Having my family here in Greenwood has been such a treasure, dear reader. We’ve all spent the past few weeks either in the village or the fields, catching up and sharing memories, having tea and cakes, roaming through the wild flowers… it makes me wonder if these days are not so different from that fateful day when I came wandering out of the forest to play with Lettie, and I was taken home by our dear Auntie Ember. We became a family, and now the family will soon be growing once again.
Lettie and her husband Peter are a sight to behold. How tender they are with one another! Since she is so far along with her pregnancy, she is very uncomfortable. Truthfully, her stomach is so round she seems due any day, and she often has to switch between sitting and standing to fight her discomfort. Peter is always there, ready to help her up or bring her a pillow. He is a man of few words, but I can see how he loves my sister, and her eyes are filled with equal love for him.
Auntie Ember told me that they plan on having the baby here in Greenwood, and oh, I am thrilled! I will be able to meet the little one when they arrive! It seems the pair wanted to get away from Larksville and the business of their clothes making to focus on this special time. But my sister cannot help herself; she had to bring one project to keep her hands busy: a beautiful little gown for the baby. It is white thread upon white cloth, soft as downy feather, and with a flowing, weaving design of pretty vines and buds. “I only hope I’ll be able to finish in time,” Lettie told me.
Lorenz thought it was a lovely thing too. I had told him how my family was here visiting and that I hoped he might be able to come and meet them. He said he’d love to, and on a free day, he met us at the cottage. With five of us, it was far too crowded to be inside. So instead, we brought out all the chairs, the stool, and a blanket to enjoy our tea under the blue sky. I was eager but nervous to introduce them all. Lorenz had briefly met Auntie Ember a few springs ago. She still thought of him as my “nice, gentleman friend”, but he and Lettie had never met. From her letters, I knew she burned with intense curiosity; she would scrutinize every moment with him. What would she think of him? Would they like each other?
I feel silly for worrying now. When first they met, Lorenz spoke on how he knew of Lettie and Peter, not just from me, but from his aunt in the capital. “She says that your clothes, especially your dresses, are quite the talk of the town. Everyone wants to commission your work for the next social season.” Lettie was quite flattered. “Oh,” she exclaimed squeezing Peter’s hand, “does your aunt have one of our dresses?” “No, but she does have one of your rare vests. I believe it was the blue with the feather pattern.” “I never would have guessed! Your aunt is Lady Leland?! I adore her!” And from that moment on they were fast friends. He offered his compliments on the baby gown, and she teased mercilessly, asking me if he was just as much of a charmer when we were alone together. I blushed furiously, but Lorenz replied in his most eloquent tone that it was really I who had charmed him. He looked at me with such eyes, that for a moment I couldn’t breathe. Then Lettie giggled, told me I ought not let him escape, and asked Peter to “be a dear” and get her another piece of cake.
Later that day, after Lorenz had taken his leave, Lettie asked me to go for a little walk with her; she wanted to see Flame again. So we went to the forest’s edge. My fox friend is rarely far these days, and when he saw us holding handfuls of berries, he came bounding. I was scared he might knock Lettie over, but when he drew close, he slowed and rubbed against her skirt so gently it was as if he sensed he must be careful with her. We sat upon a log as he happily ate the berries, and Lettie gave a sigh. “It feels so good to be here, Sonya. Greenwood is such a magical place. Peter and I could not think of anywhere else we’d rather be to have this baby.” She nudged me gently. “And look at you, sister; you’ve finally found your own faery tale romance!” She giggled as I covered my face, but took my hand in hers. “Mr. Leland… Lorenz is charming, but more importantly he’s sincere. I don’t think I need to worry for my sister.” I told her that I trusted Lorenz completely; he was my best friend. And she smiled at me sweetly.
Dear reader, after these past few days, I can’t help but think of the swans and the faery tale. Lettie is working on her little gown, like the sister working on her shirts in the story… laboring for love —in more ways than one. And with what sweet eyes Lettie and Peter look at each other. It’s like the elegant birds, face to face during their dance… building their nest, waiting for their egg to hatch… There is a tenderness, a thread that ties them together. I recognize it as the same kind that binds me, and Lettie, and Auntie Ember. But now I feel a new thread. Maybe it’s been there for a long time, but I can feel it slowly changing and… I wonder… perhaps it’s like a little egg waiting to hatch too. We’ll see what it becomes when it’s ready… in its own time.