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Vivian's New Start
message 551:
by
Raina-J.
(new)
Jul 16, 2013 10:45AM
"Oh, it's fine," Vivian said. "Once I really need help with the heater thing I will call on you." She smiled.
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Quickly, Anne gave her a tight hug, then pulled back. "Thank you for telling me, Vivian. I don't know what I would have done."
Vivian gave Anne a squeeze and then stood up to walk her to the door. Shakespeare had fallen asleep."I'll see you soon," she said warmly.
"Have a good day," she said, giving a small wave before she stepped out of the door. Taking a deep breath, Anne felt her mind settle and her whirling thoughts were quieted. Walking with light steps, she hoped that next time she would be able to see Joeri in person herself.
Once Anne was gone, Vivian shut the door behind her and leaned against the wall thoughtfully. Then she straightened up and went up to the reading room to write a letter to Joeri.***END OF SCENE***
Mijn Schaatje,I will be more careful in my letters, as I don't want to ruin my chances to be with you again. Samuel did explain to me that his grandfather was the one who saved yours. It seems there is more hope and help to help with my case.
When I can be with you again, we must go riding again and perhaps bring Shakespeare along. It would be nice to have a picnic and enjoy a day of relaxation. I'm sure Dulcinea and Samson would love the ride and the fresh grass. I have almost completed your sonnet book, and I would look forward to read something new with you.
Have you progressed any further with your Dutch? I find myself practicing when I have free time as I want to make sure I will be prepared as you. Looking at German, is hard, but I have to say, meine liebe für ihnen ist immerwährend.
After seeing you again, I feel these four walls can barely contain me. I can't wait to be with you and hold you in my arms. Every day I countdown until the time we can be together. I'll see you soon, Vivian, I promise.
Forever and always,
Your Knuddelbärli
P.S. Have you spoken to Anne yet? What was her reaction like?
*END OF SCENE*
After a long day of work - more tiring than usual because they had received a fresh shipment of hay which had taken hours to unload and stack in the lofts - Vivian trudged down the street with Shakespeare trotting meekly beside her. He had finally stopped pulling on his leash during their walks, and Vivian was glad. Her real arm felt like it was going to fall off and her machinated one was a bit stiff under its disguising glove.She opened her gate and trudged up her front walk, taking the stairs slowly. Not only was she tired, she was also a bit heavy-hearted. It was her birthday today, and she knew she really didn't have the right to complain about nobody saying anything. She'd had plenty of time to ask even just the twins, but she hadn't - she hadn't even told Joeri when her birthday was.
So really, she had nothing to complain about. It was her own damn fault she'd be celebrating it with Bridget and Shakespeare.
Vivian dug around in her jacket pocket for her keys and sighed as she fumbled with them. She missed Geoffrey terribly and Joeri even more. She was dirty and grubby and dishevelled, and despite not eating all day she wasn't very hungry. Perhaps she'd just curl up in the alcove with a book again, she thought as she opened the door.
Joeri made sure he was there early as arranged by Bert and as he waited for the door to open, he patted his pocket to remind himself that he did bring the ring. When he heard keys twisting in the lock, he smiled and when the door opened, he couldn't help but shout, "Happy Birthday, Vivian!"
"Surprise!" Ben roared as he jumped out from behind a couch, blowing on an obnoxious horn.
Timothy and Carlton ran towards their aunt, squealing, and Bert and Amelia tooted horns of their own on the stairs. Kathleen stood near Ben, clapping.Vivian stared, her hand going slack on Shakespeare's lead. She didn't even notice him rush into the house, trailing the leash and whipping it in circles as he barked up a storm.
"...wha...what..." she stammered, staggering back a bit from the impact of her nephews' tiny bodies. Amelia, Bert, Ben...the boys...even Kathleen...
...and Joeri.
"Oh, my God," she said when she saw him, tears springing to her eyes. "Oh, my God."
Grinning, he waited his turn after Timothy and Carlton, then he swept her in hug. "Surprise," Joeri said softly.
"Happy Birthday!" Ben hollered. "One year older, but still a squirt."
Vivian scrunched her face up at Ben over Joeri's shoulder. She was still clinging to Joeri with her feet dangling above the floor, and her grubby face was streaked with happy tears.When she was finally back on her feet she brushed the barn dust off of Joeri's front sheepishly, then hugged her brothers carefully.
"Let's get you cleaned up," Amelia said, extending her hand. "Come on, you."
They disappeared up the stairs.
"When can we give Auntie Vivian her present?" Timmy asked his father.
"When she comes back down," Bert replied as he and Ben made their way down the hall to the terrace. Carl was tugging on the bottom of Joeri's jacket, wanting to be carried out to the back.
He gave a laugh and plucked Carlton up, making a small swoop before bringing him to rest on his hip. "You ready for a party, Carlton?" he asked as he walked with him to the terrace, making sure neither of them hit their heads on the door frame.
Ben offered his arm to Kathleen and said, "Come along, then."
Kathleen smiled at Ben. "Your nephews are adorable," she told him. "What did they get her as a present? They seem so excited over it."Bertrand sat down on the terrace with Timmy on his knee and grinned at Ben. "Did you see the look on her face?"
***
Amelia made quick work of her grubby sister-in-law, brushing a special powder through Vivian's curls as she soaked in a bath (her robotic arm carefully out of the tub) so that they would be fresh and clean without needing to dry.
As soon as Vivian was bundled up in a fluffy bathrobe, Amelia brought her up to her dressing-room, got her into a corset, and sprayed her lightly with perfume. Then Amelia showed Vivian the present she had gotten for her: a beautiful new dress.
"Bert told me you haven't bought any new dresses for yourself in ages," she explained as she helped Vivian into it, "so I had this made especially for you. And this is from Bert." She twisted up the top half of Vivian's curls and tucked in a brand-new silver and pearl comb.
((Comb:))
((Dress:))
Taking a seat on the terrace, Joeri released Carlton to roam with his brother. As he sat there, waiting for Vivian to come down, he ran through the many scenarios and wondered how he could ask her.
"Oh, the boys and I made her a stuffed bear," Ben told Kathleen. "It took us all afternoon."
Kathleen laughed. "A stuffed bear? Really?" She took a sip of the lemonade that Bridget brought out and grinned. "Cousin Ben, you are full of surprises.""It is a very nice bear," Timmy said seriously.
"Yes, it is," Bertrand assured him. "Auntie Vivian will love it."
Carlton was first to spot Vivian and his mother coming through to the terrace and was torn between which one he wanted to run to first. He couldn't make up his mind, and so scampered back to Joeri and Bert, a chubby hand on each man's knee.
He gave Carlton a pat on the shoulder, and smiled at Vivian when she came in. She was a vision in green and she looked absolutely glowing with happiness.
"Yes, you would put it past me?" Ben grinned, accepting his lemonade.
Kathleen grinned as they clinked glasses, then turned to look at her other cousins. "Why, Vivian!" she exclaimed. "Don't you look lovely!"Vivian smiled sheepishly at Kathleen. "Thank you," she said, clasping her hands in front of her.
Timmy couldn't wait any longer. He grabbed a soft package off the patio table with one hand and Carlton with the other, bringing both over to his aunt.
"From us and Uncle Ben," he said, holding up the package.
"We made it fow you," Carl said, tugging on her skirt. "Happy bewfday."
Vivian opened the package and laughed with delight, kneeling down to scoop her nephews into her arms. "I love it, boys," she said. "Thank you!" Then, letting them go, she went over to Ben and gave him a hug. "Don't muss my hair, please," she pleaded into his ear, laughing.
((The bear:))
Joeri smiled at their present, thinking how sweet her nephews were to her. Fingering the ring in his pocket, he wondered if his turn to give his present for her would be the right time.
Ben laughed and nodded. "Happy Birthday."
Vivian scampered back inside to put the bear in a safe place, then returned and stood next to Joeri's seat, putting one arm around his shoulders and giving him a bit of a squeeze."Thank you, everyone," she said. "It's such a lovely surprise...thank you."
Bert smiled at his little sister affectionately as Carlton took it upon himself to clamber back up on Joeri's knee. "Well, when you didn't say anything at all, it was a bit alarming," he told her teasingly. "So, judging by your dishevelled state when you walked in, work was busy?"
Vivian laughed. "Yes, quite," she replied. "We had a new load of hay delivered and with so many horses there, you can imagine just how big a load would be."
Kathleen, who had gone to the Stables with Ben the afternoon of their shopping trip for the Kaylock ball, nodded quietly. She still couldn't get over the fact that one of her female cousins was doing manual labour for a living.
Playfully, he tickled Carlton then trapped him in a hug. Glancing over at Vivian, he smiled. "And I thought I was having the hard work," Joeri joked.
Ben grabbed Timmy as he passed by and sat the boy on his lap. He looked over at Bert and winked. How's Amelia?
She's lovely. She's due in seven months. Bertrand grinned happily at how his boys seemed so happy with their uncles - for he already thought of Joeri as family in a way - and gave Amelia's slender white hand a gentle kiss.
"So, Walker," he said, "have you ever heard the story of Vivian and the rowboat?"
"Bert!" Vivian exclaimed, embarrassed, but Bert told the story anyway. On a visit to the West of Ireland, fourteen-year-old Vivian had gotten it into her head to row out to one of the smaller islands off the beach and camp there. She had not realised that with the changing tide, the hump of shrub and rock would shrink to little more than the size of a paving-square, and she had to be rescued by the twins in the middle of the night.
"She couldn't even sit down, the space was so small!" Bertrand laughed.
Joeri gave a small laugh. Raising a brow at her, his looked at her with his blue eyes. "What ever made you think to do that? But then again, here am I who was tricked into being a gondolier."
"Like I said, never much of a lady to begin with," Ben teased.
Vivian scrunched up her face at Ben and said to Joeri, "With brothers like these, is it any surprise?" But her voice was teasing and affectionate, and her eyes shone brightly with adoration for her two older brothers. She'd have been lost a long time ago without them.Bridget brought out dinner and they all sat down to a lovely meal, making easy conversation - Betrand telling more amusing anecdotes for humour at Vivian's expense. Kathleen found herself wishing that she had grown up in a similar fashion, close to her own siblings and free to do a bit of roaming on her own.
"It sounds like you all had a very happy childhood together," Kathleen remarked to Ben.
Noticing the blonde young woman, Joeri leaned closer to Vivian. "Who is that?" he asked in a low voice so he won't seem rude or draw attention.
"We did, all things considered," Ben grinned at Kathleen.
"My cousin Kathleen," Vivian whispered back, giving Joeri's real hand a squeeze with hers. "I'm so happy you're here," she added, giving him a kiss in his cheek.When they were done eating, Bridget brought out a cake festooned with candles - chocolate with a tangy-sweet ginger-orange jelly between the layers and a chocolate ganache coating.
After the required singing, Vivian cut the cake and passed around the pieces, and gave everyone a radiant smile.
Bert raised his glass and toasted health and happiness to his little sister. "But Ben is right," he added devilishly. "You're still a squirt."
At the mention of Kathleen, he glanced over at her with new eyes. He could see why his friend has fallen so swiftly. "Best wishes, Vivian."
Ben dove into his cake with vigor. That was after he had stuffed his face with the supper. He washed it down with a mouthful of ale.
After Bridget had cleared the table they lingered around the table chatting quietly and telling jokes and stories. When Carlton climbed into Joeri's lap once more and fell asleep Bert realised just how late it was."Are you alright?" he whispered to Amelia.
"Yes," she replied, stifling a yawn. She grinned at him. "It is late though."
Vivian smiled at her brother and his wife. "We ought to get you all bundled up into a carriage," she said, plucking Joeri's pocket watch from his vest and checking the time. Timothy was leaning against his mother sleepily.
Bert rose from the table and picked up Tim. "Are you taking Kathleen back to the castle, Ben?" he inquired.
In his surprise, Joeri almost jumped out of his seat, but thankfully, Carlton's weight held him down. If she were to pick any other pocket, she might have found the ring.
"Yes, of course," Ben replied. "Come along, Kath. Time to get you safely back inside the Kaylock fortress. Bye, Squirt. Happy Birthday," Ben said, leaning down to give her a chaste kiss on the forehead. "Goodbye, Mr. Walker, see you soon." He held out his hand to shake Thomas's. Or Joeri's.
Amelia gently lifted Carl out of Joeri's arms. "You're so good with him," she said with a smile. "I've never seen him so complacent with a new person before."Vivian walked everyone out to the door. Still carrying a sleepy Timmy, Bert was hailing coaches.
He gave Vivian a lopsided hug and a kiss on her head. "Can you drop by the new house tomorrow evening?" he asked. "I'd like a little quality time with my little sister."
"Yes, Bert. Of course. Thank you for the lovely surprise. I'm so happy." She gave him a squeeze and patted Tim's head. "I love you, Bert."
"Love you too, Vivvie." He helped Amelia into the coach and climbed in after her.
He shook Ben's hand and nodded. "Indeed. Have a good evening," he replied.Shrugging modestly at the complement, Joeri told Amelia, "It must be a sugar crash, because I didn't do a thing."
When everyone was gone, Vivian locked the front door and turned down the hall lights. Then she went into the kitchen and have Bridget a fierce hug."Thank you for the lovely dinner, Bridget!"
"Oh, Miss, really - it was nothing." Bridget was a bit alarmed, but she hugged Vivian tightly. "Happy birthday, Miss."
After Vivian pulled away Bridget said, "I've finished up everything, Miss. May I retire?"
"Of course you may. You've outdone yourself, Bridget. Enjoy your rest. And for tomorrow morning you may sleep in. Mr Walker and I can fend for ourselves."
"Thank you. Good night, Miss."
Vivian walked back out to the terrace and sat on her favourite spot on the low wall. Though it was late, a neighbour whose rear garden would have faced hers if not for the wall and trees in between was still having a party of their own, and there was music playing. Humming along, Vivian twirled a curl absentmindedly around her finger, waiting for Joeri to come join her.
He looked around for her, Joeri suddenly felt a nervous anticipation. But when he walked out onto the terrace, it died away. The music coming from the distance was lovely and he found her sitting at that low wall again. Smiling he sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. "Was it a good party?"
"Yes." She leaned against him, happy that they were finally alone. "I can't believe you're here," Vivian said, hugging him tightly. "How...how long do you have?" She was afraid he might have to go too soon.
"Three days," Joeri answered, tilting his head to rest on top of hers. "Not long, but long enough to have some time with you."
"Three whole days?" Vivian exclaimed with delight. She kissed his cheek and squeezed him tighter. She couldn't be happier.The music paused for a moment, then started up again in a waltz. Vivian looked up at him with a hopeful smile.
Joeri winked at her, offering his hand. "Can't pass up a good opportunity," he commented.
Vivian took his hand and let him lead her out to their makeshift dance floor and she looked up at him adoringly. She still couldn't quite believe he was here with her, and she had to hold him tightly to remember it wasn't just a very good dream.
Tilting his head to catch the music, when Joeri found his rhythm, he began to step. He smiled brightly, his eyes dancing in the light. "Now that I'm here, I can't believe I was ever able to leave."
Vivian smiled. "One day maybe you won't have to," she said hopefully, though she wouldn't ask him to give up his army career if he really didn't want to. She understood that it was his livelihood and it was the only life he'd ever really known as an adult.She squeezed his hand gently and impulsively brought their joined hands to her lips so that she could kiss the smooth back of his hand. Then she rested her head on his chest, their hands resting near her cheek.
"I love you, Joeri," Vivian said, enjoying his presence immensely. "You're the best birthday gift I've ever had."
