Generation One: Chapter 6 - Wedded Bliss

Chapter 6 - Wedded Bliss

 

Introducing my dear Charlotte to my family is a true joy, for the most part. Both of my brothers-in-law like her and have heartily welcomed her into the family. My sisters, as is common, had differing reactions. Alexandra liked her immediately, telling me later that she was glad I would have the same happiness she did. Caroline was in true form, and icy towards my fiancée from the outset. This upset me initially, but Charlotte was quick to reassure me that she understood and was not troubled.  How in the world had I been blessed with such a woman!Perhaps some of Caroline’s rudeness stems from recent sickness. She has been unable to keep anything down of late and often cannot abide by the food served at meals and is not eating with us. I worry about her even after the pain she has caused me before. I will always love my sister.

 

This morning I went to spend time with my nephew Alexander, only to find Caroline with him. She had a tender look on her face as she cooed at him, but seeing me she flushed and tried to excuse what I had seen, but I am confused. Caroline has never been interested in children before, much less tender towards one. Not even in her first marriage. 

 

At last it is my wedding day. I waited in the ball room, waiting for my family to assemble, for my bride to arrive and for us to man and wife forever. I paced back and forth, unable to keep still. I adjusted the buttons on my formal clothes, despite knowing I was dressed impeccably. 

 

And then, she was there, at the entrance to the grand room, coming to me where I stood in front of the large fireplace. 

 I reached out and took her hands, and then we pledged ourselves to each other forever.

 “I , Charles Darcy , take you Charlotte Dubois, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part.” I meant it, every word. She made my life full like no other had or could.

 

“I , Charlotte Dubois, take you Charles Darcy, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part.” I smiled at her, heart full to bursting.

We exchanged rings, and the weight of the gold band felt so right on my finger, as if it should always have been there.

It was official. Until our dying days, which I pray are many years in the future, my dearest Charlotte and I are one, never to be parted. 

 

It was amazing to wake next to my lovely wife (wife!)  this morning. She was so beautiful in the early morning light. I took her small hand in my larger one as she woke.

“Good morning, dearest. How is my beautiful wife this morning?” I asked, smiling into her eyes.

“Perfect, my handsome husband.  Did you sleep well?” she replied.

“Better than I have in many years, my love.  And you? Did you sleep well?”

“Very. What do we have to do today?”

“Nothing is required of us, though I’m sure I can come up with something for us to do, I think.”

“I have complete faith in you.”

 

In the days following the wedding, I came to understand truly what “wedded bliss” meant. I also came to understand that had I married anyone else but Charlotte, I would not have been nearly as joyful.

It was two weeks later when my eldest sister’s recent illness was explained. The doctor was pleased to inform her and her husband that in about eight months’ time they would welcome a joyful addition. Alfred was over the moon. I was less sure about Caroline’s reaction. But when I found her in the nursery, talking to her unborn child, I knew that regardless of the motivation behind my sister’s second marriage, she was pleased to be with child. 

Alfred was always hovering about his wife, making sure she was comfortable, and speaking to the baby and feeling the swell of that new life, even when it was barely there. He was enamored, even after fathering two children before.

Late one night, I was working in my study, frustrated over the tangled strings of the business with another old family, when Charlotte came in and insisted I stop for the night.

“Charles, not getting enough sleep and sequestering yourself in you study will not solve this problem.” She put her arms around me. “Beloved, come to bed. The hour is late. You need your rest.” 

I smiled at her. “Surely my lovely wife knows best.”

 

Shortly after Charlotte came from France, Alexandra and her family moved back home to their estate. I have seen her little since, though she came to the wedding. We write often, but it is not the same. She came to visit us today, and to see my nephew, who is growing fast.

Alexandra was very pleased to hear Caroline’s news, and shared some of her own. It seems that both my sisters will welcome new additions soon, close together. I cannot be more pleased. I hope to have children with Charlotte, and those young ones will be, I pray, their closest friends. 

 

Charlotte was as enchanted with her nephew as I am. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her with Alexander. It seems fitting, as he was a baby when I held him and dreamed of her. 

 

Alexandra cornered me alone some time later. “Brother, how are you? You seem very happy, but I know our sister and she cannot be making life easy for you.”

 

Some things never change. Always Alexa was the nurturing one, looking out for me. I replied honestly to her question. “Alexa, Caroline is Caroline, though she has softened some in the last months. I truly am happy. Charlotte makes me happier than Caroline can ever make me unhappy.”

 

My sister embraced me then. “I’m glad. I hoped it would be so. But I like your wife. She suits you and I am glad to call her sister. She seems quite taken with Alex. Perhaps soon you and my newest sister will add more young Darcys to the mix, cannot leave that just to your elder sisters, it isn’t polite.” She joked.

I flushed. She laughed, and I was thankful for such a wonderful sister.