With Thomas talking to Edith, Janey had gone for a walk to let Pilot get some necessary exercise. The dog felt cooped up and uncomfortable – and, frankly, so did she. She had watched them for a minute, Thomas and Edith, wondering whether she should go back in. But Edith fitted so much better with Thomas than Janey did. Edith and Thomas were from the same class, had the same level of intelligence. And Janey? Janey was just a servant, just like her father had been to Thomas's father. A miner, a maid... People in the upper class only used people in the lower classes for basic needs. Sharpe Sr had never looked twice at her father... But Thomas was different, wasn't he? He cared... he truly cared. He didn't see things like social class... Of course, so far he hadn't seen anything at all. Even if they had gotten disapproving looks, he would have been none the wiser. But now...

All she wanted to do was hide in his arms, but everything seemed different now. She had hardly spoken two words to him since his accident and his miraculous recovery. And just when they had been about to, Edith had sent her away. Janey was feeling quite angry about that, and angry that she had let herself be sent away. Pilot snuggled closer, sensing his mistress's discomfort.

"Let's go back, shall we?"She rubbed the dog behind his ears and kissed his snout. At least he would always love her. Slowly, she walked back to the hospital, this time more determined than ever to speak to Thomas. He was going to be a father... he needed to know that, at least.

As she reached his room, though, she saw them through the glass. He had his arms around Edith. Her stomach turned as her fears were confirmed. Letting go of Pilot, she ran to the open courtyard, where she had to sit down because she had become dizzy. Tears streamed down her face. Her mother had been right all along. No one could love her... certainly not someone like Thomas. She had been a diversion, no more. Now she would go home, pack her things and be on her way. She couldn't face him, not even to say goodbye. Never had she felt weaker.

Pilot dashed past her, and then she heard that familiar voice: "There you are. I've been looking all over for you. If this old boy hadn't come and found me, I might not have found you at all. Have you been crying?"

"Just go." She kept her eyes at Pilot as she spoke, who darted happily at Thomas's side. Traitor.

"What?" he asked, confused.

She wiped the tears off her face before answering. "You've come to tell me you're leaving me. So, just go already. I'll be fine. I always am."

"What are you talking about, Janey?"

"You have your sight back, so there is no reason you two can't be together. I saw you with your arms around her."

"Who?"

"Edith." Was he really going to deny it?

"Janey... I was comforting her because she was crying. All that has happened... it brought up some unpleasant memories."

"I know I'm not right for you. And I am not pretty or sophisticated like she is. I'm just Janey. Even my name is common." Why wouldn't he just let her go.

"Janey, you are anything but common. Stop putting yourself down. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And this time I can say that with the fullest of confidence. You have a rare and unique beauty… you a fiery gem that a man finds only once in a lifetime. You are more beautiful than any woman I've ever met... I love you with all my heart. In fact, Edith and I were talking about you, and about how lovely you are." He pulled her close and kissed her. Janey struggled... she couldn't believe it. "I love you and only you," he whispered softly.

"Why?" was all she could utter.

"Why?" he repeated. "Janey, you are beautiful. Inside and out. I wish you would see what I see. I know people have put you down in the past, but let me tell you: no one comes even close to you. You are not only strong but kind. I can't imagine my life without you."

"Me neither," she muttered into his shoulder. Why had she doubted him?

"So, I don't have to go? Because I really don't want to. I want to stay with you for the rest of my life. You know, Edith asked me why I hadn't married you yet..."

"Did you tell her why?"

"Yes – I told her you did not want to be bound to a man, and that I was fine with that, as long as you are by my side." He kissed her hand.

"I may have changed my mind..." Janey muttered.

"In what way?" There was insecurity in Thomas voice.

"I... I wouldn't mind marrying you. If you still want me, that is."

"Really?" he said excitedly. "You know, you could make me no happier man than in agreeing to become my wife!"

"There is more... I think I'm pregnant."

"Oh..." Thomas looked shocked. Scared.

She bit her lip. "See. I know you wouldn't be happy."

"That's not it. I am happy, but also... Did Edith also tell you about my son?"

She thought back but couldn't remember. "What son?"

"Lucille... became pregnant... by me. The baby wasn't born right, though. It died a few days after it was born... There is so much wrong in my family. What if I'm …" He couldn't even continue, and he couldn't look at her.

"Oh. No, I didn't know that." No wonder he was scared. Would her baby be alright?

"Sorry. I know it's one thing knowing Lucille and I were intimate... but quite another knowing that we had a child. When it died, I realised for the first time how wrong it was what we were doing. It was God punishing us once more. But I couldn't leave Lucille... her whole life, she had been in so much pain. She told me that the only thing that made her happy was me. So, how could I walk away? Anyway, I know it's a lot to take in... You have forgiven me so much. I shouldn't be telling you this. I understand if this is too much for you to forgive." He looked so desperate, much like the first time she had seen him.

"I love you Thomas. Whatever happened in the past is in the past. I would be lying if the things you and your sister did... did not... did not..." It was more the idea of him having been with another woman that brought out a jealous side she had not been aware of... But, with four wives, of course he had been. She didn't like to think about it, though.

"Repulse you... You can say it... Looking back at them, they repulse me too. We were so young though, when we first sought comfort with each other. It didn't feel wrong at the time... Sorry, you don't want to hear all this." He wanted to walk away, but she stopped him

"It's alright, Thomas. I love you, no matter what your past is. I know there are demons there, but there are demons in mine as well. You've got to leave all that guilt behind, though. You are a wonderful, caring man." After all, he cared for her.

"I have. But I don't want to return to the man I was back then."

"I don't think you ever will."

He nodded, looking pensively. "I want you to see a doctor for our baby. Get the best medical treatment. Maybe we should rent a house in town, close to a hospital..."

Men looking at her every day... the mere notion gave her chills. "Thomas, I'll be fine... I don't want to move. I love our home." That was what it was. Not a roof over her head, not a house, but the home she had never had,

"I don't want you to get hurt... Or the baby. If you lose it..." He looked desperate.

"We will deal with it. Together. I honestly don't think it will come to that. But I can't stand the idea of being prodded for nine months. Have some faith everything will be alright." She would do the worrying for him.

"One more thing... I would be honoured to be your husband, but you don't have to marry me if you don't want to. If you are just doing it for the baby... we will find another way. I want you to be happy. It's not like we are ever going to be a conventional couple." He really loved her and would do anything to make her happy. Janey realised what a fool she had been today. After all, this was Thomas and, sight or no sight, he was still the same man.

She smiled as she spoke, though there were tears in her eyes. This time they were happy tears, though. "I want to marry you, though. If you'll still have me."

"For now and forever. But are you sure you want me, with all my scars?" he said, giving her a last option to refuse.

She stroked his cheek, tracing the white line below the eye that would never see again. That was alright, though; now, the other was functioning again. "It's only a minor one. Want to see mine?"

"Later. Let's go home. There, I want to kiss every one of them until the hurt goes away."

The lines on her back ran much deeper than the scar they had left behind, though. "That might take a lifetime."

"Well, that is what I plan on spending with you." He got down on his knee. "I don't have a ring, but please would you marry me, Janey Peregrine?"

"Yes. Yes, I would."

Princess PrettyPants: Just a one more chapter, and it will be finished

Belco: Thank you

Guest: Sorry someone spoiled the movie for you. To be fair, I hadn't seen it yet when I started writing. Had read the book though. Happy you like it.