A Surprise Arrival (Lydia Continued!)

The ticking of the delicate porcelain clock on her bedside table was the only sound that Lydia could hear now. The usually quiet rhythm seemed to engulf the room in loud "ticks" that competed with the sound of her heart that beat steadily in the last lights of the evening. The house around her seemed to have settled in for the evening already, content to enjoy one more night of peace before the arrival of Lydia’s brother, sister and nephews. Lydia sat up in her bed, brushing the sleep from her eyes and stretching her stiff fingers in an effort to waken her limbs from their sore state. The effects of the coldness of the water and resulting sore muscles due to the stiff stance held by her legs earlier were now making themselves fully known.
Lydia pulled herself up from the inviting softness of the comforter around her and sat down in front of her dressing table playing with the curls framing her face. Yawning away the last remnants of a long afternoon nap, she began to sweep up her auburn locks in pins and crowned her head in a pile of soft curls that caused the line of her cheek bones to stand out, making her face instantly older than the girlish thoughts dancing in her portrayed her to be. The images of her morning adventure at the lake poured into her mind, as did the handsome face of Morgan Ashton. Today was the second time that he had seen Lydia with wet hair dripping down her face looking like an absolute misfit, which apparently had not fazed him in his choice to rescue her, once again.
She twirled a curl absentmindedly around her finger, allowing herself to smile slightly in remembrance of his appearance as well; wet from head to toe, barefoot and streaked with mud. What a scene they must have been walking across the driveway in the pouring rain, Mrs. Swenson running towards them, panic stricken across her face. But how quickly she had been to act; calling for blankets, baths and clothing. Dear Mrs. Swenson who had served as housekeeper at Westwood for as long as Lydia could remember. She certainly had taken good care of them both, ever clear minded and ready for anything, come what may. Sighing Lydia picked up a brush, and began making long strokes through her hair. Her curls bounced back after each stroke, refusing to lay straight. The evening rays of the sun gleamed outside her window, reflecting gold tones in her locks amongst the mass of curls as her brushstrokes calmed her wavy mane. The remnants of sunlight made Lydia realize how much of the day she had spent sleeping. It had miraculously only take half of an hour to get her scrubbed from head to toe and tucked snuggly away. In her exhausted state Mr. Ashton had dissolved completely from her mind, leaving her now wondering if perhaps he had stayed at Westwood, perhaps encouraged by Mrs. Swenson to await Lydia's return. Such thoughts seemes to Lydia perfectly rational in her sudden state of excitment causing her blood to rush to her cheeks. Perhaps Mr. Ashton was still at Westwood waiting to see of Lydia recovery.
The very possiblity of his presence sent her mind and body into motion. She began to dress quickly and called to her maid Eliza, who helped her finish setting her hair up, not wanting the earlier image of her to greet her rescuer again. With a last glance in the mirror and a quick misting of perfume she gathered a pale blue linen shawl around her trembling shoulders and stepped out into the hall, half expecting to hear the merry air of conversation echoing towards her. But the hall was quiet and no voices could be heard. She walked quietly towards the great staircase leading down towards the little light that lit up the hallway. She could now barely hear the softness of drifting voices that came from the dining room below. Carefully taking her dress in hand she began to descend the stairs. Gathering her senses and pausing for one last breath she glanced once more at her reflection in a hallway mirror before continuing on to the dining room. Her face had looked rather pale in her reflection, and the soft look of sleep still clung to her eyes. Still she looked much better than she had only hours earlier, the thought of which caused a slight blush to rise to her cheeks. She straightened her posture at the dining room door and smoothed her dress around her before she opened the door and stepped into the well lit room.
Chairs scraped across the floor as a warm and inviting voice greeted her saying “Why Lyddie! I didn’t expect to see you this evening, especially after the little adventure I heard that you had earlier today.”
Lydia smiled forgetting her dark haired hero as she raced across the room to embrace her brother who had risen from his seat and met her half way across the room.
Lydia looked up into one of her favorite faces to behold. “Oliver! When did you arrive? Why did you not wake me?” The surprise at seeing her brother set Lydia into asking a string of questions. “I thought that you were coming tomorrow.” She said as he released her from his warm embrace.
“Yes, we were to arrive tomorrow, but James took ill three days ago postponing travel for Julia. I could not wait to return, so I set out a bit early and arrived only an hour or so ago, right as the rain stopped.” He smile and stepped back holding her hands at arm’s length as he shook his head slightly while looking at her. “It is a good thing that I came early too,” he said with a teasing glint in his eyes, “I might not have recognized you if you had had time to grow another day.”
Lydia graced him with a pleased smile and a slight squeeze of his hand. “Really Oliver I am the same as when you saw me last,” She said releasing his hands and turned to sit at the table. He pulled out her chair and signaled to Mrs. Swenson for supper to begin.
Crossing around to the left of Lydia, Oliver settled himself down with his back to the roaring fireplace and smiled saying “Yes Lyddie that is true, but a lot can change in a short period of time and you young lady have certainly proved that.” He laughed lightly as he placed his napkin on his lap and drank from his glass. “The last time I saw you, you were all freckles and elbows but now I believe I will have to have a man posted at every door to keep all of the suitors away.” His last comment immediately caused her to blush a deep red, especially at the thought of the man who had crossed Westwood’s threshold only hours before. Did Oliver know ALL that had happened? She wondered.
“Oliver,” she said as she placed her own napkin across her lap and began to take little sips of the steaming soup that had been placed before her. “Did you hear all of what happened today?” She asked as innocently as she could without spilling the spoonful of soup that had begun to tremble in her hand.
He looked up with his own spoon full, half way to his lips. “Yes I believe so. Mrs. Swenson informed me of what happened upon my arrival.” He set the spoon down and wiped his mouth as a slight smile began to spread. “I suppose I should hear the transpiring of events from you, since you were the affected party.” The image of her covered in mud had apparently been recited to him by Mrs. Swenson from the smile on his face. “But first off Lyddie,” he said suddenly furrowing his brow and leaning over the table, changing his stance as quickly as blowing out the flame of a burning candle, “What were you doing in that boat . . . and alone no less. You know very well how dangerous it can be out there, especially in a storm. I thought that you knew better than to do something so dangerous.” He looked down at the table adding “You may have grown since I last saw you but you are still not capable of going out onto the lake alone, you know that.” He shook his head again before sipping a spoonful of soup.
His sudden rebuttal had taken her away from the dreamy world that she had been floating in only moments ago and returned her to the present, where the return of her brother meant the return to order and an end to carefree days of the past, spent as she willed them. In all honesty she never did anything radical or dangerous; this one situation had arisen from something as small and innocent as her desire to sketch on the island and enjoy one more day alone before the good weather brought the arrival of her sister Julia and the countless other visitors of spring and summer. She set her soupspoon down and looked up at his waiting face. Her eyes began to pool as she noticed the look of concern and disappointment that her brothers face portrayed. Dear Oliver who had been her playmate at Westwood as a child and who was always so kind and supportive of Lydia, an opposite to Julia’s endless rebuffing and instruction for improvement. Oliver had let her shine in her own light, the same as their father did. But with their father gone most of the year Lydia’s care had mostly been placed into Oliver and Aunt Emma’s hands over the past six years.
Lydia averted her eyes down to her soup bowl and fingered the other silverware waiting on the table. She could now feel the pools in her eyes beginning to well over beyond her control. It had been a long day filled with emotions and events that had changed as quickly as the weather and now encouraged by her disappointment at not finding Mr. Ashton still at Westwood. The surprise arrival of her brother now had ventured beyond what she could handle, erupting the emotions that she had managed to repress from earlier in the day. She brushed at the tears that began to overflow onto her cheeks while feeling embarrassed at her response and took a sip from her glass, not wanting to ruin the beginning of Oliver’s visit with the greeting of a hysteric woman.
“Come, come, Lyddie.” Oliver said softly, sipping from his own glass uncomfortably. “I am sorry to have started our reunion off with such a harsh reproach, especially after the traumatic events that you have endured today.”
He leaned over and pinched the arch of his nose as he spoke while closing his eyes, as though to hold back the thoughts pouring into his mind. Looking up he smiled lightly, “I myself have received unexpected news and have been a bit out of sorts since its reception this morning. I apologize for chastising you, I know that you are no longer a child but you don’t know the panic I felt when Mrs. Swenson told me of your predicament and the possibilities that flashed into my mind.”
Just then Mrs. Swenson entered the room caring a large platter, the contents of which filled the room with the delicious scent of roasted venison and root vegetables. She eyed Lydia with a look of concern as she set the platter down in the center of the table and turned again and left the room. Lydia bit her lip nervously and turned her attention back to Oliver, who was now sitting in obvious anticipation of some response from her at the olive branch that he had extended.
“I am sorry Oliver” She said while clearing the last evidence of tears from her eyes. “I promise that I will not go out on the lake alone again.”
Scrunching her nose Lydia quickly added “That is if I ever regain the desire to venture near it again, except to mourn the loss of a new pair of boots and the ruin of my favorite garden dress.” She stabbed at a potato, letting a slight smile come to her lips as she remembered her fearless rescuer and the kindness of his blue eyes, feeling a slight blush rise to her cheeks she took another sip from her glass and began to concentrate on the plate before her.
Oliver smiled and shook his head slightly; his eyes betraying an inner laugh as he began to fill his plate from the platter set before them.
“That must have been quite a sight for Morgan Ashton to come across, a young lady stuck in the mud in a downpour; you must have given him quite a fright Lyddie.” Oliver covered his mouth with a napkin as a chuckle emerged. A rush of red rolled across Lydia’s face as she watched her brother try to stifle his laughter.
“Well how do you think I felt Oliver?” Lydia retorted, sitting up straight while trying to look as serious as she could muster. “Mr. Ashton is practically a stranger and here he found me looking like a . . . like a hideous swamp creature dripping wet and covered in mud, stranded I might add.” This only fueled Oliver’s amusement, causing tears to form in his eyes and his body to shake even more.
Lydia tried to act insulted by Oliver’s response but she too could not hold back the laughter as it rolled from her chest as the image of how she looked upon Mr. Ashton’s arrival replayed in her mind. After a minute she gasped for air as an ache began to grow in her sides. “Oh Oliver!” she managed to say.
“I am at least glad that it is over . . . I have chosen to not think of it again and would be most grateful if you would keep it between us please, I would rather have sunk in the mud than to have to listen to Julia’s rebuking!”
Oliver smirked and returned his eyes to his plate and the steaming contents awaiting his attention. “Julia would have both of our heads if she knew how wild you are” he said teasingly. “I think that today’s little adventure is definitely one that should remain clear of Julia’s ears if we are to enjoy this summer.”
Lydia smiled wistfully as Oliver winked at her in assurance of their secret, and then turned his full attention to the plate before him. She rubbed her arms as a sudden chill rippled through her body. Julia’s arrival would certainly change the comfortable dinners that Lydia enjoyed with her brother to formal gossip parties; for that was one of Julia’s greater interests and talents. The lives and actions of friends, family, and neighbors as well as strangers kept Julia’s tongue busy from dawn until dusk it seemed. The first few days of her arrival seemed to be especially filled with the latest intrigues of London society, things that bored Lydia and made her want to avoid travel to London more than ever. The few times that their father had been at Westwood during the summer the past few years had made Julia’s rambling and gossip seem almost bearable. He teased Julia with the information that she so freely provided with her being oblivious to his actual intentions, in turn causing Oliver and Lydia to stifle their laughter repeatedly, and making Julia so pleased at the attentive way their father seemed to listen.
The first two weeks of Julia’s arrival always seemed to cause quite a stir at Westwood. She made it appoint to call on neighbors who had also fled the heat of the city to find entertainment in the country, as well as find out the latest news that had been missed during her absence. Disappointment over the lack of events that had occurred in her absence was yet to occur for Julia, for even the absence of many families to London each winter certainly did not prevent the lives of those who remained from continuing on in full force. Lydia’s only real rebuttal of Julia’s interest in the lives of others was her countless attempts at including Lydia in her visits and gossip circles. Such outings and gatherings seemed had no appeal to Lydia who was content to enjoy the friendships of neighboring families without ridiculing everyone’s lives and situations. It was yet another way that she and Julia differed, something that added another block to their dividing wall in life.
Lydia turned slightly at the sound of Oliver’s voice and realized that he had been speaking to her while her mind had wandered. She blinked back her thoughts and pushed a curl back from her face. “I am sorry Oliver what was it that you said?” She asked before sipping at her glass.
Oliver’s eyes crinkled as he smiled at her, knowing that she had been paying him no heed. “I asked if you had spent much time with Christine Wexler this winter?” he said, slightly smirking while leaning back in his chair.
“No, actually she has been gone these past six months to visit her Aunt in Bath; I expect that she will return in the next few weeks.” Lydia glanced down at her plate and took another drink before continuing on. “I have heard that she is bringing her fiancé back with her in fact.” These last words come across her tongue as though sucking all of the moisture from her mouth leaving it dry and her voice on the verge of cracking.
She knew that her brother had begun to take a liking to Christine two summers past, before leaving with their father on business, but it was so long ago. Perhaps if he had stayed behind it would be he on Christine’s arm, rather than the gentleman that she had met last summer in Somerset. The thought caused Lydia’s chest to ache slightly, knowing that Oliver would have to endure yet another summer of Julia’s attempts at uniting him with the “fashionable” young ladies of London society; all of whom had no doubt been weighed, measured and approved of by Julia over the past six months.
Oliver pushed his chair back and walked to the fireplace, leaning an arm on the mantle, a slight furrow on his brow reflected in the light of the fire.
“I had heard such news today from Aunt Emma, but I had not realized that she had been gone for so long as that.” He turned his head and looked at her, a slight smile on his lips attempting to push away the sadness held in his eyes. “You must have been lonely these past few months without the company of such a dear friend Lydia.”
“No not at all actually, I only found the lack of company from my most adoring brother to bother me.” Oliver’s smile grew, making Lydia smile in turn. It was good to have him home and to bask in the warmth that he brought with him. If only their father had returned Lydia’s circle of contentment and happiness would almost have been complete, except for the absence of one other.
“Oliver,” Lydia said, pushing her chair back from the table, trying to be nonchalant while feeling her heart beat increase in speed from anticipation and excitement. “Perhaps we could invite Mr. Ashton to dine with us . . . in appreciation of the generous service that he has rendered me today.” Lydia’s nosed twitched slightly in her attempt at appearing completely innocent in regards to her proposal. “After all it has been two years since he has summered in Berkshire and you were once seemingly good friends, I believe.”
Oliver’s body shook slightly as he attempted to maintain composure, rather than allow the laugh in his throat to escape and offend Lydia, who had now succeeded in projecting the perfect image of sincerity and innocence. After a moment Oliver regained control of himself and bowed to Lydia saying “Well, my Lady, I am at your service to do your bidding and would happily accompany you to invite your heroic Mr. Ashton to dine at Westwood with us tomrrow.”
Lydia bit her bottom lip, as she felt her cheeks instantly turn crimson at Oliver’s referral to Mr. Ashton has “her hero.”
“But remember well Lyddie" he said taking his seat again. "Julia will arrive within a fortnight if not sooner, and whatever mischief you stir up between now and then will certainly make its way to her all hearing ears.” Oliver filled his glass while grinning. His smile conveyed satisfaction, most likely due to the appealing prospect of Lydia maintaining most of Julia’s attention, allowing him an escape from her never ceasing plans.
A hiccup awakened Lydia from her daze, as did Oliver’s surprised laugh. She covered her mouth while laughing in turn and settled back to her chair, basking in the delightful mood that her brother's presence had brought. It appearred that a day begun wet and muddy had come to an end with the delightful surprise arrival of Oliver, and the appealing promise of seeing Morgan Ashton again tomorrow. Leaning back with her arms folded, Lydia closed her eyes, allowing her mind to remember her handsome hero and think of the prospects the next few weeks would bring. Surely life could not have been better.

Things to do when the hubby is away on business . . .

1- Miss Hubby like crazy!!!
2- Clean your house from top to bottom, includes vacuuming every day, going through baskets of paperwork, dusting like crazy etc, lint roll furniture!!!
3- Catch up on Homework . . .
4- Blog surf
5- Watch Twilight while cleaning . . . add buying the soundtrack to shopping list
6- Look for cute hairstyles online . . . decide not to cut hair in the end.
7- Watch HSM 3 . . . wonder what possessed you to do it! (Roll your eyes and squeal like a teen when watching it . . . wish that you had sisters their to gag with you!)
8- Shout for joy when after 2 1/2 hours of Math class you come home to discover that your Disney club movies came!
9- Watch "The Bridge to Terabithia" and SOB your eyes out!
10- Read!!! (Enna's Burning, River Secrets, The Sunflower, The Appeal)
11- Watch clips of "Bolt" on YouTube . . . laugh till you cry!

Brown eyed girl . . .

Since 4 out of 6 of the Parry kids and Mama P. and Papa P. headed off to sunny California this last week to frolic in the happiest place on earth (?) We decided to have fun while they were away . . . so this cute little brown eyed girl appeared at my door to come and visit her Auntie Em!
Lala is too cute! She entertained us all by opening and closing cabinets, climbing up and down my first few stairs, and showed her skills playing with her Mama's cell phone! Then we loaded up and went to Maggie Moo's with her Great Grandma Christensen for some seriously delish ice cream! It was so much fun! Look how cute she looks in her new sandals! Stylin' lady! We even hit up Bulloch's for a visit to the candy counter and a little easter browsing! Thanks for coming up guys! It is always so much fun to play with you Lala! Next time lets do lunch ladybug!

Great Day!

I guess I can finally spill the great news! My handsome hubby got a new job!!! It is in SG and we are just tickled pink! He so deserves it and has worked hard in school and at everything that he does! The next few months are going to be crazy since I am not done with school yet . . . but we are working things out! Hopefully we will find a home by next year! We are excited to begin "settling down" and have honestly missed the red rocks and absence of mounds of snow!
Just another tidbit to show how amazing my handsome man is . . . he woke me up with a dozen roses and a giant cinnamon roll from my favorite backerei! Ye-yeah! I guess getting one year older isn't all too bad then! Thanks Toph! Love you!

German Connections . . .

I tend to think about a million different things as I get ready each day and clean house a bit and what not . . . my mission is a constant for popping up in my head and just this morning I got thinking about my great love, appreciation and connection to Germany! I feel like my "German Obsession" began back in 10th grade when I started taking German in school . . leading to my time in Austria as an exchange student . . . in turn kindling my love of European History leading to my school studies . . . then serving in Germany on my mission made my love and knowledge of German History and church history increase 10 fold as well as my love for the German people . . . then I marry my sweet hubby who has Swiss and Danish ancestory . . . and then with Grandpa Liechty's recent passing I got to thinking more about his experiences as a soldier their and it has just touched my heart even more! In turn it is because of the kindness of a German couple who hid him and a fellow soldier that I have amazing in laws and an eternal husband and the future/present family that I have! I hope to meet them one day and thank them! The wars that ravaged the beautiful towns, cities and people of Germany are something that are close to my heart . . . the events and experiences any ways. As a missionary I must admit that what happened their was always with me . . . My entire time their I could not help but wonder what the forests that we traveled through had witnessed and what the people that I spoke with everyday had endured. I think towards the end of my mission while serving in the little town of Weimar, shadowed by the memorials of Buchenwald that towered over the town from the hillside, I really became just so very grateful for the love of a Father in Heaven! I know that many people view tragic events and say "Where is God" or "Why did he let this happen?" But as I walked the grounds of Buchenwald and remembered the fallen I knew with surety that Heavenly Father considers it sacred ground and that he is very aware of what his children did, and what they endured. It is an almost overwhelming experience to walk the grounds of Concentration camps and battle grounds but it is something that I hope that given the opportunity everyone will take to do and remember and learn from the past and honor those whose lives were taken and the many soldiers and saints who sacrificed so much to save those who they could and end the evil that sought after and encaged them. While in Weimar one night we were walking the loop home and came across a brand new memorial dedicated to the American soldiers who liberated Buchenwald. It is something that I will never forget and hope to educate my children on, specifically about their Great-Grandfather who helped to liberate Dachau. History is a master teacher and preparer for the future! Okay that was my brain spill for now . . . it is way late but now I want to hurry and browse through my mission album a bit . . . great! Take care!

Seid bereit . . . Get ready!

Okay you have heard the rumors . . . you know it is coming . . . you are already on edge with excitement . . . so get ready because on March 21st their is going to be a "Twilight Girls Night" at the Parry's! So come if you can! We are going to munch on some grindies, eat birthday cake, play games and watch Twilight! So mark your calenders! It will be fun! The festivities start at 5:30 and this year I have opted to celebrate my many happy returns with a Twilight themed party (yes, yes laugh if you must but I gotta do it while I still can . . . I heard that once your graduate college or have children you have to grow up . . .) Roll your eyes if you must but come for some fun!

Elder Kopischke

Hey everyone! Check out the March "The Friend" pages 8 & 9! It is about my amazing mission president Elder Kopischke! He is amazing and a day kids! Not only can he play the accordian (which should be required of all mission prez' nu!?) but he and his wife and family are just amazing and such incredible examples of people who are willing to sacrifice all for the gospel! Here is a link to The Friend online and to his conference talk from 2007's fall conference!