A beating heart

Chapter 21

„A daisy, my dear. Isn't it beautiful." Kenna dangled the delicate flower in front of Anne's face, eliciting a wave of excited giggles from the baby's mouth.

Her daughter was squealing with joy, reaching out with her short hands and tried to grab the flower with her small fists, all the while kicking against Mary. Kenna's mouth was wide open, a bright grin in her eyes as she kept the white petaled flower just out of the baby's reach.

„She is so precious." Kenna gushed and Mary nodded her head in accordance.

Her lips were turned upwards in a content smile as well. Yes, Anne was the most precious thing and her love for her daughter was so pure and all encompassing. She could feel a surge of warmth enter her chest whenever her eyes would fall Anne's golden face, her blue eyes sparkling with joy. She would sometimes cry at night, of course all children did. But other than those rare outbursts she was always happy and content. Such a perfect baby, her perfect daughter and now that she was finally here in her arms, Mary couldn't even phantom how she had ever lived without her.

She had never imagines that a love for another person could bring her such joy and happiness, but Anne hat made her wiser. Until her, she had only ever loved one person as deeply and truly and all that that love had gotten her were misery and pain. It had destroyed a part of her, had made her heart cold and her dark eyes deprived of all joy. But that had changed, she had never dared to hope that the frozen part of her heart would ever warm up again, but it had. No matter how dire things looked, she could alway rely on the sweet child safely tugged in her arms to bring a true smile to her face.

Maybe it wasn't truly fair or right to say that her love for him had brought her nothing but hurt and misery. Yes, her heart had broken and there had been moments where the black nothingness of death had seemed like the better option, but after all their love had brought her this. All the strain and effort had been worth it, and if she had to choose she would do it all over again, a live without her daughter seemingly impossible now. She was the only part of him she had still left, a part that brought her joy and happiness, a part that had made her trust in love again.

It wasn't the same as loving him, it would never be, but it was good enough. And after all she had done, all the hurt she had caused the people around her, she hadn't thought she would be even deserving of this small piece of heaven. For now, just this one moment, her life was perfect, all her fears and worries far away.

The summer air was pleasantly warm around them and the grass so soft and pillowy. Mary had alway loved being outside, the fresh air and all the too often overlooked beauty around them. The birds were singing sweet songs in the lush green trees above their heads, and the fountain happily spewed a fine mist of water in the surrounding air. There were barely any clouds in the gloriously blue sky today and the sun's long finger warmed their skin.

Normally she had always preferred darker tones and colours when it came to her gowns and dresses but today was different. She felt so free and younger again, more like the innocent girl that had arrived from the convent almost a year ago. She thought it only befitting to chose a lighter garment today, a cream coloured bodice with soft rosy skirts and delicate golden embellishments around her collarbones and waist. She still enjoyed the freedom of dresses without the usual tight corsets, as her body was still not fully recovered from the birth and needed room to properly heal.

She felt beautiful today, a rare state for her normally always troubled and self conscious mind. She would enjoy it as long as it lasted, she silently promised herself.

„I wish it was always as warm and sunny in France." Kenna sighed, her eyes wide and dreamy.

„Yes, well it's still warmer than in Scotland, mind you." Mary chuckled lightly in response.