Everyone had joined in to make it extra special. Turbett had cooked for three days in preparation of this day. Flanna had worked with the servants and villagers alike to set up a lovely feasting area outside. The weather had even cooperated, the sky seeming to shine a more brilliant blue and the sun remaining bright and warming the land.
Lila had made three different dresses for her; a warm one for winter, a lighter one for spring, and her favorite, the one she wore now. Dawn ran her hand over the lovely pale blue dress that gathered just below her breasts and had sleeves that ended at her elbows. William, Cree’s castle designer, had brought the material and much more back with him from his journey to Edinburgh. She had hoped for the drawing materials he had told her he would try and bring for her, but since he had never mentioned them, she had assumed he had been unable to acquire them.
Wintra and Lila had fussed over her and had just left her with instructions that Cree would be there soon to get her. The two women had laughed and joked about how Cree had planted a guard outside the bedchamber door. He had insisted that no one would interfere or prevent Dawn and him from getting married this day.
Dawn reached for the lovely wreath Lila had made for her out of pink heather and yellow gorse sprigs fresh from the land and winced at the pain that stung her lower back. She gave it a rub, then scooped up the wreath to place on her head. She was happy and would not let a little discomfit disrupt her day.
She had much to be thankful for, especially the news that Wintra would give birth late fall, though she would be leaving shortly after Dawn delivered the babe. They would return to Torr’s home and Dawn would miss them both terribly.
She told herself not to think about that, but rather the good times she had shared with Wintra since her arrival here. Life had turned very good for all, and she prayed it would stay that way for a long time to come.
A knock sounded at the door and Dawn scrunched her brow wondering why Cree would knock. But it wasn’t Cree who entered, it was Old Mary.
Dawn smiled, seeing the old woman spryer than ever walk toward her with a wide smile.
“I have something for you,” she said holding a small, cloth-wrapped package in her hand. She stopped and held it out to Dawn. “It is a gift from your mother for your first child. She made me promise to give it to you.”
Tears threatened Dawn’s eyes as she reached for the package with trembling hands. She carefully unwrapped the cloth and though she smiled, she could not prevent tears from falling. She placed the wrapping on the table and held up the tiny linen garment embroidered with pale yellow flowers around the neck.
“It was yours,” Old Mary said, tears stinging her eyes as well. “She stitched it for you from a favorite dress that was once hers. I remember the day she first put it on you. You smiled and grabbed the garment as if you were thrilled to be wearing it, and your mother and I cried at the joy it brought you just as we do this day.”
Dawn could not stop the tears from flowing and she gestured that she wished her mum was here to share this day.
Old Mary took hold of her hand. “She is here with us in our hearts and happy for you. And I must tell you that you will have another gift this day, and it will come from the heavens.”
Dawn wiped at her tears, though they would not stop falling and scrunched her brow and shrugged.
“I cannot tell you what it is. After all, it is a gift.”
The door opened and Cree walked in with a smile that quickly turned to a scowl when he saw his wife crying. He hurried over to her and placed the package he carried on the table before he slipped his arm around her waist and demanded, “What’s wrong?” Before she could respond, he turned to Old Mary. “What have you said that upset her?”
Dawn shook her head and pointed to the small garment and at Old Mary.
“Tell me,” Cree ordered the old woman, not happy to see his wife crying on their wedding day. He would not have joy for their wedding taken from her a second time.
Old Mary explained about the garment, though did not mention the gift that was yet to come this day.
Cree’s scowl vanished. “That is lovely of you, Old Mary, and it will be the first garment our child wears, even though it has flowers on it.”
Dawn smiled, a gentle laugh shaking her body, and Cree was glad he brought joy back to her face.