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.We decided that we could celebrate two anniversaries a year from now on, which sounded wonderful to me.“Will you set the record straight by telling everyone that I am this baby’s father?” Ethan asked me one cold afternoon in January.We were sitting by the fireplace in the river-front parlor at Wellington Cross, watching it snow outside.The river could be seen from the manor now, since the leaves on most of the trees were gone.I had started going over to Wellington Cross every day, instead of Lillie coming to Magnolia Grove.Ethan would come over with Blackfoot and a carriage to escort me back and forth between our plantations.By going to Wellington every day, I was helping to take care of both Lillie and Lizzie, and also started slowly bringing my belongings back to our third floor bedchambers in preparation for our marriage.It also helped get Lizzie used to being around me.Fanny and her baby moved into one of the rooms above the kitchen house so she could be close to Lizzie, being her wet nurse.Lillie was also getting used to me being at Wellington Cross again with her and Ethan, as it should have been all along.She was very happy about it, and very soon we would all be together all the time.Ethan touched my belly to feel the growing baby.“You told everyone at the harvest ball that you were having William’s baby.Do you see where lying gets you in trouble?” he chided.“You’re right.I’m sorry about that.” I touched the ear of one of the wolfies, who sat in the floor by our feet, in front of the warm fire.I had missed the dogs while being away from them for so long.“I think you should tell the truth…that I am the baby’s father, and that you lied to protect me.Otherwise, if we continue to let everyone think William is the father, we’d have to keep up the lie, and this baby wouldn’t grow up to be an heir to the Wellington name or this plantation.That wouldn’t be good.Not to mention when the child got old enough to start asking questions, would we lie to the child about who the real father was, or make him or her lie to everyone else and be expected to keep a secret?”“You’re right.I’ll have to tell the truth.That we still loved each other, had a moment of weakness, and now I am having your baby.Are you happy with that?”“Perfectly happy.As long as I get to spend the rest of my life with you and our children, I can endure anything.No amount of ridicule could ever change my mind.” He gave me an endearing kiss, and then his demeanor changed.“You know, I’d like to think all of the worrying is over, but Jeff is still out there somewhere.”I had filled Ethan in on everything Jefferson had told me and what had happened to him.“Yes, and we now know that little Lizzie is his half-niece.Do you think he’ll come back?”“Not if I can help it,” Ethan said.February 14 was a cold but sunny day for our wedding.I was pleased that the sun was shining and took that as a good sign.As I prepared to leave Magnolia Grove, I took a good look around, knowing that I would miss being here, especially the close friendship that Catherine and I had developed.I told her so when she was helping me with my hair.She was dressed in a deep blue gown with white lace trim and pearls around her neck.“You look beautiful, Catherine.”“Oh, thank you, but you’re the beautiful bride, Madeline.You’ve never looked happier.” I was wearing my satiny green dress, which had to be altered to allow for the baby.I could no longer wear the corset, and the crinoline had to be altered, as well.I felt as big as a hot-air balloon.I was clasping my Celtic cross necklace around my neck, the Wellington heirloom.“I am happier than I’ve ever been, but I’m going to miss you.”“No, you won’t,” she said.“You’ll be far too busy loving your husband and taking care of your babies.” I laughed.“We’ll still be close.I’ll just be right down the road from you.We’ll help you watch the babies anytime you need us.Besides, once your honeymoon is over, I’ll need your help planning my wedding.”We took the carriage to Wellington Cross, where we were to be wed in the main hall, surrounded by family, close friends and neighbors.Obviously, we had to be wed inside the house this time instead of outside since it was cold.We had married here on this plantation the first time instead of Westover Church since it had been badly damaged when it was used as stables during the war, so it was in no condition to hold a wedding.I wanted to be married in the same place again this time.This place was special to me, always had been.Also, I didn’t want a bunch of gossip-mongers watching me walk down the aisle, whispering and speculating, despite what Mrs.O’Loughlin said.I only wanted our close families and friends, the people who loved us and understood how much we loved each other and what we’d been through to get to this day.Jonas gave me away, just as he did the first time I married Ethan.“I’m going to miss all your hard work on the plantation,” he told me before walking down the stairs to make my entrance.He was smiling.“Oh, really?” I asked, smiling back.“Is that all I’m good for?”He kissed my cheek.“No, I’m going to miss you, too.”Reverend O’Loughlin performed the ceremony.Chairs had been pulled from the dining room for witnesses to sit on; some had to stand and others sat on the floor.Catherine was my maid of honor, and Jonas was Ethan’s best man.Lillie was the flower girl, dropping camellia pedals up the hall before I came out.She stood beside Catherine, wearing a lacy white dress, looking like an angel.She looked at her father and me curiously during the whole ceremony.Baby Lizzie was held by her grandmother, Clarissa, cooing softly.Fanny stood off to the side in the back with her newest friends, Cora and the girls, along with Jake and Zeke.The women had prepared food to serve everyone after the ceremony.William stood alone by a wall, his eyes shining brightly with what may have been tears.It was a joyous day of celebration.After promising to love, honor, cherish, and protect each other, we went into the dining room for the reception.We ate splendid delicacies including quail, rockfish, crab soup, wine jelly, and a big Heritage wedding cake, decorated with white icing and fresh deep pink camellias placed on top.After having some cake and wine, Ethan and I danced in the main hall, which had been cleared of all the chairs directly following the wedding ceremony.“I love you, Mrs.Wellington,” Ethan said, as we waltzed, pressed as close to one another as we possibly could.“And I love you, my husband.” It felt so good to call him my husband again
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