As soon as they returned from France, Edwin invited Constance to move to his lot.
They both agreed to
focus on building their new home before making any wedding plans.
Edwin spent most of his
days finding inspiration for his next masterpiece.
Constance left her job
in journalism to focus on a new career path.
After registering at
town hall, she began her new career as a writer.
While the house
remained unfinished, Constance spent her days at the library working
on her first novel. She titled it “Crossing Paths.”
While not writing,
Constance would take the opportunity to spend time with her good
friend Heather Crosby.
After selling countless
paintings and receiving royalties from Constance's novels, Edwin was
finally able to build his dream home.
Many rooms still needed
to be finished, but Edwin was able to furnish the main hall, dining
room, study and living room.
Edwin and Constance
made plans to be married in the garden behind their new home. The
night before the wedding, Edwin, Don and Heather's husband Odin
enjoyed an evening of fun and games in town.
The big day had
arrived, Heather brought Constance to the local salon for her bridal
makeover. Constance was pleased with how she looked in her wedding
gown.
A small group of
friends gathered for the ceremony behind the couple's new home.
Edwin and Constance
exchanged their vows...
...and sealed them with
a kiss.
The next morning
Constance was awoken by the ringing of the doorbell. Edwin had left
early to deliver paintings to the consignment store.
She was surprised to
see that it was Heather at the front door. Heather seemed to be quite
upset.
Constance brought
Heather into the dining room. Once seated, Heather began to explain
the situation.
“Earlier this morning
I found out that I am pregnant!” Heather cried, “Don't get me
wrong, I am every bit thankful for this miracle, but it's Odin! When
I told him the news, he freaked out! He never wanted to have children
and I knew that. We didn't expect this to happen. He told me that he doesn't want anything to do with this baby, so I left! I'm alone
and have no place to go.”
“Don't be silly, your
not alone!” Constance reassured, “Your welcome to stay with Edwin
and I as long as you need too. There's plenty of room in this house.”
“No.” Heather
replied, “I can't do that. You and Edwin wouldn't mind?”
Constance nodded and
Heather finally smiled. Perhaps things were turning around.
Later that day, Edwin
returned home from delivering his paintings.
Edwin asked Constance
why Heather was upstairs with luggage.
Constance explained
everything to Edwin. He agreed with her decision to invite Heather to
live with them.
Edwin still couldn't
believe what had happened. Just as quickly as he came home, he was
once again out the door.
He found his way to the
restaurant in town.
Odin was on break from
work as Edwin approached.
“How can you do such
a thing!” Edwin began to yell at Odin, “Your wife is expecting a
child and your selfish enough to renounce everything to do with
them!”
“This doesn't concern you Ed,” Odin angrily replied. “I never wanted to have
children, and Heather knew that. You're in no position to understand
something like this!”
They both glared at
each other and nothing more was said.
As he walked away,
Edwin knew that he would be a much better father than Odin, Constance
was also expecting.
