Almost, Completely His

Chapter 21

-Five years later-

Arthur

I walked to the carriage with a small bag on my back. The only things I had with me after 5 long years that reminded me of home.

I had the pocket watch my father had given me as a departing gift, a picture of my mother and Charles, and the few but precious letters from Celeste.

We had promised to write to one another, and we had. But I was forced to stop.

Letters were being intercepted to and from our soldiers which led to many families being put in danger and our men being held captive, tortured and killed.

I would do anything I could to keep Celeste and my family safe- even if it meant not hearing from them.

I desperately prayed that they’d believe I was still alive, and making my way back to them.

I prayed that Celeste still thought of me the way I did. I thought of her smile, her blunt comments, her thick curly hair and citrus smell.. there were nights when I dreamt of her warmth. I thought of how she hugged me, kissed me, and how she held onto me when I brought her to climax.

But mostly I held onto the memory of her voice, eyes and face when she promised to wait for me.

Five years ago she promised to wait for me to come back to her.. to love her and spend my life next to her.

I mindlessly reached the carriage that was to take me back home when I felt a hand clap my back.

“How are you doing my friend?? Ready to see your sweet sweet family again?” I turned to see my friend Frank Sanders grinning.

Frank had short brown hair and small grey eyes. He was always smiling which caused local town girls to swoon. He was my first friend in the military and grew to be my best friend. We had seen so much together, cried, consoled one another, laughed and survived together.

He even listened to me talk for hours about Celeste and my family. His parents had died and he had no one left. He held onto the stories of my family to make him feel like there was something worth waiting for.

I promised him I’d take him to them- that he was my family now too.

“Have you heard anything else about your brother?” He asked slinging his bag over his shoulder.

“Not much, I got word from one of his old friends from college that there is to be a big party this weekend for him, not really sure why.”

“Do you think he’s finally tied himself to a nice young lady?”

I shrugged.

Since I was a boy I had never understood why Charles wasn’t drowning in women’s affections. He was handsome, charming, smart and the first son of an Earl. He could have any girl he wanted but he never showed much interest.

I had always imagined that Charles would have found love before me- maybe even have girls in and out of his room or a bachelor dwelling in the city. But no, he never did.

Instead I was the one who had found love. Who had been lucky enough to have found myself in love with a woman who loved me back.

I smiled to myself and Frank kicked me. He grinned, “are you daydreaming about your lovely Celeste again?”

I nodded, not bothering to hide it. “Yes, definitely.”

“Are you sure she’ll be there? After all these years?”

“Her family is close with mine. And if there is a party in my brother’s honor, she would have been the first to know.” I took a deep breath trying to steady my excitement. “I know she’ll be there.”

—————————————

Before I knew it Frank and I were walking up the servant stairs. I didn’t want to interrupt the party that was already in full swing and definitely not in my dirty uniform.

Frank complained that he didn’t have anything to wear but I told him that I’d have something for him.

We were barley turning the corner in the kitchen when I hear a booming voice behind me.

“Is that you Arthur!?”

Frank and I turned and my eyes widened . “Enrique?!”

There was no way the man could have gotten bigger. Last time I saw Enrique he was taller than me, had broad shoulders and bulging muscles. Now, he seemed twice as big.

Frank flinched a bit at the sight of him and I knew that Enrique could strike fear into any man- soldier or not.

But his dark eyes were glinting with happiness and humor, something that I knew Frank wouldn’t have seen.

He strode over to me and pulled me into a big hug.

“What are you doing here??” I asked.

“I came in looking for any spare desserts. Your mother told everyone else there were none left but she nudged me this way.”

“Of course she did.”

Enrique looked over at Frank who was still eyeing him up and down.

“Military friend I assume?” Enrique said smiling at Frank as if trying to reassure him that he meant no harm.

“That’s right,” Frank said relaxing a bit. “I’m joining Arthur for tonight’s festivities.”

Enrique paled a bit and his jaw clenched.

“He’s my guest, I’m sure mother won’t mind.” I told Enrique.

“Yes..” he said tightly. “Of course.”

“Well we will be down soon. We need to wash up and get ready before I see Charles.” I told him and Enrique only looked back at me with a blank stare. His mouth opened then closed.

“Enrique? Is everything ok?”

Her took a deep breath. “You don’t know?”

“I don’t know what?” My heart dropped. “Is Charles ok?”

“Yes.. yes of course..” Enrique began to stutter. “I just.. I thought you knew…”

“Knew what?”

“He’s .. engaged..”

My eyes bulged and I grinned. Finally!!!

“That’s great!!” I said laughing. I threw my hands up in the air. “No wonder mother threw a party!”

“Arthur..” Enrique started but I cut him off,

“This is monumental! Charles finally found a woman to marry!” I looked at Frank who was looking at me hesitantly. “Isn’t this a good thing??”

I hugged Enrique and made my way out the kitchen to the main room.

“Arthur! You haven’t washed!” Frank yelled after me.

“Arthur wait!!” Enrique called.

But I didn’t care, I didn’t care that I was in an old uniform and I smelled bad after days of traveling.

I needed to see my brother. I needed to congratulate him- to hug him and meet his bride to be.

I made my way through the giant crowd, ignoring people calling out to me.

Finally , i reached the center of the large hall and saw my brother. His neat auburn hair shone in the candlelight and his green eyes sparkled. He had a few wrinkles around his eyes that made him look older, wiser, but just as handsome.

I was about to leap forward and hug him but a head of dark, wild curly hair next to him stopped me.

My heart swelled.

It was her.

My Celeste.

My Celeste in a delicate sage green dress, pearl earrings, long white gloves and bright smile.

It was her!! It was that smile, those large black eyes and pale skin I dreamt of for five years.

"CELESTE!" I shouted even though I was less than 10 feet away. But I couldn't help it, I needed to say her name.. I needed her to look at me.

Her head snapped in my direction and her eyes widened with shock then horror. She gripped Charle's arm for support as if she was going to fall.

Charles too looked at me horrified and I was confused by their reaction.

Did they not recognize me? Did they think me dead?

But before I could ask I saw it.

I saw it on Celeste's ring finger.

A diamond.. a large diamond resting on her glove.

A diamond tying her to a man- she was engaged.

And the people around her were smiling and congratulating her. Happy that she was marrying a good man.

And mot just to any man.. my own brother.

This was their engagement party..