Tomorrow Would Have Been A Better Day For a Funeral

Any day seemed like a bad day to have a funeral, but this day was the worst! Your Great Aunt Matilda never did anything in half measures. So, it didn't surprise you that her outdoor ash scattering ceremony happened in the middle of a hurricane. Well, to be fair, it wasn't really a hurricane, but the raindrops pelted the windows of the small shed hard enough to shake them. 

With five people huddled together, it felt even smaller than it was. You looked around and noticed your cousin Jill wearing her angry face. That can't be good...Aunt Matilda's life-long friend Mathis was dressed in his favorite gray wool suit; it was a good thing he hadn't listened when you told him it was going to be sunny. Despite his age, he stood tall and proud, but you saw him blink his eyes quickly and stare at the ceiling. Then he glanced outside the window like he half expected Aunt Matilda to materialize and convince the sun to come back out. 

When your parents died in that car accident, and the policeman brought you to Aunt Matilda's house, you overheard her mention that it wasn't supposed to snow that day. She was always declaring what the weather should, and shouldn't, be doing as if she was annoyed that she didn't have control over it. You smiled as you looked at poor Mathis. He and your Aunt never married, but he visited her every day. He even accompanied you, your aunt, and Jill, on family vacations. They bantered back and forth all the time and bickered like mad, but you could see they loved one another. 

Next to Mathis, there was a strange man you didn't recognize. He looked about your age and was dressed in a black suit that fit him like a second skin. His leather shoes had gotten wet, and his perfectly pressed tie had been loosened since stepping into the shed. You watched as he ran his hand through his hair and sighed. Geoffrey, your aunt's lawyer, turned to speak to him, but you couldn't make out what they said. Jill started shuffling toward you: 

"Annalise, I thought it was supposed to be sunny today! We can't scatter mom's ashes in this downpour!" 

"I know, Jill. I hope it clears up here soon. Do you know who that man is with Geoffrey? Or why he is here?"

"No, but he sure is dreamy. Mama would hate all this rain, and I have to make it back to the house before everyone else so that I can feed the cats!" 

Jill's brain functioned a lot like her mother's, and it always left you feeling a step behind. Which reminded you:

 "Jill, why were you angry a few minutes ago?"

"Oh, that. I was checking the weather app, and it says it is supposed to rain for hours!"

Geoffrey cleared his throat:

 "I don't think it is going to let up, so let's head back to Matilda's house, and we can finish reading the will there."

You barely noticed your soaked shoes, as you dashed back to the limo. You slid inside next to Jill, and the handsome man squeezed next to you. You couldn't help but think back to the day they read your parent's will. A much younger Geoffry was reading off words you didn't understand then and hadn't thought of since, but they are coming back to you now: succession, betrothed, and inheritance. You hadn't remembered any of this until this moment. The car stopped, and you glimpsed upward; you had spent the whole ride lost in thought. It also had stopped raining. 

Everyone got out of the car and walked toward the house. Jill is raced toward the door, so she could get to the cats and asked everyone to wait outside for just a moment. 

"Geoffrey, I would like to ask you some questions about the day of my parents' funeral, if you don't mind." 

He stares at you as if he is having trouble recalling who you are, and the says:

 "Oh, yes, I remember...Matilda kept going on about how it wasn't supposed to snow, and how tomorrow would have been a better day for a funeral."

Suddenly, the wind picked up, and everyone raced for the front door. Well, as quickly as Mathis and Geoffrey could race...The beautiful stranger held the door open for them, and you realized he was going to wait there for you. You thanked him quietly as you stepped inside, and he nodded slightly but said nothing. He shut the door against the howling wind and turned to face everyone. 

"Geoffrey," he said firmly but quietly, "Please read the will." 

Everyone in the room stared at this dashing man who dared commandeer the room in Aunt Matilda's house. As you looked around, though, you noticed Geoffrey was bright red, and sweat was dripping down his forehead. Mathis stared at the floor with a look that clearly said he wished it would open up and swallow him whole. Jill stopped messing with the cats and glared at him, but you couldn't quite read her face. 

"Ok, enough is enough around here. Would someone please tell me who this man is and what is going on here!" 

Your little outburst was met with stares and the sound of Geoffrey clearing his throat. He began to read:

I, Matilda Diana Julia Bennett, Duchess of Zoetis, and now Bridgeport, CT, being of sound mind and body do hereby make and declare this to be my last will and testament.

Who knew Aunt Matilda had so many names? Did he just say, Duchess? Where in the hell was Zoetis?

Jill, darling, please stop messing with those cats and pay attention. I am sure you are wondering about the fact that I am a duchess, but you see it is more of a courtesy title than anything else. My brother was a prince of a tiny, almost forgotten kingdom, and with my death, you are now the new Duchess of Zoetis. You are also the proud owner of this house and all the cats! 

Her brother? Your father was a prince? 

"Geoffrey, clearly, Aunt Matilda was not well when she wrote this."

"Annalise, please let him finish," the interloper says earnestly.

Jill, you also will receive all of my other assets not tied to the title. Everything that is part of the title will go to Annalise. Geoffrey will help you girls sort that out.

Annalise, you were so young when your parents died, you were in shock for such a long time. You seemed to not recall anything about you being a princess, and as time went by, I didn't know how to tell you. But maybe you remember the day of their funeral now. Geoffrey read the will, which stated you would stay with me. I loved you like another daughter, but you know that already. You may not know that your parents had betrothed you to the son of a wealthy tech tycoon. Mathis had been in the tycoon's employ for years and initially moved in next door to make sure nothing happened to you and that you had everything you ever needed. I came to love him as the time passed, but couldn't get over the lies we were telling.

You were always smart as a whip, so I am sure by now you have figured out that the young man who has been hanging around all day must be your intended. His name is Stephen, and I had Mathis keep tabs on him too. Turn about is fair play, you know. He seems like a fine young man, but you will have to decide that for yourself. Your father's will stipulated that you had to date for a year or forfeit the kingdom to Stephen. However, if after a year, you decide that you do not suit each other, then the domain and all its fortunes are yours. It is basically a vast mansion on a small island with a few farmers, dear. In case Stephen is a troll, don't feel compelled to date him. I have set aside some money for you just in case. 

Stephen laughed at this, and it sounded genuine. You noticed he has a friendly smile, too. Mathis sat down next to you and took your hand. The wind stopped howling outside, and you saw the sun trying to peek out from behind the clouds. Geoffrey continued reading, but his voice sounded far away. Life never seemed to go as planned for you, but you have always managed to thrive. You would give Stephen a chance and see how that turned out. 

2 years later

The sun was gloriously warm on the island of Zoetis. You and Stephen had moved here about six months ago to prepare for the wedding. You were right about his friendly smile, he is a wonderful man. The tan he has gotten since you have been on this island makes him look even more gorgeous than he did when you met him, that day of your aunt's funeral.

"Only you would plan to get married on what was supposed to be the most significant storm of the year. And of course, the sun would shine all day," Stephen said as he slipped his arms around you.

"Thanks, Aunt Matilda," you whispered as you looked out the window and, not for the first time, thought about how wrong the weather forecast had been.