My Daughter, Audrey [ON HOLD]

The New Life

The next week, Peter closed his rent at his apartment and moved in with Jennie.  As shocking and controversial as it was for them to do so, especially since they hadn’t been legally bonded, Peter and Jennie stayed true to their souls until they could have a proper marriage.  They weren’t sure who would unite them; and the people in the local church didn't fancy Jennie's career choice.  They instead stood under the Lord's presence on a Friday, and promised Him and themselves their eternal loyalty. Peter traded his cat for two rings from a neighbor so that they had something to symbolize their commitment.    

            “I’m so happy we did it this way, I was afraid I would have to invite people—and I would be so afraid of them,” Jennie said, leaning her hand on Peter’s shoulder as they exited the garden; the chosen place for their ceremony.

               “Same ‘ere.   I was thinkin’ we could leave Audrey with the doctor while I take you out on your honeymoon!”  Peter declared, twirling Jennie once as they walked.   She whirled back into his arms and he wrapped his hands around her waist. 

               “Oh, how would you afford it?”

               “Don’t you worry your pretty mind ova that.  There’s a lake not too far from ‘ere.  It’s cozy, and we can have a picnic.   I don’t know, jest wanted to do somethin’ special for ya.”

               “It sounds absolutely splendid!  I can make some things to eat and drink, oh, and the doctor would be the perfect one to look after Audrey.  Oh, Peter, I’m so excited!”  Jennie leaped into Peter’s arms and kissed him passionately all over his face.

               “Alright, alright, I can’t see when ya doin’ this!”  Peter laughed, placing Jennie on the ground.   He took her hand and they made it back to her place. 

               They entered the room and saw Audrey flipping through magazines and sitting beside the large yellow mutt that belonged to Jennie.

               “Oh!  The old scoundrel came back!  I had lost him, you see.  He must have found his way in through the basement window.  Oh, bother, I forgot to lock that window when we left!”    Jennie went over to Audrey and kissed her eyes.   “How are you, dear?”

               Audrey looked up and yawned.  “Are you my Mommy now?”

               Jennie laughed and squeezed Audrey.  “Yes, darling, I am!”  She smothered her in kisses, much to Peter’s friendly jealously.

               “Enough of that, git lost, kid,” Peter said, gathering Jennie into his arms and shooing away Audrey.

               Audrey pursed her lips and smiled.  “Come along, doggie, let’s leave Mommy and Daddy alone!”  The two of them escaped to Jennie’s bedroom.

               “Peter,” Jennie breathed as she hooked her fingers in his suspenders and pulled him close.  She pressed herself against him and kissed him.

               Peter, without breaking the kiss, kicked the door shut and dimmed the lights.

               That evening, Peter and Jennie had packed two suitcases and paid a cab to take them the lake.  Dr. Coates was very willing to look after girl and he promised to even teach her some arithmetic, English, and French.   

               “Goodbye, love, you be good, aye?”  Jennie said, tidying up Audrey’s hair and dress.  “You’re getting taller, you know that?”

               Audrey smiled weakly and then resumed to her gloomy state.

               “Now, don’t be like that, we’ll be back.  We’re on a holiday, but I’ll bring back something extra special for you!”  Jennie touched noses with Audrey, springing the smile back onto the girl’s face.

               Peter grinned and gave Audrey a tight embrace.  “You mind Dr. Coates, alright?  He’s a good chap and will teach you a thing or two while we’re gone.  I’ll miss you.”   Peter gave Audrey another hug.

               “Miss you, too, Daddy!”

               “She’ll be a good lass,” the doctor said, placing a hand on Audrey’s shoulder.  “Don’t worry about a thing!”

               Jennie placed a hand on her heart and looked at Audrey tenderly.  “She’s so precious.  Oh, I can’t stand her much longer, or I’ll want to stay!  Come along, Peter!”   Jennie boarded into the cab.

               Peter, hands in his pockets, stared at Audrey.  Why did it feel like this would be the last time he would see her?  An intuition bothered him and he knew the doctor wasn’t going to be the cause, something else troubled his mind.   He furrowed his brows and chewed his lip.

               “One moment, Jennie,” Peter mumbled, holding up a finger to Jennie.  He went up to Audrey and gave her another hug and two kisses on both sides of her cheeks.  “You be safe, alright?  You’ll be ‘ere when I get back, aye?”

               Audrey broke into a smile and giggled.  “Ace will stay right here when Daddy and Mommy get back!”

               “Good girl,” Peter gave her a small salute, and she imitated the gesture with a playful simper.  Peter got into the cab and it rumbled into gear.

               “You alright?”  Jennie asked, fingering his sleeve.  “Aye?  Peter?”

               “I’m alright, love, thank you.”  But both of them knew he wasn’t.  Something was in the way, and it would be hovering over them the entire honeymoon weekend.