Summer 19
I opened my eyes and groaned. It was the dance festival today, and though I usually enjoyed it I hadn't been feeling well lately. I inhaled deeply. I had to toughen up. This was going to be my first year dancing with Jack, and this was his first dance festival!
Though we weren't officially a public couple, he had asked me a few days ago. I blushed at how I have been sneaking out of the manor lately to see him and feel his warmth. My stomach began to churn. My sickness had to have been due to nerves of wanting to make today perfect for Jack's first dance festival.
A knock on my door echoed as I jumped. Flipping the blankets off of me, I sat up and on the side of my bed.
"Yes?" I asked as my father entered.
"Goooooood morning, Rosalind! Are you feeling any better?" He asked as I nodded.
"Yes, father! I'm not sure why I wasn't feeling well, but I'm much better now!"
"Great! Ah, by the way; Cecilia stopped by and wanted to talk to you after the festival. I'm not sure what for, though, she didn't say." Father said with a slight confusion in his voice as I began to ponder.
"I wonder what she wants?" Surely, it wasn't for a cleaning lesson, which have been going tremendously! However, she told me that we wouldn't be doing lessons during festivals.
"Also, Mr. Beauregard and his son, Oswald, will be coming here sometime in Autumn for an important business proposal. We haven't picked out an exact date yet, but I'll let you and Max know!"
"Oh, alright?" I said, or rather asked, considering I didn't understand why my father was telling me this. Unless Mr. Beauregard and his son were going to be staying at Eagle Inn for a few days like they did a few years ago and would be coming over to the manor for dinner. I certainly hope not, though. I didn't particularly like Oswald, though, the last time I saw him we were both still quite young; older teenagers at the very least.
I got dressed as quickly as possible, a beautiful pastel green high-low flowy dress that was adorned with various flowers. A dress that my father had bought my mother for their first date! The story of their meeting was very romantic, and it was my favorite bedtime story as a child! At least, it was my favorite reality bedtime story as a child.
I applied some light makeup to enhance my appearance before leaving my room. My stomach began to feel upset again as I inhaled deeply. I had to calm my nerves. Everything was going to go great!
I stepped out of the manor, deeply breathing in the warm summer breeze. Jack had said that he would meet me at de Sainte-Coquille Park around nine. I blushed, turning on my heels towards the park. However, before I could take the first step.
"Uhm, Rosalind?" I stopped, looking over towards Ray.
"Oh! Morning, Ray." I greeted, he blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I was wondering if you would be interested in dancing with me?" I furrowed my brows.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Ray! I was going to dance with Jack! After all, this is his first dance festival!"
Oh?" Ray began, "Well, I think Mana was going to ask him to dance with her." A hint of jealousy ran over me as I sighed. I couldn't let anyone know of Jack and me; not yet at least.
"Well, I did ask Jack a few days ago. A-and as the town's deputy-mayor's daughter, I thought I should ask Jack to dance with me for his first dance festival. We have to make him feel welcomed!"
"But, you didn't dance with Barrett nor Jake at their first dance festival. You danced with me." I blushed, thinking of a quick lie.
"I did ask them! But they he said no and Jack said yes. I'm not going to force someone to dance with me if they don't want to."
"But, you never told me you were going to ask Barrett or Jake to-…"
"I don't think it's any of your business who I ask to dance with, Ray." I interrupted him with a snap. He seemed to be taken aback as I sighed.
"Sorry, I have to go." I began to walk off.
"Wait!" He said, I turned to look at him. I was getting really annoyed.
"Will you dance with me after you dance with Jack?" He asked.
"I'll try." I sighed before walking towards the park.
There he was, sitting at the fountain with his back towards me. He was laughing about something with Egan. I walked closer towards them.
"Oh, good morning, Rosalind!" Egan greeted, as Jack's head turned towards me. He stood up as I blushed. He was dressed quite nicely. A simple pale blue short sleeved button down shirt and a pair of brown slacks.
"You look beautiful, Rosalind!" Jack exclaimed, as I blushed. "I really like your dress!"
"Thank you, Jack! It was my mother's. You look very nice as well."
"Thank you! Uh, this actually belongs to Egan." Jack said nervously before looking back towards Egan. "Thanks again for letting me borrow this."
"No problem!" Egan exclaimed with a smile before turning his attention to me. "By the way, Rosalind, have you talked to Ceci yet?" I shook my head.
"No, not yet. I'll try to catch her after the festival. Do you have any idea what she wants?"
"Yes, I do know, however, it's not my place to discuss what she wants to talk to you about." I nodded in understanding. "Anyway, go have fun you two! And you can return that outfit to me tomorrow, Jack!"
"Will do!" Jack exclaimed before turning his attention towards me again. "Shall we?" He offered his arm as I grabbed onto it.
"Just a fair warning, I'm probably not a good dancer." He admitted nervously as I giggled.
"I'm sure you'll do fine." As he rested one of his hands on my waist, the other hand was entangled with mine. He slowly began to lead me in a waltz.
I felt as though I was whimsically dancing on a cloud. I couldn't see nor hear anything. The only thing I could see was Jack's eyes, staring into mine in the most remarkable way. I laid my head onto his chest, hearing his thumping heartbeat as he held me closer. His face rested in my hair.
"I love you, Rosalind." He whispered, as I felt my heart race in delight. This was like a dream! We hadn't told each other 'I love you' yet! We mainly showed it through actions; but Jack was the first to say it to me! I looked into his eyes to say it back.
"Jack, I-…" but I couldn't get the words out. I felt my stomach churn as I pushed him away, rushing towards the fountain. I made the most grotesque hurling noise as I began to shake.
I was so embarrassed! I couldn't even tell Jack that I loved him without throwing up?! What kind of weird individual was I? I began to tear up. I was so angry at myself!
"Rosalind?" Jack exclaimed worriedly, I didn't want to look at him right now. He was probably so disgusted by me.
"Rosalind!" My father began rushing towards me, "Are you okay? You didn't have to lie about feeling better."
"Y-you're not feeling well?" Jack asked as I blushed. I began to sob.
"I'm sorry, Jack." I buried my head into my arms.
"Miss Rosalind!" Cecilia exclaimed, as I heard her footsteps rushing towards me. She wrapped her arm around me. "Come now, Miss. I have a remedy for an upset stomach and nausea." She turned her attention to my father.
"If it's alright with you, sir, I'll take Miss Rosalind home and prepare the remedy." Father nodded with tears in his eyes.
"Please do! I hate seeing my little girl unwell." Cecilia helped me up.
"Can I come too?" I heard Jack ask as I felt my cheeks redden more.
"No, Jack. The remedy is kind of hard, and I need to concentrate. So, I can't have many people around."
"Ah! I was going to come with you as well, but, in that case. Jack, would you tell me how farm work is going?" Father said as Cecilia offered me her shoulder to lean on, leading me back to the manor.
"Here you are, Miss. A cup of lemon ginger peppermint tea!" I looked at Cecilia in confusion.
"Ah, this is the hard-to-make remedy?" I asked in surprise.
"Actually, I only said that because I wanted to talk to you. Alone."
"Oh, yes. Father told me that you wanted to talk to me this morning after the festival! Though the festival is still going on."
"Even so, I'm glad this happened." Cecilia began to blush, "Oh! I meant that I'm glad I was able to make up an excuse to be able to talk to you alone!" I sighed.
"I knew what you meant, Cecilia. I'm just so embarrassed!" I began to tear up, "I don't think I ever want to show my face to Jack again."
"You're going to have to, Miss Rosalind. I know the reason you've been unwell; and let's just say Jack is at fault for your condition." I tilted my head towards Cecilia.
"How do you know the reason I'm unwell?"
"An elf, or anyone with elfish blood, has heightened senses…the only time I wouldn't be able to know your situation is if it was happening to me; however, Egan and Jake would know."
"So Egan and Jake know why I'm sick as well?" Cecilia nodded. "So, why am I unwell? And you said it was Jack's fault, but how is it his fault that I'm ill?"
"I'm not sure how to tell you lightly, Miss." She said, I began to feel terrified. Was Jack poisoning me in some way? If he was, I don't think I would ever be able to live with the heartache.
"Well, the reason you're unwell, and the reason it's Jack's fault is because, ah, well I'm not going to go into too much detail on that subject." I saw her cheeks flush, "But the main reason is because of the baby."
"I'm sorry, Cecilia, but did you just say baby?" I asked as Cecilia nodded her head.
"I did. You and Jack are going to have a baby." I felt my cheeks flush and my heart race.
"But, how?" I asked as I noticed Cecilia's face become red as she began to reply nervously.
"Well, Miss Rosalind, I don't think I should be the one to tell you how babies get here."
"No, I know how babies are made. I meant how do I tell Jack? How do I tell father and Max? Especially father and Max, they'll be furious! And I know how Max's temper gets if someone hurts me in any way. He made Julia cry once when we were children after we had a fight."
"It will be difficult!" Cecilia admitted, "However, I wouldn't put it off for too long." I sighed, nodding my head.
"I'll tell Jack tonight, then. As for father and Max. I'm not sure when I can tell them."
"Take it a step at a time, Miss. And do get some rest before telling Jack."
I looked over towards the small clock on my nightstand. 10:35 PM. I knew I had told Cecilia that I would tell Jack tonight. I wanted to, but I was so nervous. I began to shake. I shouldn't procrastinate though!
I lifted myself out of bed, quietly opening my bedroom door, stepping out and shutting it. I held my breath, hearing my father's snores and Max's mumbles. They were asleep. I slowly released my breath as I quickly and quietly walked out the manor and towards the farmhouse. I banged on the front door of Jack's house and waited a moment.
No answer, I banged louder and waited. The door opened and there stood a very tired but surprised Jack.
"Rosalind?" He asked, slightly groggily, I began to tear up, he noticed this and his eyes widened.
"Wh-what's going on?" He asked in worry as I crashed into his strong arms, crying into his chest. I felt him shaking.
"Rosalind? What's wrong. Y-you've got me worried." He said nervously, wrapping his arms around me.
"Jack, I need to tell you…" I began in a whisper, tears were rolling down my cheeks.
"I don't know how to tell you this." Jack grabbed me by the shoulders, pushing me back to look into his eyes.
"Please, Rosalind! What's wrong? Is it about your sickness?" I nodded as his eyes became overflowing with tears, causing them to roll down his cheeks.
"I…No! I won't lose you! I'll travel to the ends of the earth to find a cure for you!" I felt my cheeks flush, Jack was worried about losing me! He thought my sickness was different from what it actually was!
"Jack…" I began, "There is only one cure for this, time! However, it's not a horrible sickness. Though women have passed from this in the past, however it's not as likely now."
"No, Rosalind! I will find something to speed the-!"
"Jack…do you even know what my illness is?" I interrupted, Jack blushed.
"I-I don't. But I love you and I don't want to lose you! Even if you passing isn't as likely as-!" I embraced him, causing him to stop speaking.
"I…we're going to have a baby." I felt his heart thump harder. I became nervous. Jack was frozen in shock. It felt like my announcement to him was maybe a bad idea, because he didn't embrace me back nor say anything.
"Jack?" I asked, my body began to shake. Why wasn't he…?
However, before I could gather my worried thoughts I felt his arms pull me closer to him in a strong and gentle embrace.
"Oh, Rosalind!" He exclaimed, kissing the top of my head. "Okay, it's worth it."
"I love you, Rosalind." He whispered, as I blushed.
"I love you too, Jack." I whispered back as his embrace became tighter. His hand cupper my chin as I felt his lips crash onto mine. At that moment, I felt blessed. Life was changing in the best way possible, and nothing could ruin this moment for me, for us.