Chapter Two

…Waiting for the day you come back home, hoping everyday

you are behaving and taking control of your life.

-EC

-from a letter to Paris

Looking down at her new white lace gloves, the new Elizabeth Cutting stood on the balcony waiting for the return of her husband. She glanced down on her dancing guests below as they gracefully swept their way across the floor. Many woman in fine new gowns and men in their tailored coats seemed to be having a good time. Elizabeth was pleased by their expressions. The song soon ended and one started up again as men and women exchanged partners to fall back in the same routine as before. She looked back into the hallway to see if he had found what he was looking for but there was no sign of Teddy anywhere. Elizabeth nervously played with her wedding ring hoping everything was all right. She knew he went to look for Henry. Lately she noticed Henry not being in as many public gatherings as he used to attend or showing his face at parties. Instead he excuses himself into another part of the home where he sits alone. Being engaged to him once before, she knew this was very unlike him. She looked down on her new light blue dress made special for tonight. The silver beading on the top and front in a creative design won over many complements. She made a mental know to tell her dress maker about this lovely hit.

Lost in thought, she did not hear anyone walking up behind her. Soon she felt a warm familiar hand placed on that small of her back and a body standing closely to the left of her. She looked up to see those light blue eyes, the perfect shade of blond hair, and the terrific smile she was blessed to see every day.

"And what is the young and beautiful Elizabeth Cutting standing up here alone for?" Teddy whispered in her ear. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile.

"I was just waiting for my husband to return. Have you seen him?" she responded and turned to face him as he chuckled. From behind Teddy, she saw a young man heading down the stairs that would only lead him to the dance floor. She knew instantly who it was. Teddy took her hand and led her down the marble stair case. Her shoes soon hit the floor and he led her to the side of the floor. He placed his hand on her back and drew her close to his body. She then placed her gloved hand on his shoulder and soon they too were lost crowd of dancing people. Elizabeth looked deep into her husband's eyes, knowing there was something he was not telling her.

"What is with Henry?" she then said knowing she would not know what was wrong unless she asked. Teddy looked down and held my gaze, somehow telling her that she already knew the answer.

"Diana," he informed her, "that is what took so long. We were talking about the two of them." Elizabeth then knew what was going on.

"He still loves her doesn't he?" she then asked softly. Teddy nodded, sweeping her across the floor.

"I told him that I was going to help him get back on track tonight."

"Then why aren't you doing so? He is a young handsome man that should not still be in love with a girl that offers no love back. She is still in Paris and by her letters; it does not seem that she will be returning home soon." Teddy looked at with his caring eyes. Elizabeth felt rude for saying those cruel words.

"Please don't tell him I said that," she pleaded quietly. Teddy only smiled.

"I promise love."

"Then you should go, I will go catch up with the other women standing on the balcony." Elizabeth stopped dancing only to feel him pull her closure.

"Can't I first enjoy one dance with my wife?" he asked her with a sly smile upon his perfect face. Elizabeth offered a smile back and they continued dancing.

"Have you checked on Keller lately?" Teddy asked with care. Even though he was not Keller's real father, he was caring and concerned about his son's well being. The name always brought her back to California to where his real father and herself ran away so their forbidden love could stay well hidden and strong. Elizabeth thought to herself they would both still be there if only her mother did not get sick and they had to return to New York. Even though Will was her first love and the real father of her son, Teddy soon took another space in her heart. He had loved her for many years and it took her a long time to figure it out. She loved Teddy and he would always be a caring father and she was grateful of him for accepting both of them into his life. Even though Will laid at rest in the ground, she knew both men would always be a part of her life, one as her husband and one as her son.

"Yes I did, he is sound asleep and Mary told me he was out as soon as his head hit the pillow," she told him.

"He is growing up so fast," he commented and he was right. Keller just last week had taken his first steps. He stumbled a little at first, but now he was slowly getting to be able to walk faster and farther. Keller had the same light blond hair as she did and the sweetest pair of blue eyes. His thick lips were always fixed in a smile, just like Will's. The song ended and the two of them separated and bowed to one another.

"I need to go find him," he whispered to her. Elizabeth nodded back.

"Help him Teddy, and be kind, he is still heartbroken. Get him back on his feet tonight."

"Am I ever cruel?" he asked raising his brow. She chuckled quietly.

"Sometimes," she joked. He then took her hand and kissed it softly with his fine lips.

"I will see you soon Mrs. Teddy Cutting." And with those words, he disappeared among the guests dancing with no care in the world. I'll see you soon she thought. Watching him leave, she remembered what she said about her younger sister a while earlier. Leaving with Will made her become very good at keeping secrets. As she walked back up the marble stair case to the balcony, she felt bad for not telling Teddy the truth about Diana. She got to the top of the stair case and looked back down on the lively ballroom. Teddy was nowhere to be found. She prayed he had found Henry and was helping him be his normal self again. The truth about her little sister burned in her mind but neither Teddy nor Henry could know that Diana still loved Henry with all of her big heart.