June 24, 1893 — The Minister's Annual Ball; London, England

It had been about seven months or so since Hope had brought a new life into the world. Being as petite as she was, it had taken more out of her than either she or the midwife had realized at first. The first couple of months of motherhood were spent in bed recuperating and bonding with her son. She had began attending smaller events when March had rolled around and had worked her way up to larger social obligations.

Which meant that she was back to her old self once the Ministers Ball had rolled around. She had been talking animatedly with a few friends when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see that it was her husband. "Did you win any rounds of cards?" She asked, having assumed that was where he had briefly retired to.

Samuel St.John-Black

  

Samuel had finished his hands of cards, bidding farewell to his fellow gamers, and felt a sense of relief as he returned to the grand ballroom. He had not done well in the last few hours.

His heart warmed as he spotted Hope engaged in conversation with her friends. He approached her with a gentle smile, placing a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. He greeted her warmly, taking her hand and pulling her with him for a dance.

He chuckled softly, pulling her close in an affectionate embrace, under the pretense of dancing. "No, my love, I didn't fare as well as I hoped," he admitted with a grin, "I fear that you will need to take in washing to cover them!" He teased, adding a playful wink.

"And I'll search us up a hovel in the north country," he continued, a twinkle in his eye, "Would you still love me if we had to reside in one? Perhaps with a bit of magic, we could make it quite charming.", idly his fingers brushed a strand of her feather soft hair behind her ear.

  

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Lady is a star

Hope waved a farewell to her friends, more than happy to be whisked off by her husband. She cast her husband a sympathetic look as he claimed to not have done as well as he had hoped. "Oh my, perhaps I will also have to become a midwife," she said in return teasing. She had never had an inkling to be such a thing. Were she ever to take up the notion to become a woman with an occupation, it would likely be as a herbalist, florist or herbologist.

"I would love you even if we were to have to reside in a shoe," she said with a confident smile. She really did love her husband dearly.

Samuel St.John-Black

  

Samuel grinned at Hope's playful response, enjoying the banter between them. "A midwife and a shoe-dweller, that's quite the career change for both of us," he chuckled, amused by the image of them in such unexpected roles. "But rest assured, my love, I shall strive to improve my card skills so we won't have to resort to any unconventional professions."

As they continued to sway to the music, Samuel couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for his wife. Her confident smile and unwavering love filled his heart with warmth. "And I would love you just as deeply, even if we lived in a pig stye," he replied, his voice softening with tenderness.

He held her a little closer than necessary, relishing the feeling of her in his arms. "You are my everything, Hope. Our home, no matter where it may be, will always be a place filled with love and laughter." His words carried sincerity, meant only for her.

In that moment, the outside world seemed to fade away as they swayed to the rhythm of the music. Samuel's heart was content, grateful for the life he had built with Hope, and cherishing each precious moment they spent together. The ballroom around them shimmered with elegance and magic, but nothing compared to the enchantment he found in his wife's eyes.

He thought about their son at home, their son who had brought immeasurable joy into their lives. "I can hardly believe its been the three of us for seven months already. Time flies, doesn't it?" Samuel spoke with a mix of wonder and pride, grateful for the beautiful family they had created together.

As the music carried on, he felt a profound sense of gratitude for the life they shared, knowing that no matter what challenges came their way, they would always face them together, hand in hand. The night was young, and they had many more dances to share, but for now, Samuel was content to hold his beloved close, savoring the magic of the moment they were creating together.

  

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Lady is a star

"Please do," Hope teased as Samuel promised to improve his card game. She chuckled as Samuel spoke of how he would love her just as deeply. She was quite glad to have been lucky enough to marry for love.

"I promise to do my best to make sure that is always the case," Hope said in return. Things weren't always perfect but when were they ever?

"It certainly does," Hope said in agreement when Samuel spoke of time flying. She smiled up at him as their dance continued. Their lives had certainly changed starting from when Hope had curiously wandered into a drawing room to see who was playing the piano so forlornly.

Samuel St.John-Black

  

As they danced, Samuel couldn't help but smile down at his wife. Hope's teasing response brought a smile to his lips. "I'll make sure to put in the effort, then, lest you find yourself delivering babies and mending shoes," he replied, his tone playful and warm. He rubbed his fingers across her knuckles. She was so soft, so gentle but so strong in her own way.

Her words of wanting to always keep their love strong resonated with him. He gazed into her eyes, his expression sincere. "And I will do my utmost to ensure that you always feel loved," he promised, his voice soft with genuine affection. He had thought himself in love before her, but he knew now that had been infatutation.

"Indeed, it feels like only yesterday," he mused, his tone gentle as he recalled the memory- at how sorry he had been feeling for himself with how things had gone down with Melody. "And look at us now, dancing at this grand ball, and you can't get rid of me."

He tightened his hold on her, his touch conveying his gratitude for the path their lives had taken. "I couldn't be more thankful for how fate brought us together, my love," he whispered. The ballroom around them seemed to fade into the background as Samuel's gaze remained fixed on Hope. The world outside didn't matter.

wrap?

  

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Lady is a star