today i was meeting my potential future son in law. i was brushing Aylces hair in preparation. her straight caramel hair reached her hip bones. i put it in a french plait, as directed by James, to Honor Lady Arabella's Nationality. i let my mind wonder while doing the hair of my second youngest daughter.
I had 7 children. 4 boys and 3 girls. Adrein- 13, James Junior- 10, Carolina - 8, Aylce - 6, Susannah - 4, Timothy - 2, and my newborn Charles.
i was proud of my family, yet i wanted no more. But it wasnt my choice, and if james wanted more, i would oblige.
finnishing the plait i reached around to get the ice- blue ribbon to tie it up. i winced, pain searing through my shoulder. the bruises must have started forming. biting my lip to not let my pain show to my oblivious child, i tied up the ribbon. i got up and turned Aylce to face me.
she was by far my fairest daughter, the one who looked most like me, with absoulutly no trace of her father in her. the 2 younger boys had blond hair, and so did carolina.
Sighing i led her out down to the living room, where there was a beautiful tall lady, with long brown hair deap blue eyes and olive skin. her hair was held back by a string of pearls, with matching residing ones at the base of her throat and ears. she was wearing a purple velvet gown, appropriate for the cold weather,. ill never forget her gown, for i was beyond envious.
beside her was a handsome man with freckles and blond hair and two different coulor eyes. one blue and one brown.
Infront of them was, i assumed, little Gabriel. with eyes like his fathers and long brown curls- down past his ears- he looked the perfect mix of his parents. he gave us a bright smile, showing his 2 missing teeth.
My Aylce smiled back, revealing her near mirror of missing teeth, grinning Gabriel let out a small gigle, Aylce followed suit and burst into a fit of nervous giggles. that is until her father turned and glared at her, as if saying with his eyes- be quiet this instint! how dare you utter a word!-
stepping forward the beautiful lady extended a hand. my husband looked at it bewildered. To hide his embarraing rudeness i stepped forward to introduce myself. i knew i would pay for it later but i didnt care, i didnt want these strangers thinking my family way rude
" Bonjour, i am Arabella Beauregard, this is my husbans Markus Beauregard and our son Gabriel Bean Beauregard"
Flustered at her grace i introduced myself the same way she did
" hello, i'm Micheline Granterson, my husband, Sir lord James Granterson, and our children Adrian,, James Jr, Carolina, Aylce, Susannah, Timothy and Charles is with his maid one the upper floors, i said indicating to each child.
Arabella smiled at this. but her eyes had a sadness in them. i then remebered that Gabriel was her only child, and though she longed for more she was prone to misscarriges and still births. i had heard she she had kept trying and trying for a sibling for Gabriel.
" thank you for having us"her soft sweet voice thanked. moving back to james's side, he declared we were going to the dineing room. looking behind him he told the girls to come forward and the boys to go to thier rooms.
Susannah and Aylce and Carolina stood along me, with Susannah lifting her hands to be held, i ignored her and ushered all three of my beautiful daughter into the dineing room following my husband and his guests.
sitting at the dineing table we dined. Aylce and Susannah we sitting beside me, and Carolina was next to Aylce. Both men sat the the far ends of the table, and opposite me, 3 seats down from her husband was Arabella, with Gabriel sitting next to her opposite Aylce.
i had been wondering why James had got all 3 of the girls to come. what did he think to do?........ surely he wouldnt offer all three of them, to see which Lady and Sir Beauregard thought was best suited to thier son?
As if mirroring my thoughts James Spoke loudly.
" here are all three of my daughters. to secure this peace i understand we must be wedded into each others families, so, have your choice of the three."
Obviously shocked i saw that Arabella try to hide her own shock. Evidently she hadnt heard of my Husbands bluntness. Fumbeling she looked at her husband, who spoke swiftly and calmly.
" We are happy with Aylce, but i dont think it is our choice. What do you say son, which of these preety girls do you like most"
Arabella put her hand on Gabriels Shoulder, as if t guide him and support him. Gulping he muttered more words than he had during the entire meal put together.
" umm, well..." i saw his father look at him reaprovingly "well"Gabriel started again " i would like to play with Aylce most so i choose Aylce, but think their all very preety" he said looking at all three girls and he smiled his wobbely toothless grin
" well thats settled" declared James. and he stood up to shake Sir Beauregards Hand. the deal was made. there was no backing out now
