times, but I doubt the girls were that jealous. I wasn't that great of a dancer, I just had fun with it." I rolled my eyes, searching my memory for any sign of jealousy, but came up blank.
"Simpler times indeed." She agreed, half listening to the bandleader announce the next dance, while giving the band a short break. "Oooh, a waltz. I'm sitting this one out Jas. I still can't dance it, even if you lead."
I walked Alicia over to her mother and aunt before cutting across the dance floor. There was someone else I owed a dance to.
Robert and Rebecca were swaying in on spot, blissfully unaware of their surroundings, or the fact that currently there was no music playing. As I approached, I heard the band cue up, perfect timing.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Breen?" I asked, placing a hand on Robert's shoulder and greeting the pair with a small smile.
To my immense shock, and pleasure, Rebecca removed her hands from Robert's and graced me with a true smile. I had expected her to shy away and look to Robert for guidance. "I would be honored, Major Whitlock."
Robert and I exchanged bows, and I cautiously began leading Rebecca in on of Texas's slower waltzes. Rebecca was shorter than even Alicia, and my tall frame looked awkward next to her. I resisted the urge to slouch, knowing I would look ridiculous and my dancing would suffer.
"Major Whitlock?" Rebecca spoke softly, causing me to bend my head to hear, "Robert and I want to thank you. For being so supportive, and not being terribly harsh on Robert. I know we caused a lot of trouble and dishonor for your company."
"Mrs. Breen, to see how happy the two of you are makes some of this worth it. I've known Robert for a while, and have not seen him this relaxed since he joined my troop." I smiled warmly, "Sadly, my Colonel is coming to town, and he is in charge."
"Oh, I understand." A blush flushed her cheeks, from embarrassment as the severity of the situation hit her.
"I'll be putting in a good word for him, but I cannot, in good conscience, make any promises. I do not wish to see you getting your hopes up. I'm not sure what the Colonel will decide."
"We wouldn't dream of asking you to fully forgive him, or even to fully pardon him. We just wanted to express our gratitude for all that you have done for the two of us. For one, I can never fully thank you for this wonderful dress." Rebecca blushed deeper, and smoothed her hands over the full satin skirt, admiring it with her fingers.
"Once again, you are very welcome."
The new Mrs. Breen and I finished our waltz in silence, focusing on the happiness of the situation instead of the severity. Occasionally, I would whisper the next steps in advance, to avoid stepping on her delicate feet. She would blush in return, and try to keep in time with the music.
"Thank you for the dance Mrs. Breen." I smiled as Robert came to fetch his bride. "And congratulations to the both of you. Enjoy the rest of the night."
I danced a few more times throughout the evening, making sure to give Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Perdue their spins across the floor. Alicia and I paired up for another Virginia Reel, drawing a crowd as we played to their reactions. Our fancy footwork drew a few gasps as it appeared I came close to stepping on her toes, or her on mine.
Excusing myself to catch my breath, I lingered by the punch bowl, quietly observing the bliss that had settled over the crowd. It was a pleasant feeling to witness, knowing deep down that the city of Galveston would not be calm for long.
Bidding farewell to Alicia's family, and ensuring Charles would escort the ladies home, I began my solitary walk back to the boarding house a few minutes later.
I intended to once again use the back entrance, to show my respect for the family. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn had left after dancing with their daughter and son-in-law. They claimed that dancing was best left for us younger kids.
The night had cooled significantly since the ceremony had ended, and I found myself wishing for my wool pea jacket, which was currently thrown carelessly over the back of a chair in my office. I walked briskly, not wanting to be out in this weather longer than necessary, and risk catching cold. I needed to be in full health when the Colonel arrived. It wouldn't do to have a congested chest.
I shook off the negative thoughts that threatened to invade my overworked brain. I wanted to remember this night for what it was: a fun evening out with dear friends, celebrating the nuptials of one of my men. Robert and Rebecca Breen deserved the happiness, and I'd be dammed if I let anything ruin their night, including myself.
This chapter was probably the hardest for me to write, and a sincere thank you goes out to Jen for helping me salvage it. She knows how upset I was with Jasper at one point.
On my blog are video links to the Virginia Reel and the Texas Waltz. The music might not fit the time period, but it provides a good visual. Rebecca and Alicia's dresses are featured as well. Do you think Jasper did a good job picking the wedding gown out?
Let me know what you think - reviews are like dancing with Jasper.
