Arthur was looking lovingly into Molly's eyes as she laid comfortably and stared up into his. She reached her hand up slightly as the I.V tape pulled at her skin and Arthur met her efforts as his hand collided with hers and held it gently in his, so as not to hurt the small needle hole, the actual needle, or the skin-pulling tape. He kissed her palm before resting their hands together on the side of the bed, and she willed herself to keep her eyes open, staring at him groggily. He smiled sadly as he watched her, struggling to find more words than the recent joke she'd shared, but nothing came. She smiled slightly as tears began cascading down her face and he immediately came to sit beside her and lay a hand on her thigh as he held her hand. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and continued staring into his blue ones. She blinked several times before he took in a slow breath and asked her quietly: "How do you feel, love?"
"Fine." she replied softly, moving her eyes to look lovingly at his rough and worn, yet loving hand that held hers in a gentle embrace. He nodded, wondering what else to ask, or wondering even if all he should do was shutup and offer her support, whilst hoping she drift off to sleep while she was still tired....So, he sat there for a bit longer, mouth shut, until finally she let out a soft sob. She was staring at the covers, not daring stare at Arthur, and his heart immediately shattered as he leaned in closer and held her tight, trying to get her to look into his eyes.
"Molly, what's wrong?....What's wrong, love?" She contniued crying, her sobs racking her body as she tried to stop from shaking, and soon she looked at him, taking in a deep, shuddering breath, and then venturning to ask him the question she'd wanted to the second she had found out she needed the surgery...Her voice was nasally and wavering, yet she tried to keep strong even though she knew she could't hold up a facade with her husband.
"Do....d-d-do you still love me?" She asked barely inaudbile, and Arthur furrowed his eyebrows...Surely he had missed something!?!
"Of course I do...Where would you get a question like that, love?" She looked at him, her tears subsiding yet her voice still cracking.
"Because, I can't have our children anymore....I can't nurture this one the way I want to...I'm going to turn into an old woman way sooner, and I probably won't even be able to give you the pleasure you want, whenever you need it." Sure, it seemed far fetched for a couple who had been married, let alone, truly loved each other for so long, but Molly was being completely honest...And at the moment, she was completely scared.
"Molly, we have enough children...We wouldn't have had anymore after this anyway...I'm content with our kids. As far as nurtutring her goes, you can use a bottle..it's okay...I promise....And just because you're going to change sooner, or so they say, doesn't mean you definately will and love, it doesn't mean I'll love you any less...And as for your last concern....I'll have to fix that for you." She couldn't help but laugh as she wiped at the tears that were again falling and he smiled as his built up also. He moved so he could hold her in a tight embrace and she wrapped his arms tight around him also.
"Molly, I would never leave you...I love you with all my heart, and if anything because you had to go through this, I want to be there for you even more....Do you understand?" She nodded and he smiled. Slowly, hesitantly, he leaned into her and their lips met. She gave into it eagerly and brushed her lips against his. As always, the deep tingling and need in the pit of her stomach arose, and even though she knew she had more obstacles to face....Like telling their children, for one...., she knew her love for Arthur wouldn't change....And that his for her would remain also.