Geoffrey and Serena's wedding was not a private matter but rather a state matter. It was the marriage of the future king of Windsor, thus many details about the wedding were according to royal wedding protocol. In this regard, not a lot of planning fell on the shoulders of the couple.
Still, some minute details were decided by them though. Like the wedding dress, the design of the cake, the songs played on the day. Which song to use for their first dance.
These details were now the topic of conversation between Serena and Geoffrey.
They just arrived in the drawing room of the Maxwell ducal mansion after returning from their wedding rehearsal. Their wedding will be in 2 weeks.
"I think a train that long won't be good. It would be too heavy for you to move in considering…" Geoffrey said as they walked inside.
Serena giggled as she shook her head. Really, Geoffrey was a worrywart. "Don't worry, I won't choose to wear anything that would compromise me and our child."
Geoffrey smiled as he moved to wrap his arms around her middle. "Okay. Anyhow, are you sure that you don't want me to accompany you in meeting Edward Easton tomorrow? I can skip the morning session to join you." Geoffrey asked and suggested.
Serena untangled his hold on her to face him. He was too sweet. If before, it would irritate her how clingy he was, now she rather enjoys it. "You shouldn't skimp on your duties because of me. Besides, I'm the one who signed that contract, so I should be the one talking to him to end it. I don't want to scare Edward with you looming behind me, it would feel like we're threatening him." She jokingly said.
Geoffrey chuckled. "Alright. So, this got me wondering, why do you like music so much that you even signed a contract that long?"
Serena smiled a bit wistfully. She didn't want to tell the truth for it might hurt him, but she knew that honesty was needed in any relationship. "Dont't be angry okay? I wanted to delay our marriage at that time."
"Oh." Was all Geoffrey could say.
Serena felt ashamed of herself. But that was all in the past. "But now I know how stupid that was. Forgive me?" she asked as she held Geoffrey's hand and looked him in the eyes.
Geoffrey kissed her forehead. "There's nothing to forgive." He answered.
Serena felt her heart skip a beat. How could she not have considered him before? "However, don't discount my love for music. It's real."
"Yes, I could see that. How do you even come up with such beautiful songs and lyrics?"
"Well, whenever I feel strong emotions about something or about a certain moment, I associate it with a song. With the lyrics, my feelings at that time can be expressed more clearly and immortalized. Something like that." She explained.
Geoffrey nodded his head, "I see…" then he wondered, was he able to…
Serena wanted to surprise him with the song when the recorded copy was out, but she could not bear to see his dejected expression. "Like now… I hope you won't dislike it… but since I don't have anything else I could give you which you do not already have… would you mind receiving my song for you as a gift?"
"You have written one for me?" he asked.
"Technically… you could say that." She said as she laughed. Gods, here she goes again.
"Would you sing it for me now?" he tried. His heart was swelling with emotions, love, happiness, guilt. How could he have done something so ugly to someone so beautiful? He was happy, he felt loved, but everything also felt bittersweet. For he knew that every emotion Serena was giving him, all the love, he didn't deserve any of it. However, he was selfish. He would hold on to her for as long as he can.
"Let me warn you, the accompanying melody is still just a draft. I will ask the people in Columbia's to help me with it tomorrow. But since it's for you, I think it's better that you be the first one who gets to listen to it."
Geoffrey had a gentle smile as he nodded his head.
Serena felt her heart throb. The gentle look in his eyes, he was so kind and beautiful. She swallowed as she pulled his hand, "Let's go to the music room."
—
As they reached inside, Serena opened the grand piano and asked Geoffrey to stand at the side. "Don't laugh, okay? I already feel embarrassed just with the thought that I'm singing this to you."
Geoffrey shook his head while smiling. "Without hearing it, I already know that this would be your best song yet."
For a moment, Serena was reminded of Charlton and their lively banter. How he would joke and make her happy. How he would flatter her till her ears turn red. She shook her head. They were over. Singing a song should not only remind her of him, for before him, she already loved singing and listening to music.
She placed her hands on top of the piano keys. Then, she turned to look at Geoffrey. He was smiling at her, as if encouraging her to start playing.
She started playing the first notes accordingly. While doing so, memories came flashing in her head. How she first met Geoffrey, their first encounter, how he saved her the first time from falling down the stairs. The way he apologized to her, and they started to become friends. How he was there during her first heartbreak. The way he tried to win her heart over the years.
That through everything, he was always there, but she took him for granted. That she chose and kept on choosing Charlton until he abandoned her. Why did she never take the time to consider Geoffrey?
She was so overcome by emotions that she had to stop playing. She used her hands to wipe her tears.
—
TBC
