The Life and Times Of Ralf Wylde! Chapter 16.1


After a long walk Rachael could see Castle Dargan in the distance. Never in a million years would she have ever thought she would be living there.


"Vincent, I'm home!", she called.


"I missed you Rachael", said Vincent.
"I missed you, too", she said, "Where is Gavril?"
"He's still asleep. I think he likes keeping late hours", laughed Vincent.


Gavril woke up and started screaming for attention.


Rachael went upstairs to take him out of his crib.
"Good morning my beautiful boy", she said.



When she put him down on the floor, he ran over to his toys and started playing.


While Gavril was amused with his toys Rachael took a bath, changed clothes and fixed her hair.


Then she put Gavril in his highchair with a bowl of mush . . .


While she fixed something for herself and Vincent to eat.


"Did you tell your daughters that they have a little brother?", asked Vincent.


"Yes, they're coming Sunday morning to visit", she said, "They took the news better than I had imagined."


That afternoon Vincent caught up on some paperwork at his desk.


While Gavril played with his toys . . .


Rachael started painting a portrait of him. She wanted to be able to remember how he looked as a toddler.


The painting was progressing very quickly.


She stopped to give Gavril a bottle of milk and put him in his crib for a nap.


When she went back downstairs Vincent met her in the hall.
"The portrait of Gavril is a wonderful likeness", he said, "You're a very talented artist Rachael."
"Thank you Vincent. I'd like to paint one of you, if you don't mind posing?", she said.
"I don't mind, if that's what you want to do", he said.


Then Vincent posed for Rachael to paint his portrait.


Vincent soon tired of posing, went over to the piano and started playing.


Rachael continued to paint. She wanted to get as much of the portrait done as possible before Gavril woke up.


Meanwhile at Willow Creek, chores have been done and it's time to enjoy life's little pleasures . . .


Ralf was taking advantage of one of the last warm days before the winter cold came.


Since Ralf enjoyed swimming in the creek so much, Abra decided to make it one of her favorite activities.


Ralf got out of the creek and lounged on the bench under one of the weeping willow trees.


Abra came over and sit down beside him.
"I hope you don't mind if I join you", she said.
"No I don't mind", he said.
"It's nice and warm today but I'm afraid we won't have many more days left that we can swim in the creek", she said.


Abra was both surprised and pleased when Ralf motioned for her to "Come over here".


"You look different today", he said, giving her a questioning look.
"I took the twine out of my hair so it would dry quicker", she said.
"I like it loose like that", he said, "But there's something else that's different."


"Do you think it might be that I've grown up since the last time you saw me", she laughed, nuzzeling his neck.


"You know, I believe that's it", he said, "You're even prettier now."
"Thank you for saying that, but I don't consider myself pretty", she said.
"Why is that?", asked Ralf.
"My skin is too dark and my hair is too curly", said Abra.
"You know something, my Sarah use to complain because she was so pale and her hair was so straight", he laughed, "Women are never staisfied with the way they was born."


Ralf gave her a log and lingering kiss. She was the only woman except for Sarah that he had kissed with such feelings.


Abra returned his kiss with new found feelings of her own.


"I think I better be going on home", she said.
"Goodnight Abra", he said.


Confused by the feelings she had for Ralf, Abra left to go home to give them more thought.


The next Sunday morning Rachael looked out the kitchen window and shouted "Vincent, they're here!"


Alyson and Beatrix had arrived to visit Castle Dargan.


"I'm so glad to see you both", said Rachael, "I thought today would never come."


She gave Alyson a hug.


"You've grown up so beautiful", she said, giving a grownup Beatrix a hug.


When Vincent came outside, Rachael introduced him as Lord Vincent, not sure what she should call him in front of her daughters. The words sounded strange on her lips now.


"Pleased to meet you your Lordship", said Alyson.
"I'm glad to meet you", he said.


"We met before, but you might not remember me", said Beatrix.


"Yes I remember. You came to bring the news of Sarah Wylde's death", said Vincent, "You do look somewhat different than you did."


"You must be my little brother Gavril", said Beatrix, "I'm your big sister."
"Sister", said Gavril.


Beatrix was watching Gavril.


"My little brother is just as beautiful as you", she told Vincent.
"Well, I am his father. That sometimes happens with sons", he said.


About that time, Gavril started laughing excitedly.


Then he grew up into a child.

To be continued . . .