*** I cannot believe there has been such a long amount of time between chapters. I have recently had a few deaths in the family and have been keeping myself rather busy! But rejoice, Guy has returned!***
Drake smothered down another shot of pain in his back as he straightened up and tossed more cargo into a wagon. With this throw his eyes floated up to an exterior path along the castle to see his unamused father towering with a malevolent cloud obviously gobbling up his soul. The hard glare on his face was not a new sight, but lately he could not seem to wear anything else. Gisborne had not spoken to his son in days. No yelling, no punishment, no apologies, no questions. But he always lingered; his hovering unsettled his son but this was the closest to peace they could ever have again, he feared. Drake had tripled his chores and labor in an attempt to somehow make up for his mistake or at least migrate to Guy's good side. He was still wholly unaware that he had killed his half-brother. Sherriff Gisborne stood numbly at his perch until his depressed mind was distracted by a tapping on his thigh.
"Daddy, are you mad at Drake?" Maragret questioned with curiosity; she was the only person in Nottingham castle who was not treading carefully or approaching Guy with fragility and fear. He knelt down and pursed his lips.
"I'm not very happy about something he did," Guy slightly smiled, "But it does not mean I don't love you both with all of my heart."
"Mommy said you're mad. Are you mad at Mommy, too?"
"No, honey, no. I could never be angry with Mommy."
"Oh… okay. Well can you show me more bow hunting stuff?"
"A little later, alright Margaret?" Gisborne kissed his daughter's cheek as she showed her displeasure at the wait. He hoisted her up and held the girl on his hip, swiping aside raven hairs that had wrestled themselves out of the bars of her hair clip, and felt weighed down with overwhelming sadness. Guy's blue gaze went back to Drake, who also felt the downing cloud. Both of the men were thinking of how the boys would play in the fields of Locksley. All of the love and attention and skill building was now overpowered with guilt, hate, and scarring. A hot wave came over the father and he knew this situation was getting the best of him; he barely slept and certainly didn't eat. Guy took in a last glance at Drake before bringing his daughter in to sit down. He was so tired.
Eventually Margaret scampered off as Gisborne reclined in a study, shades drawn, eyes closed. He made every attempt possible to shut out the world, maybe hoping to recreate his own that could filter through into reality. His worn hands held his forehead and, for a brief moment, he begged the universe to let his life be like he had dreamed it would be. He realized that this was already true, for all that awaited him at night were nightmares. The Sherriff paid no mind to the door making its way open. Gentle hands rested on his knees before he gave the energy to look. Lacie was crouched on the floor before him and released a heavy breath.
"Guy, I wish you would eat something," She sweetly pleaded, only being answered by a furrowing brow and mild shaking of the head to mark no. His wife transferred to sitting on his lap and ran her palm along his strong jaw line, "I am so worried about you, sweetheart. You're not yourself. I hope you aren't getting ill… do you want me to get some rose pills for you? A doctor? "
"I don't want anything."
"Well you are going to get a kiss whether you want it or not." Lacie smiled before following through. Her mouth met his as she tasted his warm lips before they broke into a small grin. His hands wrapped around her before she placed her head on his broad shoulder.
"You're the best thing that has ever happened to me." Guy whispered in the tinted room, their personal globe sealing off this library and making it their secret hideout, his warm arms holding his wife close.
"Then tell me how to make you better now."
"Please, please do not ever let me go. No matter my mistakes and those of the children I have raised, please do not let go."
"I will make you a promise, Guy. I will never, never let you go. But you have to let go of some other things to leave room for me." She spoke directly into his ear. Gisborne swelled his chest with breath and squeezed her tightly; being his spouse Lacie was given anything she asked for. Especially with her being right, he could not fathom saying no.
"Sounds like a deal," his low voice soothed her, " we may have to kiss on it." The mother of his children lovingly obliged, even as he refused to let her lips leave his. Guy's hand wandered down each vertebrae her spine and, for the first time in several weeks, the couple enjoyed each other without any worry for the rest of the world outside of their bed.