“I am,” Simon chuckled under his breath. For all his criticism of his brother, he had to acknowledge that he had come a long way.
He was now a responsible father — one that had stepped up to take care of Catherine, and one that had promised to give Emma the life that she deserved by leaving his rakish ways behind.
As Emma reached the altar, Tobias stepped forward to take her hand.
“Oh, we are starting,” Harriet said, her voice choked with emotion.
“Are you crying, love?” he teased.
She shot him a glare, but sniffled into her napkin. He could only stare back at her with amusement.
Simon found it quite endearing how easy it was for his wife to cry for other people. She possessed unending empathy when it came to others, like she could feel the pain of people whom she did not even know well.
For Simon, it was a new thing. As a duke, he had been taught to not be so soft, and it was not something he had seen around him much either. It showed Simon the softness of her heart, which was something of hers that he was quite fond of himself.
A soft, tender and loving heart that had somehow decided to love him back.
How lucky was I?
The ceremony began.
"We gather here today to witness the union of two souls,” the minister’s voice was calm and steady.
The minister continued on with the ceremony.
“I now pronounce you, Man and Wife.”
As the minister finally said the final words, the guests erupted into applause and the newly married couple finally kissed.
Simon and Harriet watched from the sidelines, their hands entwined. As the kiss lingered, Simon leaned down to whisper in Harriet's ear. “Well, he finally did it. And we did not have a runaway bride situation either.”
Harriet smiled, her eyes misty with emotion. “He did. And so did we.”
After the ceremony, as the guests mingled and enjoyed the reception, Simon and Harriet quietly slipped away from the festivities.
There was something that they wanted to do that was a lot more important.
“She’s supposed to be here somewhere,” Harriet said, in search of Catherine. She was meant to be with her nursemaid, who had brought her to the venue.
Finally, after some searching, they found the room.
Catherine was nestled in her makeshift cradle, peacefully asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. Harriet felt her heart swell with love as she looked down at her, the child who had brought so much joy and meaning into her life.
The child who had changed everything for her.
And one whom they must depart with now.
“Can we have a moment with her?” Harriet requested to the nursemaid, who nodded and left the room promptly.
“We are going to visit her all the time,” she whispered to Simon.
Saying goodbye to Catherine was a difficult thing for both of them. But they had made their peace with it, knowing that she was never theirs to begin with.
Catherine had her parents, who had now united. She deserved to grow up with them, and witness their love.
“I will miss you so much,” Harriet leaned over to kiss little Catherine slightly on her cheek.
“As will I,” Simon added behind her.
