Edith could do nothing but stare out the window of her living room, a text from Bertie let her know that his plane landed 45 minutes ago and that he'd be headed straight to hers. Marigold was at Rosamund's like it was planned, Edith had decided to tell Bertie that her magazine would be publishing a story on his company next week that could very well destroy the whole business and possibly throw him and his family into disgrace.

She didn't expect him to take it well, she was reading herself for an awful fight. Bertie was one of the most understanding men she's ever met but she couldn't see him accepting this with one of his good natured smiles and assuring her he could understand her position.

They've fought before, Edith forgot to do something she said she would or Bertie blew off a date to finish a report. Small little disagreements that people have when they spend a large amount of time with one another or when they become so comfortable that sometimes carelessness creeps in.

Edith knew that this was going to be much bigger, it had the potential to end them. She'd be disappointed and massively sad if he chose to leave but she would also find it hard to blame him. She had someone who she loved ripped away from her before and that was devastating, she loved him but if Bertie wanted to leave she would wish him the best and take comfort in that someone like him would probably find happiness elsewhere.

She just hoped that he wouldn't be too hurt by this, the last thing she wanted was for him to feel betrayed by her.

"Edie?! Where are you?"

Edith was so in her thoughts that she didn't hear the front door open and turned around to see Bertie coming through the doorway

"There she is..." Bertie happily said as Edith walked toward him with a smile and he wrapped her in a hug

Edith put her arms around his shoulders savoring what might be their last happy moments together and said

"I missed you very much, and I'm so glad you're back."

"Me too..." Bertie said before he gave Edith a kiss he had been saving up all week

Edith moved her arms to his waist and laid her head on his chest

"...Let's try to not be separated for that long again, ok?" Bertie asked as he ran his hands up and down Edith's back

Edith looked up at him and managed to say "Yes, of course. It did feel long didn't it?"

Maybe it was because Edith wasn't holding eye contact with him or the slight waver in her voice but something wasn't quite sitting right with Bertie.

"Are you alright Edith? Is anything wrong?"

"...No, not at all. I'm just glad to see you. Very glad to see you." Edith answered still trying to put off the inevitable as she buried her head in his chest.

The pair stood there for a moment more enjoying holding each other after a week apart until Bertie's phone rang and he was forced to take it from his pocket

"It's mother...she had me for a week, I'm yours for the next few hours at least." Bertie said as he ignored the call and the put the phone on a table

"Maybe she just wants to know you arrived safely."

"Doubt it, she was firing off texts and emails to the others in the jet as soon as we landed. Now what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Bertie moved to sit on the couch bringing Edith with him and lifting her legs to rest across his lap

"Yes, well... Bertie you know that I love you and how I, how much I care about you. I think you're wonderful, and you make me so happy-" Edith had trouble getting to it, Bertie was looking at her with such kindness and love that she knew she would hate herself for hurting him, thankfully Bertie's phone was loudly buzzing from the coffee table giving her a moment.

Bertie reached over to see a text from his mother

"Huh, it says 'emergency', sorry let me just get rid of her then we can go on." Bertie said with a smile as he gave Edith a kiss and went to stand near the windows as he called his mother.

"Hello mother, listen I just got in at Edith's and-...What?...No, you're joking, or he's joking."

Edith looked over to see Bertie's face crunched up in concern and worry, she saw him listening to what his mother was telling him as he began to grow pale.

"...And we're absolutely sure?...Do I need to? Right. Ok. Fine...Yes, I'll see you then. Goodbye."

Bertie slowly turned to Edith looking lost and confused, Edith got up from the couch and went over to him and softly asked "Bertie?"

"Peter's dead."