Chapter 11

Three days. There were only three days left until he married Margaret Hale. He was fully aware that he'd never been quite as busy in his entire life. There was usual business at the Mill, and then there was wedding planning, and changes happening in his house that if he were honest, he didn't really understand, and then there was the additional work at the Mill that had to be done. Work that would enable him to spare two days away from the Mill so he could get married. He secretly hoped Margaret wouldn't be too disappointed at being unable to have a wedding trip. Then again, he hoped Margaret wouldn't be too disappointed at being faced with being in the position to take a wedding trip. To be honest he had no idea how Margaret felt about anything that had happened in the last week. He hadn't seen her since that fateful day his mother had been to visit her.

Thirteen days ago.

He had been to see her, of course, but only ever saw her father. She was, according to Mr. Hale, still quite ill, and was under strict orders from Dr. Donaldson to remain in bed as much as possible prior to the wedding. This was followed by a firm reassurance that no, her illness was not serious, and that she would in fact make a full recovery. Slowly but surely, he was told. It did nothing to make him feel any less guilty though. Or any less apprehensive. At the rate things were going, he wouldn't see her until the wedding itself.

"John, it's your wedding. You can't just use whatever dishes you like! These are the best we have!"
"Fanny," He replied exhaustedly the next day. "The servants already have enough on their hands dealing with…everything they're dealing with. It makes no sense to also have them dig out the old china, and wash them all by Sunday!" Fanny placed her hands on her hips, looking sterner than he'd ever seen her.
"Do you want my help or not, John?" she asked. "It's not as though I'm out ordering you brand new dishes for the occasion. You only marry once, she will only marry once. The least you can do for the poor woman is use some nicer dishes than your everyday ones!" John sighed.
"Yes, you're right of course, Fanny. I'm sorry, I've just been…" He trailed off, not really sure what exactly he'd been the past few days. She came over to where he was sitting and placed a hand on his arm.
"I understand John, I really do." She said softly. "A wedding on it's own is difficult enough. But a wedding that wasn't planned, in just over a week is…madness. I can't imagine myself where you are right now." She laughed slightly towards the end. John looked at her astounded. What happened to his sister? His younger, slightly haughty sister, who prided herself on her excellent connections. She was a woman now, loving and attentive. He searched her face, trying to understand what had changed, and found nothing but sincerity there.
When his mother had left to go stay with the Watson's, Fanny had surprised him by coming over the very next morning, and visiting him in his office, something she had never done before. She claimed that their mother had told her everything, and that she would like to do anything she could to help with the wedding preparations. Initially (and quite understandably) he had been extremely apprehensive about it. Her own wedding had been extravagant, beautiful and a little….posh. He didn't have the time, or truthfully the money. But after the first few days of trying to balance everything on his own, he started to feel like a fish out of water. Weddings were generally taken care of by the bride's family. His bride however, was bedridden, and John had graciously offered to handle everything himself. He soon realized, he was completely out of his depth with this. So it was quite begrudgingly that he returned to Fanny a few days later, and asked if her offer still stood. Luckily for him, she was thrilled to help with the planning.
"I mean," she continued. "It's not as though mother has been making things easier." John frowned. His mother had not spoken to him since she departed.
"How is she?" he asked, genuinely concerned even though his tone was somewhat clipped.
"Still brooding." Fanny said happily, whilst smiling brightly at him. "I believe she feels as though you are ruining yourself with this marriage, and that you'd be better off leaving Miss Hale to clean up her own mess."
"Is that so?" He replied, not really caring at all.
"I think that deep down, under her wounded pride that is, she is secretly bursting with pride that you would do this for Miss Hale despite what may happen to you, and that you're a man of such honor." John scoffed. "You are doing the right thing John." She said, looking at him so assuredly, he nearly believed it himself. "No matter what anyone says, you have done the right thing. Miss Hale is a lucky woman to be so looked after."
"I was under the distinct impression that you did not particularly care for Miss Hale." John said, after a short pause. Fanny frowned slightly and looked away from him.
"I…" she trailed off, weighing her words. "It is not every woman who would have the courage to face adversity, and still consider others before herself. And I respect her greatly for it, even though I do believe she is a little proud. It's not so bad though, we live in Milton. Everyone is proud."
"What do you mean?" John asked. Fanny turned and caught his eye.
"She must care something for you John. Even if it is only a friendship, it's a start."
"Marriage has done you well, Fanny." John said incredulously. "I hardly know you right now!" Fanny looked away, but John could see blush creeping up her cheeks, and the pleased smile she was trying (and failing) to conceal.
"Thank you John." She said, still smiling a little. "Now you get back to work, and leave these preparations to me. I'll see that everything gets done properly. You've got enough to deal with on your own." John smiled before leaning over and kissing his sister on the cheek.
"Thank you Fanny. I do not think I could have done this without you." She beamed with pride at such a compliment from her brother.

"John, what are you doing?!"
"Just trying to get the last of this compl-"
"Have you lost your senses! Oh, you're not even properly dressed! Go, upstairs right now, there's not much time before we have to leave."
"Fanny, we have plenty of time-"
"Oh for God's sake John, look at the clock! You've got less than an hour until you have to be there!"
"What? The wedding isn't for another two and a half hours!"
"Just go!"

Everything was a flurry of movement, and flowers, and raised voices barking orders at someone else. John had absolutely no idea why it was so important for him to be an hour and a half early to his own wedding, but his sister was adamant. He had yet to see his mother, but he was sure she would come. Strife or no strife, she would not miss the marriage of her only son, he was certain of it. Before long there were guests arriving. He must have shaken hands with at least a hundred people before the hour was out. They offered him well wishes, and congratulations, smiling proudly at him each in their turn. But John hardly noticed any of them. He couldn't make his mind focus on anything but suppressing the unnervingly profound desire to vomit everywhere. He had never been this nervous. Ever. He was proud, confident, determined, and strong. He didn't get nervous. He was calculating, and knew how things would happen. And that gave him confidence. It made him strong. But in this moment, he knew nothing of what was going to happen in the course of the day. For that matter, he knew nothing of what would come in his foreseeable future. In every aspect. Which is why he was currently sitting in a back room of the church, elbows on his knees and head in his hands, breathing deeply and trying desperately not to be violently sick. He didn't have time to be sick. He was getting married. He glanced at his watch and felt the anxiety tear through his chest. Ten minutes. He rose, and made his way back towards his assigned position on the altar. And then, everything stopped. The noise, the chatter, his nerves, his thoughts, his very heartbeat.
There she was, looking more beautiful and more solemn than he had ever seen her. There she was, on the arm of her father in the most beautiful dress he'd ever seen her in. There was muttering in the crowd, and a few pointed fingers. John didn't notice any of it. All he could see was Margaret, and Margaret was looking at him. Not the floor, or her hands, or her father, but him. And he was so completely lost in his love for her, that not a single person in the room doubted he had ever loved her at all.

Except of course, the bride.

Breathe she told herself. Just breathe. Margaret forced herself not to take too much stock in what Mr. Thornton was now saying to her. The way he was looking at her, his hand that held hers which was quivering ever so slightly, and those words. Words that spoke of love, and adoration. Words that spoke of endless devotion. Words that spoke volumes to Margaret, of forever. Forever she was his, forever she was his, forever she was his…

Forever he was hers.

The thought thrilled and terrified her in equal measure. She wasn't really even sure why. But there was something about the way he was looking at her that made her want to throw all caution to the wind, just for this day. But she couldn't, could she? She had trapped him in this situation. He didn't want to marry her. Not anymore. Not after all she'd done to him. And he was right not to. She didn't deserve him. He was a good man, and she was a broken woman. Yet here he was, holding her hands and looking into her eyes, and speaking words that weren't supposed to be true between them. Placing a ring on her finger, and promising her forever. There was something she had forgotten about. Something she hadn't even considered at all. Something she should have remembered before now. Something that was currently making it impossible for her to think, or even breathe properly. But before she even had a chance to think about it, his hand was ghosting over her cheek and his lips were on hers. Her body erupted in furious flames, and only one thought permeated her senses.
Today was easily the best day of her life.

A/N: Short but…..I think it's pretty good. Just a little taste of what's to come. ;) God, I can't wait! It's far from over, kiddies, but not in the way you might think…

Also, please review. =D

ALSO, went back and fixed the stupid spelling errors, because I must have been on crack when I posted this with so many errors.