Rose Hill, 1779
"Wake up, Quinn," Rachel sing-sang on Quinn's ear, brushing her fingertips against her temples. "Come on, it's already late. "
"Mhm?" Quinn asked, cringing and rubbing her eyes. She didn't know what time was it, but she definitely wasn't ready to wake up. "Why do you wanna wake up?"
"I need time to get you ready!" she answered, as if it was obvious. Quinn frowned further, and Rachel bulged her eyes out incredulous that Quinn didn't seem to understand what she meant. "For the wedding, silly!"
"Oh," Quinn murmured, feeling the sleepiness vanishing away. She hated to disappoint Rachel. "Yeah, I'm not going, Rachel. I've told George already."
"I'm aware, he told me," she replied, and Quinn scowled. She didn't know Rachel and George had been speaking behind her back, and she wasn't exactly sure how she felt about it. "There's no reason for you to punish him, Quinn. He knew it, but he just didn't tell you cause I didn't let him. He found me hurting one day and he helped me out. I didn't want him to tell you because I was afraid of what you were gonna do. George is an amazing person and he loves you very much." Quinn didn't say anything, still processing what she had been told. It was nice for George to keep Rachel's secret, but his loyalty should lie with Quinn, not her. She couldn't help being hurt, although she knew he wasn't wrong. "Come on," Rachel insisted. "I really wanna see you all dressed up and gorgeous."
"I don't know, Rachel," Quinn shook her head with a sigh.
"Quinn, you don't know how long this fight between the two of you will last for. It could last forever, but it could end tomorrow - if only you wanted. And this is the only wedding he will ever have. Do you wanna look back, 40 years from now, and realize you have missed it because of a silly fight?" Quinn hated how argumentative Rachel could be. How she could set a point in a way Quinn could hardly argue back. Although for her the fight didn't seem silly at all.
"But I already told him I'm not going. He won't be expecting me, it could get awkward. I might not even have a place at the main table," she said everything she could find at the top of her head, but she knew Rachel had already won. Even if she hadn't agreed, it was almost impossible for her to deny anything Rachel asked her.
"I'm sure you will have a seat, Quinn. I'm sure he is waiting for you," Rachel said, but Quinn kept shaking her head. She feared Rachel was just saying the words she wanted to hear. "Alright, so let's do this. I'll help you get dressed up and I'll braid your hair up beautifully and I will paint your face. Then, you try to go out there. If you don't feel okay, you come back and I'll be here waiting for you. That way at least I get to see you in this beautiful gown! We can't let it go to waste!"
Rachel always made everything sound so simple. So easy. And Quinn decided to give it a try. It was comforting enough to know that even if everything went wrong, she would have Rachel waiting for her to make everything better.
Quinn came out of the room and her stomach fluttered. Her house looked like a whole new place, straight out from a fairytale. Tiny white flowers surrounded all the banisters and the usually red carpet on the stairs had been replaced with a white one. How they managed to make it remain white while so many people walked around the house, Quinn would never know.
She felt invisible. No one seemed to notice her among all the workers and guests. She gently pushed her way downstairs and walked out towards the chapel. A sea of guests and faces Quinn had never seen before turned their heads towards the entrance when Quinn appeared, and her stomach fluttered again.
She had dreamed of getting married since she was a smile child. The pure white, ever so long dress. The veil covering her face. The flowers and the rosary in her hands. Her husband waiting for her in the alter. She felt a tug in her heart, but didn't let her knees quiver, and walked inside trying to find a spot on the bench among the many strangers.
"Quinn!" Someone squealed. She looked around to find Arabella waving her hand on the window, calling Quinn out. She had only seem the woman once, but she wasn't exactly difficult to recognize. She had a face one couldn't forget so easily. Quinn considered ignoring her, or maybe pretending she hadn't seen her. "Quinn, over here!" she said louder, and Quinn watched as other people started to stare at her. She had no other choice other than giving a small smile and wave of hand. "Can you come here for a second?" Arabella said, and Quinn took a deep sigh before walking out, getting angry faces from everyone as she excused herself out of the bench again.
"Hey," Quinn said. She had been right. That was awkward. She shouldn't have come. "You look beautiful," she said in an attempt to lighten the mood, but apparently, Arabella didn't feel one ounce of the heaviness Quinn felt in the air, and quickly leaped to wrap her arms around Quinn's neck. Quinn froze. She wasn't used to being hugged. Not even Rachel did so very often. She wasn't sure how she felt about the proximity, specially when it came to someone she had only seen once and was still not sure wether she liked or not.
"You look beautiful!" Arabella said. "Oh, Quinn, I'm so glad you came!" she squealed again, hugging Quinn tighter. Quinn gave a few gentle taps on her back, as if to say alright that's enough - but Arabella didn't get it. "You have no idea how happy your brother is gonna be. He was so upset you said you wouldn't come! Don't ever tell him that I told you this, but-" she interrupted herself, lowering her voice to a whisper. "He even shed a few tears. You really are important to him."
"Well, I'm here," Quinn said with an awkward smile and a shrug. She felt good knowing her brother had been upset by her threat, but she also felt guilty for it.
"I need to ask you for something," Arabella said, with a smirk. Quinn gave her a nervous smile and a nod, already bracing herself for whatever it is that could come next. "Would like to come in as one of my bridesmaids?" Quinn's eyebrows shot up. From everything she imagined, this was not what she expected. Arabella realized it. "I don't wanna pressure you, but it would be really nice."
"I won't match their dresses," Quinn cringed, looking down to her blue gown in contrast to the other bridesmaids, all in pink. Quinn was never really fond of pink. She was also not very good in coming up with arguments when it came to discussions with tiny brunettes, it seemed.
"Oh, that doesn't matter! Just imagine how surprised and happy George will be when he sees you in the altar, Quinn! He would die of joy!" said Arabella. Quinn hoped it was true. "Besides," she said with a sigh, tuning down her tone again. "I know you are not very interested in becoming friends with me and that you haven't had the best family experiences ever," she said. Quinn stiffened. It felt awful to know that while Arabella probably knew a lot about her family, she knew nothing about the woman. "But I really wanna get to know you. I really think we could become sisters. From what George has told me, you are the most amazing girl in this island. In the world perhaps! I just really wanna get to know you," she said.
"We can try, I guess," Quinn whispered with a shy scowl. She wasn't feeling comfortable at all with the whole situation and was about to roll around on her heels and run back to Rachel when Arabella shoved a small bouquet of flowers into her hand. She must have taken Quinn's answer as a yes. "But don't you think this is a little too fast? We've barely got to know each other," Quinn shrugged again, and Arabella dismissed her with a wave of hand.
"Quinn, did you know we have redecorated the whole mansion, in Basseterre?" she asked. Quinn shook her head. She hadn't talked to George in a while, but assumed he had been busy with something. He was never home anymore. She tried to think of it as a gradual transition. Perhaps that could make it easier for her to get used to his absence. "We changed all the furnitures, carpets, decorations- everything! I wanted to freshen it up a bit and I wanted George to feel like it was his own home, not his late-grandmother's. I believe it has worked, he seems quite pleased with it." Quinn nodded, but frowned again. She didn't get why Arabella was saying that. It didn't sound like the time to simply catch up. "The only thing he told me I wasn't allowed to change was your room. He said you'd do whatever you wanted with it. He even convinced me to get the smaller room as a nursery when a baby eventually comes, because he didn't want you to lose your room. He really wants you in his life - and so do I."
"Why do you have to be so nice?" Quinn groaned in a murmur and Arabella giggled, caressing her arm. For the first time, it didn't feel as awkward. Quinn was starting to believe in her and even like her. "It makes me really hard to hate you for taking my brother away."
"Well, I'm glad. I don't wanna come between what you two have, cause I find it beautiful, your relationship. And I really hope you won't hate me," she said, with the most genuine smile. Quinn finally let herself smile back, and it wasn't as fake as the previous ones had been. "Now, what do you say? Shall we get you in line?" she asked. Quinn nodded.
As the melody started and Quinn walked down the isle among the other bridesmaids, it dawned on her: that was very likely going to be the first and last time she did so. She would never have a wedding like this. She would never have her mother teary eyed on the altar, like she was at the first sight of her son by the door - well, even if she had a wedding, she doubted her mother reaction would be the same. But still. Her whole life she had sought her parents approval in everything she did and she was terrified of disappointing them.
When George appeared by the chapel's doors, she put all of that aside and gasped. His clothes weren't that different from the ones he wore on Christmas every year, but something about the setting and context around it made him look more handsome than ever. He had always been a sight to sore eyes, but Quinn felt the proudest as she watched all the faces swooning in admiration while he fixed his blonde locks before walking down the isle.
He was about half-way down the isle when their eyes met and he saw Quinn. He faltered. He stopped for a second. His hand rose abruptly, instinctively going to cover his mouth - but he recomposed himself before it happened. He was the groom and had to follow every instruction he had received in the rehearsal. Still, Quinn could read in his eyes everything he felt in that moment. The surprise of seeing her there and the greater joy that furthered the smile on his lips. In that moment, she knew Rachel was right again. She had to be there for him. She wouldn't have forgiven herself for missing that moment.
George met their parents on the altar, and hugged each one of them tightly. Quinn's mother wailed. She might not have shown it like Quinn did, but Quinn knew she wouldn't take George's absence in the house so easily either. Straining away from the protocol, George stepped aside to hug Quinn too, leaving the priest with a confused face. Russell shrugged, and the priest waited as George's arms wrapped Quinn's waist.
"I love you," he whispered. Quinn nodded against his shoulder, feeling her eyes pooling. He did, and she knew it. Her family may have a strange way of showing and acting on it, but she was sure she was loved. At least by George and by her father.
George pulled away and grinned at her, getting her to roll her eyes and finally smile. A tear slipped out, and he caught it on his thumb before pulling her by the cheeks and dropping a kiss on her forehead. He whispered a small sorry for the priest before positioning himself again. The priest simply nodded and announced the bride's entrance.
Quinn had already seen Arabella. Of course she looked beautiful, she didn't even had to try. She had the kind of beauty that felt just effortless. But when Quinn watched her through George's eyes, seeing the love showing on his face, she felt her heart sinking. He looked at her as if she was undeniably the most beautiful woman to ever stand on Earth. He looked at her as if he couldn't ever get luckier. And Quinn wondered if Rachel would look at her the same, if they could ever get married.
She would never know.
The rest of the wedding went on and Quinn managed to keep herself from shedding more tears as George shared his vows. She didn't really feel like staying for the party and having to interact with the so many people that acted like they knew her so well, when in all honesty she hated most of them - but she waited for dinner to be served, because she hadn't eaten anything aside from breakfast and the thought of going to bed hungry didn't appeal her at all.
"Thank you for coming," George said, coming from behind Quinn and hugging her from the side. Quinn had heard him say that same sentence to several guests, over and over again, but the words hadn't sounded as truthful as when he said them to her.
"Thank you for helping Rachel," she replied, calling truce with a shy smile.
"Maybe we can go on double dates, now," he played, nudging her on the shoulder. She sighed, and her smile lost its joy.
"I guess this is the only wedding this farm will ever see," she whispered. George pouted sympathetically. "Do you think father will be saddened that he will never get to walk me down the isle?"
"Oh, he'll live," George said with a shrug, trying to play it cool. Quinn thanked him mentally for that. "So, no more fighting right?" he asked, and Quinn nodded shyly again. "I always only want what's better for you, Quinn. You can know that for sure."
"She's a nice one," Quinn said, tilting her head towards the bride that greeted other guests. "Arabella. I guess it won't be such an effort to try and get along with her. Besides, I'll have to be around to make sure my bedroom in the city is redecorated to my tastes, right?"
"God, I missed you," George said with a giggle, hugging her even tighter.
"Well, isn't it the most pleasant surprise to see my two favorite children getting along so well?" Russell said, approaching them with his hands behind his back.
"How are you enjoying the party, father?" George asked, letting go from Quinn but keeping an arm around her shoulder. She didn't complain.
"Oh, it's been marvelous!" he answered. "But I'm afraid I'm gonna have to come inside a little earlier than I had planned, for I'm not feeling perfectly well."
"What are you feeling?" George asked, placing a hand on his father's forehead. He frowned in concern when Russell closed his eyes to conceal the pain. Quinn swallowed dryly. "Father, you are burning with a fever, again!"
"Don't you worry, George, it will break as soon as I get to lay down for a while. It's probably only the stress concerning the wedding. I'm only old," he dismissed with a wave of hand, taking one step back to ensure George wouldn't touch him again. "Your mother is coming inside in a few minutes to check on me. We'll give you children a little privacy to enjoy your party!"
"See you later, father," Quinn said, as he grabbed her hand for a kiss before heading inside.
"He's starting to worry me," George said, and Quinn chuckled.
"Come on, George. He probably only drank too much," Quinn said with a frown. She had been worrying too, but she wanted George to calm her down, not to make her more nervous about her father's health. "You know father, he never takes his drinks too well," she said.
"No, Quinn," George shook his head with his lips tight. "He hasn't been well for a while and we can't seem to figure out what is wrong. But his fevers are getting higher and more frequent. That's not a very good sign."
"Do you think perhaps we should tell him to head to London to see some other doctors?" Quinn asked. She didn't want George to think she didn't trust him as a doctor. She hadn't even been worried until recently - her father had always gotten sick easily, but he always got better just as easily and she never batted an eye. But if George was worried, it meant things were exactly as alright as she tried to make herself believe.
"Perhaps," he replied with a murmur. "I'm not sure if he could take such a long trip as of right now, though," he considered, and Quinn's frown deepened. She wondered if there was something she hadn't been told. "Well, now is not the time for us to worry about that. Let's enjoy the wedding! Would you like a glass of champagne?"
Rachel went down to the kitchen house to have dinner with Dorea, Lou Lee and Abbie, since she knew Quinn would probably still take a while to come back inside. She was still a few feet away from the kitchen house's door when she heard the piercing scream that made her rush her way inside. Lou Lee laid on the bed, covered only by a long white sheet over her legs. Dorea held her hand as Abbie squeezed a rag on a bucket of water.
"Oh my God!" Rachel squealed, coming inside with her hands over her mouth. "Is she in labor? Is the baby coming? Is everything alright?" Rachel had never seen anyone having a baby, but she had heard the stories. She knew it wasn't the most pleasant feeling.
"Yes and if my guesses are right it won't take very much longer," Dorea beamed, before Lou Lee screamed again, gripping her hand tighter. Rachel ran to the other side of the bed and offered her hand too. Lou Lee grabbed it at once. "Don't let her yells scare you, she is fine," Dorea said with a smile.
"Should I call George?" Rachel asked. "He's a doctor, perhaps he could help!"
"It's his wedding, Rachel!" Abbie reminded her with a chuckle. It felt weird to have someone in so much pain in the room while the other women acted so joyfully. Rachel didn't get how they could be so calm with Lou Lee yelling like that. "We don't need a doctor, unless something happens. I've helped dozens of slaves have their babies. Everything will be fine."
"Well, can I help with something?" she asked nervously, as Lou Lee took quick shallow breaths. "Why didn't you call me earlier? I could have helped!"
"You're helping just fine by holding her hand," Dorea reassured her. "There's nothing we can really do. We just have to let her body do its work!"
"It feels like it's burning!" Lou Lee yelled, even louder than before, and Abbie and Dorea smiled. Rachel's eyes shot open in worry.
"Well, that means is coming, darling!" said Dorea, grinning and kissing her hand.
"Come on, Lou, it's time for you to start pushing!" said Abbie, positioning herself in front of Lou Lee's legs with the wet rag in her hands. "On 3, alright? 1, 2, 3! Push!"
And Lou Lee did. She shut her eyes tight and yelled as she pushed with all her strength. She pushed, and she pushed, and she pushed, and Rachel thought it would never end and that Lou Lee wouldn't be able to take it, and just when she was about to offer to go grab George again, she heard it. The screeching cry. Abbie caught the baby and wiped it down with the wet rag, as Dorea released Lou Lee's hand and grabbed a clean sheet to wrap around the baby.
"It's a boy, Lou!" said Abbie with a squeal, handing the baby over to Dorea.
"Do you have a name for him, darling?" Dorea asked, placing a kiss on the little boy's curly and thick hair.
"Bernard," Lou Lee said between panting breaths, wiping the sweat out of her forehead. "I'll name him after his father. He'll be my little Bernie," she said with a smile, holding out her arms. "Let me hold him!"
Dorea carefully passed the baby onto Lou Lee's arms and it was the first time Rachel could quite get a glimpse of the baby's face. It had Lou Lee's pouty mouth, and the most beautiful eyelashes. Rachel reached out a hand to grab the baby's tiny hand, and felt her stomach fluttering.
"He's so beautiful, Lou!" she said. Her stomach felt like fluttering again, and placing a hand on top of it she could almost swear she could feel it from the outside. "He looks just like you."
"Welcome to our little family, little one," said Abbie, putting her index finger on Bernie's palm. He was tiny, but he grabbed her finger tightly, and they all smiled. Rachel's eyes welled up. "You are so loved!"