XIX.
Malika stood behind her sister, gently brushing her hair, as she smiled. Today was the day of her sister's marriage to her fiancée' Jacques. She could tell Linka was extremely nervous, but she knew that feeling too. Her sister was dressed in a long white gown with flowy sleeves and a square neck. The bodice was pulled in to show off her curvy figure and the skirt was also flowy to match the sleeves.
"Sister?" Linka interrupted Malika's thoughts.
"Yes?"
"Were you nervous on your wedding day?" Linka questioned.
Malika laughed softly. "Goodness yes. Remember I was pregnant with the triplets?"
Linka nodded. "Yes, I do."
"That day I was so worried that my breasts were going to be exposed while the wedding was going on because my breasts had grown since the last time I had been measured for the dress. I thought Erik would laugh. Luckily that did not happen."
Her sister laughed softly, "I could only imagine the wedding night he would have had."
Malika laughed as well, "Oh yes. He would have had to go to another room."
The two sisters giggled again then Malika turned her attention to more serious matters. "Have you decided what you are going to do about tonight?"
Linka gulped audibly. "Not yet. What if I give myself, but start to feel uncomfortable?"
"Then tell Jacques. He knows what happened and he understands."
"I just don't want to disappoint him."
Malika nodded, "Becoming husband and wife is a lot like being in a partnership. Erik found out pretty quickly that he had better respect me early on or I wouldn't give him what he wanted." She laughed softly which made her sister laugh. "True love means that your partner loves you no matter what. They don't expect you to do anything for them. You give to them because you love them, and they do the same in return."
Linka nodded at her sister. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was hanging loosely yet elegantly about her face and shoulders. "I look forward to our wedding."
"Don't worry. Everything will go as planned." Malika replied as Linka stood up from the seat then gave her sister a kiss on her forehead. "Erik will make sure of it."
xxxx
Malika waited patiently beside Lukcas on the front row. The seat to her right was empty. This was Erik's seat. He was to walk Linka down the aisle. She smiled to herself. She supposed this would be practice, for he had plenty of daughters that he would have to walk down the aisle in the future. Malika laughed inwardly, oh how she couldn't wait to see that. The children sat in the row behind them being quiet for the time being. They couldn't wait to see their aunt be married.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when her brother said, "Malika, it is time."
Everyone rose as a small band of two violins and a cello played the wedding march. At the end of a white linen carpet stood Linka with her arm linked with Erik's. Malika smiled with pride. One day he would be walking his daughters down the aisle like this. However, what made her even happier was the fact that he loved Linka enough to give her away. As they reached the reached the end of the aisle, Erik stopped in front of Jacques and the priest. He pulled the front of the veil over her face to rest on top of her head and smiled down at her. Linka looked up at him with a smile. "You know," he said, "it's so hard to believe that you are finally marrying today. I have had you in my care since you were 12. Now I won't be watching over you anymore."
Linka smiled up at him, "Oh Erik. You can still come see me."
He laughed then leaned over and kissed her on her forehead, "You'll have a wonderful life with a wonderful husband." He then placed her right hand in Jacques' then joined Malika. Both smiled at each other then everyone sat down as the ceremony began. Everything felt so wonderful and peaceful to Malika, however, it would not last for long.
They heard a crash through garden and Charles came running after Malika, Linka, and Lukcas' uncle. "Stop this at once!"
Both Malika and Erik stood up. Malika clenched her jaw tightly, but Erik stopped her from saying anything. "I figured you would be back Monsieur."
"You have no right to be marrying off Linka!"
"She is not a possession!" Malika began to scream.
"Enough Malika. Everything will be fine." Erik addressed her then turned back to their uncle. "I know that you have lied to us. In fact, I had my lawyer go investigate the situation and you are not on the will at all. In fact," He pulled out a folded paper from inside his coat, "I have the real will."
Everyone gasped at Erik's announcement. Malika addressed her husband, "When did you have the time to do this?"
He flashed a smile at her, "I thought something was going on and sent my lawyer out to do some research. He went all the way to Hungary and sought out the only lawyer in your village at the time. He had moved to Budapest and is retired, but his son runs his business and has the records from the village. I was able to procure the original and a copy. The copy is in my safe."
She glared at her uncle, "You liar! I can't believe you lied to us!"
"Here," Erik gave her the will, "Read it."
Malika took the will and unfolded it. She looked down at it and began to read, "I, Gyorgy Kovach, leave my possessions; which include my farm, the house, the animals, and all that is included, to my wife and children. If my wife should die after myself, I wish for Malika to take care of her siblings. I know that she will always look out for the best of interest for her siblings..." She trailed off, then narrowed her eyes at her uncle. "You fucking liar!"
"Malika..." Erik warned.
"No Erik. I'm sick of trying to keep it in." Tears began to fall down her cheeks, "You abandoned us when we moved to Budapest. You abandoned us when Father died. You abandoned us when Mother died. You abandoned us when Linka, Lukcas, and me were sold into slavery." Tears continued to fall as she said, "You could have helped us, but you abandoned us. If it hadn't been for Erik, then we wouldn't have been reunited."
Erik looked at his wife as she continued to cry. This was supposed to be a day of happiness, not sadness. Francois came up behind Charles with two guards. "Do not ever come back. You have ruined this day which should have been happy."
Malika watched as their uncle glared at him then watched as the four men escorted him out. She knew she shouldn't have cussed in front of their children and in front of everyone in general. She was so upset with how the celebration had been interrupted by their backstabbing uncle. Erik's voice broke through her thoughts, "Malika, it's alright. Let's sit back down."
She turned around with Erik then said, "I apologize for my language and for the interruption. Let's continue with the wedding." Malika and Erik sat back down and waited for the wedding to resume. She leaned her head against Erik's should as they continued to watch the wedding to unfold. Despite everything that happened Linka and Jacques were happily getting married. She smiled at the event. She was so happy that her sister had found someone who loved her for who she was. Malika knew that her sister would have a happy life with her husband.
Once the two finally said their vows and became husband and wife, everyone stood up and began to clap as they began to walk down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife. Malika smiled to herself. It was a feeling that she never forgot and hoped Linka would never forget either.
xxxx
After dinner and the wedding gifts had been given, Malika and Erik had the carriage readied and took Linka and Jacques out. "Where are you two taking us?" Linka questioned with a laugh.
"It's to your last wedding present." Erik announced.
Both Jacques and Linka look confused as the four of them set off. It took practically no time for the carriage to roll up to a nicely refurbished house about a mile away from the mansion. They could tell that there had been some add-ons to the house and that everything had been updated to a beautiful and elegant exterior. The door opened and everyone stepped out to take a better look at the house. "This is our wedding present?"
"Well you can't live with us forever." Malika replied with a laugh.
"Come on. Let's go inside." Erik announced then lead the three up to the house and pulled a key out of his pocket, inserted it into the lock, opened the door, and finally led them into the house.
Both Jacques and Linka gasped. The entire house from top to bottom had been furnished; and very beautifully. Erik gave the key to Jacques and said, "I will let you two explore, but I gave you two a surprise in there." He pointed to a room. Its door was shut and was waiting to be opened by the couple. Malika smiled at him as they both watched the two advance to the door and open it up.
Linka shrieked in pleasure as she looked in the room. "It's a chemistry study and library! It's huge!"
"I won't need to go to school to study with this." Jacques commented with a laugh as he hugged her.
Malika and Erik walked up to them and smiled. "I figured you would like it. Besides you two are going to be great chemists." Erik commented.
"Now, I think we need to leave. We'll send the rest of your presents later tomorrow." Malika added.
Linka stepped forward and hugged her sister tightly. "I love you Malika. Thanks for all of this."
"Don't thank me. Thank Erik. He's the one who did this."
She hugged Erik as well and said, "Thank you Erik."
"You're welcome. You know that you are always welcome and will always have a home with us. However, I know that Jacques will take care of you." Erik replied then kissed her on her head. "Now, Malika and I will take our leave. You two need to enjoy your night." Linka and Jacques smiled as the older couple left and shut the door behind them.
Malika and Erik climbed into the carriage then they began their journey for home. "They're going to be very happy." Malika murmured as she nuzzled her head against his shoulder.
"I hope as happy as we are." Erik replied with a smile.
"I'm tired, such a long day."
"Then straight to bed when we get home. I think we deserve a good rest."
"Oh, I love you Erik." Malika responded then kissed her husband on the lips.
He kissed back then replied, "As I love you too."
Author's Note: OMG! I can't believe it has been so long since I have updated. Forgive me oh viewers of mine. I will finish the final chapter much quicker. It should be done by the end of the week. Thank you for your patience.