When Worlds Collide

Five

Taking my seat, I thanked William for pulling it out for me. The little action had my heart start to beat just a little faster and butterflies awoke in my stomach. It wasn't enough to have me head over heels in love, but I was feeling a little better about being married to this man. As my plate was put in front of me, I took the opportunity to take a peek at my future fiancé. He was smartly dressed in a shirt and dark, navy trousers. Clean-shaven, I could see his stubble begin to grow just along his jawline, the slightest hint that he would grow a decent five o'clock shadow. His dark blonde hair was neatly groomed, all the same length and cut short, it looked freshly trimmed. As though he caught me looking, he looked up from his plate and locked eyes with me own. Blushing scarlet, I quickly looked away before he realised I had been checking him out.

He was smart, wealthy, clean cut and nothing short of a gentleman, so why was I so hesitant? What was he missing? I didn't know. Once everybody was served, Hugh tapped his knife against the side of his glass and waited until he had all of the attention. I lifted my glass absentmindedly, awaiting the short speech that Hugh were bound to give.

"I would just like to give a quick toast before we pray, thank you for joining us on this wonderful occasion, my wife and I are grateful to have hosted you this evening. I hope that our futures will be entwined very soon. To William and Josephina!"

I stayed silent, gracing a small smile on my face, although to anybody who truly cared they would see that it didn't reach my eyes. I clinked my glass into the middle of the table and noticed that William wasn't smiling as wide as his parents either. Was he having second thoughts or was he much more observant that I would have previously given him credit for?

"Let us pray," Hugh said, holding out his hands for his son and wife. I locked hands with my mother and father and closed my eyes, bowing my head slightly. We were never the most religious family in the Kingdom, after all, our human Gods seemingly abandoned us, and I wasn't quite ready to be praying to a Lycan Goddess. The Vampires up in Lavartia were not religious and I knew the Witches of the Southern Isles of Jamin had their own priestesses and religion that we only learned very little of back in school.

"Thank you for this meal we are about to eat and thank you for bringing our families together on this joyous occasion. We are grateful wholeheartedly for the good fortune that has been bestowed upon our families. Amen."

As he lifted his head and dropped his wife's and son's hands, Hugh took the first bite from his plate, prompting the rest of us to finally be able to settle into our meal. Simply done, yet satisfying, the chicken, vegetables and potatoes were salted and flavoured by someone who knew their way around a kitchen. I closed my eyes in appreciation as the juicy chicken almost melted in my mouth. I was unsure my baking skills would ever transfer to making home cooked meals for William's dinner and supper. 'Perhaps I could ask his housekeeper for some advice?' I thought.

"So Josephina, are you interested in having any children?" Ava asked nonchalantly.

I just about swallowed a small chunk of potato as my brain took in the abrupt question and my shocked, wide eyes flew up and landed on William who looked equally as perplexed at the sudden, rather intrusive question.

"Um, I haven't given it much thought ma'am, I suppose I would like to sometime in the future," I replied politely.

"Oh Hugh and I concieved William on our wedding night. We tried for more, but it just wasn't in the stars for us. I hope to be surrounded by lots of grandchildren."

"Mother," I heard William whisper, his tone sounding rather flustered.

"I'm sure that whatever happens for me in the future will be what the Gods intended," I said, attempting to diffuse the subject, "This meal is lovely, who prepared it?"