Unwilling Union

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What am I doing? I shouldn't allow him to continue to do this. I actually encouraged him when I put my hands on him to keep myself stable. I felt I was slipping when took me from the carriage. Its mostly the truth, I'm not saying what the real story is.

He placed me on the ground and I wasted no time leaving them all behind. I moved as quickly as I could, without falling, to the door. I couldn't wait any longer to see my niece. I had to see for myself how much she looks like her momma.

I entered the parlor to see Pa with Anna in his arms. He was sitting in his chair by the fireplace. I walked over to him to get a better look at the baby. I covered my mouth with both hands as I looked upon her cherubic features. "Would you like to hold her?" Papa asked as he looked up at me. I nodded happily and held out my arms for her.

"She's adorable!" I touched her soft hair as heard everyone else enter the room.

"Oh my first grandchild," mother said as her ripped the baby away from me. I stood there stunned that she'd do that. I'm Anna's family too. Anna was with my mother for only a minute before she threw a fit. I guess the baby is a good judge of character.

"May I?" Tommy said out of the blue. He wants to hold the baby? Well if he can get her to stop crying, then I'm all for it. The screaming is getting a little tiresome.

"I guess?" Sades looked a little scared about him holding her baby, I don't really blame her. She took Anna from mother and place her is his waiting arms. "Careful. Mind her head." Her concern was etched on her face as she backed away slowly. Staying close enough to catch the baby in case he dropped her. I don't think he'll have much trouble holding onto a ten pound baby. He's been lifting me up all day and I'm wearing at least twenty five pounds of fabric.

He walked over to the divan and sat, I could see Sadie was relieved by that. Only a few moments past before Anna stopped her crying. They were cute together, her making her happy little noises and him unsure of why she was acting like she was with him. I tried not to smile at the sight but it was heartwarming. His gaze came to mine and that helped with the not smiling but not completely.

Mother was miffed as she watched the pair on the divan. This was really putting Tommy on my good list, he can irritate my mom and get away with it. Matthew came into the room and went straight to his wife. He told her something but I was too busy watching Tommy and the baby from the corner of my eye.

"This is Thomas Quincy. He'll be marrying Jude next month." Sadie told Matthew when no one introduced Tom. "Thomas this is my husband, Matthew Lewis." She had such a dreamy expression as she looked up at him. I can't stand how they dote about each other. Its sickening to think they're like this all the time. Around other people I mean.

"Jude, go sit please. There's the perfect spot for you next to Thomas." Her smile was condescending as she told me what to do. I won't get out of this one either. I'll get my punishment after the other left me alone with her. I went over to where he sat and tried to put as much space as I could between us.

"Darling, could you make room for me?" Mrs. Quincy asked me sweetly. Why does she want to sit here? These women are going to run me into the ground. I obligingly moved closer to her son and ended up with my side pressed into his.

He handed me the baby before he spoke to Matthew and Sadie. I was glad that he did that. I wanted a little more time with her. Papa and mother took a seat across from us and listened to the two men talk about their pasts and lives. Tom's mother moved and pushed me into him, I felt my arm start to dig into him more than I would've liked. This is way more contact than I want with him.

"Sadie do you want to put her in the cradle upstairs? I had Beth pull it out for you," Papa turned to Sadie as he asked. I could see how happy he was about his grandchild.

"Would you like to take her up there, Papa?" She saw the light in his eyed when he spoke about her, she had to. I held the baby higher to make it easier for him to take her. He gently put her on his arm and left the room.

"Thomas, we really should be going." Mrs. Quincy said as she went over to mother and started in on some unimportant thing. It's not important to me.

I watched as Tommy got up and went over to Matthew. I'm glad he's polite to my sister. Why does Matthew look like he's in pain? Why do I care? Matthew isn't the most manly of the male species. I'm being very nice about that.

I knew what I had to do as Tommy left the parlor and entered the foyer. He stood in the doorway, not moving. I was curious why but not curious enough to actually ask him. "Goodbye Thomas." I held my hand out to him.

"Until next time." I tried to pull away when he jerked me to him. What's going- his face was at the level of mine as he moved closer. I froze as his lips touched my cheek softly. He moved away a second later and he was out the door. That was the first time someone other than family kissed me somewhere other than my hand. I was so shocked about it I didn't know how to react.

He turned back when he was a good distance away and gave me a half smirk. I felt the heat rising in my face as my hand moved of its own accord to where his lips met my skin. I stared at the floor for a brief moment then looked back to the walk. He was already in the carriage and on his way home.

♥UuUuUuUuU♥

"Get on with it." She looked at me confused. "You're dying to tell me about what you think of Thomas. So let me hear it."

"Its Thomas now? I though he went by Bastard?"

"Sades, don't. I'm trying my best to," I sighed and leaned back against the pillows. "I'm trying," I rubbed my forehead in defeat.

"You're actually going to give him a chance? This isn't like you Jude," I could hear the mocking in her voice and glared at her. "You know your stubborn." She retorted as I looked away and focused on the papers covering the table. Mother was going to have the invitations done soon. I guess she and Mrs. Quincy set the date.

"Are you going to say what you have to say?" I'm way passed annoyed with her right now. She's right but I don't want to hear it.

"I think that he's going to be good to you. That is if you give him a real chance you'll come to like him and his personality."

"You don't know anything about him." She looked away from me and to the floor nervously, as if she wasn't sure what to do next.

"Well I know he's getting you something." Her words came out in a rush. I wanted to laugh at her state but I shook my head and questioned her about her revelation.

"How do you know that?"

"His mother wasn't paying much attention to me and he didn't seem to notice I was right behind them. But they were talking about having something made. I quote 'I didn't like the selection they had, so I'm having one made for her.' The her has to be you." She thinks that's a solid argument? I guess Matthew took some of her brain as well.

"Sadie, where do you come up with this stuff? Just because they spoke of a girl doesn't mean its me."

"Who else could it be?"

"Haven't you heard the stories about his time in Rome?" She shook her head. "Well I've heard them all, about the girls he was 'acquainted' with." I stressed the word acquainted to make sure she got the point. I went on telling her about the other details I uncovered while eavesdropping and having my friends tell me what they knew.

"That was a long time ago."

"It was three months ago."

"Oh." She lifted a shoulder before she reclined against the chair. "People can change in that amount of time." She looked down sadly at her hands. After a moment she had trouble keeping her eyes open. "I'm going to take a nap. We'll talk more after." Sadie patted my shoulder and left the room.

I can't tell her that I'm hoping for that kind of behavior from him. She'd think I was crazy. Well I am crazy, for some odd reason I'm thinking about him. And his lips. His wonderfully soft, pl-

They only touched my cheek! What's wrong with me? Could it be I'm already growing soft towards him? Letting him take me over? I don't feel like I'm in control of whats happening to me. I don't feel like me. I'm so rational and mindful of who I trust and I'm already-

"Jude," oh thank you!

"Coming Mama." I've never been so happy to hear her screechy voice. She saved me from going any further with my horribly scrambled thoughts. "Is there something you need Mama?"

"No, I wanted to have you to see your invitations. Aren't they beautiful?" She held up the white parchment with a white ribbon attached to the top.

"Oh so you've set a date?

"Jude, darling. You set the date, don't you remember?" I do? Well she won't go for my idea of never, so I'll have her help.

"Within the next month," I thought aloud. "The third Saturday."

"Jude you don't want to get married on Saturday. What about Wednesday? That would be much better."

"I want Saturday."

"But Jude, everyone knows Saturday is bad luck. And you don't want that for your life with Thomas." She was trying to reason with me instead of ordering me. I appreciate that she's trying but I want to have bad luck. The more bad luck the less likely we'll last.

"No, I don't want bad luck," I lied easily. "But I found out I was to marry him on a Saturday, I think it would be fitting have a tradition."

"Jude please reconsider in the next few days. We need to have a dinner to announce your engagement. Your father and I were thinking the end of the week? It will be perfect."

"I'll be sure I'm ready. Is that all you need me for?"

"No." she picked up a piece of fabric and handed it to me. "What do you think about this?"

I studied the swatch in my hand. "Its gorgeous. What is it for?" I really hope it's not for my dress. I don't want a beautiful dress for such a horrible day.

"Your dress. I wanted your approval before I went ahead and had it made." Hmm? Her saying that pushed all the previous thoughts from my head.

"Oh, this would be lovely. Yes," since she's trying her best to ask I'll be ladylike for the time being. But I really think Papa talked to her about my wedding. Even though I don't want it, it's mine and not hers.

"Wonderful, I'll send a messenger over right away." Oh yes. We wouldn't want the dress maker to start on the dress without the right fabric. Even though I'm sure that's what they were going to use anyway.

"Is that all? I wanted to help Beth with supper this evening."

"Go right ahead dear. I'll be here getting everything in order. And please do think about your day selection. You don't want to look back and regret it."

"I will Mama. Don't worry," I left the room and went in search of Beth to see what she needed help with. Beth was in the kitchen looking for a pot when I came into the room. "Hi, Beth." I'm in a surprisingly good mood after what just happened.

"Dear," she acknowledged me with a wave of her hand.

"Can I help you with anything?" I'm trying my best to learn to cook, I'll need that skill once I get rid of Quincy.

"Not at the moment. I'm just getting everything ready for tonights dinner." Her accent faded out as she spoke.

"Are you sure, I want to keep myself busy. Too keep my mind off of what's to come." She of all people should understand.

"I'm sorry Dear, but I have much to do. Why don't you go and rest, I need to plan for the engagement party. And I know you won't help me with that." She kissed my forehead and shooed me out of the room. There went my good mood.

Review please!

So, my dears, (I sound so old when I say that, don't I?) this is my final chapter of the year! If you read my note on my profile page you know I won't be seeing you, so to speak, until Feb. Have a happy New Year!

Thanks, Eternita14.