So please don't hate me! I tottally had this mountain of drama happen in my life, and a boy even broke my heart a bit. Broken hearts have little time for writing dears. :) Well anyway, since you have all been such dears, I have decided to pack the wedding, final chapter, and epilogue, into one gigantic mega cool chapter. So please enjoy. It would mean the world to me to know I made you, just a little happy.
(I also would like to note I listened to Taylor Swifts "Love Story", over and over while writing this chapter. You might like to listen as you read along too. Its rather fitting. Plus, Lila's wedding gown is set to look like Taylor's gown when she is on the balcony in the video.)
The silent whirling goes on and on.
Those brilliant blue eyes flash of such innocence and yet so knowing for a girl of sixteen, they collide with the inestimable grey, deep as a thousand seas just waiting to crash.
It is about noon. They stand in front of an antique sacred alter, both peer out anxiously of the grand ornate church windows at the snowy gray landscape, thinking both of entirely unalike thoughts, both though buried deep in the recesses of their minds.
She is a young thing, not yet an adult, too far from the grasp of childhood. He is as well steeped in youth, both so sharp and bitter of their young existences.
Long long ago, they were once untouched by lifes cruelty but alas, that may never last long.
She was a gem, sparkling and hard, never to be broken. Not by the death of most beloved, if not mildly selfish, parents. Not by the injustice of others, nor by the dedicated adoration of few.
Long brown lashes rest delicately on her cheeks, looking a fallen angel. Her long brown curly locks fall gently at her shoulders. In a simple cream gown, with corset bodice detailed in embossed roses, and a flowing skirt light as angels wings. Her modesty is to her credit, everyone whispers from the pews. Such a beauty unaware of thus.
The wedding party awaits, the step-mother looking utterly ridiculous, her light blond hair swept up in a showy twist, streaks of white dashing throughout, her tanned arms jammed into pristine white gloves, her over-done peach gown topping off a bit of a wild look about her, if her darting eyes don't already make you suspect...
"And so now, with ye both witness in front of God and this congregation, forsaking man and wealth, dedicate yourselves to each other, forever to love and all things abiding?" The little dilapidated old pastor puffs, adjusting his large spectacles.
Mouth dry, eyes wide, but still grinning, he utters an "I do!" eagerly, and the congregation looks on approvingly, awaiting the final seal.
"I do." She says firmly. Time freezes for but a moment, then the silence evading their ears seems to shatter, and the spinning stops.
"Please please, just give me a hint!" I beg.
"No." He smiles a little, but gives away nothing.
"I swear, I'll not talk to you a bit if you don't tell me this instant!" I taunt, stamping my foot against the carriage floor.
"Perfect." He grins, settling back further into his seat.
"Oh!" I gasp, stomping my foot all the harder, I turn my back as best I can away from him. Glancing out at the window, I gasp again. We are riding through a forest, where it is so green for December. Moss drips from old black trees, also covering the forest floor and flanking the tree stumps and trunks. Little rainbow ice crystals coat everything, making it all shine white. I the orange and pink sunset's light is filtering through the trees, though the general light from the sky makes everything violet. Natures beauty far surpasses the elegant wedding party we were just at.
"Almost there!" He smiles as my eyes widen, but I quickly re-avert my eyes to the window.
Before another minute is passed, we are slowing, and the beginning of a little dirt red drive begins to appear.
It takes a small curve, and then we come to a halt. I squeal, and before Jeff or the coachman can assist me, I toss open the door, hunching up my skirts, I dive out the door.
In a millisecond, Jeff is behind me. A flush rises in my neck, turning around I see Jeff's head thrown back as he laughs a bright musical laugh.
I am too excited to jab. I turn back around to see where I am. Squealing again, I am delighted with what meets me.
Just feet in front of me is a two story square like gray cobbly stone cottage, with a little grey shingle roof that comes a perfect point. Two little gables peek out of it, glowing warmly. All the windows are dressed in maroon shutters and lace curtains. A tiny lawn, less then ten feet, shrouds the front of the house. A little matching grey shingled awning graces the door. Also to each side of the door are dark red winter rose bushes in full bloom. To the left side of the house, it is drowning in ivy creeping up the wall.
I take the little dirt red path up the lawn in a shape like an "S", once I reach the door, I feel tingles go down my spine, and I immediately remember Jeffery must be right behind me. He looks down at me, his eyes heavily shrouded in some sort of want. He also conveys some sweetness in that gaze.
Tenderly, he reaches into his pocket and slowly brings out a key. Handing it to me, he nods.
Turning around, I look down at the brass key in my hands. It is long and spindly, and the head of the key is in swirling heart shape. Pushing it into the maple wood door, it twist easily and the old heavy door swings open with a groan.
Inside is a warm, bright cheery little living room/ parlor room. It is decorated in gold and light blue, and interwoven rugs of gold and blue grace the light oak floors.
Pulling his hand, I scurry through all the house, checking over every inch like an excited child. Every time I gasp or squeal, Jeff's eyes light up.
Finally after appraising everything top to bottom, we adjourn to the bedroom. In the hall, he motions towards the grand little red and gold room. He mouths "Come", and I follow.
Once we are in, he shoves the door closed and slumps against it, his eyes closed as breathes a chuckle.
"What on earth!?" I begin, plopping down on the large bed, but he puts his hand up.
"No, have no worries love, tis but a precautionary measure. We only need stay in the same room tonight to ward off gossip. If one of my servants found out we kept separate rooms on our first night together, we would not fare so well in others opinions of us." He finishes, coming and plopping down on the bed where I sit cross legged.
"Well then, alright." I smile a tiny smile, looking across at him.
"But then what shall we do all night? It is only seven." I question.
"I have a few ideas..." He grins. Oh dear.
Hours later, around midnight, I squawk "Check mate!", moving my little pawn across the chess board. We are both sprawled across the bedroom rug in front of the crackling hearth. I rest my chin on my balled fist, looking up at him. He stares at me, barely flinching when I catch him.
"Your not so bad, I don't know lads many that could keep this up. I mean normally, there is only one thing on yourmind." I smile, but I am in earnest.
"Don't think for a minute Lila, that that's not whats on my mind. Its almost painful, but your worth it." He asserts, smiling.
"Indeed, she is." A voice crows, and I jump, for it is certainly neither one of our voices. Jeff jumps up, grabbing me and shoving me behind himself.
"Sounding a thousand times braver than his thumping his heart does, he demands "Who goes there!" Puffing out his chest and rising to his full height.
An old women of fair skin and shining white hair in a jeweled plum turban and matching simple tunic steps forward from the dark corner, putting her hands up, as if to pacify.
"Don't worry son, I mean no harm. I simply come to finish what has been started. I see that you have followed the guidelines well." At this she smiles dryly.
"I have come to bestow my seal of approval upon you your marriage. You truly love her, as she you. But I am going to grant you both an out. I meant no force, and you both are so yet young. So I will pull my strings to release all binds of your two's marriage, and nobody shall be the worse off. You shall be free from your curse Jeffery, and you Lila, may finally be free." I gasp- I pray inaudibly.
"So the curse would still be removed?" I whisper, stepping away from Jeff. He winces, and my heart aches to see how my simple consideration pains him.
"Yes, but another left of your own doing Lila. There is no pain like a love lost, and that would never fade." She sighs, tapping her heart.
I can see his jaw rigid. He manages to choke out. "You may go, if that is what you want, love." It looks bitter on his tongue, like he is trying to spit this out before he cracks. I see his grey eyes, and the pain there is so deep.
Then it clicks. I can't stand his pain, it is now mine. I love him.
Epilogue
"Why are you smirking!" I giggle, poking him in the ribs. "Because I have the most beautiful love in all the land. Wouldn't you then?" He winks, pulling a stray curl of mine.
"Yes, I suppose so." I tap my chin, all mock seriousness. "But oh, how I long to wipe that smirk off your face." I reply, one of my lips curling into a half ornery grin.
"Oh then?" He trills, feigning shock.
"Yes." I say simply, crawling nearer to him on the picnic blanket. He almost blushes, and I put my finger to his lips. Then in a second, my lips replace it, and we are in a compromising embrace on our little front lawn.
He pulls, his face aflame mildly. "My my, what lords and ladies of the manor are we!" He pants, pulling me closer to him. We are both then sitting in the same direction, me leaning into his chest, unabashedly utterly happy.
Its funny I think, this isn't most peoples manor. In all probability, most couples would have chosen not to live in a little once abandoned cottage just a mile off from a sprawling castle and estate. But it is ours.
"You know what?" He sighs, resting his chin on my head.
"I thought my angel would leave me. I thought I was doomed to be forever cursed, I couldn't believe when my angel stayed. I still can't Ly, and its been nearly three years. I don't want anything to ever change." He sighs contentedly.
"I still can't believe my luck either love." At this he quirks an eye brow, and looks at me as if I'm daft. "But as to change, I can't fight it love, and neither can you. But something much tinier can." I chuckle, and bring his arms about my waist, resting his hands at my belly.
I can feel him gulp, and his heart beat starts to beat rapidly against my back.
"No." He whispers, trying to calm himself. "It couldn't be... Could it?" He questions, not letting himself get too excited.
"Oh yes, it could." I say grinning as I turn around to face him. "And in about nine months too." I smile, enjoying his reaction.
"No.." He breathes, staring at his hands in shock.
"Yes!" I giggle, tapping his nose teasingly. "I daresay I would know, Jeff."
"Really!" He jumps up excitedly. "Just wait till I tell the boys!" he whoops, grinning proudly.
"Yes pappa." I grin sardonically.
"Oh my lands, we need to get you indoors! Its nearing sunset love. We can't have you catching cold." He warns, helping me up from the blanket on the grass.
"I wouldn't have told you if I new you'd be so ridiculous! I'm barely a month along, and it is spring now! Lands sakes." I mutter. Secretly though, even annoyed, I have never loved him more.
Taking my arm, he leads me towards the house, already on to something else.
"What do you think of Alexandria, for a for a girl of course. And maybe... Oh lets see! Reginald, for a boy." He grins, decisively pleased.
"Ugh, no!" I grin, swatting away his hand from my arm.
"Well come one then. Lets go enjoy our time together before you become rotund!" He growls, trying to lead me up the stairs.
Before I can smack him, he is chasing a squealing me up the stairs.
And so dear readers, we reach the end of our tale. It was an emotional journey, but surely I hope you enjoyed it. A wiser man than me once said "love is not always there at the right time, but we must choose our paths for happiness.", or something to that extent. And of course, our hero and heroine do live happily ever after! So...
Finis!
Unlikely Rose
A/N: Whoa! Well I wanna say thanks to all my amazing reviewers and my readers too! I couldn't of done the story without you guys, and hey, this story has had over 2000+ hits! Thanks You All!
I would absolutely love to hear your reviews, it would mean alot to me. And on a side note, if you wan't a "Handsome Is As Handsome Does" "bloopers reel" chapter, just tell me!
So I wish you good day with a kiss and an adieu and pray you review!