A/N: Again, thanks for your reviews.
I read about Blondie Leah's contest and am thinking of a good storyline at the moment. So maybe you'll read something new from me soon, depends on how much time I've and if I can come up with something.
The dawn was breaking, as Ella silently turned around in bed. She didn't want to get up. If she could just lay down again and…
Her aunt however, had other plans.
"Ella, come on, you need to dress…the coiffure will be there in an hour…"
Ella mumbled something under her breath, following her aunt's commands. She sat up in bed, Lettice handing her a robe.
"This should do for now…"
Lettice shook her head. She couldn't at lot understand her niece reluctance. Roger Lindsay was one of best matches in society; Ella could consider herself lucky that he had chosen her. God forbid she should marry down.
I've tried for years to protect her from throwing herself into an appalling situation like her mother had done.
While Ella was putting on her robe, Lettice kept talking about the wedding.
"Ah, you'll see, you'll make a wonderful bride…"
Ella forced a smile.
"Yes, that's it, Mr Lindsay wants to having a happy spouse."
Lettice was so pleased with this marriage that she didn't care about anything else.
"I'm going to have to leave you alone for a moment. I need to be sure that everything is ready with the church and the priest…"
Ella only nodded silently sitting down in front of the mirror.
A minute later the door opened again.
"You're already back?" she turned her head.
Instead of her aunt Jack and Rose were standing there, holding hands, both with a relaxed smile on their faces. Rose was hair was now almost back to its usual colour.
"We wanted to wish you all the best for your wedding," Rose said.
Ella gulped, knowing she should tell her about her mother now. Ruth had gone to church early, telling Lettice she would get the flower-arrangement ready – "This way you don't have to rely on strangers."
"Thanks," Ella told them with as much convincing as possible for her at this moment.
She noticed how Rose had obviously brought some new dresses. She was wearing a light green one, perfectly fitting, matching with her hair colour.
Jack looked from Rose to Ella and back.
Wasn't this history repeating itself?
He was just happy that it wasn't his Rose sitting before the mirror about to get dressed up for a dreadful marriage. They had talked a lot the past days – many times about Ella and Roger Lindsay as well – though Rose hadn't told him the whole truth yet. Jack still knew that there was something more between them, only he didn't want to pressure her.
Before the conversation could take on a more serious lead, Lettice had already returned.
"Ella, I just called…," she began stopping dead in her tracks, when she noted Jack Dawson standing there, squeezing the hand of a girl she had never seen before. "Mr Dawson, how nice to see you again," she said reproachfully.
Jack nodded uneasily. Of course it hadn't been right to just stay away, avoiding her, when she was paying him.
"Who's your friend here? Don't you want to introduce me to her?"
"Sure, yes…," Jack shot Rose a quick glance, who nodded approvingly. "This is my wife…"
Lettice was dumbfounded for a moment.
"I didn't know you were married, Mr Dawson. I believe congratulations are in order then?" she laughed shaking Rose's hand.
A minute later however, Rose was already forgotten.
"Excuse me please, but I need to get my niece ready for her wedding," she told them.
"Sure," Rose spoke up silently, while Jack just shot her knowing look.
Rose shrugged her shoulders.
It was hard to know what a man Ella would be marrying soon and yet there wasn't anything she could do about it.
Lettice handed her a pearl necklace, Jack and Rose watching each other.
For sure they had talked about the diamond too.
"This is just perfect for you," she announced putting it around her neck.
Ella forced another weak smile.
"Are you going to be there for the wedding too?" Lettice asked them, looking at Ella's reflection in the mirror.
Ella's eyes silently begged them.
"Maybe…," Jack said knowing this wasn't the answer Ella would've wanted to hear. However they couldn't risk for someone recognizing Rose.
"Fine, then…," Lettice got out already not interested anymore. "Ruth has told me that the florists have gotten everything ready…it's just so nice to have friend like her."
Jack felt Rose flinching at the mentioned of the name.
Stop being so ridiculous, Rose…Ruth was quite a common name after all.
"I appreciate how you're listening to her. Ruth Dewitt Bukater is one of the women you can learn very much from," Lettice went on.
Luckily she didn't see or hear Rose gasping behind her back in shock.
Roger was all ready and dressed up, when he heard a knock on the door.
"Yes…," he shouted angry about the disturbance.
The door opened revealing a woman covered in black. He didn't recognize her at first, but as she lifted her veil did he realize that it was Mrs Pearson.
"I was told that I'll find you here."
"Indeed, it's my wedding day," he told her annoyed.
She could've chosen some other time to bother him.
He had visited her a few days ago, wanting to make an arrangement with her.
"And where's the beautiful bride?" she looked around, laughing her evil kind of laugh.
"She isn't here, yet."
Mrs Pearson smiled once more, picking up a pen from the table. She knew, who his bride was and she hated her just as much as she hated this other girl – Rose, as she called herself now.
"I would've appreciated it, if you had come later," Roger said to unnerved.
Lately she had given him no definite answer, only stating how she would think about it.
"Mr Lindsay, you look wonderful. I bet your little bride will be smitten by…"
"Cut the crap and tell me what you want. I haven't got all day," he hissed snatching the pen away from her. "It's not even mine."
"Is this your way of talking with a lady?" Mrs Pearson just shook her head, both knowing she had him over a barrel.
"You don't need to be angry with me. I'm here to tell you that I will be fulfilling your wish."
"Ruth, thank you so much for taking care of everything. What would I've done with you?" Lettice told her.
"It was my pleasure. I'm glad I could be of help," she spoke up sadly, but quickly pulling herself together, smiling at Ella "You look so…I won't even know how to describe it. Mr Lindsay must be the happiest man on earth today."
Ella and Lettice both understand how she must be really feeling.
"Thank you Mrs Dewitt Bukater. It means a lot."
Ruth only smiled weakly.
This could've been her daughter as well. Rose would've looked lot like her.
Lettice chose to interrupt Ruth's dark thoughts by taking Ella's hands and leading her outside.
Everyone stared in awe, as Ella was walking down the aisle silently. What a wonderful girl – they all thought, while Ella had trouble to share their happiness. Only once did she gaze around, searching for Rose and Jack. But they weren't there.
When she reached the altar, Roger took her hand. It was cold and lifeless, just like he. Ella forced a smile.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
"Dearly beloved we've…"
Ella didn't really pay attention mumbling a quiet yes, when it was her time to do.
Roger pulled her into a kiss afterwards, hungrily aiming his tongue into her mouth, not making her feel very comfortable.
"I can't wait to be alone with you," he told her silently for only her to hair.
Ella didn't understand what he meant, but her thoughts were soon interrupted again by the cheering sounds of the people around her.
Only one person felt sorry for her – Ruth Dewitt Bukater.