Julia's Birthday - Chapter Forty Two

Today was Julia's Birthday, and she was surprised by a birthday party. 

"Make a wish and blow out your candles!" called her mom. Julia took a deep breath and then blew them out.

Now an elegant young lady, Julia found James in the banquet hall. "I finally found you." called out Julia.

"We can start planning our wedding now that we are old enough to wed," she told him. He already knew this, and this was not a happy day for him. He was to marry a girl that he didn't like that had turned his life upside down.

"Don't rush it. We still have plenty of time. Besides, I know my mom will want a big wedding. They will need to make a special dress for you and all." James replied, trying to pretend he was interested. He hoped this would put the day a bit further away. "You're right. It will have to be the most special day ever. It's going to be perfect." Julia gleamed.

Kristen was already planning the wedding. She met with Julia's mom and one of her ladies to start the preparations."This is going to be special! I'm not going to spare any expense for my daughter's wedding. The dress is to be made of the best fabrics," she told Kristen. "Yes, I will summon my seamstress and have her get started on the dress," Kristen replied.

Finally, it had gotten dark outside, so James headed out for a ride. He wanted to get as far away from the castle as possible.

He finally reached a cottage that resembled the one Beth had described to him during her last visit to the court. "I hope this is the right one," he pondered, as he picked up a pebble and threw it towards the window above.

Amelia was sound asleep when she awoke to a noise outside.

She sat up in bed when she heard the noise again.

"What is that?" she thought as she walked over to the window.

As she peered out, she caught sight of a dark figure moving outside. Upon closer inspection, she recognized him as James, who had finally found her. 

She headed down the steps, making sure not to wake anyone. She darted out the door, wearing only her night clothes. She could feel the damp grass under her bare feet as she ran across the yard right into James' arms, almost knocking him down.

"I can't believe my eyes! It's really you!" Amelia exclaimed. 

"Yes, it is, but you have grown up quite a bit. I told you that you would get tall. You are so beautiful, Amelia." he told her, and she smiled at him.

"I snuck away, and no one knows I'm here. I knew one day I would find you. I got Beth to tell me where you were. Did she give you the gifts I sent to you?" he asked. "Yes, they are beautiful," she replied, still smiling at him.

"I really cherish the moments we've shared and the stories we've exchanged," Amelia said to James. "I thought you were going to marry Julia," she added. "Yes, unfortunately, it was her birthday today, and they've already started preparing for the wedding. I need to find a way out of it. I cannot marry her," replied James, feeling frustrated. "I don't think getting out of it is possible. As much as I would love to be with you, James, it seems unlikely," Amelia said with sadness. 

James pulled Amelia into his arms and whispered, "You have my heart. She will no longer keep me away from you. I will always be with you." Amelia closed her eyes, savoring the moment as it may be their last. 

"It's almost daylight, I have to go for now. I promise that I will come back to see you." James told Amelia as he took her in his arms and held her tight. "I don't want you to go," Amelia told him, as she began to cry. "Please don't cry; I can't bear it. I would do nothing to ever hurt you," James told her as he wiped her tear-stained cheeks. James kissed Amelia and hugged her one more time before he mounted his horse. 

Amelia watched James ride off as her heart sank. Amelia turned to head back into the house when Beth startled her. "Amelia, please be careful. I know James really cares for you, but if the queen ever finds out, it would be mine and your head," she told Amelia. "I will be careful," Amelia replied before heading into the cottage. 

James arrived back at the horse stable to find Julia waiting for him."Where have you been?" Julia asked James. "I went for a ride," he told her sternly. "Where?" she asked anxiously. "It doesn't matter," he replied, trying to keep his cool with her.

"Tell me," she demanded. "I know we are to be married one day, but I don't have to tell you everything. If I choose to go riding, hunting, or whatever, you are not to question me!" James told her. "Oh, so you think you can talk to me however you want? I bet the queen will not allow this," she told him. "She will allow it because you are to be queen, not the king. I'm the heir to this throne, and if you anger my mother, she just might call off this wedding. So if you want to go running to my mother, go ahead." James replied before he turned on his heels and walked off toward the castle.