Free Without Saying a Word by Amanda Ward Page B

living room was dark with only the flickering light of the television. Graham and the children were so engrossed in the film that they didn’t notice the couple walk in. When the door shut with a slight bang, and a light went on, they all turned to face the couple.
    “May I get you a drink sir?” asked Graham rising to his feet. “What will it be? Tea or something else?” he inquired.
    “Oh, I think this is in order Graham,” Rhean replied, holding out the bag with the champagne. “It should still be nicely chilled.”
    “I take it congratulations are in order then sir?” Graham took the bag and as he went  into the kitchen, the children stood up and gathered around the couple.
    “Indeed they are,” Rhean replied. He held up Laura’s left hand and the ring sparkled on her finger.
    “Well, now, you’d better look after our mum,” said Theo in an exaggerated deep voice. James nudged him.
    “Oh, and us as well.” He held out his hand toward Rhean and they shook.  Then James held out his hand and they did the same. There was a loud pop and fizz from the kitchen.
    Laura flashed a glance at Maisie.
    “Are you okay with this? I mean, this must have come as a bit of a shock to you all...” her voice trailed off as she saw the guilty looks on her offspring’s faces.
    “You knew about this didn’t you!” she exclaimed. Looking from her new fiancé to her children, she saw that they had all turned red-faced. The look Laura gave her children told them that they had some explaining to do.
    “I think a toast is in order ladies and gentlemen,” Graham announced after he came back with glasses filled with orange juice and champagne and he handed them out. “To the happy couple,” he said in his ‘butler’ voice as he held up his glass. Rhean, with his arm around Laura, lifted his too and with the teens holding theirs up, they all clinked and said ‘cheers.’ As Laura sipped, she relished the taste of the chilled liquid sparkling effervescently on her tongue.
    “So all of you knew, then?” Laura asked again. Maisie nodded.
    “Sorry Mum, Rhean swore us to secrecy.” Laura raised her eyebrows.
    “And you all agreed?” she asked. Again, heads nodded. Even Graham looked guilty. “When did all this happen?” Laura asked. She refused to let the matter drop.
    “A couple of days after your day out with Rhean at the grange,” Maisie explained. “Rhean came over while you were at one of your meetings. He sat us all down and told us what was going on then asked if we had any problems with it—which we don’t.”
    “So all of you are happy for us?” Laura needed reassurance. She took a deep sip of her champagne for Dutch courage.
    Laura’s children were individuals, yet when needed, they stuck together like glue if something upset their mother or their siblings.
    “Our wedding date is set for New Year’s Eve at the grange chapel,” Rhean stated. “As for where we are going to live, my parents came up with an idea.”
    Laura looked at her fiancé incredulously. She felt left out of things, as if everything had already been decided and plans made without consulting her.
    “And where are we going to live?” she asked smoothly.
    Theo and James immediately sat up.
    “It has been suggested that we move to Park House on the estate, until it’s time to move into the grange,” Rhean explained.
    “Does this mean we get our own rooms?” James burst in.
    “Well, yes,” Rhean confirmed. “Park Cottage has six bedrooms, so there will be plenty of space.”
    “Do I get a say in any of this?” Laura asked meekly.
    “Hey, I told you weeks ago about our wedding date,” Rhean said with deceptive calm.
    “I thought it was a joke!” she exclaimed.
    “I never joke when it comes to you,” Rhean said quietly,”Never.” He held her hand tightly.
    “Graham, could you keep an eye on the ‘Brady Bunch’ while I whisk Laura next door please?” he asked.
    “Of course,” the butler replied. “I’ll make