Author's Note: The characters belong to Maureen Jennings.
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Pistachio the Murdog: An Unlikely Love Story – Chapter 18: The Decks Were Trimmed with Gold
Detective William Murdoch opened his brown eyes whose vision was unclear from the sleep he didn't realize he still needed. The room he found himself in was darkened although the sun did it's best to peak through the curtains and send shafts of light on various parts of the ceiling and walls. Feeling the bed move suddenly, he looked around for the source of the upset and only saw a whitish blur exiting the room to his left. Turning his head, he grimaced slightly feeling the wound on the back of his head sting. As his eyes continued to focus, he noticed a stunning photograph of Julia sitting atop what he realized to be his dresser that Rebecca James had captured in the morgue one day. In the photo, her hands and elbows deep in a cadaver, her face pursed in concentration, curls framing her angular face. It was one of his absolute favorites and he smiled at the memory of Rebecca surprising him with it when she left her position with the city morgue. She'd share her favorite photographs with everyone in the station house and morgue, one particular photo of George and himself that George just couldn't stop beaming over.
"William?" Julia called quietly, entering the bedroom her voluminous lilac colored housecoat floating behind her. "Did our girl wake you?" The detective's heart swelled with the sight of wife approaching him and sitting on the bed, taking his hand. To his delight, Pistachio leaped onto the bed and laid directly next to him, but not before licking the side of his face to sloppy oblivion. As much as he loved the canine, he'd never get used to the smell a dog's slobber wreaked on one's face, clothes or anything for that matter.
"Not at all." He croaked, his voice still hoarse from sleep and strain. Sighing, the detective held his wife's soft hand with both of his. "It's so good to see you both." Without warning tears pooled in his eyes and his wife sensed that he was embarrassed because of it. Since his seizure two weeks or so prior, Julia had begun to notice how keenly he experienced his emotions. Throughout their relationship and subsequent marriage, William Murdoch revealed different shades of himself, the truly sensitive man he was. This new version of her husband however felt everything so intensely which on one hand was beautiful to see but on the other she sensed could be extremely volatile. While he hadn't had cause to become angry since leaving the hospital, Julia wasn't sure what to expect should the day come but she had faith that it would all work out in the end. Either way, they'd be alright because for the first time in a long time, she had hope.
"It's good to see you too, dearest. We're both so glad that you're with us and smiling no less!"
"Indeed!" Sitting himself up in bed, the detective did his best to clear his vision by opening and closing his eyes. It took longer than it used to these days he noted.
"Still some blurry vision, William? How's your sensitivity to light?" Julia leaned in, holding up her index finger which her husband followed with his eyes. "Your right eye is still a bit slow, but much better than yesterday."
"I'm still unable to see you clearly, Julia. Do you know how long this will be a symptom?"
Fixing his pajama top collar, Julia sighed. "It really depends on the individual, William. It can take anything from a few days to a few months. We'll just have to wait and see. No pressure and no rushing, right? Give your body time."
William's eyes were downcast, his frustration apparent. "I've got to get better, Julia. The lads need me. The workload must be overwhelming for George and the Inspector." His wife felt a familiar pang of guilt overcome her. This was all her fault, she knew. So many questions and the constant rumination over what happened kept her up at night. By the time this ordeal was truly over, she probably would have consumed her weight in tea, hot chocolate, coffee and whiskey.
"I know, I'm sorry William."
It was a phrase that his wife continually uttered almost daily these days. What in the world could she possibly be sorry for? She didn't ask for a deranged and misguided young man to pine after her. "Sorry for what, Julia? What could you possibly be sorry for? You've done nothing but take the very best of care of me and when you couldn't be here, sent someone in your stead. You've worked so hard to keep everything in our lives going and take care of an invalid husband." Pistachio stretched next to her Papa and then carefully laid herself in between her parents, her head in the crook of Murdoch's arm. Both absentmindedly stroked the beloved animal before continuing with their conversation.
"You always say that I'm impulsive and stubborn…and those…charms of mine almost cost us both of our lives, William."
"Julia, Leonard Warwick would have done anything to get to you and that includes potentially injuring and killing me. He wanted you all to himself, not that I blame him…" William jest went on deaf ears, Julia too deep in her self-chastisement to hear. "Julia…"
Tears flowed freely from her eyes, her other hand now covering her mouth to stave off a sob. "No, William…you could have died…I could have lost you and Pistachio. And dear Miss Burke, she died trying to save me…" Hearing her name, the canine turned toward Julia and stretched her neck so that she could smell what was coming out of her Mamma's eyes. Murdoch squeezed his wife's hand, trying desperately to get her attention. "I cause so much heartache and pain."
"Julia Elizabeth Ogden-Murdoch, look at me." His wife did so, her eyes and nose now reddened. "You. Did. Nothing. Wrong. Are you listening to me? Nothing. Miss Burke is a hero who will forever be remembered for what she did for you, for us. You saved me from further harm, especially the Inspector who you still won't speak to because of this."
It was true, Julia hadn't spoken to Inspector Thomas Brackenreid in the two weeks since her husband was released from the hospital. She blamed herself for so much of what happened and knowing that she'd even go as far as to put Tom in danger as well caused her to hide away and avoid him whenever possible. "You can't go on like this, Julia. It isn't good for you mentally and spiritually. You advise me to give my body time and I'm advising, no imploring you to give yourself a break, please."
"William…"
"Please, Julia. For me." The husband and wife locked eyes, so much love and appreciation was there in each pair. A familiar exchange that had happened hundreds of times in their life journey together.
Her voice was barely audible as she thumbed her husband's hand. "I'll do my best."
He smiled at her. "You never do anything less." After a moment passed, clearing his throat, he took in the sight of her. "Hey."
She did her best to smile. "Hmm?"
"Come here." Gently moving the pup out of the way, Julia scooted closer to William. He took both of his hands and surrounded her face with them, the pads of his calloused hands comforting her. "I love you and I'm so proud of you."
Crying fully now, she let herself be pulled towards him feeling his kiss all the sweeter for its tenderness. "I love you too, William. Thank you."
Placing her hand onto his chest, William deepened the kiss finding himself intoxicated with the heady scent of her shampoo. Feeling his hands release her face and make their way down her arms, Julia knew what was to come. It had been the longest they'd ever gone without connecting in this way and while she missed that time with her husband, she had to get him better first. Pulling away, Julia put her hand through her hair. "Now, Detective Murdoch, let's order you some breakfast."
As he watched his wife rise from the bed, William looked over to Pistachio who wagged her tail. "So close, girl. Sooo close."
A few days later, Julia and William Murdoch entered the church for Adrienne Burke's memorial service. While her body had long since been laid to rest, the memorial was held off for more of Adrienne's family and friends to attend. While her husband was still in the hospital, Julia had attended the small family burial, despite the sheer amount of guilt that wracked her body. Before Katherine Burke knew she had attended, Julia had slipped out in the back, a veil over her face. Today however, William was not going to let her do such a thing. Having ordered the most stunning spray of flowers he'd ever seen, Julia made sure to have the card say simply 'Thank You, Adrienne. – Detective William H. and Dr. Julia E. Ogden Murdoch'.
Although there were many wreaths and standing sprays, none was as stunning as the one Julia picked out. Standing around 5 feet tall stood an artistically crafted wreath covered in white orchids, said to be Adrienne's favorite. While a fitting tribute to such an important person in their lives, Murdoch grimaced at how much it must have cost. He didn't think he'd ever get used to having wealth. Perhaps it was better that way? "My goodness, the flowers are magnificent Julia," her husband said, still a little unsteady on his feet but much improved from when he first came home.
"Thank you, William. I hope she likes them…"
Despite the crowd of mourners that surrounded them, Murdoch placed the sweetest of kisses on his wife's surprised lips, an obvious symptom from his new emotion swamped state. Seeing Julia blush even for all of her brashness, William held his wife by her waist. "I have no doubt that she does."
Seating themselves in a pew not too far from the back, William looked around at the large crowd while Julia thumbed through the order of service, her hat tipped at a fetching angle. Feeling a slight tap on his left shoulder, the detective turned to see a beaming but sorrowful George Crabtree, Henry Higgins not far behind him. "Good to see you so improved, sir!" Enveloping his best friend in an intense embrace, William chuckled.
"And you, George. Very good indeed."
"You're missed down at the station, sir. I can assure you of that!"
The detective blushed slightly. "Thank you, George. That is good of you to say."
George leaned in, lowering his voice. "There's no 'good' about it sir, we're drowning! Well, I wouldn't say we're drowning actually, perhaps we're bobbing along as it were. Station House #4 is like a cork being carried downriver by the current and as we float along and we're just secretly waiting for a gull of some sort to tear us from the water and drop us into the beginnings of a nest never to recover ever again." Fully invested in George's abstract musing, Murdoch wondered if there was a possibility for him to at least do some work while he was home. What about Julia? Would she even go for it? His vision got better every day after all!
Leaning forward to get past the detective and doctor, George embraced Julia, she planting a large kiss on his cheek. "Hi George, I heard every word. Hi, Henry." George gave Henry a quick lopsided smile, ensuring Higgins took in the exchange he had with Julia to which his friend simply rolled his eyes. The two younger men swooped around the pew behind them to get to the spot Julia saved for them.
"You have room for two more, Murdoch?"
William rose once more, hearing the familiar lilt of a Yorkshire accent. "Sir!"
Shaking his hand and then embracing his best detective, Inspector Brackenreid smiled while Margaret greeted the detective and asked about his health. Hearing Tom's voice, Julia stood, her heart racing. Once Margaret had past them by in the pew, squeezing Julia's hand, planting a kiss on her cheek and telling her quick 'thank you, Julia' as she went, Murdoch scooted over so the two of them had room. "Doctor," Tom Brackenreid held his hat and cane in his hands, a slight smile on his face. He looked worried.
Julia dropped her eyes to her gloves, adjusting them for absolutely no reason. "Inspector, how are you? How is your arm? I should take a look at it later to make sure it's still healing properly."
"Julia, look at me lass. You're not going to be able to get away from me or distract me with your 'doctor talk'."
"Tom, I-"
The older gentleman held up a hand in protest. "I know you blame yourself for what happened to all of us, but you've got to know that it wasn't your fault and that I'm damn grateful for what you did. Had I not have gone to the hospital when I did, I wouldn't be here. So what I'm saying is, thank you for putting yourself on the line for me and for being a true friend. Our group looks out for one another and you doing what you did even with so much at risk means more than you'll ever know. Remind me to give you a gift after the service, don't tell Margaret." Julia began to shake, tears keeping her from being able to see clearly. William watched intently, his hand on his wife's back comfortingly. Taking her in his arms, Inspector Brackenreid hugged Julia with all of his might, her slight frame practically disappearing into the folds of his suit. Placing a big kiss on her forehead and almost ruining the placement of her hat, the two parted with the Inspector quickly wiping away tears of his own.
"Dr. Ogden!"
Taking William's handkerchief and wiping her eyes with it, Julia looked up to see a very dashing John Brackenreid smiling at her. "John!"
The young man also hugged one of his favorite of his father's colleagues and friends. "Thank you for saving my father. Thank you so very much. I…I have no words to tell you how thankful I am…again."
"Really, it's nothing," Julia deflected, tearing at the handkerchief, her nerves beginning to fray.
Before they could continue, the organist began to play, thus beginning the service. The entire congregation stood as the pastors entered the church, walking solemnly down the center aisle. Directly behind were Mr. and Mrs. Burke, the former a colorless statue forever etched with a grimace for an expression and the latter a woman who looked as if she would collapse at any moment. Julia did all that she could to look away from the grieving parents, but was unable to, tears falling and staining her blouse. While Mr. Burke looked straight forward, a firm but constant grip on the small of his wife's back, Mrs. Burke's hazel eyes stared deep into Julia's blue sending a bolt of fear and shame through her.
Katherine Burke lifted her veil. "You…"