Page 14 of Willow (Out on a Limb #4)
A few days later, Forest Grange
“I can’t believe it,” Lady Hazel Trease stared once again at Harry and Willow as they sat close to each other, holding hands, on the couch in the Trease parlour. “Married. To each other…”
“That’s usually the way it works, Mama,” grinned Ashe. “And it shows that what I have said all along, that Harry is a smart chap.”
Holly, Willow’s un-identical twin, simply smiled. “It was inevitable, sister. You were absolutely devoted to Harry almost before you let your skirts down.”
“Nonsense,” scoffed Willow.
“Hah. I know what I know,” teased Holly. “We are twins. We see what others might miss.”
Willow’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm. You may be right.” She looked steadily at Holly. “Don’t forget that.”
“But married,” sighed Lady Trease. “And I was so looking forward to this last wedding, wasn’t I, dearest?”
Lord Hawthorn Trease, who had remained silent during most of the conversation simply because he couldn’t get a word in edgewise, blinked as if surprised he was actually expected to say something.
Then he smiled at Willow. “I’m not sure whether we need another ceremony, but I do think we need a really fine party in honour of the marriage of my last child.”
“Papa,” she sniffled, “what a lovely idea.”
Before the room could fill with a variety of suggestions, a maid came running in. “My Lady, Sir, please could Mr Ashe come quick? It’s Mrs Florinda…”
The colour fled from Ashe’s cheeks. “Oh God. It’s time…Mama…” He looked helplessly at his parent.
“Go, darling. I’ll be there if I’m needed…”
Ashe ran from the room as if all the devils in hell were after him, and Lady Hazel sighed. “Florinda has been ready for at least ten days, which is why she wasn’t here to welcome you home, Willow.”
“She’s having the baby now?” Harry’s eyebrows rose. “Er…should I leave? Should we leave? I don’t know…what should we do?”
“Absolutely nothing, dear boy,” Lord Hawthorn replied calmly. “Trust in nature, say a wee prayer to the Lord, and let the wonder of childbirth proceed. It’s what I’ve done four times, and you can see how well it worked.” He waved his hand expansively around the room, encompassing Willow and Holly.
“Are Cherry and Garrett coming soon?” Willow asked.
Holly shook her head. “I don’t think so. She’s increasing, you know. And poor thing has been suffering quite a bit of unpleasantness, I’ve heard. Anyway, Garrett says as soon as she feels well enough, they’ll make the journey.”
“Well.” She turned to her twin. “Where’s Richard? Writing another law book? Or more likely reading one?”
“Probably,” laughed Holly. “He’s quite brilliant, you know.”
“I know,” Willow dug her elbow into her sister. “So married life isn’t so bad then, is it?”
“I like it.” Holly glanced at Willow. “What about you?”
“Haven’t really had time to get used to it yet. But thus far?” She gave a gusty sigh. “It’s just wonderful .”
“We did quite nicely for ourselves, didn’t we?”
“Especially when you think how we were adamant we’d never wed…”
The twins laughed together, and the family passed the rest of this eventful morning discussing plans for Willow and Harry’s celebratory party.
It wasn’t until quite late in the afternoon, when everyone gathered for tea, that silence fell as the door to the parlour opened, and Ashe walked in.
He carried a large bundle against his chest and had a rather odd look on his face.
“Ahem.” He cleared his throat. “I’d like to introduce you all to…” he separated the bundle, “Master Alder Trease, and…” he held up the other half, “Miss Magnolia Trease.”
There is little need to describe the joy, the tears, the noise, the chaos, and the excitement this announcement brought to the Forest Grange household.
And since the present generation has now settled into joyous marriages of their own choosing, it is a good time to leave them to their celebrations and bid them farewell, while wishing them all the happiness in the world.
(One does have to wonder, however, what they’ll name future generations, if they exhaust the supply of trees…)