Just Between Friends (11 page)

     Miranda didn’t say anything for a while.  Finally, she said, “Alright, Alec, but just understand that I can’t promise you anything, not now anyway.”

     But feeling that ray of hope, Alec touched Miranda’s face.  “I know,” he replied, “but at least it’s a start.”  He reached down and lightly touched his lips to hers.  As he pulled away, he couldn’t help wishing that Miranda had felt the same as he, but he had to give her time. 

     He then reached out and took her small hand in his, as they started to walk on, and said a silent prayer that one day Miranda’s heart would truly belong to him.  But this was a start, and for now, that was enough to satisfy him.  She would learn to love him one day, he really believed that.  One day.

     Winter passed, bringing in a spring full of wonderful surprises.  Ben and Cassandra were going to be married in only three months, and the biggest surprise of all was the announcement that her mother, Mary, was going to have another baby.  The house was abuzz with excitement.  Miranda was seeing more of Alec, and the two were becoming closer, although Steven would always be number one in her heart.

     Everyone worried about Mary, expecting a baby so many years after having lost her last one, eleven years earlier, a little boy, being stillborn.  They had been reluctant to have another, but their father had so wanted a son.  So, they decided to try one last time.

     The baby wasn’t due until October, and Mary was going to have to get a lot of rest, so Miranda was determined to see that she got it.  This baby had to live.  Her parents couldn’t take it if they lost another.

     She remembered the last time.  She was only twelve then, and Cassie just eight.  Their father had sent them upstairs to their room when the doctor had arrived.  They had been so frightened.  Their mother had been screaming for what seemed like an eternity, when suddenly everything became silent.  Unable to stand it any longer, Miranda had told Cassie to stay in the room, and she tiptoed to the top of the stairs.

     As she did, she saw her father crying as the doctor handed the child to him.  It was wrapped in a blanket, but she saw one tiny foot sticking out.  It was so blue.  What was going on?  What about her mother?  Was she alright?  She had to know, so slowly, she descended the stairs.  No-one even noticed, until she cleared her throat and spoke, “Papa, what’s wrong?  Is mama alright?”

     Her father just stared for a moment, seeming oblivious to anything else happening around him.  He was still in shock of the news of the loss of his son.  Miranda’s small voice finally jolted him back to reality.  “Miranda, I told you to go upstairs!  Now go!”

     She had begun to cry, and turned to run, when the doctor took her by the arm and led her up the stairs.  As they approached her room, he stopped and knelt before her.  Very kindly he spoke, “Honey, your mama’s going to be fine.  She’s just resting.  She had a little trouble having the baby, but she’s going to be fine now.”

     “What about the baby?”  Miranda’s voice trembled.  “Is it going to be fine too?”  Tears were streaming down her face.

     The doctor had shaken his head.  “No, honey I’m afraid the baby didn’t make it.  So, you’re going to have to be understanding to your father, and help all you can.”

     Miranda couldn‘t stop the tears, as she asked, “Was it a boy or a girl?”

     Sadly, the doctor answered, “It was a little boy.”

     Knowing how devastated her father must feel, she couldn’t speak.  She just turned, opened her door and went in her room.  Cassie had fallen asleep, so she made her way to her bed, lay down on it, and cried until she had fallen asleep. 

     That had been a long time ago, and her mother seemed in good health now, and the doctor had said there should be no complications.  She just hoped and prayed he was right.

                                             ***

     The days were flying by.  In only two short weeks, Cassie would be married.  As Miranda looked at her little sister, she realized if there had been no war, she and Steven would already have been married for nearly five years.  She wondered how many children they would have had, and what they would have looked like.

     She was shaken from her thoughts when her father walked in the room and said, “Well girls, it looks as if we’re going to be having some company for a while.  Your aunt Alice is coming in for the wedding, and insists on staying until after the baby is born, so she can help.”  He then walked up to his youngest daughter and looked at her sadly, then added, “I guess we can put her in your room, since you’ll be leaving.”

     Miranda could see her father holding back tears.  He was going to miss Cassie a lot.  Cassie also knew it.  She reached up and kissed him on the cheek, and declared, “I love you, Papa.  Don’t worry.  I’ll still be around a lot.  I won’t be very far away.  I’ll visit all the time.”

     “I know, honey,” he responded.  “But it still won’t be the same.  Whatever happened to my little girl anyway?  It seems only yesterday, you was climbing trees and getting into all kinds of mischief.  It’s as if you’ve grown up overnight.”  Then looking at Miranda, added, “Both of you.”

     Cassie wanted to make her father feel better, so she said in a soothing voice, “Well, Papa, in only a few short months, there will be a new baby in the house.  He or she will take my place.”

     “No-one could ever do that, Cassandra.”  He bent and kissed her forehead.  “Be happy, honey, that’s all I can ask.”

     She nodded and replied, “I will be, Papa.  I love Ben so much.  I know we’ll be very happy together.  Now, enough about me, when is Aunt Alice arriving?”

     “Next week.”  He replied.  “Do you suppose the two of you can double up in Miranda’s room?  I hate to ask, but you know how your aunt Alice is.  She’s used to having her privacy.  She was even like that as a child.  Mama always tried to get her to associate more with people, but if that’s the way she chooses to live, then I guess that’s her business.”

     They both laughed.  “We know, Papa.”  Miranda stated.  “It’s alright with me, if Cassie doesn’t mind.”

     Cassie just looked at her sister, and replied, “Well of course it’s alright with me.  That way we can spend some more time together before I move out.”

     Frank looked pleased. “Good, it’s settled then!” He exclaimed.  “Thanks girls.”

                                           ***

     The days passed.  Aunt Alice had arrived, and although she could be quite annoying at times, she was being a wonderful help.  The days were passing by so quickly, it hardly seemed there would be enough time to get everything ready for the wedding, now, only two days away.

     At the Williams house, Ben could hardly sleep anymore.  All he could think about was Cassandra.  In only two days, she would be his wife.  She would then be his forever.  He wondered what married life would be like.  He knew he shouldn’t, but he kept thinking about their wedding night.  He had to get his mind on something else.

     “Ben!”  Louise Williams yelled, as she tapped on his bedroom door.  “May I come in?”

     Ben jumped.  “Sure Ma!”  He yelled back.

     Mary entered the room, and swept a glance all about it.  Her son wasn’t the tidiest person, she thought.  When would he ever learn to pick up his clothes?  She noticed one black stocking sticking out from under the bed, and a pair of overalls lying in one corner on the floor.  She hoped these habits would change once he was a married man.

     Ben sat on the side of the bed.  His feet were bare, and he looked as if he hadn’t combed his hair all day.  “Are you getting ready for bed, dear?  You’ve been up here all evening.  Are you not feeling well, or is it a bad case of the jitters?” 

     Ben had a lot on his mind right now, and he didn’t feel like answering a lot of questions.  Besides, he was tired, and feeling a little irritable.  Maybe once he could finally get some sleep, he would feel better.  “No, Ma,” he answered.  “I just need to get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll be fine.”

     Louise approached the bed, sat down, and put her arm around her son’s shoulders.  “Ben,” she began, “I know you’re nervous, but you have nothing to worry about.  You and Cassandra belong together.  She’ll make you a good wife, and I know you’ll make her a good husband.”

     Ben cleared his throat, then spoke, “Ma, wasn’t you nervous when you got married?”

     His mother smiled, and understanding how her son felt, encouraged him, by saying, “Dear, I think everyone is, but you needn’t be.  Everything will turn out fine.  You and Cassandra will be very happy together.”  She then turned more serious, and added, “There is one problem though.”

     He gave her a curious look, “What do you mean, Ma?  What kind of problem?”

     “I don’t know what we’re going to do around her without you.  It just won’t be the same.”  She then hugged him close.  “All your pa and I want is for your happiness, and I know with Cassandra, you will be have that.”  She wiped a tear from her eye, and rose.  She glanced back before she left the room, and said, “Now, get on downstairs and spend a little time with your family, while you can, you hear?”

     He could see how hard this was on his mother, but he just said, “I’ll be right down.”  As she left the room, and closed the door, he realized that in only two days this would no longer be his home.  He would then be the one responsible for his wife, and hopefully, one day, his children.  Right now though, he wouldn’t think about that.  His mother was right.  He needed to spend a little time with his family.  He really was going to miss them.  He stood, and after throwing on a clean shirt, he combed his fingers through his hair, and went downstairs to join them.

***

     That night when their parents retired, Alec asked Ben if he could talk with him about something.  Still in the parlor, he walked over to the fireplace, and leaned against the mantle.  “Little brother,” he began, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.  I’ve
decided to ask Miranda.  I know she still thinks about Steven, but I believe she’s beginning to care for me also.”  He then stood up straight, and turning to face Ben, asked, “What do you think?  Should I, or shouldn’t I?”

     Ben stared at his brother.  How should he respond to this?  He knew that Miranda cared a lot for Alec, but he also knew she still wasn’t over Steven.  The last thing he wanted to do was to hurt him, so he inquired, “Gee, I don’t know.  This is so unexpected.  Does Miranda have any idea you’re thinking this way?”

     Alec shook his head in response.  “I don’t think so, but I know she knows how I feel about her, and that it’s only a matter of time, so why not now?”

     Ben was curious.  “So, when do you plan to ask her?”

     Alec grinned.  “What better time?  I plan to ask her on the day you and Cassie tie the knot.”

     Ben looked surprised, and all he could think to say was, “Well, I wish you luck.  I hope the two of you can be as happy as Cassie and I are sure to be.”  He became silent a moment, then continued, “I have something I need to discuss with someone too.  I didn’t say anything when ma came upstairs and asked me what was wrong.  It’s really silly anyway.”

     With much concern in his voice, Alec asked, “What is it, Ben?”

     Ben fidgeted, and scratched the tip of his nose.  He felt a little embarrassed, but still he asked, “You’ll probably laugh, but I just can’t seem to quit thinking about my wedding night.  What if I’m a disappointment to Cassandra?”

    Alec did laugh.  “I’m sorry, Ben.  I don’t mean to laugh at you.  It’s just the way you’re acting.  I can imagine how you must feel, but look, I realize I’ve never come as close to marriage as you.  I know it’s a natural thing to be nervous.  Why, just think how Cassie must feel.  She’s probably thinking about the same things you are, and as you well know, she should be more nervous than you.”

     “Okay, okay!”  Ben exclaimed.  “Let’s not talk about this anymore!”

     They both laughed, as they made their way upstairs.  Since they no longer shared a room, Ben said appreciatively, before entering his.  “Thanks, Alec.  Thanks for listening.  I feel better.”