I've been trying to get this chapter done and uploaded! But it's been so busy around here, getting our little brother settled back in school, falling asleep at inopportune times-when I'm supposed to be writing!-, and trying to figure out life since losing Mom. It's already been a month, and I feel like I'm not grieving in a healthy way, I can barely cry right now. Please keep the prayers coming. They help. I've missed you guys!
Don't worry, Guest. I do plan for Lissa and Robert to be starting a family. They will be having a baby at some point. But right now, Lissa is just happy being married. Hope you enjoy.
Gaston was sooo happy! He'd never known such happiness could exist. Being married to Sarah had been pure bliss-most of the time-, but having a child, born from their love and devotion? That was beautiful beyond anything he could compare. Gaston absolutely doted on his little son, his little Luke. He loved him with all his heart and prayed that he would be a worthy father to this child. And Luke's presence only made Gaston's love for Sarah burn even more!
Sarah stayed in bed as ordered by the doctor, and Agathe helped nurse her back to full health. Gaston did what he could to cheer up his little wife, and though he was frightfully new at being a daddy, he was eager to help however he could with caring for his baby boy.
The whole town was buzzing with this grand news. Visitors constantly poured in, wanting to see Gaston's child. But all the excitement wore Sarah out, and finally, the neighbors were requested to come only at certain times. Adam had it recorded that Luke Legume was the largest baby to be born in Villeneuve, in twenty-five years!
Sarah adored their new son, and loved on him heavily. As the days passed, and they began to recognize his features, Gaston couldn't get over how much Luke looked like Sarah. He had her blue eyes and light hair. But he had his father's nose, and his strength already. And Lissa was thrilled to have a nephew of her own, and enjoyed visiting as often as she could. But the excitement was short-lived one day when another trouble struck the town.
"Merci, Rob, for letting me ride into town with you." Lissa told her husband.
"No problem." Robert grinned. He kissed her cheek. "Enjoy your visit at Sarah's."
"I will!" Lissa nodded, and hopped down from their rig and rushed to her brother's house. She nearly collided into Gaston as he stepped out the front door.
"Whoa, now! Easy there, Sis." He chuckled down at her.
"Sorry, Gaston." Lissa laughed with embarrassment.
"That was quite a greeting you gave me." Gaston said coyly. "Anxious to see me, were you?"
"Mmm-actually, I came to see the other Legume man of the house." Lissa teased.
"Ohh." Gaston pouted. "He's moving in on my girls. They already want to spend more time with him than with me!" Lissa shook her head.
"Oh, now, now." She giggled. "Is Sarah sleeping?"
"No. So you're in luck. Go on. Go in and make a fuss over my dashing son, like all silly girls do." Gaston teased. Lissa threw her head back and laughed out loud as she brushed passed him.
"Oh, you're one to talk!" She retorted playfully.
Monsieur Joseph, the blacksmith was waiting on a customer passing through from Colmar. The man had appeared a bit flushed to Monsieur Joseph, but after all, it was summer too. "There you are, Sir." He said to the traveler. "Two fine new horseshoes. They should serve you and your steed much longer than those worn ones did."
"M-merci." The man panted, his face reddened. "How-how much do I owe you?" He fiddled inside his coin purse. He almost looked as if he was leaning up against the timber pillar of the tent for support.
"Are you ill, Monsieur?" Joseph asked. "You don't appear well. I think I should fetch the physician."
"No need..." The man winced.
"Please, sit." Joseph insisted. The visitor groaned and then collapsed to the ground, out cold. Joseph ordered one of his stable hands to get Dr. Tanner. Robert just happened to walking by when he heard the yell.
"Monsieur Joseph? Is everything all right?" Robert asked quickly.
"I do not know. This poor fellow just fainted right in front of me. But he looked rather ill." Joseph shrugged.
"Here, let me take a look." Robert offered, kneeling down beside the unconscious man. "He's alive. Oh my gosh! You were right that he's not well. He's burning up with fever." Robert checked the man's pulse and loosened the drawstrings on the front of his shirt. He froze in horror when he exposed the man's chest. "Oh my g-." He gulped.
"What's the matter, Doc?" Joseph asked with concern.
"Joseph, send your hired hands home immediately, and have one of them get Dr. Tanner right now!" Robert quickly ordered. Startled at the urgency in Robert's voice, Joseph did as he said. Dr. Tanner came right at that moment.
"Travis? What's going on?" The senior physician asked.
"Sir, look." Robert pointed out dismally. Dr. Tanner peered closely at the man's chest. It was terribly red, with multiple, ugly sores.
"Joseph! Find Captain Gaston and tell him to keep this street clear!" Dr. Tanner told the blacksmith.
"Sir, I'm afraid it's..."
"Smallpox." Dr. Tanner finished for him dejectedly. Gaston and Lefou were soon at the blacksmith's.
"Doc, what's the matter?" Gaston asked.
"Gaston? I don't want to create a panic, but do NOT let anyone cross through here!" Dr. Tanner told him. "I'm afraid we have a case of smallpox on our hands."
"Oh g-! Smallpox?" Lefou gasped.
"Are you sure?" Gaston asked, hoping and praying that they were wrong.
"Positive. I only wish I was wrong." Dr. Tanner replied solemnly.
"We have to move him somewhere away from everybody. Right away!" Robert spoke up.
"How about the jail? We hardly ever use it anyway, and I can shove any ne'er-do-wells in my cellar so they won't be exposed." Gaston suggested. "It's small, and perhaps it might contain the disease."
"All right." Dr. Tanner agreed. "But we'll use the cell that is farthest underground. Maybe we can cut this off before it spreads!"
Gaston ordered his deputies to move any prisoners-which there were only three of-, to his own root cellar. He didn't tell them exactly why, but only that is was safer for them and that they just do as they were told. Even though he was a better person, the deputies in his band knew better than to question Gaston when he gave a strict order. They followed command while Robert and Dr. Tanner carefully transported the unfortunate visitor down into the basement of their little town's puny jail. Gaston and Pere Robert saw to it that nobody came near the blacksmith's shop. Dr. Tanner did his best to calmly inform the villagers what they were up against. The people started to panic, but thanks to Robert's suggestion, Dr. Tanner assured them that if they agreed to inoculation, it could help protect them from becoming afflicted with it. The villagers were not happy to be used as guinea pigs, but they agreed since it would possibly save their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
"Someone needs to go to Colmar, and see if the poor unfortunate man has any family. They should know what's happened to him." Lefou said.
"Lefou's right." Tom agreed.
"Maybe then, we can deduce where he contracted the disease." Pere Robert said. They were standing outside the jail, speaking with the physicians, trying to decided what to do.
"I'll do it." Robert offered.
"You?" Lefou gaped.
"Yes. I'll go. Hey, I'm the one who usually does rounds in the circling towns anyway." Robert nodded.
"I'm going with you!" Gaston told his little brother-in-law. Robert knew a little bit of how to take care of himself, but Gaston felt obligated to look after him, especially after their previous rift.
"All right." Robert agreed. "Lefou? Could you please tell Lissa where I am going? I can't go near her right now."
"But, you can get inoc-ino..." Lefou protested.
"I already touched the man." Robert shook his head. "I'm already exposed, and I can't touch anyone or anything here that could spread it. And you law men should be inoculated right away."
"He's right." Dr. Tanner said. "And we're going to need all the spare soap and alcohol that you can offer us! If we're careful, maybe we can prevent an epidemic from spreading."
"Whatever you need, Doc, you've got it!" Lefou told him.
Lissa raced toward her husband as he was getting ready to mount his horse. She tried to get to him, but Gaston stopped her and held her back. "Gaston, let go of me!" Lissa scolded him.
"Lissie, I'm sorry, but you can't go near him." Gaston shook his head.
"I can't touch him." Lissa said firmly. "But I have to see him. I have to at least speak with him. Please, Gaston!" She begged.
"All right." Gaston slowly nodded. "But no good-bye hugs, darling."
"I know." Lissa bit her lip. She hurried over but stopped a couple yards away from Robert. He glanced at her sadly.
"Sweetheart, I won't be able to come home for a while." He said. "I'm gonna stay in town and help Dr. Tanner treat the man."
"I know." Lissa nodded. "But please hurry back. And be careful!"
"I will. I love you." Robert smiled feebly as he mounted.
"I love you too." Lissa smiled sadly. Gaston gripped her shoulder.
"I'll look after him. I promise." He told her.
"Thank you." Lissa whispered. Gaston marched to Magnifique.
"Gaston, you don't have to do this. You really shouldn't even be near me." Robert warned him.
"I don't run from danger, lad." Gaston glared sorrowfully. "You need someone to make sure you make it back safely. I promised Lissa."
"Suit yourself. I will be grateful for the company. But no touching me, no matter what!"
"Agreed." Gaston said.
"God be with you." Lissa whispered as they rode away.
When Gaston returned to Villeneuve a few hours later, he was...alone. Lissa had been anxiously waiting at the village gate, just to make sure they'd returned. Her heart dropped when she saw the singular rider. There were other neighbors waiting with her. Gaston glanced at her unhappily as he dismounted. She was right there. "Gaston? What happened? Where is Robert? Why isn't he with you?" She asked anxiously.
"He stayed behind." Gaston replied solemnly.
"Why? He-he's not..." Her lip began to tremble.
"No. No, Lissie. He's not sick." Gaston assured her. "But as he said already, he's exposed. We reached Colmar, and we were informed that there is a massive epidemic of smallpox there right now, afflicting most of the people. Our visitor, Monsieur Durante, had been traveling from there for two weeks before the illness hit last week."
"He must have contracted it during the incubation period, without knowing." Agathe said.
"But why did Robert stay behind?" Lissa persisted.
"Since he already had had contact with the afflicted, he chose to remain in Colmar to help tend the sick." Gaston explained.
"That's Rob." Lefou said fondly.
"Yes." Lissa nodded.
"We must do all we can to see that not every village in Alsace gets smallpox." Pere Robert said, taking charge. Most of the people went straight to their homes, and everyone completely avoided the blacksmith shop. Lissa just stood there, her face lost. Gaston wrapped his arm around her.
"I'm sorry, Lissie." He said kindly. "But your husband's a fine doctor, and smart. He knows how to help himself. And I know he wouldn't put himself in any potential danger unless he was planning to come back to you through it." Lissa nodded. Gaston forced her to face him. "Hey? He'll be all right. He'll come back to you. I promise! And I told him I'd be making frequent drives outside of Colmar to see how he is fairing."
"Thank you." Lissa leaned on his arm.
"That's all right." Gaston smiled. He kissed the top of her hair. "But the best thing you can do to help him is take care of yourself. I mean that, now! Maybe you should stay with Sarah and me for now."
"Thanks, big brother. I might. But I do still have a house of my own to tend too."
"Of course. But don't stay there if it makes you miserable."
"Mmm-hmm." Lissa sadly smiled. "Thank you, Gaston." She walked away, fighting back tears of fear and praying every second that Robert would stay healthy! Gaston watched before heading home to check on Sarah and little Luke. He remembered his conversation with his brother-in-law before he'd left him behind:
"Robert, don't stay here. It's dangerous! Come back with me to Villenueve." Gaston insisted.
"But, Gaston. These people are very sick, and need help just as much as our friends and neighbors would if they were the ones ill." Robert argued. "And the physicians and healthy citizens here can't fight this all by themselves. I'm gonna see what I can do. I'm already in the contaminated category anyway."
Gaston stared down at him. He felt awful, leaving him, considering the rift between them months ago. Gaston felt responsible for him. He felt it his duty to look out for his little brother. But Robert had made up his mind, and at least here he wouldn't be spreading it to Villenueve. But what if he got sick too? What if he died, here, away from home? Lissa would never forgive Gaston for letting him do it! "I shouldn't let you do this." Gaston said.
"Hey, nothing's gonna happen to me!" Robert smiled encouragingly. "I'll be fine. You just help keep an eye on our friends, and make sure our town is safe."
"I can do that." Gaston sighed. "But I'll come every couple days to check up on you, and make sure you're all right! Don't even think about trying to talk me out of that!"
"Thanks." Robert agreed. "Gaston? Nothing is going to happen, but...if...should I fall ill, or-or worse, will you promise to look after Lissa for me? And take good care of her?" Robert asked seriously.
"You don't ever need to ask that! Not ever!" Gaston replied passionately.
"I know I don't. But it makes me feel better to hear it."
"Mph. You look after yourself, lad." Gaston commanded him.
"Yep." Robert nodded. Gaston had to force himself to mount Magnifique and depart. It felt as if he were abandoning Robert in a death trap…
"I promised my sister you'd come back, short stuff." Gaston murmured to himself. "Do not make me a liar!"
Over the next few days, the village was very quiet. People mostly remained at home and did their usual chores. Several of them were feeling under the weather and had developed mild sores. They panicked and blamed Dr. Tanner and Robert for it. Dr. Tanner told them that it was part of the inoculation, and the symptoms should go away in a few days, but his patients didn't believe him. However, he was right and they felt much better in a short time. Adam ordered extra quinine, and blankets, and any other supplies for the doctor to treat the disease should it spread. So far, to everyone's relief, Monsieur Durante from Colmar was the only person who had come down with smallpox!
Lissa missed Robert terribly, especially since he couldn't even write to her, for fear of sending her the germs he was surrounded with. The only way Lissa knew if her husband was well or very ill, was when Gaston would return with news on Robert's condition. So far, he was managing to stay well, but Gaston held back the fact that his brother-in-law looked exhausted. It wouldn't do any good to add to Lissa's worry. The nights were especially hard without him. Sometimes, his role as the traveling country doctor would keep him at late hours and he would not return home until nightfall. If it was deep into the night but Lissa was semi-conscious when he'd crawl into bed beside her, their backs pressing up against the other, she would stretch her arm out behind herself, reach over and grab his hand, and pull it to herself. This gesture she would do so that even if he was completely bushed, that he would know she was glad he was back. But tonight? He wasn't here. And he wasn't close to coming home any time soon.
Lissa was very lonely and couldn't stand it anymore. She stayed with Gaston and Sarah and visited Belle at the castle every day. It was good to be with old friends, but nothing could quench the anxious knot in her stomach until she'd be able to see Robert again. "It wouldn't be half as bad, if he was at least able to write to me!" Lissa told Belle.
"But he can't. It would be putting you in danger." Belle reminded her.
"I know that!" Lissa blurted out. "I'm sorry. But this reminds me so much of when Gaston was off fighting in the war. Praying, worrying, and wondering if and when he'd ever return."
"I'm thankful that Papa didn't fight in the war. I can't imagine what I would've done." Belle remarked.
"Me either."
"We have respect for Robert here." Belle told her friend. "That was a very brave and selfless thing he chose to do."
"I know. And I am so proud of him, Belle! More than I can say."
"But you still miss him and fear for him, because you love him. I don't know what I'd do if it was Adam!"
"Oh, you would keep yourself busy, carrying on here, and doing whatever you could to help. I know you would." Lissa said. Belle blushed. "Belle, I'm afraid! If he were home and fell ill, I would take care of him and nurse him night and day. But, what if he gets sick, there? I'm scared mostly because, if..." tears filled Lissa's eyes. "If he gets sick over there, and it takes his life, I...we...I won't be able to be with him! I won't be able to be there for him in those last moments, when he needs me the most! I'd rather be sick with him than for that to happen!"
"Oh, Lissa. Don't talk like that." Belle touched her friend's arm. "Robert knows how to take care of himself. He'll make it through this and come back to you. I can feel it!"
"I pray so." Lissa bit her lip.
Truth was, Robert was working tirelessly in Colmar, tending the sick, spelling the other physicians, and trying to offer hope to the healthy. In a week's time, seven people had died. The other doctors insisted that Robert try to rest, but he was driven and would claim that he was fine. He couldn't fail these people. He would do all he could to fight this cruel sickness that had taken his father and mother and had left him an orphan when he was little! He didn't want that to happen to the children in this village.
Lissa stepped out of Gaston and Sarah's house and was surprised to find the town bustling again. Things had been eerily quiet for the passed two and a half weeks. What was going on? She'd helped Sarah this morning and now Luke, or Lukee as his family loved to call him, was down for his nap, so Sarah had told Lissa to get some fresh air. Lissa hurried to the town square, and found her neighbors bringing loads of items to a large wagon. Adam was overseeing the massive amount of cargo while Gaston had Magnifique and Buddy Lefou's draft pony hitched to the wagon. "What is going on, Monsieur Jean?" Lissa asked.
"Oh, you didn't hear?" Jean the potter asked grimly. Lissa's face tightened. "Monsieur Durante passed away early this morning. Dr. Tanner did all he could, but the poor fellow was just too far gone."
"That's awful." Lissa said, fighting the fear somersaulting in her stomach. "Did he have any family?"
"Yes, he did. Unfortunately." Jean nodded. "A mother, and three siblings, a sister and two brothers. They were depending on him."
"And now they're destitute." Lissa said angrily. "I hate that killer named smallpox! So cruel!"
"We had to have a quick burial, I'm afraid, outside of town. But our friends are pulling together to provide for the Durante family, so they will be cared for this winter."
"That is such a wonderful idea. If they need a place to stay, perhaps they could stay at Sarah's mission home!"
"Madame Gaston has already made arrangements, and Mrs. Durante has fully agreed to living at the mission until something better comes up." Jean agreed.
"I'm glad for that."
"Your husband is a brave man, Lissa. He's sparked inspiration here. At first, we all thought he was crazy to jump into danger like that, and we especially felt displeased with him for just up and leaving you like that."
"This once, I'm not too happy about it either. I'm so proud of him. But this is the one time I wish he wouldn't be so noble." Lissa hung her head.
"Cheer up, girl. We've decided to help him!"
"Help him? But...how?"
"Your husband's courage spread like wildfire, especially after Monsieur Durante's death this morning." Adam spoke up.
"Sorry? I don't understand." Lissa said, confused.
"The good people of Villeneuve realized that while they are alive and well, our fellow countrymen are not. That could have been us." Adam explained. "They want to help the people of Colmar, and also prevent this from spreading to even more villages! So, they've banded together, and are sending multiple blankets, fresh clothes, good food, and so many other things to Colmar today for the citizens there in hopes that it will help them recover."
"Ohh! Oh my." Lissa gaped. "Did you and Belle start it?"
"We'd gathered some things already, us and the servants. But the townspeople mostly thought it up themselves and came to us as soon as we reached town. Gaston and Lefou will deliver it this afternoon."
"That is so noble, Adam." Lissa said. She ran to find Belle and Ella. Ella was in Maurice's arms, while Belle, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts were organizing the donations.
After lunch, Gaston and Lefou prepared to head off. "Wait, guys!" Lissa yelled. She raced to them and shoved a small, bulky tied kerchief into Lefou's hands. "Please, give Robert my love." She said.
"We will, Lissa." Lefou said encouragingly.
Robert could barely see clearly in front of him. Everything felt like slow motion and it was becoming more difficult to concentrate. He heard excited voices around him, but they appeared muffled. "What's going on?" He mumbled to no one in particular.
"Travis, a wagon has come, with fresh supplies!" Dr. Sandrious exclaimed. Robert smiled wearily and traipsed outside of the hospital tent out into the open when he saw Gaston and Lefou. He trudged over to them. They were surrounded by people who quickly received the donations brought to them. "God bless you, gentlemen! Oh, God bless you!" Dr. Sandrious cried.
"It wasn't us. It was our neighbors." Lefou pointed out. "They all pitched in to help."
"Merci, gentlemen! Merci, Merci!" The physician along with many others yelled as they quickly unloaded the wagon.
"Hey, fellas." Robert feebly grinned as he came into view. Lefou and Gaston both gaped in shock at the sight of him.
"Oh, buddy, you look terrible!" Lefou gasped.
"Nice to see you too." Robert joked.
"No. Lefou is right!" Gaston replied with more alarm in his voice than he'd wanted to show. Robert's clothes were wrinkled and dingy, as if he'd been in them since he came! His hair was matted and stood in all directions. He hadn't shaved for days, and dark rings bugged out under his eyelids. "You look awful, lad. Rob, when was the last time you tried to get some sleep?" Gaston asked, touching his shoulder.
"Oh, I don't know." Robert shrugged. He looked as if he could barely stand on his own two feet.
"Apparently not enough." Lefou grumbled. He was angered seeing that his friend hadn't taken good care of himself, which made him extremely vulnerable to catching the smallpox.
"That's it!" Gaston huffed firmly. "You're coming with me. I'm taking you home...today! No arguments, do you hear me?" He started tugging Robert by the arm.
"No, no, no." Robert shook his head lazily. "I'm fine, really. These people need help." Lefou winced. He couldn't lose his friend, and he was very disappointed that Robert had let his personal safety barriers slip so easily.
"You won't be any help to them if you're dead!" Gaston growled. "Now, are you gonna gather your supplies and get out of here, or am I gonna have to sling you over my shoulder?"
"Don't be so touchy, Gas..." Robert began to protest, but then his eyes sunk back into his head and he dropped on his side to the ground.
"No! Rob!" Lefou cried, coming to his side. Gaston knelt down next to his little brother. "Rob? Can you hear us, pal?" Lefou blurted anxiously.
"Rob? Rob! Speak to me, man!" Gaston yelled, roughly shaking his shoulders. Robert did not respond at all. "So help me, answer me before I make you!" Gaston hollered angrily, but the truth was, he was afraid for Robert, afraid he was coming down with smallpox. Gaston couldn't let that happen!
"Help! Somebody, help!" Lefou called out. Four men came rushing to them. "Please help Rob. He's fainted. I think he's sick!" Lefou wailed. Dr. Sandrious felt for a pulse.
"He's alive, thank God." He breathed. "Sir, could you bring him to my office?" He looked at Gaston.
"Certainly." Gaston nodded, and carefully gathered Robert's limp form in his arms. He swiftly carried him like a child to the doctor's office. He and Lefou waited anxiously as Dr. Sandrious examined Robert. They didn't remember to breathe till the physician looked up at them after listening to Robert's chest with his stethoscope.
"Is...is it smallpox?" Lefou wailed.
"No, he has no symptoms of that." Dr. Sandrious shook his head. "But given his current condition, he can easily get it.
"What's wrong with him?" Gaston asked.
"He's overwrought. Completely! He's suffering from acute, total exhaustion." Dr. Sandrious answered. "He's been pushing himself way too hard. He needs absolute rest and close monitoring so that he doesn't contract the sickness. I'm surprised he hasn't yet! To tell you gentlemen the truth, he's been such a blessing helping us out. But I'm afraid he's worn himself into the ground."
"You don't say." Gaston muttered.
"His parents died of smallpox when he was just a boy." Lefou stated. "Then he was sent to live with his uncle." Gaston bit his lip. He'd forgotten about that.
"That explains his tenacity. But he must remain in bed now, for at least a few days." Dr. Sandrious said seriously. "Thankfully, the plague is beginning to dissipate here, but Dr. Travis is still in danger of becoming infected with it."
"I'll stay with him." Lefou offered.
"Lefou! No! You can't!" Gaston protested. First Robert, now Lefou? No!
"Gaston, someone has to. You heard what the doc said. Rob could still get really sick. And the sickness is going away. You're needed at home. If you stay, Sarah will get worried. I'll be fine." Lefou smiled confidently.
"Lefou, my good friend...I..." Gaston was beginning to choke up. "But what if something happens to you? We need you! We can't lose you. I...I can't lose you!"
"You won't." Lefou said cheerfully. "I'm just gonna help Robert get better then we can bring him home."
"You're sure?" Gaston whimpered. Lefou was right. Sarah would worry if he didn't return home. This was a rare moment that Gaston wished he wasn't married.
"Yeah. I'll take care of him. We'll be back before you know it. Besides, I've already had the effects from the inoculation, so I should be all right." That was true.
Gaston clenched his arm. "Lefou? Promise me, that you'll take good care of yourself! Swear on your life that you'll look after yourself!"
"I swear on my life. I'll be okay, Gaston. But thanks for worrying about me."
"I'll come back for you, my friend. I promise!" Gaston cried.
The next time Robert opened his eyes, he was lying on a cot in the back room of Dr. Sandrious's office. It looked to be about morning. He stirred lazily. "Oh, thank God, you're finally awake! You had me so worried!" Lefou gasped in relief.
"Huh?" Robert grunted, and looked up to see Lefou sitting beside the bed. "I...I need to get back out there." Robert slowly tried to sit up.
"Oh, no you don't!" Lefou jumped up quickly, and pushed back down into the bed. "You're not going anywhere! You've been strictly ordered to stay in bed, pal. And I'm here to see that you do!" Robert sighed heavily.
"Honestly, a little rest doesn't sound so bad. I feel like I haven't slept for a year."
"Then just sleep."
"But I can't, Lefou. The people here are still sick, and..."
"Slow down. Most of everyone is better now." Lefou told him. "The physicians say that the worst part is over. So you just take it easy. You gave us a real scare, Rob! You fainted dead away right in front of us, and we thought you were sick!"
"Sorry." Robert groaned. "When did that happen? I don't remember."
"Four days ago." Lefou said with his arms crossed.
"You've been here all that time?" Robert frowned at him. Lefou nodded. "You shouldn't have done that."
"Look who's talking!" Lefou sputtered angrily. "Rob, how could you be so stupid? I know you want to help, but you need to take care of yourself too! You nearly worked yourself to death! How could you be so careless? Do you have any idea how useless you'd make yourself if you had died?" Lefou rambled. Robert merely blinked in astonishment. He slowly sat up and faced his friend. To Lefou, Gaston and Lissa were his family. So was Maurice, Belle, and Adam now. And he'd grown quite fond of Robert, like a brother. He hated to imagine the pain Lissa would go through if Robert had taken ill and died. He was truly, angrily disappointed at Robert's disregard for his own safety. "Why does it seem like I'm always the one to have to spell it out when my pals get themselves in a jam?" Lefou wept.
"Hey." Robert spoke up. "Easy there. I'm still here. Calm down, Lefou."
"Rob, please don't do that again." Lefou begged. "We were really very worried about you! And Lissa...she misses you so much." Robert hung his head.
"I miss her too." He whispered. "I'm sorry I caused so much trouble. Lissa! Is she all right? She's not sick is she?"
"No. She's not ill with smallpox. She's just worried sick, about you!"
"Well, then I suppose I'd better do as you say." Robert puffed.
"You're darn right, you will!" Lefou growled. Just then, Gaston stepped in. "Am I glad to see you!" Lefou blurted out.
"Rob. Good to see you awake." Gaston said with relief. "How do you feel?"
"Mph. Run down." Robert chuckled quietly. "But it was my own fault. Thanks, guys, for looking out for me."
Dr. Sandrious came in and after a quick evaluation, he gave Robert a clean bill of health. "Here, Lissa sent this to you." Lefou shoved the kerchief into Robert's hands. Lefou and Gaston were gonna take a break at the local tavern. Robert was glad for the privacy. He untied the scarf and found the purple and yellow striped one that he'd bought for Lissa at the fair last year. There was a letter attached to it. It read:
My dearest Rob,
I pray that you are safe and well! How I wish I could be with you right now, helping you and just being at your side! I miss you so much. The house is so lonely without you. It feels as if we haven't seen each other for years. Do you remember this scarf? You bought it for me at the fair, one of our first outings together. I pray that we will not be separated much longer. But, should you-should you fall ill, and I am not able to be there with you through it, I'm giving this to you, so you'll have a way to remember me by. You are my brave Dr. Travis and I am so proud of you. Just know how much I love you!
Eternally yours,
Lissa"
Robert started to choke up when he found a caramel lock of her hair pasted to the paper. He kissed it and held its softness to his cheek. It smelled like home.
2 Days Later
Three weeks had felt like a lifetime in the Travis household. Lissa had returned home when she heard that the town of Colmar was free of the smallpox. She tried to distract herself by writing in her diary, but no words came out. Her mind was so full that for once, she couldn't put her feelings down on paper. "Oh, Rob. Will I ever see you again?" Lissa whimpered to herself. "I miss you so much. It just hasn't been home without you."
Just then, she heard the clip-clop of a horse outside, turning into the lane and Jesse barked. She heard Brisa whinny excitedly from around the house. Lissa hurried to the window and peeked outside. It was him! There was her husband perched on his trusty horse!
Lissa's heart thudded with excitement and dread. He was most likely briefly visiting, and still at a distance. Hot tears hid behind her eyes. She tried to brush them away and force a big smile so he wouldn't feel bad. All she wanted was for him to come home! She stepped out the door and waited on the porch. Jesse was dancing around in the yard, barking happily that his master had returned. Lissa's heart lept when Robert dismounted Steve, in his own front lawn, with a large smile on his face. "Do you have to go back?" Lissa asked cautiously, trying not to breakdown.
"Nope. Not till my next usual rounds." Robert smiled widely.
"You can stay?"
"That's right." Robert nodded. "It's over, Lis. I'm home now."
"Ohh!" Lissa gasped giddily. She flew down the porch steps and nearly knocked him over backwards when she sprang into his arms, clutching her arms around his neck. She just wanted to squeeze the life out of him. "Welcome home, Dr. Travis!" Lissa cried in relief. "I'm so glad you're back. Oh, I missed you!"
"I missed you too." Robert buried his nose in her hair. Oh, it smelled so welcoming!
"I was soooo worried about you!"
"Hey, I'm tougher than I look." Robert joked. Lissa laughed joyfully.
"I'm just glad that you're all right." Lissa said tearfully.
"Me too." Robert smiled, stroking her cheek. "Hey, I brought you something!"
"A present?" Lissa creased her eyebrows. When in the world did he find time to do that? But her eyes lit up when he pulled her scarf out of his coat. "Ohh." She breathed. He sweetly tied it around her neck and flounced her wavy hair on her shoulders.
"You look so lovely, Lady Travis." He murmured softly.
"You brought it back." Lissa cried. He cupped her face and kissed her so hard that they both fell down onto the ground.