Emily
Victoria crept toward Victor, who was sitting on a rock with his sketchpad. She paused, not wanting to disturb him just yet. His focus was so intense, whether he was playing the piano or drawing that she often felt she had to pull him out of a trance.
It had been exactly a year since Victor had almost married Emily yet so many things had changed. Victoria's parents had been so shaken up by the events of that night and so desperate to be kept from the poorhouse that, for once in their lives, they opted to forego tradition and allowed her and Victor to marry as soon as possible. They did so, a few days later in a simple ceremony.
Victoria's parents owned a summer cottage, which stood between the forest and the sea, away from the town. It was a place they had seldom used yet the young couple knew it would be ideal for them. The cottage needed many repairs and they had instantly set to work, fixing it up. Now it was perfect, and just in time for their first child.
Victoria smiled and placed a hand on her distended belly. She could feel the tiny life slightly stirring within her. Soon. She had given up wearing corsets the day she married Victor but now she had the perfect excuse not to. And she had even taken to wearing her hair loose, something that her mother did not approve of. A breeze, unusually warm for winter and tinged with the sea, blew softly against her, stirring her long hair.
She breathed in the scents of salt and pine as she watched Victor continue to sketch. The sun was beginning to set, spilling a blinding golden light over the restless sea and gilding the frosted scrub, and the sand beyond. The sky overhead was a vibrant blue, a shade that was gradually deepening. Victoria had spent the day visiting Hildegarde and her family. She had felt such happiness watching her former maid play with the grandchildren. The woman seemed years younger. Working for my parents could age anyone, Victoria thought, smiling. The visit had also made her even more eager for her child to be born.
She drew closer to Victor, curious to see what he was sketching. He worked in his father's fish business but was also eagerly pursuing a career as a professional pianist. He had even started giving Victoria piano lessons. She still felt awkward at the keyboard but was learning and could play several simple tunes.
Several blue butterflies were darting amongst a cluster of flowers that had made an early appearance and Victor was drawing them.
"Do you think they are a part of Emily?" Victoria asked, settling onto the rock beside him. The waves continued to whisper against the shore.
He put down his sketchpad and took her hands. "Perhaps." He looked toward the sunset, which was deepening from gold to rose. His skin is no longer so pale, as it was when we first met, she thought, but now has a healthy glow. Living away from the town has been good for both of us. "I just hope she's as happy as we are."
Victoria smiled. "I made a promise a year ago today that I would honor her memory. If the child is a girl, I would like to name her Emily."
"That's a wonderful idea." Victor took her into his arms. They shared a long kiss as the sun dipped into the sea, leaving behind a glowing residue.
End