Henry opened the box slowly, not really knowing what to think. He looked up at Vicki who was wiping a tear away herself.
He took the lid off and there was a letter addressed to "My Dearest Son Henry."
"I don't understand." Henry's emotions were in such turmoil right now, he was having a difficult time sorting through them.
"Let me tell you everything."
She told him the whole story, the shop, the woman, the trunk with the dress and it's contents. When she told him of his mother visiting her at the church, he put his head down as he didn't want Vicki to see how emotional he was getting.
The gravity of what she told him was unreal.
He cleared his throat, trying to speak.
"So," he whispered out," you married me in my mother's dress, that was intended for her marrying my father, all the while finding this," he waved the letter at her," then she visited you."
She knew this was Henry's way of understanding things better, she shook her head yes.
He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
"Are you going to open it?" She asked quietly.
He wanted to, but he didn't know if he wanted to tonight. He wanted this to be a night for just the two of them.
"I think I might wait until tomorrow." He said quietly.
Vicki didn't understand,'"Why?"
"Because this is our night, what if there is something disturbing in here?" Henry looked a little sad, unsure for the first time since meeting Vicki, she had never seen him unsure of anything.
"Henry," she said, taking his hand, "open it, read it. I'm right here, I saved this for us tonight. I'm your wife now, remember?"
He nodded. He looked at the dress..he had the memory now..
"Now I remember, they were fitting my mother for that dress, she was so excited, she was giddy really, like any bride." he paused.
"When it was finished, she stood in front of the mirror and said to me,"Henry-boy, look at mommy, soon we will be with your daddy and you will have what you deserve," then twirled around in it, so happy."
Henry looked at Vicki and smiled, "But, you, you were just stunning in it. It was as though it was made just for you." He put his hand on her cheek, she leaned into it and closed her eyes.
He sighed, sat up on the bed with Vicki leaning in front of him, her hand on his knee and opened the letter:
My Dearest Son Henry,
My little boy, if you are reading this, then I am no longer here. Do not be
sad for me. I am in a better place. I want you to know that you are not
alone. You have many siblings. There is a place, in the castle, in the
hidden room with all of the information. I love you so very much
Henry. I wish for you a happy life and Cindy says that one day, a
woman named Victoria will make you the happiest man on earth.
I hope this is true Henry. My son, you are my life and I would lay
it down for you, always know that.
With all my love,
Your mother
Elizabeth
Henry had read the letter out loud to Vicki, but with great difficulty. He now had tears pouring silently down his face, bittersweet tears. This letter was by his mother's hand, he was sure of it after all Vicki had told him. Even her coming into his life had been predicted. Vicki was crying with him, yet she was the one wiping his tears away.
"This letter predicts you." he said with a smile, after composing himself.
"Yeah, maybe it was supposed to be a warning.." that made them both laugh and eased the tension.
"Guess I should have read it sooner," Vicki jumped on him, pinning him to the bed and said,
"What, and miss all of this??"'...