our love blooms (like flowers in the spring)

the rest will come

Their wedding day arrives quickly. Jack was surprisingly calm. He puts on his suit languidly (after refusing the servant's help), making sure it looks perfect. He pauses several times to sip on some tea.

Ah yes. The reason he is so calm today. Zach had purposely brewed him some of his tea for him to drink.

"God bless his kind soul." Jack murmurs.

He ties his cravat, and a servant enters the room.

"My lord, Zachary has sent you a letter."

Jack smiles and reaches for two more letters. "Please give him these, as well. How is he?" They exchange letters.

"He is yet to stop smiling. He asked for you as well."

"Oh Marisol, his tea is miraculous. I feel more than ready to marry him."

The maid chuckles. "It shall be fun to see you two venture into your very own daily lives, my lord. You two are a match made in heaven."

Jack sighs happily and drinks more tea. "Once I open the door, you can start allowing some guests in. Not too many, please."

"Your anxieties, of course. I will make sure to be mindful of them, my lord."

"Thank you, Marisol." He sits down with the letters in hand.

The woman steps out, and Jack opens his letter.

My beloved Jack,

I hope you are not too nervous. We are to meet again in its due time. It shall be in a chapel, adorned with beautiful flowers I picked myself.

I hope you are not feeling too jittery and that my tea has helped you settle your nerves. It is a happy day, my love. We must only feel utter joy. The sun is shining brightly for us.

I hope you are as excited as I am. Finally, we will be able to love each other freely. It is all I ever wanted.

Here are some things you must not forget:
1. the rings
2. the flower on your lapel
3. your cravat
4. your coat of arms
5. that I will appear after you have gone down the aisle
6. that we are only to kiss after the Archbishop allows us to.
7. that I am utterly in love with your person, my love.

I believe that it is all, sweetheart. I am certain you will write me a letter as well, so allow me to write you some things I wish for us.

I wish your hands forever find mine.
I wish you keep pulling me closer and saying you love me in your sleep.
I wish your eyes keep having the same love and brightness to them.
I wish we stay forever happy and in love.
I wish we forever wake up in the same bed and greet each other with a kiss.
I wish my tea forever comforts you and brings you peace.
I wish you always find in my arms a safe haven for you to load off all your insecurities and fears. For I find in your arms a safe haven for my person.

I shall convey more wishes as our time spent together elongates. Perhaps on our one year anniversary, I shall have more wishes.

I am eager to spend the rest of my life with you, my love- we deserve a quiet epilogue.

Eternally and faithfully yours,

Zachary

Jack smiles as he folds the letter. "I am the luckiest man alive because I am yours, my love." He sighs happily.

After putting on his shoes, Jack opens the door. A pregnant Ava is the very first to enter the quarters, followed by Thomas.

His sister hugs him tightly. "Oh, Jack..." She grabs his face, "Oh, you are growing up a bit too fast." Ava pouts.

"Need I to remind you I am far older than you?" He jokes.

"Allow me to be protective of you for a few moments." She whines, pulling him into a hug. Her belly made it a bit harder to hold her closely.

Jack presses a loving kiss on her head, and they part the hug. Thomas pulls him in for a short hug.

"We visited Zachary. He is yet to stop smiling." Ava leans on Thomas, who wraps an arm around her.

"The maids have told me the same. I am glad he is in such a good mood." He smiles and immediately tears up.

Ava nudges Thomas to give him his handkerchief. "What is the matter, Jack?" She questions softly.

He sniffs. "I am overwhelmingly happy." Jack wipes his tears, "Thank you." He sniffs some more. "He truly makes me the happiest."

His sister tears up a bit, her emotions heightened due to her pregnancy. "Oh, Jacky..." She coos, calling him by a sweet nickname.

He chuckles. "I love him so much." Jack smiles through his tears. "And he loves me."

"Drink some more tea, Jack." Ava rubs his arm in a comforting manner.

Jack pours himself another cup and sniffs. "Would you two like some?"

"No, thank you. You drink it." Ava smiles softly as she helps him sit down. She sits beside him.

Jack leans on her shoulder after he drinks some tea.

"Father would be happy to see you marry."

"Please, do not make me cry even more." He replies, tearing up once more. "Do you think he would have liked him?"

"He did." The Duke of Bedford answers.

Jack stands upright, ready to greet the Duke. "Your grace." He bows.

"Oh, there will be no need for that, Jack. You will be my son in law in a few hours." The man smiles.

Jack smiles just as widely. "It will be an honour to marry your son."

"Your father adored Zachary. He always said he would go far with his intelligence and his sharp mouth." He smiles. "Despite their enormous age difference, your father adored to converse with Zachary. He claimed he was a delight to be around."

"It is... comforting to know my father liked Zachary." He smiles. "It warms my heart. Thank you."

The Duke gave him a tight hug. "I trust you to make him happy."

Jack parts the hug and looks at him with a serious expression on his face. "I will not fail you. It is my mission to make your son happy. I shall devote my life to him if necessary."

The man chuckles."When it is said with such seriousness, I must not go against an Avery." He rests a hand on his shoulder. "I merely ask that you make him happy. The rest will come."