I could not tell you if I loved you the first moment I saw you, or if it was the second or third or fourth. But I remember the first moment I looked at you walking toward me and realized that somehow the rest of the world seemed to vanish when I was with you." ― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Prince

Chapter Five: Coming Together

John arrived in London late Saturday afternoon. Captain Maxwell met John at the station, and to John's surprise, Margaret was in the carriage as well. John had the privilege, as Margaret's fiancé, to sit beside her in the carriage. It had only been a few days since they had seen each other, but it had seemed far longer. There was not a moment of the day when Margaret was not in his thoughts or he in hers while they had been separated. There was no opportunity for private conversation with Captain Maxwell present, but the couple found joy in being close together.

Margaret had asked for John to be given the best guest room for the two nights he would be in London, and after some persuading, Edith finally agreed. She was still peeved that Margaret was not going to marry Henry, but his acceptance of Margaret's engagement had served to soften Edith's resolve to oppose this marriage.

Henry had not been back to Harley Street since he returned with Margaret from Milton, and he sent word that he was too busy with the case he was preparing for trial to visit.

Edith knew Henry's heart was broken, but when she spoke of it to her husband, he asked her to allow Henry his pride. He said, "Edith, Henry has far too much self-respect to want to be Margaret's husband when she loves Thornton. The matter has been settled, and I am asking you not to speak of what you wanted for Margaret and my brother again. It is simply not to be."

The family gathered in the drawing room before dinner. John had met everyone at the Great Exhibition and greeted them all individually with Margaret by his side. The couple sat together on the settee across from Aunt Shaw.

"Mr. Thornton, when Margaret came back from Milton with an engagement ring on her hand and stars in her eyes, I was taken aback that you would have offered for her before seeking her family's blessing."

John expected her to feel that way, and he replied, "Mrs. Shaw, I have loved Margaret for more than two years. Richard Hale was a dear friend to me and much like a second father. Mrs. Hale was always kind to me, and I was sorry that she never enjoyed robust health while she was in Milton. I believe Margaret's parents, who spent time with me, would have given us their blessing."

John looked at Margaret before he continued speaking to Mrs. Shaw, "The day you came to the mill house with Margaret and she said her goodbyes to me and my family, was the hardest day of my life. I loved Margaret then as I love her now and thought I had lost her forever."

Margaret felt the pain of that day assail her briefly, and she took his hand in hers.

John and Margaret's eyes met for a moment, and then he continued, "I had asked for her hand once before, but circumstances conspired against us, or I believe we would have come to an understanding long before now. Margaret is of age, and we do not need permission to marry. However, we very much want your blessing."

Aunt Shaw did not miss the love shining in both of their eyes when they looked at one another, or that Margaret was positively glowing with happiness. Maria had felt the same for Richard when she was Margaret's age. It was Deja vu, and Aunt Shaw had concerns that Margaret was making the right choice for her life. It certainly would not be an easy one. Her sister's marriage to Richard Hale had not been without considerable difficulties.

Margaret knew that her aunt was concerned about her inheritance, so when her aunt spoke next, it was not a surprise. "Mr. Thornton, are you aware that Margaret has inherited Mr. Bell's fortune?"

John answered, "Yes, Margaret told me after she had accepted me," and then John removed a packet of documents from his pocket.

He unfolded the first one and held it out to Mrs. Shaw, "As I told Margaret the evening we became engaged, her fortune will remain hers and hers alone. I had my solicitor draw up papers stating just that, and I will leave them with Margaret for her own solicitor to review before she signs these documents. If you care to look at them, you will see that I have already signed them."

Aunt Shaw was impressed and nodded her head in acknowledgement.

John held out the second set of documents which were settlement papers. John had set up provisions for Margaret and any children they would have in the case of his death. Once again, Aunt Shaw gave them a cursory look before handing them back to Mr. Thornton.

Margaret was near tears. This prideful man had humbled himself to her formidable aunt because he knew how much Aunt Shaw's blessing meant to her.

Aunt Shaw cleared her throat and said, "You have been very thorough, Mr. Thornton, and I commend you. I can see that you are a man of honor and will do your best by our Margaret."

Margaret breathed a sigh of relief, and took John's hand, "Aunt Shaw, Edith, Maxwell, when John asked for my hand the first time, I was but a poor parson's daughter. I think he has demonstrated in every way that he is the best of men. It does not matter to him whether I am rich or poor; he asked for my hand because he loves me, despite how determined and opinionated I can be.

Everyone laughed, and at last the tension that had been palpable in the room dissipated. Edith led them all into dinner, and the talk turned to the impending wedding.

"Margaret, I would love to help you plan your wedding, as you did mine. We will need to set a date later in the spring of next year so that we can procure all the best flowers."

Margaret answered, "John and I want to marry as soon as the banns have been read, Edith."

Edith's mouth hung open in the most unladylike way for just a moment before she collected herself, "But Margaret, as your family, we want to give you a proper wedding."

Margaret looked around the table at the last of her family in England. She loved them dearly and had no wish to hurt them, but she would not wait a year to marry John, "I thank you for wanting to give us a grand wedding day, but John and I have decided to marry in four weeks. Neither of us want an elaborate affair, but if you still want to help me plan the wedding, I would like that very much, Edith."

Edith wanted to argue, but Maxwell gave her a hard look; she changed the topic, and the rest of dinner was spent pleasantly.

oooOooo

Deciding to forgo the usual custom of the men separating from the women for a time after dinner, everyone withdrew to the drawing room and made themselves comfortable. Maxwell engaged John in a discussion about his mill while Edith and Margaret continued discussing wedding plans. Aunt Shaw was listening, ready to add her opinions as she felt they were needed.

Edith had her pad and pencil out to make notes, and she asked, "The first banns can be read a week from tomorrow, and that leaves us four full weeks before you marry on Monday, February 17th. We must reserve the church tomorrow."

Margaret looked over at John, and he came to sit next to her. "John is a prominent businessman in Milton, and it is important to my future in society as his wife that the wedding be held in Milton. John and I want to marry in his church, as it was my church as well while I resided in Milton."

Margaret continued, "The wedding breakfast can be held at the Brownstone, a lovely hotel in downtown Milton. They employ an exceptionally talented chef at the hotel, and we can plan the menu this weekend. There is a bakery on New Street where wedding cakes are made, and I can ask John's sister to help with those details. I am certain she would be happy to assist us in any manner with the wedding preparations. I believe we can count on John's mother to be quite helpful as well."

Margaret turned to her betrothed, "What are your thoughts for our wedding?"

John looked at her with great tenderness, which did not go unnoticed by anyone in the room. "Your happiness is my happiness, Margaret. I like us beginning our lives together in Milton where we will make our home."

Edith was dismayed and terribly disappointed not to give Margaret a grand affair in London. She asked, "May I help you assemble your trousseau, Margaret, as you helped me with mine?"

Margaret answered, "Of course, and I would be lost without your help, Edith."

Shortly thereafter, Maxwell and Edith retired. Aunt Shaw stood to retire as well, but turned to her niece and said, "Margaret, you must tell Mr. Thornton goodnight in just a few minutes. Goodnight, my dear."

Margaret wished her aunt a goodnight as well and finally, she and John were alone.

She was anxious to hear what John thought of her proposed wedding plans, and he said that he found them most agreeable. He thought Fanny would be happy to help with the arrangements in Milton, and he told Margaret that his mother would want to send out the invitations. Margaret readily agreed. Both families would help to make their wedding arrangements, and Margaret thought it very fine.

A maid walked past the open door, and Margaret knew that she had better escort John to his room.

Instead of leading him into the hallway, she stepped behind the open door and held out her arms to John. He held her tightly to him and bent his head to touch his lips to hers. She returned his kisses just as fervently as he gave them.

John whispered in her ear, "I love you, Margaret."

She whispered back to him, "I love you, too, and I will be glad of it when we do not have to part at night anymore."

He smiled down at her beautiful face and laid his cheek against hers to calm them both. He held her close, but it was more than a lover's embrace. It was two hearts beating close together who had finally found their home in the other.

At his door, they exchanged a quick kiss and then Margaret hurried to her own room.

The rest of the weekend passed pleasantly. More plans were made for the wedding, decisions were made for the breakfast menu, and flowers were chosen. On Monday, after John left for Milton, Margaret had an appointment with the modiste for her wedding gown.

oooOooo

Milton-Northern

Fanny Watson was indeed happy to help with all the arrangements. John had brought the menu for the wedding breakfast back with him. Fanny and his mother met him at the Brownstone to go over it with the chef and his staff. Bottles of wine would be brought from London and procured from the mill house cellar. Hannah selected the best wines from their cellar herself.

Fanny oversaw the floral arrangements that would be used for the wedding breakfast. She sent Margaret letters daily with endless questions concerning every minute detail for the wedding, and Margret deferred to Edith to answer many of Fanny's questions. All Margaret wanted was for things to be kept relatively simple, and she found herself grateful that there was so little time to plan this wedding, or she was certain that things would become far too elaborate for her tastes.

John and Margaret exchanged letters every day, and after the mail was brought to the drawing room each morning, Edith knew that Margaret would retreat from wedding planning for an hour or so to read Mr. Thornton's letter in the privacy of her room before she penned her reply.

oooOooo

Two days before the wedding, Margaret and her family boarded a northern bound train for Milton.

After their arrival, John and Margaret were afforded little private time together as there was much to do to finish the preparations for the wedding. The ceremony would include family and close friends only, but all the mill masters and wives were invited to the wedding breakfast, and other prominent citizens in Milton. It was not the grand affair that Hannah would have wanted for her son, but it would be a respectable event, and one that would be talked about for some time to come.

Edith and Captain Maxwell, as well as Aunt Shaw and Dixon stayed at the Brownstone before the wedding. Edith had brought her nanny along to help with Sholto, and there were simply too many people to accommodate at either the mill house or Fanny's. Margaret booked rooms for herself and Dixon as well.

The night before the wedding, Fanny hosted a family gathering at her home in Hayleigh. She and Edith had become fast friends through their letters and delighted in each other's company. Margaret was glad of it. Fanny had embraced her role as sister of the groom, and the gathering with both families was an enormous success.

oooOooo

The morning of the wedding, Edith knocked on her door with a gift in her hand. She pushed in the tea cart that was waiting right outside the door. Margaret had just risen and had rung for her bath to be drawn.

Edith sat down and poured both of them a cup of the delicious brew. After the ladies had finished their tea with some tasty scones, Edith told Margaret she wanted to speak to her about duties as a married woman.

Edith spoke in hushed tones, even though they were the only two in the room. "Margaret, what Mother told us before I married Maxwell was completely wrong. Do you remember how she told us that we had to endure our husband's demands on our bodies and just lie back and think of England?"

The two ladies giggled in remembrance, and Margaret blushed as she recalled the conversation.

"Yes, how could I forget?"

Edith pressed on, "Margaret, the act of becoming one with your husband can be quite moving and incredibly beautiful. You will need to relax though, so you can respond to your husband's touch. I will not lie and tell you the first time you are intimate with him that there is not some discomfort, but each time afterwards, it only becomes more comfortable as well as pleasurable. Believe me, I never lie back and think of England."

The two cousins shared more laughter, and then Edith handed Margaret a gift box to be added to her luggage that would be taken to the mill house during the wedding breakfast. Edith said, "You love him so dearly, Margaret, and if you choose to wear this peignoir set that I have chosen for you, I am sure your husband will be pleased to know you welcome his attention."

Margaret blinked back the tears, and said, "Thank you, Edith, for everything. I am quite certain that I would have been far more nervous about tonight if we had not had this talk."

Fanny and Dixon both arrived soon after the bride finished bathing and helped Edith dress Margaret for her wedding. Dixon had just finished Margaret's hair when Aunt Shaw arrived with the wedding veil.

"Margaret, your grandmother wore this veil on her wedding day, as did both your mother and I. Edith wore it as well, and now it is your turn. I wish Maria could be here to place it on your head, but I will place it in her stead. "

Fanny stood back and watched Margaret with her cousin and aunt and felt something akin to envy. To have shared such a lovely tradition was something she did not have on her own wedding day. She was glad to become a part of Margaret's family, and she vowed that she would start the tradition of passing down the family veil from one bride to the next with her own daughter.

After the ladies had done their part to prepare Margaret for her wedding, she was declared a most beautiful bride. John had sent over a beautiful bouquet of yellow and pink roses for his bride and bouquets for Fanny and Edith, and at last, it was time for the ladies to leave for the church.

oooOooo

Earlier that morning at the mill house, John took one last look at his newly redecorated room. He had a local draper make new bed clothes and drapes for the windows. He had some of his men from the mill clean and paint the walls a creamy shade of yellow. There was a second armoire added to the room, and John had managed to have Maria Hale's vanity restored. He had chosen some special things to make Margaret more comfortable, including two chintz chairs that flanked the fire.

Tonight, in this very room, and in their bed, he would make Margaret his wife.

He checked his appearance one last time in the mirror before collecting his mother to go to the church.

Higgins and Watson arrived shortly after John and Hannah did, and both remarked that Thornton seemed cool as a cucumber for a man about to get tied down for the rest of his life. John laughed along with them.

His mother was seated at the front of the church, along with Watson's mother. The two matriarchs were friends, and John hoped that now they might find more time to spend together.

Aunt Shaw, Dixon, Mary, and her husband Matthew were seated together in the front pew on Margaret's side of the church.

The church filled quickly with the few invited guests, and John knew the minute Margaret arrived from a slight commotion at the back of the church. Fanny stepped in for a moment and whispered to the string quartet that they were ready to begin.

Edith glided down the aisle first in her lovely pink gown, and Fanny made her own way down the aisle right after her.

The string quartet began to play Mendelssohn's, "Wedding March," and Captain Maxwell entered the church with Margaret on his arm.

John could not take his eyes off his bride. She looked ethereal in her stunning gown. He had never thought her more beautiful, and he could see her eyes shining through her lace veil. She never took her eyes from him.

At the altar, Maxwell handed Margaret over to John, and he took her hand in his.

Their vows were repeated with reverence. John's voice was husky with emotion, and Margaret spoke with such love in her voice that it brought tears to Edith's eyes.

The minister pronounced them man and wife, and John lifted Margaret's veil to kiss her for the first time as his wife.

Aunt Shaw was seen dabbing her eyes, as was Mary. Fanny was stunned to see the love between her brother and his bride. She was very moved by the ceremony, and she found her eyes wandering to her own dear Watson. They were not a love match, but she did feel affection for him. She did wonder what it might feel like to feel such love as John and Margaret shared.

After the ceremony, everyone took a short carriage ride to the Brownstone where at least fifty or so guests had already arrived. More were expected, and John was touched that so many of his fellow mill masters were attending with their wives.

John and Margaret were a stunning couple. She was exquisitely beautiful, and he had never been more handsome. Fanny determined that happiness suited him well.

The newlyweds mingled with their guests, and John introduced his wife to everyone she had not previously met. The other mill wives were a bit reserved as Margaret had snagged the most eligible bachelor in town, but Fanny would see to it that there were ample social opportunities for Margaret to take her place in Milton society.

Their guests enjoyed decadent food and the wine flowed freely. Both Watson and Nicholas offered a toast to the happy couple, and the party was one that would be spoken of for weeks to come. Fanny had outdone herself on the floral arrangements, and the decorations for both the wedding breakfast and the church.

Margaret spotted her across the room standing with Edith, and she made her way through the guests to speak to them. "Thank you, Edith and Fanny, for making this day a special memory John and I will never forget."

Soon their husbands joined them and the three young couples, now family by marriage, stood together and made plans to see each other in London in a few months. A friendship between them had been forged that, unbeknownst to them at the time, would last a lifetime.

Aunt Shaw, Carolyn Watson, and Hannah stood together, taking it all in. Each of them remembered their own wedding day, so many years ago. Aunt Shaw commented, "I had my doubts that Margaret was making the right choice for her life, but I can see that your son is most attentive to her, and he does not hide that he holds her dear in his heart. I think they will have a happy life together."

Carolyn Watson said, 'I agree, and John has never been so handsome. Happiness suits him quite well. I have noticed that all the young ladies are especially envious of Margaret, Hannah."

Hannah felt lost, adrift, and unmoored, but she would never let anyone see how hard it was to bear this day. She wanted John's happiness, but he had been her only companion for nearly two decades and old habits would not die easily. Still, when she looked at her beloved boy's face, all she could see was pure joy, and she was thankful for it.

She remarked, "Mrs. Watson, no other woman ever had a chance with John after Miss Hale moved to Milton. Envious or not, none of them would have ever been his wife, even if Margaret had not come back into his life. For my son, it was Margaret or no wife at all."

oooOooo

The breakfast went on for hours, and when John could see Margaret was tired, he asked Fanny to have the cake brought out.

As was tradition, Margaret cut the first slice and then with her fork, fed her husband a bite of the delectable lemon cake with raspberry filling. John took his turn at feeding his wife a bite, and then everyone else was served their own slice of deliciousness.

Maxwell facilitated their exit from the party by calling for the carriage which some of the mill workers had decorated during the wedding breakfast.

They hugged their families, and there were tearful goodbyes between Margaret and Edith.

Fanny stood close to her mother as John made his way toward them. He spoke first to Fanny, "I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to make this day extraordinarily special. I appreciate every small detail that you arranged for the wedding. He held her close for a moment before he turned to his mother.

Hannah spoke before he could, "I wish you every happiness, Son." John and his mother embraced, and then John reached to his side and brought Margaret close to him.

Hannah spoke to her new daughter-in-law, "It was a beautiful wedding, Margaret. I hope you and my son will have many happy years together."

Margaret smiled at her mother-in-law before speaking, "Thank you, and I very much appreciate all you did to help with the wedding preparations."

Hannah simply nodded in response, and the newly married couple made their way to the carriage that would take them to the mill house where they would be alone for two weeks. His mother would stay with Fanny during that time.

John helped his wife into their carriage. He sat beside her and took her in his arms. Finally, alone, he could hold her close. "Margaret, are you well? Did the day please you?"

"Yes, it was everything I could have hoped for and more. I will never forget a moment of it, John. Are you happy with our wedding day?"

"You are my bride, and that is what matters most to me. I enjoyed the day, but I kept wanting to have a moment alone with you. He bent down and gently kissed her.

The ride to the mill took longer as people on the streets stopped and waved to the Master of Marlborough Mills and his beautiful wife. Upon arriving at the mill gates, John tapped the top of the carriage for the driver to stop. John helped Margaret out of the carriage, and he turned her to face the gates of Marlborough Mills. They had been painted a rich shade of green to remind Margaret of her childhood home in the New Forest, and in gold lettering bordered in black, the gates were emblazoned with Marlborough Mills, Owners: John and Margaret Thornton.

Margaret looked at her husband in wonder.

John took her hand in his, "Margaret, I meant it when I said that we will own the mill together."

She turned to her husband, her eyes shining and said, "Thank you, John. You are too good to me."

Williams was waiting for a signal from John, and when John nodded his head, the gates of the mill opened. John helped Margaret back into the carriage, and it rolled into the yard. When John helped his wife from the carriage, the workers in the yard cheered.

John and Margaret turned to go inside, and he scooped her up in his arms to carry her over the threshold much to the delight of all those who witnessed it from the mill yard.

Inside, the new Mrs. Thornton was introduced to the staff, and tea was brought to the new couple in the study. Margaret noticed her mother's writing desk and one of her father's chairs.

John took her in his arms and said, "This is our retreat downstairs, and during the day, you must make yourself at home here."

The noise from the mill was far less noticeable in this room, and Margaret knew she would spend most of her days here when the duties of running the household were completed.

John had given his workers two hours of paid time off that afternoon in honor of his wedding, and within the hour of their arrival at the house, the mill went silent.

John stood, held out his hand to his wife and led her upstairs to their suite. He stood back and watched her face as she took in the room she would share with him. It was decorated in lovely shades of yellow and blue. The maids had turned back the bed, and candles were lit all around the room. A warm fire was blazing in the hearth.

The hour they long awaited was upon them, and both were suddenly shy. John poured them both a glass of sherry, and they sat down before the fire. They spoke about their favorite memories of the day and before long, they were both more relaxed.

John stood and rang for Dixon who had moved to the mill house, to help her mistress undress. He showed Margaret to her dressing room and went to make himself more comfortable as well. His hands were trembling so much that he could barely unfasten the buttons on his waistcoat.

Dixon helped Margaret from her gown, and then Margaret sat before her vanity so Dixon could brush her hair. Dixon remarked, "I brushed your mother's hair on her wedding night to calm her nerves, Miss Margaret."

"Mother loved you, Dixon, and you were more of a sister to her than Aunt Shaw was. I know you miss her, as do I."

"Thank you, Miss Margaret, I do miss her very much."

Dixon moved to the armoire to take out a nightgown for her mistress. She gasped when she lifted the peignoir set from the tissue paper it was wrapped in.

Margaret herself was a bit shocked. The gown was lovely, but quite risqué, leaving little to the imagination. She dismissed Dixon and held it up to herself in the mirror. Tonight, she would become John's wife in every way. Edith had told her that if she wore this gown, John would know she welcomed his attention. She quickly discarded her chemise and pulled the gown over her head. She put the robe over it and looked at the maiden in the mirror for the last time. When she awoke in the morning, she would be a proper wife.

She would not keep her husband waiting another minute.

oooOooo

He was sitting in front of the fire when Margaret stepped into their bedroom. She was wearing an exquisite silk nightgown and robe set that caressed every curve of her body, and he did his best to focus his attention on her beautiful face.

He walked toward her and took her in his arms. He felt her shiver and he asked, "Are you cold, Margaret?"

She snuggled closer in his arms and said, "I am not cold, only a bit nervous."

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and I can hardly believe that you are mine." He stroked her long hair and marveled at its silky texture. His ministrations soothed her nerves, and she lifted her chin for him to kiss her.

He kissed her gently at first, but each kiss became more passionate. John was as inexperienced as Margaret was, but he had heard enough talk from other men that he knew that it took time for a woman's body to respond to a man. His own body was demanding release, but John did his best to restrain himself for as long as necessary. Their wedding night would be a memory to cherish if he could bring her pleasure.

Margaret stood back away from him for a moment and dropped her robe. Her breasts were barely contained in the flimsy nightgown, and before she stepped back into his arms, she lifted the hem of his shirt. He quickly took it off, and Margaret tentatively laid her hands on his chest, mapping out all his contours with her nimble fingers. John closed his eyes and savored her touch. His heart was thumping loudly in his chest, and Margaret laid her cheek against his chest to calm her own racing heart.

More kisses followed, and John became bolder with his explorations of her body. Margaret moaned with pleasure when his hands finally cupped her breasts, and one kiss melted into the next.

John took her hand and led her to their bed. Before he lifted her to lay her down, she divested herself of the rest of garments and slipped under the sheets. John took the rest of his clothes off as well, and when he held her bare body in his arms, he thought he must surely be dreaming.

With his hands and his mouth, he lavished attention on every peak and valley of her body. To his delight, Margaret was just as bold and passionate as he imagined she would be.

Afterwards, they laid in each other's arms, speaking softly, until sleep claimed them.

It was the perfect end to a perfect day, and a perfect beginning of their lives together.

oooOooo

Epilogue: One year later…

On the anniversary of their engagement, Hannah, a devoted grandmother, took care of their newborn son, so that John could take his wife out for the evening. He had arranged a special dinner for them at the Brownstone, and a sleigh ride just like the one from a year ago. Snow had fallen daily for a week, and the snow glistened in the light from the streetlamps. The stars twinkled in the sky above, and John held his wife in his arms as the sleigh glided through the streets of Milton on the way to the hilltops outside of the city.

When they arrived at their destination, where a year ago they had become engaged, John helped his wife from the sleigh. They stood and gazed out into the night at the city below they called home. John nuzzled Margaret's cheek before he whispered to her. "Thank you, Margaret, for your love and all the happiness you have brought to my life."

Margaret looked up at her husband, tears glistening in her eyes and said, "I am the one who should be thanking you for saving me from a lifetime of loneliness. Your love is the greatest blessing in my life, and because of it, we have little Jack. Hopefully, we will be blessed with many more little Thorntons in the years to come."

They stood there, oblivious to the cold, wrapped in the warmth of each other's arms, secure in their love for each other and in the happiness of their life together.

She was his Margaret, and he was her John… forever and always.

The End

Author's Notes: I would be remiss not to thank mimosa for her editing skills, and if you detected any errors in the text, they were mine and mine alone. She has an extraordinary eye for detail, and I do try to make all the corrections she suggests.

I took artistic license with the music for the wedding. Although Mendelssohn wrote the "Wedding March" in 1840, the custom of having the bride walk down the aisle to music did not become common practice until Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, Queen Victoria's oldest child, married Frederick William IV of Prussia on Jan. 25, 1858, in the Chapel Royal at St. James' Palace.

Many thanks to all of you who read this story. I very much appreciate it! Annabella Grace