+-Love in the Flower Archipelago: Rosie's Love Life
Written by the Sapphire Prince
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Previously:
In the last chapter, Hannah was married to her longtime sweetheart, Joshua Fairfield and hosted a reception in the expanse of her drawing room at Fairfield Hall. Skyler had nothing more than polite conversation on a subject that they both like. After avoiding Holden for a day, Rochelle realized how much she cares for him and they get a short engagement, long enough to make preparations. Chadwick and Charlene discussed their feelings and shared a searing kiss; they too became engaged. Shows a great deal of love at first sight. Now Rosie is at Calendula Manor...
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Chapter Seven
Rosie had been settled at Calendula Manor for two months now, making preparations for the arrival and counting the days until it finally occurred. Yes, Peony McDermott was to give birth in just a few short days. If one thought that Mr. McDermott was excessive before, then one could cease to be amazed at his behavior then.
He had utterly imprisoned his wife in her bed, making sure that all she needed was provided for. He did not want her to have any discomfort during the birthing process. Peony desperately wanted to take a walk, or wash some dishes, or maybe even cook a meal, which was now Rosie's chore.
Every day she would make something different. It was her idea in the first place. If she were to be a good wife, she would have to know how to cook unless she had someone else do it for her, which was not what she wanted. Therefore, she had asked her aunt's chef, Mr. Collins, to tutor her.
He surveyed her every maneuver and taught her new culinary techniques. He praised each endeavor that was a success and even gave her an embroidered apron as a gift. He taught her how to make dessert too.
When she was not cooking, she was out exploring the small town of Calendula. There were tiny, homely shops that lined the gray cobblestone roads. She quickly became acquainted with a fabric shop, called Grey's, which was ran by a young married couple, the Greys, and was frequently invited for tea at their apartment above the store.
There was also a large pasture enclosed by a dense pocket of woods a mile outside of the town. She had yet to explore it but she was sure that when she did, it would all be worthwhile.
She also wrote correspondence letters to her married friends. Hannah and Joshua were doing fine, Lady Rochelle and Sir Holden were too, and Chadwick and Charlene were too. The latter couple was out on tour, Chadwick had discovered that his wife was spectacular on the violin and sought out to teach her the mechanics of composing music.
She could not help but feel left out. Here were her friends, all happily settled with spouses while she wasn't even sure if she could think of Skyler in anything but a friendly way. She had decided that the Prince was out of the question, and for some reason, there were no other eligible bachelors to be found. Perhaps Fate had turned against her and had decided that Skyler was the only one that she could ever be with. Or maybe, she was simply in the wrong village at the wrong time.
Whatever it was, she wanted it all to come to an end. She was tired of being alone, only seeking comfort in friends and family. She had even decided that, if Skyler were to ask anytime soon, she would accept his offer, just for the sake of not being alone in this world.
If she could not love him as a woman loves a man, then she was certain that she could love him as a friend loves another friend.
Sometimes, however, she found herself thinking about him: she thought of where he might be and what he might be doing. She did not know how to categorize this, so she quickly placed it in the category of pure, simple concern.
This was all very confusing indeed, this whole love business. No wonder not all people experienced true love. Rosie considered those people the lucky ones and placed herself in that category.
If only the telephone had yet been invented...she would call Rochelle right about now...
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"Good morning Honey," said Holden as he kissed Rochelle's cheek. He then arose from his bed and put on his robe. For it to be early summer, it was still a little brisk outside, much too cold to walk around scantily clothed.
"Morning," she mumbled from the bed. A slow smile engulfed her face, first on her lips, then her cheeks, and lastly her eyes. "Did you have a good night's rest?"
"How could I not with you sleeping with me?"
"I know," she said seductively, "it was incredible."
"I'd say."
They laughed together.
It had been about seven weeks since they had become truly intimate. Rochelle wasn't completely ignorant of what went on between a man and his wife, nonetheless, her mother still had to fulfill her motherly duty and fill her in.
She told her of the act itself, and that it can be good or bad depending how much experience your husband has, and on how much you both care one another. She had had a very unpleasant experience, she told her; for she did not love her husband and nor did he love her: it was strictly a marriage of convenience. She said that Rochelle was sure to have a pleasant experience considering the fact that she and Holden are enamored of one another; therefore, he was sure to be very gentle. And he was.
She had not missed her monthly courses, so she knew that she was not pregnant. Besides, once she was a few months into the pregnancy, it would all have to stop, and she did not exactly think the idea at all pleasing.
"I have some bad news for you," Holden said, bringing their mirth to a halt.
"What ever could it be?" She asked, growing tense.
"My mother wrote to me and asked us to visit her."
She exhaled in relief. She had thought someone had died or was ill. A sudden shudder ran through her body and she cringed. Something was not right, and she just couldn't put her finger on it.
"What is it?" he asked, clasping her hand in his,
"Nothing," she said disbelievingly, "nothing at all." Then, changing the subject, "what is so bad about meeting your mother?"
"Everything."
She grunted, "I am sure that if she is anything like you then...I could deal with her."
"You don't know my mother. She's the most opinionated woman—better make that person—alive! What was that that you said?" His eyebrow raised.
"Oh nothing."
"It was something about dealing with her if she was like me." She said nothing. "Is that all that you do?"
"You know that I was just joking around," she got up and caressed his cheek. "Holden, I love you."
"I know that you were kidding," he said with a grin, "but it tickles me when you get all serious and sentimental."
She punched him in the arm, "and I thought my days of sickness were over. Looks like you didn't cure them like you said that you would."
"Are you pregnant?" he asked curiously.
"No!" she ejaculated, "the sickness that I had when you were...uh courting me."
"Oh, that one. I did cure it. It is just that you need another dose of medicine."
"Indeed?"
"Indeed."
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"Well," asked Hannah, "how is it?"
Joshua hesitantly pushed the bowl away from eating range and clutched his stomach. "I could not possibly eat any more."
"It was that good?"
"It was that bad," he mumbled under his breath, "yeah!"
"I know, I had some myself. I am working on it...pretty soon I'll be as good a chef as my mother."
"Right," he said sarcastically, "well, I mean, I hope so, for the baby's sake."
"You are right," she said, holding her gently swelling belly. They had been intimate more than a month before the marriage, after all, they practically lived with one another then. So, in about six months, their child would be born.
"I am always so flushed nowadays," said Hannah as she looked in the looking glass in her parlor.
"It is the baby bringing out all of your extra beauty," he said as he hugged her from behind. He twirled a curly tendril of titian hair round his finger. He loved the way that those two trademarked tendrils framed her face.
She smiled in satisfaction. To think, she would be having something that she produced to love and take care of; it was an incredible feeling. And having a person that you love to share the duties with made it all the better.
"Do we have any engagements planned this evening?" she asked.
"Well, aside from your mother and father's daily call, I believe that there are no engagements."
"Well," she said, "I guess that I better right to Rosie. She sent me a letter last week."
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Mrs. Hannah Fairfield
2 Road Woodbine
Fairfield Hall, Star Fruit Isle
Dear Rosamunde,
Good afternoon. How are you feeling today? I hope that you are well. Oh, I am such a happy soul as of late. I was not sure at first, but when my 'friend' had been gone for over a month, I knew that it was a reality. If you have not figured it out by now, I would like to announce, that I have conceived; I am carrying a child. Such a wonderful feeling this is...to know that one, a petite woman like myself, is going to bring forth another human being...is the most best sensation in the world...
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Rosie sighed as the letter dropped from her hand. It was good news indeed, yet she could not deny that sinking feeling of envy in her mind. She wanted what Hannah had, she had now realized that.
It was startling to think that she was a tad jealous, better make that wholly jealous of her best friend. She realized that she was way in the beginning, she had just denied. She pitied herself for being so foolish, and when one pities oneself, then that person better do something about it before things get serious.
But what was she going to do? She had always thought that someone should let things run their courses and go with the flow, but if she wanted this, would there be any harm in try to make things go a little faster?
Well, for one, if she were more forward, then she could be possibly given a horrible label. She did not want that, but if she got what she wanted, a happy situation in life, would it all be worth it?
She groaned.
She heard a high-pitched squeal in the room down the hall. She perked to attention and rushed out of her window seat. It was surely her Aunt, and she needed her assistance.
"Oh my God! She cried as she writhed in her bed. Her sheets were pulled back and her legs kicked frantically.
"Aunt Peony!"
"Get him!"
The doctor lived just about a mile away. She couldn't run to it and back in a short amount of time. Perhaps if she hitched a horse she could—
"NOW!"
She hurried out of the house and ran to the stables, where Mr. McDermott was walking out of.
"Your wife needs you now, go to her. I need your horse!"
"What?"
"She's in labor!"
"Oh!" He sprinted across the lawn and into the house.
Rosie grabbed the closest horse that she could reach and attempted to gallop to Dr. Murphy's house. Unfortunately, the horse was stubborn, and walked a steady pace the whole. If she did not respect animals, then she would have hit it. She just gritted her teeth and bared it.
By the time she and the doctor arrived, the babe had already been born.
Aunt Peony sat there, her hair plastered to her face, the baby clinging to her firm bosom, a wry smile on her face. It was a smile that signified that she was relieved that it was finally over.
Her husband was passed out on the floor. The doctor spent more time reviving him with some smelling salts than he did with Peony.
Rosie marveled her aunt's strength. To think that she might be doing this one day.
"How are you?" she asked.
"I'm fine, the baby is too," she lifted her baby into the air. "Do you want to hold her?"
"Of course," she said. It had been more than five years since she held an infant, not since she was eighteen. The fitted the baby into the hollow of her elbow and rocked her gently.
She was a sweet little cherub, the baby was. She had pudgy little cheeks that were tinged with pink. Her blue eyes shone like jewels and her little mouth was in the shape of an O. She cooed as Rosie stroked her curly pink hair.
"What are you going to call her?"
Peony looked at her husband, "why don't you decide Honey?"
He scratched his chin, "uh...how about Phoebe?"
"That's a beautiful name!"
The footman walked into the room and said, "you have two callers. He bears the name of Skyler."
"Skyler!"
Rosie quickly gave the babe to her father and hurried down the stairs into the parlor where he awaited. Before she got there, she quickly braided her loose hair into a long, braided ponytail.
Skyler twiddled his thumbs as he waited for her to arrive. He had seen her walking on a horse with the doctor. He had been afraid that his presence would not be welcomed in Calendula Manor, but he guessed that he was wrong because here Rosie was, looking like an angel in the doorway.
"Skyler," she said, almost looking like she was searching for words to say, "I have been expecting your visit. I'm glad that you're here. Would you like some refreshments?"
"I feel likewise Rosie. And no, I would not like any, I had a lunch at an inn just a half of an hour ago."
"I see..."
"So, did your aunt give birth yet?"
"Yes, she did," she said, "to a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Phoebe and she is one of the cutest babies that I've ever seen!"
"That is well," he said. "I know that it is all very sudden, but, would you like to go on a walk with me?"
"Uh, sure...my aunt and uncle need time with the baby anyways. I had better change into another dress; would you mind waiting here for a few moments?"
"Not at all."
"All right, you will not be waiting long." With that, she hurried upstairs and put on a comfortable cotton frock with a pink rose pattern on it. Elle watched her as she did so.
"Would you like to come Eleanor?"
No, thank you. I would rather you two be alone.
"All right."
She headed downstairs and she and Skyler walked out the door, after telling the footman that she need not a chaperone, and that she would be not be out for too long.
Skyler offered her arm and she linked her arm with his and they set off at a leisurely pace.
"Skyler," she began, "would you mind if I called you Freddie?"
He was taken aback: it was an odd question. "Only Charlene and my mother and father call me that."
She cringed inside, he still did not know.
"You wouldn't mind if I did nonetheless?"
"Of course not, do whatever pleases you," he said.
"All right Freddie."
"So, what have you done to amuse yourself here in Calendula?"
"I met an adorable couple who runs a fabric shop. They're young too and so well-matched. They're deeply in love with one another."
And I am deeply in love with you, he muttered.
"Indeed? Love binds us all you know?"
"Yeah...it does. You are a true romantic I suppose."
"And you are not? A person of your gravity is not a romantic?"
"I thought that I was a long time ago," she said, her eyes focusing on the cobblestone road.
"What brought about the change?" he asked, growing worried.
"All sorts of things."
"Things that you do not care to talk about at this moment, I gather."
"You are correct."
"Maybe one day you will be able to confide your secrets in me. Is it that you do not trust me as a friend ought to trust another friend?"
"Freddie, that is not it. I have not even told my women friends. Do not fret about it, you are a very trustworthy sort of gentleman."
He smiled, "someday you will trust me, as you ought."
"Perhaps." She kicked a random stone as she walked.
She noticed that they had just walked out of town and were now making there way into a large, open meadow flecked with blue, pink, and white wildflowers.
"Incredible! Do you see that herd of Rapidash and Ponyta?" beamed Skyler as he pointed at them.
"Indeed," she said, mesmerized by the sight of blazing horses. Sometimes, when she was little and trying to sleep, she would think of Rapidash jumping over a creak. When she reached the number fifty, she would go to sleep. She just had to have one.
She took a free, empty pokeball from her necklace.
"I am going to capture one of them," she said.
"Me too," said Skyler, already prepared.
"Which pokemon are you going to use?" she asked.
"Midnight, the Umbreon, how about you?"
"An Espeon, his name is Eos, I changed it a few months ago, it was Dawn before."
"Good choice," he said.
"Release," they said in unison.
The two feline-like pokemon came forth and greeted one another. They seemed to be familiar with one another, perhaps they had come from the same litter.
Brother! I knew that it was you! cried Midnight.
Incredible, we are together again.
Maybe we'll be together forever if...
If my trainer marries yours, Eos finished.
I hope so.
"Which one are you going to capture?" he asked.
She surveyed the grazing pokemon. She noticed that one of them, the leader, was staring at them with fierce eyes. The stallion stamp his feet and snorted.
"I want that one."
"Good luck he looks angry—look out! He's coming right at us!" He leapt out and tackled Rosie just before the pokemon rushed her. She groaned as she hit the ground and rubbed her arm as she got up.
"Thanks," she said with a warm smile. It was a good thing that she wasn't a prissy girl. She didn't mind working for what she wanted, getting dirty in the process.
"I'm going to get that one," he said, pointing to the matriarch, the dominant female. She was ready to charge also.
"Eos, I am going to try a different approach to this one. It is similar to a horse, and I don't want him to fear me, so inflict minimal pain."
Right.
"Disable him!" She cried.
Eos's eyes turned green as a green aura surrounded the creamy stallion as he was lifted in the air. He bleated in bemusement. He tried to kick but his legs were frozen. Then he flung it a few feet and it skidded to the ground, but it quickly got up.
He grunted as he pawed the ground as he spewed a flame at Eos. A green barrier surrounded him and the fire was blown upwards. Then, he charged at him, but Eos agilely maneuvered himself. Thinking that Eos wasn't paying attention, he fired a devastating kick, only to meet a hard shield that blasted him a few feet.
He panted heavily.
Eos then used a hypnosis and the reluctant Rapidash fell asleep.
"Go pokeball!"
The beast was sucked into the pokeball and the red light immediately shut off, for the pokemon was asleep, and could not put up a struggle. Rosie cheered for her pokemon and jumped for joy.
"I've got her, good job Midnight," he said, patting his head.
They walked away, admiring their pokemon's prowess and devotion. Rosie tossed her sphere to and fro as she walked.
"That was very impressive, Freddie."
"Not nearly as much as yours."
"They were both very good. I want to see him," she said dispelling her pokemon from its ball. It looked disgruntled and highly angry, not all ready to become friends with her.
"Hello," she said gently.
He snorted his reply.
"So you don't want to talk to me? That is well. Actions speak louder than words anyways.
Skyler looked at her quizzically. What the deuce is she talking about, he wondered.
She noticed an said, "you have a lot to learn about me."
"Indeed."
"You're a handsome Rapidash. Do you like the name Diablo?" she asked.
Hmph...it's all right. I'll take it, he scoffed.
She ran her fingers along his creamy hide. She had the sudden urge to hug him, she had always dreamt of it. She didn't fight the urge, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Diablo tensed up and she had the vague feeling that something was on fire. Her head became suddenly warm.
"Rosie! You're on fire," he cried.
She screamed as she tried to pat out the flames that scorched the bodice of her frock and her skirt and, much to her dismay, her hair.
"My hair!" she cried.
Everything was heating up, and she was sure that her skin would be burnt next until—
Skyler tackled her to the ground and began to roll her around in the dirt. She squealed as she felt the prickly reeds scratching her skin and she noticed that more than half of her dress was gone. She cried out. She was practically naked and her hair was scorched, whatever could be worse? and all in front of a gentleman.
She shoved off of him and covered her exposed breasts. She returned her pokemon with a grimace and met Skyler's eyes.
"Rosie—I was only trying to—"
She fled the scene as fast as she could.