* Six Months Later *

THE birds chirped with a certain cheer. For some reason, I felt as if their morning song sounded different. I took a sip of my lukewarm tea as I stared out the window. Papa was spreading strawberry jam on his bread. I always giggle at the way he attentively glides the knife on the slice of bread.

It has been six months since I've left Moonriver. While I was greatly relieved to return to my old life, I hadn't realized how much I would need to adjust back. Papa and I certainly did not have a variety of breakfast food spread on the table every morning.

Kitty was no longer here to assist me to prepare for the day ahead. Not to mention, it was much quieter within our small cottage. But oh how much I missed it!

To walk out of my chambers without my heart dropping to my knees. To be able to do what I please without eyes of criticism. To play in the rain whenever I desired without a scolding from Lady Stratford.

Sometimes I could still hear her icy tone reprimand me. However, I missed the immense library at Moonriver, with it's wide variety of books. And the rich cup of chocolate Kitty would serve me every morning. I also missed my dear cousin Alaina. I wondered how she was faring with her ambitious dream to travel the world, instead of marrying.

She and Uncle George were the only ones who accepted me.

"I heard there might be rain today in the afternoon," Papa spoke.

"Really? What pleasant news," I smiled.

"Shall you have a meander in it again?" He chuckled.

"Perhaps," I mumbled, concealing a grin, "I still feel a bit apprehensive as if Lady Stratford will be waiting to scold me."

"From what you have told me, I understand it to be a scarring experience," Papa replied.

"Faith," I sighed.

"Not too long though, you mustn't get sick."

I missed my Papa greatly. The day he arrived at Moonriver I ran into his open embrace, tears instantly spilled from my eyes like graceful waterfalls. It was freeing to tell him all of the stories I could not fit into my letters.

Even the small details about Christopher. From time to time I wondered how he was doing on his road to recovery. If him and Astrid were finally engaged, just as the family wished. I'm sure it is so.

Sometimes I would rise with the sun and reminisce about our many sunrise meetings. Where I got to know his heart, and watch his eyes glimmer in the light. Where I let my voice be heard by someone beside Papa.

They were sweet memories that made me happy. However it eventually lead to a melancholy feeling, knowing I could never make more of them. But in reality, I feel fortunate as to experience the whirl of being in love.

Something I have always dreamed about.

"Perhaps the strawberries are ripe for the picking now," Papa rose with his small saucer plate.

"Yes I shall start before the rainfall," I nodded. This season, strawberries were in high demand. I could only hope they would bring in a nice amount of shillings when we sell them.

*

Papa went on to work, and I busied myself with my daily activities. As the day went on, the sun found refuge behind the heavy gray clouds. I was in the strawberry patch on my hands and knees, sorting the berries.

I had two small, hand woven baskets on either side of me. I could only hope we had an abundance of good ones to sell. As I attentively studied each strawberry, I brushed off the excess dirt and tossed it into one of the baskets.

I found this to be soothing. Nothing but the fresh, sweet air. But I stopped when I heard a horse from the front. I frowned for a few moments, then continued to busy myself. However, I was stopped again when I saw a walking figure from the corner of my eye.

"A-Astrid?"

"Hello dear cousin," She smiled. Even the gloomy clouds that loomed over her could not take away her effortless glow.

I swiped tickling stray hairs out of my face as I stood to my feet, "Are you well?"

She took a moment and looked down at her fiddling fingers. Her mouth opened and closed several times, as if she was searching for the right words. My curiosity began to burn intensely, watching her.

I had never seen her so lost.

"There have been countless times I have wanted to write you," She finally met my curious gaze, "But I figured an in person encounter would be far more valuable."

I nodded.

"So I am here to apologize for the way I treated you. From the moment you have arrived at Moonriver, you have been nothing but unbelievably kind. Even in the face of Mamma's ridicule. And I admit I took deep advantage of that."

A sorrowful countenance was etched on her face as she continued, "I don't suppose you could find it in your heart to forgive me?"

I walked toward her, took both her hands into mine with a wide smile, "And I can assure that you are forgiven, my cousin."

She beamed a smile and wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace. It was as if a huge weight had been taken off of me. Tears pricked at my eyes, but I kept them from rolling.

"I must tell you something," She pulled away with tear stained cheeks.

"Go on, what is it!"

"I am engaged."

My smile immediately subsided, but I hastily revived it. So it was true, just as I predicted. It was only a matter a time before her and Christopher would be betrothed.

"Astrid I - I am so incredibly happy for you," I tried mask my melancholy with elation, "I know you have wanted this for a long time."

The little piece of me that held a small measure of hope had finally fallen.

"But I must tell you something else," She said.

"What is it?" This time my enthusiasm was not present.

"I did not come here alone," Her eyes fleeted to something behind me. I frowned and slowly turned around.

Christopher stood at the corner of the house, with his hands folded behind his back. It had been over six months since I have seen him. But within an instant his penetrating, mysterious eyes, and thick cheasnut hair could melt me into the ground.

Had they both come to tell me about their engagement? When I turned back to Astrid, she gave me a wink and began to walk away.

"Della," Christopher said lowly, looking at me as if he were in a trance. I clamped my eyes shut several times, wanting to shake myself awake from this dream.

But he was still standing there, with a growing smirk.

"I know you are confused, you don't have to speak. So I will," He spoke.

I nodded vigorously.

"I was recovering very well with regaining my memories. While I was happy, I could not help but feel as if something was missing. One day I started to hear this song in my head, and with each passing day it grew stronger."

He ambled closer.

"Sometimes small things would invoke a fracture of a lost memory. It was like everyday I was receiving a piece of a puzzle, and I pummeled myself to put it all together. Then, during a dinner party at Moonriver a girl named Kitty gave me something," He came to a halt and retrieved a piece of folded paper.

My lips parted in shock. That could not be what I thought it was.

"It is a love letter . . . from you," He confirmed my dreaded prediction. I had thought I grabbed all of them out of my drawer when packing my belongings. But I must have left one behind!

"It was exactly what I needed to remember everything," Relief had washed over his face as he seemed to be reliving the moment. He breathed a laugh as he looked down at the wrinkled piece of paper.

Oh that Kitty! She was still of assistance even when she was no longer of service to me.

"I remember," Christoper took small steps toward me, "I remember our meetings at dawn. I remember that beautiful voice you were hesitant to show me. I remember admiring the beauty mark on your left cheek. I remember the irregular beat of my heart when I saw you at the ball."

Tears poked at my eyes as he rambled on. But as he neared me, I could see his eyes glisten with tears too.

"The way you spoke to my horse," He chuckled, and a tear ran down his cheek. A mix between a sob and a laugh escaped me. Even in the wake of acute amnesia, that embarrassing moment had to make way back to his memory bank.

He stopped just inches away from me, "For those six months something has been missing - a hole in my heart. And now I have finally realized it was my best friend and love of my life."

I rose my hand and caressed his face, swiping away his tears. He pressed his forehead against mine and I closed my eyes. Silence cradled the beautiful moment. It felt as if I were floating on one of the clouds above.

Christopher pulled away, and circled his hands around my waist. I smiled from ear to ear as I gazed up at him. The spark that was once lost in his eyes, had been restored.

"The night before I left for the races," He spoke, "I wanted to propose to you. But I wanted the moment to be perfect."

Thunder suddenly erupted from the sky. Christopher looked up with a wide smile as heavy drops of rain began to fall, "And now it is perfect."

I laid a hand over my mouth. He even remembered my love for the rain!

"Della Rose Andrews," He slowly kneeled on one knee, "If I still have your heart - will you please do me the honors of becoming my wife?"

The rain came down with more of an intensity, as my chest heaved. I took both sides of his face, and bent down to my knees.

"You've had me since the day we met," Hot tears streamed down my face, "Of course I will!"

I threw my arms around him in a tight embrace. Christopher stroked my wet hair as I nuzzled my head into his neck. He stood to his feet, swooping me up in the process.

We laughed in unison as the looked up to the crying sky. Christopher then looked at me, and I met his gaze. I smiled widely and pressed my lips against his.

He was right. This was the perfect moment, and I wouldn't change it for any grand estate.

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