Anastasia's Story

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Klaus and I interlocked hands as soon as we got in the carriage. I looked up to see his smiling face and pushed our argument last night to the back of my head. He was trying- that was what mattered, right?

Suddenly, my mother's face popped into our carriage. As soon as she saw our intertwined hands she grinned. "We'll stop off at your Manor Mr. Mikaelson so that you may collect your things. We will be in London for three days, the Titerton Estate has many guest rooms. I've already written ahead and had an extra made up for you."

As the carriage was about to pull forward Phillipa ran up, holding her hand to her hat so it wouldn't fly away.

"Anastasia, wait. My mother found a man- she wants me to serve him tea tomorrow. I've heard things about him. He's from the middle of nowhere but he's incredibly rich." Phillipa was out of breath as she told me this.

"Phillipa, you're under no obligation to flirt with every man your mother selects. You'll find someone who gives you everything that you wanted. You deserve that much." I replied as I rested my hand on hers.

I could tell she was dreading the choosing process even more now that she'd already gotten engaged only to find out the groom was gay.

"We have to leave now or we'll be late. I'll see you when we get back." I waved goodbye as her figure grew smaller in the distance.

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It had been a long ride but I was ready for the first day of our visit so I smiled widely as the Butler opened the door for us and informed us that "Lord and Lady Titerton are waiting for you in the study."

And so we walked in and all smiled at the sight of my sister glowing holding her baby.

"How is my precious niece?" I asked as I made my way over to sit next to my sister on the couch.

"Meet Rosemarie Prumalia Titerton daughter of Baron and Baroness of Loretta Sound." Grant Titerton's voice boomed proudly as he introduced his daughter to us.

My mother seemed particularly more maternal today and cood at baby Rosemarie. My father sat in the chair next to Grant while my mother and Niklaus shared a sofa. My father had a complacent look on his face as he listened to all the talk of how Abigail was glad Grant's parents had finally left.

"Anastasia, who is this? Forgive my forwardness but I do hope you and my sister are an item." Abigail was sizing up Klaus like a piece of fine china in a store.

Klaus laughed a little. "I'm proud to be able to say that that is in fact true. Your sister and I are very fond of each other."

"After Dr. Rosenbaum mother and I thought it quite possible that Anastasia would never marry." Abigail teased.

"For God sakes, Anastasia. Look at your mother pathetically entranced by a ten-pound human. Can't you see she wants more. Give her a wedding. Give her grandkids so she stops starting off my day with your love life at the top of her to-do list." My father grumbled as he drank more scotch.

After that Abigail didn't push the marriage talk any further.

"Abigail, darling, tell Niklaus how you and Grant met. It's really a quite lovely story." my mother encouraged as she patted Rosemarie's head.

Abigail looked at Grant who smiled as he leaned back a little and began:

"It was four years ago. I was in town for some business with Ashton and so I came over for dinner. When I saw Abigail across the dinner table and no ring on her finger I thought I had to be the luckiest guy. I talked to her and was delighted when the conversation was exciting and natural. But I was to leave in the morning after I signed a contract with Ashton. So that night as I was on the carriage ride to the Inn I tossed the contract out into the mud. That bought me four more days. Ashton was worried I would change my mind and not sign it so he continued to have me over for dinner and I continued to talk to Abigail. When the next contract arrived I knocked a glass of wine on it. Another four days of poetry with Abigail. That was when I finally asked her to have lunch with me. But I was leaving the next morning so that night I threw the contract into the fire and Ashton couldn't find it the next morning so I took Abigail out to lunch and then asked if I could court her. After she said yes I finally signed poor Ashton's contract. Months later at our Engagement party Ashton walks up to me smiles and tells me he knows now why it took so long for me to sign that contract and that I owe him $350." Grant laughed as he looked at Ashton who had a small smile on his face.