November 14, 1918
She felt the sun on her face streaming through the window then she heard her sister's voice. "Maud wake up its your wedding day" she moaned and tried to turn to go back to sleep but Irene was having none of it."Oh do come on. A girl only marries once Maud. You may not be crazy about this but do let me some fun fussing over it." The bride sat in the bed and yielded "alright alright" she repeated.
"Come lets get your hair washed it's a mess" Maud and Irene went to the washroom a bath was already for the bride she got in "Its cold" she sneered "well if you didn't take so long to get up it wouldn't be so cold" she laughed Maud sighed. "what is it Maudie?" she sprain a guilty look on her face "well... oh Irene I don't love him. We'll probably live in misery." Her sister moved herself to face her sister. "No you will not. I know you, your the most determined. If you try very hard to make the best of it for Ray, Bee and yourself all will be well." She smiled her eyes gleamed "Your right as always" the girls stopped talking the bride's nerves would not allow it she was thinking horrible thoughts to herself. Will we ever get along? What is going to happen to Bee?
Irene washed her hair diligently she rushed her sister to her room. Were her hair was brushed and put up in a simple bun. A simple long blue dress that went just above the ankle she wore a simple pearl bead necklace. "I don't know why you couldn't just get a wedding dress. You are supposed to wear a white dress when you get married"
She scoffed "I didn't want such a fuss. Besides wedding dresses are a waste of money at times like this" Irene rolled her eyes and remarked "well the war is over now, so we soon be able to impractical. Heavens Maud while do you always have do be practical you are no fun" she grinned "someone has to be between the two of us".
The door of the bedroom was sprang open in came the mother of the bride carrying little Bee on her waist. "Oh darling you look beautiful" Sue told her daughter she sat little Bee down and then hugged her daughter "I hope this brings you some happiness my dear" she smiled to her mother but thought to herself that there wasn't much hope of that. Alfred presently came into the room "Its time Ray and the reverend are in the parlour waiting" Sue and Irene carrying little Bee left the room then the father walked over to the bride "ready my dear" he offered his arm and smiled. She returned with a grin and took her father's arm "as I'll ever be" they made their way down the stairs were a quick photo was taken of the whole Bram family. They went to the parlour; when she went in she saw Ray dressed handsomely in a black suit. He glanced at her but he held it he looked on amazed at her. Alfred handed his daughter to Ray and took a seat the two stood awkwardly together in front of the reverend. Ray stopped looking at her he thought to himself "she looks beautiful. why have never noticed that she is actually very pretty?'' Maud looked over to him he quickly turned his attention back to the reverend she thought "What is he staring at".
The reverend began the ceremony "we gather here in the presence of god and these witnesses to unite Raymond and Maud in the bonds of matrimony . If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
The good preacher coughed Maud nervousally fumbled with her dress looking down. Blake continued "Do you Raymond Peter Barclay, take Maud Katherine Bram, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold,in sickness and in health, to love and cherish from this day forward till death do you part."
Ray quickly glanced at Maud who also was looking at him he looked nervous he looked back at the reverend and said "I do" quickly then he continued " Do you Maud Katherine Bram, take Raymond Peter Barclay, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward till death do you part" she quickly answered "I do".
The old reverend smiled to Ray and pronounced "Raymond, please take the ring you have selected for Maud and repeat after me" in which Ray quickly took out of his pocket a simple silver band ring. " With this ring I thee wed" the groom repeated after the reverend and placed the ring on his brides finger. He quickly studied Maud face anxiously and then the Blake said "I now pronounce you husband and wife" there was a long silence. At this time Maud peered at Ray anxiously searching for a answer of what to do. That is when Ray leaned in and quickly his bride.
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Change sprang everywhere Maud thought to herself she had been living at the Barclay homestead for three days now. She found her new existence strange the night of the wedding they left the church and got into Ray's car. He didn't say anything and they drove on the dirt country road to the farm. Little Bee slept on her new stepmother's lap Maud looked out the window instead of trying to make conversation with her new husband. He had a frown on his face he seemed deep in some thought and she wondered what was troubling him. They had finally reached the farm. Ray got out and grab some suitcases of his bride and walked over and opened the door for her. Maud got out and held Bee on her hip. She muttered "Thank you" to him he nodded in response.
They walked into the farmhouse and right into the front hall "We should get her to bed" Ray nodded "Yes go ahead I'll take your suitcases upstairs" and he walked with them up to the master bedroom. She proceeded to Bee's little room she placed her in the crib and kissed her little brown curled head and whispered "goodnight sweet girl" she headed to the bedroom. She began undressing and was in her corset when Ray walked in. She gasped "What are you doing ?" he smiled and replied sarcastically "going to bed. Like you I have had a tiring day" she rolled her eyes her "well you can't stay in here sleep in the parlor I am getting changed" she clung her dress to her body to hide herself. He laughed "this is my room if you have a problem staying in the same room as me you can always sleep in the barn." Maud lost her temper she still held her dress firmly her body and tried to storm out when a hand grabbed her arm. "Okay okay, calm down I was only joking. I will turn around and you can change as for the bed we can share it I will put some pillows to divide us." She turned to face him he gave her a encouraging grin. She returned to changing in a night gown as promised he turned around. She go into the bed while he changed and dressed she looked at away but snuck glances to him. She stared at his abbs he was ripped and she was attracted to him she noticed. She quickly looked away. He got into the bed and put some pillows between them. "good night Maud" he told her "good night" she returned and turned to face the wall.
Maud was doing her best to get used to the house and trying to get in to a routine. In the morning at dawn 5 am Ray got up and dressed and went to work on the farm. Maud would get up an hour later get dressed get Bee up dress her and make her breakfast. She was very lonely she had not seen her parents or sister since her wedding. While making breakfast little Bee starting pointing outside "Rene, Rene" she called out. She looked out the window and saw Irene coming down the lane.
Irene came in "Hello Maudie" she smiled "How is everyone Irene" she eagerly asked. Her sister sat a chair next to little Bee "Oh mama and papa are fine. How are you managing" she sat down "Ray hardly speaks very much. Bee and I are doing well aren't we?" she smiled at Bee the little girl smiled and giggled. "I have come to tell you something. I am going to Toronto tonight".
"Why are going to Toronto? are you sick?" Irene shook her head "No, no I am going to do a nursing course there. Dr. Sidey said after I finish that I can come home and work for him" she beamed "I am sure papa is not so euthiasic about this" she exhaled "no not really but it doesn't matter I am going. I will be gone for 2 months I'll be back in January I come to say goodbye. I have to go now to pack write to me Maudie".
She stood up and hugged her sister "of course Irene I'll write. I need someone to confide in about Ray." She recieved a kiss on her forehead she uttered "of course but it will be akward for me not to write Miss Maud Bram and have to write Mrs. Raymond Barclay" Maud laughed "Yes it will I am not used to being referred as that yet. Well goodbye Irene".
"Goodbye" she watched her walk down the lane and go out of sight.