#and like even now that we're all grown up I am still the favorite granddaughter | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tarajones4 · 5 years

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Cay awoke early. Far earlier than she would have liked. In keeping with tradition, at least a little bit, she had slept on the other side of the manor from Niklas. Now she was awake and nearly vibrating with nerves. She looked across the guest room she used and smiled at the lace wedding gown displayed on her sewing mannequin. Today was the day. She and Nik were finally getting married after a year long engagement. They'd been through so much together, it felt like they had already been married an eternity. Yet that eternity wouldn't be long enough to express everything Cay felt for the man she had fallen in love with. The father of her children. Her soulmate.

A maid knocked at the door and came in when bid to do so. "My Lady, I've brought you breakfast. Some fresh fruit, toast, eggs, and a pot of your favorite tea." The young woman smiled brightly at her Lady and sat the tray down, taking a moment to prepare a cup of tea just how Cay liked it. "You look nervous as I did the day my Will asked me to marry him."

Cay smiled at the maid and took the offered cup gratefully. "Thank you, Marian. And aye, I've got butterflies just looking at my dress. But the good kind, you know? The kind you only get when you're on top of the world from joy." She kept smiling as Marian directed two other maids to start filling a large tub with warm water and sweet smelling oils. "How is Will, anyway? I know he took a job at the school teaching recently."

Marian grinned while she helped prepare the bath. "He's doing wonderfully, Lady Cay! The children adore him, and the few adults he teaches in the evenings all respect him. He was so happy to see that school built, since he'd been out of work for a time." She was bubbling over with happiness today, it seemed. She even hummed gently as she helped Cay into the water and began washing her hair. "We're... well... I was going to wait, but I can't hold it in anymore. We just found out we're expecting!" The effervescent woman giggled girlishly.

The bride to be gasped and grinned up at her maid. "That's wonderful news! Congratulations, luv! If you need anything at all, don't be afraid to ask. If the morning sickness starts to get to you, please feel free to appoint someone to attend your duties so you can take care of yourself." She sat back in the tub, letting the maids wash her long red curls, one of them using a small household charm she knew to dry the locks and start styling them while Cay washed. "I'm very happy for you, Marian. I really am.”

"Thank you, My Lady. You and Lord Niklas are far too kind to me." Once Cay had washed and rinsed, she helped towel her dry and brought over her garments to help her dress behind the screen. There was a knock at the door, and two footmen entered just as Cay had slipped behind the partition. They bowed to the other maids in the room and deposited a trunk at the foot of the bed. Marian clucked her tongue lightly while lacing the corset. "Really... coming in without leave, the rapscallions."

Cay chuckled as she helped pin her stays to her chemise so she could hide the straps under her wedding gown. "Good thing I was behind here, isn't it? Otherwise, they would have gotten an eyeful." Two layers of petticoats were pulled carefully over her head and tied in place, secured to the stays with looped closures. "Let's save the gown for just before we leave. Don't want to accidentally drop makeup on it."

"Of course, My Lady." Marian smiled and helped her into a dressing gown. "Shall we stay in here with you, Lady Cay? Or would you prefer to be left alone for a bit? We can easily take some time to fetch your coronet from the master suite and make certain it's polished."

"Hmm... aye, I think so. Just a little while to reflect before I finish getting ready." She stepped out from behind the screen and eyed the weathered trunk that had been brought in. "A bit of time to pray would be nice." Caoghlan walked over to the trunk and flipped it open, just staring at the two framed portraits that lay atop the other items.

The maids bowed and left the room, knowing their Lady likely wished to take time to mourn her parents' absence from such a special day.

The redhead sighed and picked up each picture, kissing the glass softly before setting them aside. Underneath the portraits was a reverently folded gown of perfectly preserved white fabric. She pulled it out and laid it across the bed, soft fingers tracing the embroidery on one of the sleeves. It was her mother's own wedding gown. She had considered wearing it, but couldn't bear the thought of having to alter it to fit her. With a sad smile, she turned back to the trunk, next pulling out a bouquet of preserved lilies and roses in soft pinks and whites. She gently sat it down next to the dress and reached in for the veil she knew her mother had kept in the chest. When she pulled the length of lace and chiffon out, an envelope fluttered to the ground.

Cay blinked and wiped away a stray tear as she reached down to pick up the envelope. On the back, it read: "To our darling daughter on her wedding day." She almost fell back at the shock of seeing her mother's neat writing nearly a year after her death. With trembling fingers, she broke the wax seal and sat next to the dress on the bed. The parchment inside was slightly brittle, having been sealed away a year ago according to the date in the upper corner. She pulled the two sheets out with a degree of trepidation and began to read.

The first page was done in her mother's elegant script, the same as the envelope.

"My dearest girl,

Today is the most glorious day of your life. I know that you've had a child before getting married and have experienced the joys of motherhood already, so I won't go on about how thrilling that is. Today is different. You'll be filled with so many emotions throughout the day, with many being similar to the day your daughter was born. But the others... oh the other feelings! You'll feel as though you're walking on air as your father leads you to Niklas. Like your heart is going to burst when he lifts the veil to give you away. Then you'll look at Nik and suddenly you'll be anchored back to Azeroth by his love for you. Because it's plain to anyone who sees that he loves you more than life itself. That he would do anything for you and your family.

I was unsure at first when you talked to me about the dashing and debonair man you pledged yourself to. But seeing you two together has assured me that you made the right choice, just as your father and I made our own so long ago. Light... it seems like forever has passed yet no time at all has at the same time. It was only yesterday I held you in my arms to nurse you after you were born. I was so scared that day, my angel. I thought for certain the Light would take you from us as it did your twin sister. You were so small and fragile and sickly. But you held on. Because even then, you were strong.

I look back at all the time we had as a family, and it cheers me to know that you've grown into a strong, independent woman. You've done your best to keep your values through every trial that you've had to endure. And Nik has been with you for each of them since you met. I'm starting to bawl as I write this, knowing that you'll be only hours from becoming a wife to your soulmate when you read it. It will be my greatest joy to see you and Nik be bonded in such a way, and I will treasure it always.

Love,

Your happily crying Mum"

Cay had tears streaming down her cheeks as she read the letter, gently caressing the parchment before bringing it up to clutch over her heart. The faint scent of jasmine floated up, reminding her of the perfume her mother favored. After a moment, she sat the parchment aside before it got too crumpled and looked at the second sheet. This looked like a letter from her father, his looping script giving him away.

"My sweet little rose,

Words can't begin to describe how I feel as I write this. I have had the distinct honor of watching you grow from a small and curious child into a beautiful and strong woman. I watched you work and study and face challenges nobody should have had to, let alone a child. Yet you overcame each trial that life threw at you. The day you took up the mantle of priestess was one of the proudest moments of my life. And I grew even more proud when you stood up for your beliefs and left your corrupted order to pursue the noble path of medicine.

I have stood by you in every decision, because that is what a loving father is supposed to do. Though I was admittedly very tested when you introduced Niklas to us. I couldn't help but feel that he had seduced you, thinking you naive or foolish. But those fears were quickly put to rest when I saw how much he truly cared for you. Though your relationship is far from conventional, I can't disparage it. After all, your mother and I didn't get married until you were old enough to stand in the wedding with us! I wanted to pledge myself to the both of you when you were able to understand it. Otherwise, the vows would have felt empty.

Now I'm sitting here thinking of your upcoming wedding day and trying not to cry in front of your mother. I'm a manly man, dammit! I'm kidding, of course, but I bet I made you laugh! I'm blubbering just as much as Sarah is, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Because all I can see in my mind is me walking you down the aisle, looking as radiant as your mother did, and then giving you away to the man you've given your heart and soul to. Then your mother and I will sit and hold our granddaughter and (hopefully) newborn grandsons as we watch you be sealed together in the Light.

Never forget, my beautiful child, I love you to the stars and back.

Your loving Papa"

Minutes passed. Or was it hours? Time seemed to have stilled as Cay read the words. Then she picked up her mother's letter and read them both again. Tears poured from the stormy eyes she had inherited from her mother and splashed onto her dressing gown. She sat like that for ages, until the tears dried and she was able to stand.

A knock came at the door, and her maid entered again, not speaking much as she helped Cay into her bridal gown. Hair was fixed, light makeup was applied, nails were manicured, her shining coronet placed. Then Marian gently lifted the veil and carefully placed the comb securely into her Lady's curls. With a last look in the mirror, Cay smiled. For the briefest moment, she thought she saw her parents smiling back at her as the front of the veil was brought down over her eyes. Then they were gone. It was time.

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