Lechance

It was a clear morning when Effie set out to find Mr. Nordstrom's store. She still wasn't quite used to walking around town alone, but there was nothing improper to it. No longer. Nothing improper, either, in a married woman calling at a gentleman's outfitters.

A light shawl was draped around her shoulders, and a basket on her arm held samples of thread and lace. The doorbell chimed as she opened it, blinking slightly to adjust her eyes to the lower light levels inside the store. "Mr. Nordstrom? Are ye in?"

Dearest Julian,

I oft times wonder if you realize how proud it makes me to be your husband. That sounds bad, does it not? To be proud and yet I am. In all my childhood dreams, I never truly believed I would find someone that makes me feel as you do. When you are near, I am at peace with all things-myself, our family, our future. Even with the recent events scratching at the foundations of that security, I believe that my choice to come here was the right one. It brought me you and Michel and that is worth more than anything I can imagine.

I do not know what prompted me to write this, but I felt I needed to let you know how much you mean to me.

All my heart,
Theo

Having heard the news about the trap, Theo set about making Julian's favorite dinner as a way to celebrate. Michel had helped and as a result, Theo had recleaned the kitchen once they were done. Michel was upstairs bathing off the results of his assistance, upstairs with the door open where Theo would hear him singing made up songs.

When he heard the front door, he rinsed his hands and went to greet his husband.

The announcement about the meeting had been cried every day for the past week; every citizen had been strongly encouraged to attend.

Since it had the possibility of running for a long time -- and to give it the appropriate sense of seriousness -- the meeting was held in the cathedral, one of the only places in LeChance that could seat most of the town. Leroy stood behind the lectern, quietly talking to Ms. Sheedy as the crowd gathered. He looked tired but determined.

He invited Jonas and his staff to sit at the front of the space with him, giving them a brief rundown of what he planned and giving them a chance to voice objections or suggestions before the idea was placed before the town. Others at the front of the hall included Father Marks, the judge, council members, a historian and the principal of the schools.

Finally, on the hour, Anastacia Mason, the town crier, stepped forward and called for all to be seated and settled. She read a few commonplace announcements before introducing Leroy and moving unobtrusively to the side.

Leroy stepped up, hands behind his back and took a breath as he ordered his thoughts.

( My fellow citizens... )

Julian woke Theo with soft, light touches to his husband's arm and chest, murmuring his name. "Theodore. Theo."

The wedding itself had been very simple and the reception was as well. Theo's family had arrived, both parents, three sibs and their spouses and eight children. Theo's nephews and nieces were happily romping with Michel and introducing him to all sorts of new diversions. Theo's mother had been quiet as she usually was, but had immediately accepted Michel as one of her own grandchildren and approved of Julian. Theo's father was slightly more effusive in his greeting and expressing his joy as this widening of their family circle. Theo was slightly worried Julian would be overwhelmed.

At the moment, the children were playing in the grass as the adults ate at picnic tables that had been decorated with flowers. Theo's mother and sibs had forbid him or Julian from helping prepare the food, which had led to some slight fussing on Theo's part, but everything had turned out just fine.

Under the table, Julian's hand was held in his as he turned to beam at his new husband happily. "What are you thinking?" He leaned in and whispered.

Julian had sent Michel to his friend's for the day. He wasn't nervous, exactly, but there was a slight feeling of. Anticipation. Anticipation was the right word. He'd cleaned the house slightly, setting up an inkwell and paper on the kitchen table for Theo and he to negotiate their contract.

He heard the door, and went to answer Theo in just his shirt and trousers, feet bare and coat off.

Well. Casual.

Theodore read Julian's letter again even though the paper shook slightly from the trembling of his fingers. He'd already read it so many times through that he was amazed the paper didn't show the tracks from his eyes running over the lines. Feeling giddy, he took out a sheet of paper to write back, but there was so much he wanted to say. So many thoughts and feelings and he couldn't get them onto the paper in any kind of sense.

He checked his appearance, smoothed his hair and his clothes then did something so bold that a month ago he never would have dreamed it. Theodore walked through town to Julian's house and knocked on the door, a boquet of small, fragrant, deep blue flowers in his hand. He had no clue what they were.

My dearest Theodore,
It feels odd to say that, yet it's true. We can be married as soon as next Friday. Though we agreed upon a Wednesday so our wedding date with be the 22nd. Or perhaps the 29th. Maybe even more because it's been not quite a month since our betrothal.

I think of you every day. But not as a lover thinks of his first beloved and dreams of serenades and midnight flowers. No, I think of you as a lover thinks of his last beloved and dreams of cold feet and morning kisses, lying snug together in a bed we share.

It's bold of me to even think it, let alone write such a thing in a letter to you, but I think- I hope- you'll forgive me because in my heart I hope you think of the same things. Of the life we'll make together. You've yet to be to my home and we have to remedy that soon because it will be yours as well. There's a beauty to it, rambling as it is, and I think it will fit you as it fits Michel and me. As I hope it will fit any more children we have.

We have more to talk about, much to contract and discuss and agree upon. But I woke thinking of you and had to write before I could sleep again.

Always yours,
Julian

Julian arrived, without notice, at Theo's shop around noon with Michel on his hip. He knocked on the door, then came in, calling, "Mr. Nordstrom?"

Theo locked up his shop for the evening and headed down the street toward the hotel. He hadn't really heard from Julien since Mr. Lechance had spoken to him and that was something that was weighing on his mind. When he saw Julien, Theo blushed brightly, but walked toward him with a smile. "Mr. MacKallister. What a pleasure to see you, are you well?"

Jon found himself once again in the salon of the Beloved hotel, his card on it's way up to Theodore. He wasn't sure what to expect now that Ben had totally upended his thoughts on courting with his unpredictable and rebellious nature. Surprisingly, Jon had found it delightful.

He'd dressed just as carefully, a dark gray suit, vest, tie, hat and gloves Jon had taken his hand and gloves off as he waited for Theo to appear.

Theo finished locking up his shop for the night and as he was walking, he saw that the lights were still on where Ben worked. Smiling, he turned that direction. Pushing the door open, he called out, "Ben? It's Theodore. Are you here?"

Mr. Nordstrom,

I would be honored if you would care to receive me at Four o'clock in the afternoon this Tuesday. I will make arrangements for an appropriate chaperon.

With Kind Regards,
Mr. Jonathan Stanton IV

Temporary booths seemed to have sprung up overnight in the open space near Ms. Sheedy's hotel. Merchants of all kinds were selling their wares -- food and cloth, tools and trinkets, necessities and things people didn't really need, but wanted. Some of the expensive goods were tucked within the safety of more permanent "stores" in the building that housed the nickelodeon.

Performers roamed through the crowd and the streets, and there was a bright, festive feel all about.

A few blocks away, near the smithy, the livestock market was slightly less festive (and slightly more oderous) but still just as popular.

( Home )


( To Julian MacKallister )

Julian had arranged with the parents of one of Michel's playmates for one to watch Michel while the other accompanied Julian on his call. So with Madeline Macen, Julian showed up at the hotel, promptly at 3pm. He'd brushed his hair, had his hands slapped away by Madeline every time he'd tried to put his fingers into it. He hadn't been able to be talked out of bringing a potted plant, however.

Despite having done this before, he wasn't very good at it. Twelve years out of practice too. He sent word with a maid for Theo that he was at the hotel and went to a sitting room to wait, sitting and talking with Madeline. When the door opened, he stood immediately, sketching a half-bow.

Mr. Nordstrom,
I would like to call on you this coming Saturday afternoon, if such a time would be convenient to you.

Thank you kindly,
Julian MacKallister

( Letters to Ascendants )

( Beloved )

The party had ended. He'd seen the people of the town, if not met them all personally. He'd talked a bit, he'd eaten. He'd avoided dancing, fortunately for him. No one wanted to look like a fool on their first night in public, did they?

He'd unpacked his things into the house he'd chosen, across the street from the smithy and down a few doors, just as he'd said. Everything was in it's place, arranged and waiting for when he came home at the end of the day and relaxed.

Now it was time to work. He'd gotten up early, before the sun was up, and started the fire in the forge. He donned the leather apron that was a hallmark of his trade and when the sky lightened, those closest to the smithy would have heard the rhythm of metal against metal, his own unique "tune" hammered out.

He was making tools at the moment. Wasn't that what people needed when starting in a new place? He'd pinched off several dozen nails already, and worked now on a shovel blade, hair pulled back and an all-too-common smear of soot on his forehead. He glanced up at the person lingering in the open doorway of the shop, made a few more blows to the slowly-shaping plane of metal, then thrust it into a bucket of water, dusted his hands together and stepped closer. He bowed from the waist before saying, "Is there something you need?"