Prologue

The autumn air was mild and calm, a still reprieve before the harsh chill winter would bring to the small town of New Canaan, Connecticut. A soft breeze traveled through the air, gently rustling the multicoloured leaves. The sun had left its place in the sky hours before, surrendering to a full moon.

The sky was clear, allowing the moon to illuminate at will. Touched by its delicate glow was a parked car. Inside two teenagers were ending their night together, albeit with differing intentions.

"Now Holden, it's been a lovely night, let's not ruin it."

"Ruin it? Doll, this can only make the night better." He began to paw at the front of her blouse.

"No honey, please, not tonight," she tried to gently guide his hands away.

He set about angling her into a more accessible position. "Tonight's as good a night as any."

"Holden please, you know how I feel about this."

"I'm just trying to show you how I feel." A button came undone.

Serena pulled back and hastily refastened her blouse. Holden finally glanced up at her and let out a low breath upon seeing her expression. His eyes followed her quick yet adept efforts to smooth and correct her appearance. He kept silent until he felt her attention turn back toward him.

"What is it? Every time I try to get close to you…" he sighed in frustration and ran a hand through his hair.

Serena busied her hands in her lap, watching as her skirt moved under her fingers. "You know why," was her simple response.

Holden turned to face her fully and said with exasperation, "No, no I'm sorry Serena, but I have no idea why. We've been going together for 3 years now, why the hesitation?"

She reached her hand out to cover his and gave him a comforting smile, "I know, I know, but Holden, you know how I've been raised, how we've been raised. There are certain…expectations. I care about you; I really do, but now is not the time."

Holden wasn't pacified. He took her hand in his own and leaned toward her, saying, "When then? What are you waiting for, your parents to give you the go ahead? I don't understand."

Serena's brows creased into a furrow. "What is there to not understand? I have to wait…wait until –"

Holden cut her off, "Wait until what? Don't you want to be with me? Don't you love me?"

Her eyes were once more fixated on her lap. She paused, as if searching for the right words. He waited in silence until she quietly stated, "Holden, you know that I have to wait until I'm married."

There was another pause and then Holden released a loud breath and relaxed in the seat. "Is that all? I don't see any difference in whether it happens before or after, doll. What's the problem?"

Serena's eyes opened wide and there was a sharp intake of breath as she exclaimed, "Holden James Cavanaugh! You know very well what the difference is!" She leaned in close to whisper with agitation, "I have not had to listen to my mother tell me on countless occasions that such behaviour is unacceptable before marriage just so you can tell me it's neither here nor there. Besides," she sniffed huffily, "I'm a lady, and I will remain…pure of character for my future husband, and that's that."

Holden chuckled at her display and put his arms around her. "Doll, you know I don't care if it happens before or after the wedding. Our parents may believe in that nonsense but I don't," he nuzzled her ear with his nose. "Besides, the practice will be good for us; you know, make the honeymoon all that more magical."

He felt Serena's body tense up and he frowned in confusion. He turned her around to face him and asked, "Honey, is this about the dress? You can still wear white, I won't tell anyone." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

Serena stared at him with a bemused expression, "Holden what are you talking about?"

Holden's grin held its ground. "Oh ever the coy one, now aren't you? Don't worry, milady no one shall question your honour. Now, enough of this, come here," he reached out for her, fully intending on resuming his previous actions, oblivious to Serena's continued confusion.

She evaded his grasp and pushed him back firmly, all the time looking straight into his eyes. "No, no, no. What's all this about weddings and white dresses and practicing for honeymoons? What's gotten into you?"

Holden finally gave up all amorous attempts and sighed in defeat. "Not tonight then, OK," he muttered to himself. Then he took in a breath and faced her. "Once again Serena, I'm not sure where you're going with this. What about our wedding?"

Serena stared at him a moment and then shook her head as if to clear it. "I beg your pardon? Did I just hear you say our wedding?"

Holden rolled his eyes lightly and replied, "Yes, that's what I said." He shifted a bit and added casually, "I mean, nothing official yet of course, but soon enough; we all know it's coming, it's only a matter of time."

Serena opened her mouth, then closed it not sure of what to say. What was he talking about? Had she missed some vital conversation somewhere? "I'm sorry, who is 'we' exactly?"

Now it was Holden's turn to furrow his eyebrows. "What are you talking about girl?" He took in her expression and frowned, then replied slowly, enunciating clearly as though she were dense, "You, me, our parents, your sister; generally everyone who knows us."

Serena wore a frown of her own. "When did this happen? Was there some town meeting I wasn't invited to? I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure I should have been a part of the discussion that decided our future together." Her tone rose in irritation with every word. "I've had no proposal, there's no ring on my finger. How can everything be so open and closed?"

Holden was becoming a little agitated himself. Proposal or no proposal, he didn't like where this was going. "What's gotten into you tonight?" he exclaimed.

Serena crossed her arms over her chest and huffed, "Oh I don't know, perhaps the fact that everyone seems to be deciding my future for me. That my boyfriend just assumes…" she thought better than to finish that sentence at the current time.

But Holden wasn't about to let that one slide. "Assumes? Am I wrong in such an assumption then Serena? Am I alone in this?" He waited in silence for an answer that Serena was apparently not prepared to provide. She turned her head to face her window. There would be no answer.

Holden sat back and breathed in and out deeply a few times to cool himself and then ran a hand through his hair. They sat in an uncomfortable silence until he straightened himself and started the car, saying, "Well I think this is as good a time as any to take you home. I'm certainly not in the mood to have Mr. Davenport out after me tonight; I've had enough of a beating."