Valerica arrived on the 13th. Stefan was arranging the benches according to what Serana wanted.
"No," she said. "A little bit more to the left."
Stefan moved the farthest bench from the front a little more to the left.
"Perfect," said Serana smiling.
Stefan stood back. He walked over to the stairs. He ascended and stood next to Serana. She put his arm around him as they looked at the setting they had created.
Together they made ten benches and a rose arch. Serana had also decided to make chains of flowers running at the sides of the aisle. She put her arms around him and admired the fruits of their labour.
"It's wonderful," said Serana serenely beaming happily.
She looked up at Stefan, he too was smiling at the scene they had created.
"Yes," he said. "It is."
He kissed her and they stood in silence for a moment.
There was a faint knocking in the distance.
"Do you hear that?"asked Stefan frowning.
"What?"asked Serana.
He held up his hand to silence her. He listened carefully. He heard the knocking again.
"That's coming from the house," he said
He turned and made his way back to the house. Serana took one last look at the scene and followed Stefan towards the house. Stefan entered the house, crossed the front room and opened the front door. Valerica stood in the doorway holding a small leather bag.
"You took your time," she said. "I was knocking on your door for quite some time."
"Sorry mother," apologised Serana as she appeared behind Stefan. "We were in the garden, preparing for the ceremony."
"Do come in," said Stefan. He stood aside and gestured for Valerica to enter.
Valerica entered the property, looking around.
"I must say," she began. "The carriage driver was most unhelpful. He had never heard of this place. I had to ask one of those hold guards."
"Stefan likes his privacy," said Serana as Stefan shut the door.
Valerica looked around the front room and the kitchen.
"Stefan," said Serana.
He looked up as he heard his name.
"Could you make up the spare room for mother?"asked Serana. "I'd like to show her the garden."
"Of course," said Stefan. Serana kissed him on the cheek as she took Valerica's arm and lead her out to the garden. Stefan picked up her leather case and carried it up the stairs as Serana and Valerica walked out to the garden. He ascended the stairs and walked slowly along the corridor. He opened a door on the right of the corridor. The door opened to a small room lined with boxes and abandoned furniture. This was going to be Valerica's room, but it hadn't been used for a long time.
He placed her case on the floor. He then threw open the windows and went over to the cabinet. He pulled open the drawers and found a set of bedsheets. He took them out and placed them on the bed. As he closed the drawer, he peered outside. He could see the stable from the window. His horse stood in her stable enjoying a drink of water from the trough in front of her. He could see out across the trees hiding his manor from view. It was crisp, clear winters day.
He looked away from the view and returned to the job at hand. He made the bed carefully, covering it with a green duvet and two pillows at the head. He then placed her leather bag on the bed and left. He returned with a broom and swept the floor. Satisfied he left the room, returning the broom to the cupboard it came from. He descended the stairs and made his way out to the garden to join Serana and Valerica.
He exited to see Serana standing on the stone pathway. Serana saw him approaching in the corner of her eye and looked up as he stood next to her. She kissed him on the cheek and grasped his hand. Stefan saw Valerica bend over his alchemy garden inspecting his flowers.
"Which room did you give her?"asked Serana.
"The room next to mine,"he replied.
Serana suddenly gave him a fearful look. She had left her wedding dress on the bed of her old room.
"Not my old room?"she asked. "Cause I left...something on the bed."
"No," he said. "The other one across the corridor."
Serana sighed in relief. She didn't want her marriage to begin with a bout of bad luck.
"I must say Stefan," said Valerica as she stood up, hearing his voice. "Your flowers are incredible. I've never seen so many blooming at once."
She rubbed her hands together, trying to remove the muck and soil.
"What's your secret?"she asked avidly.
"I've got a horse," replied Stefan simply. "She helps."
He grinned mischievously. Serana chuckled as she got the joke. Her chuckle became a full laugh as Valerica looked at her hands in disgust.
"There's a basin in the kitchen Valerica," said Stefan a huge grin on his face.
Valerica dashed away towards the kitchen as fast as she could. Serana laughed as she watched Valerica running towards the kitchen. They stood in the garden and watched her vigorously washing her hands. Once she was satisfied they were clean she rejoined them outside.
"Filthy business," she said. "Now, let me see where the ceremony is going to take place."
They led her down the area by the lake they had set everything up. Valerica looked at it and gasped.
"My," she said as looked around. "This is wonderful."
She descended the steps and continued looking around.
"I trust you have found a priest," she asked.
"Yes," replied Stefan. "He'll be coming on the day from Falkreath."
Valerica nodded.
"I like the view,"she said looking around.
"Me too," agreed Stefan. "That's why I build my house here."
Valerica sat on a bench and looked up at him.
"You build this house?"she asked.
"Yes," he said. "Took me the best part of a year."
"By the blood," said Valerica looking up at the house.
"Stefan is very good with his hands," said Serana. She looked at him and cocked her eyebrows mischievously.
Valerica, who was looking at the house heard the comment but missed the mischievous look on her daughters face.
"Valerica," said Stefan suddenly trying to veer this conversation out of these dangerous waters. "You must be tired after your long journey. Let me show you to your room."
Valerica allowed him to lead her away from the bench, along the garden and back into the house.
She ascended the stairs as Stefan lead her along the corridor towards the bedroom he had laid out for her, with Serana bringing up the rear. Valerica paused on the journey, she had spotted his alchemy lab.
"You are an alchemist?" she asked as they walked along the corridor.
"Yes," he replied.
"I must show you something later," she said. "A potion. I think you will find is useful in the future."
She was about to open the door to Serana's old room.
"No," he said. "The other door."
He pointed to it. Valerica opened it and entered.
"A bed?"she said looking at it. "I haven't slept in a bed like this for a long time."
Stefan was about to ask her if she preferred a coffin. But Serana, who was accustomed to his dry sense of humour elbowed him in the ribs and gave him a look.
"R-r-really?" he spluttered.
"Indeed," she replied. "Usually I must sleep in something much smaller."
"I hope everything is to your liking mother," said Serana.
"Very much so," replied Valerica. "You and Stefan are such gracious hosts."
"It's nothing Valerica,"he said dismissively. "Make yourself at home."
Valerica took a seat on the bed. She then placed her leather bag on the floor.
"Serana," she said. "Could I speak with you a moment?"
Serana looked at Stefan. He nodded. She entered the room and took a seat next to her mother.
"I'll be downstairs," said Stefan. He turned on his heel and made his way down the stairs.