DELLA

❀ Chapter 24

* Six Months Later *

THE birds chirped with a certain cheer. For some reason, I felt as if their morning song sounded different. I took a sip of my lukewarm tea as I stared out the window. Papa was spreading strawberry jam on his bread. I always giggle at the way he attentively glides the knife on the slice of bread.

It has been six months since I've left Moonriver. While I was greatly relieved to return to my old life, I hadn't realized how much I would need to adjust back. Papa and I certainly did not have a variety of breakfast food spread on the table every morning.

Kitty was no longer here to assist me to prepare for the day ahead. Not to mention, it was much quieter within our small cottage. But oh how much I missed it!

To walk out of my chambers without my heart dropping to my knees. To be able to do what I please without eyes of criticism. To play in the rain whenever I desired without a scolding from Lady Stratford.

Sometimes I could still hear her icy tone reprimand me. However, I missed the immense library at Moonriver, with it's wide variety of books. And the rich cup of chocolate Kitty would serve me every morning. I also missed my dear cousin Alaina. I wondered how she was faring with her ambitious dream to travel the world, instead of marrying.

She and Uncle George were the only ones who accepted me.

"I heard there might be rain today in the afternoon," Papa spoke.

"Really? What pleasant news," I smiled.

"Shall you have a meander in it again?" He chuckled.

"Perhaps," I mumbled, concealing a grin, "I still feel a bit apprehensive as if Lady Stratford will be waiting to scold me."

"From what you have told me, I understand it to be a scarring experience," Papa replied.

"Faith," I sighed.

"Not too long though, you mustn't get sick."

I missed my Papa greatly. The day he arrived at Moonriver I ran into his open embrace, tears instantly spilled from my eyes like graceful waterfalls. It was freeing to tell him all of the stories I could not fit into my letters.

Even the small details about Christopher. From time to time I wondered how he was doing on his road to recovery. If him and Astrid were finally engaged, just as the family wished. I'm sure it is so.

Sometimes I would rise with the sun and reminisce about our many sunrise meetings. Where I got to know his heart, and watch his eyes glimmer in the light. Where I let my voice be heard by someone beside Papa.

They were sweet memories that made me happy. However it eventually lead to a melancholy feeling, knowing I could never make more of them. But in reality, I feel fortunate as to experience the whirl of being in love.

Something I have always dreamed about.

"Perhaps the strawberries are ripe for the picking now," Papa rose with his small saucer plate.

"Yes I shall start before the rainfall," I nodded. This season, strawberries were in high demand. I could only hope they would bring in a nice amount of shillings when we sell them.

*

Papa went on to work, and I busied myself with my daily activities. As the day went on, the sun found refuge behind the heavy gray clouds. I was in the strawberry patch on my hands and knees, sorting the berries.

I had two small, hand woven baskets on either side of me. I could only hope we had an abundance of good ones to sell. As I attentively studied each strawberry, I brushed off the excess dirt and tossed it into one of the baskets.