"There is a painful difference between the expectation of an unpleasant event and its final certainty." - Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility (1995)
C&E
She had lived longer than anyone had expected. Dr. Clarkson had told them they had months and she had stretched it out to almost two years. Mrs. Carson had been a strong woman. Mary couldn't deny that. Of course, it hadn't hurt that she had had the love of one of the strongest men that Mary knew.
During his wife's illness, Caron had been steadfast and almost stoic in his care for Mrs. Carson. Now he looked a completely different man. A broken man.
Carson had stared despondently at the coffin all through the funeral service. Long after Reverend Travis had spoken his last words and the other mourners had left, Carson stood silently by the grave the only movement that of his trembling hands.
Mary had stood beside him throughout the service offering him her quiet support. Mary nodded at Henry to take the children back to the Abbey with the others, leaving her and Carson alone in the graveyard. She stepped closer to him and clasped his shaking hand in hers.
"I'm so sorry, Carson."
Carson turned his attention from the grave for the first time and Mary almost wished he hadn't. His ever expressive eyes were filled with so much pain that Mary could only gasp. She brought her other hand to hug his arm to her tightly. His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke.
"She was the best part of me, my Lady, and now she's gone."
Mary understood. She remembered how it felt to lose your other half. She leaned her head against his shoulder still hugging his arm close. Carson lifted his other hand to grasp hers tightly. "I know, Carson. I know...I'm so sorry."
A/N Thank you all so much for reading. And especially to those who took the time to review. I appreciate each and every one of you.