Bone Diggers - Chapter Forty Eight

Loading... Chapter Forty Eight

"You got this," Daniel whispered to Amilia, who was doubled over in a breathless panic. The first time it happened Daniel wasn't sure what to do. To be honest, he didn't do anything of real help for the first month. But as time went on, he found that holding her hand, and reminding her to how to breathe evenly, was all he could really do. It was a simple thing that ended up working after other simple things didn't.

Shortly after Amilia's return, they had to pick things up and travel to France for Lance's wedding. Daniel offered to support her staying home if needed, but Amilia assured him that it would be fine. Now he wasn't so sure, even though where she was hardly seemed to matter.

She clutched her stomach as she stood. Her breathing still mimicked a stone skipping across water. Daniel watched silently before opening up his arms, an invitation Amilia sometimes took. Today, the hug was welcomed. "Thank you," she managed.

She didn't have to explain how or why the tension of the wedding, stress of traveling, or having to meet so many new people had gotten to her for him to understand. "Is there anything else I can do?" he offered.

Amilia shook her head. "No. I'm okay," she said, convincing herself.

Daniel was just glad he was around to help. "I love you," he reminded.

"And I love you," Amilia whispered back. "You should go help Lance get ready."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now."

Daniel kissed her hand before he left. She was due somewhere else too, and after taking a centering breath, she headed out of their room to find Chloe.

"Sorry I'm late," Amilia said, as she squeezed into the room that Chloe was getting ready in.

"It's okay, dear," Chloe said, turning back as far as she could as Lily fastened her corset. "Somebody thought they could squeeze the truth about how I met Lance out of me."

"I've seen the lives those boys lead." Lily grinned as she finished up with an extra little tug. "And here you tell me this causal story about the power of chance."

Amilia nervously turned her hands over each other. Chloe had been more than sweet, but Lily hadn't warmed up since her return. "I actually haven't heard that story."

"It's nothing real exciting, you know nobles and their politics," Chloe said. She reached a hand up to work on her hair. Lily shooed her hand away, and after a half-second pout, Chloe went on. "Our families do business together, and some time ago there was a health scare with Lance's father. During that time, Lance came back home, and that's when we met."

Lily gave a glance to Amilia, who was still standing by the door. It was meant to silently ask 'can you believe that?' Which Amilia did, so she just pulled on a quick smile.

"Lance's stories are so full of adventure." The admiration was clear in Chloe's voice as she spoke. "Most soldiers only tell tales of their own glory, but not Lance. It was from his stories that I first heard of you. I think he even included the painful stories, the ones where things weren't so perfect, so I wouldn't fall for the grandeur of it all.

"When Daniel came to visit, I did not know if I would never see Lance again. But, I knew one thing. I wanted to be a part of those stories, good or bad. I have no craft like either of you, so hid in their carriage as they traveled to London. Or tried. I swore Daniel was going to throw me out on the street for hiding away."

"But why so soon?" Lily said, as she placed a final pin into Chloe's blonde locks.

"Oh please," Chloe said. It was the roughest tone Amilia ever heard from her, and while still kinder than most people's default, it made Amilia's heart race a little faster, as if she was the target. "I've written to him for almost a year before meeting, and we were in England for quite some time," Chloe continued. "And while playing house there was fun, Lance has always wanted to start his own family and I couldn't be more excited."

Amilia couldn't remember Lance talking about kids. She racked her brain for him mentioning it, only to realize she had missed it. Who knew what else. It proved one really doesn't know a couple by their outward appearance. This thought added to the painful combination of London and marriage, and caused Amilia to stare off. She noticed someone move closer, but jumped after the fact. When Amilia's attention was dropped back into the present, she was confused of where she was.

Chloe mistakenly took this as a sign she was a bad host. "I'm so sorry, listen to me babble on." She was now close enough to hold both her hands out to Amilia. It took a second, but Amilia took her friend's hands. "I just wanted to say, thank you so much for coming. I know we aren't the closest, but it means a lot that you're here. Both Lance and Daniel told me so much about you, and I never thought I'd get to meet you. Oh, look at me babbling again." Chloe sniffled hard, eyes welling.

Amilia could see Lily's tight expression from over Chloe's shoulder, but she willed herself to focus on the bride. "I'm glad to be here, too," Amilia said, and gave her a little squeeze before letting go. Chloe shined brighter than the summer sun, full of joy and hope for her future. "You make a beautiful bride."

"Prêt, ma chèrie?" Chloe's mother peeked in from the open door. She, too, was short, and held herself with a quieter charm than her daughter. Amilia wasn't sure what she said but contextually she figured prêt meant ready.

As they all funneled out of the room, Amilia separated from the bride to find Daniel. He was seated right behind Lance's family, with whom she had barely become familiar. She took in a deep breath before braving the crowd to reach him. Once Daniel saw her, he stood to help her sit and gave her as much space as she needed.

"You look gorgeous," he said, smiling from ear to ear. Amilia mirrored him with lively excitement. He looked dashing as well, suited in what men with money usually preferred to wear. For a moment, she reminisced over her father and how he dressed when she was young.

"Should I give introductions while we wait here?" Daniel asked.

Any plan that didn't involve being paraded around, Amilia liked. She scooted a little closer so he could whisper. "I'm sure you could guess, but the stout fellow across the way is Chloe's father. The Carré family does a lot of trade with England, but their main interests are in this state. Simply home, I guess."

"Any gossip I should know?"

Daniel had a sly smile that boarded on nervous. "Yeah," he went on as his volume dropped further. "If this wedding had happened not even a year ago, I wouldn't have been allowed to sit on this side."

"Why?" Amilia mouthed.

"I'm never...." Daniel frowned. "Quite what anyone's family expects. Blamed as a distraction it seems. I'm certain the guild was no help with that."

Amilia placed her hand on his arm, a small reassurance that seemed to brighten his expression. "I've never met your family," she said, not really a question or a statement. Amilia knew his father was still around, but it was a clear contrast between them. She had been all about family. He, on the other hand, had always been about faction. Which happened to sometimes include friends and family.

"I should introduce you to my father," Daniel said. His attention was divided as Lance stepped out, looking far more prim and proper than usual. The livery collar he wore even made him look princely. Lance also had the right amount of nervousness as he ran his hands down his tunic.

Daniel looked back at Amilia, smile growing. "I think he'd love to meet you."

The idea made Amilia nervous, even though it was something she wanted. But that was another day. All she had to do was enjoy today. Daniel looked around to do a quick head count, trying to gauge how much longer it would be, and before he finished, Chloe stepped out.

Children who sat in the back rows stepped in front, dragging white ribbons with them. While Amilia had already seen the wedding dress, ohs and ahs escaped from those who had not. Her rare white dress kissed the floor as she walked, and her hands had lace delicately dripping off.

Her father brought over a small pair of ornate scissors to cut the ribbons that blocked the bride's path to the groom. While it was customary watch the bride, Daniel looked back to Lance. He stood, with his lips slightly parted and a clear look of love on his face. Daniel had always worried his friend would marry for an heir, but not now, or ever again.

Chloe cut the ribbons, and handed the scissors back to her grinning father. When she moved to stand next to Lance, he nervously smiled towards her family, then the priest, until finally back to Chloe. "The Anne of Brittany would not outshine you today." He whispered, since it was out of turn.

The ceremony was in French, and when it got to the vows Daniel leaned in again. He started translating as quietly as he could. "I, Chloe Carré, take you, Lance Tarlé, to be my husband. You are the only man I know that can be a force of nature without losing his humor, and spirit to it. I look forward to every day we spend together, and cherish every laugh we share. You told me your stories, and I want to be a part of them forevermore."

Amilia recognized a line from earlier. Chloe's vows must have been in her head for days. Lance started speaking and Daniel let him get a little ahead. "I, Lance Tarlé, take you, Chloe Carré, to be my wife. Never have I met a person more charming, sweet, and loving. Your laugh is a sound I'd cross oceans to hear. From the moment you tagged along with me, I knew I would be lost without you, and it would be an honor to be wed to you."

Lance stopped talking, but Daniel continued adding a line of his own. Even after priest started to talk and the translation became even more out of sync. "I saw the world from a young age, but I didn't feel much of its beauty until I found you," Daniel said, as he now looked over at Amilia.

She had been watching the wedding, but ended up looking at Daniel, confused. When it dawned on her, she felt a small pain in her heart. Her lips spread into a smile as she leaned into his shoulder. It took what felt like the entire ceremony for the smile to subside.

The wedding shifted into the reception. Lance and Chloe stood on opposite sides of the croquembouche cake, leaning over it to kiss. Chloe had to stand on her very tiptoes to reach. Daniel and Amilia were seated by the bride and groom as the toast got underway.

"It pleases me to no end that our paths have brought us here. All together, and now we get to celebrate you two becoming family." Daniel lifted his glass as he finished his speech. "To friends in love."

Before they were free to mingle, pieces of bread were placed in the bottom of the newlyweds' drink. Tradition claimed whoever hit the bottom first would rule the household. They raced, but it wasn't long before an excited noise came from Chloe signaling she won. Lance sighed, putting his glass down that was awfully light itself before laughing.