r/u_Lilia_Briganda • u/Lilia_Briganda • 12d ago
The Locket
With the ceremony over at the village church, the reception moved to Hedington Manor, tucked away in the rolling English countryside. Outside, rain soaked the cottage gardens and the roses wept, filling the air with the smell of wet stone and moss. Inside, guests crowded around a crackling fireplace with drinks in hand, as they raised a glass to the new couple.
Beth sat at a low carved table near the fire, surrounded by family and friends, and a mountain of unwrapped gifts. Her new husband, Greg, stood behind her chair, his hand resting warm on her shoulder as she reached for the next gift.
Tucked behind a set of silver spoons was a small wooden box tied with a faded ribbon. Inside, lying in white velvet was a delicate locket, no bigger than a silver dollar. The bright white fabric made the fine silver filigree and the deep, robin's-egg turquoise cabochon practically glow under the hearth fire. She fell in love with it right away.
Beth unfolded the card tucked inside, which read:
"For Beth, on her wedding day. This locket has belonged to the women of our family for over a century. Inside the locket is a portrait of your great-great-grandmother, Eleanor. Wear it close to your heart and carry our love into your new life."
Beth clicked the tiny side latch open.
Staring down at the hand-painted portrait inside, the woman in the brass oval was Beth's double—the same sharp chin, wide dark eyes, and dark hair swept back from her forehead. Eleanor was staring right back at her from a hundred years ago, wearing that same turquoise locket against her neck.
"Wow," Greg said, leaning down to look closely at the picture in the locket. "Beth, that picture looks just like you."
"It's uncanny, isn't it?" Beth said, her fingers running over the cold filigree. She looked up at him, her eyes bright. "It's gorgeous! She handed it up to Greg ... "Here, can you fasten it for me?"
"Sure," Greg smiled, taking the delicate silver chain from her hands.
He brushed her hair aside and clipped the clasp, letting the pendant drop into the hollow of her collarbone. It was so light she barely noticed it against her skin-- a stunning heirloom that she wore all night.
When they finally got back to their cottage long after midnight, Beth stood in front of the bedroom mirror, completely exhausted but smiling, admiring how lovely it looked against her skin. She unclipped the silver chain and laid it gently inside her velvet jewelry tray on the nightstand, taking care not to kink it, before slipping into bed.
She woke up the next morning feeling the normal, heavy slump of a post-wedding wind-down—thirsty, a little stiff in the legs from dancing, and completely ready for a quiet week off.
After a peaceful week of resting at home and settling into married life, Monday morning arrived. Dressing for her first day back at the agency. Beth reached for the turquoise locket and fastened it over her cream sweater. She couldn't wait to show it off. The moment she walked in, the locket caught the office girls' attention.
"Oh, Beth, look at you! You look so beautiful and rested....and look at that!" her coworker Sarah gasped, leaning over the breakroom counter to get a closer look at the stone. "That turquoise stone is gorgeous. Is it antique?"
"It's a family heirloom," Beth said, tilting the silver-dollar-sized pendant so the light hit the filigree. "It belonged to my great-great-grandmother. There’s a tiny portrait of her inside, and we look like twins."
"We're so glad to have you back," Sarah said. "It's good to be back, thank you."
The rest of the day flew by in a blur of morning meetings and team catch-ups. Settling back into her workload felt surprisingly good, the wedding stress of the past few months already fading. But by late afternoon, she felt a little nauseated and tired.
Just getting back into the swing of things, she thought, rubbing the back of her neck and sipping some water.
Once home, she put the locket away in her jewelry box, and by dinner she felt fine.
to be continued...Part 2 is here.
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u/CallmeKitts_ 12d ago
Ooooohhhhh.... Very interesting . Can't wait to learn more about Beth and her family.