THE DISAGREEABLE DUCHESS

CHAPTER TWELVE

"We're getting married." Colin said, making everyone drop what they were previously doing and stare at the both of them. "I know we have a lot of explaining to do, but... We want to do it as soon as possible."

"What?" Even Olivia was shocked from Colin's last statement. "We weren't planning on doing it right away." She exclaims.

"That's great!" Exclaimed Magnolia, standing up and hugging her granddaughter. "My baby's getting married!" She was almost on the verge of tearing.

On the other hand, Colin's parents, Cecilia and Frank, were having a hard time sinking in the details. "Are you sure?" Frank asked.

"Yes," He replies straight away. "we want to marry as soon as possible. And do it right here if we can."

"I know the town preacher, and we can always book a small, intimate wedding with just the few of us." Says Magnolia. "You can wear your mother's old wedding dress!"

"Can I?" Olivia excitedly asks.

"Of course you can, she's put it in your dowry." Magnolia replied, "Now, when do you plan on doing this wedding of yours?"

Colin and Olivia just looked at each other. "We didn't set any date for it, but the sooner the better, I guess." Colin answers.

"Great, it'll be on Sunday after church service." Magnolia claps her hand. "I'll be in charge of the wedding details, and if you're still planning on returning to London right now, just be sure to be here Sunday morning."

"I think we'll stay here until Sunday." Interrupts Cecilia, who looked surprised but excited. "I would like to be a part of the wedding committee."

"Excellent." Said Magnolia. "We can go to town and book the church for Sunday right now, if you'd like."

"Yes," Cecilia agrees. "I want to help in everyway I can." Then suddenly tears of happiness came streaming across her cheeks, and Frank instantly goes near his wife to comfort her. "I'm sorry, I just can't believe that my son's getting married."

In the midst of all the planning and talking, David sat silent in the crowd. He didn't know what part he would play in his only daughter's wedding, so he'd rather to just sit and watch. But at least his heart's at ease knowing that she'll be in good hands with Colin.

Olivia and Colin left Magnolia, Cecilia and Frank to discuss the wedding. They went to the peaceful garden and stared at each other for a long time until Colin said. "Well, I guess, we won't be able to back down now."

"You're right." Olivia agreed.

The conversation suddenly stops when Colin softly chuckles.

"Why are you laughing?" She asked.

"Because now, instead of worrying about planning our wedding, we just have to attend and be there on Sunday." Then he continued laughing.

Olivia joins him in laughing. "That's what you get for having overly protective and loving parents."

"And I'm the luckiest man to have them." He prided himself with his parents' love and support.

Olivia felt a knife stab her heart, even though she had no right. "Good for you." She comments.

Colin shrugged, hearing the low tone of her voice, he realized that he offended her in some sort. "I'm sorry, it slipped off my mouth."

"No, it's okay." She said. "Some us are just really lucky to have parents such as Cecilia and Frank."

"That's why when I have children, or at least a child," Colin carefully chose his words. "I'm going to make sure that I'll be able to give them the love my parents bestowed upon me."

Olivia suddenly stops and thinks. "I want a lot of children." She honestly murmurs. "It's quite sad growing up alone..."

"So, you want children? And judging from your statement, we'll be having at least a couple of them." Shocked, Colin reassured what he heard from her own lips.

"Yes, Colin. I want children, not a child." She repeats herself. "I want to have the family I've always wanted."

"But wouldn't it be wrong to have children growing around us knowing that we don't love each other the way that a mother and father should?" He asked.

"Yes, but there will come a time that I'd learn to accept you for more than just a friend and companion." She replied. "Trust me, Colin. We'll make it work."

"But I'll warn you now, I grew up lonely as a child to... And I've always dreamt of miniature copies of me running and playing, doing the things I wasn't able to." He says. "I want them to enjoy the joy of being a child."

"Well, if it's not too much to ask, I want a child immediately." She blurted out.

Colin almost choked. "What?"

Olivia's face was bloody red from embarrassment. "I'm sorry, it's just that..." She suddenly stops, feeling humiliated about her words.

"It's alright, Olivia. You know you can trust me, and I won't mock you for it." He holds her hand. "What is it?"

"Well..." She hesitantly began. "If I enter into a love-less relationship, I'd at least want someone who'd love me for me. Without any strings."

"Then, when you're ready, tell me." He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

She leans her head on to his broad shoulder and sat beside him quietly.

And for the last time, he whispered. "I'll do anything for you."

The following days went quickly in a blur. Only David returned to London with the promise of returning for his daughter's wedding, while Colin and his family stayed with Magnolia and Olivia.

Almost everything was set for Sunday's big event.

Charlotte's old wedding dress was modified into Olivia's size, which was a bit smaller compared to Charlotte's.

Rings were ordered from London, and David was to deliver them on Sunday when he arrives.

Colin had a three-piece suit tailored for him in town along with Magnolia and Cecilia's dresses and Tommy and Tara's fancy clothes. On the other hand, Frank insisted that he preferred wearing an old suit for the wedding.

Sunday was welcomed with a hectic morning. Everyone was running around the house, busy preparing for the wedding which was two hours away. None of them attended the church service earlier that morning, and instead, helped prepare the bride and groom.

"Colin has left for the church together with Frank and the children." Said Cecilia who was putting powder on Olivia's face. "We'll be following them after you finish with your hair."

Olivia smiled at her future mother-in-law. "I just hope that everything goes as planned, with an unexpected wedding and all, you'll never know what to expect."

"It will turn out perfect, I promise." Magnolia, on the other hand, was pinning a thousand hair pins in Olivia's hair.

To compliment the beautiful, long gown she was wearing, they did her hair half up and half curled down. The veil was neatly attached on her hair piece. And in her hand, Olivia was holding a beautiful bouquet of white roses, which was both her and her mother's favorite flower.

No sooner than later, both Magnolia and Cecilia were assisting Olivia in going down the stairs. They modified the gown a bit, making it a bit modern for their time, but at the same time kept the beauty of the dress just as it is.

All three of them rode the carriage together and headed for the little chapel they booked, instead of the church which can hold at least a hundred people, but since there were only eight of them, they booked the small chapel near their home instead.

Olivia quickly saw Frank eagerly facing back and fort waiting for someone, and when the carriage parked outside the chapel door, Frank went near them and said. "David's not here yet."

Suddenly, Olivia felt that familiar stab in the heart when she heard that the father that promised to give her away to the groom has not arrived yet. "Then, we'll wait for him." She replies.

"Alright, but we can only wait for half an hour or we'll move on with the wedding." Says Magnolia who was worried as well.

25 minutes later, a horse comes flying in from the south of the church with a man riding it. They all stand to see what the commotion was about and found David in a white suit, which was a bit of a mess and slightly crooked. "What happened?" Asked Frank.

David took a deep breath and said. "The carriage I was riding had an accident a few miles back, and when I realized that we wouldn't make it here in time, I took the horse and left the coachmen there."

"Come on, David." Called Magnolia. "Let's get you cleaned up first, then we'll proceed to the wedding."

After straightening his clothes and cleaning up a bit, David took Olivia's arm and wrapped it around his. Hearing the organ playing, the door opened and one by one, they marched together side by side, while Frank and Colin stood at the altar.

When they reached the altar, David gave Olivia's hand to Colin, who gladly accepted it.

Then afterwards, they began the ceremony with the priest saying. "We have gathered here today to witness..."