A/N: Hi everyone! So this is my third fic but my first Anthony/Edith fic. I'm a little unsure on it so I've only posted a tiny bit. Let me know if you would like me to keep going.
This is set in 1912ish. I really wanted to show the character development through their marriage hopefully you will like it. I hope it isn't too much like other Anthony/Edith fics on here. I have read so many so I hope I don't put any ideas or scenes of those fics in here! I hope I can do this couple justice.
Thanks for reading!
She had laid in bed all morning not wanting to move. It wasn't just that she was in pain it was the sense of disappointment. The tears had long dried on her face and she didn't feel much like crying anymore. Anthony, of course, had been the perfect, awkward, English gentleman he was and had stayed away giving her privacy. All she wanted was for him to be there with her but she could never ask. It wouldn't be proper and she couldn't get through a sentence without crying to even ask for him to stay with her. In fact she couldn't say anything at all. Of course she had never expected to be a wife or a mother it had just been a distant hope like a forgotten dream. Although not expected she had always thought it would be something she would be good at. Now she had miscarried and she felt so terribly inadequate. All she wanted was for her husband to tell her things would be okay. It almost made her feel sick that he didn't know her well enough to know that she needed him.
Hearing a knock at the door she made a little attempt to sit up in the large bed. Morning had long gone yet she had stayed in bed like the previous day. Anthony entered the room standing slightly awkward with a note by the door and not advancing any further. She looked up at him and he looked at her. Though she felt he wasn't really looking at her. He was looking past her and she wasn't sure if he would want her anymore.
"Your parents have invited us for dinner tomorrow night. Should I tell them you are unwell dear?"
The term of endearment hit her like a punch in the stomach and she could feel the tears in her throat filling up. Why couldn't she be stronger, more American like her mother? What would Anthony think if she took too long to recover, would he ever want to go near her again? She tried her best to smile feeling suddenly very suffocated by the heavy blankets and half closed drapes. She shook her head her voice shaking slightly. How would they get through this? How would she?
"No. No we should go. I mean we did decline their luncheon invitation yesterday."
"I shall let them know. If your sure?"
He added pausing at the door. She turned her head slightly towards the window not even sure what day or time it was. Of course she was sure. She knotted her fingers together nervously never taking her eyes off him. He stood unsure what to do. He didn't want to smother her and she hadn't given any indication that she wanted him there. Seeing her nod he went to leave, to reply to the letter until he heard her speak. Speak so quietly he almost missed it.
"Anthony wont you stay with me for a while longer?"
He turned feeling the relief as he finally met her eyes. It was then that he saw her. Really saw her for the first time in a week. How long had she been suffering so terribly? He almost felt a pang of guilt not only for not being there but not feeling as upset as he should be. Maude, his first wife, had had her fair share of miscarriages and he never felt very much about them anymore. He walked over to his wife and sat next to her taking her hand. Smiling sweetly at her he brushed her hair out of her eyes before talking.
"My dear sweet Edith. You mustn't let this worry you. We will have plenty of children."
She nodded. Then watched slightly concerned as he closed his eyes for a moment. She rested a worried hand on his arm. Through all the pain and loss she had noticed that he had become more tired. He had said it was just down to running the estate but she couldn't help but feel he was just making excuses. She had never noticed her father being so overly tired. Had she put too much pressure on him? She did not think it would be a problem marrying an older man, he was still very young. She wondered if maybe she expected too much of him.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes of course dear. I think maybe it's the thought of having dinner with your sister again."
Edith couldn't help but smile at her husband who almost looked to worsen in colour. She wrapped her arms round his shoulders and sat with him in the silence. She had at first been nervous of these private moments but now a year after they had married it was no longer seeming like they were forced but out of habit and the ever growing love that had developed between them. She sighed closing her eyes. He was right they shouldn't worry. Everything would be all right. Anthony turned to give a reassuring look to his wife. Ever since she had joined him on his estate she had been growing in confidence and character and he couldn't help but feel proud. She was his wife. He laid down next to her listing to the silence. The sound of the staff moving around the large house and the birds tweeting. Both unaware that soon the peace they had so longed for and loved would be shattered for ever.