Like A Flame

Preface

Thomas slowly opened his eyes for his birthday, he saw the ceiling broken and with the smell of damp wood, but today it didn't seem so bad because today would also be the day he would meet his future wife. He climbed out of bed and walked down the creaking stairs into the kitchen, skipping that one step at the bottom of the stairs that he had yet gotten to fixing. "Good morning sweetheart, how'd you sleep?" asked his mother as she was still in the mirror fixing her hair.

She would never usually be dressing up on a normal day but today was special. "I slept perfectly fine last night mother, how about you?" he asked with a smile on his face. "I could barely sleep at all for today is such a big day! Aren't you excited?" Thomas was actually worried that he would make a bad impression and that she might not like him but given that he had never met her before he had some time to re-evaluate himself.

"Yes, i can hardly wait for you to live a steady life again." he said with optimism at first but the more he thought about it the more he started to think about father and how after his passing how hard life had been. His mother frowned and said with a sigh " this is not just some business arrangement, I know this affects you and I've met their daughter and she is as charming as ever! You'll love her, I just know it." he sighed, "I understand." She saw the reflection of him in the mirror and walked towards him.

She looked up at him and said holding his face in her hand "it might not be love at first but you'll grow to understand that there is more to marriage than love. There will be other things that will bring you joy....children, sons especially. Eventually you'll have the mindset that you love it all."

And not soon after they were walking into the carriage that the Swann family had called for them. They walked into the carriage and saw how beautiful the inside of it was. It was built with satin and silk and the pastel green worked with the pastel pinks.

When they got to the Swann house they set their eyes upon this beautiful mansion. As soon as they stepped inside Thomas automatically felt underdressed. Everyone was in elegant dressing gowns while he was in an old passed down suit that his father wore on his wedding but was full of the smell of dust and old wooden boxes that haven't been touched in years.

At first his mind was blank and he completely forgot the whole reason he had came. Then it came back to him. It was only when he was completely flushed with realization and fear his mother locks her arm around his and starts walking with a purpose. They stop in front of Mr. and Mrs. Swann. "Hello monsieur and mademoiselle Swann I am Thomas Alexander and this is my mother, Isabelle Alexander." he said as he held out his hand to shake it with Victoria's father.

After introducing himself to Victoria's parents which was extremely quick and getting congratulated for his 14th birthday once or twice it was time for the ceremony to begin. He took a sip of the wine that Victoria's mother so graciously gifted him as he walked through the door and was nowhere near ready.

He had practiced his lines with his mother so many times the night before but yet he still felt so very nervous. So many thoughts rolling through his head, so many worries and fears that he might mess this up for his mother or worse be stuck with a terrible marriage for the rest of his life.

And then she walked in. dressed in the most ravishing white gown he had ever seen she is the most beautiful girl ive ever laid eyes on he thought immediately. The vows were quick and he didn't stumble on a single word and just looked right in her eyes the whole time.

Oh her eyes are like a beautiful light brown such as the fresh cup of light brown sugar in the noon that is used in the making beautiful brown cookies. Although Thomas has only tried cookies maybe twice in his lifetime the feeling of her eyes matched the feeling then. Warm, sweet, alive all at the same time.

And a perfect contrast with her golden hair so neatly in a bun behind her veil. After the ceremony was over they rode to their honeymoon almost immediately after.

It was a sweet cottage with a beautiful fireplace and everything perfectly placed everywhere. When they walked in, Victoria grabbed his face and smothered hers onto it. Quickly pulling away and saying with a blush "i'm going to go take a bath." and walking away so gallantly.

He took this time to walk around and explore this new temporary home. But the exploring was cut short as soon as he saw a canvas set upon a side patio. He practically ran to take a seat and start painting.

He was still thinking about Victoria and how looked at the wedding with that absolutely beautiful dress and so he started painting what he saw.

The next morning he drew her once more.

And then again that night.

Obsessed with her beautiful features.