Felicity`s Future
The CBB -> Starting again at Sarres...
#1: Felicity`s Future Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:05 pm

The epilogue from After Jack is lost, which gives an inkling about this story, and so is the first post of this story, as well as one of the middle sections, so there isn`t really much point in re-posting. Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad
It has taught me never ever to write straight into the compose window without backing it up first Embarassed

So this is basically winding up the story (I think!).
+++

Felicity and Edmund arrived back at the Presbytery to be greeted by an anxious Mrs Jenkins.
"Thank Heaven you`re back, Felicity, and you, Mr Edmund ! Father Charles has locked himself in the study and hasn`t been out at all since he came back . He just asks me to leave him alone...."
She was too distracted to question why Felicity and Edmund were together arm in arm, neither did she notice the exquisite Tanzanite and diamond ring that Felicity was wearing on her left hand........

The newly-engaged pair exchanged worried glances, and when Felicity`s clear voice asking her brother to open the door failed even to elicit a reply, their anxiety became acute. Felicity looked hurt and baffled, for Charles had never ever shut her out of his life before. She was about to knock again, when Edmund pursed his lips thoughtfully and banged hard on the door.

"Charles, Edmund here. You have always been here for me whenever I have needed you in the last thirteen years. Please let us be here for you now, my friend...."

There was silence for a minute or two, then the sound of the key turning in the lock made them jump. Mrs Jenkins instantly bustled off to the kitchen, sure that a restorative cup of tea would be beneficial to them all.

Felicity was horrified when she saw Charles, his eyes red-rimmed from crying. The last time she had seen him look like that was at their mother`s funeral, and she flew to hug him.

" The Cardinal has told me that I need to have a complete rest, and that I can do it in one of two ways. Either I accept a study leave in Rome, or I will be put on sick leave for an extended period.
Apparently it is over a decade since I had a proper leave of absence, except for family funerals ! Funny how time creeps up on you; I really hadn`t realised that it had been so long, and I have been so happy here that I never felt the need to take time off. And now my hand has been forced, and I have to do so.
I don`t know what to do. If I go to Rome, I won`t be able to see Mikey for ages, and I really don`t think I could bear that. He`s like the son I will never ever have, and I love him dearly. He keeps me sane and grounded, and he gives me such joy...........but to be put on sick leave and have nothing to do will drive me demented !" he ended sadly.

Felicity and Edmund looked at each other for a few moments, then Felicity just grinned at Edmund, who got the drift of her thoughts immediately.

"Charles, as the eldest Maynard male in this country, I am formally asking your permission to marry your sister. I want you to be the priest who marries us, and I want us to be married here at St Etheldreda`s. I know that we cannot be married straightaway, and that there are all the legal formalities to go through first, but I want to marry Felicity by the end of the month. I am sure the cardinal will grant you a "stay of execution" if he knows that you will accept the offer of study leave in Rome to start after the wedding !"

Charles looked at them, a mixture of astonishment and unalloyed delight crossing his face.
"By all that`s wonderful, what glorious news ! Of course I would be proud and privileged to marry you here, but what makes you think that I will accept the study leave in Rome ?"

" Because, my dear friend, I intend to carry off Felicity on honeymoon to Rome, then rent a villa for about a year.If you take up this place at the English college,we would like Mrs Jenkins and Jennifer and Mikey to come with us, so we can get to know each other properly as a family. Mikey can benefit from the sunshine and the best medical care that Rome can provide, and you will be able to visit us- and him- whenever you wish. And my goodness, how we will swank about knowing you when you get those papers and books published !" he finished quietly, with a twinkle in his eyes.

"But will they agree to come with us ? " Charles asked, a hint of concern in his eyes. "And what about the parish ?"

"For heavens` sake, Charles ! The Bishop will send a perfectly good priest to take your place, don`t fear. I know you are a good priest, but you aren`t the only one in this diocese, you know. I never thought pride was one of your besetting sins !" Felicity exclaimed, whilst Edmund stifled a chuckle.
Charles blushed, then laughed uproariously. "I needed that reminder, and I thank you, dear Felicity. I am sure the parish will survive until I return from my sabbatical...........but what about our travelling companions ? I can`t imagine Jennifer accepting an offer like that."

==========================================================================
As Mrs Jenkins brought in a tray laden with sandwiches as well as an enormous pot of tea, Felicity hastened to help her lay it on the table, then asked innocently, "Mrs Jenkins, would you like to come to Rome with us for a holiday, if Jennifer and Mikey come with us all too ?"

Mrs Jenkins stood still, her mouth agape for a while before exclaiming "Rome ! Of course I would love to go, but why ? And who would look after Fr Charles while I was there ?"
"You would, of course, "Felicity laughed, "because he will be coming with us too - after he has married us here!"

Mrs Jenkins sank into the nearest chair, her face a picture of delight and shock. ." I know Jennifer will jump at the chance to go to Rome; she has been studying Italian for the last year , as her real ambition is to work with languages and to travel. I`d better phone her now, before she goes out to the park with Mike !" and she bustled off to make the all-important phone-call.

"Jennifer`s response was clearly audible from the other end of the hall, and it was quite unnecessary for Mrs Jenkins to tell them that she had agreed to accompany them all to Rome.
"She did make one stipulation, Mr Edmund." she said rather hesitantly." She said that she would only agree if you would allow Mikey to be your page-boy at the wedding."

Felicity and Edmund looked at each other, and Edmund exclaimed with delight. " Mrs Jenkins, nothing would be our greater pleasure or privilege than to have Mikey as our page-boy. It`s not every day that a grandfather gets to have his precious grandson at his wedding, after all ! And apart from that, as we are all going on holiday together, please just call me Edmund. After all, it is only by a dreadful tragedy that we are not "in-laws", and we are both Mike`s grandparents..........

Charles grinned, his heart suddenly as light as his voice as he announced that he was off to phone the Cardinal to ask permission to delay his journey to Rome till after the wedding of his sister and the parish`s benefactor. " Not that I think he will refuse - after all, it`s not every day that a famous ballerina gets married in my church!" he riposted as he left the room. Mrs Jenkins cleared up the tea things and left the room witha spring in her step at the thought of visiting the Holy City.

"Thank you, Edmund" Felicity said quietly. "I don`t think any of us had realised just how desperately Charles needed to have a rest. The Cardinal was very wise, despite the heavy-handed tactics he obviously used to get his results. He will come back from Rome refreshed and ready to take up the cudgels of parish life once more, and be glad to have had the chance to read and study as much as he likes without feeling guilty about neglecting his parish work.........."

"Do you really think so?" asked Edmund curiously. "I would wager any sum of money you care to mention that Charles will come back from Rome with a promotion. He has so much talent, and is so capable, that he could benefit the Church far more by having an extended influence on other clergy and workers than he ever could just by staying in one parish forever." and with those prophetic words, Edmund and Felicity began planning their wedding and the eventful trip to Rome.

 

#2:  Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:22 pm

Thanks, Sian. I hope that the Cardinal will agree to Charles staying until the end of the month. I am really glad that Jennifer, Mikey and Mrs Jenkins are coming with them as well.

 

#3:  Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:34 pm

Sian - I have read this story with much interest, without, I think, actually posting about it. I'm sure I'm not the only person to have been wondering whether Charles would agree to the Cardinal's fiat for himself or if he'd have to be forced into taking sick leave. Now I know!

I just love the way you have brought all the ends of the story together in this way. All the characters benefit from the outcome, and that year in Rome will be a wonderful experience for them all as they grow in so many ways, not least as a family. I'm with Edmund though, in suspecting that Charles won't, in fact come back to this parish, unless it's as bishop of the entire diocese.

A lovely, satisfying ending, so full of hope and promise - rather like the Spring afternoon unfolding outside my window as I type.

Thank you

 

#4:  Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:20 pm

Sian, Edmund is truly wonderful. He is prepared to do all that for Charles as a way of to making him see the wisdom of the Cardinal, of making him see that Rome could be so worthwhile, of helping him to see that he does need a rest.

And of course it means that Charles will not lose touch with this child he loves so much, nor with all the other people in his life.

Does Edmund supply fairy tale endings to everyone's life? Laughing

A beautiful drabble, Sian, and I expect to see more of Charles. Wink

 

#5:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:25 pm

Lovely ending, Sian. Thank you.

It's just a shame some of the early bits got lost.

 

#6:  Author: Identity Hunt, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:46 pm

Thank you all for your lovely comments !!

St Etheldreda`s in Ely Place is a real church. In Dickens` time the area was a notorius slum and featured heavily in his books :-
http://www.stetheldreda.com/history.html

This glorious church can be seen at http://www.stetheldreda.com/gallery.html

 

#7:  Author: Eilidh, Location: Macclesfield PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:49 pm

It looks lovely. Thanks for the link.

 

#8:  Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:19 pm

Sorry that part of this got lost - *pokes the hackers very hard* - and if you get chance I'd love to read more about Charles.

 

#9:  Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:40 pm

Just caught up on this - lovely Sian, thanks.

 

#10:  Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW PostPosted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:11 am

Sian, this was just lovely. Charles comes across as such a strong and loving priest, and I am sure that this year will benefit him greatly. And Edmund and Felicity and Mikey and Jennifer and Mrs Jenkins will form such a strong family.

 

#11:  Author: Le Petite Em, Location: Cheltenham PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 4:55 pm

Thanks Sian, I have really enjoyed the whole of this drabble. I hope they all enjoy their time in Rome!! Very Happy

 

The CBB -> Starting again at Sarres...


output generated using printer-friendly topic mod, All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Page 1 of 1

Powered by phpBB 2.0.6 © 2001,2002 phpBB Group