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"Take my hand, darling."
"Henry, what? Please, the expression on your face is frightening . . . "
Henry took a deep breath, squeezing
the small, pale hand in his own. Ever since Emma had entered his room-
acting on Helena's hushed
request that he "wanted to see his wife desperately"- he had found
himself short of breath. She had to be told, it was the only way . . .
he had to lie to
her, his sweet, innocent love, it was the only way to protect her.
She could never know that Hyde was stronger then her brave husband . .
. never if he
wanted her to survive, to keep on living with or without him. But now
with her in front of him, the dim candle light flickering over her features,
glowing in her eyes . . . now all words seemed to have fled him. Only
the sound of his heart remained, and the vision of this angel. The angel
who's
wings could no longer support her.
"Emma, I . . . I must . . . there
is something I must tell you . . . " He finally found himself able to speak
the words, though they did not ease
his wilting heart.
"Dear God, Henry, please . . .
you're scaring me more then you know . . . don't wait another instant to
tell me what it is you hold inside
you!" She said, the first signs of tears sparking in her eyes.
"My beautiful Emma . . . Come here
my lovely, darling girl." He said, raising himself off the pillow for the
first time since his injuries,
leaning forward to embrace her gently, his body quivering at her gentle
touch. "You may very well never know how much I love you . . . " He
choked, her soft hand caressing his back as he held her tightly, ignoring
the dull ache in his chest as he slowly rocked her back and forth in his
embrace. She was crying now, he could feel her silent teardrops sprinkling
his bare shoulder, yet he managed to keep himself from breaking down,
knowing he must be strong.
"I do, Henry . . . my angel . .
. I do . . . " She whispered hoarsely, her lips meeting his neck in a soothing
gesture. He smiled softly, a rebel
tear slipping from his closed eyelid. This moment, this single perfect
moment of cherished closeness, was the first time he and his wife had ever
truly
been alone together, and only he himself-and Helena, sitting alone
downstairs in the study-knew it would most likely be there last.
"Look at me . . . " He whispered
pulling away, her face once again bathed in candlelight. He reached up
with one hand, gently cupping her
cheek, trying to smile. "Emma . . . Helena gave me a complete examination
this afternoon. We were both wondering why it has taken so long for me
to
regain any strength, why it is always so difficult for me to . . .
breathe . . . " He said softly, the truth being that up until this moment,
in her powerful
presence, his breathing had been just fine.
"Darling, lie back . . . " She
crooned, guiding him gently against his pillow. He shut his eyes tightly,
praying that when he opened them she
would be smiling and gay, as he wanted to remember her. Instead, he
opened them to reveal her watching him intently, her brow furrowed with
concern. "Now, Henry, continue, what were the findings of this examination
. . . " From her voice he could tell she fought off hysterics even as she
spoke, but he refused to get carried away.
"There is a problem with the healing
puncture wound on my lung . . . it seems as though an . . . infection .
. . has set in." He took her hand
once again, squeezing it tighter as he continued. "Emma, Helena is
a wonderful doctor . . . she is, in my opinion, the best person with whom
I could
entrust my care . . . and she . . . " He stopped, his voice cracking
with emotion. She smiled, her cheeks gleaming with tears as she squeezed
his hand
in return, giving him the support he needed to continue. "Emma, she
tells me that . . . there is nothing she can do for me." His words echoed
throughout the room as though they had been spoken in a hidden cavern,
but the tension was soon cut off by the great heaving sob that escaped
her
delicate lips.
"Oh Henry . . . no, please . .
. tell me there is some mistake! I can't lose you again, my poor heart
can't take that again!" She cried, clutching
his hand madly, his tears freely escaping now. "Henry . . . please
. . . " She begged, and he pulled her closer, until her head was resting
on his tender
chest.
"My darling . . . I'm so sorry
. . . I wanted so much to share my life with you, I never thought for a
moment it would be taken away before I
had the chance . . . I love you, Emma . . . God in heaven, give us
strength . . . "
"No . . . I am convinced now that
there is no God in that vast sky, Henry! No God of mine would steal you
away from me . . . take you for
an angel before your time . . . "
"Emma, don't loose faith . . . we'll spend these days together . . . you'll learn to understand-"
"There is no understanding, Henry,
only PAIN!" She shouted, the anger in her voice startling him. In a moment,
her angst was gone,
however, and replaced with nothing but weeping sorrow. "So much pain
. . . "
"Emma, I've spoken with John .
. . he'll see to your comfort, help you carry on . . . please be strong
for me. You know how much I love you
. . . how your strength keeps me alive . . . "
"Apparently my strength isn't enough this time, Henry . . . "
"But it is, my princess . . . though
my soul will soon be an angel, it is you who will support my wings. Without
you, I couldn't survive . . .
even in death." She sighed heavily, hastily wiping the tears from her
cheeks. The tracks were instantly replaced with fresh ones, and she reached
out to
stroke his cheek, his eyes fluttering shut at her touch.
"I am here, Henry . . . be at peace."
She whispered, and he smiled, raising his weary hand to encompass her own,
bringing her fingers to his
lips.
"Of course, my love . . . as long
as you're here with me." He murmured gently, the effort his confession
took draining him of all his strength.
"Emma, come lie with me . . . help me get to sleep. Helena will surely
want to begin her efforts tomorrow . . . she refuses to yield to fate .
. . "
"She always will Henry, you know
that . . . you've taught her too well." Emma said with slightly more calmness
then before. She slowly
climbed onto the bed beside him, resting next to him atop the blankets.
He sighed, resisting the urge to drift off for as long as possible, wrapping
his
arm around her shoulders, her head resting on his upper arm as well
as the pillow.
"I know you're scared, dearest . . . but please don't shed another tear. My life is in her capable hands."
"Shhh . . . rest my love, you're
safe now. For the moment it is in mine."