What?! A new chapter? Yeah!
I know, I know, it's been almost 3 weeks since the last one, and I'm so sorry for the wait, life has been hectic recently as I started university again. But now, I'm settling in, and should be able to publish on a more regular basis.
Dear Guest, I'm so glad you're enjoying this story! I hope you'll like this new chapter! As for Bruce and the date, I have to admit I was really inspired by Trumpeteer34, who did an amazing job on that matter in her/his story Sprout. If you haven't read it, or anyone reading me hasn't, just go because it is fantastic!
Enji, of course AG reads, she's written by a written/reader! ;)
Now, here is the new chapter! (trumpet and drums playing in the background, pu tu tap!, pu tu tap!,)
Chapter 7
Some Serious Conversations
While Bruce and Anna-Grace were making a crazy discovery, Natasha wasn't listening to their conversation, as she was reporting to Fury and the Captain about this first week observation, from her room in Neverland. The first finding she was able to communicate was that Bruce was safe with Anna-Grace Lorien. While they were still trying to figure out who she was, which was starting to be quite long, they at least could be sure of Bruce's security with her.
Unfortunately, this was the only positive analysis they could make. Bruce definitely was a child, and had no idea of what was going now, or so they thought.
After her bosses told her how to retrace Bruce's steps had been a dead end, as he had transformed into a kid in one of the rare places in New York where there were no cameras, and how they couldn't retrace the woman's steps as it appeared she knew how to hide in the Big Apple, Natasha asked:
- « Do I renew the reservation? »
- « We still do not know if the kid can hulk out, Nat. That will determine everything. » answered Steve.
- « He's right, as long as we are unclear on this issue, renew your reservation weekly. » added Nick.
She assented, and the conversation ended.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
While the spies and the hero were talking, our mysterious woman was daydreaming while cutting vegetables. So, when Bruce asked her if they were in 2015, she firstly didn't 'get' it, and only absently said:
- « Yes, Sweetie, we are. »
And then she realized it. He had sounded lost. As if he was incapable of grasping the simple concept of being in 2015. Which was impossible, given how smart he was. She turned to where he sat, on the floor between books, drawings and the newspapers he was looking at, clearly shocked.
- « Which year did you think we were in? » she asked him, feeling concerned.
He didn't answer but only kept looking at the papers in his hand.
- « Bruce? »
- « 1974 » he finally whispered reluctantly, eyes glued to his hands.
He really was in 1974 before.
This thought brought so many questions that Anna-Grace felt a knock form in her stomach, but it also had a sense of finality. She knew that unfortunately, it was the truth. Bruce was way too smart to be wrong on something so elementary. She also had noticed how simple things could throw him off, several times in the most odd places or occasions. He didn't know what a computer was. And he was alone. That would explain why his father is out of the picture now. She was still looking at him, when the strangeness of all of this came to her. How is it even possible? Bruce raised his head, looking her in the eye, obviously having come to the same conclusion, because he said, looking lost and defeated:
- « I was in 1974. I know that. How can it be 2015? »
He's probably gonna figure out that one by himself considering how smart he is, she thought, but it doesn't mean I can't help him.
She went to sat by his side, looking at the newspapers until he took her hand timidly. She then squeezed it softly and looked at him. With her thumb, she stroked his hand, and took the journals from his other one, putting it on the side. He looked at her like she would give him all of the answers. Sadly, she knew she had to first crush his hopes on that matter.
- « Bruce, I do not know what is going on. »
He looked at the ground, as if defeated but she continued:
- « But I know we'll figure it out, one way or the other. »
He raised his head, hopeful and asked:
- « How? »
- « Well, to start off somewhere, we can try to discover what is your first memory in 2015. »
He looked at their joined hands, her thumb still stroking his hand.
- « Do you remember when things started to get odd? » she added.
- « It… It wasn't normal before too… » he whispered, like a confession.
- « I'm glad you realize that by now, Honey, but you didn't when I met you. » she answered him gently.
He raised his head then looked at the floor again, but this time thoughtful.
- « No, I didn't. » he said softly.
They stayed on the floor, in silence for a while, him thinking, her looking at her kid… yes, hers, she knew now, as she was praying not to lose him to 1974.
Finally, he spoke:
- « Before, I was with Dad. I don't like to remember it. It was… not happy. I wanted to be with Mommy but… »
Her heart broke when he whispered:
- « She wasn't here anymore. »
She took him in her arms, hugging him tightly as if it could heal all of his emotional heart wounds. He hugged her back, staying close and warm in her embrace.
He continued:
« Before, I was in my bed. And after, I was in the street. It was cold, and weird… and scary. Dad wasn't there nor was my bed. There were so many noises… »
He hid his face in her torso, and she stroke his hair.
- « And then you were here, AG. » he finished, finally relaxing.
They hugged, for a long time, relishing their time together. They knew hardships were to come, as they always do, but at least this time they would have each other.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The owner was out, and Bruce and his keeper were in their room, so Natasha took the opportunity to bug their soon-to-be apartment.
When she came back, she listened to their conversation.
'The mother' was apparently putting the kid in bed, saying:
- « …you, Brucie Dear »
- « I'm glad I found you. »
- « I'm glad you broke into my car. »
He laughed. Then silence. Something happened thought Natasha.
- « If I can't come back, could I stay with you, AG? » said Bruce's voice.
What did I miss? was Natasha's second thought.
- « Of course, Brucy Bear. »
Soft sounds of a hand lifting then stroking a cover, and crushing sounds as if someone hugged an other one enrolled in a blanket. Then her voice whispered:
- « Sweet dreams, Bunny. »
- « Sweet dreams, AG » said Bruce's sleepy voice.
Then silence, except for the woman's steps fading away to the kitchen. Something happened. Something bad? She listened to the recordings from the time she left for the apartment to when she went back. Well, that was quick. She then texted Nick and Steve, saying they had to meet, urgently.
Nick's answer was a place where she had to be in thirty minutes. She grabbed her keys, put the recordings on and left.
When she arrived at the coffee shop, the owner leaded her to the back of the room, through some private door leading to a 'secret' room where her bosses, and surprisingly, Tony and Clint, where.
- « Your text seemed urgent, I thought it would be good for all of us to be here. » said Steve, sensing her surprise.
She nodded at him and sat at the table.
- « Well, boys, we've got some kind of a situation. »
Stark opened his mouth to say something stupid, as usual, but she sent him the 'not now' look and he closed it.
She quickly explained the circumstances, from when they found Bruce to tonight last event. Unsurprisingly, no one said a word. She finished by saying that, considering he thought he was in 1974 before, he must be four, soon to be five - as he was born in December 1969. She then looked at Steve, waiting. He sighed before speaking:
- « Do you think she'll understand who exactly is the boy? »
- « It doesn't seem like he told her his last name so no. Not yet, at least » she answered him.
Clint intervened:
- « You sound like she could never find out the truth. »
- « That's because I do think she could stay in the dark until we find a solution. »
- « How so? » said Fury and Stark, at the same time.
- « Because she's on the run, has been for some time now. She certainly knows about the Avengers but she obviously didn't take the time to look into us » she answered.
They all mused on this for a while until Stark broke the silence with a cheeky joke she didn't get - she had learned how to develop a selective hearing which was proving to be extremely useful in such times. But seeing how Clint chuckled and Steve glared at him, she only rolled her eyes. Nick sighed, probably wondering how such Kids could've saved the world at least twice, and trying to put the conversation back on track, asked Nat:
- « If she learns the truth, what do you think she'll do? Contact us? Ask for a ransom? Could she be a danger for him? »
Her answer was clear:
- « No. She would do what she thinks would be the best for him. I've only see them… »
Stark again whispered something stupid making Clint laugh and Steve annoyed but she continued:
- « …for five days now but the first thing I noticed was how attached the kid is to her, and how she is to him. They act as mother and son even though they can't have known each other for more than 15 days. »
This effectively shut up Tony and calmed Clint. Silence filled the room. Only Fury could say he kind of knew all of their backgrounds but they all knew enough to know no one had had a perfect childhood. Few felt like they were 'loveable by Mom' material, but even Steve and Clint, who had had a lovely mother, lost her young enough to miss her as well as the comfort and security she gave.
- « And it's not just that. The way they connect… »
- « What do you mean, Nat? » said Fury, the only one willing to talk right now.
Romanoff stayed silence for a while, thinking how to best express what she had felt when seeing the woman and Bruce together.
- « Something happened to her, to a child she knew. That is why she is so close to Bruce. He reminds her of a child she loved and lost. How and when is an other question, but it can help us find who she really is. »
- « Do you think there will be a record of this loss? » asked Steve, the first one to recover from the memories.
- « At least in newspapers » she answered him, almost whispering. This was getting way to close, to personal, for all of them.
Silence, again, filled the room.
Fury cleared his throat, for once uneasy in front of the heavy atmosphere, and broke the silence like a stone breaking a glass:
- « So we don't try to separate them for now. »
- « But we need to know if the kid can hulk out. » said Steve « If he doesn't, it will give us time to wait for Tony to find a solution. »
- « Which I might not. » intervened Tony
- « Where are you at on your research? » asked Clint.
- « Far enough to be at loss, but way not far enough to be of any use. »
His 'humble' confession was unsettling and not relaxing at all. This is definitely not a normal meeting, thought Natasha. For a man used to brag, it was weird and discouraging to see him acknowledge he was at loss. Fury frowned, looking at him, and Tony explained himself:
- « Remember when, on our last mission, Junior said something was weird with the machine, and called Banner? »
Everyone nodded so he continued:
- « Well, when looking at how to replicate the super-soldier serum our dear sleeping beauty chose not to share »
Steve did not even react, and Natasha felt a shiver going up her collarbone. I hate this meeting!
- « Bruce first looked into youth mechanism - who knew his work had been a breakthrough for anti-wrinkled creams? »
- « Focus, Stark » said Steve
- « Hmm, yes » continued Tony, « it did not work well for his project so he looked into gamma radiation next, but apparently, our mad doctor used Bruce's work for his machine. »
- « Do you know what the machine was intended for? » asked Clint
- « Eternal youth. » answered Tony, grinning.
That answers some questions, though Natasha.
- « But I'm still no close to understand how the machine worked and how it de-aged our little doctor » finished Tony.
- « Well, if you can never find out a solution, and Bruce doesn't hulk out, maybe then might be the time to contact the woman and tell her the truth. As unplanned as it is, this might be the perfect solution. God knows we can't take care of a kid. » said Steve.
- « Talk about yourself » chuckled Clint.
- « You know what I mean… »
- « Yeah, yeah, I do. »
Bruce certainly isn't like any other kid… thought Natasha, with a heavy heart.
- « But if Tony finds a solution… » continued Clint
Silence.
- « It depends, again, on if the kid can hulk out or no. » Said Stave. « If he can hulk out, we have to bring the adult Bruce back. »
- « But if he doesn't hulk out? » asked Tony
All heads turned to Natasha, as she was the one who had the most to loose, but she only shrugged. I am supposed to choose between my happiness and a chance for Bruce to have what I never had? Indeed, how could she decide?
- « And if he can hulk out, and Stark doesn't find a solution? »
Silence filled the room like a dark cloud hiding the sun. No one wanted to think about such a possibility.
- « We'll manage in time. But lets not worry about something that might never happen. For all we know, Bruce could come back one morning just like that. » said Steve, snapping his fingers.
Everyone knew the last option was extremely unlikely, Steve as much as the others, but it offered them a way to end the conversation on a positive note.
The next step was to discover if Young Bruce Banner was or no the Hulk, and what the hell was the woman's true name.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Unaware of the Avengers' researches on her identity, Anna-Grace went on with her life with Bruce, not that she could suspect a thing, as she and Bruce already had a lot to think about. Indeed, to try to live normally when there is a little timeline issue can be somewhat tricky.
The next day was their moving day. They didn't have much so Bruce and Anna-Grace only needed her free time between her shifts. Moreover, Peter and Rosie insisted on helping, Peter because he loved spending time with Bruce - or so he said - and Rosie because Peter was always nicer to her in front of Bruce - Peter being oblivious, of course. So, before Anna-Grace went to the lobby for her second shift, Bruce was installed in his new bedroom and delighted.
After that, they went downstairs and Rosie taught Bruce his second drawing lesson - the first one being the painting of the apartment - while Anna-Grace was working.
As a client left for his bedroom, and Rosie and Bruce were engaged in a passionate conversation on how to draw family ducks, Anna-Grace was trying to have relaxing thoughts, as she didn't want to think about all of the mysteries involving the kid living with her. She focused on a very materialistic subject: clothes. When she had decided to leave the US - back when she didn't know Bruce, when all she could think of was fear - she only had the necessities with her. But when she came to Neverland, she knew she required more; for Bruce, since he had not had a bag with him, and for her, so she wouldn't appear like a runway - given how most of her clothes were worn out. So, she went to some outlet near the grocery store that sold cheap clothes. She bought warm clothes, but only the essentials since she didn't have lots of money then, and most of her expenditures had been on a warm winter jacket for Bruce. It had been enough at that time, but she knew they needed more now.
However, she now had a job, and Peter had given her her first two wages, to give her some leeway and as they had agreed on him paying her every week. She preferred it that way, so that if she wanted to leave, with Bruce, she could do so as soon as she got her salary.
So, with what she had, she could go to that shop, a couple of streets from Neverland, where they sold complete outfits. It would do for Bruce and her, and maybe she could even buy him brand new hat, scarf and mittens along with good shoes… I'm sure I saw some duck attire there, he would look so cute with it…
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
After her second shift that day, and an other argument between Rosie and Peter, Anna-Grace and Bruce went to the grocery shop down the street, so Bruce would have some fresh air.
Since they arrived at Neverland, they had taken the habit of going there regularly to pick vegetables and fruits together. Anna-Grace would take Bruce in her arms, and he would hand pick each vegetable or fruit, even if it made shopping extremely longer than normally. Anna-Grace loved the way Bruce carefully hand-piked every item, as if to find the perfect ones, and it was worth all the wait in the world. As for Bruce, he loved choosing vegetables and fruits because every time he chose one, she would smile and tell him if it was a good choice, and what was even better, tell him when and why it wasn't. Her smile reminded him of his mother, not as a reminder of what he lost, but as a reminder of what could be.
Those experiences were among what we could call « out of time », as suddenly nothing mattered except Anna-Grace's smile for Bruce, and Bruce's buckles balancing on his head for Anna-Grace. All of a sudden, calm appeared around them, and they would finally have, after the strong emotions they had faced during the day, their much needed peace and immobility.
Anna-Grace hoped to feel this way again, especially after their last discovery. Except that, this time, Bruce was silent, all along. She knew he had many reasons for his mind to be full of questions, considering what was going on. So, putting her worries aside, she concentrated on him. They picked vegetables and lots of fruits, as usual, notably bananas as Bruce loved it, and then came back home slowly, because of the bags Anna-Grace had to carry.
Walking hand in hand with him, she wasn't saying anything, only waiting on him. He had something on his mind, she could see it easily.
Finally, her patience paid of, as he spoke:
- « Anna-Grace? » he asked her with a look on his face she hadn't seen in a while, a look betraying his nervousness about how she would take his question, and his uncertainty about even being allowed to asked it.
- « Yes, honey? » she encouraged him
- « Why do Peter and Rosie fight all the time? »
His question surprised her. What did he mean? He must've sensed her surprise because he looked at his feet, and said, as if she had caught him stealing:
- « I'm sorry AG… »
She quickly recovered from her surprise, and said:
- « What for? I am not mad at you, Sweetie. I was only surprised at your question. What did you mean by it? »
She was smiling at him, and he must've understand she was serious because he suddenly looked pensive, thinking seriously on how to tell her what he had in mind. And he's only 4 or 5, she thought.
- « Rosie and Peter… »
- « Yes? »
- « They love each other » he noted, raising his head to look her in the eye. He's saying this like it's a fact she thought, surprised.
- « How do you know they love each other? » she asked, trying to sound carefree.
She clearly failed miserably because he looked at her, surprised.
- « Isn't it obvious, AG? » he said frankly.
She chuckled. At least, he's feeling safe enough to be honest.
- « I'm sorry, Bruce, but it's not obvious to me. »
He looked at her again, this time almost astonished. This made her laughed.
- « OK, maybe I noticed a thing or two, and they definitely are inclined to each other, but as to say they love each other… » she clarified herself.
- « Peter looks at her every time she doesn't look at him, AG, and she grins every time she hears him come down the stairs » he stated.
- « When you say it this way… » she teased him but he didn't react, looking at his feet with a twisted mouth, as if he was facing some complicated math equation.
- « What do you not understand, Teddy Bear? »
He wrinkled his nose, upon hearing the nickname. This had been going since the incident, as if calling him nicknames would reassure him of her will to keep him with her. He seemed to understand because he let her nickname him, and he would only react when he didn't really like one. Seemed like Teddy Bear was a no. But again, it was really cute, maybe he could get use to it… And he hadn't looked exactly repelled…
- « Teddy Bear? »
He blushed, this time, but only shrugged. Means he's getting use to it, good… She looked in front of her, and realized they were getting close to Neverland.
- « What is on you mind, Bruce? » she asked him, seriously this time.
He was still looking at his feet, and he even stopped, as if he couldn't talk and walk at the same time.
- « Anna-Grace, if they love each other, why do they fight all the time? »
He sounded so worried… Suddenly, she realized why. The only close encounter he might have had with a romantic relationship must be his parents'. He's afraid Peter will turn out just like his father, he's afraid it is normal in a couple and inevitable…He's afraid he will turn up like this too… Her heart crushed, again, and she sighed, interiorly. Relationships are so complicated, and she wasn't the best example, she knew that all too well. But it wasn't fair for him to believe such a cruel lie. How to explain this to him? How to explain the difference between arguing and beating to death? She nibbled her lips, uncertain. But she had to raise his anxiety on this, somehow….
- « You know, Bunny, Peter and Rosie's situation is extremely different from the one we know personally… »
He looked at her suddenly, then looked down again. None of them were comfortable with this subject, but she knew she had to go through with this.
- « Peter and Rosie… » she started, pensively, « I think they are afraid. »
- « Afraid, AG? Of what? »
- « Of what might come… » she answered, her thoughts leading her somewhere where her memories were not yet dark and scary, some time when she was naive and full of hope. She smiled, sadly, upon thinking on how it felt to be in love. Such a wonderful feeling…
- « Anna-Grace? » he said, bringing her back to earth.
She chuckled, uneasy, then smiled more easily at him. It might have gone terribly wrong, but those feelings weren't. It was only natural and fair. He's the one who destroyed everything…She took a breath, trying to explain to a child why being in love could be so wonderful and so terrifying at the same time:
- « Panda-Bear, being in love is a wonderful thing. You are more happy than you ever were, and feel like anything is possible. »
He nodded, following her words with attention. So, she continued:
- « But it is also terrifying, Baby Monkey. »
She waited for him to intervene, which he did:
- « Why? »
- « Because as much as being in love is wonderful, can you imagine, Darling, what it is like to love somebody who does not love you back? » she said softly. She knew he knew what it felt like, and when she saw him look pensively at the ground, she knew she hadn't made a bad job at explaining Peter's and Rosie's situation. Yep, we both know what it feels like to love someone who doesn't love us back…
- « It must be really really painful… » he said carefully.
She put down the grocery bags, kneeled down in front of him, and took both of his hands in hers. Looking him in the eye, she said with a soft voice:
- « You know it is… »
He didn't averted his eyes, only nodded slowly. Then she put his hair behind his ear, saying:
- « Then you understand, Sunshine, why Rosie and Peter are careful with each other. They might love each other, but they do not know what the other feel, and they don't want to end up with a broken heart. »
- « A broken heart?! » he said, alarmed.
She chuckled, understanding what image appeared in his head. She explained:
- « It's just a metaphor, Dearie, an expression. You heart doesn't break, it's only that it feels like it. »
He nodded, seriously. His eyes looking behind her, he mouthed the terms 'broken heart' pensively. Then he looked at her again, and said, with a tone filled with curiosity instead of dread:
- « But, AG, why do they fight? »
Good, she thought, seems like we're on the right path.
- « They know each other for a long time, and from what I've seen of their personalities, Bambino, they seem like the kind of people who would not get along with the other very well, at least at first. »
He nodded several times, taking in what she was explaining to him.
- « What happened then, AG? » he asked her.
She smiled, got up, and started walking again, before saying:
« We can only guess, Precious, but I think Rosie was at first annoyed at his grumpiness, and let him know, even though she was a client. And I think Peter, even if he would never admit it, I think he liked how she wasn't afraid of him. They might've started arguing for the sole pleasure of debates, and trying to find arguments quickly, and witty comebacks. The intellectual interest might've transformed into a game between them. The game became a ritual, and they got to know each other through this. Maybe then they started appreciate each other, and maybe then they fell in love. Maybe it went on for a long time, but her living in Wyoming, they never really acted on it, hoping their inclination would fade away. Except that it didn't, and they find themselves still as in love as before, and still arguing because it's how they met and fell in love, and if you can't be with the person you love, the best is to pretend nothing never changed, and to enjoy the times you have with your soulmate. »
While she told the story, they arrived at the pension's front door. All along, Bruce listened with care and when she finished, he looked at her, with an expression akin to wonder. She didn't know why, but she felt herself blush deeply, and cleared her throat before saying quickly:
- « I mean, that is how I would imagine it, but it's just a story. »
Just as she was pushing the door, as if she could escape her embarrassment by crossing the door, she heard him say softly:
- « I love this story, Anna-Grace. It's a really nice one. »
She looked at him, and he was smiling timidly, but looking happy. She laughed and said:
- « I only hope it is true, Honey, but yes, you are right, it is a really nice story. »
He laughed and just as they entered the lobby, they heard Peter say:
- « Which story? »
They jumped, and she laughed. What a timing she thought, when she saw Peter standing behind the counter, with Rosie leaning on it, papers between them.
- « Pride and Prejudice » she said, casually.
Bruce laughed which surprised her. Did he understand the reference? If so, where did he heard about the story? But she quickly overcome her surprise, deciding to look into this later.
- « Yes, Pride and Prejudice. I just finished telling him the story. » she said, smiling at Peter and Rosie, before she tried an escape:
- « Well, I'd love to chat with you, my friends, but I'm laden with victuals, and we still have chores to do today. » she said, pointing at the groceries bags she was carrying.
Said friends laughed, parted friendly and Bruce and Anna-Grace went to their home. While they were putting away the food, not a word was uttered, as they were both lost in their thoughts. Anna-Grace was just putting the last banana away, when Bruce asked her what they had to do next. She stared at him, puzzled, for a couple of seconds, when she remembered what she said to Rosie and Peter. Actually, I do have once last thing to do today.
- « We have to go to a clothes store. Unfortunately, we have to take the car but it will be short. »
Bruce was surprised at this, but followed her when she took the keys. As she said, their trip to the store was short, as she took almost all of the packs. She was putting the bags in the back, next to Bruce, when she remembered the « Pride and Prejudice » incident, if you could call it that way, and without thinking, asked him who told him that story. Bruce did not answer her, so she turned her gaze to where he was seated and saw he looked like a dear caught in the headlights. What did I say?
- « What's wrong, Sweetie? » she said with a soft voice, trying to relay calm and serenity.
He must've received it because he answered, almost whispering:
- « Mommy told me the story, one night when Dad wasn't there. »
Something tucked at her heartstrings. He was adorable, and it wasn't fair. Why do people like him go through hardships like that? She knew she wouldn't find the answer today, but at least she could help the one in front of her. Like it wasn't a big deal, she said:
- « Well, she must be an amazing mommy because it's a great story she told you. »
She was smiling at him, but when he looked back at her, hands hidden in his sleeves, and a look on his face she hated, her smile fell. Failed, like major failure Anna-Grace… So, she put the bags on the floor and went to seat near him, and took him in her arms. It was the right thing to do, because he hugged her tightly, and told her:
- « Yes, she was. »
- « I'm sorry, Honey. »
She wanted to ask him what happened, but how are you supposed to address such a subject? So she only hugged him tighter, and when he seemed to relax in her embrace, she said to his ear:
- « Do you want me to tell you the story tonight, Teddy Bear, before you go to bed? »
He only nodded, but at least he was communicated. So, she kissed him on the head, and put him back on his seat. Forcing herself to sound jovial, she said:
«- Well, lets go home then! »
He tried to smile, and even if he kind of fail, she was glad to see him in a lesser sour mood.
Then they went back home, and after putting him in the bath, so he could play with his ducks, she put pizzas in the oven, and went back to the bathroom to play with him with the plastic animals. They played until dinner was ready, then eat while talking about how clouds were formed and why it would give rain or snow. Then, she took him in her arms, and brought him to her reading place in her bedroom, and with him seating on her laps, and her seating in the rocking chair, he fell asleep on the sounds of Lizzie and Darcy's wonderful story.
