The Brooch

Speak Now (Are tbere any objections pt 3 )

Tator, looked down and to his surprise, there it set... the brooch...

It was beautiful as always. If not more. Now here's the thing, the victorian style, apple crumb, brooch was unlike any ever created. Especially for the average cameo brooch mind you . I'm sure many say that about far other brooches. But it's true.

For this simplistic, yet absolutely beautiful and compelling rarity that was hand carved was not as most cameo brooches with the image facing to the right. It was instead designed to face the left. Ain't no doubt about it, it was a unique treasure indeed to both the Hastings and Lexington clans by far. For it was cleverly sophisticated and refined, in its own simplicity.

As you know by now, it was of course hand carved by none other than Maple's great grandfather, Julius Hastings. It was perfectly custom made in ivory and encased in eighteen caret yellow gold, with one caret diamonds encircling the rims. Even more impressive were the tiny seed pearls that were delicately and elegantly placed in each hand crafted flower that gracefully sat on the outside of the cameo brooch.

Let's not forget the inside, as it was the delicate and cleverly exquisite sculpture, of what was recently discovered to be the image of can you believe it, Julius's bride... Mrs. Alexia Joelle Hastings. Now that's another story in itself don't you think?

Furthermore, in that particular spot of the cameo where the image of Alexia sat, was where the first original and cleverly hidden inscription, that was inscribed to her resided.

"To my forever beloved, Alexia Joelle Hastings"

The very exact location to where Mrs. Lexington discovered why the brooch did not originate nor belong to her beloved Hal. When she smashed it to near smithereens of course. But we all know that account of how that came to be from the time Mama Woods was on trial...

Lastly, on the eighteen caret cold backing where the sharp, pricking, golden clasp resided, just on the opposite groove, was a dainty hook for a pendant. What's more, it is where the second inscription from Matthew Hastings to Olivia aka grandmama Hastings was... That simply read...

"To my forever love ..."

But of course, seeing as it had no name just that inscription, Mrs. Crowder, took it upon herself, to believe that dedication was to her from Matthew. And only her... Course we all know how that turned out...

Nonetheless, Maple had made sure that the cameo brooch was extra polished and just right for this amorous union and for this exact moment...

With the eyes of a woman madly and passionately in love, Maple fondly gazed deep into Tator's bewildering eyes as she uttered...

"I may have snagged ya a little and drew a little blood in the process." She apologetically smiled. "But I meant whut I said when I said we would not be standin here, if it weren't for the brooch." She said affectionately stroking it on his robust chest. "It has always been a part of you. Your family... just as much as it has been to me and mine. And yes, we have been through hells fire cause of it. Blazin and all. Yet by the grace of the Lawd almighty, it sparked something new, as our love conquered to never be quenched! And by God, it prevailed! And naw that we are to become one... this here brooch, why it is as much yours, as it is mine. It is now forever a part of the Hastings and Lexington family from here on out." She smiled. "And with that, Malcolm Halbert, Rusten, Tatorsen... I do. I forever do... I take you as my forever beloved. My husband. My forever love."

In that moment, Tator breathed a heavy sigh of relief, to last all the ages and forevermore. For he knew there was no mistaken. Maple chose him. Him and only him... It was almost as if he had no breath in his lungs the whole time standing there. And in that instant, Maple gave him the purist oxygen, that immediately brought him back to life. He felt as if he were almost reborn! And with that he could no longer hold it in! With a fervent passion in his eyes, Tator grabbed Maple and kissed her soft coral red, supple, and oh so juicy lips, as if she were the air to his lungs...