A Modern Day Sense and Sensibility: An Adaptation of Jane Austen's Classic (33 page)

“Perhaps you aren’t aware—you probably haven’t heard—” Edward continued, “my brother just married Lucy Steele.”

“Lucy married Robert?” the joyful Marianne demanded clarification.

“Yes, they were married last week and are now honeymooning in Florida,” he added.

Ellie was, at this point, quite overcome. It all seemed too good to be true. Without being able to make any sense of her feelings at that moment, Ellie rushed for the exit in tears. Everyone sat, void of motion or speech, as she burst through the door and into the courtyard.

Edward turned to Diane for help as to how he should respond. Unfortunately for him, Diane was at a loss herself, never having witnessed such a display from her grown daughter. Should he chase after her? Or did Ellie want to be alone? Several times, Edward started to move, but then would second guess himself. It wasn’t until Margaret finally spoke up that he found direction.

“Well, aren’t you going to chase after her?” Margaret questioned him with her hands on her hips.

Diane and Marianne, taken aback by the youngster’s very unexpected words, chuckled.

“Yes, ma’am,” Edward winked at his young friend, not wasting any more time before running after his beloved.

Ellie had made great time in those few distressed moments, getting as far as the gate near the edge of Mrs. Jennings’s property before Edward finally spotted her. As he approached, Edward noticed how Ellie brushed at the continuous flow of tears which trickled down her face and was reminded of their first meaningful conversation.

Stopping so he was mere inches from Ellie’s face, Edward raised his hand and gently dried a fresh tear trailing down her cheek. “Ellie,” he said so sweetly it caused her to let out another sob, “I’d made a commitment with Lucy long ago, long before I met you. I was only eighteen at the time, and I believed myself to be in love before I really knew what love meant. I was young and stupid. I made a mistake—a
terrible
mistake,” he glanced away, his jaw clenching, “And Lucy reminded me of that mistake every time I tried walking away. I’m sure I wasn’t her first, but she led me to believe so. It was because of this I felt obligated to marry her. Although we became secretly engaged, I kept putting off setting the date, hoping she would grow restless and move on—I knew she didn’t really love
me
, only what she’d gain when my now nonexistent trust fund materialized. I even tried separating myself from her for months at a time, which is why I visited my sister. Little did I know, however,” he smiled at Ellie, “what awaited me there. During my time in Seattle, I told myself it was only my heart which I risked by getting to know you better, and that you only felt friendship for me. And when you left, all I could do was pray that Lucy would find someone else or tell me she had changed her mind—because, you see, the last thing my dad said to me before he died was that he wanted me to be a man of honor, to be a man who keeps his promises. And even though I didn’t feel for Lucy as I should have, I couldn’t have ended the engagement as long as she still wanted to get married. So when she finally texted me about her feelings for Rob, and that he shared those feelings, you can’t imagine how relieved I felt. You wanna know why?” he asked. Not waiting for her answer, Edward continued, “Because it meant I could finally pursue what I really wanted—
you
.”

Ellie, embarrassed at being unable to stop crying, couldn’t look at Edward. She was both pained and elated by his disclosure. It hurt her deeply discovering Edward had physically loved another, yet her spirit soared knowing she alone possessed his heart.

Cupping his hand to her chin, Edward delicately lifted her face until her gaze met his. “Ellie, I’m yours. I always have been. From the moment I saw you, I finally knew what true love was.”

Ellie’s tears began to stream uncontrollably as she gazed, overwhelmed, into his eyes.

Pulling her to him, Edward kissed her forehead and Ellie melted into his embrace. “Will you do me the honor of allowing me to love you for the rest of my life?” Edward asked her softly, stroking her hair back from her face. “I want to marry you, Ellie.”

Ellie was speechless. Too happy for words, all she could do was let out a joyous laugh-sob and nod. Edward’s face lit up like she’d never seen before. Then slowly lowering his lips onto hers, they kissed for the very first time.

Gathered at the window, Diane and her cohorts strained for any glimpse of Ellie and Edward. Yet the lovebirds were too far off and their efforts seemed in vain. Even so, together they strived. Diane was sure the two specks under the large tree at the end of the property were Edward and Ellie. But until (and if) the specks ever did move closer, there was really no way to tell. Preoccupied with her speck-gazing, Diane therefore didn’t pay too much attention to Margaret when she ran off and quickly returned with something in her hands. She assumed her youngest had grabbed a snack or a beverage. Thus when, out of the corner of her eye, Diane spotted Margaret raise a big, black object to her face, she did a double-take and found that the youngster had retrieved the pair of binoculars from the closet and was now using them to view the couple outside!

“Margaret!” Diane scolded. “It’s one thing to look out one’s window—but binoculars?!? That’s really going too far!”

“He’s kissing her!” exclaimed Margaret.

“Margaret!” Diane squeaked. “Hand me those binoculars right now! I want to see!” she said as she wrenched the device from her youngest.

Both Marianne and Margaret laughed at their mother’s immediate shift in perspective when it came to something so serious as a kiss. Yet in Diane’s defense, what could be more
fulfilling for a mother than to see her daughter happily in love with an honest and trustworthy man? And Diane wasn’t just thinking about Edward; she also had her hopes pinned on the imminent security of Marianne’s happiness as well—through Brandon.

The day both Ellie and Marianne dreamed of as little girls had finally arrived. Today, they would marry their sweethearts—their knights-in-shining-armor. And not only that, they would share in a sisters’ secret delight: a double wedding.

The two looked stunning in their unique wedding dresses. Ellie’s was a simple, pristine white strapless gown with lace which covered her arms and shoulders. Her hair was done up elegantly, and Ellie didn’t wear much makeup, allowing her true beauty to shine. Marianne’s dress, as Margaret had described, reminded one of a church bell. It, too, was pure white, but had an empire waist with wide shoulder straps which fell delicately off of Marianne’s shoulders. The skirt finished off the look with its elegant flair and exquisite train. And unlike Ellie, Marianne left her curly hair loose to hang over her shoulders. Diane, with tears in her eyes, declared them both angels.

The double wedding was a beautiful one. Margaret, who doubled as their flower girl and maid-of-honor, was in her element as she walked confidently down the aisle before her sisters. Diane beamed from her place of honor, looking rather like a bride herself. Standing next to her were Mrs. Jennings and Mr. Middleton who, like proxy grandparents, looked on with pride. The whole sanctuary was filled with
joy and laughter. Even the somewhat uncomfortable Francil and Mrs. Ferrars, who’d surprised everyone by attending, couldn’t help but feel the significance of this event.

That gorgeous afternoon, two couples very much in love declared themselves before God to be forever faithful and true to the ones who would always hold their hearts. They made a promise which they swore to keep till death.

As the couples exited the church surrounded by those who loved and cared for them, Willoughby was just down the street, watching from the shadows. His features were etched with bitterness as he studied the radiant Marianne in her happy state. Willoughby knew it was selfish, but he’d secretly hoped Marianne would remain single, eternally pining away for him into her old age. But what pained him even more was knowing Marianne married Brandon, of all men. Willoughby hated Brandon. Not only had Skylar, Brandon’s adopted daughter, ruined his chances with Marianne, but now Brandon was living the life which should have been his. Eyes burning with emotion, Willoughby sank back into his dreary existence, swearing to never forget his one true love.

While the miserable Willoughby drowned himself in self-pity, Ellie and Marianne prepared to leave for their honeymoons, hugging their mom and sister goodbye. Ellie and Edward were headed to British Columbia for a weekend getaway while Marianne and Brandon planned to fly out to the Caribbean for two weeks. The disparity in circumstances did not bother the sisters, for they could not be happier in their choice of husbands. Ellie, always the sensible one, never needed much; and Marianne, the dreamer, could now pursue art to her heart’s content without ever worrying over finances.

Diane was perfectly happy as she waved goodbye to her now married daughters. She only wished her beloved Thomas could have been at her side, though she knew he was watching from above. Wrapping her arms tenderly around Margaret’s neck, Diane leaned in to her youngest as the getaway cars
drove out of sight. “Someday, that will be you getting married,” she whispered into Margaret’s ear. Margaret turned and looked up at her mother with a bright smile and a nod.

Although Margaret had been a surprise pregnancy for Thomas and herself, Diane was grateful now more than ever for the age difference between Margaret and her elder siblings. Diane wasn’t ready for an empty nest just yet. Squeezing her youngest a little closer, she promised to cherish every single moment with Margaret until it was her turn to take that trip down the aisle. Sighing wistfully, Diane felt content.

THE END