Tracie Peterson - Dawns Prelude

"I was just thinking how very different this wedding would be to the one I had at sixteen. No expensive wedding gown or masses of hothouse flowers. But also, no pretense. No force."

Zerelda nodded and came to take hold of Lydia 's hands. "Only a man who loves you dearly. I'm blessed to see this happening, Liddie. I can't imagine a more perfect union."

"I hope so. I'm still frightened." She paused and thought about her struggle to pray. "I tried to pray about it last night, but it's all so new to me. I wish I had your faith, but I don't know God very well."

"It will come in time. Just trust Him, and He will reveal himself to you. Read the Word. I know Kjell takes time each morning to read the Bible, and I'm sure if you asked him, he would read it to you. Then maybe you could even discuss the meaning of the verses and what God wants to teach you through the Scriptures."

"I'd like that, I think. I want to learn. I really want that with all my heart. I've thought a lot about the things you've told me about God. It's hard to just let go of the past, but I'm trying. I'm trying hard to find a way to forgive, but it won't be easy."

"Just remember, forgiveness is a way of setting yourself free of the bondage put on you by others. There is liberty to he had in it."

They heard the wagon outside and smiled at each other. "That would he Kjell," Zerelda said, leaning forward to kiss Lydia on the cheek. "Let's see if he has managed to arrange everything."

Half an hour later, Lydia stood before the Russian Orthodox priest with Kjell at her side. The man's daughter and Zerelda stood as witnesses to the marriage, along with two elderly men who hoarded at the priest's home.

The ceremony was over quickly, and when Lydia turned to receive Kjell's kiss, she thought she might faint from the excitement of the moment. Kjell pulled her close and kissed her firmly. It wasn't lengthy, but it left Lydia weak in the knees, just as his other kisses had.

"Congratulations," Zerelda said, kissing Kjell on the cheek. "You are truly a member of my family now."

"And happy to be so, Zee. I can't imagine a better family"

With the ceremony and legalities concluded, Kjell paid the priest and motioned to the door. "Let's go. I have another surprise."

Lydia allowed Zerelda to help her into her coat, then followed Kjell into the hallway. She stopped, however, causing Zerelda to hump into her. Kjell and Marston Gray stood not a foot apart from each other.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Marston asked. "I didn't realize you knew I was staying here."

"We didn't," Kjell answered. He glanced back at Lydia and Zerelda. "We didn't come here today to see you."

"No? Then what was the occasion?"

Lydia stepped forward. "Our marriage. Kjell and I have married. So you see, you can go hack to Kansas City, assured that my child will have a father. There is no reason for you to any longer be concerned."

"You married?" Marston sounded genuinely stunned. He looked at Kjell a moment longer before turning his full attention on Lydia. "You married him?"

"I did."

Marston's anger was undeniable. Lydia watched him clench and unclench his jaw several times before speaking again. "This changes nothing. That baby is still a Gray."

Kjcll took hold of Lydia 's arm. "This baby is a Lindquist."

Lydia smiled up at her husband and drew strength from his reassuring expression. Marston could no longer hurt her. Not with KjeIl at her side.

"We will see about that," Marston replied. "There are laws about such things, and I will pursue them."

"Do what you will, Mr. Gray, but please do it as far from Sitka as possible," Zerelda said, pushing past him. "The army is in charge here, and I happen to know that none of the authorities think overly much of you and your bullying. You would do best to invest in a ticket on the first ship home."

Kjcll followed Zerelda with Lydia at his side. He said nothing, and Lydia refused to even look at Marston. An angry Gray man had a way of making everyone around him just as miserable, and that frightened her.

"So what's your surprise?" Zerelda asked.

"I arranged with Mrs. DuPont to serve us a little wedding luncheon," Kjell said, smiling. He seemed to have put the incident with Marston behind him already "She's waiting for us just down the street."

Lydia was grateful that they wouldn't have to climb back into the wagon just yet. The jarring ride had been a most uncomfortable affair, and she vowed to herself not to make another trip into town until after Christmas and the birth of her child. She clung to Kjell's arm and allowed him to lead the way, all the while begging God to send Marston Gray as far away from her as possible.

Kjell felt a sense of great accomplishment as he helped Lydia down from the wagon. Their new house awaited them, and while he still had his own things to bring up from town, he already felt this to be home.

"I have a surprise for you two," Zerelda announced. "I know I took matters into my own hands, but I'm hoping you won't mind."

Kjell eyed her curiously "What have you been up to, Zee?"

"Only this." She went up the porch steps and knocked. The door opened to reveal Joshua and several others-all good friends of Kjell's.

"We moved your things in from town. Lydia 's stuff is here, too," Joshua announced.

"And for this one night, you will have the place to yourself," Zerelda added. "I'm going to town to stay with my friend since you don't want me staying alone at the cabin. A newly married couple should at least have some privacy."

Lydia blushed crimson, and Kjell nearly laughed. He held hack, however, fearful that Lydia might take it the wrong way. In her condition, privacy was not going to be that important, but he wouldn't have traded the gift for anything. He looked forward to having Lydia to himself.

"Zee, this was a most thoughtful gift."

"I thought you might see it my way. Now come along, boys."

Kjell's friends followed her down the path. Joshua broke into a round of song, but Kjell couldn't quite make out the tune. He turned instead to Lydia. "Welcome home, wife."

She smiled. "Welcome home, husband."

They went inside, and Kjell couldn't help but marvel at Zerelda's efficiency There was even a fire burning in the hearth. On the stove, a pot of stew simmered with an enticing aroma alongside a pot of coffee.

"Looks like she thought of everything."

"Zerclda is like that," Lydia said, putting her hand to her back. "I knew she'd put a stew together this morning, but I didn't give it any thought." She yawned and added, She must have had the fellows bring it over with my things."

"Here, come sit down. You need to rest." Kjell guided Lydia to her rocking chair. Apparently Zerelda had thought it fitting to part with this, as well.

"I'm sorry there won't be any… well… real wedding night for you." Lydia flushed and looked away.

Kjell laughed softly and knelt on the floor. "Who says there won't be?"

She looked hack in horror, her eyes widened in fear. "But… the baby."

putting his hand atop hers, he shook his head. "Liddie, I would not hurt you. I merely meant that we would he together. I can hold you and caress your soft skin taste your sweet kisses. It will he special. And it can start right now." He began to unfasten her boots.

Patiently, he worked the hooks until he had each hoot off. Next, he began to massage her feet. Lydia moaned softly and closed her eyes.

"That feels good," she murmured.

"I thought it might. I remembered you saying that your feet hurt."

She met his gaze. "You seem to remember a lot of things."

He grinned. "Just the good ones, and you are always among them."