Chirp…..chirp
The birds outside had already begun their morning chorus, but Joan had woken before them, as usual, thanks to her reliable biological clock.
After getting dressed, she headed downstairs for her usual warm-up exercises. Unlike most mornings, Helen and Lily didn't join, as they were tired from the engagement preparations as of late.
Today is another working day, morning passed with beds being made, medicines distributed, notes updated, and patients attended to. Before Joan realized it, lunchtime had arrived. When Joan was free to get ready as today happened to be Lily's engagement party.
Fortunately, she was not late as the party wouldn't get started until three.
In haste, she rushed to her room, grabbed the bag she had prepared the night before. In a couple of minutes، Joan was on a tram heading to the nearest subway station.
Lily's fiance's house was located in the northern outskirts of Manhattan. Luckily, Lily said she will ask one of her relatives to pick her up from the station, so no need to worry about getting lost. As you can guess, Joan was the only one rushing from work. As a trainee nurse, she had only been granted half a day's leave, unlike the others.
Riding the tram then the metro got Joan to her destination within fifty minutes. Even if there was no time left to waste, Joan didn't follow the packed crowd getting off the train as she didn't to get robbed. So she took her time before seeing a young man in the distance, lifting a cardboard sign with her name on it.
Joan walked through the crowd till a few steps from him.
"Ah, miss Joan?" Finally recognizing her from Lily's description, Timothy asked for confirmation.
"Yes. Mr Timothy, right?"
"That is me, I'm Timothy Foster, Lily's cousin. Let's get going, there is a carriage waiting for us out of the station" after checking his pocket watch, Timothy took Joan's bag and led her to the exit.
Thankfully, The Mercer family's house wasn't too far, they arrived shortly before Two o clock. There was nothing to look for through the journey, besides the awkward company of a stranger, everything else was frozen in the dead of winter.
Descending from the carriage Joan was led as the expected guest once again to Lily's room, strange enough she didn't get to meet her parents. They must be busy with other preparations or greeting guests.
"Oh , you are finally here" Elise saw her after opening the door for whoever knocked.
"So sorry for being late," Joan said as she entered.
"No need. You are just in time. Go change in the back" Lily said as she greeted her with a lively smile, wearing a soft pink dress, and her makeup was already put on. As expected of the protagonist on her special day, Lily seemed more radiant than usual.
"You look especially beautiful, well you all look beautiful"
"Thank you. Now, don't waste any more time and go change, don't forget you need time to put on your makeup too"
Joan took her fine time changing, fixing her hair and makeup, since most of the guests haven't arrived yet.
She wore the simple black dress she had recently had tailored. Its high collar and fitted long sleeves gave it an elegant appearance despite its modest design. That way she has one more option to wear besides her green dress. Unusually, Joan didn't lift her hair, she let it loose with two braids on top of her head.
She didn't dare to wear her ring, not only afraid of losing it, but also of asking about its source which may lead to many so-called lies as it could not be verified.
Just as the guest began to arrive, the girls descended the stairs first, leaving Lily in Helen's care for a few minutes.
As Joan was rushed to change before the party, she didn't have time to appreciate her surroundings. The house was elegant, yet surprisingly warm. Nothing about it felt ostentatious. As every piece of furniture seemed chosen to be used rather than admired, in turn every corner seemed to be traced by different memories.
The atmosphere remained warm and relaxed throughout the gathering. The groom's family proved to be gracious hosts, making sure every guest was welcomed and comfortable without ever appearing overbearing.
Conversations flowed naturally between old friends and new acquaintances, while cups of tea were quietly refilled before anyone had the chance to ask.
"Please, make yourselves at home," the groom's older brother said with an easy smile as he greeted another group of guests. "You've worked with him long enough to know all his embarrassing stories. We might as well hear them too."
A few of the groom's colleagues chuckled.
"Oh, there are plenty," one of them replied. "Though we'd like to keep our jobs."
Laughter spread around the room.
"I'll take that as confirmation," his brother answered, shaking hands with them before smoothly steering the conversation toward work, recent hospital news, and how everyone had first met the couple.
His calm, approachable manner made it easy for even the quieter guests to join in.
Nearby, Lily's older sister exchanged a few words with one of the bride's relatives while helping arrange the dessert plates.
"I heard the engagement preparations kept everyone busy."
"They certainly did," the relative laughed. "Though somehow Lily still managed to make everything look effortless."
A short distance away, Lily's younger brother found himself chatting with two of the groom's friends about football after discovering they supported rival clubs.
"So you're telling me your team actually has a chance this season?"
he teased.
"It has more than a chance," one of them replied confidently. "You'll see."
"We'll settle that after the next match."
The lighthearted exchange drew a few amused smiles before everyone drifted back into their own conversations, the house filled with the easy sound of laughter, quiet chatter, and the unmistakable warmth of two families becoming one.
The afternoon passed pleasantly. Between conversations, a piano performance, the groom's father's speech, and an early dinner, the gathering came to an end far sooner than Joan had expected.
With the closeness of dusk, Juan returned to Manhattan with Elise and Lucie, leaving Lily and Helen to return early in the morning.
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