Twenty minutes found the three of them walking along the busy sidewalks of London. Before they left their flat , Miss Wannop had put on a black pair of men's touseurs and a oversized beigh woollen jumper,a long black over coat. and a grey cloth cap. These were her "Walking clothes" as she called them. As he looked at her , Christopher marveled how stunning she looked. He had to admitt that the out fit did suit his mistress's beautful trim figure.
When Miss Wannop reappeared from dressing , Christopher looked at her in admiration and mock shock. "My dear Miss Wannop, you are dressed most shockingly, What will people think." Smiling brightly at her lover as he helped her on with her coat stated "I don't care." came the defiant reply.
His eyes twinkling, Christopher gave her neck soft butterfly kisses as he whispered . "Then niether do I." The two had laughed at this Then the three of them bundled up and soon headed out in the new white winter world. The three went merrily along , saying hello to every one they met. Christopher's young son Michael walked between the two , holding both Christopher's and Valentine's hand tightly.
They spent the rest of the day selecting the best tree they could find from the local tree farm. They then trudged home with their prize tree which Christopher carried over his shoulder while his son held Miss Wannop's hand tightly as the trio went along. Chrisopher lead them in song as they made their way back to Grey Inn.
They had just gotten home and Christopher got the tree standing in the livingroom when a cheery voice sounded behind them. " Well Isn't this a cheery scene.." The trio turned to face the speaker "GRAN..." Young Michael ran over to greet his grandmother with a hug and a smile as he looked up at her. "Daddy, me and Ms wan'op got a tree. OOOPs... I mean Valentine... " ( he looked up at Valentine who gave him a reassuring wink and a smile.) the little boy then turned back to his grandmother and smiled at her as he took hold of her hand." Come on, I want to show you."
Julia Satterwaite looked down at her beloved grandson tenderly and smiled at him warmly. "I will join you in a few moments darling. Your father and I have something we need to discuss. So why don't you go with Miss Wannop and get the tree ready to show me." Christopher could hear the sarcasim in his ex mother in laws voice as she spoke to the little boy.
Christopher reached over and gentley tossled his young son's blonde hair."Go on my lad , go with Valentine, Your gran and I will join you shortly." Tietjent then put his arm around Valentine's waist and leaned in close to kiss her cheek,"I love you." They then shared a knowing secret smile. He then watched as the pair went in to the other then turned back to face his son's grandmother.
Julia Satterwaite frowned as she glared at him."Christopher Tietjents, how dare you flaunt your relationship with your whore in front of your son..." Christopher countered her with a glare of his own as he pointed his finger at her. " You will never ever call that beautiful young woman a whore in my presence again... DO YOU UNDERSTAND." He was trying to keep his voice low and calm so that his son would not over hear. He could feel a red flush of angry heat creeping over his neck as he waited for a response. He quietly repeated the question. " Do you understand what I just said?" Nodding , Julia proceeded to take off her outer coat and gloves and set them down on a near by chair. She then regarded Christopher coldly as he continued
" I know you are aware of what my marrage to your daughter was like. How she flaunted all of her affairs in my face. Yet I am the one who has been accused by the masses of having a extra marital affair. I will have you know I never once cheated on Syliva during our marrage. Also , the only good thing to come out of my sham of a marrage is that little boy." Julia Satterwaite smiled sadly yet softly. "Christopher I am well aware of the abominable way my daughter acted. I hope you know that I applauded your"Parade" to keep up appearances for the sake of your son, and also to try and save my daughter from herself. When she was alive,your decision to take that young woman as a mistress was a completely acceptible way to solve your marrage problems."
Christopher glanced over at the doorway to make sure young Michael couldn't hear. The father smiled as he could see the young boy, and Valentine putting decorations on the giant tree that now stood grandly in the living room of their flat of rooms in Grey's Inn. Christopher could also tell that the two were having a splended time together.
The smile remained on the young man's lips as he listened his ex mother in law drone on."But now ,however that Syliva is no longer with us,I feel that it is only right for you to assume the role of the grieving widower and father of a young son. As is proper." Mrs Satterwaite then sat down on one of the wooden dinning room chairs and waited for her son in laws reaction. When he did not respond, she continued." Having your Paramour living in the same house as your young son is most improper. It is just not done." Upon hearing this statement caused Christopher's blood to boil as he felt a new feeling of anger towards this woman.'How dare this woman tell me my relationship to Valentine is improper." Christopher thought bitterly to himself as his mother in law continued. "You must send Miss Wannop away Christopher during your time of mourning. I should think two years should be sufficent .By then Michael will be off to Hallow's school, then you can start back up with your young paramour."
Julia had barely got the words out when with controlled rage Tietjents glared down at his ex mother inlaw. " I shall not be sending Valentine away just to please you and society. I will not. That young woman has been a god's send to both me and to that little boy. She has been a beautiful point of light in the darkness that was once my life. As you can see Michael is quite fond of her. The way she treats him is a stark contract to the cold and harsh way his own bitch of a mother treated him. Are you aware that she had the Great tree at Groby, our special tree,MY FAMILY'S TREE torn down while Michael watched from a upstairs window? She was willing to use our child to strike a blow against me. As you well know Syliva used him as a weapon almost from the day he was conceived. He will not be attending the funeral, I will not subject him to that "Parade." I will not. " He and I will mourn the loss of his mother after the holidays in our own private way. And you will not interfere with that. You may have a service for your daughter if you wish but my son and I will not be in attendance."
Stunned at this statement , Julia stammered in protest." Christopher you don't mean that...you must ... he must attend his own mother's .. for god sakes she was his mother and your wife... I will not allow you ..." Tietjents cut her off." Oh but I do mean... Yes I am aware that she was his mother,, but he is my son... and I will do what I feel is right for him. You have no say in this matter. As for Miss Wannop I fully intend on marrying her if she will have me. I, of course will wait till the time of mourning has passed. But it will not be two years. Michael will be attending Harrow's but not just yet. Untill he is ready to attend school, he will have a tutor to help him future his education."
A smile then danced on Christopher's lips as he thought about his bright new future that didn't involved 'Parades or social niceities" He continued " The three of us shall live at Groby , along with any other children that the good lord wishes to bless us with." Christopher looked directly into his speechless and horrified ex mother in laws wide eyes. He was silently challenging her to say what he knew she was thinking. "You can not be serious... Please Christopher ... you will be ostracized , shunned by proper society. You will bring shame on your family's name. Think of your son, of his future." Julia Satterwaite took hold of his arm and looked at up at him with pleading eyes. Christopher gently removed her hand from his in front of her, Christopher looked in her face in earnest.
"Julia , you know the guttersnipe that was your daughter and my wife. I was saddled with her and her wandering ways for eight long unhappy years . I love our son and will care for him always but he will not carry the weight of his parents problems . I will not do that to him. It is his future that i am thinking of here... I will not have him live the unhappy life I have had so far, I will not do that to him. " The young man released the woman's hands and rose to his feet as he spoke again." Michael will stay with me and my paramour ." A sly smile crept across his features as Christopher spoke " For the time being we will stay here at Grey's Inn. If you wish ,you may come to visit your grandson any time. He loves you dearly and I do want you to be a part of his life. And right now he is waiting in the other room to show you our christmas tree." With that, Christopher then offered his arm to Mrs Satterwaite " May I escort you to the christmas tree m'lady?" .
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ok not sure about the end of this chap but here it is...akula03 and twice the rouge this is for you... and special thanks to akula who helped me with this chap... gave me the bones for the conversation between Julia (mrs Satterwaite just seemed like a Julia.) and Christopher.. again meny thanks...