Chapter 50
"There you are!" Bash put his arms around his newly married wife. "Everybody is waiting for us to lead the wedding dance."
"I know." Kenna snuggled closer. "I just had to discuss something important with Emeline first."
"May I ask what it was about?" Bash raised an eyebrow, questioningly.
"Later." Kenna smiled. "We shouldn't let our guests wait any longer." She put her hand in his and together they stepped on the dance floor.
And then the music started and Kenna tried to focus on the rhythm and the lyrics. They were husband and wife now. And this was their official wedding song.
"This I Promise You"
When the visions around you
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surround you
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your strength
I'll give you hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call,
Was standing here all along
And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you
I've loved you forever
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never
Will you hurt anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow
Forever has now begun
Just close your eyes
Each loving day
I know this feeling won't go away
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
This I promise you
Over and over I fall
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all
And I will take
I will take
You in my arms
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Right where you belong
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Every word I say is true
This I promise you
This I promise you
(Lyrics by Richard Marx)
Involuntarily, she remembered her first wedding, when Henry had forced her into a marriage with Bash. There had not been a celebration afterwards and also no wedding dance. And only a handful of people had attended the ceremony, including Mary, Francis, Greer, and Lola. She remembered that she had wept through the whole ceremony. She had felt miserable and forlorn and had thought that her life would end. She had known little about Bash, and what she had known about him had made her biased. Everything was different now. Many former friends had come, and the entire staff was present. And now they joined them on the dance floor to celebrate with the bride and groom. Yet still, the forced wedding had evolved into something beautiful, something true and everlasting. A love that nothing could separate. The saying was probably true. Love can conquer all.
Unconsciously, she placed her hand on her belly. A gesture Bash noticed immediately.
"Are you all right? Is it too much? Would you like to have a break?"
She shook her head, smiling. He was so worried about her, since he had become accustomed to the idea, to become a father again.
"I'm fine. I was just thinking about our first wedding."
"Don't!" He kissed her forehead. "It only makes you upset. And today is a day of joy."
"Oh, no, it doesn't make me upset. On the contrary." She looked deeply into his green eyes. "I was thinking, how much I must thank Henry, that he brought us together.
Bash raised an eyebrow. "Really? Well, then, I am glad that my father had already discovered the potential of our relationship, despite his confused mind."
"Let's not talk about Henry. Let's talk about our future." Kenna snuggled closer into his arms.
"Are you thinking about something special?"
"I had talked about it with Emeline earlier, that I would like to stay in the Castle. At least until after the birth." she added quickly, as she saw how Bash was frowning. "I know, that I said that I wanted to move out and have a home of our own, but I am comfortable here and Daniel as well. Here he has the playmates he never had."
"And what about your dispute with Mary?" Bash asked.
"I told you. We talked about it. Everything is settled now. I will never doubt your love for me again."
"That's good." He gently cupped her chin and looked deeply into her eyes. "No need to doubt my feelings for you. I just made a pledge before God, to love you till death do us part. And you cannot break a promise like that so easily."
"Does it mean you agree?" Kenna asked hopefully.
"Anything you want." Bash had to laugh when Kenna kissed him.
"Thank you! Can we make a pause from dancing now?"
"Are you feeling exhausted?" he asked concerned.
Kenna shook her head. "I'm feeling fabulous! I just want to tell Emeline and Lola the good news."
He gazed after her, smiling and wagged his head. He wanted to leave the dance floor, as Mary approached him.
"Would you like to dance?"
He looked around, whether Kenna was watching him and nodded. "I'd love to."
"It's been a long time, that we danced together." Mary said and put her hand in his.
Bash nodded. "It's been a while."
"Sometimes, I remember the past and what we had together..." She snuggled closer.
"Mary, don't!" He stepped back. "Leave the past behind."
"Kenna can be happy to have you."
"I'm glad I have her." He looked at her, warily. "I love Kenna! With all my heart. And I have no intention to make her upset."
"I'm sorry!" She reached for his hand again, but he stepped to the side.
"I said don't!"
"Days like that..." she muttered, "...remind me how happy I was with Francis, when we got married." She stopped in midsentence and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I am always emotional at weddings." she said embarrassed and stepped back. "I'll leave you to your bride now."
Frowning, Bash looked after her, as she left the dance floor at a quick pace. He felt a slight twinge of panic, as he remembered, that he had just agreed to live in the Castle, for the foreseeable future. Things seem to be more complicated than he thought. He took a deep breath before he went off to look for his wife.