"I think we should move the wedding forward."

"What?" Louise asked, dropping her toast with a clang and looking directly up.

"I think we should move the wedding forward." Anton repeated. "Come on Louise, try not to look too shocked. I think it is a great idea after everything that has gone on."

"What is a great idea?" Abigail overheard, fluttering in.

"Moving the wedding forward mother. What do you think?"

"Why Anton, that’s a truly spiffing idea!" She exclaimed. "You and Louise are so obviously in love, so sooner than later is perfect! I always thought that you were waiting too long. When are you thinking?"

"This weekend maybe?" Anton questioned, sipping his coffee.

"Hang on, maybe this isn’t such a good idea. I-"

"Oh Louise, stop fretting!" Anton smiled, his eyes secretly glaring. "I just cannot wait until I can be your husband. It will be perfect."

"But… but what about… all the… all the arrangements!" Louise stuttered, desperately trying to find a reason for holding the wedding back.

This she wasn’t expecting.

"Oh, come on Louise. We are the Aphex Campbell’s. We can do anything!" Abigail chuckled. "It almost sounds as if you do not want to get married." She laughed.

"That is preposterous!" Anton too laughed. "Why would Louise not want to marry me?" He questioned, glowering towards her.

"I… I… it is not that I do not want to marry Anton but I… I… just do not want things rushed." Louise counteracted.

"Oh nonsense!" Abigail told. "You leave everything to me and I will make sure that this is the best wedding the Aphex’s have ever had!" She declared, leaving the room.

"And what was all that about?" Anton scowled as the two sat alone.

"What was what?" Louise moronically asked.

"Do not play games with me Louise. I have accepted more then enough off you this week!"

"Anton, please do not shout at me." She pleaded. "I… I just do not feel ready yet…"

"No Louise. It is not a case of not feeling ready; it is a case of not wanting too! Well you are and you will because you are mine. Neither that Mark’s, or anybody else’s! Mine!" Anton clarified. "And you will marry me because I love you, just like you love me…" He softened, taking her hands.

"But Anton, please can we just wait a little more." Louise begged. "Please."

"Louise, no. I want to marry you now. Right now. I want to officially make you mine so that you cannot run off again."

"But I won’t Anton, I promise I will stay here…" Louise tried convincing.

"That is not enough Louise. I need more than that. I need certainty."

"You do have certainty. You do." She tried persuading. "I came back didn’t I? And I… and I am still sitting here now. I have not runaway yet Anton, and I never will. Not now I am back here with you. Never. I love you…"

The lies were stabbing inside, ripping through honesty she had always reinforced, letting a black river flow. The sins she was making; professing her love and profound promises, were weak like she had became as in all desperation in an attempt of staying free was changing her into nothing more then a cold storm. She hated doing this to him, but she was willing to do anything to keep her freedom. She couldn’t be incarcerated yet, and she wouldn’t let him gain control. But would this last?

"I… Louise…" He began, weakening while hope blazed in her eyes. "I-I believe you, but I-I just need you to do this one thing for me. Waiting will not do anymore then now will do, and the sooner you marry me, the sooner we can move on and leave this ugly past behind. Please, do it for me, you owe me."

"Anton I… ok." She finally gave in. "Whenever you are ready… that’s when we will get married."

"Brilliant Louise! I knew it was what you wanted really." He grinned. "Thank you, you have made me the happiest man alive." Anton admitted, kissing her forehead, as he upped and left. "I will begin with some of the arrangements too. But do not worry, you do not have to do a thing. Like I promised, I will treat you like a Queen."

"But I’m not a Queen." Louise muttered to herself. "And I don’t want to be…"

Beaming outside, glazing the window with its bold presence, Louise sat in the study as its golden rays sprawled over her face. Her hair was tied back loosely, the front strands playing around with her eyes, and as she picked up the pen and doodled more on the slowly covered piece of paper, boredom had ultimately kicked in. Dropping the pen as she sighed to herself, she glanced out the window, admiring the bright, fresh outdoors. Finding a smile somehow be summoned up from inside, she leapt to her feet and pulled her hair back tighter, the grin now suppressing her face.

Skipping a little into the kitchen, she passed Christie on her way where she was stopped, confronted with a bemused expression.

"Louise, are you erm, alright?" Christie asked.

"Yeah, yeah I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?"

"Well erm… you just look… really happy."

"And? There’s nothing wrong with that is there?" Louise smiled.

"No… not really…"

"Well then Christie. Stop worrying! I’m fine." Louise grinned, as she headed in the direction she had begun with. "I’ll speak to you later," she called.

"O-kay," Christie answered, now even more puzzled.

Why was Louise all of a sudden so happy?

Reaching the doorway, she slipped her scarf round her neck and began pulling on her coat. With boots already on her feet, she was ready but as she stretched for the door, that smile soon fell from her face, crashing below.

"Louise, where do you think you are going?"

"Anton, I-I just thought I would go for a walk." Louise explained, standing upright against the door. "I… I am a little bored so I thought some fresh air would be good."

"And what is wrong with the garden? It certainly is big enough." He suggested.

"Yes, yes I know. But I thought I would go somewhere different, maybe even pop into the shops and look at the… the wedding dresses."

"Well I am sure there is no need for that right now. It will be best if you have someone to go with so I would wait for mother to get back if I were you." Anton informed.

"But-"

"Come on Louise. If you really want something to do you can help with these wedding invitations. Who do you want to come? Any of your family? You never have mentioned them." Anton said, helping Louise take off her coat.

"All my family are dead." Louise said bluntly.

"Oh… well erm… you can always help with my associates."

"I do not know any of your associates Anton." Louise told pointedly.

"Oh, well how about looking at some dresses through some magazines. I am sure one of the maids can pop out and get you some." He offered.

"Why don’t I just do that myself? I can even look in the shops th-"

"No, no." Anton stomped. "Let’s not worry about that Louise. Come on, we can… you can help me in the study. That will be fun. We can do something together." He smiled taking her hand.

"Great…" Louise grimaced, allowing to be led.