Thank you guys for your reviews, favorites, and follows. This chapter is the last calm before the storm. Hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think. If I have done something great, or if there is something lacking in the story, please send me a message or review and let me know! I always wonder who your favorite character is and why, if the plot seems believable and accurate, what is your favorite scene, and what you would like to see, or anything else. If there is anything lacking, please tell me as the next few chapter will close out the story. Thank you so much!
Chapter 7 "And Absolon hym fil no bet ne wers"
Edward
Edward had suffered many sleepless nights since the he saw his parents for the last time. When they returned, he spent time resting a sofa with Emily Beth instead of attending the show as a guest. Finally, he and Emily went to their own tents for the night because that was the proper thing to do. He assured Emily that he would be fine, but she found him lying on the ground in the middle of the night in his tent that same night. This was the closest Edward had come to his breaking point since he first joined the Freak Show. He couldn't bear the harsh words of the Demon. Not now.
His father never wrote to confirm the death of his mother, but his Demon half-face was more than happy to inform him that she had passed away. And that his father spent many "well-deserved nights grieving."
He and Emily finally announced the date of their wedding. It was to be in three days. They decided to have a simple wedding, as neither Edward nor Emily Beth expected many guests besides their companions from the Freak Show. And, truth be told, they would rather have it that way.
Everyone was ecstatic. Emily Beth was stressed. And there was no denying that Edward wasn't the most pleasant person to be around at this point. The whisperings of the half-face made his thoughts dark. And the sleepless nights made his manners ill. He and Emily Beth had many small disagreements. And he had gotten into a heated argument with the manager when he returned home for not telling him who the buyer was. The only thing that kept him sane was Emily, and their friends.
Edward sat in silence with Lewis in the Big Tent, ignoring the fiend as he struggled to finish his poem for the night's show. He mostly read nowadays. He didn't feel like playing lately, so he simply read. As long as the audience saw what they came for, it didn't matter to them.
He spent a lot of time with Lewis and Otto. They were merry men, but also knew how to be comfortable in silence. A trait most men needed to be around Edward for now.
Emily Beth entered the tent with Minnie. They were dressed in simple garments for working or cooking. Emily's hair was in a neat side braid. She looked so lovely standing there as Minnie went to Lewis to give him a kiss. Emily Beth held a very intricately decorated envelop in her hands with a bright smile.
"Edward, I have something for you," she said cheerfully.
He looked up from his work with a frown because it wasn't coming together, and then went back to it. "I thought we weren't inviting guests, my lovely," he answered in a monotone voice.
Emily Beth seemed a bit taken aback by his response. "Well, the wedding is in three days. I was thinking that if we mailed this today, it would get to your father just in time. I was going to write myself, but I thought it would be better coming from you. I got the best stationary I could find."
Edward glared at her. He set his quill aside and turned to face her. "My father does not wish to come to the wedding, or for me to attend my mother's funeral. That's why he called us there in the manner that he did, Emily, don't you understand?"
Emily Beth said nothing in response. Edward sighed and took his papers in his hands, ready to give in.
"Are we also extending an invitation to your dear father, love?"
There was a slight rustling noise as Lewis and Minnie shifted uncomfortably. Edward regretted the words as soon as they escaped his mouth. He couldn't quite read Emily Beth's expression.
Emily Beth crossed the room swiftly, finally revealing the anger in her eyes when she was directly in front of him. Edward sat in his seat, staring into her eyes. Emily Beth let the invitation slid from her right hand and into the waste basket beside him.
Edward reached for her arm, but she struck his hand away. Hard enough for the impact to echo through the tent. Edward sighed abruptly and averted his eyes to the ground because he didn't know what to say to take back his harsh words. Emily turned and left the tent without another word.
He, Minnie, and Lewis were silent for a moment. Minnie sighed and went after Emily. Lewis turned to face him once she was gone.
"My God, Edward! Your wedding is about to be called off."
Edward took the envelop from the waste basket. It was ruined from the juices of eaten fruit and the greasiness of leftover meat. He threw it away once more and glanced at Lewis.
"I do not wish it." He buried his face in his hands. "Lewis, I have not been able to rest. I need to, for Emily."
Lewis stood and folded his hands in a sincere way. "I know. And that is why…" He clapped his hands together, instantly giving Edward a headache. "We have all agreed that we will sleep in the Big Tent tonight. All of us. Until your wedding day, if we have to. You are going to rest, my good man, we will sing lullabies to keep those dreadful…sleep terrors away, if need be. But you will rest."
Amir and Otto entered the tent then. Edward glanced at Lewis. "That's absurd-"
"I will not take no for an answer. Every wedding festivity must be perfect for you and Emily Beth."
He could see that Edward wasn't convinced. He sat down and rested an elbow on the table. "Let me tell you about my wedding night."
Amir cleared his throat then as Otto stared up at the ceiling of the tent. Edward shifted uncomfortably in his seat and was ready to make any excuse to stand when Lewis caught his arm.
"No! Really, it was nothing! That's exactly the point."
He sat back and spread his hands when he saw that all the men were missing the point. "Nothing. Minnie and I…we meant to have the time of our lives, we did. But I didn't get enough rest. Neither did Minnie… We were so tired at the end of the day, we went straight to bed."
All the men laughed because they didn't believe it. Lewis retained a straight face. "It's true. And that is why you are sleeping in the Big Tent. No exceptions."
Edward surrendered with a smile that felt heavy on his cheeks. Lewis started to say something else, but the manager pulled back the flap of the tent. "Good morning, gents."
All but Edward said good morning. He and the manager managed to reconcile after their disagreement once more. But Edward seldom responded to greetings nowadays. The manager approached Edward.
"There is something I've been meaning to ask you. I sent Bertha to find Emily…"
Emily Beth entered the tent then with Bertha, Marina, and Minnie. She stood in the entrance while everyone else dispersed inside. "You wished to see me, sir?"
"Yes," he replied, rubbing his chubby hands together. "I wanted to ask you and Edward if you would like to marry during the show."
Edward's eyes widened in anger and disbelief as silence spread through the room. Everyone was speechless at what the manager was suggesting, and waited to see if they thought right. Emily Beth reacted before he did. She simply burst into tears.
"You want to make our wedding a Freak Show?" she wailed.
In all the time he'd known her, Emily had never burst into tears like this. And it took a lot for her to cry before others. The manager was struck speechless by her reaction. One look at him confirmed to Edward that he hadn't thought of it that way.
Amir immediately went to Emily and took her in his large arms. Emily was nearly lost in his embrace, but cried even more.
"How can you sir?" he said to the manager. "Weddings are sacred days. Not some show for a crowd's amusement!"
The manager shook his head at Edward. "I never meant-"
"I know," Edward interrupted. He stood and faced the manager at full height. "But the answer is no. I want the wedding to be a proper ceremony. Emily Beth deserves that much and no one will take that away. Perhaps, in the future, Emily and I can come up with an act to express our love. But not on our wedding day. Do you understand?"
He went to Emily Beth then without waiting for a response. Amir stood back so he could take Emily in his arms. She resisted him at first, but finally buried her head in her chest and wept as he gently kissed her forehead. He put an arm around her shoulders. "All is well, my love. Come."
Emily Beth allowed him to escort her away for a bit. Edward wrapped his cloak around Emily Beth's shoulders and asked her to wait outside the stables. She sniffed and pulled the cloak tighter around herself to confirm she would wait.
Edward went away to look for Lady in the fields. During their first few months together, Emily Beth taught him how to ride a bit. On Lady. It took time, but Lady at least seemed to like him enough now not to throw him off or kick him. In fact, he was the only man she would let near her without a carnie hand struggling with her. At first, she would rear up at him, especially if the fiend happened to speak. But now, they were at least acquaintances. He found her grazing in the fields near the stables.
"Lady!" he called.
The mare looked up from the field to stare at him. But instead of coming to him, she proceeded to turn and walk away.
Edward frowned. Horrid horse.
Emily Beth hated it when he did this, but he retrieved a scoop of oats and shook it to get her attention. Her ears perked up as she turned her head to look at him. He held it up for her to see. "Come!"
Lady snorted, kicked any other animal that dared to come between her and those oats, and charged into the stables like mad as Edward poured the scoop on the ground. He closed the stable door behind her and caught her without much trouble while she ate. Moments later, he brought her to Emily.
Emily Beth grinned when she saw them coming. She seemed to have overcome the shock their manager's words had caused her. "That was quick for you and her, Edward. Have you two been visiting?" she teased.
Edward flinched when Lady tossed her head to the side, then pushed her nose until she was looking straight ahead again. He patted her forehead. "She is the only one I know who is as sour as I, nowadays."
Emily Beth laughed a little and patted Lady's cheek. "True."
Edward started to put his foot in the stirrup, as Emily Beth had showed him. But Lady snorted and began walking in circles. Edward was forced to hop on one foot while trying to get the other out of the stirrup.
"L-Lady...!"
Emily Beth laughed and rescued him by taking Lady's halter in one hand and pulling her head down. Edward was able to successfully climb onto the saddle. He was just about to extend a hand to Emily when Lady began to paw. She only pawed the ground three times before Emily Beth jerked her head down once more.
"No, Lady."
Once Lady was finally still, Edward pulled Emily up behind him. She sat side saddle and held on to his waist. He pulled Lady's reins in the direction of the town. He and Emily were silent for a while, then she rested her head between his shoulders and hugged him from behind. Edward turned his head slightly to look in her eyes.
"I am so very sorry, my love," he said in the softest tone possible for his current state. "I…"
"Shh… I know you are beyond exhausted, Edward. I'm sorry, too."
Edward sighed and kissed one of her hands before urging Lady forward. Emily Beth peeked around him at the road ahead. "Can you at least tell me where we are going?"
"We have a few errands to attend to. I thought this would be the best time. Has Lewis mentioned his intentions for the next few nights to you?"
"Yes, earlier this morning. He is worried about you, dear. We all are."
He said nothing in response because he couldn't blame them. He was finally comfortable enough to take one of Emily's hands as he held the reigns with the other. A whinny from a distance broke the silence between them. They thought it might be one of the other horses from the field, and proceeded to press on. Oddly enough, Lady stopped and whinnied in response.
"Quiet Lady," Emily Beth chided gently.
"Emiiiiiilyyyyy! Eeeedwaaarrd!" someone called from behind.
Edward allowed Lady to turn slightly to get a full view behind them. There, riding at full speed on their faithful Arabian horse, were Lewis and Minnie. Edward and Emily burst into a fit of laughter when they saw how difficult a time Minnie had holding on to Lewis at such a speed. He and Emily saved each other from tumbling off of Lady a few times. Were a traveler coming their way, all four of them would have been a sight to see.
"We want to come with yoooouuu!" Lewis called as they closed the distance between them. Edward and Emily Beth recovered as they waited. Minnie finally caught her breath when Lewis stopped his horse beside Lady.
"I want to go back home!" she gasped. "I can take my own horse."
Lewis patted her knee. "You are alright, my darling."
"What brings you to town?" Edward asked, still smiling.
"We have errands to attend to. Thought we might keep the two of you company," Lewis replied.
Edward and Lewis urged their horses on. "Such a brisk speed the two of you traveled to catch us," Edward said.
Emily cleared her throat delicately. "What Edward is trying to say is… He would have fallen off."
"On your impertinent animal, I would," he retorted.
"Lady is not impertinent! She's just…cautious," Emily argued.
In response, Lewis went ahead of them and blocked Lady's way with his horse, giving Emily a stern look as a cue for her to tell the truth anytime she desired.
"Fine," she admitted. "But I love her all the more."
Lewis moved aside so they could continue. "At least she isn't atrocious anymore, now that she allows Edward to ride her. Master Mordrake, you are becoming quite the horseman."
He smirked and worked Lady up into a trot. "Hardly, my friend."
Lady and Lewis' Arabian kept pace most of the way to town. Minnie and Emily would playfully kick at one another whenever the horses were too close together. They laughed most of the way. Edward tried to even though he was still too exhausted to truly laugh. The only dilemma on the trail was an incident when Lady wanted to eat, while Edward wanted to press on.
Emily scolded Edward when he let Lady pull a leaf from a nearby tree. She took the reins from behind, slapped Lady's neck, and gave her a swift kick in the sides for nearly throwing them by stopping so abruptly. "Forward, Lady!"
Then she turned on him. "Edward! She doesn't get to stop when she sees fit. Only when you do."
Edward frowned. "Did you have to kick her? Now she thinks I've done it."
Emily Beth laughed. "She knows exactly who it was. She also knows that you will let her get away with murder."
"I do not let her get by with murder," Edward said defensively.
Emily kept her tone in an attempt to lighten his mood. She gently straightened his cape. "Oh, Edward."
She held on to his waist as they approached town. Lewis and Minnie also took on a more formal, serious appearance as they rode through the grey bricked streets lined with stone sidewalks and crowds of people. Some were used to them, but most turned to stare. It was quite rude, Edward thought, but what could they do except carry on about their daily business?
Edward signaled Lady to stop outside the small little A-frame post office where he knew Emily Beth must have gotten the stationary before. Emily stared in silence as he dismounted. Lewis was also doing the same. Except, with his third leg, it proved a more difficult task for him. Edward knew Lewis insisted on doing all things himself, so he let him. He noticed a little red-headed boy and his friend laughing from a distance. The two boys stopped abruptly when Emily snapped her head around and gave them a look one wouldn't expect could befall those innocent grey eyes.
Edward couldn't help but smile, as he was reminded of one of the many things he loved about her. He took her by the waist, sat her on the saddle, and offered her Lady's reins. "We will return presently, my love."
Emily took them and waited with Minnie while he and Lewis went inside. Edward sighed once they were inside and began to browse through the various kinds of stationary, looking for the same one Emily chose before.
Lewis helped him. "I take it you are inviting him, then?"
"I suppose. I am not sure I wish to."
Lewis ran his hands along a display, which happened to be just what Edward was looking for. "You never know unless you try, I say."
When Edward gave him a confused look, he lightly leaned on the counter. "You never know. He may have started a thousand letters, your father. But how does a man who is not sentimental put such a tragic loss into words? Then again, that visit might have been his twisted goodbye. It didn't sound like it to me, but I would want to know one way or the other. He just…doesn't seem to compare to Emily's father, leaving her scared at our doorstep."
Edward took a blank page and an envelope. "No, he does not compare. What brings you with us, Lewis? 'Tis a cold day for a pleasure ride."
Lewis grimaced slightly. "Minnie and I, we wanted to be with you and Emily Beth. I cannot believe our sorry excuse for a manager wanted to make a Freak Show of your wedding. Unsettling, how he can think in such a way, yet he is a freak himself. I am sorry."
Edward sighed, calling to memory how Emily Beth's face had crumpled the minute she understood what he was saying. "Thank you."
"But there is one more thing," Lewis said. "I am afraid Minnie is coming down with an illness. My stubborn wife! She insists she is well and will not see Dr. Edison. I dropped by the other day when I was here, and he recommends medicine. I brought the money for it today, but I thought it would be…easier with you and Emily."
Edward grimaced. He hoped Minnie wasn't ill. "We will be sure to attend to this the moment we are done here."
"Can I help you, gentlemen?" asked the owner.
Edward turned and set the items on the counter. He recognized this man. He'd seen him in the audience at the show with his wife and two small children once. It was on a night when he danced with Emily himself. The children adored the dance, but were startled when Edward was forced to take his bow. The man's smile, however, was genuine enough. Edward noticed the man's children peering at him from behind the counter with wide eyes.
The man took a look at the items and recorded it in his ledger. "If I am not mistaken, the young lady with you made the same purchase this morning."
Edward glanced over his shoulder out the window. Emily Beth sat on Lady's saddle with her back to them, talking with Minnie.
"Yes," he replied quietly. "We lost the stationary this morning, and…returned to purchase another."
"Is she the dancer at the Freak Show?" said a tiny voice from behind the counter. Edward lifted his head, and found one of the little girls trying to see him over the counter.
Her father scolded her for her straightforward question. "Madeline!"
"Yes," Edward interjected. "Would you like to meet her?"
"Yes sir!" the little girl squealed, brimming with excitement.
Lewis smiled. "I'll wait with Minnie."
"She doesn't have to go to that trouble sir," the owner offered.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind at all." Edward went outside to fetch Emily. Minnie held Lady while Lewis stood by his Arabian. Emily willingly allowed him to escort her inside.
"Minnie has a dreadful cough Edward," she fretted as they went inside.
"So Lewis says. We are going to retrieve her medicines when we depart from here, dearest."
Emily Beth took to the children immediately, as she always did. Edward returned to the counter to pay for their purchase. The young father smiled. "You've made their day. Do you need to write this here?"
Edward brightened a little. That would save him another trip. "If I may, sir. Thank you."
The owner offered him a quill and ink, which he took and quickly set to work, assuring his father he was welcome to attend, if he had that wish. And that he sent his regards, should his father choose not to. He wrote his family's address on the envelope and waited for the ink to dry. As soon as he felt it was dry enough, he sealed the envelope and handed it to the post office owner.
"I am also willing to pay whatever it may cost for this letter to reach this address within three days' time. It isn't far."
The young father turned the envelope over before he committed to a promise. His eyes widened in disbelief when he recognized the last name.
"Mordrake? Am I reading this corretly, sir?"
Edward made direct eye contact. He hoped the post office owner would not spread it about. "You are."
The young father lowered his eyes. "I suppose your show title makes sense now. I can have it there by morning, sir. And no charge. I am sorry you lost your first purchase."
Edward felt his stance soften at the man's sincerity. "Thank you, sir."
He turned and smiled at Emily. "Are you ready, dearest? We return in time for the show."
Emily Beth stood and took his arm. "I am."
"Are you getting married one day?" the young girl sighed.
"Madeline!" her father warned once more from the counter.
Both Edward and Emily struggled to stifle their laughter. Edward put his arm around Emily's shoulder with a smile. "We are," he answered. "In three day's time."
Edward smiled back at the little girl when her face brightened and opened the door for Emily. He kept an arm around her as the cold wind pierced their skin. Edward had to hold on to his top hat, but Emily's hood was easily blown off her head.
"Remind me again why you don't like children Edward," Emily teased.
Edward smirked and helped her onto Lady's saddle without answering. They were all silent as he and Lewis steered the horses to Dr. Edison's clinic, unbeknownst to Minnie until they arrived. Edward and Emily Beth avoided eye contact as he and Lewis dismounted to tie the horses to the posts outside.
"Lewis, I thought you didn't need your medicine until next week," Minnie stated, confused.
Lewis, with his condition, would constantly be in pain if it weren't for the medicines he took, which were very expensive at times.
Lewis tied the Arabian. "I don't," he said firmly. "We are buying medicine for you. You need it. Don't argue, love, just come down."
Minnie wouldn't budge. "No! Lewis, I can make tea for this cold. We can't afford your medicine and mine."
"Don't worry about me. Please come down, Minnie. I'm afraid it's getting worse than before. You've had that cough for weeks." Lewis offered her his hand. "If you won't go in, I'll just purchase what he predicted we needed and hope he is correct."
Emily got down, went around to Minnie's side, and offered her hand. "I would rather you be safe than sorry, Minn. We'll make sure Lewis gets by. Please."
Minnie sighed and took Emily's hand. "You are all worry warts."
Edward laughed. The little dwarf, like most dwarves, could be a feisty one at times. But they all loved her for it. Edward rested in a chair with Emily and Lewis while Minnie talked with Dr. Edison. He actually seemed relieved they got her to come.
It turned out she was sick, but he thought they had a chance of stopping it before it progressed. Edward stepped up to the counter just as Lewis was about to purchase the medicine for his wife.
"We would also like to go ahead and purchase everything you have for them both."
Lewis gave him an astonished look when Dr. Edison went to retrieve the medicine for Lewis. "Edward, I can't let you do this. That costs an arm and a leg. Minnie and I will get it later."
Edward held up a hand. "Allow me to give you the difference, so your wife will not worry. You and Minnie have done more for Emily and myself than you know."
Lewis smiled up at him, then nodded slowly. "Thank you."
By the time they left Dr. Edison's office, they only had a few hours before they were supposed to get ready for the show. Emily Beth and Minnie covered their heads with the hoods of their cloaks to guard against the freezing wind.
"I think it's…time to go home," Emily stated.
Just as she said it, Lady veered off on her own and came to a halt by the little bakery just outside of town, waiting patiently for Edward to dismount, which he did.
"She knows," was his only explanation.
Emily's jaw dropped in disbelief as Lewis dismounted as well. "Edward, you've spoiled her!"
Five minutes later, Edward and Lewis returned with a few small packages and boxes, which Lady sniffed at.
"You two are like two small children," Minnie scolded.
Edward gave Emily the box of pastries Lewis insisted on purchasing for them since they missed lunch. Emily Beth snatched it away and folded her arms as Edward opened the box with the hot oatmeal treat he usually promised Lady and allowed the horse to help herself.
Minnie took the box Lewis got for her and watched and he fed his Arabian the apple tart. "Thank you, dear. I'm so flattered you thought of us this time while you were thinking of what to get the horses."
They rode in silence the rest of the way, mostly due to the ice cold wind blowing in their faces. Emily Beth and Minnie drew their cloaks tightly around themselves. Emily clung to Edward's waist once they were on the trail and buried her face in his shoulders. He could feel her shiver as he worked Lady up to a canter.
A half hour later, they were all back in their tents. The others were already getting ready for the show. Edward sat by the piano in the big tent, staring at the keys. Then he glanced up at his scattered, unfinished poem. He knew Emily entered the tent when the demon suddenly stopped teasing him about being "the joke of tonight's show" midsentence.
She put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Aren't you getting ready for the show?" she asked quietly.
Edward grimaced at the disorganized poem. "Nothing came together."
Emily Beth sighed. "I am sorry, Edward. You didn't have to go all the way into town to send the letter. I just thought-"
Edward took her hand and kissed it. "I am so very glad you did. And no, I am sorry. My behavior of late is inexcusable."
Emily Beth sat on the piano seat beside him and ran her fingers lightly over the keys. "I miss hearing you play."
Edward smiled and found the keys that matched the first melody that came to mind. Mozart's upbeat melody put a smile on both their faces as he glanced into Emily's eyes and continued to play. Later that night, he played the same melody during the show that night.
Amir was to perform after him. As he took his exit, the Indian man patted his shoulders to congratulate him as the audience applauded. "I love your poems, good sir. But it is good to hear you play again."
…
"This is appalling," Edward grumbled to Emily Beth a few hours later, when the grounds had been cleared for the night. "This is child's play. I'm taking my sheets back to bed."
Emily brushed a stray wisp of hair from his forehead with a calm smile. "You're just irritable, Edward."
He leaned forward, resting his eyes in his hands. Everyone was in their night garments by now, which would have been considered indecent a few days ago. But no one seemed to mind, as they scattered their sheets all about the tent. Edward took some convincing, but was eventually coaxed back into the Big Tent. He glanced up when he felt Emily's hand on his forehead.
"Here. Tilt your head," she said. In her other hands, she held the medicine she occasionally used for her eyes.
He shook his head. "No, save it. You need it much more than I."
"Edward, I use this often. I assure you it will make you feel so much better. I can't tell the whites of your eyes from the skin of your face. Please."
Edward sighed and gave in, flinching as Emily quickly squirted a droplet of medicine into each eye. He took the hankerchief he always kept with him and held it across his eyes. When he opened them again, they weren't burning. Emily Beth set the small bottle aside. "Is it better, Edward?"
Edward nodded and leaned his forehead into his hand. "Yes."
Bertha, who happened to be passing by, stopped to gape at the sound of his tone. "My goodness."
Emily nodded slowly, acknowledging his cross manner. Lewis entered the tent with Minnie, who did not seem to be feeling as well as she did earlier. Minnie daintily crawled under the sheets she and Lewis had spread out for themselves earlier. Lewis clapped his hands together.
"So, what shall we all do on this fine eve together?"
Edward decided he favored Minnie's idea and proceeded to peel back the covers to his own pallet.
"I want to hear the rest of the Canterbury Tales," Otto said, eying Edward with a smirk.
Edward looked up at him. "We left off with the Miller's Tale. Lewis can read Middle English."
"I can't make anything of it when Lewis reads it," Emily Beth pointed out. "His accent is harder to interpret than yours. And you read so beautifully!"
"Please, Edward. Just one tale!" Bertha handed him the book, which Edward reluctantly took. He sat by Emily as he found his place. She shifted her weight so she was leaning slightly into him as he began to read.
Lewis sat beside Minnie atop their sheets. "This is my favorite!"
"Because it is naughty?" Minnie murmured.
"It isn't that naughty…"
Edward found the start of the tale.
"Whilom ther was dwellynge at Oxenford
A riche gnof that gestes heeld to bord…"
He found himself grateful that the tale was a brief passage, as he nearly closed his eyes once or twice. He kept reading because the Miller's Tale was quite humorous, and laughed a few times himself as his family laughed around him. Oftentimes, it took several of them a while to catch on to what was so funny, as most were unfamiliar with Middle English. But what most amused Edward was how much harder they laughed once they realized what was happening.
There was one part Edward meant to skip or just not elaborate on, as it was most inappropriate. But by the time he reached the passage, he was too tired to realize he'd already read it.
"And at the wyndow out she pitte hir hole.
And Absolon hym fil no bet ne wers,
But with his mouth he kiste hir naked ers…"
Lewis burst into laughter so hard he rolled over onto a dozing Minnie. Emily, who could nearly understand Middle English as it was read, swatted his shoulder with a gaping mouth.
"Edward!"
"I didn't think he would read it!" Lewis howled.
Edward rubbed his eyes. "I never intended to…"
Otto began to laugh. "Was that really in the passage?!"
"Yes, it's in the passage!" Edward replied.
"What happened?" Bertha asked.
Edward blushed, too embarrassed to elaborate on such a passage. Lewis, therefore, took it upon himself to translate.
"And out the window she put out her buttocks.
And Absolon fell no better or worse,
But with his mouth he kissed…her naked ass."
Minnie sat bolt upright as everyone rolled with laughter. "Lewis!"
"What?" he asked innocently.
Edward had a good laugh, as well. Lewis' delicate manner of stating such an inappropriate verse was truly bold. When he sensed no one was going to get past it until he moved on, Edward read the last few lines. Once the tale ended, Edward turned the book over to Lewis, who was willing to stay up later, and went off to bed.
He pulled Emily to the side and leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Dearest, promise me you will not leave this tent without waking me. I don't want to frighten or harm anyone…"
Emily gently cupped his face in his dainty hands to reassure him. "I promise. I will be nearby. Please rest."
Edward kissed her forehead gently and crawled beneath the sheets, instantly falling dozing into a much needed slumber.
…
Edward…
"Edward…"
"Edward, wake up, love. It's late afternoon."
Edward flinched as he slowly opened his eyes, realizing that it was daytime instead of the middle of the night. Extraordinary! He'd slept an entire night without nearly going insane. An entire night of silence. And he felt fantastic. Much better than he had in weeks, and possibly better than he had in his entire life.
He smiled and took Emily Beth hand in his as his vision cleared.
"How did you rest?" she asked.
"Ah! That was my Heaven." She chuckled as he kissed her hand.
"Two more days," she said nervously.
He nodded and squeezed her hand. "It couldn't come soon enough."
