christmas_darling [The Social Season]

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
=====Christmas Darling=====

It is difficult for a man so used to putting others' needs ahead of his own to cope with a day dedicated to himself. It is fortunate, then, that the wonderful day in question was also dedicated to an impressive woman whom he loved more passionately than he ever had before. Neither Dowager Count Christmas Darling nor Lady Anne Nevill expected that they would have a second chance at love, and yet somehow, against all the odds, they stumbled into it anyway.

Despite his family’s halfhearted attempts at protests, it was inevitable that Christmas would end up organising the proceedings, in meticulous, exacting detail. Having recently planned his younger daughter’s wedding a few months ago, he should have been confident in his capabilities, and yet the pressure of organising a day worthy of the incredible person he was going to be marrying weighed heavily on him. His family (a steadily-growing group including many people unconnected to him by blood) quickly got used to his blunter-than-usual remarks and nitpicking criticisms brought on by the stress of it all, sharing many knowing smirks when he left the room to deal with yet-another crisis he needed to plan for.

In the end, it turned out that there had been no need to worry so much. (Or perhaps it was all the worrying that had made it so successful – he could not rule that out.) The day was beautiful – a simple church service conducted in front of friends and family, followed by an intimate wedding breakfast in the gardens of the Darling mansion. Duke and Duchess Chesterton’s finances allowed for the garden furniture to be replenished, and Mr. Bastable ensured that special attention had been put into a floral arrangement around a very important gazebo.

With Henrietta having recently married and left home, it had become rarer for everyone in the family to get together, despite their best efforts. This made their time on this wedding day even more precious, and each of them knew that. As Christmas looked around the sunny garden he knew so well, given new life by those within it, he allowed himself to bask in the warmth of being surrounded by people who loved each other and loved him. It had been a difficult journey to get here, filled with many dark days, so he more than deserved to finally take in the light.