More Fortunate Son :D
Title: Fortunate Son (Part 4/?)
Authors: wrestlemanix and eric_idle_rules
Pairing: Ted DiBiase Jr./Cody Rhodes
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Taking place in feudal England, Cody's family comes from a long line of farmers who work the land belonging to the DiBiase family. Despite the enormous class differences, Cody and Ted meet and form an instant connection with one another, both learning things from the other that they otherwise never would have known.
Word Count: 8662
A/N: I admit, I'm no expert on the life and times of feudal England, but I tried. Forgive any errors when it comes to time frames and whatnot... As usual, flocked in codiasi, so I'm posting it here too :)
Disclaimer: Neither of us own the WWE.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
“Just for you,” he repeated, opening his bag and revealing the small book of fables. “I thought you should be able to practice while I’m gone. Have you a place to keep this?”
“I… I can leave it under my pillow. Thank you so much, Teddy,” he said, completely astonished by the gift. “It’s so thoughtful of you.” All he wanted to do was throw his arms around Ted and kiss him until neither of them could breathe any longer.
“You’re welcome, Cody. I couldn’t go away for a few weeks’ time without giving you a little something.”
“It means so much to me. Do you have time to come see my father? We had another new calf born this morning and he’s tending to them.”
“That sounds very nice, thank you,” he said. Taking his horse’s reins, he began walking next to Cody on the way to the Runnels’ home, a companionable silence between them.
“Father! Look who’s come for a quick visit!” Cody yelled to Virgil in the barn. Virgil emerged and gave Cody a brief stern look before welcoming Ted to his home once more.
“I brought you something, as well,” Ted said, giving Virgil the loaf of bread. It wasn’t that often that they had freshly baked bread to go along with their meals, and Virgil was ever grateful. “Really, it’s the least that I could do for you after all the things that you’ve done for me.”
Ripping off a piece right then and there, Virgil popped it into his mouth and shut his eyes as he chewed, delicious flavours tempting his taste buds. “This is wonderful. But I must get back to the calf, she’s yet to suckle, and I’m worried that she won’t make it if she doesn’t soon.”
“Of course. I’ll just bring this inside,” Cody offered.
Following behind Cody, Ted walked into the small wood house, still amazed by the size of the space these two people had to live in. “Here, take this now,” Ted said, handing the book over to Cody.
After placing the bread on the table, Cody took the book in his hands, running his fingers down the spine and over the leather binding. “This is incredible.”
Resting his hand on top of Cody’s, Ted whispered, “It’s yours to keep. This will be your very first book, and maybe, some day, you’ll have a library full of your very own books.”
Now Cody could do what he wanted to do earlier. Book in hand, he wrapped his arms around Ted’s neck and brought their lips together. Their tongues soon met as they glided into one another’s mouths, Ted’s hands tight in Cody’s hair. But it wasn’t lack of air that caused them to break this kiss, it was Cody’s paranoia that his father would walk in on them at any second. So he stepped back, still smiling at Ted, and tucked the book under his thin pillow.
“You know I don’t want to go,” Ted said to him after a few moments’ silence.
“But you have to?”
“I do. I’ve already been out longer than my parents wanted me to be. I have to go pack, since we’re leaving tomorrow. But I’ll be thinking of you every day while I’m there, I promise you.”
“And I’ll be dreaming of you every night while you’re away,” Cody told him quietly, suddenly shy about admitting that Ted was the focus of his dreams.
“I’ll be dreaming of us together.”
That admittance had Cody's heart soaring and his throat closing up. He knew Ted would be on his mind every minute of every day when he was gone, regardless of the chat that he and his father had had last night. "I'll practice very hard." he promised softly, referring to the book. "I know you will," Ted murmured gently in return, "And I can help you and see how much you've progressed as soon as I return." Reaching, Ted then caught Cody's left hand from where it was hanging down loosely at his side as he was no longer holding the book.
Bringing the hand to his mouth Ted let his lips brush over Cody's pulse. "I'll be back before you know it." Of course, this was a bracing exaggeration to appease Cody, and also to soothe himself that the time would fly by... when something told him that each second away from Cody would weigh like a year upon him. He wished that Cody could go with him-- and then reflected that if the other took his position as his valet/attendant, then he would be accompanying on some holidays. The thought made a tingle run down his spine, anticipation already rearing its head.
"I must go... If I don't, then I won't." Ted admitted, lips still brushing the thrumming pulse of Cody's wrist as he talked, seeing the flush lightly building on Cody's cheeks and hearing the soft gasping hitch in Cody's breathing from his ministrations; he'd have to remember the area as sensitive for future reference. "I'll see you soon. Be safe." Cody said as he walked out of his home with the other, Ted mounting his horse once he had untied the reins from the post outside of Cody's home. Swinging himself agilely onto the saddle he pulled the horse back lightly and turned him towards the dirt-track.
"Try not to overdo it now, Ok?" If anyone heard this they could just interpret it as a future-master's concern for his worker's health and everything... though in truth the connotation were much more intimate and deeper than that. "Enjoy your time away." Cody returned in what was supposed to be a genial manner; the look in their eyes though would alert someone paying close attention that the situation was not as emotionless as it might seem. Watching Ted returning towards the castle made Cody feel even more desolate and he heaved a sigh.
As Ted was forced to soon oversee the packing of nearly all his clothing and other things that were considered necessary for a trip that his father was arranging, Cody threw himself into his chores to try and take his mind off of Ted. He knew that he was going to have to be very careful about not letting his bleak moods show before his father whilst Ted was gone, otherwise the man might get the wrong idea... or the right idea. Virgil was a lot sharper than people seemed to think he was; the mild-mannered farmer guise a clever camouflage.
Eventually Cody ran out of things to do and so decided to go and see the newborns with his father. Virgil didn't comment on his mood, so Cody felt he was hiding it well. His mind kept dividing between Ted and his book; if it was the last thing he did, he was going to be able to read some of it to Ted when the other returned. He'd said that he was no lost cause just because he was a farm-boy by nature and upbringing. He'd get better. He would.
Cody’s mood did lighten, though, when he and his father finally managed to get the new calf to suckle. It had taken some time and quite a bit of effort, but the calf was now drinking away. The two calves that had been born yesterday were walking around the barn, going to their mothers when they were hungry, only to wander off once more when they had had enough. “Do you think they’ll be set for a while?” Cody asked.
“Yes, most likely. Let’s just fill their feed troughs first, then we can go inside and have some food.” After quickly refilling the troughs, Cody and Virgil left the animals for the time being. “What will you be preparing for us today, Cody?” Virgil asked, taking his usual spot.
“Vegetable stew with bread for dipping,” he answered, chopping up some vegetables on the small counter space to throw into the stew.
“That was very kind of him to come all this way to deliver us a loaf of bread. He’s a good boy, that Theodore. He’ll run a fine ship once he’s older. Much more fit to run the castle than his older brother ever was.”
Pausing in his motions, Cody set the knife to the side and turned towards his dad. “What older brother?”
This took Virgil by surprise. After all those two had talked, Theodore had never brought up his older brother? “You don’t know about Michael?”
“I had no idea he had a second brother.” Why had Ted not told him? He had told Ted about Dustin, after all…
“Yes, and he was going to inherit all this land one day. Until he ran off. Apparently he met a young maid in another village, and she was a mere peasant girl. The gossip around the village, and I don’t know how true this part is, is that he got her pregnant and had to marry her, therefore disowning himself from his family fortune. I do know the two were married, but I’ve never heard that they had any children. People say that’s the only reason he married her, though, because of the baby. I think they simply loved each other. But one cannot rule over the heads of peasants when in love with one of them,” Virgil said.
Turning back towards the potatoes, Cody tried to hide his disappointment at his father’s words. Michael loved and married a girl below his own social class, and that was considered wrong by societal standards. Now he and Ted were… were they in love? Even if they were deeply in love with one another, it wouldn’t matter. Not only were they of far different social classes, both were of the same gender. He was stuck in a no-win situation, but had no idea how to get out of it.
Lately it seemed to Cody that he was being left with a lot to think about, especially around meal-times. That evening Virgil ate hungrily, obviously enjoying the rare treat of the fresh bread, but Cody was pretty absent-minded, hardly tasting the food. In the end he merely gave his bread to his father, claiming that he hadn't much of an appetite and it shouldn't go to waste. It seemed his father had been about to refuse until Cody used that last line of argument.
Very rarely would Virgil waste anything, and given that he had been brought up on the land and with a strong tie to nature and its uses, the man was quite resourceful when it came to doing new things with items etc. that others would have thought completely worthless. Cody knew his father would have saved the bread for him, but they had no means of doing so in their home; it would have molded in no time.
The sky had darkened considerably by the time they had finished eating and the two Runnels men hastened to ensure that all the animals were secured away and that there were no odd jobs that needed to be immediately tended to. Ted meanwhile had had everything packed and readied for their family leaving early that following morning; news had been spread throughout all the parcels to tell them all, but when Ted asked his father how they'd cope with the changes to their routine Ted Sr. had merely waved a hand dismissively and said that they were used to it.
His father's blasé attitude to those who did everything for them, and essentially had made them prosperous and allowed them to live, had always annoyed Ted, but now more than ever it niggled at him and he was often grinding his teeth to keep from saying something that would end up being bad for Cody as well as himself. If his father found out his feelings for Cody, then he would make Cody disappear. Ted didn't doubt that for a moment, and he'd make sure to leave the appropriate threats with Cody to ensure that the man never returned. Ted could never let that happen-- it would kill him.
Night passed with its seeming swiftness, and the following morning dawned bright and cold. Dressed in warm clothing (and suddenly feeling uncomfortable in the ostentatious furs that lined his clothing) Ted watched as his mother slighted the carriage, his father following and then Brett. Following into the carriage they were soon trundling down the dirt path. As they passed by the homes of their workers he spotted the figure of Cody and his father doing their daily chores, and loneliness immediately began to make itself known to him.
Sounds of carriages filled the air before they could clearly be seen. The noise grew louder as they approached, and soon they were on the road the villagers used on a daily basis. As per protocol, Virgil and Cody (and any other of the workers out doing their chores) bowed as they passed, showing their submissiveness to the owner of the land.
Cody had no idea which carriage Ted was sitting in, but he liked to think that the other man was looking at him, thinking of him. He swore that he could feel Ted’s eyes on him as the fourth carriage in line passed, but he couldn’t be sure. Once all the carriages had driven past, the two returned to their usual work. Cody continued on his way to the chicken coop, grabbing the basket from under the ramp to collect the eggs.
Never before when they made this trip had Ted wanted to simply not go. But this year he didn’t. He didn’t want to go at all. He wanted to stay with Cody. He would even live in the little cabin with less space than his own washroom just to be with Cody.
Drawn out of his daydream by his father’s voice, still booming in the little space, making it even more of a nuisance than it normally was. “Son, there’s something else I must tell you about this trip,” he said, very pleased with himself for keeping this secret. And if he was so happy about it, Ted knew that it didn’t bode well for him.
“What would that be, Father?”
“Kristen’s family is going to be there as well! It will give you a nice amount of time to get to know each other.”
He tried to smile, but found it quite difficult. “Sounds wonderful, Father.”
“It will be a great opportunity for you to talk to her,” his mother said, reaching across the carriage to lay an assuring, comforting hand on his knee, her eyes telling him that she was sorry for what his father was putting him through, and that even she had no idea this was in the works.
“Of course. I can’t wait.” His head dropped back to the carriage wall and he shut his eyes, though he certainly wasn’t able to fall asleep with all the bouncing the carriage was doing. He shut his eyes and wondered how he was going to survive the next few weeks without Cody and with Kristen and her family there, as well.
As he had expected, even the first few days of Ted's absence was tortured. He had assured the other that he would be thinking about him every minute, and as it stood that was true; there wasn't a single second where Ted wasn't on his mind, regardless of what he happened to be doing. He worked on autopilot during the day and longed for Ted at night.
Initially Cody assumed that he felt friendship and sexual desire towards Ted (the second having been a shy but steadfast admittance that his body had supplied his mind, and that his heart hadn't been too bothered about refuting) but considering how much he missed the other, and the lingering thoughts of the sacrifices Ted's own brother had made for love, he once again found himself wondering about that.
Little did Cody know, that for as much as he was thinking about Ted, Ted was thinking about him. The constant surrounding of his family and or Kristen and hers, had him longing to be with Cody once more-- the confined space might not be much, but it was private and felt more homely than the stately house they were staying in for their holiday. He was constantly being told to accompany Kristin to the local shops or to keep an eye on her when they were on the beach... every unsubtle attempt their parents could get to throw them together they could, and whereas Ted found it somewhat mortifying Kristen seemed to be liking him more and more.
In a way Ted was sincerely hoping that Kristen would end up not liking him. Not only would it buy him more time when it came to the bride front, but also... also he wouldn't be hurting her with his affection for Cody. Even if he married he knew that he wasn't going to be able to give Cody up, and selfishly he knew that he was going to take as much advantage of Cody being in his home as much as possible. And, possibly worse, he knew Cody would welcome such advantage-taking from Ted, would actively participate and never resist. If he married three parties would be hurt one way or another.
Watching as their joined families lolled around on the sand, sitting on neat little chairs and blankets, ridiculous dresses/body suits that they could get wet on display, Ted took a moment of solitude upon the cliff overlooking the sea. Cody would love to see this, he thought. Suddenly he got the phantom sensation of the young man's arms around him, even getting the scent of Cody's hair in his sinuses instead of sea-salt, and for a moment he almost hugged thin air before remembering himself.
Wouldn’t that be nice? To one day be able to bring Cody to see the ocean. He was certain that Cody had never seen the white sandy beaches before, what a treat it would be if he were the one to bring him here one day?
His thoughts were interrupted when a questioning voice came from behind. “Teddy? What are you doing all the way over here?” Kristen asked, coming forward, but not all the way to the edge, like Ted was sitting.
“Just trying to get away from it all,” he replied, not turning his head to even look at her.
“You should really come back, Teddy, the water is perfect. Everyone’s really enjoying themselves.”
“And I’m enjoying myself here. It’s quite nice just sitting here, the water crashing below me,” he said, finally glancing behind his back.
“Are you trying to get away from me?” she asked, his outright refusal to come back with her making her curious.
“My family, mostly. People in general…”
“Don’t you like me?” she continued her questioning, this time stepping forward even more, nearer to Ted until she finally sat down next to him.
He sighed. She really was a nice girl, but she deserved to marry someone better than himself, someone who wanted to lavish her with gifts and love and affection. All the things he couldn’t give to her. “I do like you, Kristen, you’re a lovely girl. But-”
The words he was about to say were cut off when he felt a hand on his leg, creeping up higher on his thigh. “I do like you, Teddy. A lot.” Their eyes met, and she began to move in for a kiss.
He scrambled back from her, standing from the cliff’s edge as he looked down at her sitting there, a confused look on her face. “I’m sorry, Kristen, I just can’t do this right now,” he told her before he turned and headed back to the beach house.
She sat there for a few minutes before leaving, returning to the beach with her and Ted’s family, and the disappointment clearly read on her face. What had she done wrong? Why had Ted turned her down like that? He said he liked her, after all. Maybe they just needed to talk some more, she decided, dismissing herself to the beach house to find Ted once more.
Ted could see Kristen seeking him out from his vantage point by the window and cursed softly; it seemed that God wasn't listening to his prayers about having Kristen possibly falling for Brett instead... Then again, hadn't he apparently defied God by falling for Cody? That would explain why he was seemingly being ignored by him. Giving it a split second consideration Ted decided to go the one place where he wouldn't be bothered: the attic room.
The women couldn't climb up the rickety ladder, and he knew that his father and Kristen's wouldn't dream of attempting to climb... and he supposed he wouldn't mind too much if Brett found him; though truth be told his brother seemed to be enjoying the beach more than anything. Actually, the younger man had had a shocking lack of reaction to the sight of the bathing-dress clad Kristen and her two sisters... Curious, though probably not as serious as Ted was thinking.
The attic room consisted of a few bookshelves, a little single bed and a desk. He knew that the previous users of the house, the original owners (who had moved abroad and thus how the property had become their holiday home) had made the bedroom for the sickly child they had had, giving him privacy and a pleasant view for when he was too infirm to go out. Ted didn't know the boy, but hoped that wherever he was he was well now... and that he didn't mind Ted hiding out in his room.
Lying out on the slightly dusty bed -the servants often forgot this room- Ted sighed softly. "Oh, Cody..." he could just picture the other now; he'd be working on the farm, ending up dirty and sweaty but beaming that adorable smile he had when he had succeeded in a task, and had done something that would benefit the farm and his family. Was the other thinking of him? Was he also waking up in the middle of the night panting, flushed and aching so hotly that it was almost unbearable?
Soon... Soon he would be back. Soon he would be back home and then as soon as he was able he was going to find Cody and he was going to get him alone to kiss him, embrace him and show him how much he had missed him. Closing his eyes (ears trained of any possible sounds of people looking for him) Ted pictured Cody sitting on a hay-bale, the book he had given him open on his lap and that adorable furrow on his brow as he tried to work out the words. Without even realizing Ted began nodding off, a smile on his lips and his mind on Cody.
With his dad out at the market getting even more feed (he had to make sure the cows continued to produce sufficient milk), Cody had the perfect opportunity to crack open the book Ted had given him. He stayed inside the house, knowing he’d have a better chance to hide it if Virgil came back. He had attempted a few words before, but found that without Teddy there, reading was more difficult. He didn’t have anyone to ask what sounds certain letters made, and there was no one to reward him when he read a word correctly.
But he was determined. He would be able to read at least a paragraph to Ted by the time he made his return, dammit! He sat on his cot, running his finger under each word, sounding things out letter by letter. It was frustrating, to go for so long, and try so hard, and progress so slowly. Not to mention this book had words he didn’t know, and he couldn’t even ask what they were, or if he was saying them right. When he heard the faint sound of whistling, the book was tucked under his pillow for another time. He stood and headed to the fire, stirring the chicken stew he had going for dinner.
Soon the door opened and his father walked in, sniffing the air and smiling. “Smells good, Cody! When will it be ready?”
“Not too much longer.” He dipped in his spoon, tasting the broth and nodded. Once he served his father and poured the rest into his bowl, he took a seat on the floor and his dad began to talk idly to him.
“Calves are doing good. Growing nice and big. They’ll be able to be sold in no time; that’ll be good for us, bring in a little more money.” Cody nodded as his father spoke. It really was the same old conversations every day. In just a matter of minutes the topic would turn to… “I saw Layla at the market today.”
Ah, there it was. “Oh? How is she doing?”
“Good, good. She asked about you, ya know. Wondered where you were. I told her you were back here with dinner going. You know what she said about that?”
“What did she say about that?”
“That you should be out helping me in the animals, and that there should be a woman around our house to take care of the cooking. I told her I couldn’t agree with her more.”
“Dad, we really can’t feed another mouth here. Plus, I’m going to work in the castle in the winter. What am I supposed to do? Marry her now, then leave her for a few months? And if I did marry her, would you want children? When Ted was here, we didn’t have food for the three of us. Right now, marriage is out of the question. I’m sorry. I have to…” he trailed off, leaving the small house to go outside to the barn. He leaned against the hay bale, looking at one of the cows and muttering, “Why can’t things just be easy?”
Almost as though the cow understood him she gave a light snort and shuffled a hoof on the ground. A slight smile came to Cody's face at that, nodding his head slightly. People might think animals such as cows and pigs were unintelligent and no good for anything other than eating, but as he had grown up in continually close contact with them he knew for a fact that the animals were a lot smarter than they seemed; they had to have some wherewithal about them to remain alive in the wild and such after all, when there was no one to tend them.
The straws of hay pricked him slightly through his clothing, but Cody didn't care. He welcomed the slight tingling sensation of pain as his mind wandered back to the day when he and Ted had been mere moments away from consummating their relationship with one another in a fashion that they would not be able to explain away had they been caught. Picking up a loose straw Cody twisted it between his lightly calloused fingertips before sighing and letting it fall to the barn floor. He'd never realised how work-roughened his hands were before until he had been touched by Ted's; the other's hands were strong, undeniably masculine, but so smooth at the same time. How he missed those hands. How he missed Ted.
"I miss you so much, Ted." Cody whispered almost inaudibly to the darkened air around him from the sanctity of the barn. He knew that his father was probably angry about him running off from the conversation, but he couldn't face it. Each mention of trying himself to Layla as man and wife filled him with dread and a consummate fear. Even if he married Layla he knew he'd never be physically, mentally of emotionally satisfied, because he had accepted now that his heart belonged to Ted. And as such Layla would be unfulfilled in turn, and he didn't want to be the cause of that.
Eventually he had to return to the house, but he stopped off at the stream to wash up first. He remembered the last time Ted had been there, the look in the elder's eyes as he had looked upon his naked body. What they had between them was wrong, supposedly sinful, but how could something that felt so right, so needed, be wrong? Sleep didn't come easy for Cody when he eventually retired to his bunk for the night.
Across the land, at the bright ocean-side holiday home, Ted was just stirring from his nap. He hadn't even realised he'd nodded off and as such he was very disoriented when he awoke. Disoriented wasn't the only thing he was feeling, if the tent in his light pants was anything to go by, and Ted clenched his hands into fists before dropping back onto the bed. "Cody..." he wanted to go home so bad. He wanted to go home, tell Cody he could come to the castle and then he wanted to embrace the other all night-- and never let him go again.
Knowing that he couldn’t go back downstairs in his current state, he bypassed any thoughts of disrespect he may have had about what he was about to do as he slipped his hand beneath the waist of his pants and wrapped a hand around his aching cock. Easing his pants down just enough, he began moving his hand up and down, eyes squeezed shut. With thoughts of him and Cody in his mind, he quickly brought himself to completion, wiping himself off with the corner of a sheet from the bed.
“Theodore, where have you been off to?” his father asked of him once he emerged downstairs on the bottom level where both families were sitting, snacking on cheese and fruits.
“Around,” he answered, sitting down next to his mother.
“It’s too bad you went inside so soon,” Brett began, telling him a story about that afternoon. “Father was out in the water, standing just up to below his knees, waving to us, when this enormous wave came and crashed above his head! He stood there, dripping wet as we were all laughing.”
“Seems as though I did miss quite the event,” Ted chuckled. He really would have liked to witness that. It wasn’t often his father let his guard down, dropped the façade he put on as he played the role of Lord. Reaching forward, he grabbed a slice of cheese and popped it into his mouth. One thing he did enjoy about coming to the beach was that he got new kinds of food from what they ate at the castle. The fish was fresher, the cheeses were different, even the meats tasted better.
“Kristen seemed very disheartened earlier,” his father said after a few moments of silence. “What did you do, young man?”
Of course his father began paying attention at that very second. He didn’t notice when his own son was feeling down, yet his son’s potential future bride was a bit sad and he jumped on the opportunity. “Oh, that… I just…” What was he to say? That she went in to kiss him and he turned her down? The truth at that moment wouldn’t bode well for her, so he said, “I told her that I didn’t want anyone around right then. I didn’t intend to offend her, I assure you all.” Nodding his head slightly to her, she gave him a small smile. No one needed to know what actually happened on the rock.
“Dinner is ready, Sir,” one of the servants from the castle said to Theodore Sr. The whole group stood and walked into the dining room, ready to setting into their meal.
Ted thought that maybe he should attempt to talk to Kristen, to clear the air between them. Not out right tell her about Cody, obviously, but tell her that he didn’t feel they were right for one another. So, as they ate their dessert, Ted asked, “Kristen, would you care to join me for a walk on the beach once we’re finished?”
Her eyes lit up (as did their fathers’) and she nodded as she answered, “Yes, of course. I would love to.”
He forced a smile and dipped his spoon back into the sweet dessert, knowing he had already given her the wrong idea about this moonlit walk along the shore.
When it was convenient for him and Kristen to go out (and under the uncomfortable backdrop of sheer expectancy that was emanating from every adult save for his mother) Ted sighed and led the way back onto the beach. Night had already fallen and he cursed mentally about how long their meals took; this situation was going to be awkward enough without the damned romantic scene giving her the wrong impression. He didn't stop until they were a good distance from the holiday-home.
"Kristen, look," Ted knew that he had to proceed delicately, but he was going to do so in a way that meant that regardless of whether she told his father or not no one -except his mother- would ever know to whom he was referring. He couldn't tell her he liked a male for multiple reasons. "Earlier, I believe you misunderstood what I was attempting to tell you." Immediately her face seemed to drop and Ted groaned mentally; please, for the love of God don't let her start crying. His father would massacre him on the spot if she went back crying, regardless of the situation.
"W-What do you mean, Ted?" her voice shook slightly, but to spare them both embarrassment he didn't comment upon it, and continued on coolly, as politely as he possibly could. "I meant it when I said I like you... but I do not like you in that way." he ran a hand through his hair, aware that Kristen's eyes were widening with each word, and he braced himself internally. "You're a lovely girl and one day you will find a man who can love you the way you deserve. I am not he." Kristen moved to him and Ted felt her small hands gripping at his arm. He could only imagine how they'd look from up on the cliff bank:
Two young people on a moonlit beach without their chaperones around or anything... Oh, it probably seemed the picture of first-love romance didn't it? Ted knew who he'd much rather be indulging on the exotic beach scenery with. But he was about 6' plus, and definitely not all slight and wispy female. "But, Ted, please--" Oh Lord, here it came, "Isn't friendship better than nothing?" her eyes were wide, beseeching and Ted knew he had to keep strong, "I mean, surely the fact that you can tolerate me would make us a good match? And we can talk and we have fun together and--" Ted felt she was exaggerating slightly on the fun part, considering that he had been essentially miserable for the whole of the trip missing the one he did want to be with.
"Kristen," Ted gently moved her hand from his arm, "I'm in love with another. Could you really be happy knowing that my heart belonged elsewhere?" Kristen went quiet then, and for a moment Ted thought he had won before she then said, "But... You might grow to love me, mightn't you? I'd be happy so long as I could be with you." Ted felt his heart and stomach drop; did Kristen really care for him that much, or had she just been brainwashed by the combined efforts of their parents to make her use every mean at her disposal to secure a match with Ted? "I'm sorry." and, like his other words, they were sincere.
There they were, the water works. Her eyes quickly filled up with tears before they started splashing down upon her cheeks. “So my love for you doesn’t matter?”
“I never said that. But could we really truly be happy together if I’m in love with someone else?” He couldn’t help himself when he brushed away one of her tears. “There are many men out there who would love to be with you, who would love you. You’re a beautiful young woman and you have a nice family. But we’re not right for one another. In your heart, do you truly love me? Or do you love the thought of me? I mean, do you only love the thought of having a husband because your parents told you you should?”
She paused, using the back of her hands to wipe at her eyes. “I don’t know. You’re such a nice man, Teddy. And you’re quite handsome,” she whispered, giggling. Between her tears and her giggles, she soon had hiccups, giving both of them something to chuckle about.
“Are you ready to be a bride right now, anyway? You’re only seventeen.”
“And what else is there a woman to do at my age besides marry and begin a family?” she asked, looking up into the full moon.
“I… I don’t know.”
“Exactly. I thought that you would be the right man for me, simply because our parents thought we would be right together… Who is it, though? The one that you’re in love with?” She turned her head to the side, now taking in Ted’s profile, illuminated by the bright moonlight.
“That’s not important right now,” he told her. “I’m sorry that I upset you, and I’m sure I’ll upset both our families.”
“Well, I’ll be by your side when we tell them that we shan’t be marrying.”
“Oh? We’re telling them now?” Now he turned to face her, grinning.
“Yes, we’ll tell them together.”
“You know, you’re not that bad to be around,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She leaned her head upon his shoulder, still slightly upset that it was not the gesture of a lover, simply one of a friend, but knowing that one day she would have a husband that loved her in return. “Tell me, do you have anyone that you fancy?”
“Well, I don’t know if you’d like me to say it.” She teased at her bottom lip with her teeth, nervous about what Ted’s reaction would be if she told him that she found his brother to be quite attractive.
Arching a brow slightly, Ted gave her a small nudge to the side with his own, "If you tell me, and I know the man in question, then I could try and put in a good word for you."
"Well, I made you cry," Ted said with a slightly sheepish look as Kristen sent him a look of genuine surprise, "-- the least I can do is attempt to secure you a reason to smile again if possible. I was sincere when I said that I would be more than willing to consider you a friend, Kristen." the young woman nodded, turning her attention to the water for a moment before then looking to Ted and sending him a watery smile before she hiccupped again and wiped the a few remaining tears from her cheeks and from her eyes, "Thank you, Ted."
Exhaling a breath Kristen then decided to take the plunge, "You don't mind considering me a friend, correct?" when Ted nodded she followed up the second part of her question, "How would you feel about... considering me as a sister-in-law?" For a moment it seemed that Ted hadn't registered her words, but then his eyes widened and his mouth fell open in an admittedly adorable expression of surprise. "A sis-- Brett? You like Brett?" to him Brett would always be a child, his baby brother, so it was a surprising consideration.
Even though the moon's light wasn't too strong a guide Ted could just feel that Kristen was blushing. "I thought he was handsome upon our first meeting, and then I felt guilty about it considering our parents had designs upon you and I... I don't feel as guilty now though," she admitted, looking up at him coyly, "Would you protest?" Since Brett wouldn't be taking over the family business a good marriage and career to support his family were essentially all he had. "I think..." Ted heard her breath catch, obviously expecting a refusal, "I think you'd be good for him."
"R-Really?" the smile she sent him was definitely more genuine than any he had witnessed directed to him before. "Yes, really." Brett might only be fifteen, but he was nearly sixteen, and fourteen was considered acceptable to marry at after all. Sending Kristen a slight smile he then gave a friendly wink and confided conspiratorially, "Just don't let him near any sweets when you marry-- he's got a terrible sweet-tooth." Kristen laughed brightly and accepted Ted's proffered arm as they returned to the beach-house. "The girl you love is a very lucky lady, Ted." she commented softly to him before they entered the house, saving Ted from responding.
“You two look quite happy,” Kristen’s father said, smiling when they walked through the door arm in arm.
“Yes, never been better,” she said, smiling at her and Ted’s father.
“What did I tell you, David,” Theodore Sr. began, “just a little time together and-”
“We’re not getting married after all,” she cut in, still beaming.
Well, at least it was now out in the open, Ted figured. However, explaining everything to their families might be somewhat difficult. Although now that he and Kristen had worked through their… differences… things were definitely better between them. There were no more awkward moments as Ted tried to hide from her the truth. Wasn’t he still hiding, though? he thought to himself before shaking that idea from his head.
“Excuse me?” Ted’s dad stood from his wooden seat and paced around the floor. “Caroline!” he shouted for his wife, who was in the room next door with Kristen’s mother, Evelyn. The two women entered the room, wondering what was going on. And Caroline couldn’t help but wonder why his son was standing before her arm in arm with Kristen.
“Yes? What’s going on here?”
“These two just told us that they’re not getting married,” he told them. “If you’re not getting married, then why do you look so happy?”
“Because Teddy and I already like other people,” she answered.
“What?!” Theodore Sr. boomed, Ted swearing the entire house shook under his feet.
Caroline looked at her son. Just what had he told the girl? Stepping up to her husband, she placed a hand on his arm, attempting to soothe him. “Theodore, there’s no reason to be so upset. They’re both still young. And it sounds as though they’ve each found someone that they like. Why not let them explore that option a bit?”
“Who is it, then? Kristen, answer me,” her father said.
She blushed once more as she replied, “It’s Brett, Daddy.”
The room seemed to calm slightly after the admission. She liked Brett? Their families could still be joined in a holy (and economic) matrimony? This could work. “I thought the two of them would be quite lovely together,” Ted chimed in. Though when his father asked him who he was willing to give up such a lovely woman like Kristen for, he wished he had kept silent.
“It’s…”
“Who have you even seen lately? I’ve only brought over Kristen and her family to meet with you. It better not be one of those peasant girls that you’ve seen whilst out working with Virgil. You will not stoop to the same level as your elder brother.”
“No, not a peasant girl,” he told them. And that was the truth. Cody was certainly not a girl. He had to think quickly, who could he tell his father he was smitten with? “Someone I went to school with, he had a sister. She was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. Since the moment I saw her, I’ve been taken with her,” he lied, turning his pleading eyes upon his mother. What on earth had he gotten himself into?
Caroline exchanged a look with her son that told him they would be having a serious talk about this later, that was missed by everyone else in the room; currently they were all fixated upon Kristen's admission... one his baby brother didn't seem to mind at all.
"Well..." David looked to Ted Sr., and then to Ted, before finally letting his eyes land on the obviously surprised, but seemingly amenable Brett. "--I won't be objecting to the joining of our families, even if the route we had intended has changed." It was essentially the biggest blessing that a slightly awkward man like David would ever make, and Kristen blushed before giving him a smile of gratitude. Evelyn seemed more than happy with the events; the DiBiase boys were both rich and handsome, either would be a fine man for her daughter.
"Yes, well--" Ted Sr. recovered himself with remarkable aplomb and Ted felt a sense of exasperation welling in him as his father called for wine so that they could all drink to the new courtship that they had potentially bore witness to that evening. Ted personally thought this was a bit premature, but Brett didn't seem to mind so he supposed he shouldn't. When everyone had been given a drink, Brett pulled his elder brother to the side, "Ted, are you really alright with this?" he asked, obviously concerned. Ted laughed and ruffled the younger's hair, "Trust me... I'm very alright with this."
Seeming relieved and pleased that he had his brother's blessing, Brett then playfully wagged his brows at Ted, "So, this sister of your school-mate..." his tone was playfully suggestive and Ted swatted at his head, "Behave!" he warned, a flush creeping up his cheeks as his brother seemed intent on questioning him on this fictitious woman-- before their mother saved him. "Brett, your father wants you over there." before the young teen could escape she collared him and adjusted his rebelliously spiked hair, causing Brett to flush and grumble.
As soon as he was away with the two fathers, Kristen's mother and sisters, Caroline then indicated the hallway with a graceful incline of her head and Ted silently nodded before following his mother out. None of the other's seemed to notice their leaving and for that Ted was profoundly grateful; he didn't need to be interrogated further and cause himself a bigger mess than he had already seemed to have gotten himself into. Caroline took him into one of the unused rooms on the lower-floor, closing the door behind him. "Ted..." he raked his hands through his hair, sighing heavily, "I know, ma, I know... I panicked!"
Caroline could understand that for it wasn't as though Ted could tell the truth, was it. "We'll have to say she moved abroad or something." Ted's eyes widened: was his mother really going to help him lie to keep his relationship with Cody? Such as it was in the early stages. Caroline's eyes glimmered with a hidden intelligence that went way beyond tea making and party-hosting, "If she's even in the same country you know your father will do all he can to try and secure a visit to her home or to have her visit us." Sometimes, Ted could really just worship at his mother's feet-- only she would take such pains and make such sacrifices for his happiness.
“Oh, thank you, thank you! I can’t believe what I’ve started,” he muttered, now leaning against the wall.
“You’re lucky that Kristen has fallen for Brett, you know that, right?” Had she not, then the attention would all be on her son, and that was the last thing that he needed at the moment.
“I do. I’m sorry, Ma, I wish that I could marry her, I really do, but…”
“It’s ok, sweetie. I wish you all the happiness in the world. And I want for you to be with the one you love, like I myself never got the chance to be. Not that I haven’t grown to love your father over time, but he certainly wasn’t my first choice for a husband…”
Ted couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His mother was actually admitting that she wished she had been able to marry another man? “Thank you.”
“Caroline, Theodore, there you are. Come, celebrate!” Ted’s father said, completely forgetting about Ted’s imaginary woman for the time being.
Grabbing a glass of wine, the two joined in with the celebration, the two young teens blushing madly as a toast was risen to them. “Brett, you’ve got yourself quite a lovely lady,” Ted told him. “As for you, Kristen, I know you had to lower your standards from me-” That earned him a smack on the arm from Brett, but he smiled and continued, “but you certainly have a winner in my little brother. Congratulations to you both.” With that, he raised his glass and took a sip.
After the glasses were taken away to be washed by the servants, Ted Sr. pulled Ted aside to have a little heart to heart with his middle son. “So, this lady of yours, what was her name?”
“I never found out her name. I talked to her briefly on three occasions, but that was all. Truth be told,” he said, though all of what he was saying was about as far from the truth as one could get, “I don’t even know where the family is from. I only knew the brother a little. They had a different accent, though, so I suspect he came from abroad.”
“Yet you’re still taken with this girl? Despite the fact that you don’t know her name or where she’s even from? Is this why you’ve rejected every possible woman I’ve introduced you to?”
“Yes. Father, there’s no one like this girl that I’ve ever met before.”
“Theodore, dear,” Caroline cut in, once again saving her son, “let’s go to bed. It’s been a long day at the beach and I’m terribly tired. And since we’re leaving in just a few days, I want to take as much advantage of the days at the beach as possible.”
“All right, I’ll be there soon.” He turned his attention back to Ted and asked, “What does this mean? That you’ll be a bachelor for the rest of your life simply because of a woman you’ve talked to just a few times?”
“If that’s what it takes, then yes,” he answered with a nod. In some sense, it was true. And as long as his father didn’t go out looking for this mystery woman, then perhaps he’d start to leave him alone when it came to searching for a bride.
On the day that they had received word that the Lord and his family would be back on, Cody found himself up even earlier than usual (and considering that he was always up at dawn this was indeed saying something) due to the sheer magnitude of the excitement currently in his stomach.
When he saw Ted again he was going to have to work really hard to remember himself and their surroundings so that he wouldn't just run at the other and then kiss him before everyone who might be with him at the time. Somehow if he did such a thing Cody didn't think that anyone would buy that he and Ted were just that excited to see one another; that sentiment alone would be enough to start bringing up some questions that Cody wasn't honestly sure either of them were willing, or ready, to answer yet.
"Cody...?" his father's sleepy voice sounded off to the side from his bed and Cody turned his head from where he had been in the midst of preparing breakfast, "Morning dad, hungry?" Virgil blinked sleepily, nodding; Cody always insisted they eat breakfast before they worked in the fall and winter, to give them warmth and energy, but the young man was never normally this perky first thing in the morning. If anything there were still days when Virgil had to be the one to drag him out from his cot to do the day's work. "Starving." he responded slowly, mind still a little addled from sleep. As age increased he found himself struggling to be up and about some mornings.
As he sat up Virgil suddenly doubled over and coughed heavily into his fist, the hacking sound filling their little home obscenely. Immediately Cody was at his father's side with a small cup of water and rubbing his back, pleading with the man to drink when he had calmed. Several winters ago Virgil had caught an illness that his lungs had never fully recovered from, and each time the seasons changed the sickness made itself known one way or another... this year, though, the attacks seemed to have been more frequent than any other time he remembered, and winter had yet to set in.
For the moment the concern for his father's health was enough to wipe all thoughts of Ted from his mind-- and he had been so excited to have his first chance alone with the other not only to welcome him back and let him know how much he missed him, but also because he wanted to show Ted that he had indeed managed to read a paragraph of the book that he had left with him. At least, it was as correct as he could figure it out to being considering that he had had to learn it off of his own back and all.
It was late fall at the moment, winter just around the corner as the nights started earlier and grew colder, sometimes even a frost setting in overnight, but they still had much work to do even though the majority of their crops currently couldn't grow. "What are you waiting for, Cody?" Virgil asked after seeing Cody looking to the dirt path for numerous times in as many minutes, "Oh, nothing." Cody answered evasively. He didn't think his father might have gotten the wrong idea considering that Layla seemed to have been finding more and more excuses to visit them on the farm since Ted and his family had gone on holiday.
Part 5
Authors: wrestlemanix and eric_idle_rules
Pairing: Ted DiBiase Jr./Cody Rhodes
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Taking place in feudal England, Cody's family comes from a long line of farmers who work the land belonging to the DiBiase family. Despite the enormous class differences, Cody and Ted meet and form an instant connection with one another, both learning things from the other that they otherwise never would have known.
Word Count: 8662
A/N: I admit, I'm no expert on the life and times of feudal England, but I tried. Forgive any errors when it comes to time frames and whatnot... As usual, flocked in codiasi, so I'm posting it here too :)
Disclaimer: Neither of us own the WWE.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
“Just for you,” he repeated, opening his bag and revealing the small book of fables. “I thought you should be able to practice while I’m gone. Have you a place to keep this?”
“I… I can leave it under my pillow. Thank you so much, Teddy,” he said, completely astonished by the gift. “It’s so thoughtful of you.” All he wanted to do was throw his arms around Ted and kiss him until neither of them could breathe any longer.
“You’re welcome, Cody. I couldn’t go away for a few weeks’ time without giving you a little something.”
“It means so much to me. Do you have time to come see my father? We had another new calf born this morning and he’s tending to them.”
“That sounds very nice, thank you,” he said. Taking his horse’s reins, he began walking next to Cody on the way to the Runnels’ home, a companionable silence between them.
“Father! Look who’s come for a quick visit!” Cody yelled to Virgil in the barn. Virgil emerged and gave Cody a brief stern look before welcoming Ted to his home once more.
“I brought you something, as well,” Ted said, giving Virgil the loaf of bread. It wasn’t that often that they had freshly baked bread to go along with their meals, and Virgil was ever grateful. “Really, it’s the least that I could do for you after all the things that you’ve done for me.”
Ripping off a piece right then and there, Virgil popped it into his mouth and shut his eyes as he chewed, delicious flavours tempting his taste buds. “This is wonderful. But I must get back to the calf, she’s yet to suckle, and I’m worried that she won’t make it if she doesn’t soon.”
“Of course. I’ll just bring this inside,” Cody offered.
Following behind Cody, Ted walked into the small wood house, still amazed by the size of the space these two people had to live in. “Here, take this now,” Ted said, handing the book over to Cody.
After placing the bread on the table, Cody took the book in his hands, running his fingers down the spine and over the leather binding. “This is incredible.”
Resting his hand on top of Cody’s, Ted whispered, “It’s yours to keep. This will be your very first book, and maybe, some day, you’ll have a library full of your very own books.”
Now Cody could do what he wanted to do earlier. Book in hand, he wrapped his arms around Ted’s neck and brought their lips together. Their tongues soon met as they glided into one another’s mouths, Ted’s hands tight in Cody’s hair. But it wasn’t lack of air that caused them to break this kiss, it was Cody’s paranoia that his father would walk in on them at any second. So he stepped back, still smiling at Ted, and tucked the book under his thin pillow.
“You know I don’t want to go,” Ted said to him after a few moments’ silence.
“But you have to?”
“I do. I’ve already been out longer than my parents wanted me to be. I have to go pack, since we’re leaving tomorrow. But I’ll be thinking of you every day while I’m there, I promise you.”
“And I’ll be dreaming of you every night while you’re away,” Cody told him quietly, suddenly shy about admitting that Ted was the focus of his dreams.
“I’ll be dreaming of us together.”
That admittance had Cody's heart soaring and his throat closing up. He knew Ted would be on his mind every minute of every day when he was gone, regardless of the chat that he and his father had had last night. "I'll practice very hard." he promised softly, referring to the book. "I know you will," Ted murmured gently in return, "And I can help you and see how much you've progressed as soon as I return." Reaching, Ted then caught Cody's left hand from where it was hanging down loosely at his side as he was no longer holding the book.
Bringing the hand to his mouth Ted let his lips brush over Cody's pulse. "I'll be back before you know it." Of course, this was a bracing exaggeration to appease Cody, and also to soothe himself that the time would fly by... when something told him that each second away from Cody would weigh like a year upon him. He wished that Cody could go with him-- and then reflected that if the other took his position as his valet/attendant, then he would be accompanying on some holidays. The thought made a tingle run down his spine, anticipation already rearing its head.
"I must go... If I don't, then I won't." Ted admitted, lips still brushing the thrumming pulse of Cody's wrist as he talked, seeing the flush lightly building on Cody's cheeks and hearing the soft gasping hitch in Cody's breathing from his ministrations; he'd have to remember the area as sensitive for future reference. "I'll see you soon. Be safe." Cody said as he walked out of his home with the other, Ted mounting his horse once he had untied the reins from the post outside of Cody's home. Swinging himself agilely onto the saddle he pulled the horse back lightly and turned him towards the dirt-track.
"Try not to overdo it now, Ok?" If anyone heard this they could just interpret it as a future-master's concern for his worker's health and everything... though in truth the connotation were much more intimate and deeper than that. "Enjoy your time away." Cody returned in what was supposed to be a genial manner; the look in their eyes though would alert someone paying close attention that the situation was not as emotionless as it might seem. Watching Ted returning towards the castle made Cody feel even more desolate and he heaved a sigh.
As Ted was forced to soon oversee the packing of nearly all his clothing and other things that were considered necessary for a trip that his father was arranging, Cody threw himself into his chores to try and take his mind off of Ted. He knew that he was going to have to be very careful about not letting his bleak moods show before his father whilst Ted was gone, otherwise the man might get the wrong idea... or the right idea. Virgil was a lot sharper than people seemed to think he was; the mild-mannered farmer guise a clever camouflage.
Eventually Cody ran out of things to do and so decided to go and see the newborns with his father. Virgil didn't comment on his mood, so Cody felt he was hiding it well. His mind kept dividing between Ted and his book; if it was the last thing he did, he was going to be able to read some of it to Ted when the other returned. He'd said that he was no lost cause just because he was a farm-boy by nature and upbringing. He'd get better. He would.
Cody’s mood did lighten, though, when he and his father finally managed to get the new calf to suckle. It had taken some time and quite a bit of effort, but the calf was now drinking away. The two calves that had been born yesterday were walking around the barn, going to their mothers when they were hungry, only to wander off once more when they had had enough. “Do you think they’ll be set for a while?” Cody asked.
“Yes, most likely. Let’s just fill their feed troughs first, then we can go inside and have some food.” After quickly refilling the troughs, Cody and Virgil left the animals for the time being. “What will you be preparing for us today, Cody?” Virgil asked, taking his usual spot.
“Vegetable stew with bread for dipping,” he answered, chopping up some vegetables on the small counter space to throw into the stew.
“That was very kind of him to come all this way to deliver us a loaf of bread. He’s a good boy, that Theodore. He’ll run a fine ship once he’s older. Much more fit to run the castle than his older brother ever was.”
Pausing in his motions, Cody set the knife to the side and turned towards his dad. “What older brother?”
This took Virgil by surprise. After all those two had talked, Theodore had never brought up his older brother? “You don’t know about Michael?”
“I had no idea he had a second brother.” Why had Ted not told him? He had told Ted about Dustin, after all…
“Yes, and he was going to inherit all this land one day. Until he ran off. Apparently he met a young maid in another village, and she was a mere peasant girl. The gossip around the village, and I don’t know how true this part is, is that he got her pregnant and had to marry her, therefore disowning himself from his family fortune. I do know the two were married, but I’ve never heard that they had any children. People say that’s the only reason he married her, though, because of the baby. I think they simply loved each other. But one cannot rule over the heads of peasants when in love with one of them,” Virgil said.
Turning back towards the potatoes, Cody tried to hide his disappointment at his father’s words. Michael loved and married a girl below his own social class, and that was considered wrong by societal standards. Now he and Ted were… were they in love? Even if they were deeply in love with one another, it wouldn’t matter. Not only were they of far different social classes, both were of the same gender. He was stuck in a no-win situation, but had no idea how to get out of it.
Lately it seemed to Cody that he was being left with a lot to think about, especially around meal-times. That evening Virgil ate hungrily, obviously enjoying the rare treat of the fresh bread, but Cody was pretty absent-minded, hardly tasting the food. In the end he merely gave his bread to his father, claiming that he hadn't much of an appetite and it shouldn't go to waste. It seemed his father had been about to refuse until Cody used that last line of argument.
Very rarely would Virgil waste anything, and given that he had been brought up on the land and with a strong tie to nature and its uses, the man was quite resourceful when it came to doing new things with items etc. that others would have thought completely worthless. Cody knew his father would have saved the bread for him, but they had no means of doing so in their home; it would have molded in no time.
The sky had darkened considerably by the time they had finished eating and the two Runnels men hastened to ensure that all the animals were secured away and that there were no odd jobs that needed to be immediately tended to. Ted meanwhile had had everything packed and readied for their family leaving early that following morning; news had been spread throughout all the parcels to tell them all, but when Ted asked his father how they'd cope with the changes to their routine Ted Sr. had merely waved a hand dismissively and said that they were used to it.
His father's blasé attitude to those who did everything for them, and essentially had made them prosperous and allowed them to live, had always annoyed Ted, but now more than ever it niggled at him and he was often grinding his teeth to keep from saying something that would end up being bad for Cody as well as himself. If his father found out his feelings for Cody, then he would make Cody disappear. Ted didn't doubt that for a moment, and he'd make sure to leave the appropriate threats with Cody to ensure that the man never returned. Ted could never let that happen-- it would kill him.
Night passed with its seeming swiftness, and the following morning dawned bright and cold. Dressed in warm clothing (and suddenly feeling uncomfortable in the ostentatious furs that lined his clothing) Ted watched as his mother slighted the carriage, his father following and then Brett. Following into the carriage they were soon trundling down the dirt path. As they passed by the homes of their workers he spotted the figure of Cody and his father doing their daily chores, and loneliness immediately began to make itself known to him.
Sounds of carriages filled the air before they could clearly be seen. The noise grew louder as they approached, and soon they were on the road the villagers used on a daily basis. As per protocol, Virgil and Cody (and any other of the workers out doing their chores) bowed as they passed, showing their submissiveness to the owner of the land.
Cody had no idea which carriage Ted was sitting in, but he liked to think that the other man was looking at him, thinking of him. He swore that he could feel Ted’s eyes on him as the fourth carriage in line passed, but he couldn’t be sure. Once all the carriages had driven past, the two returned to their usual work. Cody continued on his way to the chicken coop, grabbing the basket from under the ramp to collect the eggs.
Never before when they made this trip had Ted wanted to simply not go. But this year he didn’t. He didn’t want to go at all. He wanted to stay with Cody. He would even live in the little cabin with less space than his own washroom just to be with Cody.
Drawn out of his daydream by his father’s voice, still booming in the little space, making it even more of a nuisance than it normally was. “Son, there’s something else I must tell you about this trip,” he said, very pleased with himself for keeping this secret. And if he was so happy about it, Ted knew that it didn’t bode well for him.
“What would that be, Father?”
“Kristen’s family is going to be there as well! It will give you a nice amount of time to get to know each other.”
He tried to smile, but found it quite difficult. “Sounds wonderful, Father.”
“It will be a great opportunity for you to talk to her,” his mother said, reaching across the carriage to lay an assuring, comforting hand on his knee, her eyes telling him that she was sorry for what his father was putting him through, and that even she had no idea this was in the works.
“Of course. I can’t wait.” His head dropped back to the carriage wall and he shut his eyes, though he certainly wasn’t able to fall asleep with all the bouncing the carriage was doing. He shut his eyes and wondered how he was going to survive the next few weeks without Cody and with Kristen and her family there, as well.
As he had expected, even the first few days of Ted's absence was tortured. He had assured the other that he would be thinking about him every minute, and as it stood that was true; there wasn't a single second where Ted wasn't on his mind, regardless of what he happened to be doing. He worked on autopilot during the day and longed for Ted at night.
Initially Cody assumed that he felt friendship and sexual desire towards Ted (the second having been a shy but steadfast admittance that his body had supplied his mind, and that his heart hadn't been too bothered about refuting) but considering how much he missed the other, and the lingering thoughts of the sacrifices Ted's own brother had made for love, he once again found himself wondering about that.
Little did Cody know, that for as much as he was thinking about Ted, Ted was thinking about him. The constant surrounding of his family and or Kristen and hers, had him longing to be with Cody once more-- the confined space might not be much, but it was private and felt more homely than the stately house they were staying in for their holiday. He was constantly being told to accompany Kristin to the local shops or to keep an eye on her when they were on the beach... every unsubtle attempt their parents could get to throw them together they could, and whereas Ted found it somewhat mortifying Kristen seemed to be liking him more and more.
In a way Ted was sincerely hoping that Kristen would end up not liking him. Not only would it buy him more time when it came to the bride front, but also... also he wouldn't be hurting her with his affection for Cody. Even if he married he knew that he wasn't going to be able to give Cody up, and selfishly he knew that he was going to take as much advantage of Cody being in his home as much as possible. And, possibly worse, he knew Cody would welcome such advantage-taking from Ted, would actively participate and never resist. If he married three parties would be hurt one way or another.
Watching as their joined families lolled around on the sand, sitting on neat little chairs and blankets, ridiculous dresses/body suits that they could get wet on display, Ted took a moment of solitude upon the cliff overlooking the sea. Cody would love to see this, he thought. Suddenly he got the phantom sensation of the young man's arms around him, even getting the scent of Cody's hair in his sinuses instead of sea-salt, and for a moment he almost hugged thin air before remembering himself.
Wouldn’t that be nice? To one day be able to bring Cody to see the ocean. He was certain that Cody had never seen the white sandy beaches before, what a treat it would be if he were the one to bring him here one day?
His thoughts were interrupted when a questioning voice came from behind. “Teddy? What are you doing all the way over here?” Kristen asked, coming forward, but not all the way to the edge, like Ted was sitting.
“Just trying to get away from it all,” he replied, not turning his head to even look at her.
“You should really come back, Teddy, the water is perfect. Everyone’s really enjoying themselves.”
“And I’m enjoying myself here. It’s quite nice just sitting here, the water crashing below me,” he said, finally glancing behind his back.
“Are you trying to get away from me?” she asked, his outright refusal to come back with her making her curious.
“My family, mostly. People in general…”
“Don’t you like me?” she continued her questioning, this time stepping forward even more, nearer to Ted until she finally sat down next to him.
He sighed. She really was a nice girl, but she deserved to marry someone better than himself, someone who wanted to lavish her with gifts and love and affection. All the things he couldn’t give to her. “I do like you, Kristen, you’re a lovely girl. But-”
The words he was about to say were cut off when he felt a hand on his leg, creeping up higher on his thigh. “I do like you, Teddy. A lot.” Their eyes met, and she began to move in for a kiss.
He scrambled back from her, standing from the cliff’s edge as he looked down at her sitting there, a confused look on her face. “I’m sorry, Kristen, I just can’t do this right now,” he told her before he turned and headed back to the beach house.
She sat there for a few minutes before leaving, returning to the beach with her and Ted’s family, and the disappointment clearly read on her face. What had she done wrong? Why had Ted turned her down like that? He said he liked her, after all. Maybe they just needed to talk some more, she decided, dismissing herself to the beach house to find Ted once more.
Ted could see Kristen seeking him out from his vantage point by the window and cursed softly; it seemed that God wasn't listening to his prayers about having Kristen possibly falling for Brett instead... Then again, hadn't he apparently defied God by falling for Cody? That would explain why he was seemingly being ignored by him. Giving it a split second consideration Ted decided to go the one place where he wouldn't be bothered: the attic room.
The women couldn't climb up the rickety ladder, and he knew that his father and Kristen's wouldn't dream of attempting to climb... and he supposed he wouldn't mind too much if Brett found him; though truth be told his brother seemed to be enjoying the beach more than anything. Actually, the younger man had had a shocking lack of reaction to the sight of the bathing-dress clad Kristen and her two sisters... Curious, though probably not as serious as Ted was thinking.
The attic room consisted of a few bookshelves, a little single bed and a desk. He knew that the previous users of the house, the original owners (who had moved abroad and thus how the property had become their holiday home) had made the bedroom for the sickly child they had had, giving him privacy and a pleasant view for when he was too infirm to go out. Ted didn't know the boy, but hoped that wherever he was he was well now... and that he didn't mind Ted hiding out in his room.
Lying out on the slightly dusty bed -the servants often forgot this room- Ted sighed softly. "Oh, Cody..." he could just picture the other now; he'd be working on the farm, ending up dirty and sweaty but beaming that adorable smile he had when he had succeeded in a task, and had done something that would benefit the farm and his family. Was the other thinking of him? Was he also waking up in the middle of the night panting, flushed and aching so hotly that it was almost unbearable?
Soon... Soon he would be back. Soon he would be back home and then as soon as he was able he was going to find Cody and he was going to get him alone to kiss him, embrace him and show him how much he had missed him. Closing his eyes (ears trained of any possible sounds of people looking for him) Ted pictured Cody sitting on a hay-bale, the book he had given him open on his lap and that adorable furrow on his brow as he tried to work out the words. Without even realizing Ted began nodding off, a smile on his lips and his mind on Cody.
With his dad out at the market getting even more feed (he had to make sure the cows continued to produce sufficient milk), Cody had the perfect opportunity to crack open the book Ted had given him. He stayed inside the house, knowing he’d have a better chance to hide it if Virgil came back. He had attempted a few words before, but found that without Teddy there, reading was more difficult. He didn’t have anyone to ask what sounds certain letters made, and there was no one to reward him when he read a word correctly.
But he was determined. He would be able to read at least a paragraph to Ted by the time he made his return, dammit! He sat on his cot, running his finger under each word, sounding things out letter by letter. It was frustrating, to go for so long, and try so hard, and progress so slowly. Not to mention this book had words he didn’t know, and he couldn’t even ask what they were, or if he was saying them right. When he heard the faint sound of whistling, the book was tucked under his pillow for another time. He stood and headed to the fire, stirring the chicken stew he had going for dinner.
Soon the door opened and his father walked in, sniffing the air and smiling. “Smells good, Cody! When will it be ready?”
“Not too much longer.” He dipped in his spoon, tasting the broth and nodded. Once he served his father and poured the rest into his bowl, he took a seat on the floor and his dad began to talk idly to him.
“Calves are doing good. Growing nice and big. They’ll be able to be sold in no time; that’ll be good for us, bring in a little more money.” Cody nodded as his father spoke. It really was the same old conversations every day. In just a matter of minutes the topic would turn to… “I saw Layla at the market today.”
Ah, there it was. “Oh? How is she doing?”
“Good, good. She asked about you, ya know. Wondered where you were. I told her you were back here with dinner going. You know what she said about that?”
“What did she say about that?”
“That you should be out helping me in the animals, and that there should be a woman around our house to take care of the cooking. I told her I couldn’t agree with her more.”
“Dad, we really can’t feed another mouth here. Plus, I’m going to work in the castle in the winter. What am I supposed to do? Marry her now, then leave her for a few months? And if I did marry her, would you want children? When Ted was here, we didn’t have food for the three of us. Right now, marriage is out of the question. I’m sorry. I have to…” he trailed off, leaving the small house to go outside to the barn. He leaned against the hay bale, looking at one of the cows and muttering, “Why can’t things just be easy?”
Almost as though the cow understood him she gave a light snort and shuffled a hoof on the ground. A slight smile came to Cody's face at that, nodding his head slightly. People might think animals such as cows and pigs were unintelligent and no good for anything other than eating, but as he had grown up in continually close contact with them he knew for a fact that the animals were a lot smarter than they seemed; they had to have some wherewithal about them to remain alive in the wild and such after all, when there was no one to tend them.
The straws of hay pricked him slightly through his clothing, but Cody didn't care. He welcomed the slight tingling sensation of pain as his mind wandered back to the day when he and Ted had been mere moments away from consummating their relationship with one another in a fashion that they would not be able to explain away had they been caught. Picking up a loose straw Cody twisted it between his lightly calloused fingertips before sighing and letting it fall to the barn floor. He'd never realised how work-roughened his hands were before until he had been touched by Ted's; the other's hands were strong, undeniably masculine, but so smooth at the same time. How he missed those hands. How he missed Ted.
"I miss you so much, Ted." Cody whispered almost inaudibly to the darkened air around him from the sanctity of the barn. He knew that his father was probably angry about him running off from the conversation, but he couldn't face it. Each mention of trying himself to Layla as man and wife filled him with dread and a consummate fear. Even if he married Layla he knew he'd never be physically, mentally of emotionally satisfied, because he had accepted now that his heart belonged to Ted. And as such Layla would be unfulfilled in turn, and he didn't want to be the cause of that.
Eventually he had to return to the house, but he stopped off at the stream to wash up first. He remembered the last time Ted had been there, the look in the elder's eyes as he had looked upon his naked body. What they had between them was wrong, supposedly sinful, but how could something that felt so right, so needed, be wrong? Sleep didn't come easy for Cody when he eventually retired to his bunk for the night.
Across the land, at the bright ocean-side holiday home, Ted was just stirring from his nap. He hadn't even realised he'd nodded off and as such he was very disoriented when he awoke. Disoriented wasn't the only thing he was feeling, if the tent in his light pants was anything to go by, and Ted clenched his hands into fists before dropping back onto the bed. "Cody..." he wanted to go home so bad. He wanted to go home, tell Cody he could come to the castle and then he wanted to embrace the other all night-- and never let him go again.
Knowing that he couldn’t go back downstairs in his current state, he bypassed any thoughts of disrespect he may have had about what he was about to do as he slipped his hand beneath the waist of his pants and wrapped a hand around his aching cock. Easing his pants down just enough, he began moving his hand up and down, eyes squeezed shut. With thoughts of him and Cody in his mind, he quickly brought himself to completion, wiping himself off with the corner of a sheet from the bed.
“Theodore, where have you been off to?” his father asked of him once he emerged downstairs on the bottom level where both families were sitting, snacking on cheese and fruits.
“Around,” he answered, sitting down next to his mother.
“It’s too bad you went inside so soon,” Brett began, telling him a story about that afternoon. “Father was out in the water, standing just up to below his knees, waving to us, when this enormous wave came and crashed above his head! He stood there, dripping wet as we were all laughing.”
“Seems as though I did miss quite the event,” Ted chuckled. He really would have liked to witness that. It wasn’t often his father let his guard down, dropped the façade he put on as he played the role of Lord. Reaching forward, he grabbed a slice of cheese and popped it into his mouth. One thing he did enjoy about coming to the beach was that he got new kinds of food from what they ate at the castle. The fish was fresher, the cheeses were different, even the meats tasted better.
“Kristen seemed very disheartened earlier,” his father said after a few moments of silence. “What did you do, young man?”
Of course his father began paying attention at that very second. He didn’t notice when his own son was feeling down, yet his son’s potential future bride was a bit sad and he jumped on the opportunity. “Oh, that… I just…” What was he to say? That she went in to kiss him and he turned her down? The truth at that moment wouldn’t bode well for her, so he said, “I told her that I didn’t want anyone around right then. I didn’t intend to offend her, I assure you all.” Nodding his head slightly to her, she gave him a small smile. No one needed to know what actually happened on the rock.
“Dinner is ready, Sir,” one of the servants from the castle said to Theodore Sr. The whole group stood and walked into the dining room, ready to setting into their meal.
Ted thought that maybe he should attempt to talk to Kristen, to clear the air between them. Not out right tell her about Cody, obviously, but tell her that he didn’t feel they were right for one another. So, as they ate their dessert, Ted asked, “Kristen, would you care to join me for a walk on the beach once we’re finished?”
Her eyes lit up (as did their fathers’) and she nodded as she answered, “Yes, of course. I would love to.”
He forced a smile and dipped his spoon back into the sweet dessert, knowing he had already given her the wrong idea about this moonlit walk along the shore.
When it was convenient for him and Kristen to go out (and under the uncomfortable backdrop of sheer expectancy that was emanating from every adult save for his mother) Ted sighed and led the way back onto the beach. Night had already fallen and he cursed mentally about how long their meals took; this situation was going to be awkward enough without the damned romantic scene giving her the wrong impression. He didn't stop until they were a good distance from the holiday-home.
"Kristen, look," Ted knew that he had to proceed delicately, but he was going to do so in a way that meant that regardless of whether she told his father or not no one -except his mother- would ever know to whom he was referring. He couldn't tell her he liked a male for multiple reasons. "Earlier, I believe you misunderstood what I was attempting to tell you." Immediately her face seemed to drop and Ted groaned mentally; please, for the love of God don't let her start crying. His father would massacre him on the spot if she went back crying, regardless of the situation.
"W-What do you mean, Ted?" her voice shook slightly, but to spare them both embarrassment he didn't comment upon it, and continued on coolly, as politely as he possibly could. "I meant it when I said I like you... but I do not like you in that way." he ran a hand through his hair, aware that Kristen's eyes were widening with each word, and he braced himself internally. "You're a lovely girl and one day you will find a man who can love you the way you deserve. I am not he." Kristen moved to him and Ted felt her small hands gripping at his arm. He could only imagine how they'd look from up on the cliff bank:
Two young people on a moonlit beach without their chaperones around or anything... Oh, it probably seemed the picture of first-love romance didn't it? Ted knew who he'd much rather be indulging on the exotic beach scenery with. But he was about 6' plus, and definitely not all slight and wispy female. "But, Ted, please--" Oh Lord, here it came, "Isn't friendship better than nothing?" her eyes were wide, beseeching and Ted knew he had to keep strong, "I mean, surely the fact that you can tolerate me would make us a good match? And we can talk and we have fun together and--" Ted felt she was exaggerating slightly on the fun part, considering that he had been essentially miserable for the whole of the trip missing the one he did want to be with.
"Kristen," Ted gently moved her hand from his arm, "I'm in love with another. Could you really be happy knowing that my heart belonged elsewhere?" Kristen went quiet then, and for a moment Ted thought he had won before she then said, "But... You might grow to love me, mightn't you? I'd be happy so long as I could be with you." Ted felt his heart and stomach drop; did Kristen really care for him that much, or had she just been brainwashed by the combined efforts of their parents to make her use every mean at her disposal to secure a match with Ted? "I'm sorry." and, like his other words, they were sincere.
There they were, the water works. Her eyes quickly filled up with tears before they started splashing down upon her cheeks. “So my love for you doesn’t matter?”
“I never said that. But could we really truly be happy together if I’m in love with someone else?” He couldn’t help himself when he brushed away one of her tears. “There are many men out there who would love to be with you, who would love you. You’re a beautiful young woman and you have a nice family. But we’re not right for one another. In your heart, do you truly love me? Or do you love the thought of me? I mean, do you only love the thought of having a husband because your parents told you you should?”
She paused, using the back of her hands to wipe at her eyes. “I don’t know. You’re such a nice man, Teddy. And you’re quite handsome,” she whispered, giggling. Between her tears and her giggles, she soon had hiccups, giving both of them something to chuckle about.
“Are you ready to be a bride right now, anyway? You’re only seventeen.”
“And what else is there a woman to do at my age besides marry and begin a family?” she asked, looking up into the full moon.
“I… I don’t know.”
“Exactly. I thought that you would be the right man for me, simply because our parents thought we would be right together… Who is it, though? The one that you’re in love with?” She turned her head to the side, now taking in Ted’s profile, illuminated by the bright moonlight.
“That’s not important right now,” he told her. “I’m sorry that I upset you, and I’m sure I’ll upset both our families.”
“Well, I’ll be by your side when we tell them that we shan’t be marrying.”
“Oh? We’re telling them now?” Now he turned to face her, grinning.
“Yes, we’ll tell them together.”
“You know, you’re not that bad to be around,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She leaned her head upon his shoulder, still slightly upset that it was not the gesture of a lover, simply one of a friend, but knowing that one day she would have a husband that loved her in return. “Tell me, do you have anyone that you fancy?”
“Well, I don’t know if you’d like me to say it.” She teased at her bottom lip with her teeth, nervous about what Ted’s reaction would be if she told him that she found his brother to be quite attractive.
Arching a brow slightly, Ted gave her a small nudge to the side with his own, "If you tell me, and I know the man in question, then I could try and put in a good word for you."
"Well, I made you cry," Ted said with a slightly sheepish look as Kristen sent him a look of genuine surprise, "-- the least I can do is attempt to secure you a reason to smile again if possible. I was sincere when I said that I would be more than willing to consider you a friend, Kristen." the young woman nodded, turning her attention to the water for a moment before then looking to Ted and sending him a watery smile before she hiccupped again and wiped the a few remaining tears from her cheeks and from her eyes, "Thank you, Ted."
Exhaling a breath Kristen then decided to take the plunge, "You don't mind considering me a friend, correct?" when Ted nodded she followed up the second part of her question, "How would you feel about... considering me as a sister-in-law?" For a moment it seemed that Ted hadn't registered her words, but then his eyes widened and his mouth fell open in an admittedly adorable expression of surprise. "A sis-- Brett? You like Brett?" to him Brett would always be a child, his baby brother, so it was a surprising consideration.
Even though the moon's light wasn't too strong a guide Ted could just feel that Kristen was blushing. "I thought he was handsome upon our first meeting, and then I felt guilty about it considering our parents had designs upon you and I... I don't feel as guilty now though," she admitted, looking up at him coyly, "Would you protest?" Since Brett wouldn't be taking over the family business a good marriage and career to support his family were essentially all he had. "I think..." Ted heard her breath catch, obviously expecting a refusal, "I think you'd be good for him."
"R-Really?" the smile she sent him was definitely more genuine than any he had witnessed directed to him before. "Yes, really." Brett might only be fifteen, but he was nearly sixteen, and fourteen was considered acceptable to marry at after all. Sending Kristen a slight smile he then gave a friendly wink and confided conspiratorially, "Just don't let him near any sweets when you marry-- he's got a terrible sweet-tooth." Kristen laughed brightly and accepted Ted's proffered arm as they returned to the beach-house. "The girl you love is a very lucky lady, Ted." she commented softly to him before they entered the house, saving Ted from responding.
“You two look quite happy,” Kristen’s father said, smiling when they walked through the door arm in arm.
“Yes, never been better,” she said, smiling at her and Ted’s father.
“What did I tell you, David,” Theodore Sr. began, “just a little time together and-”
“We’re not getting married after all,” she cut in, still beaming.
Well, at least it was now out in the open, Ted figured. However, explaining everything to their families might be somewhat difficult. Although now that he and Kristen had worked through their… differences… things were definitely better between them. There were no more awkward moments as Ted tried to hide from her the truth. Wasn’t he still hiding, though? he thought to himself before shaking that idea from his head.
“Excuse me?” Ted’s dad stood from his wooden seat and paced around the floor. “Caroline!” he shouted for his wife, who was in the room next door with Kristen’s mother, Evelyn. The two women entered the room, wondering what was going on. And Caroline couldn’t help but wonder why his son was standing before her arm in arm with Kristen.
“Yes? What’s going on here?”
“These two just told us that they’re not getting married,” he told them. “If you’re not getting married, then why do you look so happy?”
“Because Teddy and I already like other people,” she answered.
“What?!” Theodore Sr. boomed, Ted swearing the entire house shook under his feet.
Caroline looked at her son. Just what had he told the girl? Stepping up to her husband, she placed a hand on his arm, attempting to soothe him. “Theodore, there’s no reason to be so upset. They’re both still young. And it sounds as though they’ve each found someone that they like. Why not let them explore that option a bit?”
“Who is it, then? Kristen, answer me,” her father said.
She blushed once more as she replied, “It’s Brett, Daddy.”
The room seemed to calm slightly after the admission. She liked Brett? Their families could still be joined in a holy (and economic) matrimony? This could work. “I thought the two of them would be quite lovely together,” Ted chimed in. Though when his father asked him who he was willing to give up such a lovely woman like Kristen for, he wished he had kept silent.
“It’s…”
“Who have you even seen lately? I’ve only brought over Kristen and her family to meet with you. It better not be one of those peasant girls that you’ve seen whilst out working with Virgil. You will not stoop to the same level as your elder brother.”
“No, not a peasant girl,” he told them. And that was the truth. Cody was certainly not a girl. He had to think quickly, who could he tell his father he was smitten with? “Someone I went to school with, he had a sister. She was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. Since the moment I saw her, I’ve been taken with her,” he lied, turning his pleading eyes upon his mother. What on earth had he gotten himself into?
Caroline exchanged a look with her son that told him they would be having a serious talk about this later, that was missed by everyone else in the room; currently they were all fixated upon Kristen's admission... one his baby brother didn't seem to mind at all.
"Well..." David looked to Ted Sr., and then to Ted, before finally letting his eyes land on the obviously surprised, but seemingly amenable Brett. "--I won't be objecting to the joining of our families, even if the route we had intended has changed." It was essentially the biggest blessing that a slightly awkward man like David would ever make, and Kristen blushed before giving him a smile of gratitude. Evelyn seemed more than happy with the events; the DiBiase boys were both rich and handsome, either would be a fine man for her daughter.
"Yes, well--" Ted Sr. recovered himself with remarkable aplomb and Ted felt a sense of exasperation welling in him as his father called for wine so that they could all drink to the new courtship that they had potentially bore witness to that evening. Ted personally thought this was a bit premature, but Brett didn't seem to mind so he supposed he shouldn't. When everyone had been given a drink, Brett pulled his elder brother to the side, "Ted, are you really alright with this?" he asked, obviously concerned. Ted laughed and ruffled the younger's hair, "Trust me... I'm very alright with this."
Seeming relieved and pleased that he had his brother's blessing, Brett then playfully wagged his brows at Ted, "So, this sister of your school-mate..." his tone was playfully suggestive and Ted swatted at his head, "Behave!" he warned, a flush creeping up his cheeks as his brother seemed intent on questioning him on this fictitious woman-- before their mother saved him. "Brett, your father wants you over there." before the young teen could escape she collared him and adjusted his rebelliously spiked hair, causing Brett to flush and grumble.
As soon as he was away with the two fathers, Kristen's mother and sisters, Caroline then indicated the hallway with a graceful incline of her head and Ted silently nodded before following his mother out. None of the other's seemed to notice their leaving and for that Ted was profoundly grateful; he didn't need to be interrogated further and cause himself a bigger mess than he had already seemed to have gotten himself into. Caroline took him into one of the unused rooms on the lower-floor, closing the door behind him. "Ted..." he raked his hands through his hair, sighing heavily, "I know, ma, I know... I panicked!"
Caroline could understand that for it wasn't as though Ted could tell the truth, was it. "We'll have to say she moved abroad or something." Ted's eyes widened: was his mother really going to help him lie to keep his relationship with Cody? Such as it was in the early stages. Caroline's eyes glimmered with a hidden intelligence that went way beyond tea making and party-hosting, "If she's even in the same country you know your father will do all he can to try and secure a visit to her home or to have her visit us." Sometimes, Ted could really just worship at his mother's feet-- only she would take such pains and make such sacrifices for his happiness.
“Oh, thank you, thank you! I can’t believe what I’ve started,” he muttered, now leaning against the wall.
“You’re lucky that Kristen has fallen for Brett, you know that, right?” Had she not, then the attention would all be on her son, and that was the last thing that he needed at the moment.
“I do. I’m sorry, Ma, I wish that I could marry her, I really do, but…”
“It’s ok, sweetie. I wish you all the happiness in the world. And I want for you to be with the one you love, like I myself never got the chance to be. Not that I haven’t grown to love your father over time, but he certainly wasn’t my first choice for a husband…”
Ted couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His mother was actually admitting that she wished she had been able to marry another man? “Thank you.”
“Caroline, Theodore, there you are. Come, celebrate!” Ted’s father said, completely forgetting about Ted’s imaginary woman for the time being.
Grabbing a glass of wine, the two joined in with the celebration, the two young teens blushing madly as a toast was risen to them. “Brett, you’ve got yourself quite a lovely lady,” Ted told him. “As for you, Kristen, I know you had to lower your standards from me-” That earned him a smack on the arm from Brett, but he smiled and continued, “but you certainly have a winner in my little brother. Congratulations to you both.” With that, he raised his glass and took a sip.
After the glasses were taken away to be washed by the servants, Ted Sr. pulled Ted aside to have a little heart to heart with his middle son. “So, this lady of yours, what was her name?”
“I never found out her name. I talked to her briefly on three occasions, but that was all. Truth be told,” he said, though all of what he was saying was about as far from the truth as one could get, “I don’t even know where the family is from. I only knew the brother a little. They had a different accent, though, so I suspect he came from abroad.”
“Yet you’re still taken with this girl? Despite the fact that you don’t know her name or where she’s even from? Is this why you’ve rejected every possible woman I’ve introduced you to?”
“Yes. Father, there’s no one like this girl that I’ve ever met before.”
“Theodore, dear,” Caroline cut in, once again saving her son, “let’s go to bed. It’s been a long day at the beach and I’m terribly tired. And since we’re leaving in just a few days, I want to take as much advantage of the days at the beach as possible.”
“All right, I’ll be there soon.” He turned his attention back to Ted and asked, “What does this mean? That you’ll be a bachelor for the rest of your life simply because of a woman you’ve talked to just a few times?”
“If that’s what it takes, then yes,” he answered with a nod. In some sense, it was true. And as long as his father didn’t go out looking for this mystery woman, then perhaps he’d start to leave him alone when it came to searching for a bride.
On the day that they had received word that the Lord and his family would be back on, Cody found himself up even earlier than usual (and considering that he was always up at dawn this was indeed saying something) due to the sheer magnitude of the excitement currently in his stomach.
When he saw Ted again he was going to have to work really hard to remember himself and their surroundings so that he wouldn't just run at the other and then kiss him before everyone who might be with him at the time. Somehow if he did such a thing Cody didn't think that anyone would buy that he and Ted were just that excited to see one another; that sentiment alone would be enough to start bringing up some questions that Cody wasn't honestly sure either of them were willing, or ready, to answer yet.
"Cody...?" his father's sleepy voice sounded off to the side from his bed and Cody turned his head from where he had been in the midst of preparing breakfast, "Morning dad, hungry?" Virgil blinked sleepily, nodding; Cody always insisted they eat breakfast before they worked in the fall and winter, to give them warmth and energy, but the young man was never normally this perky first thing in the morning. If anything there were still days when Virgil had to be the one to drag him out from his cot to do the day's work. "Starving." he responded slowly, mind still a little addled from sleep. As age increased he found himself struggling to be up and about some mornings.
As he sat up Virgil suddenly doubled over and coughed heavily into his fist, the hacking sound filling their little home obscenely. Immediately Cody was at his father's side with a small cup of water and rubbing his back, pleading with the man to drink when he had calmed. Several winters ago Virgil had caught an illness that his lungs had never fully recovered from, and each time the seasons changed the sickness made itself known one way or another... this year, though, the attacks seemed to have been more frequent than any other time he remembered, and winter had yet to set in.
For the moment the concern for his father's health was enough to wipe all thoughts of Ted from his mind-- and he had been so excited to have his first chance alone with the other not only to welcome him back and let him know how much he missed him, but also because he wanted to show Ted that he had indeed managed to read a paragraph of the book that he had left with him. At least, it was as correct as he could figure it out to being considering that he had had to learn it off of his own back and all.
It was late fall at the moment, winter just around the corner as the nights started earlier and grew colder, sometimes even a frost setting in overnight, but they still had much work to do even though the majority of their crops currently couldn't grow. "What are you waiting for, Cody?" Virgil asked after seeing Cody looking to the dirt path for numerous times in as many minutes, "Oh, nothing." Cody answered evasively. He didn't think his father might have gotten the wrong idea considering that Layla seemed to have been finding more and more excuses to visit them on the farm since Ted and his family had gone on holiday.
Part 5