Chapter Eighteen
Wales, July 1948
There was a restlessness to the day, a weight keeping Gwyn from enjoying her wedding. She had dreamt of this day briefly as a child, not really allowing herself to go into detail – but still, she had wanted it.
When they had told their family of the marriage at the courthouse (saying it was March rather than June, two days after finding out Gwyn was pregnant) everyone had insisted on a ceremony. They were so trusting, and Gwyn was thankful – she wouldn't have to lose the family she had waited for, for so long. Her grandparents were excited about the baby, but confused why she hadn't told them she had married Anthony shortly after meeting them.
"We don't have much money," she'd lied. "We decided to do it quietly, so we could have...have a baby." Everyone thought the baby was on purpose.
Most of the time Gwyn could lose herself in this fantasy, pretend she and Anthony loved each other. And then she would remember, and something inside her would crumble. However, she was incredibly grateful to Anthony, and was happy to spend her life with someone she loved, even platonically.
"Are you ready?" Heather peeked into the bedroom Gwyn was occupying. They were staying at Anthony's grandparents home in Wales, a lovely estate bursting with blooms, fresh air and beauty.
"Yeah." Plastering on a smile, Gwyn nodded and rose. She was just under five months pregnant, but still rather small; she worried, but the doctors told her it was fine, even normal since she herself had been so small as a baby. Still, Gwyn worried.
"Can...can I ask you something?" Heather took her hand gently, stood them just inside the door. "Is...this baby isn't Anthony's, is it?"
Gwyn could only nod, holding back tears.
Heather sighed. "And you don't love Anthony?"
"Not like this." She sighed, but smiled. "We're very close friends, and it means the world to me that he would offer up his life like this."
"And you're sure about this?"
"I'm sure." Gwyn hugged her aunt tightly. "This is what's best, please trust me."
"I do trust you." Kissing her cheek, Heather led her down the hall "I just want you to be happy, not just comfortable."
"I will be happy," Gwyn assured her. "Happier than I've ever been."
There was a comfortable silence in the little hotel room by the sea. Anthony and Gwyn lay side-by-side, laughing and talking – it didn't feel like a honeymoon, more like a slumber party.
"Tell me a secret." Demanded Anthony, passing her the bowl of chocolates.
Gwyn wriggled further under the quilt, closer to him. The seaside was cold. "What sort of secret?"
"Something you've never told anyone." He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
Thinking, Gwyn stilled. She trusted Anthony, more than anyone in the world. "When I was young, even after Tom went off to Hogwarts, I used to try and do magic."
"Oh." Breathed Anthony. "That's so...sad."
"I thought if I really, really tried –" Gwyn closed her eyes, took a deep breath. "That maybe I could go to Hogwarts too, and I could have friends and a real home."
"Gwyn..." he held her tightly, let her bury her face in his neck. "We can make a home together, okay?"
"That means the world to me."
Gwyn could feel the slightest of flutters of her baby, the heat radiating from Anthony – hope for the future. And she was content, and she was okay – and all was well.
A/N: So, Gwyn went through with the wedding.
Question: Do you think she'll have a girl or a boy, any name ideas? I'm curious.
Rose
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