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jennaferz

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I love writing because it’s telling a story that no one else can tell, giving a gift that no one else can give.
This is Anne and Caleb’s story.
Their gift.
Their lifesong.
A saga that has never been heard and never again will be put to paper…
BLOOD-STAINED LACE.

Chapter 2
Crashing Perfection

That night, alone in her chamber, Anne pushed up her sleeve and stared at the initials on her arm. She hadn’t shown them to her parents as Caleb had commanded. She couldn’t let herself be afraid of him; fear would diminish her love.

And yet she couldn’t help but fear him.

For just a few moments, he had snapped out of their reality. Previously, their relationship had been a perfect one--not one fight, not one disagreement, not one unkind word spoken against each other. There had only been their budding love, and with every day they saw each other the flowers opened more and more. The strangest part was, she didn’t hate Caleb as she stared down at the cuts on her arm. They were still slightly leaking blood, and she should have been brimming with fury, but all she could think of was the flowers and how they would continue to open, because Anne had no one else.

After he cut her , he had sunk back into his normal self. He had taken her hand, kissed her cheek, told her how beautiful she was. And then, before she returned home, he had kissed her--their first kiss.

And although she knew it was wrong, she loved that kiss.

She thought of it now, a smile playing at her lips as she recalled it. It had been as flawless as Caleb himself, as beautiful as the flowers surrounding them, and as sweet as the smearing colors of the sunset behind them. She glanced across the room into the mirror. Her face was flushed with happiness, her eyes alight with love. Caleb would not step out of his perfection again. He would always be her Caleb, the one she loved and adored, and she had to hold to that.

She fell asleep with her fingers pressed against his initials.

When she awoke, the lace of her nightgown was stained with blood.
Quickly she changed and washed her hands, filling the tub with soapy water and soaking the nightgown in it. Nobody must see it. Nobody must change their opinion of Caleb because of one simple mistake.

She dressed quickly, tying a gauze bandage around her arm and pulling her sleeve as far down as she could. As she stepped lightly down the stairs, she could hear voices coming from the dining room. “Good morning,” she called out as she walked in, then stopped in her tracks.

Not only were her parents seated at the table, but Caleb as well.

She smiled at him, glad that she had taken the time to dress before coming downstairs.

“Good morning,” Caleb answered, smiling at her. “I’ve come to kidnap you.”

“Oh?” She sat down opposite him, her lips curving upward in a teasing smile. “And where is my captor taking me?”

“It’s a surprise.” He winked, then turned to her parents. “If that’s all right, of course.”

“That sounds lovely,” her mother gushed, smiling eagerly at them both. “If you will just have her back before lunch, there won’t be any problems.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Caleb said. “Are you ready to go, Anne?”

“Just a moment, let me get a shawl.” She hurried up the stairs, wondering where he was going to take her. Caleb always knew how to make her happy, and she felt sure that this surprise would be no different.

As she went downstairs, she could hear Caleb talking with her parents. She paused outside the door, listening.

“Has Anne told you her wishes for our wedding yet?” Caleb asked.

“No, she hasn’t mentioned anything,” her father replied, his tone inquisitive. “Why, what has she told you?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of taking her opportunity,” Caleb answered, and Anne could hear the smile in his voice. “I’m a little bit concerned about her, though. She showed me something that gave me cause to worry. However, it is hers to share when she is ready.”

“Caleb, I feel that as her parents--”

Anne pushed open the door and smiled at them. “I’m ready. Shall we go, Caleb?”

He took her arm. “Thank you for breakfast. I will be sure to have her back by lunch.”

They left the house, Anne clinging to Caleb’s arm, and were greeted outside by a horse and carriage.

“Oh,” Anne breathed. “Is this the surprise?”

“Only part of it,” he answered with a sweet smile, leaning down to kiss her temple. “You’ll love the rest of it even more.”

He helped her onto the carriage and then climbed up himself. As the horses began to trot, Anne snuggled up against Caleb’s side. He laughed and tousled her hair.

“What is the surprise?” she asked.

He grinned. “Nice try, Anne. You’re not getting it out of me.”

“Please?” she wheedled. “Just a little hint.”

“No.” He stared straight ahead, trying to look serious, but she could see the hints of a smile on his face. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“How long does it take to get there?”

“Not too much longer.”

They were going on a winding path, trees surrounding them. She had never been this way before. “Are you sure you’re not lost?”

He laughed. “I’m sure.”

She craned her neck around. Their house was out of sight. “Where are we?”

“Just wait, Anne. I promise I know where I’m going.”

All of a sudden in front of them, a small cottage came into sight. She gasped, staring at it.

“What is this place?”

It was like a fairy-tale. A small chimney was perched atop a grass roof. Most of the house was made of stone, and the door was painted red. Flowers sat on the ledge of the window sill and grew wild around the base of the cottage.

“I built this,” Caleb said quietly, watching her as she stared at it in rapture. “For us. When we’re married.”

Tears of happiness sprung to her eyes, and she took his outstretched hand. He swung open the small red door and they ducked inside.
It was beautiful. Flames crackled merrily in the fireplace, and the walls were painted cobalt blue. Various pictures of them together were hung on the mantle. A king-sized bed with thick white sheets was pushed up against the wall.

“Oh, Caleb,” she whispered, “I love it.”

He turned her toward him. They were standing in front of the fireplace, the pictures behind them, the warmth of the flames licking their legs. “I have to tell you something,” he whispered.

“What?” Her voice was soft as she stared up at him.

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” he murmured, staring at her with an expression of worry, hope, and most of all, love.

A smile flickered across her face. “I think that I’m falling for you, too.”