Beginning , Previous Section , Section V

Chapter Twenty-Five:

Posted on Tuesday, 11 October 2005

The night of Elizabeth’s birthday party arrived, and the Uppercross friends gathered together on the street outside Liddell Hall, to climb into the two small cars Charles and Hetty had managed to procure. Confusion momentarily ensued as they sorted themselves out into vehicles, and Anne was a little put out that she and Fred had managed to find seats in separate cars. Still, she shrugged it off, it was a small price to pay when she was otherwise quite happy.

It was strange, this sense of happiness that pervaded her every hour. She was used to suffering, she hadn’t noticed it any more, but happiness was hard to accustom herself to. She thought she should float off into the air with joy, sometimes. The simple joy of Fred stopping by her room and accompany her downstairs had been a pleasure. He was dressed a little more formally than she had seen him before, and it suited him well. She had taken especial care with her ensemble, and had been well-rewarded by Fred’s appreciative smile. Squished between Heather and Hayter, she stared off towards the car in front of Hetty’s, where she knew Fred would be sitting with Louisa and Mary. It was a shame that Charles hadn’t a larger car.

The ride to York was generally short and uneventful. As they came into the old city, Anne gave appreciative glances towards the medieval architecture. She still couldn’t believe how old and beautiful the buildings in the UK could be. Dillon directed Hetty through the traffic and towards the small building of flats where Elliot lived and where Elizabeth was holding the party. The street was already crowded, and Hetty glanced about in despair for a nearby parking space. Charles and his car disappeared around the block, clearly in a similar dilemma. Hetty scanned the street, and her passengers did the same. Dillon exclaimed as a car pulled out of a spot a short way ahead of them.

“There’s one!” Hetty flashed him a smile, and expertly maneuvered the car into the spot. She turned off the engine with a grin, and turned around. “All ashore who are going ashore!” She slid out of the car and flicked the lever so that her seat would fold forward, and the three back passengers crawled out. Anne looked around her, and directed the group to Elliot’s flat, which she had been to once before.

Both Elliot and Elizabeth were standing just inside the door to the building, greeting their guests. Elizabeth’s face took on a slightly condescending simper as she saw Anne and her friends, and Elliot’s took on a look of satisfaction. He strode towards Anne and kissed her on the cheek. Anne recoiled a little in shocked, but said nothing.

“Anne, you look lovely this evening. Come, bring your friends up, the party’s happening up there.”

Anne found herself steered upwards by Elliot, while Elizabeth stayed to greet Charles and his passengers.

“So glad you could come,” said Elizabeth as they approached. She didn’t notice that Fred’s jaw was a little clenched, but did think it a bit rude how he pushed past her.

Elliot opened the door to his flat, and Anne was faced with a good number of guests, each dressed well and standing about languidly, drinks in hand. Dillon pushed up behind Anne and whispered,

“A bunch of yahs if I ever saw them.” Anne smiled, and detached herself from Elliot. She placed her gift for Elizabeth on a large buffet that seemed meant for the purpose, procured a drink quickly, and found a corner in which to sit with her friends. She looked about for Fred, and frowned as she saw Elizabeth come up and detain him with some comment. He replied politely, with an impatient look in his eye. Anne smiled over to him, and he shrugged. He could bear her sister on Anne’s account. Elizabeth led him about the room, introducing him to people. Anne laughed to herself, as Elizabeth hardly knew Fred. When Elizabeth was distracted he slipped away, towards Anne’s side.

“You’re being very brave,” Anne said, catching his hand, and making room for him on the settee.

“Anything for you, my dear,” he said. “But I should like a drink, so I can have an excuse for not remembering a single one of those names.”

“Just call them ‘darling’,” said Louisa, leaning over.

“He’s not calling anyone else ‘darling’,” said Anne, “yah or not.”

“You heard her,” said Fred, to Louisa. “Guess I’ll have to drink enough to be excused.”

“Then finish mine,” said Charles, coming up behind them. “Whatever it is, it’s foul. I’m looking for some beer. Care to join me?”

“I’ll be back shortly, Anne,” said Fred. Anne smiled back. It was easy to smile around Fred.

Shortly after Fred had disappeared, Elizabeth came up.

“Anne, you haven’t said hello to anyone yet. And you’ve met most everyone before, it’s not good manners. Come along.” Anne remembered that she wanted to talk to Elizabeth about Elliot, so let herself be led off to become reacquainted with a score of people she had met at one point or other in Bath.

“Liz,” started Anne.

“What is it?”

“I was wondering...”

“Goodness, dear, just come out with it.”

“Did you ever see the Dalrymple contracts?”

“Why would I bother with them?” Elizabeth returned, incredulous. “Elliot took care of everything.”

“Did Daddy see them?”

“I should think so. I don’t know. What a strange thing to ask!”

“It’s just that someone told me that Elliot may not have been entirely honest with us. That he’ll take the account himself, and leave Daddy’s firm in the lurch.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Anne. You believed that? Elliot is a darling, look at this party he’s throwing me. He wouldn’t do that if he was going to waltz out of our lives.”

Anne looked unconvinced, but Elizabeth had decided that the conversation was over. She pushed Anne in front of another vaguely familiar person.

“Anne, dear, you remember Gillian, don’t you?” Anne forced a smile, and looked longingly back over her shoulder to where Fred had rejoined the group. She seized up a shot of something as Nell came through with a laden tray. Elizabeth wouldn’t see reason, and it looked like it might be a long night.

“Anne, you’ve been avoiding me,” said Elliot, coming up behind Anne. She turned, surprised.

“Why would you think that?” she asked, cautiously, putting down the shot glass.

“Oh, just the complete lack of correspondence might hint something.”

“I’ve been busy,” said Anne, a little annoyed. “I have my own friends, and so do you.”

“I forgive you. Come, I have a surprise for you.”

“It’s not my birthday,” protested Anne. She just wanted to spend the evening with Fred. Was that too much to ask?

“Come on.” He pushed her through another room, in which there were more people, and through another to a quiet, empty bedroom. Anne hesitated. Elliot steered her through open doors onto a small balcony.

“See?” said Elliot. The balcony overlooked a small, narrow street of old buildings. Anne smiled, pleased by the beauty of the old architecture. She forgot for a moment that she was angry with Elliot.

“Oh! I wish buildings in the States could be as beautiful as ones here. The sheer age of it all, the history...”

Yes, yes,” said Elliot, laughing. “Anne, you’re such a wonderful girl. No one else has the same sort of reactions you do to things. You’re a fresh breath of air after all of that lot.”

“I thought they were your friends, too.”

“They are, but that doesn’t mean that I respect them all. Look here, another surprise.” He gestured towards a small tub, in which grew a coral rose bush.

“A rose? This early?” Anne was surprised.

“Well, grown indoors, but a real rose bush. I bought it because it was the color of the dress you wore to the concert. It’s a lovely color for you. The flowers are yours.” He reached and plucked one fresh bloom, and tucked it into her hair. Anne froze, displeased at the liberties he was taking.

“It’s very nice. But you should let it live. I think I’ll go and rejoin my friends now,” she said, hurriedly.

“No rush,” said Elliot. “I haven’t seen you in a long time. Let’s get caught up. Here, I saved a bottle of champagne back here.” He left the balcony, heading back into the bedroom, and opened a cabinet. From within he produced two champagne glasses, and easily opened a bottle that had been sitting in an ice bucket.

“Elliot, I think we should rejoin the other guests.”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” said Elliot. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Friends,” said Anne, a little grudgingly. He forced the glass into her hand.

“And we’ll stay friends, I can tell,” he said, confidently. “Even if the future becomes a little rocky.” Anne thought about the contract, and frowned, not sure what to say.

“Drink,” said Elliot. She took a large sip, thinking that once she had finished this one glass that she could escape back to her friends. Fred would be missing her. “That’s a girl,” Elliot said approvingly. He studied her for a moment, and smiled.

“You’re beautiful, Anne Elliot. Absolutely beautiful tonight.” Anne said nothing, but frowned, and downed the rest of her champagne, hoping to flee. Elliot took the empty glass from her, and Anne began to turn, but he caught her hand.

“I want to go back,” said Anne. “I saw you a week ago, you can’t need to catch up on much.”

“But I missed you,” said Elliot. He grabbed her shoulder and pulled her close towards him, kissing her roughly. At first Anne was shocked, and beginning to feel dizzy enough from the cocktail of beverages she had so recently consumed one on top of the other, paused before taking action. She managed to free a hand and slapped him soundly.

“I’m not interested Elliot. Stop it.” Her voice was firm, and Elliot looked surprised.

“Anne, I think I love you. No one, not Eileen, not anyone, has ever made me feel the way you make me feel.”

“I’m not available,” said Anne, firmly, distancing herself from him.

“Just because you haven’t been dating doesn’t mean you can’t start,” said Elliot.

“Precisely,” said Fred, from the doorway, an angry look on his face.

“This was a private conversation in a private room,” said Elliot, in a low, steady voice. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d mind your own business.”

“She is my business,” said Fred. “She’s my girlfriend, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop molesting her.”

Elliot looked quite surprised. “Anne?” he asked. “You have got to be kidding. Anne, we’ve been such good friends, and I love you.”

“I love Fred,” she said, gratefully heading towards that man’s side.

“Come on, Anne,” said Fred. He put his arm around her, and walked out of the room, turning back to catch Elliot’s purple face. He set her down in an empty chair apart from their friends, and knelt down beside her. “Anne, are you all right?”

“I’ll be fine,” Anne assured him, holding his hands tight in hers. “Thank you.”

“I’d be happy to beat him to a pulp,” said Fred.

“How much did you see, then?” asked Anne, looking into his eyes.

“Too much. You’re too nice Anne. You should have just walked out. He’s your host, he couldn’t do anything to you in public.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. Fred, thank you.”

“You’re always welcome to my knight-in-shining-armor service,” said Fred, taking a seat beside her. They sat together for a time, and Anne watched, curious, as Elliot reemerged from the room and headed towards Nell. Clara had been right on two account so far. Likely she was right about the third.

“I think I need to make a quick phone call,” said Anne, straightening up suddenly.

“Use my phone,” said Fred, producing his mobile from his pocket. He handed it to her, and watched Anne as she crossed towards the front door of the apartment, where it was quieter. Seeing that she was fine, he settled back into his seat, and waited. Elizabeth approached.

“I hate to see a hunk like you sitting alone at my party. Let me reintroduce you to someone.” She scanned her friends, looking for someone she thought would complement him nicely.

“My girlfriend just went to make a call,” said Fred, with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“I had no idea!” said Elizabeth, surprised. He hadn’t come in with anyone. She wondered if this girlfriend was the leggy brunette.

“Yup,” said Fred. He glanced towards the door, and noticed that Anne was talking rapidly to someone, a frown in her forehead.

“Well, do you want a drink, then?” asked Elizabeth, with the distinct feeling that she’d lost control of the situation.

“Just one,” said Fred, politely. “Beer preferably”. Elizabeth left, shaking her head to herself, and Fred went back to watching Anne talk. She dialed another number, with a small apologetic look towards him, and he smiled back reassuringly. He turned his gaze about the room, watching the guests. They seemed to be having a good time. As did Elliot. It made Fred a little angry to see how cozy he seemed with Nell, so shortly after he had been declaring his love for Anne. Charles came over and collapsed on the chair opposite Fred.

“Interesting party,” he said. “I feel terribly dowdy.”

Fred laughed. “The Elliots are very glamorous people,” he said, in a serious voice.

“Give me Anne’s freshness any day,” said Charles. “Poor girl. Where is she, by the way?”

“Making a call. Don’t know what’s up.”

“She’s levelheaded, she’ll be fine.” Fred watched as Anne pressed a button on the phone, and came back towards him. Elizabeth approached at the same time, holding his beer. Anne, not seeing her, wrapped an arm around his neck, from above, and planted a kiss on his head.

“Here’s your phone back. I’m sorry, I called an American number too, but my message was pretty short.”

“It’s fine,” said Fred. He made space for Anne, and she sat. Elizabeth stood, surprised.

“You’re his girlfriend?” she asked, incredulous.

“Yes,” said Anne. “I’m sorry, I forgot to mention it, didn’t I?”

“Yes,” said Liz, a little icily. “Congratulations.” She handed him the beer, and turned on her heel, to tell Nell. Liz frowned on seeing Nell and Elliot together. What is with all these people keeping secrets? she wondered. It was annoying. It was her birthday party, they shouldn’t be doing this to her. As she left, Fred, Anne and Charles burst out into quiet laughter.

“Well, that’s solved the problem of letting my family know,” said Anne. Now there was just Susan, really. But, Anne realized, Susan didn’t factor into what she and Fred had. Susan had never particularly liked Fred. Susan was on the other side of the ocean. Admittedly, they were still friends, and Anne would inform her once she had gathered up the courage, but what Susan thought didn’t matter to Anne any more. She’d spent four miserable years on account of Susan’s untimely persuasion, and she didn’t intend to repeat the experience. The world had been set to rights, and she was going to enjoy it. She was glad, so very glad, that she had found Fred again, because there was none other she could love the way she had loved him. Susan, Elliot, Elizabeth, her father... none of these people mattered the way Fred mattered, the way the future mattered.

“Happy thoughts?” asked Fred, slipping an arm around her waist.

“Very happy,” said Anne. “Thank you.”

Epilogue the First:

Posted on Thursday, 20 October 2005

The rest of the term flew by like a dream. To Anne there was no problem that might not be surmounted as long as she had Fred’s love and support. She found all of her friends at Uppercross very welcoming to Frederick, and soon he seemed to fit into her life in an irreversible way. She did very well in her classes, and when exams were finally over she was loathe to leave the university town in which she had spent such happy hours.

Going home seemed such an odd thought to Anne, especially as her father and sister had decided to stay put for a while yet and had had their visas extended. There was work still to do for Dalrymple, Anne thought, with a small smile. Homecoming was even stranger, since she wouldn’t be returning to her own home at Kellynch, either, but to an apartment in her college town where she had a job lined up for the summer. She was glad, really, that the Crofts were to stay in the Kellynch house, since it meant that Fred could live there, and would be nearby for the whole summer. It was a lovely thought, except for the one tiny detail that Anne feared -- she hadn’t yet told Susan that she was dating Fred again. Somehow she hadn’t wanted to spoil her euphoria by arguing with her best friend, and had put off the evil day for a while yet. She’d have to do it before she arrived at the apartment, though, since Fred would be helping her move her things.

The evil day finally arrived when Anne determined she couldn’t put it off any longer. She steeled herself in her room, with the phone cord coiled about one hand, and waited anxiously as Susan’s phone rang. Two, three times. Was she not home? Anne didn’t think she’d have the nerve to leave a message. Susan picked up.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Hi, Su, it’s Anne. Is it a good time?”

“Yeah, excellent. Anything but this blasted lab report. I can’t believe you’re coming home, it has been way too long.”

“Which apartment is it this summer?” asked Anne, conversationally.

“It’s on Appleyard Street. Above the shoe store. Adorable. You’ll like it. It’ll be so good to have you around. I just wish I could move in right away and not have to do finals.”

“It’ll just be a week or so that you’re still in class, though,” Anne pointed out.

“I’ll help you move, if I can get away. We’ll set it up adorably.”

“Susan, I have something to tell you,” Anne cut in, knowing that if she got lost in details of interior decorating she’d never be able to fit Fred back into the conversation.

“What’s up?” asked Susan, interested in Anne’s tone.

“I have a boyfriend now, and I’m not sure you’re going to like him.”

“Who? Some adorable English guy? Kinda late in the term for that, isn’t it?”

“No, American --”

“Where’s he from?”

“Well, he currently is living in Kellynch...”

“Is it that Fred? Oh jeez, Anne, that’s... why?”

“I care about him, Su, I do. And he cares about me. We’ve been trying out this relationship for a while now, and I think it’s going to work. We’ll make it work.”

“Wow. Anne, that’s crazy. I wanted someone amazing for you, but if you chose Fred, then I hope you’re happy.”

“I am.”

“Then I guess that’s what matters. You could have anyone, though.”

“I don’t anyone. I like the boy I have.”

“Well, I hope he realizes how amazing you are. Don’t worry, I’ll be nice to him. Is he staying in Kellynch all summer?”

“Yes.”

“Then I guess we’ll meet again. That’s be an event.”

“I hope you can be friends,” Anne said, gently.

“I’ll have to get to know him, but probably. We’ll see. Wow. This is crazy, I’ll have to get used to it.”

“Well, just know that I’m happier than I’ve been in years, and in love with him. I’ll make it work, and it’s all I want. You’ll see it when you see us.”

“I guess I will.” There was a pause. “I think I’ll go now,” said Susan. “It’ll take getting used to, mystery man from your past coming back and dating you. It’s romantic certainly. I’ll call you soon, sweetie, figure out when to meet your train.”

“Okay. Bye,” They rang off. It hadn’t been easy, but it would likely work out. Fred and Susan had never tried to know one another, and it was time they did. Ignorance causes most of the heartaches in the world, Anne thought as she replaced the telephone on Mary’s desk.

During her last weekend in England, Louisa, Hetty and Charles threw a large party for the departing Americans at Dillon and Heather’s flat. After most of the guests had been carted off in various stages of sobriety the friends sat together and talked, for the last time together before who knew when. It had been an enjoyable year, full of memories, and there was much to reminisce about.

“The beginning of the year seems so very far away,” said Hetty, pouring herself a last drink for the evening. “I remember when we met you two, Mary and Anne. And think of all the good times we’ve had. We’ve been to some great parties, and on some wonderful walks, and interesting travels. It won’t be the same without you next year.”

“I’ll say,” said Louisa. “Mind you, I could have done without nearly toppling off a cliff, but at least I met James. Without Fred that would never have happened.” Fred smiled over at Louisa.

“You’re coming to see him again this summer, aren’t you?” he asked. “Because you know that you have a place to stay in upstate New York.”

“Maybe we’ll both visit,” said Louisa. “James would like to get back in better touch with you.”

“Tell him I’d be delighted to have him come to stay. Anne knows that my sister has plenty of space.”

“Loads,” affirmed Anne.

“We’ll do our best to come then,” Louisa replied, with a laugh.

“It’s further, but you should come to California too,” insisted Mary. “I can’t wait to get back and see the ocean again and enjoy the summer heat.”

“I think California must be quite different from here,” said Heather from a comfortable chair by a window.

“It is,” said Mary. “Absolutely. But you should all stop by some time, all of you.” Her gaze swept the entirety of the whole group. Anne smiled. Her experience at Uppercross was very much defined by her relationship with Mary, who had gone from a slightly annoying friend to a rather understanding one in the end. She still might be a little flighty, but she had a good heart and Anne would miss her very much. Mary and Charles had broken up, since they realized that they considered each other more friends than lovers at this point. There had been mutual admiration and good fellowship, but it wasn’t the sort of affection that would last over long-distance. Each would no doubt move on reasonably quickly, but would remember one another fondly from time to time. As Anne would. She was grateful for Charles’s first attentions, and then his friendship. He had brought Fred back to her, and that was something valuable indeed.

“Well,” said Charles, setting his chin on his upturned palms and smiling, “when are you lot going to come back? We obviously can’t do without you.”

“We’ll come when we can,” said Anne, smiling. “After all, I have family in the country now.”

“How true, how true. Glad you got that mess sorted out with that chap. And he always seemed rather a good fellow, I thought. Well, appearances are deceiving.”

“Well, he was a good friend up to a point, and then he became a bad one. But I do think that he had goodness in him, which under different circumstances would have made him behave differently.”

“Anne you are too good,” said Fred, taking hold of her hand. “He used you and your family and nearly ruined both your father’s work and that of his partner.”

“I guess,” said Anne. “I am glad that Clarence Adams was able to pull in some company bylaw and freeze the work until he’d had a look at it. I’m just sorry I ran up that horrible bill on your cell phone.” Fred made a gesture to show that he didn’t mind. After all, it had cleared Elliot out of the picture. “So, Elliot gets found out and disappears in the night, and in the end my dad gets his contract, along with a decent new assistant. He’s not as pretty to look at as Elliot was, but my dad probably thinks that’s a good idea after Nell ran away.”

“They deserve each other, I think,” said Charles, cheerfully. “They’ll drive each other mad.”

“That’s nice of you to say,” teased Anne back. “But no, I do think they’ll be good for one another. Liz was furious about everything. Not in the least because I was in the right and her precious boy was in the wrong.”

“Git,” muttered Fred.

Anne laughed. “You know, in the end he was. At least he’s out of our lives.”

“Now,” said Hetty leaning over to Anne and giving her an affectionate hug, “you’d better not fall out of our lives. It was a pleasure meeting you this year.” She turned and addressed the others in a similar fashion. Hayter smiled, and came and collected her back into her seat.

“I think it’s time for me to take Hetty back to the hall,” he said. The others nodded, seeing that Hetty was a little worse for wear, and he helped her out of the apartment, sending heartfelt goodbyes to the absconding Americans.

“He’s such a nice guy,” said Mary. Anne remembered when Mary hadn’t seen past Hayter’s uncool degree. Mary had changed, and was now an invaluable friend. She hoped they’d contrive to see one another in the States.

“It’s probably time for us to leave,” said Fred, reluctantly standing. “I still have things to pack. I don’t know how I’ll fit everything in.”

“Anne can sit on the bags,” said Charles, cheerfully. “But if you must go, you must. Make sure you show up to the farewell brunch tomorrow at Liddell.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Fred promised. Anne stood up, and prepared to leave with him, Mary following.

“Goodbye,” said Anne, going over to Heather and hugging her. “I’ll miss you so much, keep in touch.” Heather returned the hug and smiled stoically. “We had a good year.” Anne nodded with a smile, and moved on to Dillon.

“Thank you, “ she said, holding him close for a minute. “We had some good conversations this year, and I won’t forget what you’ve done for me.” A dimple appeared in one of Dillon’s cheeks. “I’m just glad you’re now as happy as I am. I said it before, and I said it again, you deserve happiness, Anne.” Anne knew she had a small tear forming in each eye, Dillon really had been instrumental in giving Fred the opportunity and courage to speak to Anne again. And without Dillon Fred and Anne might not have merged groups of friends. Louisa and Charles would both be at the breakfast tomorrow, so Anne’s farewells to them were brief, and she set out into the night with her two of her best friends in the world. There was something magical about the velvety night, full of stars in the old town. Nothing in the States could compare, nothing had the sort of age Uppercross did.

Saying goodbyes after the brunch was worst of all. Louisa, Hetty and Charles had woken up early to cook all manner of things for the Americans, a mixture of American favorites and British ones. Charles cooked kippers while Hetty sliced tomatoes and Louisa frowned at the instructions for the waffle iron James’s mother had given her at Christmas. It was a friendly scene, all the more painful for the fact that it wouldn’t be repeated, at least not in the same place, or for a long time. When it was done Louisa and Anne shared a last moment while Hetty pressed chocolates on Mary, and then the two Americans switched places to finally say farewell. Charles stood aside for a little while, and then approached Anne.

“I’m sorry to see you go,” he said. “It’s always this way, when one gets to know the Junior Year Abroad students, but it seems harder this year. We had good times, and you and Mary were wonderful. Know that you always have a friend in England, if you want to talk or visit.”

“Thanks, Charles.” Anne said, taking his hands in hers. “You’ve been a wonderful friend, and I thank you for everything.” She hugged him close, and he smiled. “Make sure you let me know you’ve gotten home safely,” he said, letting her go. Then he turned to look at Mary, and the two moved aside to say their farewells.

Anne returned to her room and contemplated the pile of luggage that was awaiting her. The room was stripped, save for the furniture and linens the hall had provided, and it looked empty. She had laughed and cried there, and it had been home. Now it waited for the next occupant. Mary came back, and Hetty stopped by, she was to take the three to the train station. They manhandled their luggage downstairs, and managed to cram it all into the car. Hetty, pleased by this, hopped into the car and the Americans followed. The car moved off, and Anne looked back, waving madly to her congregated friends. The little car turned onto the main street and headed towards the train station. Slowly Uppercross University slid out of view, and Anne was faced with the prospect of travel back to the States, and life there. It would be strange to be gone from this place, but it had given her a sense of self and a sense of happiness, and there wasn’t a better legacy in the world.

Epilogue 2 (The End)

Posted on Friday, 4 November 2005

It had been six years since Anne had last said good-bye to Uppercross. Somehow, it seemed so much less, when she thought back. Happiness makes time fly, certainly she mused as she steered her car onto the exit for the airport. Still, much had happened in those years.

Adulthood now faced Anne, and she looked back at her days as a student a little longingly, not yet used to the world of independence and paying rent. Earlier that summer she had graduated from law school, and now faced the prospect of employment later in the fall. It was funny, she hadn’t thought of law until Frederick had pointed out how her level head and patience would come in handy should she decide upon it as a profession. She had dismissed the idea, but it had come back into her head again and again, until she had decided to apply to law schools. And here she was. She steered the car through the maze of the short-time parking lot, and parked at last. She was here, at the airport once more, to welcome some of those friends she had made all those years ago at Uppercross. Anne walked briskly through the airport until she reached the arrivals gate, where they would come out from customs. A small crowd had gathered, awaiting friends and loved ones, so Anne joined them, squeezing forward until she reached the front of the group, along one of the sides. There was a short wait, and then the automatic doors slid open and a gathering of languages burst upon the room. Clearly two planes had landed at once. Anne watched as the passengers fanned through the waiting group, joining loved ones, or passing through towards the exit. Finally, a small group caught her eye, and she waved madly. Her friends saw her and smiled, coming over together.

“Anne!” cried Charles, sweeping her into a hug. “You look happy.”

“I am,” she said, smiling. “You have no idea.”

“I think I can understand it,” said Hetty, coming forward. “I’m sorry Hayter couldn’t make it, but he sent his greetings and affection.”

“I’m surprised he let you go,” Anne teased, taking in her glowing friend, who had recently discovered that she was pregnant with her and Hayter’s first child. Anne hadn’t been able to make it to their wedding several months earlier, since she had been in exams, but she was certain that the couple were very happy together.

“Where is Frederick?” asked Louisa, wheeling her carry-on forward.

“At work,” Anne replied, making a face. “But you’ll see him later. It’s wonderful to see you all together again. Come, let’s head to the car and I’ll drive you to Kellynch, and you can get comfortable.” Her friends agreed, and she led them over to the lifts that would take her back towards the parking lot. Hetty and Charles entered the elevator before her, but Louisa hung back to squeeze Anne’s hand again.

“Are you very excited?” she asked, referring to the reason they had reassembled across the ocean, Anne and Frederick’s wedding. “It’s crazy, as you said, for us to all be back together. None of us saw this coming – but then, you and Fred always made so much sense together, you might as well make it permanent.” She released her grip on Anne’s hand, and admired the ring on her finger. “It’s beautiful, and I am very glad for you.”

“Jamie will be there,” said Anne.

“I know,” said Louisa. “I figured he would be. It’ll be nice to see him. I send him a Christmas card every year.”

“Come on, you,” called Charles from the elevator. Anne and Louisa shared a smile and joined them. Anne firmly pressed the button for her floor, and the doors slid closed.

The Crofts had remained tenants in Kellynch these past years, for, despite the success of the Dalrymple account, Walter Elliot’s finances were far from clear. He had moved back from the UK, but had settled comfortably in an apartment inside New York City. Anne figured that it still was something beyond her father’s means, but he managed well enough between his business and the rent for the Kellynch house, which lifted some worry from her shoulders. Elizabeth had acquired a wealthy and and slightly vacant boyfriend, and had moved in with him, finding plenty of occupation in playing hostess at his apartment.

Anne was glad that her family was busy and out of the way, since it made her feel less guilty for adopting Frederick’s sister and brother-in-law as a surrogate family. It was a joy to pull into the driveway of the old Elliot house in Kellynch and feel that it was home in a way that she hadn’t felt since her mother’s death. This evening the house was all lit up as Anne parked the car and helped her guests retrieve their luggage from the crowded boot of the car. The door opened and Frederick appeared in the entrance, silhouetted. Anne grinned,

“Honey, I’m home,” she said.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, coming down the steps and taking her hands in his. He then turned around and broke into a wide smile, and hugged Louisa. “I’m so glad you could come, Lou,” he said, warmly.

She returned the hug. “I wouldn’t miss this, I feel like I was a part of it.”

“In some ways you were,” he replied. He moved onto Hetty who gave him an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek.

“Fred! Oh, you look so old! No, I didn’t mean ancient, it’s just that I mostly have an image of you as a student, and you’re not. Well, hullo, anyway! Hayter would be here, but he couldn’t. Sends his best wishes. Marriage is lovely.” Fred hugged her too, laughing.

“If you are anything to go by, I’d say that marriage suits a person very well.”

He shook hands with Charles, sharing a friendly smile. They’d managed to keep in touch somehow, and had less to catch up on than some of the others.

“Well, come along in. Sophy has guest rooms ready, although you’ll all have to share, I can’t believe the number of guests that are coming.”

“Are any others here yet?” asked Louisa, following him into the house.

“Mostly they arrive tomorrow,” Fred replied, “in time for the rehearsal dinner. Mary’s train gets in about noon, and Jamie and Harville are driving up some time in the afternoon. You’ll see familiar faces.”

“Rather a game of meeting old exes,” commented Louisa, with a smile.

“Indeed,” said Charles.

“Fred, Anne, introduce me to your friends,” interjected a petite woman who had entered the front hall from a side room. She had a smile on her face and welcome in her eyes.

“Sophy, these are our friends from Uppercross, all those years ago. Louisa, Hetty and Charles. This is Fred’s sister, Sophy, who rents the house.” Pleasantries were exchanged, and Anne was pleased to see that her guests and her host were getting along well. Luggage was sorted out into various rooms, and the guests assembled at the kitchen table, where Sophy had laid out a meal.

“It’s strange,” Anne commented softly to Fred as they made their way to their seats, “I feel at once as if I was twenty again, and as if we were already married and come back for a gathering.”

“We’ll be married in two days,” said Fred, squeezing her hand. “And it can’t come soon enough.”

“What? Not enjoying your last days of freedom?” Anne asked mockingly.

“As if I’ve been free since I was seventeen,” he whispered under his breath. Anne, attuned to the soft fall of his voice heard, and managed to blush, even after all these years.

The day before the wedding involved general chaos, carefully kept under some semblance of control by Sophy Croft. More guests poured into Kellynch, and Anne and Frederick were kept busy greetings and entertaining them, amidst other tasks. Mary had shown up as enthusiastic as ever, but matured. She and Charles caught up in a friendly fashion as Louisa, Hetty, Harville and Jamie remembered old times in Lyme. Anne was amused to notice Louisa pestering Jamie about some poem about a cat. He recited it in good humor, amidst all the banter.

What was strangest really, Anne mused, was that it was a recreation of the Lyme and Uppercross gatherings, but in her home town. On her homesick days back at Uppercross she had often wondered what it would have been like to have the Uppercross experience in a more familiar world, and suddenly she was presented with the answer. It was odd, but they had remained on good enough terms that it was a reunion rather than a reacquaintance.

The Elliots arrived in Uppercross in the early evening. Walter had become reconciled to his handsome son-in-law-to-be, and Elizabeth had likewise condescended to approve the match. Anne found their presence somewhat dampening after the her friends’ high spirits, but managed to be friendly enough. She was glad, really, that her father had spared the Crofts the awkward position of hosting the owners of their house. Instead, he had opted to stay with Susan’s parents. Susan didn’t mind, having always gotten on exceptionally well with the Elliots, however much she might recognize their weaknesses.

By the time of the rehearsal, Anne was only too glad to steal a few minutes with Susan. It had taken Susan some time to get to know Fred, their past prejudices having obscured their perceptions of the other, but once she had determined that he did, in fact, love and esteem Anne, and had decent prospects for supporting her (at this Anne had laughed, since her own prospects were promising, even though she had opted out of work in a private practice), had thrown her support fully behind them. Sitting together on a pew at the back of the church, Susan studied her friend’s face.

“You look tired. Any chance of getting sleep tonight?”

“You’re the one who decided I needed a full night worth of activities.”

“I’ll let you go early, you don’t want to have circles around your eyes in the wedding pictures. There are so many people staying with the Crofts... are you sure you don’t want to come and bunk in my room for the night?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I think we should have held the wedding at that resort in Vermont or wherever it was.”

“It would have been larger and more convenient, perhaps,” Anne agreed, dubiously.

“Oh, I was thinking that they’d probably give you a discount in exchange for being able to use your story in their advertising material. You know: Love in the Mountains, and that sort of thing.”

“Oh, you,” said Anne. She looked about. “Where’s my dad?” she asked.

“He might be useful if we want to get this thing started,” Susan replied, getting up. “You sit there and don’t worry that pretty face of yours. Be happy, you’re getting married to the love of your life. I’ll go and find your father.” She slid off into the back of the church to look for Walter Elliot. Anne was sure her father would turn up at some point, he believed in being fashionably late, not unfashionably Not Present.

The day of the wedding dawned fresh and clear, which was of some relief to Sophy Croft, who was to host the reception outside in the late summer air, and had eyed her slightly too small first floor with some small anxiety in the wee hours of the morning when she had woken up to the sound of thunder. Fortunately, the storm had passed, leaving the gardens bright and shining. Pavilions had been raised by the company providing them, and the caterers had shown up on time to start setting up. Pleased that all seemed to be going as well as could be expected, she set about cooking breakfast for the hordes who would no doubt appear shortly.

Anne ate off a tray in her room, brought up by her future sister-in-law. When she was done she allowed herself to be prepared for the wedding itself. Happiness had given her color, so that the white no longer washed out her complexion, but contrasted with her healthy glow. She waited.

Finally, it was time to go to the church. Susan was waiting out in the circular driveway with the car, and smiled broadly when she saw Anne. “You’re gorgeous, you really are. Come on, I’ll get you carefully tucked in. I had my brother clean out the car so there’d be no chance of you getting messy.” Anne smiled, and allowed herself to be tucked in. The car sped off, and she was at the church within minutes. Susan left her with her father, carefully air-kissing her. “Anne Elliot, you’ve been my best friend in the world for over twenty years, and I hope that Anne Wentworth will continue in that tradition. You look beautiful, and I’m so proud of you.” Anne’s eyes nearly teared at the speech, which she knew was meant to convey an apology for past errors, and a blessing for the future. Her father, who usually had more criticism of Anne than praise also gruffly told her that she looked rather like her mother, with an actual tear in his eye. It pleased Anne, so much, to see that her father remembered her mother fondly. Glad that several of her demons had been put to rest, she faced her future, who was standing, fidgeting at the front of the church.

The organ played the now-familiar march, and the wedding came off without a hitch. Fred looked handsome standing at the alter, his sandy-gold hair contrasting with the dark of his suit. Harville and Jamie stood alongside him as groomsmen, Susan and Elizabeth as bridesmaids. The ceremony finished and Anne was firmly married to the boy she’d met at the summer resort all those years ago. She couldn’t have been happier, and her face showed it.

After an endless round of photographs she and Fred finally arrived back at Uppercross. They greeted enough guests to make Fred wonder why they bothered knowing so many people. At long last they were able to sit at their table, and listen as Harville and Susan told the assembled guests embarrassing stories about the couple over toasts. It was a relief to sit, and enjoy one another’s company, and that of their friends, laughing over the anecdotes and touched, to smile at dear memories, there at small tables under the maple trees.

As much as Anne enjoyed the party, she was beginning to become a little wearied of being on display. It was with pleasure, therefore, that she stole away to change out of the gorgeous gown she’d been wearing all day. As she approached the side door, she turned in surprise, to see another car pull into the driveway. A quick mental calculation proved that all the guests were present, which seemed stranger. She paused, and the car came to a stop. The driver slid out of the seat, and Anne gave a small gasp of surprise, for the dark head and immaculately tailored figure belonged to Elliot Williams.

He walked quickly over to her. “Anne, don’t run away. I just wanted to wish you well on your wedding.”

“Really?” asked Anne, thrown off by the combination of his surprise, and his patient, earnest voice.

“Do you think me inhuman? I’ve made some mistakes, and it was unpardonable to attempt what I did with your father’s bid. I’m not asking to be invited to the party or anything, but I wanted to tell you that you were a beautiful bride.”

“You were there?” Anne asked, still confused. “How did you know?”

“Nell’s parents still live in Kellynch, you know. She contacted me and let me know, I guess you know that we didn’t stay together long. She knew I felt more for you than I ever did for her.” Anne was silent, after such a speech. He continued, slowly. “I wish you well. I wish I could have been the man to make you happy, but I see that I’m not. Here, I brought you a wedding present.” He handed her a flat, heavy package. “Good-bye Anne. I don’t know that I’ll see you again, but I wanted to let you know that you served as a beacon of virtue in my too-shallow and self-centered world, and it was a pleasure to have your friendship.” He stepped closer, and planted a kiss on her cheek, before standing straight again, and fixing her wide-eyed face in his memory and heading back towards the car. He drove off out onto the main road. Anne stood still, in shock for a moment, before feeling Fred’s hand at her elbow. She turned around, the package still in her arms.

“Was that who I thought it was?” asked Fred, his voice a little cool.

“Yes, a ghost from the past. He said he had come to our wedding. He came to say good-bye. He gave us this.”

“What is it?” asked Fred, relieved to hear Anne’s strangely detached voice and hear her explanation. He couldn’t have forgiven Elliot for upsetting Anne on their wedding day, but it seemed that she was surprised more than anything. She didn’t love Elliot, she didn’t hate him, he was merely part of her past, another piece in the complicated puzzle of her life. She handed Fred the package.

“I don’t know. Let’s open it.” Together they slid the paper off and found a lovely framed print. “Lyme,” Anne whispered. It was the perfect present, in a way. Lyme had changed everything, had set Anne and Fred’s paths straight once more.

Fred was smiling too, remembering Anne’s flushed face from all those years ago. “Come on, Mrs. Wentworth,” he said. “I think we both should change and escape from this gathering.”

“I agree, Mr. Wentworth,” Anne replied, her smile coming back.

Twining her arm around his, she returned to the house, carrying the print. It would hang in their apartment in the City when they got back from their honeymoon. Looking back at the garden, Anne was pleased to see her friends enjoying themselves. Past errors had been sorted out, and the ghosts which had haunted Anne for so many years had suddenly disappeared. She had been blessed in love, in life and in friendship, and the future was bright. Standing by the flower beds her mother had first planted thirty years ago, Anne realized why her mother had married a man like her father. Love didn’t make sense, it merely dictated. If there was one person with whom one could be happy, there was no choice but to love as hard as possible and be happy. Anne intended to be happy. She had found her other half, thanks to chance, and a little luck.

Finis.