Thanks maryelaine32 and Jazphace I hope you enjoy this chapter as much
Wedding vows from http:/ 2. com/Religious_Ceremonies/ ceremony%20sample%
Wedding Vows I hear you say? Read on.
Let me know what you think?
Kate x
Taking the plunge
Klara groaned as the sound of the train whistle woke her abruptly. It had been the same for yesterday morning. The 9am train sounding its approach acting as an alarm. And it took the train to wake her up. With Michaela and the baby now home Klara had found that she was the most tired she had ever been in her life. When she'd fallen into her bed on Monday evening she had had her first proper night sleep since the Nugget collapsed and yesterday she had been more exhausted then when she not slept, almost like her body wanted her to stop; Though the chance of that was to be nonexistent as she now worked fulltime at the Chateau until Michaela returned to work. She pushed herself up groaning with the exertion and the pain her body issued to stop her moving. As she stood Klara noted that she had not moved one iota in her sleep, her body so exhausted that it had not moved an inch. Only the fact the covers were pushed back where she had rose would indicate that anyone had slept there. Klara repositioned the bedcovers to their correct position and busied herself getting ready for the day. She had only 15 minutes to get to the train station to get the Chateau carriage or she would have to rent a horse from Robert E, something which the small stipend she was paid would not cover more than once a pay period. With her late hour of rising she would have no time to get anything to eat not that it really mattered as there was always food available at the Chateau. She sighed as she reached for her brush, pulling the bristles through her blonde wavy hair. Today was going to be a long day.
Matthew held hold of Katie's hand tightly, the little girl effervescent with excitement with having Dr Mike and Violet at home and now her Grandma was about to get off the train.
"You tink Gamma'll like Vy-let?" the little girl asked as she bounced from one foot to the other.
"Definitely," Matthew assured her.
Katie looked up at him, "Sure?"
"Yeah I'm sure," Matthew picked her up. "Why? You not sure?"
"Coz she won't be able ta hold her, coz Vy-let in da box a lot," Katie explained, turning her head to scan the train for any signs of her Grandma.
"I'm sure your Ma will let her hold her," Matthew bounced her trying to get her to smile.
Katie frowned, "I not 'lowed."
"That's coz Violet's real delicate and you're only used to Esmee and she can take anything." Matthew tried to explain.
"I not hurt her!" Katie looked shocked at his suggestion.
"Ya might not mean to, but while she's so little your Ma and Sully are being real careful with her," Matthew tried to explain to the little girl.
"Mattew, dere's Gamma," Katie pointed, her exuberance slightly dimmed by their exchange.
Matthew sighed, knowing he had upset his little sister, but not really sure how he could fix it. He moved towards Elizabeth hoping that her Grandma would be able to pick up Katie's mood.
"Matthew," Elizabeth greeted him as they approached. "Oh Katie, what a sad face."
"Hey Gamma," Katie greeted her with a small smile.
Elizabeth held out her arms to Matthew indicating she wanted to hold Katie. Matthew looked unsure but did as requested handing the little girl over. Elizabeth held Katie for a brief moment before lowering her to the ground. "Are you upset about your sister?" Elizabeth guessed.
"Not hold her," Katie sniffed slightly.
Elizabeth smiled. "There will be plenty of time for that."
"Really?" Katie looked at her uncertain.
"Really," Elizabeth kissed Katie gently. As she straightened she touched the emerald chip on Katie's chest, "What a lovely necklace, where ever did you get it?"
Katie looked down and then back at her Grandma with a look of confusion, "You gived it to me Gamma."
"I know," Elizabeth smiled widely at her, "and I must say it looks very lovely, it suits you."
Katie's chest puffed out with pride "Tanks! Mama let me wear it on Sunday for Turch and on specal days."
"And today is a special day?" Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.
"Yep," Katie grinned, "You here."
"Why thank you." Elizabeth held her hand out to Katie, "Will you walk me to the clinic?"
"Yep," Katie nodded.
Matthew stepped forward, "I'll get ya bags and bring them round."
"Thank you Matthew," Elizabeth smiled. Together the grandmother and granddaughter carefully made their way over the train tracks. Katie clung to her Grandma's hand as they started to walk slowly down the street the little girl slowing her usual speedy pace for her Grandma's more gentile speed of walking. Elizabeth squeezed Katie's hand getting the little girl to look up at her, "Katie, are you alright?"
Katie nodded, then slowly shook her head, "I don't like dis bit, it look wrong."
"Look wrong?" Elizabeth didn't follow.
They rounded the corner and Katie came to a stop and pointed at the space where the Nugget had been. "It's all gone," Katie shuddered slightly. "And it where Mama got hurt."
Elizabeth clutched Katie's hand tightly, staring at the street, strangely eerie in its emptiness, the ground gouged and damaged. She echoed her granddaughter's action, shuddering as she remembered the size of the building, the amount of wood it had been constructed of, and her beloved Michaela trapped in the middle of it. "Goodness," She clung even tighter to Katie's hand, horrified by the scene before her and the trauma Michaela had had to go through. "No wonder Violet came early. My poor poor Michaela."
"Gamma?" Katie looked up at Elizabeth, "Vy-let middle name webecca aftah anty webecca."
"I know," Elizabeth smiled, one of the few good things that had come out of the news that the baby had arrived so early was the look of joy on Rebecca's face when she realised she had been honoured by her sister.
"I got your name as my middle name. I like it," Katie muttered. "But I call you Gamma, like Gamma better."
"I like Gamma better too," Elizabeth jiggled Katie's arm playfully, "And you know you are the only one of my grandchildren you calls me it."
"I is?" Katie raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"You are," Elizabeth confirmed. "All of the others call me Grandma, or Grandmother."
"I fink that Esmee call it you too," Katie asserted, "I tell her." She skipped alongside Elizabeth as they moved towards the clinic. "See say Ma to Mama," Katie grinned, "Mama smiled, she like da cape too."
"The cape?" Elizabeth didn't follow as they stepped up to enter the building.
"Da one we made Flo," Katie reminded her. "I gived it to Mama for Vy-let coz she need ta be warm, and Flo not real weally."
"You know Katie," Elizabeth paused at the door and held out her hand to take Katie's other hand, "You are a very thoughtful brave little girl."
"Tanks," Katie smiled. "You wanna see Vy-let?"
"I do,"
"Mattew better hurry up wiv the wagon den," Katie sighed dramatically. "He's takin ages!"
Sadie stirred, the early March air nibbling its way through the blanket, and up through the mattress and in through the canvas that made one of the walls. She pulled the covers up to her neck and pulled her legs up to her chest trying to warm up. She had never thought she would miss 4 walls, 2 were definitely not up to scratch, canvas an appalling substitute for wood. Sadie rubbed her cold feet before sighing in resignation knowing she would have to get up get dressed and eat and drink something warm before she felt better. She sat up and stared at Hank as he sat hunched over the remains of a table. She got up wrapping the blanket around her shoulders.
"Do ya want ta go out to the hot springs today? We could warm up," Sadie asked alerting Hank to the fact she was awake.
"I'm busy,"
Sadie frowned as he didn't even look up from whatever he was doing. "Not even if we went and had some fun," she fluttered her eyelashes and let the blanket slip to reveal the top of her breasts.
"Don't do that," Hank hissed still not really looking at her.
Sadie snorted, "That's how I make my livin."
"Ain't how you make it now," Hank muttered, lifting a piece of wood and using it as a ruler.
"It's ain't huh?" Sadie sniped.
"Nope," Hank remained fixed on the piece of paper he was working on.
"Why coz I'm your girl?" Sadie purred sarcastically.
Hank flicked his eyes over her. "You see any place you can entertain customers? Less it's in our bed. Sides tore up ya contract."
"I gotta do something," Sadie slumped onto one of the rescued chairs. "This is driving me insane."
"Working on it," Hank muttered as he drew something on the large sheet of paper.
"What are you doing anyway?" Sadie hissed, frustrated that he was not paying her any real attention, "Hank would ya look at me?"
Reluctantly Hank lifted his head to stare at her, his cigar hanging from his mouth, he exhaled smoke out of his nose, the white smoke pouring and whirling around his face.
"What are you doing?" Sadie repeated, this time feeling very self conscious in the way he was staring at her. That look of displeasure, the look that came before the bark. The bark which hurt so much more than his bite, because he never used his bite.
"Drawing plans," Hank growled and twisted his hand to turn the paper round, his narrowed eyes never once leaving her face.
Sadie peered down at the large sheet of white paper, a half finished set of plans. "You're gonna build something else!"
"Course, own the land don't I," Hank muttered her moved his hand to twist the paper back.
Sadie's finger landed on a small collection of rooms. "Another brothel!"
"It..." Hank tried to speak.
"Jenny, Chess and the others ain't even cold in their graves and you're already planning their replacements," Sadie spat, she whirled round to grab her clothes.
"Sadie it ain't..." Hank rose trying to calm her.
"You don't even care," Sadie dropped the blanket and reached for the blouse Cynthia had given her as part of a care package. She threw the blouse on and grabbed the green skirt pulling it on without a petticoat. "You don't care that their dead!" Sadie shoved her feet into her boots.
"Where ya goin?" Hank spoke having remained silent while she dressed.
"Away from here!" Sadie hissed, she grabbed her shawl and pushed her way through the 'door' in the canvas walls.
"Sade," Hank called after her. "Come back," he followed her out of the shack they called home.
Sadie had paused to do her buttons of her blouse up, "Sade."
"Leave me alone Hank!" Sadie hissed at him, she started to move away, clinging to the edges of her still open blouse to keep them closed.
"Sadie, it ain..." Hank followed after her for a few paces.
"Save it Hank!" Sadie called back as she stomped away.
"Well Fine!" Hank yelled after her, he turned and clocked that several of the older ladies of the town where watching him. "What ya looking at! Show's over," he hissed at them turning to re-enter the shelter. "Go gawk at someone else."
Matthew helped Elizabeth down from the wagon. "I'll just go put the wagon away," he told the older woman. "Katie girl you take your grandma inside."
"Yep," Katie smiled and held out her hand to Elizabeth to lead her up the steps.
"Thank you Katie but I will need to hold onto the banister and my skirt," Elizabeth smiled kindly at her. "Would you get the door for me?"
"Kay," Katie bounded up the stairs and waited. She watched Elizabeth climb the stairs with interest. "Gamma when I gotta wear long dresses?" She looked down at her blue dress that fell to just below her knee.
Elizabeth reached the top of the stairs and smiled, "Not for a while yet my dear."
"Good," Katie breathed a sigh of relief, "Get in da way of running about!"
"It does," Elizabeth agreed with a smile.
"You ready for me to open da door?" Katie asked as she reached hold of the door handle. With a nod from her Grandma she twisted the door handle and pushed open the door. "GAMMA HERE!" she announced as she rushed in. Katie came to a dead stop as she saw who Colleen was holding. "Vy-let!" she whispered in awe, her youngest sister having been mostly in her parent's bedroom.
"Well we arrived at an opportune time," Elizabeth closed the door quickly. She smiled as the family began assembling around to meet her. "Where's Michaela?"
"She's taking a nap," Sully told her as he nodded a greeting. "Violet was fussing so we brought her down to let Michaela have a rest."
"Of course," Elizabeth walked forward slowly; staring at the tiny baby nestled in Colleen's arms. "May I touch her?" Elizabeth asked Sully her eyes filled with apprehension not knowing if it was safe for her to do so.
"Stroke her hand," Sully told the nervous grandmother. "She likes that."
Elizabeth reached her hand out and pressed her index finger into Violet's palm, she smiled as the baby's hand reflexly closed around her finger. Softly Elizabeth stroked the back of Violet's hand, her movement feather light as she was conscious of the baby's delicate skin. "She's beautiful!"
"Yeah," Sully grinned and moved in closer so that he could take the baby from Colleen. "Doing real good too."
"She's a good weight," Colleen added, "She's gaining well. She's still really small, but if she was born at her proper time she would have been an excellent weight."
"That's good," Elizabeth breathe a sigh of relief. "And will there be untoward complications resulting from her early birth?
Sully's face dropped and he brought all his attention onto the baby. The room was quiet no one wanting to answer the question that was burnt into the minds of the family. Finally Andrew spoke, "We won't be able to tell until she is older. But for now Violet is doing very well."
"Well," Elizabeth spoke trying to change the subject but not knowing what to change it to as the new baby was quite clearly the main focus of the household. A scraping noise drew her attention and she turned to watch Katie haul Esmee out of the playpen. She watched open mouthed as Katie staggered over to her and lowered Esmee to the floor, the baby swaying unsteadily on her feet before collapsing onto her bottom with a chuckle after a few seconds.
"Almost Es," Brian rescued his sister from the floor. "Getting there," he kissed the baby on her cheek "Look, it's Grandma," he pointed at Elizabeth, "Grandma."
"Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma," Esmee babbled showing off her new trick which never failed to get her a tickle, or hug, or kiss.
"Not Mama," Katie tugged on Esmee's foot, she scrambled up onto the chair so that she was level with Esmee, "Gamma Gam Ma, Gam ma, Gam ma."
Esmee narrowed her eyes as she thought very hard about what was being repeated to her, "am ma" she sounded.
Katie applauded happily, "Gam ma."
"Am Ma," Esmee attempted to repeat it.
"She nearly sayed it," Katie grinned at her little sister. "You clever Esmee."
Sully grinned, "Sure are, just gotta work on you saying Pa now."
Esmee looked at her father her face looking like she was processing what he was saying, "Ba."
"Pa Pa," Brian sounded for her, "Parrr, Paarr."
"Ba p," Esmee tried.
"Almost," Brian bounced her, "Pa Pa."
"Pwa Pra," Esmee tried.
"Almost Dancer," Sully leaned in and kissed her dark curly hair. He straightened up quickly as Violet protested to being shifted with a squeak. Esmee squeaked as well, almost as if she was responding back at her little sister in annoyance of having her kiss cut short. "Think it might be nap time," Sully stroked Esmee's chubby cheek.
"May I put her down?" Elizabeth requested.
"Sure," Brian handed the baby over without waiting for his father's response, "Esmee's room is Colleen's old room."
"You have your own room!" Elizabeth spoke to the older baby in a sing song voice, "How lucky you are."
"Papa I have nap?" Katie asked as she slipped down from the chair.
"Ya tired?" Sully looked at Katie surprised, the little girl usually only having a very brief nap in the afternoon.
"Want Gamma put me down," Katie tipped her head sideways and drilled her toe into the floor almost embarrassed by her request.
"Would you like me to read you a story Katie?" Elizabeth asked. "In lieu of a nap."
"What loo?" Katie frowned at the unusual word.
"Instead," Elizabeth amended, "Instead of a nap."
"Kay!" Katie grinned exuberantly. "I choose a stowy now so you can put Esmee ta bed," she scurried off towards the book case and began looking at the books, pretending to look through all of Michaela's medical books even though there was only a few books which were actually hers.
Elizabeth smiled at the little girl and then at her other granddaughter in her arms. "Three beautiful girls," she whispered to the baby as she stroked Esmee's downy hair. "I am a very lucky Grandma." She walked towards the stairs pausing next to Sully, "Thank you Sully." They nodded to each other both of them knowing what Elizabeth was saying thank you for, as Sully knew he too was thankful to the older woman as she had been the one that made his Michaela who she was, she had as well as literally made Michaela, moulded Michaela into the woman he loved, which meant he had the three beautiful girls and the other three kids, which meant he had his family and his home. And Elizabeth had the grandchildren that she never imagined she would have from her scholarly daughter. That through their mutual love of Michaela they both been given what they craved the most, a family who they loved and treasured who in return did the same.
Preston frowned as he caught the tail end of James' clipped speech, "...me Dr Caulfield." He smiled at his housemate, giving him the gentle nod they often shared and waited for him to pass. When James had passed through the lobby towards the dining room to get his mid morning drink Preston slipped out from behind the desk and exited the front door of the Chateau, immediately he turned left and as expected he found Klara sat on the bench outside the clinic. She was staring into the steam that rose from the hot springs, her deep blue eyes watching the wisps reach up into the early spring air. Her dark blonde hair was pulled back by a blue ribbon into a low ponytail, a wavy tendril falling out of her face. She was chewing nervously on her right thumb nail her left arm wrapped round her to ward off the slight chill.
"Klara," Preston spoke quietly as he approached her. She turned and looked at him alarmed and lowered her hand from her mouth. "Good morning," Preston completed his greeting.
"Good morning," Klara repeated back to him.
"Is everything alright?" Preston asked tentatively. She nodded almost automatically, a second too fast for it to be truthful. "Everything is alright with James then?" Preston led the conversation.
Klara sighed, "I think he is angry with me for what I did with the baby, it's almost like he wants to prove he's the doctor and I'm just the nurse."
"Nurses are very important," Preston smiled. "May I sit?" Klara nodded Preston sat beside her, "I remember when I was a little boy and had my tonsils out, the nurses where the ones that looked after me for the duration of my stay. They made the day go faster!" Klara smiled slightly her arm loosening around her torso. "Klara, I was wondering, if you would permit me to purchase you some dresses?" Preston spoke softly.
"What? Why?" Klara looked alarmed, her hands falling on her black skirt beneath her white apron subconsciously.
"A uniform," Preston clarified. "So you don't have to ruin your own clothes, especially as I know some of the... um... fluids you deal with are difficult to get out of clothing. Most nurses in hospitals wear a uniform."
"I don't work in a hospital," Klara pointed out. "I ain't really a proper nurse."
"You're training," Preston qualified for her. "You shall be a proper nurse in time. So may I?"
"May you what?" Klara frowned feeling rather bamboozled by the two conversations she had had in the past few minutes.
"Purchase you a uniform, I will instruct Mrs Matheson on the design you will simply need to be measured," Preston explained.
"Ok," Klara whispered.
"Excellent," Preston rose to his feet and tugged on his waistcoat to straighten it. "Would you like to have lunch with me today?"
"Pardon?" Klara looked up at him surprised.
"Would you like to have lunch with me?" Preston repeated slowly. "I mean if you don't already have plans."
"I don't have any plans." Klara smiled, both her arms falling to her side and resting lightly on the bench, Preston succeeding in relaxing her completely.
"Excellent. I shall see you at 12.30." he gave her his widest smile and turned to leave. Just before he entered the hotel he turned back to look at her. "Oh and Klara, don't worry about James. He's a big boy, well I mean." he smiled as Klara giggled at the unintentional remark relating to James' diminutive stature. "Forgive me that was not what I meant."
"I understand what you meant, and I hope so too," Klara stood up. "Otherwise this will be a long 2 months."
"2 months?" Preston frowned.
"That's how long Michaela will be off for. She will be returning back to work at her clinic at the beginning of May. Technically she is my employer," Klara smiled at her words, clearly looking forward to going back to work with Michaela.
"Oh," Preston tried to smile but he didn't seem to be able to, like his brain was telling him not to, "Of course she is." He cleared his throat. "Well I shall see you at lunchtime," he nodded his head and moved into the building, feeling strangely deflated by the finish of their conversation.
Michaela looked up from the warming box at the soft knock on the door. "Come in," she smiled as her mother walked in. "Mother," she rose awkwardly from the chair, wincing slightly as she did, her hand moving round to brace her healing incision.
"Michaela," Elizabeth crossed the room quickly to help her stand.
"No Mother I'm fine," Michaela asserted, she exhaled slowly, breathing through her soreness. "Sully said you put Esmee down and were reading Katie a story."
"Yes Esmee fell asleep almost instantly after a little cuddle as did her sister, I barely got through 2 pages of Little Women before she fell asleep," Elizabeth smiled.
"It is a little old for her," Michaela smiled, "and I think she's going through another growth spurt, every time I see her she is a little bit taller, it makes her quite sleepy." Elizabeth frowned slightly, Michaela catching what the frown was for, "Now that I'm home I see her often, I'm not neglecting her or Esmee or Brian."
"I wasn't suggesting you were," Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. She turned her head to look at the warming box. "What is this exactly?" she touched the box, her head craned to see Violet within.
"Violet has trouble with regulating her temperature, this helps to keep her at a constant temperature," Michaela explained. "But she is getting better so she is out of it more."
"That's excellent," Elizabeth gave a sigh of relief. "And what about you?"
"I'm fine," Michaela waved her hand dismissively, Violet letting out a little cry which Michaela knew meant she was hungry.
"Michaela Anne Quinn," Elizabeth paused as Michaela looked at her questioningly, "Sully," Elizabeth finished stating her daughter's name giving Michaela a pointed look. "You are not fine, and you do not need to lie about it. You are tired, you are in pain. You do not have to be brave Michaela."
"I'm not being brave. I am getting as much rest as I can. Sully has been fantastic," she opened the side of the warming box "And I am taking medicine."
"Proper medicine or that Indian mumbo jumbo?" Elizabeth enquired with in a brisk manner.
"Mother," Michaela sighed. "Cheyenne medicine is proper medicine. And may I remind you that 'Indian Mumbo Jumbo' saved your life."
"Be that as it may," Elizabeth sighed. "You've had major surgery Michaela you should take tried and tested pain relief."
Michaela sighed and lifted Violet from the box; she positioned herself in the chair and quickly opened her top so that she could begin nursing. "Tried and tested pain relief is not good for Violet. Anything I ingest goes into my milk which is her only source of nourishment. I would certainly not wish to be taking Morphine or laudanum. I am not being brave."
"I fink you brave Mama."
Elizabeth turned and took a step back allowing Michaela to see the doorway. Katie stood sleepily in the doorway clinging onto the door handle.
"Katie your Grandma said you were sleeping," Michaela smiled at the little girl.
"Not really," Katie yawned. "I come in?"
"Of course," Michaela nodded her head.
Katie trotted over and stopped beside Elizabeth, intently watching Violet as she fed. "You bwave Mama," Katie asserted. "You in da fawlen down place and you Ok, lots of people go to heaven and you were strong and stayed wiv me an Esmee and Papa and Brian," she smiled, "and Vy-let gotta say her now too," she continued staring at her little sister. The baby full already released her hold on her mother, her hand waving with contentment in the air. "Mama I touch Vy-let?" Katie asked with bated breath, hoping she would be allowed having not yet had the opportunity.
"Yes," Michaela told her softly as Katie took a step closer.
"I kiss her?" Katie requested.
Michaela smile widened exponentially, "Yes sweetheart you may"
Katie gave her a beaming smile and crept closer to Michaela. Tentatively she put her hand on Michaela's knee and leaned in and up so that she could kiss Violet. Tenderly she kissed the baby on the cheek. "Thank you Mama," Katie whispered softly patting Michaela's hand.
"You are most welcome," Michaela stroked Katie soft blond hair. Katie yawned widely, her hand slowly drifting up to cover her mouth. "You are a tired girl."
"Guess," Katie yawned again. "Not sleep coz I scared."
Michaela frowned, "You're scared."
Katie nodded. "Dat Papa be gone coz something wrong wiv Vy-let everyone really sad and I don't like it."
"Katie," Elizabeth bent down so she was almost level with Katie. "Does Violet look like she has something wrong with her?"
Katie studied the small baby in her Mother's arms. "Not really she just really small. Esmee was big," she widened her eyes for emphasis. "Vy-let look like she gonna break."
"She didn't break when a building fell on her," Michaela spoke the words that Cloud Dancing had used to soothe her anxiety.
"Dat's right!" Katie nodded fiercely before succumbing to another wide yawn.
"Katie would you like your Grandma to put you to bed?" Michaela questioned, seeing her little girl's eyes sag. Katie nodded and yawned again. Michaela smiled at Katie before looking up at Elizabeth. "When she's gone down, can you ask Sully to make me some tea please?"
"I can make you a cup of tea Michaela, I came here to help," Elizabeth pointed out. Michaela shook her head slightly. "I see," Elizabeth sighed. "Your medicine tea." She nodded in understanding and took Katie's hand. "Come on Katie time for a little nap," Elizabeth led her sleepy granddaughter from the master bedroom. She turned to close the door and frowned as she watched Michaela rise with obvious pain to put Violet back in the box. "I won't be long Michaela, now that she's fed, perhaps you should lie down."
"That's a good idea," Michaela agreed weakly as she placed Violet in a comfortable position. She closed the side of the box and rubbed her face. "Thank you Mother," she nodded tiredly at Elizabeth. "I think I'll do that."
Preston pushed Klara's seat closer to the table before rushing round to sit opposite her. "Have what you like," he told her opening the menu with a flourish. "Don't worry about the price, this is on me."
"Thank you but I worry more that I don't know what it is that I'm choosing," Klara smiled as she stared at the elegant menu and the alien words in neat calligraphy on the white cartridge paper.
"Ahh yes," Preston grinned sheepishly. "A marketing strategy. Call something by an extravagant name you can claim twice the price for it." He scanned the menu. "Have you ever had venison?"
"Venison?" Klara repeated almost certain she had never had the awkward sounding meat.
"Deer," Preston informed her.
"Oh yes," Klara nodded.
"Well saucisse de venaison avec de la purée de pommes de terre, is venison sausage with mashed potato, I believe with green beans. It's very tasty." Preston explained he looked up from the menu. He frowned as he saw Klara stifling a giggle, "am I amusing?"
"When you spoke in the other language you waved your hand," Klara smiled. "I'm sorry it was funny."
"Well I glad I amused you," Preston relaxed. "I like it when you laugh." He looked nervous when Klara suddenly stopped giggling and stared at him wide eyed. "Are you alright? What is it?" he turned to see if something was occurring behind him. "Klara?"
Klara shook herself, "No one has ever said that to me before."
"Well someone should have," Preston indicated to the waiter. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Just water,"
"A pitcher of water please," Preston ordered waving his hand to show the man that was all for the moment. "You're laugh is very enchanting."
"Hardly," Klara smiled uneasily, wishing that the water was already on the table so that she could hide her uneasiness behind the action of drinking.
"It is Klara," Preston reached forward then seemed to think better of it, diverting his hand at the last moment to take his napkin. "I think it is," Klara blushed a deep crimson, suddenly finding the white linen napkin in her lap very interesting. "I don't mean to embarrass you," Preston told her as he too found great interest with the square piece of white cloth.
"I'm just not really used to it," Klara whispered. "I didn't get complimented at home, now I think about it, it was probably because of how I came to be, their way of blaming me for how I was born. Not my Mor she was always so protective of me, but my..." she flapped her hands still struggling with the correct words to use when the describing the males of her family, "the men," she decided on, "there always seemed to be something in the way they spoke to me, like nothing I ever did was good enough, like they were ashamed of me."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of," Preston told her taking the proffered pitcher of water from the waiter. "We'll need a bit longer thank you," he waited while the waiter was moving to be out of earshot making himself busy with pouring them each a glass of the water. When he was certain the waiter was at a safe distance, Preston lowered the glass pitcher, "Your family had no right to treat you that way."
Klara shrugged clearly uncomfortable, "I don't kn..."
"No Klara," Preston reached for her hand, this time taking her slender fingers into his larger hand. "They shouldn't have treated you like that. No one should treat you like that."
Klara nodded and looked back at the menu, "It doesn't matter. I think I'll try the deer sausage."
"Venison," Preston corrected, he looked sheepishly at her, "sorry, I just, I like things a certain way."
"That's good," Klara nodded in understanding, "Dr Mike likes things a certain way too, as does Dr Caulfield."
"You can call them James and Michaela," Preston pointed out. "You aren't working at the moment."
"No I'm having lunch with you," Klara smiled. "Let's talk about you."
"Nothing to tell," Preston shook his head.
"We talked about me," Klara pointed out.
Preston smiled, "And you teased me with my poor attempt at French."
"I didn't say it was poor, just that it was funny," Klara laughed slightly.
"I know," Preston clapped his hand. "Let's talk about us."
"Us?" Klara raised her eyebrow. "What do you mean us?"
"Just that, us," Preston raised his glass as if to toast.
"Us?" Klara whispered.
"Yes, Preston and Klara, Klara and Preston, us." Preston smile wavered his arm lowered down, bringing his glass to the table. "I want there to be an us, a union between us."
"A union," Klara looked alarmed and pushed her chair back from the table. "Just because my real Mother was really young when she had me and because Hank kept..."
"No," Preston shook his head earnestly. "I don't mean that, I mean naturally I would hope we would progress to that once we are joined." He held up his hand as he saw Klara's eyes flare wide. "That's not what I mean it to sound like. I hope we can be happy together and do things that together people do."
"Together people," Klara whispered, she stood up abruptly.
"Klara please, I'm making a mess of this," Preston rose as well; his face flushed with embarrassment as he realised what he was saying and how it sounded. "I don't mean it like that. I mean two people who like and admire each other a great deal taking the next obvious step." Klara blinked wildly for a few moments before she pivoted and rushed out of the dining hall. "Klara please," Preston called stumbling after her as his napkin tangled around his ankles. He followed her from the dining room half a second later. Watching as she sprinted through the lobby with surprised speed. He chased after her, ignoring his hat which he lost in his haste to follow her, "Klara."
Preston followed her out onto the courtyard and watched with rising dismay as she mounted one of the Chateau horses that one of the paying guests had just returned after renting. He wisely stayed out of the way as she turned the horse and kicked it off with a burst of speed. "KLARA!"
Sadie closed the flap of the canvas and sighed, after their argument this morning she had returned to their 'shack' expecting for Hank to be there, especially as he hadn't been at Grace's. She sighed and sank down on what remained of the floor, the small section of raised planks which they currently used as their home. She didn't like it that Hank wasn't there, she didn't like it when she'd stomped off, she'd realised that within about five minutes but she knew she couldn't go back because if she went back too soon Hank would use it against her. But she'd also been expecting for him to be here waiting for her, especially as the men of the town had nowhere to go to now. She sighed and rose, running through her head the places that Hank could be the store, the station, maybe the library, certainly not the church. As she turned to move towards the mercantile a telltale plume of smoke curling out from one of the still upright posts caught her eye.
"Hank?" she moved towards the post, if it was him he didn't respond, Sadie moved quicker, so that she could reach the post. As she neared it she could make him out, his narrow body leaning against the post, the plans held in his downward facing plan a thoughtful look on his face as he sucked heavily on his cigar.
"Ain't for entertaining," Hank muttered, catching Sadie off guard.
"What?" she whispered.
"The rooms at the back, ain't for entertaining," Hank muttered again, he raised his hand holding the plan and suddenly jerked it in her direction. Sadie took the plans and scanned them. "The big room at the front, that's the bar," Hank told her without looking at her. "Two rooms behind that, store room and the office. Then there's a yard."
"And the four rooms at the back, which ain't for entertaining, what are they for?" Sadie asked nervously.
Hank turned his head to give her a sideways look; he dropped his cigar and drilled it into the dirt with the toe of his boot, "For us."
"For us," Sadie repeated.
"Yeah, if ya want," Hank shrugged.
"You want to build me a house!" Sadie gasped.
"Ain't much of a house but I guess," Hank turned and gave her a noncommittal smile. "You know coz I," he nodded his head at her hoping she would get his meaning.
"Coz you what?" Sadie stared at him, knowing perfectly well what he was not saying. "Say it."
"I ain't saying it," Hank folded his arms defiantly.
"Say it," Sadie repeated matching his stance.
Hank scowled at her for a few moments before lurching towards her, "I'll show ya," he grabbed at her hand and tugged her towards the street.
"Hank we can't do that, not in the middle of the day," Sadie protested, thinking that Hank was going to lead her back to the shack. Now that the Gold Nugget was gone, it felt wrong that he should want to do, that, in the middle of the day, especially as with the canvas everyone could hear them.
"Ain't doin that," Hank muttered dragging her past the shack and out onto the street and left towards the creek.
"What are we doin then?" Sadie called as she struggled to keep her footing, "Hank what are we doing?"
Klara pulled the reins to guide the horse down the road to the Sully's. As soon as she had left the Chateau the only thing she had thought was get to Michaela, she was certain that she couldn't go to Hank, but with Michaela, she felt safe and supported. Even when she had been treating Michaela, Michaela had shown her concern, even though Michaela was beyond terrified about what was happening with Violet, she had always asked, 'are you getting enough sleep,' 'are you eating enough'. Michaela had shown her trust, huge trust; she had let her look after Violet, when Michaela had been almost too frightened to touch the baby herself. Michaela had let her do it. Michaela had cried in her arms, when Sully had gone home to look after the others. She had cried in Michaela's arms before. She didn't even need to cry, she just need to sit. Just sit with someone, she didn't need to talk. Just not be alone, if she was alone all she had for company was her thoughts and she didn't want her thoughts as company right now. She wasn't even sure she could make sense of her thoughts for them to be company, but one would sweep in for a second make her feel confused. The timeline of the conversation getting muddled and messed until she wasn't sure what was right and what was wrong.
Klara gasped as she realised she was approaching the house much too quickly and that the chickens were out pecking the ground in front of the house. She yanked the reins hard. The horse came to a stop nearly dislodging her from the seat, several of the chickens squawking loudly in protest as they were almost trampled by the large horse. She took several large panting breaths, her eyes wide and wild as she calmed down.
"Excuse Me!" A haughty female voice Klara didn't recognise spat at her. "This is private land. You can't come barging in here trampling the animals."
Klara turned in the saddle to look at the woman who was one decibel away from shouting at her, an elderly woman, with snowy white curls and clothes far too fine to be from Colorado Springs. "Elizabeth Quinn," Klara whispered.
"I beg your pardon," Elizabeth paused in her tirade, puzzled by the curious wild looking girl knowing her name.
"You're Elizabeth Quinn," Klara whispered as she slithered ungainly off the saddle, her eyes not moving from the woman who had brought her to Colorado Springs and changed her life so drastically.
"Yes and who are you?" Elizabeth drew herself to her full height and fixed her most imposing expression on her face.
"Klara,"
Elizabeth gasped as she took in the young woman in front of her, "Signe's daughter."
Klara nodded, "Yes," she took a deep breath to say something else, but a bubble inside her burst and the madness of the last half hour came streaming down her cheeks in loud choking sobs.
Elizabeth rushed down the steps to calm her, "My goodness what has happened?"
Klara struggled for breath, her voice catching the water and phlegm that seemed to be falling out of her eyes and nose and mouth as she fell to pieces, "Preston...think...he...was...trying...propose," she managed to garble out.
Elizabeth put a comforting motherly arm, "There there," she patted Klara somewhat awkwardly. "Let's get you a cup of tea," she guided Klara to the steps. "Let's get you inside and we can work this out."
Hank slammed open the Church door. In a second he was confronted by the Reverend's son Ben leaping up onto one of the pews and training a slingshot at him. "Whadya want?" the little boy snarled.
"Where's the Rev?" Hank asked scanning the empty building.
"Whadya want with him?" Ben growled keeping his slingshot primed.
"Ben?" The Reverend called from the back.
"Hold up Daddy Tim," Ben called his eyes fixed on Hank. "Checking what Growler man wants?"
"Ben," The Reverend stepped out from the back room, "Have you got your slingshot out?"
"He banged the door real loud," Ben protested. "What if Growler Man's gonna hurt you?"
"By Growler man I assume Hank," The Reverend guessed with a smile. "He won't hurt me. Will you Hank?"
"No," Hank scowled at the little boy.
Ben looked unconvinced but lowered his weapon and resorted to scowling back at Hank with his arms crossed.
"Hank what can I do for you?" The Reverend moved forward expertly sidestepping the pews.
"I want you to marry us," Hank told him.
"WHAT!" Sadie mouth dropped open.
"I want ta be married to you," Hank told her quietly.
"Am I to suppose that you have not discussed this with Sadie yet," The Reverend looked slightly shocked.
"No," Sadie stared at Hank. "Why the hell would you want to marry me," her eyes flared as she realised she had just said Hell in church, "Sorry. But Why? Two weeks ago I was one of your..."
She was silenced by Hank kissing her strongly. "You were more than just one of my girls. And two weeks ago I almost lost everything, but didn't because I have you. I don't want to lose you."
"Hank this crazy. We can't get married," Sadie reasoned.
"We practically are," Hank snorted. "We do all the things that married folk do. We live together. All the other stuff,"
"That's no reason to get married," Sadie pointed out.
Hank shook his head. "Yeah it is. 19 years ago I thought my life was perfect and then it went wrong and I had to run for my life. Turns out I've been running without running. You stopped me running. Before the Nugget blew up, before all that. Ya made me feel calm. Like ya killed my anger. So I want ta do this," He tugged at her hand.
"I won't do it if you don't say it," Sadie shook her head defiantly. Hank sighed and muttered under his breath. "Say it so I can hear it."
"Sade men don't say it," Hank wheedled.
"You want me to marry you, you tell me that..." Sadie guided him.
"I love you," Hank mumbled just audibly.
"Ok," Sadie smiled at him.
"So," The Reverend moved closer. "Now that you have your intended consents, when did you want the ceremony to take place. April is always lovely for weddings."
"Now," Hank stated.
"Now?" The Reverend just contained his surprise.
"Now," Hank asserted. "You can do that right?"
The Reverend nodded, "I can but don't you want..."
"I want to do it now," Hank cut in, "Right now."
The Reverend took a deep breath, "Well you will need a witness..."
"Can't the kid do it," Hank pointed at Ben who was now sitting on the back of one of the pews watching the exchange between the grownups with interest.
"No he's too young," The Reverend shook his head, "it has to be a grown up."
"Right," Hank looked thoughtful. "I'll get a witness stay here I'll be right back," he swung on his heel and rushed out the building leaving Sadie staring after him.
She smiled at the little boy who was watching her with a smile on his face, "Hi."
"Hi," Ben grinned widely at her. He leapt from the pew. "Daddy Tim you smoke folks is crazy."
Klara kissed Esmee's soft curly hair, the infant sitting peacefully on her lap, Every so often extending her hand to point at the horses and give a soft giggle. The baby was good company, with her soft warm body sat comfortably on Klara's lap just letting Klara hug her, as if the baby knew she needed the unconditional love. Either that or Esmee was just happy getting the cuddle, though with all the family staying at the Sully's Klara was sure she wasn't short of any. She looked up as Esmee pointed at a bird in the sky, "Ahh."
"Bird," Klara told her, "Bird."
"Erh," Esmee muttered craning her head to follow the bird's flight path. Klara followed the bird's carefree pattern, the creature soaring on the currents in the air, dancing with the wind. After a few moments it vanished out of their field of vision over the house. "Oh," Esmee raised her arms at her elbows and splayed her hands while she stuck out her bottom lip.
"All gone," Klara smiled at the baby's expression, "All gone."
"Ohe," Esmee nodded her head sadly
"Do you like birds?" Klara asked the baby. Esmee looked thoughtful and then blew a raspberry. Klara laughed and lifted the baby up so that Esmee was stood on her lap. "That was a silly noise," she bounced Esmee up and down, delighting the infant who gave an elated giggle. "You like that huh?" Klara smiled, "Bouncy bouncy bouncy."
"Sully does that with her," Klara paused and twisted to look at Michaela as she stood in the doorway. Michaela moved forward slowly and inched herself onto the bench with a gasp.
"Are you alright?" Klara asked nervously.
"Oh yes, I'm fine," Michaela smiled weakly, "It only hurts when I move now."
"Should it still hurt?"
Michaela nodded, "It was major surgery, and I'm not taking anything other than Cloud Dancing's tea," her smile widened at Esmee and she stroked her middle daughter's curly hair. "She looks more and more like Sully every day."
"I think she looks like you," Klara studied the baby's features. "She has your mouth, and eyes, except for the colour."
"Maybe it is the colouring." Michaela took Esmee's extended hand and kissed it. "Perhaps Violet will have black hair, then I shall have a full set. She's definitely got her father's eyes though," Michaela smile widened further, "Don't you, you have your Papa's eyes."
"Pah pah," Esmee repeated.
"That's right," Michaela moved to take the baby from Klara, as she shifted forward she gave a gasp of pain and slumped back into the chair clutching her incision. "No, I'm alright," she told Klara through clenched teeth as she sensed the girl move to help her. Slowly Michaela peeled her eyes open, "I'm fine."
"You look it," Klara tried to joke, her face belying her words as she look terrified at the paleness of Michaela's skin.
Michaela took Esmee's hand again and fixed a smile on her face to allay the baby's trembling lip, "No jumping on horses for Mama."
"Mah Mah," Esmee whispered, her fingers flexing at Michaela.
"Do you want me to...?"
"No I'll hold her," Michaela held her arms out. Carefully Klara handed Michaela her daughter, letting the lady doctor guide her as to where she should position Esmee. "Thank you."
Klara returned to her seat and watched the baby, her arms feeling horribly empty.
"Mother said that Preston asked you to marry him," Michaela spoke softly.
"Not exactly," Klara hugged herself wishing even more that she still held the baby. "He was talking about our future and taking the next step and being joined. It all got too much."
"I can understand that, love is a very overwhelming thing," Michaela smiled knowingly. Klara blushed. "It's only obvious to someone who's been there," Michaela assured her. "Just the way you giggle when he says things and then feel so mortified. How happy you were at my birthday lunch after the Ball."
"I guess," Klara sighed heavily, she rubbed her left elbow and stared out at the view in front of the Sully's house, trying to take the peace of the landscape into herself.
"Erh," Esmee babbled.
Klara glanced up, "No the bird isn't there," she told Esmee.
Esmee gave her annoyed look and repeated, "Erh."
Klara twisted to look in the direction that Esmee was looking and tensed.
"Klara could you take Esmee so I may stand," Michaela requested. Klara turned her head to look at lady doctor a terrified look across her face as she realised that Michaela meant to leave her alone. "You will be fine," Michaela assured her. Mechanically, Klara lifted Esmee from her mother's lap so that Michaela could slowly stand. Michaela in turn took Esmee back into her arms. "Good Afternoon Preston," she greeted the hotelier as he pulled his horse to a stop.
"Michaela," Preston doffed his hat before he slid off his horse. "You look much better."
"Thank you," Michaela smiled weakly. "Excuse me," she hobbled towards the door. Just before she entered the house Michaela gave Klara an encouraging smile.
Klara stared awkwardly at the wooden floor as the door closed. Unable to look at Preston. Completely at a loss of what to say.
"Klara I want to apologise for the path our lunch conversation took," Preston removed his hat and threaded the brim through his hands nervously. "I spoke overzealously and I fear it frightened you. I did not intend to scare you with my hopes for the future."
"Is that all they were, hopes for the future?" Klara whispered after several moments of awkward silence, she looked up slowly at him.
"Yes," Preston shook his head, his body moving in contrary to his speech, he gulped, his Adam's apple bulging and trembling as he struggled with his inner monologue.
"Preston?" Klara watched him with concern.
"NO," Preston shouted instantly his face flooding with colour to the point that he almost matched the maroon of his coat. He exhaled heavily "They are not just hopes."
Klara's eyes widened, "So you...you were asking me. We only just met," she pointed out, her high voice reaching higher. "Shouldn't we court for a..."
"We have been," Preston stammered. "When I invited you to lunch, at the Ball, that was courting. I want what we have to be something more. I despise the thought of someone else trying to claim you for their own."
"Claim me, is that what you've done," Klara scowled at the word. "I don't belong to anyone."
"You long to me," Klara stared at the doorway as Katie trotted through the little girl gave a smile seemingly oblivious to what she had just walked into. Katie moved to the bench and pulled herself up to sit beside Klara, "You're my friend. So you b'long ta me," Katie snuggled in close to her.
Klara put her arm around Katie, the little girl's words surprising her as she had never considered the way the child saw things to be so. "Why he got silly face?" Katie asked noting the peculiar expression of nervousness and desperation on Preston's face.
"I want," Preston paused. "I would like Klara to be my wife."
"Like Mama and Papa," Katie beamed and sat up straight. "Dat good," she frowned as she saw Klara's face. "Dat not good? Don't you like him?"
"I like him," Klara smiled at the child's innocent question, if only it was as simple as liking and disliking.
"So?" Katie frowned not fully understanding the problem. Katie rocked from side to side as she tried to figure out what was wrong with the two grownups, "I fink you should say yes."
"I'm not going to say yes Katie," Klara hugged the little girl. The little girl's presence seeming to make things easier and clearer to fathom.
"You're not," Preston whispered, his face falling at her words.
"Not yet," Klara told him quietly. "I will agree to be your intended for a time."
"Then what?" Preston stared at her hopefully.
"We'll see," Klara pulled Katie onto her lap. "That's what courting is for, to see."
"Horace," Hank called out, leaping over the fence to catch up with the tall post master as he walked back towards the station with Samantha, "Horace!"
"Not now Hank, I need ta get back," Horace kept walking not even turning his head to look at the other man.
"I need ya help," Hank caught up with Horace and tugged at his arm.
"You want my help?" Horace stared at him. "What for, and ya ain't borrowing Samantha again," Horace protectively took hold of Samantha's shoulders.
"I need ya as my witness," Hank looked at him hopefully.
"Witness for what?" Horace narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"My wedding."
Horace's eyes bulged, "Ya what?"
"You're getting married!" Samantha piped up, clearly excited. "How wonderful, to Sadie? I like her she's lovely! She always smiles at me and talks to me when we wait for the privy's together." She clasped her hands together, "That's so lovely."
"You're getting married?" Horace whispered staring at Hank unbelieving. "You Hank Lawson are getting married?"
"What's so strange about that, you did," Hank hissed at him.
Horace scowled, "Come on Samantha."
"Horace please," Hank stepped in his path. "Please I didn't mean it please will ya do it."
"Why are ya getting married," Hank hissed.
"Coz I nearly got crushed to death and I realised how hellish my life would be if Sadie had been one of the girls who died," Hank muttered. "Look I ain't doin that line of work anymore, getting people drunk and gambling that's it from now on. Improving the town for Samantha here," he touched Samantha's crown.
"Can I be a flower girl? Do you think Sadie would let me?" Samantha looked hopeful. "I was a flower girl for my mother."
"Sure," Hank shrugged.
Samantha gave an excited squeal, "I can! Oh thank you." She hugged Hank around his waist, "Will I get a special dress?"
"No," Hank shook his head. "We're doing it now!"
"Doin what now?" Horace frowned.
"Getting married, that's why I need ya," Hank rolled his eyes.
"You're getting married now," Horace gasped.
"I'm trying to," Hank threw his arms wide in exasperation.
"Have you got flowers," Samantha asked her eyes wide. "You have to have flowers," she shrugged her way out of her father's grip and darted towards the café. "Miss Grace," the little girl called out as she rushed through the fence into the café. "Can I borrow your flowers?"
"Borrow my flowers." Grace smiled at the little girl. "Why do ya need to borrow my flowers?"
"Because Hank and Sadie are getting married now and they haven't got any flowers," Samantha sighed like it was the end of the world.
"Hank and Sadie are getting married now," Grace spoke loudly, her eyes falling on Hank who had shifted awkwardly. "Course ya can," she patted Samantha on the head and turned quickly towards where Freddie was taking his afternoon nap.
Samantha quickly gathered two bundles of flowers from the vases on the cafe tables and scampered towards her father and Hank. "Come on," she gleefully seized Hank's hand and tugged him towards the church.
"Now Samantha hold up," Horace protested but his words were lost on the excited little girl.
In 30 second Hank and Samantha had reached the church. Samantha rushed in and towards Sadie "I'm your flower girl. Look I brought you flowers, I borrowed them from Miss Grace," she thrust the flowers into Sadie's hand.
"Oh thank you," Sadie grinned at the little girl.
"Here," Samantha pulled the ribbon from her hair. "You can put this in your hair," she handed Sadie the yellow ribbon.
"Thanks," Sadie glanced up as more people began to file into the church. "Hank you only needed to get one witness."
"I did Horace," Hank protested. "Grace what ya doing here?" he singled out the cafe owner her son in her arms, Robert E only paces behind.
"I wanted to see this for myself," Grace told him, echoing the sentiment that all the attendees had the morbid curiosity to see Hank Lawson tie the knot.
"Leave it Grace," Robert E pushed her towards the pew. "You got someone to give you away?" he asked Sadie softly, "I'd be honoured to do that if you'd like."
"Thank you," Sadie whispered her eyes filling with tears at the offer from the man she knew only by sight.
The Reverend cleared his throat, "Right well will everyone take a seat so we can proceed." He waited as the Church filled with the noise of people rushing into seats. Finally when the din died down he took his place at the front of the congregation. "Dearly beloved..."
"Rev," Hank whispered, "you can skip that part, you and I both know, me and Sadie ain't...well you know."
The Reverend smiled slightly, "Alright. Who is giving Sadie in Holy Matrimony to Hank?
Robert E smiled kindly at Sadie, "I do."
The Reverend smiled at the blacksmith's soft words, "I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that true love and loyalty alone will avail as the foundation of a happy home. If the solemn vows you are about to make be kept inviolate, and if you steadfastly endeavour to do the will of your heavenly Father, your lives will be full of joy, and the home you are about to establish will abide in peace. No other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than those you are about to assume. You are entering into the holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the very sacrament of divine love." He paused a took a deep breath. "Hank, will you have Sadie to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others," The Reverend frowned as the chortling that sounded around the building, he raised his voice, "keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"
Hank squeezed Sadie's hand, "I will."
The Reverend smiled, pleased the room had fallen silent, "Sadie, will you have Hank to be your wedded husband to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you submit to him, serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
Sadie nodded her head as she spoke softly, "I will."
"What pledge do you give of the sincerity of your vows?" The Reverend directed his question at Hank.
"Huh?" Hank looked at him confused.
"A ring," The Reverend told him softly. "You need a ring."
"I ain't got one," Hank stared at him mortified. Suddenly fearing that he wouldn't be able to go through with the ceremony.
"I do," Horace told him quietly, the tall man fished for a chain around his neck, two rings threaded onto them. "They were Myra and mine. You can use them, maybe they'll be better luck for you," he slipped the rings off the chain. He stared at the gold bands for a few moments and turned them in his hand, his thumb lingering on the smaller band for a moment longer. "Here."
"Thank you," Hank thanked Horace sincerely, almost overcome with the enormity of the gift. He barely focused on the words he had to say, once the band was slipped onto Sadie's delicate finger he was lost as he realised that he was now responsible for another being, that he was now joined to another being, he had passed into the realm of adulthood he had never expected he would. He Hank Lawson, was a married man.