Work Text:
*
“As long as Charlotte is by my side, I believe I can do anything.”
This was Alexander Colbourne’s declaration at their wedding breakfast.
Famous last words…
Henceforth, after such a declaration, his family decided to always encourage him to rise to the challenge, whenever one occurred.
Or whenever they wanted to create one – for their own amusement!
Although encourage was not always the correct word… torment was perhaps a more accurate one.
So over many years, the following sentences were heard on various levels of regularity…
“But Father, you said… and Mama will be there so…”
“Uncle, really… I heard you say…”
“Xander… I did not believe I needed to wager, because you are a man of your word…”
And each time, over these years, Alexander did what he always did…
Look to his wife for help.
And each time, over these years, Charlotte did what she always did…
Smile.
Smile and shake her head gently and repeat his words from their wedding day back to him.
And as their routine would go, he would offer a gentle kiss to her temple before uttering,
“Yes, my love… you are right. With you, I can do anything.”
Well, until today.
*
It was Christmas Day and the entire family, other than his brother whose turn it was to spend Christmas with his wife’s family that year, was around the table.
The meal was complete and the older grandchildren had already scurried away to play with their new toys while the little ones had taken away for a nap. His children then announced an extra Christmas gift for their parents that they could not place under the tree.
“I err… don’t think I…” Alexander stammered with surprise, at the gift, as he set down his glass.
Papa, you said…” William, their youngest son, stated in a cheeky authoritative tone and Sebastian began nodding in agreement beside him.
“My boy, you were not even born so I hardly believe you can use that excuse with me,” Alexander deflected, knowing it had stopped none of the younger children, or the grandchildren in the past for that matter.
But this time, he thought – it needed to.
“Well, I was there, Father, and I agree with Will and Seb. And considering it was my idea… and Mama will be ‘right by your side’ I hardly think you can say no.”
“I can and I will Leonora. And why am I not surprised you initiated this?” he said in a tone firmer than she had heard him use for years.
Leo gave her mama a nervous glance. Had they actually pushed him too far this time? Charlotte gave her an encouraging nod.
“Well, it’s already organised, so you can’t say no!” she proclaimed with an air of authority.
“Listen everyone, this is absolutely, totally ridiculous!” Alexander protested.
Charlotte looked on with an amused grin as he looked at her with pleading eyes.
“Charlotte…”
She gave a light chuckle. “No, no… you got yourself into this. You have no choice my love but to see it through to the conclusion. It will be a lovely adventure for you and as you know… I will be right by your side.”
“No,” he replied, as he pushed himself back from the table and stood. “I will not.”
The children all looked to their mother in panic as he stormed out of the dining room.
“Don’t worry,” Charlotte offered, “he’s just…”
Augusta interrupted with a laugh, “Please don’t say stubborn in his old age, or we will have to believe he has been an old man since we were children!”
“Oh dear I have upset him,” sighed Leo sadly.
“No dear… it is a lovely idea. What I was going to say… and well, I am sure he will be cross for me revealing this, but it should explain… your father is afraid of heights.”
“Oh, really?” questioned Sarah surprised, turning to her husband. “But he was always telling us about climbing trees as a boy.”
“Ah yes, but there is a difference to climbing a tree that is rooted to the ground,” Charlotte nodded.
“True,” added Leo. “And he always pointed out his favourite tree to me when I was in my tree climbing phase…”
“You are still in your tree-climbing phase,” her husband chuckled, grabbing her hand, and kissing her knuckles.
“Reginald… I am a botanist… how else am I supposed to collect some newly budded specimens if I do not climb the tree?” she chided him.
“A ladder?” Seb posed.
“Do not be cheeky with me, little brother,” she said with a laugh, “for it was I who taught you boys which trees to climb on the estate. Oh… not father… yes. Oh, dear…”
“Why on earth has he never said anything? It is nothing to be ashamed of,” Sarah asked. “I feel bad about all the times he had to rescue my kites from the trees when I was growing up. I am sure I would have been much more careful had I known.”
“It’s just his way,” Charlotte shrugged.
“Well this is all very well and good, now that we know,” offered Augusta, “but what do we do?”
Charlotte, who was sitting beside the honorary eldest sibling, patted her shoulder as she stood from the table.
“All will be well, trust me,” she smiled.
“Because you will be by his side?” questioned William, looking up at his mother.
She smiled, “Yes.” I will go and find your father.”
“I doubt he took his coat, Mama,” Leo shared a knowing smile with her mother, “it will be cold down there.”
*
“Well, that was quite a performance,” Charlotte called as she made her way down the cliff through the dunes to the rocks.
“No,” he replied, without turning.
“Oh stop sulking Alexander… anyone would think you were Claude being told no to more sweets.” She chastised him as she stepped beside him. “Here.”
Alexander looked up and took the coat she thrust towards him and put it on.
“Thank you.”
“Leo reminded me you would have forgotten it,” she grinned, as she scrambled to sit beside him on the rocks. “If I was her, I would have been in half a mind to let you freeze.”
He gave his wife a side glance but said nothing before turning his gaze back to the ocean.
“You have quite hurt her feelings, I believe. Not that she will ever say it.” Charlotte continued.
“That was not my intent.” He replied, now feeling ashamed of his reaction.
“It never is Alexander, however…”
“I will apologise, but my love… you know I can’t do it,” he sighed.
“They were not aware of your fear, but they are now. They do not think less of you,” she said, wrapping her hands around his bicep and leaning her head against his shoulder.
“What? Did you tell them? How could you?” he complained pulling away.
“Alexander… do not be ridiculous. Your children adore you… all of them. Even Walter, Reginald, and John admire you greatly. They look up to you. They do not think any less of you. How else could I explain your little tantrum to them?”
“I am sure they all think I am foolish,” he sighed.
“Foolish – yes, for not telling them. Sarah is most perturbed that you spent so much time retrieving her kites when she was a child, obviously under duress. The boys understand now, I believe, why it was Leo who taught them to climb trees. But for the actual fear, no they do not believe you foolish at all,” Charlotte stated plainly.
“You should go. You should not miss such an experience…”
“I have already been in an air balloon,” she interrupted.
He looked at her, puzzled.
She gave him a small smile at the memory of the day. “Do you remember that first picnic, the day you gave me the cornflowers?”
He leaned towards her and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek and smiled. “The day I wish I had done that, and you had stayed, rather than rushing off somewhere.”
“Yes, the Sanditon Mid-Summer fair. The Army had a hot air balloon there. An observation one, it was a last-minute replacement for an Elephant that apparently had been double booked.”
“How does one double book an elephant?” Alexander chuckled.
Charlotte rolled her eyes, "Where Tom Parker was involved, nothing was impossible. But he-who-we-do-not-name had organised their balloon for tethered rides up. No one was volunteering to go, and I could see Tom was starting to panic that it was all going to come undone…”
“So you volunteered? Was he…?”
“Yes, he was.”
“Well then,” Alexander replied, staring out to sea.
“You know very well I had no affection for him,” she said softly, leaning her cheek back on her husband’s arm.
“Yes, I know,” he replied, tilting his head so his rested against hers.
“It is amazing seeing the world from a different view,” she offered softly.
They sat silent, for a while, watching the waves bounce and crash towards the shore.
“You will be right by my side?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
“Of course – always,” she answered, allowing him to draw her to his chest.
“Yes, my love… you are right. With you, I can do anything.”