Against the Stars

Chapter 54

Ginny felt herself go silent over the next couple of days. She turned into an almost shadow. She could not stop thinking about what lay before her. Adventure, Mother Elena had said, adventure that would come with pain and loss, but also with love. Love waited for at the end of her journey.

For the most part, her family left her alone. When she would sit and stare, they let her. This sheltered Ginny, but she didn't say anything about it. That is till the afternoon of August 29.

"Ginny!" Mother called, as Ginny sat starring at the fireplace. "Ginny snap out of it! Christian's coming and so help me if you act like that!"

"Christian's coming?"

"Yes he is, now get up!" Mother cried. Ginny obeyed.

"Now I'm going upstairs to pick out your outfit. You'll wear whatever I pick out, all right?"

"Yes Mother," Ginny moaned.

"Good," Mother said, storming upstairs.

Mother went into Ginny's run and shut the door, locking Ginny out. Apparently Mother didn't want to hear Ginny's complaints. Ginny didn't blame her, but she wishes she had been asked in her own room.

Ginny waited for a few minutes before her mother came back out. She smiled at Ginny and said, "Enjoy," and walked away. That was not a good sign. A bit worried, Ginny entered her room.

Lying on her bed was an orange dress trimmed with lace. Ginny could tell that the dress would fan out at least three inches and would nearly cause her to trip with every step. She hates that and her mother full well knew that. Ginny could hear her mother laughing downstairs.

Sighing, Ginny slipped the dress on. At least her mother let her tie her own corset. Hopefully that would mean no fainting. The dress was itchy since the lace trim kept running against her arms and legs. Ginny wondered if her mother had planned that on purpose. It wouldn't have surprised her.

Ginny sat the vanity and at starred her reflection. After a year in America, some things hadn't changed. She still had the same red hair, same green eyes, and same freckles. However, so much had changed. She was taller, her eyes sparkled with light and loss, her face had tanned, and she always wore a pain filled smile. She smiled much more and she knew why.

"Ginny! Christian's here!" Mother called from downstairs.

"Coming!" Ginny replied. She didn't want to go downstairs, but she knew what would harm if she didn't obey. She walked slowly down the stairs, her dress trailing out behind her.

"Good day Ginny," Christian said when he saw her. Over the weeks, he had gotten his voice back.

"Good day Christian," Ginny said, not bothering to fake a smile. It wasn't worth it.

"Are you ready to leave?"

"Yes," Ginny said, slipping on her shoes. In her head, however, she was screaming no.

Christian offered her his arm, and only due to her mother's hurtful glare did Ginny accept . It was an odd feeling and Ginny planned to let go as soon as they were outside. Christian, however, would not let her. Ginny was forced to deal with it.

Ginny didn't know where they were headed. For once, Christian didn't ask. He seemed to know she was determined to lead Ginny there, whether she wanted him to or not.

"Where are we going?" Ginny asked.

"It's a surprise, I can't tell you."

Oh joy, Ginny thought. Who didn't love surprises? She scarcely had a second to think before Christian tiger in her arm and started looking her faster. Ginny nearly tripped, but managed to keep her balance.

"Can't you just tell me where we're going?"

"No," Christian said firmly. He continued to drag Ginny farther and farther away.

Before long the two of them had reached the edge of the city part of Williamsburg and were into the more rural part. Ginny just wanted to run free. The open land called hey, but apparently it did not call to Christian.

"Come on Ginny, we're almost there," Christian said, riding  arm a little harder. Thank heavens, Ginny thought.

Suddenly the open plains turned into a small meadow full off thick grass and booming flowers. It was a beautiful sight that took Ginny's breath away.

"I knew you'd like it. My sister, Thankful, and I used to come here and play when we were children."

"It's very beautiful," Ginny said, careful not to show and emotion.

"Let's shout and talk for a while, shall we?" Christian said, sitting down and pulling Ginny with him. Ginny nearly fell, but was able to make it look like she was just sitting. Christian didn't seem to notice, he didn't seem to notice anything of that sort.

"How are you doing Ginny?" Christian asked after they were settled.

"I'm doing fine," or I was until I learned I had spend my day with you, she thought.

"That's good. My days gotten a whole lot better since I get spend it will you."

Wish I could say the same, Ginny thought to herself.

"Oh look! A rose! That's perfect for you, since you know a rose of the sign of love," Christian said, slipping the rose behind behind her ear. Ginny was amazed she didn't smack him.

Ginny had a feeling she was supposed to add to the conversation, but what was the point in adding to a conversation you didn't want to continue. Christian seemed disappointed by her lack of interest, but, as expected, he did not say anything.

Just deal with it, this is probably the last time you'll have to see him before Celia and you leave. Just deal with it for a moment longer. She thought

Ginny glanced over at Christian. He seemed to be bursting from excitement for some unknown thing. That scared Ginny. She had no idea what he could have planned.

"I'm so sorry to cut this short, but do you think we could return your house?"

"Not at all," Ginny said, hastily rising to her feet. The shorter the visit, the happier she was. She looked at certain and once again she could she he was nearly bursting with excitement. Ginny wanted to know so desperately what he had planned.

Christian, against Ginny's will, took her arm and began to led her on a walk back to her house, the creepy smile on his face. It sent shivers up Ginny's spine. Who on earth smiled like that?

When they arrived at Ginny's house, Christian was basically jumping back and forth from one leg to another. His smile kept growing wider.

When they got inside, Christian called, "Mr and Mrs Miller, may I speak with you and Ginny?"

That did not sound like a good sign at all. Ginny's heart began to race.

"Yes Christian?" Father asked, coming in with Mother. Mother had a wide smile on her face, another bad sign.

Christian turned  face Ginny. "Virginia Isabel Miller, will you marry me?"

Ginny was so shocked she couldn't speak. She opened her mouth ready to scream no, to say  wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth, but she had no voice.

Mother came around, put her arm stand Ginny's shoulder, smiled and said, "she would like to. She's just to shocked to say anything."

Christian smile grew wider. His eyes shone with light that Ginny could only classify as love. Sadly Ginny's eyes shone with something else, tears.

Christian started to leave. "I must go tell my mother the happy news. I shall see you later my love." He leaned over and kissed Ginny on the forehead. Then, he was gone.

"Oh I must go tell Rebecca and Charlotte!" Mother cried, running out the door. Father just smiled and left the room, leaving Ginny alone.

Ginny tore upstairs, tears pouring out of her eyes. This could not be happening, this could not be real, she thought over and over again.

Ginny threw herself siren on her bed with the intention of crying herself to death.