Chapter 1: Dying Love

The thick, fog crept through the many streets of London, England. People far and near were celebrating something very special. Something special indeed, as it was New Years Eve of 1924. However in the country by the name of Buckinghamshire in an estate called Notley Abbey, a little girl was born to a wealthy Lord and his Lady. The girl was born just as the stroke of midnight could be heard.

The baby girl looked just like her mother; dark chestnut hair with a gentle curl to it, creamy white skin and dark blue eyes that looked back at you with such happiness. Resting peacefully in her mother’s arms, Lady Alexander and Lord Richard Alexander looked down at their sleeping daughter as they began deciding on a name for their new bundle of joy.

Richard was a very handsome young man. His rather medium size frame stood 6’1. His eyes were the color of two lily pads. His face held the look of kindness, while his dark chestnut hair sat neatly upon his head. He was one of the best young looking men of his time. No wonder he and Natalie took to each other right away.

Natalie and Richard went through many names before deciding on the name Vivien Rose Alexander. Vivien came from Natalie’s side of the family for it was her mother’s name. While Rose was Richards Grandma’s middle name. The two names fit just perfectly together. For you see, Natalie’s mother died when she was just a little girl. Unbeknownst to her new born daughter, the same fate would come to her as well.

The Lord and his family were such a happy family. They were what a young family should have been. At just 26 the two had everything they had always wanted. A daughter they could spoil, a lovely home and the love of each other that could surpass anything. Happy with their new daughter, life was just perfect for them. Until one day things would go amiss. Just five months after the birth of their daughter an outbreak of tuberculosis swept over London. Confined to her bed, Natalie lay dying from this terrible disease.

Rain beat down on the lovely stone home as a storm could be heard in the distance, while death lingered in the master bedroom of Notley Abbey. Knowing that her life would soon be over, Natalie called for her husband who had their daughter in his arms.

“Our little girl, our precious little girl,” Natalie said in a weak voice as her daughter rested in her arms maybe for the last time. Tears sprang to her lovely blue eyes as it dawned on her that she would never get to see her daughter walk or hear her say her first words. Natalie would miss so much in Vivien’s life.

Kissing her forehead the tears fell onto Vivien’s small cheeks. Handing her back to Richard she looked over at the dark oak vanity that sat in the corner of the room next to the window seat.

“Upon the vanity there is the locket that you gave me for our first wedding anniversary. I want you to give that to Vivien when she’s older.” Taking in a breath she began coughing as she had been for the last two weeks.

With his right hand Richard picked up the silver locket, while Vivien was in his left arm. Guiding his thumb along the lovely design a flash back came when he had given this to Natalie.

They were so young when he had given this to her. She was twenty two while he had just turned twenty three. Yes, that was a young age to get married, but they loved each other dearly.

Putting it in his pocket he went back over to his wife. Natalie was so young to die of this horrible disease.

“Give it to her when you think she’s ready for it.” Natalie said taking his hand as she looked up into his face.

“I will always love you,” Richard said as his hand rubbed up and down her warm cheek. Looking into her eyes he saw the love he had always seen for the past four years. Lowering his lips down to hers they shared one final kiss. As the kiss broke Natalie’s eyes shut as she laid her had back onto the pillow.

Vivien’s small cries could be heard as tears came to Richards eyes. It was as if Vivien knew that her mother had died. As Richard left the room with Vivien in his arms a doctor came in to pronounce his wife dead.

While a Nanny took care of a crying Vivien, Richard sat in his study. What was he going to do now? He was only 26. How was he going to raise Vivien all by himself? Fixing himself a drink he saw to the funeral plans and would think about the other matter later.

“Richard, you’ve got to start thinking of your daughter’s future.” Kay told her son as she began playing with Vivien. “This matter isn’t going to clear up on its own you know,” All the while sitting in the rose garden that Natalie just loved to take care of.

Richard was shocked at what his mother was saying, now and of all places. The funeral had ended just a matter of hours ago. “Can we talk about this later mother? Now’s not a really good time.”

“Oh, alright dear, but don’t come to me saying you can’t do this.” Kay said smiling down at her granddaughter. “Is your Daddy just being a grump?” she asked her granddaughter as if she was expecting a response.

“Mother, stop, just stop alright.” Richard yelled as he turned from his mother. “You never cared for Natalie.”

This was shocking to Kay’s ears. “Richard Scott Alexander, how dare you say such a thing?” While her grey hair blew within the wind as the news began to sink in.

Turning back around Richards face changed. “You did. I overheard you telling dad that you didn’t see what I saw in Natalie, all those years ago.”

“You heard that?” Kay questioned as she put Vivien in her stroller.

Nodding his head yes he pulled out a cigar. Walking over to the lovely fountain he began to think. What would Natalie do if she were here?

As Kay began walking over to her son the cries of Vivien came. Turning around she saw that Vivien had dropped her teddy bear. Picking it up she gave it back to Vivien, only to have her throw it back down. Picking it up yet again Kay began playing peek a boo with Vivien. Her little laugh could be heard as her grandmother’s face came from behind the bear.

After a little while a Nanny came and took Vivien in for her nap. After her granddaughter went inside Kay sat down next to her son. “What I said earlier I know you can raise her. I raised you while

your father was away on trips for his business.” She could tell he had been thinking about something for the cigar was almost completely out. “As for me not liking Natalie, I did like her she was the best daughter-in-law a mother could ask for. I was just wondering if you got married far too young.”

Looking over at her Richard spoke. “You married dad when you were twenty and he was twenty one,” while he put his hand through his dark chestnut hair.

Kay knew this to be true, “That was a different time things have changed since then.” She knew her son was lonely. She had become lonely when her husband had died. “Just promise me you’ll think about getting remarried. Natalie would want you to move on.”

Telling her he would think about it he kissed her goodbye and walked her to her car that was waiting for her in the long

driveway. “Be good my son and give Vivien all my love.”

“Will do mother,” Richard said giving his mother a kiss on the cheek. Backing up he watched as the car went down the long gravel road.

Over the next few months Richard would go out with many lady friends, but none of them made him truly happy as Natalie used to. Richard began to think he would never find another wife. Would he ever find another mother for Vivien? This soon began to eat at him night and day.

While Vivien was learning how to walk and talk Richard knew he needed to find another wife and soon very, very soon.

Finally after looking and almost giving up his hopes he found a woman that resemble Natalie, not in looks but in her kindness and in spirit. Just a few weeks before his little girls first birthday, Richard was married to a much younger woman. Catherine Canon was a very lovely lady. Her long black hair fell down her back as her dark green eyes sparkled. Talk went around that she was the most beautiful woman in all of England…or so they say.

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