16. Baby Names and Marriage

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There was hardly anyone at the breakfast table. I suppose that was a good thing because it meant less people I would have to accidentally meet eyes with. It also allowed me to walk through how this event was going to go.

Park.

Let Christopher sum up how our pretend life is and mention the Pastor they met.

Larsen shows up a few minutes later and discusses the dying children in need of food and clothes.

Money.

We leave.

It was a simple plan. All I needed to do was show up. Christopher could do most of the talking if he wanted to and I would just interject a few times. That was all that was needed.

"I forgot how nice you look in a dress," Christopher said, slyly, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

I glanced over at him and couldn't tell if he was mocking me or not. In the case he was, I replied, "It's funny, I forgot how much more of a liar you look in a suit."

"I take that as a compliment."

"If it floats your boat."

"In this case, darling, it does, but enough about money. Let us enjoy ourselves as we bask in what is my genius plan."

"Shut up and finish your bacon."

"Yes, ma'am," he said surprised. He picked up a piece and bit into it, chewing and swallowing before speaking again. "So demanding today, aren't we?"

"You made me sleep on the floor. Excuse me if I'm cranky."

"I don't remember your title ever being captain."

"Yeah, yeah."

***

This time Christopher allowed us to take a cab over to the park rather than walking there. He said he didn't want to risk our clothes getting ruined, but I think it was because he was full from not just eating his bacon, but mine as well. Bastard.

Once we paid the cab fair, I grabbed Christopher's arm and we walked ahead. "Where are they?" I asked, looking around.

"I'm not quite sure, but let's find a spot where they'll see us. That lake feature over there looks like a good spot."

As we got closer to the body of water, I suddenly remembered where we were. This was the same park I had reunited with Daniel. The same place where he asked me to run away with him.

I must have gripped Christopher's arm a little too hard because he asked me what was wrong and suggested I stand under the shade of a tree that's leaves were dressed in autumn colors. I told him I was fine, but he reassured me that we'll be done with this soon.

Yet, my head still swam of thoughts of Daniel. I felt guilty I haven't thought of him in so long, but it also pained me to do so because of how things ended. I wondered where he was now and if he had decided to stay in America or thought it was best to come back home.

I remembered what Lord Taylor said about his relationship with Daniel and how he wished he could have gotten closer to him. I hoped in the two years that Christopher and I were away, they did. I hoped Daniel was happy.

"You know, despite it being cold, the day is quite pretty," Christopher said, pulling me back from plundering deeper into my mind. He said this while looking at the lake feature. There were no ducks on the water, but there wasn't any ice on there either, just leaves. They gave me a calm feeling. The colors just swirling around on a calm day, delicately floating on the surface.

"Yeah, it is," I agreed. Just as soon as I said that, the muffling words of "there they are. Look, by the lake" were heard a few feet away, a collection of other voices joining in. Christopher and I turned around and gave welcoming smiles as we greeted the Wheat's.

Right away, I met eyes with Katherine. It was a surprise though to be met with an expression of joy rather than dislike. She even smiled at me - with teeth! The reason behind her smile was obvious: it was from the man who's arm she was holding onto. I forgot his name, though.

Lady Wheat and Lord Wheat never changed, though, much to my liking. They were still the happy good going couple that had held a ball for my dear old husband.

"Good afternoon, it's been a while, hasn't it?" I greeted them.

"Yes, it has. Quite a while. How are you, dear?" said Lady Wheat, her voice as sincere as it was before.

"I'm well. Very well. How are you, ma'am?"

"The same, I suppose," she said with a sigh while still smiling. "Just getting older."

"Older? Since when? I see no age on you, ma'am. I see only the angel that welcomed us into her home." Christopher said this with a smile which made the Lady blush.

It was just like old times.

"And Katherine. How have you been? And who is this swell gentleman you've got here? We've met before, but I'm afraid I have forgotten your name. I apologize."

The young man held out his hand in which Christopher took and shook. "Connelly. I believe last time we spoke, we were discussing housing. Where have you and your wife settled down, Captain?"

The question of the day. What has Mr and Mrs Taylor been doing for the last two years?

"For a while, we continued to move around, but we found a lovely place just near enough to my father. Unfortunately, they still have me travelling, so I'm not what you called settled. I figured Anne got tired of us constantly moving, so I bought her a house."

"I mean, I don't mind moving around, but my husband insisted. I hated yo make him feel underappreciated by saying no," I said, placing a hand on his arm.

"My dear, didn't you say that you got tired of my coming home late and wanted to decorate something?"

"Well-"

"Sounds to me like nesting activity," said Katherine teasingly. "Our Anne here is hiding something aren't you? A child perhaps?"

"Oh, a child! How wonderful!" exclaimed Lady Wheat, clasping her husband's hand. Even Mr. Connelly started smiling.

"A child? Oh...well, yes, there was a child," I started to say, looking at Christopher for help. He seemed just as troubled as I did.

"We lost it, however, not far into the pregnancy."

Katherine wasn't settled though. She kept going. "You didn't try again?"

"Katherine, please, don't start," said Mr. Connelly, looking over at her worryingly.

"I'm just saying, Edward, that it's about time they have a child. Anne's not getting any younger."

"We have a child," I stated right away. Everyone grew silent. I felt the burning eyes of Christopher. I forced myself to continue. "She just had her first birthday, not too long ago, actually. Her name's Olympia."

"Olympia, quite creative. What is it, French?"

"Greek, actually," Christopher buded in. "Named after the mountain that the Greek gods live on top of. We meant it to mean how she lifts our lives up."

"Quite a name, Christopher," said the Lord.

"I agree," said his wife, but Katherine, with a disgusted face, sighed heavily.

"Why something so difficult? What about Carmen? That name is quite popular today. Mother, Emma's daughter is named Carmen, and so is cousin Nora's daughter."

Mr. Connelly eased Katherine by saying that children should be treasured regardless of names, but agreed that Carmer was a popular and lovely sounding name

"Maybe for the future, love," he said, smiling sweetly.

"Oh, so you're staying together?" I inquired.

Katherine looked up at Mr. Connelly lovingly, as if remembering something wonderful while looking into his eyes. "We're actually getting married tomorrow."


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