Songs the Soldiers Sang
Page 21
What happened after the investigation was closed caused her to feel joyful inside because two days later, she and Holt went to the courthouse alone and were married by a justice of peace.
Holt had promised her that as soon as they were able to put their lives back in order, a priest would bless their marriage and they’d celebrate their love with a grand ceremony and party.
Then last month, Holt came home and announced that his annulment had arrived from Rome. They laughed, and when she broke the news to Holt that she was pregnant, plans were immediately set into motion to celebrate their formal marriage before anyone learned about the baby. At first, she wasn’t certain how Holt would take the news, but he was as excited as she was about starting a family.
Laurel couldn’t believe all that had come to pass, all wonderful things that erased the pain and suffering they had all experienced during the war years.
Her grandparents’ home was rented to Elmore and his family and he and his son turned the barn into a livery, where they were able to earn a decent living. Elmore and his family had arrived two days ago to attend the wedding.
Arielle and George had built a home in the compound, soon after they were married. Reba and Paul were sent for and moved on the plantation also, and Junie lives with them in the cottage they built. Paul was now the overseer of Mossland II.
Laurel stared at the large tree nearby surrounded by a picket fence. This was Holt’s wedding present to her when they moved to the plantation. Without her knowledge, he had sent for Paul and Reba and had Paul remove her mother’s casket to their new home.
Laurel looked out the window and smiled. Arielle and George were to be their witnesses and Jacqueline was their flower girl. Everyone she loved, with the exception of her beloved mother, was seated in the garden waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Jacqueline had grown tall and beautiful and she and Laurel had a great relationship and she now called Laurel, mother. All of Holt’s family had come down from Washington, and neighbors had arrived for the festive occasion and the party that would follow. The time had come for her to place the matching lace mantilla on her head.
Her gown of Italian lace had a high collar and long sleeves, both with scalloped edges that were adorned with tiny pearls. The skirt was full and had a short train.
A light tap on the door broke her chain of thought, and Laurel turned her head as Holt entered. He came up behind her and placed his hands on her abdomen, gently loving the child she carried. He kissed her on her neck and turned her around. He knelt down and kissed her stomach, then placed his hands around her waist, stood and let his eyes travel the length of her body.
“How beautiful you are, Laurel.”
“And how handsome you are, Major Flanagan.”
Without another word, smiling down on her, Holt kissed her full lips and deepened his kiss, surrounding her in his arms. When he finally released her a tad, she smiled, enjoying the taste and feel of him. “We’re supposed to marry first.”
“Uh-huh! We are married. Remember the first night we lay together?”
“I will never forget that night.”
“Well, we have enough time before the service begins, we could practice for tonight,” he whispered, removing the lace mantilla and letting it drop to the floor.
“Holt, we can’t.” She laughed as he began to unbutton the back of her gown. “Junie will be upset. But I need you more. I need your love.”
She stood there while he undressed her, then she slowly began unbuttoning his jacket. She felt faint and wasn’t certain if it was from her pregnancy or the feeling he stirred inside her whenever they made love.
This time their lovemaking was fast and intense, with promises of many years of love to come. They hurried to dress and laughed at the same time.
She adjusted the skirt of her gown, quickly fixed her hair before putting on the veil and then lifted the train in her fingers. “Do I look all right? Do you think everyone will know?” She asked, taking his arm before going downstairs.
“I hope they do. But they are all too proper to say anything…”
Laurel tried to keep from grinning and she knew her cheeks were flushed. Before they walked toward the gazebo where the ceremony was to take place, Holt whispered in her ear. “I will settle your nerves.”
She looked at him, creasing her brow slightly, wondering how he could do that when everyone seemed to be staring at them suspiciously.
When they stood before the priest, Holt turned toward their guests and said, “We apologize for being a bit tardy. But Laurel wanted to give me a special wedding gift.”
Laurel took a deep breath, worried about what else he wanted to tell them.
He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. “For a wedding gift, Laurel broke the news moments ago that we were expecting a baby.”
Everyone applauded and Laurel sighed a great sigh of relief, smiling from cheek to cheek. Their formal wedding went off without a problem…
After the ceremony, congratulations from everyone put them all in a great mood and the festivities began. This was the happiest day of Laurel’s life and everyone enjoyed the day. Even Ol’ Junie was happy, but she cried on and off, excited about having another generation to care for. “Ol’ Junie hopes this one will be a boy.”
Laurel’s father made great progress and could now speak and walk, although he still used his cane. After the ceremony, he sat on a chair by her mother’s grave and sang songs the soldiers sang…
A word about the author...
Bette McNicholas is a member of RWA, Desert Rose, and a charter member of the Washington Romance Writers. She recently contributed a chapter to A Mother’s Wisdom, a non-fiction collection of women’s advice to their children, edited by Cathryn Lombardo. She was also invited to participate in the Tucson Festival of Books and spoke on a panel discussion on blurring the genres.
She brings her love of American history and her research of the Civil War to Laurel Bray’s journey as a refugee on the mainland of South Carolina, having escaped the Sea Islands before the Yankee invasion. Along with her first Civil War novel, Memory’s Edge, Songs The Soldiers Sang takes the reader through the trauma and experiences endured by the women left behind.
Besides writing, she also enjoys reading, knitting, cooking, and playing duplicate bridge. She lives in Arizona with her husband of forty-eight years and enjoys visiting with their family, especially the five grandchildren.
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