Chapter 10 - The Soldier

1937, France

"France has always appealed to me," I said to my father, who is now carrying the gifts for my cousin Elizabeth's birthday.

"You sure have changed your thoughts on France." He said as we head towards the door.

Sighing, I spoke. "Not really. I just didn't want to somber Elizabeth's birthday with my bitterness."

Putting it lightly makes dad less concerned. I didn't want to upset him or make him worry by telling him that from time to time, my injury still hurts.

Appreciating my selflessness, as he put it, he kissed my temple and we head inside. Being inside this lovely house made me think of the days I lived with them when I was still a ballerina.

Aunt Millie welcomed us with her arms stretched wide open. She kissed me on my cheeks first before kissing his younger brother's. "I am so happy you came!" She said, beaming at us.

"Where's the youngest Sutton?" She said, looking over our shoulders.

My father chuckles. "He is not the youngest Sutton anymore, Millie but he's on his way."

She places her arms on his hips before speaking. "Well, he better not be late. I finally managed to find him a match so he could finally have a wife."

"Aunt Millie, do you know where I can find Liz?" I spoke.

"She's by the meadows, darling. I'm sure she's waiting for you."

I look at my dad, silently asking for his permission, and then he nodded. Luckily for my cousin Elizabeth, their house is located by the meadows separating their house from the forest.

I have always found myself loving every stroll in the forest, it's very soothing in a way that it helped me clear my mind after a stressful week of practicing.

Elizabeth, who's now sitting by the bench overlooking the meadows, wearing her favorite yellow dress twirls her curly brown hair in her fingers as she stares at the wildflowers dancing with the wind. "Happy Birthday Lizzie," I said, making her twist her neck to glance at me.

A smile crept up on her face as she stood up and ran towards me. I was immediately enveloped in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you came!"

Looking at each other after pulling away, I smiled back at her and say, "Of course, I came. I can't live with your lifetime's worth of chastising because I missed your 17th birthday, you old goof."

She laughs, her blue eyes glowing as she does. "Of course! I would never let you off the hook." Living with them for years, Lizzie and I became best friends.

She may not have my grace in dancing or my affinity for history and language but she's a very talented pianist that not even I can compare. Although she taught me a thing or two, she simply just has the talent for it.

"Now, what mischievous activity should we carry out for your special day?" I asked.

Smirking, I can already tell she's about to ask me to do something devious with her. "Well, is abandoning my party and simply going out to the woods to pick up flowers devious enough for you?"

Shrugging I said, "Alright. Not as devious as I expected. You just wanted me to make you a flower crown anyway!"

As we head onto it, she nudges my arm and responded. "Of course! You always make the prettiest flower crowns and you must make your most majestic ones for me!"

Laughing, I said, "Alright then!"

As we search for flowers, Elizabeth and I catch up with our lives. "So how does it feel to constantly be on the move with Uncle Thomas?"

I lifted my skirt so I can carry the narcissi flowers and lavender without destroying them before replying. "I have always been moving anyway so it wasn't new. I miss staying in one house though. We weren't staying in a place long enough for me to remember my way home. Seeing different countries and visiting different museums has been the only leisure I could find."

"You're as boring as ever. I have already made you less boring and now you're telling me we're back to square one?" She said as she picks up some flowers.

I laughed at her statement. "Just because it's your birthday does not mean you can tease me this much. Besides, I don't go to school like you and your siblings do. My dad and uncle are the only ones I know."

"Right, speaking of siblings. My brother Charlie is coming home." She said nonchalantly.

Remembering that she and Charlie aren't as close as I am with him.

I stopped upon hearing the news that brought up another smile. "Really?"

"Yes, but I think he's also bringing someone with him. A friend, I think."

Her last statement sounded a little fuzzy because of how far she is and I didn't feel like asking her anymore. Knowing that I'll finally see Charlie once again makes me feel happy.

Charlie and I are close because we share the same passion for history. He's like a brother I never had. After enlisting in the air force, I wasn't able to see him since then.

After gathering enough flowers, we sat down by the roots of a tree and create flower crowns. I made hers first then I made mine purely of lavender as it is my favorite.

After crowning each other despite being both 17 years old, we lean on the tree and talked more.

"You haven't mentioned anything new about you," I said, looking up into the sky.

Sighing, she said, "I may have given my virginity to someone."

I sat up with my eyes widened and lips parted, startled by the news. "What? But I thought we'd promised each other that we'll only lose it on each of our wedding nights?"

Pouting, she nodded. "I know, but I like him."

"What happened?" I said with a low concerned voice.

Her eyes settled on the grass, fidgeting before she spoke. "I guess you can say we were in a very deep relationship, but as soon as I talk about marriage and family, he got scared and break it off with me. I thought he was the man I would marry."

As much as it angers me to see the hurt this guy has put her through, I can't be mad at her decision. After all, we are but weak creatures, unwise and inexperienced in life, meant to make mistakes to learn from them.

I pulled her in for a hug and brushes my hand against her back. "I'm sorry. That must have been difficult."

"It sure was. It would have been better if you were here then. I felt completely alone."

When we were at arm's length, I brush my hand on her arms and spoke. "No matter how far I am, if you need me I'll try my best to be there for you."

Her eyes started to water. "Thank you." She then takes a deep breath and wipes her tears away.

"Don't worry, I already feel much better telling it to you. Now it feels like it's been a long time since that horrible thing happened!"

Seeing her better made me smile in relief. Though I feel guilty for not being there for her as she would have been there for me. After talking some more, we decided to go back fearing that everyone would be worried sick about her.

"I don't remember going this way," I said, following Lizzie's lead.

"Don't worry, I'm sure we're almost there." She said, maneuvering her way into the forest.

Worried, the sun is starting to set, so I decided for us to stop. "We need to mark the trees so we would know if we have already passed them by."

She nodded. "Great idea!"

I took a stone from the ground and mark 'E' on the trees. However, the darkness came making it more difficult for us to see the surroundings and the marks that I have drawn on the trees.

Hearing the sounds of various animals, Lizzie and I walked slowly hand in hand fearing what might be lurking around us. Suddenly, our names are being called. A sparkle of hope warmed our anxious chest and we follow the voices.

Rushing towards them, I suddenly saw a creature move around my right foot, making me scream. Unexpectedly, whatever the creature was, left me and my leg.

I didn't realize my eyes are closed until I have to open them. When I did, I saw a man towering over me with worried eyes. "Are you alright, Miss?" He asked.

Still startled, I could no longer muster a word that is until I saw a familiar figure. "Emma!" Charlie runs towards me and instantly inspects my person for any injuries. "We heard you scream. Are you injured?"

"Don't worry, it's only a polecat passing by." Said the man towards Charlie.

Despite the darkness, I can already see his chestnut hair cut short for the military and his brown eyes studying me. I hugged him tightly. "Thank goodness you're here."

When we pulled away, he poked my nose. "Yeah, however, 3 old Suttons are enraged at the moment. We need to get you home."

It was only when we were inside the house with light illuminating everyone's faces have I noticed the man who has rescued me. His blonde hair is as short as Charlie's but his deep blue eyes are ever so piercing.

He's just as tall as Charlie who stands at 5'10" but my observation of his features was cut short when Aunt Millie, Uncle Thomas, and dad started nagging at us in the study.

After forbidding us from ever going back to the forest, they let us go and mingle around the guest as a punishment knowing that Elizabeth and I aren't keen on parties. As a part of the punishment, we're also forbidden to be with one another for the duration of the celebration, forcing us to be in separate places.

Not knowing anyone, I found myself on the balcony. There are so many strange people and I'm frankly not used to it. Looking at the stars above, I suddenly heard a deep baritone voice addressing me.

"How are you feeling?"

When I turn around, the man with blue eyes and blonde hair appeared. "Good, thanks. Also, pardon me if I wasn't able to thank you for the..." I trailed, forgetting what creature it was he saved me from.

"Polecat." He said, smiling down at me.

"Right."

He walks toward me and then leans on the banister. "It was my pleasure. I can't imagine how scared you must feel not knowing what was clutching on your leg."

Blushing from embarrassment after remembering myself screaming because of a harmless creature. "I don't usually go out in the woods at night."

"I can tell." He teased. I can only chuckle in response. "You're Charlie's cousin right?"

I nodded. "Yes, my name's Emma."

"Alec." He said, outstretching his hand towards me.

Taking his hand, I shook it as I smile. "Nice to meet you, Alec."

"Pleasure's all mine."