Chapter 18
A few days passed and Harlean was growing antsy by the minute. Whenever she had time to herself, she sat in her room with Holly planning the wedding.
"Harlean?"
She turned to see Jonah in her door way, he was smiling.
"Yes Jonah?" she asked, standing up from her desk.
"They have agreed to meet Harold and his family," Jonah answered.
Harlean almost let out a cry of joy.
"Oh thank you!" Harlean flung her arms around her brother who laughed.
"They want them to come tomorrow night. Is that alright?" Jonah asked.
"Well…Harold has to testify at the Inquiries tomorrow, here in London. If I get a message sent to them, it is possible they could come tomorrow evening," Harlean answered.
"Well get a message written out, I'll find out what time mother and father want to have supper tomorrow and then you can send someone to deliver the message," Jonah explained.
"Alright, can you go ask them about supper tomorrow?" Harlean asked as she went to her desk and pulled out her stationary set.
"Yes, I'll be right back," Jonah left the room and Harlean began to scribble down a note to Harold.
A moment later he returned, "Seven is when dinner will be served. Best tell them to be here by six sharp."
Harlean put that in the note and then allowed it to dry. A moment later she flipped the paper over, put the address on it, and then sealed it.
"Holly, deliver this to the post office and ask them to deliver it at once," Harlean said as she handed it to her friend.
Holly nodded, "Yes miss." She turned and rushed out of the room.
Harlean sighed with contentment; the moment she had been waiting for was finally going to arrive. Her parents would meet Harold and his family, see how charming and wonderful the Bride's are and allow her to marry the man she loved.
XX
"Miss Harlean?"
Holly's voice cut through Harlean's dreams, her eyes opened and she sat up on her bed, "Yes Holly?"
"The Brides will be here tomorrow night," Holly said softly.
"Oh…thank you Holly," Harlean replied.
"We have hot water in a tub ready," Holly said.
Harlean stood up and went to the bathroom.
XX
"Micah…promise me you will behave."
The younger Carpenter hadn't realized his sister had noticed him in her doorway. Harlean was currently dressed in a cream colored dress, with fine beading and stitching and a green satin tie around her waist. Holly was busy with fixing Harlean's red hair, which eventually it was a French twist on the back of her head. Pearls hung from her ears and around her neck.
She looked beautiful and Harlean could not help but blush at her sight.
"Why would I not behave, dearest sister?" Micah walked over to Harlean, he was dressed in a black tux. Micah, Jonah, and James Carpenter would all be matching in the same styled black suits.
"Because…you tend to be too protective of me," Harlean answered.
"All because I love you," Micah commented.
She smiled, "I just want you to understand…I truly love Harold. I want him to make a good impression on the family. I know he will…but I want you all to like him. I know Jonah does…but Mother and Father are the most important ones. Just please…promise that if Father seems to be taking things down hill…you will not side with him," Harlean begged.
He was silent a moment and then nodded, "Alright…if it will make you happy."
"Thank you."
"You look beautiful sis," Micah said, and he smiled.
"And you look just like Father…very handsome," Harlean smiled back.
Together they walked out of the room; Mrs Carpenter was rushing about and changing her mind every two seconds about where to put flowers.
Then there was a knock at the door, and everyone froze. Holly went to the door because she was the closest one and answered it. On the other side were Mr and Mrs Bride and behind them were their three boys.
Harlean couldn't help but think that Mrs Bride looked beautiful in her dark maroon evening dress. Then she caught Harold's eye and smiled.
"Mr and Mrs Bride I presume," Harlean saw her father going to the door to greet them.
"Yes, my name is Arthur Bride and this is my wife Mary," Mr Bride said.
They walked into the house, "And these are our sons, Andrew, Benjamin, and Harold," Mr Bride introduced.
The men each shook hands with Mr Carpenter.
"Very pleased to meet you, Arthur my name is James Carpenter, and this is my wife Grace Carpenter. Our children, Jonah, Micah, and Harlean," Mr Carpenter said.
Harlean and Micah were now at the foot of the stairs.
"Yes well we have met Jonah and Harlean. But it is very lovely to meet all of you," Mrs Bride said.
Harlean's parents gave her and Jonah raised eyebrows and both knew they would be answering for that later.
"Well please, let us go and sit in the parlor. Holly, take their coats and go and hang them up," Mrs Carpenter said.
"Yes ma'am," Holly took everyone's coats and then disappeared down the hall.
Everyone then went into the parlor, and then they all heard a crash. The Carpenters and Brides all turned to see Benjamin sitting on the debris of an antique chair.
"Well I was going to say sit anywhere…but that chair," Mrs Carpenter said slowly.
"Get up Andrew!" Harold hissed as he pulled his brother to his feet.
"That belonged to my mother's grandmother," Mrs Carpenter explained.
"Oh my lord, Grace I am so sorry. Please forgive my son," Mrs Bride begged.
"It is alright," Mrs Carpenter said slowly…though Harlean could see she was livid. This evening was not starting out well, and it was about to get worse…
XX
A/N- Okay so it's short…whatever…I wanted to update Christmas day, but I never got around to it. I couldn't get to my friggin computer! We've been moving stuff around and my computer was just not available. Then we had Christmas and all that great stuff and yesterday I went out and got a cell phone! Yay me! MY own cell phone…haven't had my own new phone since like a year ago…when my first one broke. I'm in love with this one! It's got the slide out keyboard and stuff.
So Anywhos…please review and I'm gonna get to work on chapter 19 ASAP. Loves ya!!
xoxoxoxoxo