"Why you unclean, scandalous Jezebel!" roared from the back of the church.
Walter and Una broke apart from their embrace and looked to where the sanctimonious man stood. His little eyes black and his oily face red with rage.
"Samson," Una stated as she started to walk toward him, "we need to talk."
He shook his head. His voice was a shrill staccato as he said, "Oh no. There is no need for talk now, Una. You will do as I instruct. I am to be your lord and master. You are to obey me. I always knew that you were a woeful being, but I had also thought you had a shred of decency. Thankfully, you were born with a submissive nature unlike your hussy sister. I am sure over time I can mold you into a respectable wife."
He started to drag her away, but she took her arm from him and stood her ground. "No! I will not be bullied by you anymore, Samson. I cannot marry you. I do not love you."
"No, but you have made a promise. You are mine. Love is inconsequential."
"No, I'm not yours! I am my own person, Samson, and love is never inconsequential. I allowed myself to believe you, but it is not true. I-I think you should leave."
"Not without taking what is mine! I will have you, Una. You may be plain of face, but your figure is very becoming, and it all shall be mine. I shall have all of you." He ogled every curve of her slender form.
She stood her ground. "I am not going anywhere with you, Samson. You aren't the man I believed you to be."
He pulled her arm, "I said you are going with me, and that is what you shall do! We're going to leave this damned place this instant!"
"She said no, Belle," Walter stepped forward, crushing Samson's clammy wrist in his fist, "and I don't think that is any way to talk to a lady, especially inside God's House."
"I will not be ordered about by the likes of you!" he tried to pull his arm away, but Walter's grasp only grew stronger.
Walter's voice was calm and steady, "I believe we should step outside, Mr. Belle."
"Why is that?"
Walter's eyes were steely grey. He wasn't going to back. He wasn't afraid. "Because one of us respects the sanctity of this place, and the other has hurt my future wife."
Samson stared at Una, then Walter, realizing the seriousness of what both were conveying. Sniffing his nose, standing as erect as his bent frame and soul would allow, he informed them, "I believe that it is time I take my leave of this place. I see now that you are a fallen woman, and would only bring me to disgrace." He started out the door.
Perhaps it was because of the strength now shared between the two of them; perhaps she was a more like Faith than anyone ever considered. Whatever the reason, Una called after Samson with more vim than she ever had before, "Don't worry Samson. With your attitude toward life and people, you'll be your own disgrace soon enough.
When he was surely gone, Walter took Una again in his arms and held her tightly to his heart. "You dear Una, have filled my heart so that it's overflowing."
Una said nothing. She only closed her eyes and felt Walter's warmth against her. Her heart now was open to an entire world of possibilities.
Then Walter asked her, "Do you plan to be so smart with me?"
She smiled up into his eyes, "Would that bother you?"
"Nothing you do could ever really bother me." He bent down and kissed her rose red lips once more.
Eventually, the two new lovers found their way to Ingleside where everyone except for the good Reverend was still outraged over Samson Belle. Mr. Meredith could only sit in a corner, holding Charity in his lap while joy washed all across his face as they entered hand in hand.
No one really seemed to notice. Faith was busy recalling the tale to Ken and Rilla, who had stopped in to welcome everyone home, the two doctors were inside the office with Jerry and Bruce, trying to decide what actions they needed to take, and Anne and Rosemary were fussing over the triplets as they fed them applesauce.
Walter cleared his throat to announce their arrival, taking his hand from Una's momentarily. He found Tenny and Hope, and the new couple took them to the garden.
"What is it you want, Dad?" Tenny asked in the same matter-of-fact manner of his Grandfather.
He looked at both of his little cherub children, and suddenly grew apprehensive. Una sensed his tension and placed her hand on the small of his back, sharing her strength. Walter relaxed. "Can we have a rather grown-up talk?"
The twins nodded their heads and Walter continued, "You both know how much I love you Mama, right?"
"Of course, Daddy, she's your wife!" Hope assured him.
"You both know that I never want anyone to take her place in either my heart or yours?"
They both nodded again.
"How would you feel if I married Una, and she became your step-mother?"
"Would we be a regular family like Cecilia and Graceful Anne have?" Hope asked.
"In a sense…"
Tenny looked Una over for a while, and then stated, "Why Dad, I think that's a great idea." He looked at Una, standing rather nervous in the moonlight. "You've always looked like a mother that needed children to me. That's why I gave you mayflowers when I met you. You needed someone to give them to you, and I needed someone to give them to. You're so nice and good to Hope and me. I think that if there was anyone I would choose to be my new mother, it would be you."
That left only Hope who had become mysteriously quiet. Una knelt down to face her. "What do you think, Hope? We've always been such chums. I don't want to replace your mama, but I love your Daddy, Tenny, and you so much. Can I become part of your family?"
Hope's eyes grew all starry as she thought. There were a few moments when Walter and Una weren't sure what she would say, and the biggest smile ever spread across her face and she wrapped both of her arms around Una's neck. They had their answer.
All Hope ever said was, "I got what I wished for so long ago Daddy! I got my wish!"
They returned inside to find the family all gathered in the living room. Obviously, Mr. Meredith had decided to aid them in their announcement.
Everyone quietly looked to then in anticipation, not quite sure what was occurring though Rilla had a very strong hunch as did her mother and Jerry. That was obvious by the joy waiting to burst forth from their faces as soon as the announcement was made.
"We have an announcement to make," Walter told them, trying not to give the secret away too soon.
"Kenneth told us about your book being published, Son. Congratulations!" Gilbert told him knowing that wasn't the announcement Walter wished to make.
"You wrote a book?" Una asked.
Walter turned to her and whispered, "Yes, but now I have to rewrite then ending."
"What is that, Walter?" Anne asked slyly.
"I said that I will have to rewrite the ending of the book I wrote about my experiences after the war. Is that all right, editor?" he asked, looking to Ken.
"I suppose so, if the ending is good enough. Though, I have to say that I've never read such an interesting narrative in my life."
"Would an ending where I marry the magnificent Una Meredith after we both chase away the evil Samson Belle make the book any better?" He asked, taking Una's slender white hand, pressing it to his lips.
Faith dropped the teacup from which she was drinking. No one noticed. They were all too busy shouting for joy, whistling, crying, and congratulating the happy couple.
Off in the distance, through the open window, a flute could be heard playing a melancholy tune. Anne Blythe closed the window and hugged her future daughter-in-law. There was no place for the Piper that night. The only music anyone could hear came from wedding bells that would ring in the not so distant future.
Don' worry. I have at least one more chapter before we are through. If you have any more comments and questions, visit my homepage link at my custom URL. We've started a fledgling little community to discuss what we read here! I'm planning the entire final entry to be a giant thank you, but I still want you to know I appreciate the reviews. Please continue. They light up every day.