The Lady of My Choosing Chapter Twenty-One

 Chapter Twenty-One

Happily Ever After

    Caroline woke from sleep on her wedding morning, but not from her dreams. Her dreams were becoming reality and so went with her that glorious, beautiful day. It was a winter morning, but no less beautiful because of the cold. When she turned to her window, she caught her breath at the sight that met her eyes... The courtyard and the meadows beyond were transformed into a fairyland of shimmering-white snow and intricate icicles. All around her was the brilliant pure white of that perfect day.

    In the distance, the cathedral bells were ringing and would keep on ringing, she knew, until the ceremony began. And at the end of the ceremony, they would burst forth again, proclaiming her joy to all the land.

    This day will I marry my friend.

    She threw open the window, impetuously, to better listen to the joyful sound. And as she did so, she heard her name called. Looking down in surprise, she realized John was standing beneath her window.

    "John!" She drew back instinctively. "Don't you know you're not supposed to see me until the ceremony?"

    But he just laughed.

    "And spoil the beauty of this morning? Everything was so lovely, but the loveliest of all was missing... and I knew they wouldn't let me see you this morning, so I defied them all and came out here."

    At that, Caroline laughed also. On a sudden impulse, she leaned back over the windowsill and dropped to him the rose that had lain on her table for nearly seven years now. John caught it and blew her a kiss.

    "You'd better leave quickly," she admonished, shaking her head laughingly. "Think if the queen found out!"

    Agreeing in mock horror, John bowed to his lady and retreated.

oOo

    The rich strains of the organ echoed through the dimly-lit interior of the cathedral. Flickering candles lined the old gray stone walls and bright streams of sunlight filtered through the few windows of stained glass, casting lovely patterns on the floor. The pews were already filled with the royalty and nobility of the land and, to the horror of many, as many of the common people as could possibly cram in. Caroline had wanted it that way. All the servants of the palace and many from the nearby villages. Never before had the royal cathedral been so full.

    Another breach of protocol, at least in the king and queen's eyes, had been committed as well, for Caroline would have no other than the Princess Cinderella as her maid of honor. And for a princess, and a married woman at that, to be a maid of honor... well. That was a little too much. But both girls had insisted. And the Princess Kathryn was to be a bridesmaid as well. At least that was a little better. The Princess Kathryn was not yet married. The wedding date was set a few weeks ahead.

    John stood at the altar with Edward, as the best man, at his side. (Perhaps it is not necessary to mention the fuss that Queen Elinor made about that...) His eyes were shining as they never had before. He had fallen in love with the beautiful Lady Caroline the first moment he laid eyes on her and for six years he had thought his love in vain... that this moment would never, could never come. But it was here at last... the trumpets were announcing the arrival of the bride... Princess Cinderella was walking slowly down the altar, followed by the Princess Kathryn... and then the bride herself.

    She paused a moment in the doorway, on the arm of her brother who stood beaming, resplendent in red velvet with gold embroidery. But the eyes of the congregation were not on him, as splendid as he looked, but on the bride in her simple gown of white, with her winter bouquet of holly and dried flowers. Her grey eyes were filled with tears... happy tears... as she looked down the aisle to the one who stood waiting for her. It had taken her longer than John to realize that she had been in love... perhaps her heart had warned her, for she knew it was impossible. But the impossible had become possible and she could scarce believe that the dream was reality.

    As she began to sweep gracefully down the aisle, she turned her head. Why, she did not know, but she had suddenly the premonition that someone was there... someone she hadn't expected to see, but whom she somehow knew would be there anyway. Yes, she was indeed sitting there, that strange middle-aged woman who had never given her name. She smiled warmly at the young bride and her eyes sparkled knowingly. And in the moment that they looked at each other, the woman raised her eyes slowly to the ceiling and nodded at Caroline. Yes, God works in mysterious ways... and through mysterious people... and with Him... all things are possible.

    The bride had reached her bridegroom and her brother gave her away with a smile and whispered words of encouragement. As they joined hands, just before they turned to the altar, John took the rose... their rose... from his pocket, and slipped it into her bouquet, whispering, as he did so.

    "To remember happy days gone by and to look to even happier days ahead."

    The congregation fell silent as the young couple exchanged their vows, promising to love, to respect, to obey, till parted by death. To look to the Lord in their lives, and to raise their children in the fear of Him.

    "In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

    Amen.

oOo

    ...And they lived happily ever after.

    Or did they?

    Well... perhaps happily, but not always peacefully. For life, with its troubles and disappointments and tears, with its laughs and stumbles and mistakes, does not end when the prince wins the princess. Or when the knight wins the lady. It continues on, bringing along with the chaos and occasional disappointments its delightful joys and beautiful days. And so, let us duck beneath that impenetrable curtain of "ever after" and take just one glimpse into the lives... the real, true lives of these beloved characters which we have followed so long.

    It is a warm spring day, the trees are in bloom, the birds are singing, the sun is shining. The palace of Euphrania stands tall, imposing, impregnable, as always. In the meadow beyond, ever-changing but always the same, we find our happy couples. More happy now than they even were on their wedding days, for life beyond the altar has brought many new joys... joys they never before could comprehend.

    Sir John dismounts from his old chesnut gelding, reaching up to his wife, the Lady Caroline, who leans down from her little gray mare Regina, to hand him the baby. Little two-year-old Ella with her mother's golden curls, her father's blue eyes, and baby dimples all her own.

    Prince Edward has been riding double with his young son, the little Prince Jonathan who, at three years old, is quite a terror and yet, still a joy. He has his mother's dark hair but his father's roguish hazel eyes and a spirit of adventure that nearly outweighs both of his rather tired parents combined. Princess Cinderella is expecting another little blessing rather soon, but still insists on riding, despite her husband's worry.

    Charles, Duke of Montague, and his beloved Princess Kate are there also, with their twins. Twins! Fancy that! Charles nearly burst with pride when he was presented with his young offspring... a little boy with dark, curling hair, enormous eyes, and a rather pompous air in spite of his scant three years and a little girl, pale, shy, and quiet... the very image of her mother. Although she has not quite yet mastered the art of graceful swooning. That will surely come soon enough.

    Bringing up the rear of the little procession is Prince Edward's companion-at-arms and his young wife. Willoughby, or Will as he is always called, for he refuses to reveal his first name, is quite a different person than the one we first met for he has grown from a boy to a man. A more responsible, faithful, and dependable attendant could scarcely be found. And little Sarah, as cheerful and bouncy as ever, with the glow of motherhood in her eyes, as she has just shared the most precious secret of her young life.

    Do not despair, Dear Readers, in bidding these beloved friends farewell. Tis only for a short time. Before long, all will be revealed and you will know why Lady Caroline has a distant sadness in her gray eyes, why her husband watches her more carefully than ever before. Why Prince Edward, in spite of the happy ending he at last received, seems somewhat worried. What rather undignified event happened when the Duke of Montague was brought the good tidings of the safe arrival of his twins. How Sarah met her match in conversation. What happened to the enormous chocolate cake in the palace kitchen. What delightful surprise was discovered in the loft of the stables. And how little Ella got so muddy and why Prince Jonathan was so victorious because of it. All this... and much more.

THE END

Sequels coming soon! 

Sarah's Story is about the little kitchen maid Sarah from the time she first came to work at the palace, to the time her life changed.

A Secret Kingdom of Love follows our four couples through life after the "happily ever after". Much more to come!