The story bellow is an idea given by my friend and colleague DSCWin as we challange with small stories.
The story bellow takes place in two times: the start and ending takes place in Season 8 while the rest of the storie takes place before the events of the show and tell the love story between William Murdoch and Liza Milner.
Other than that, since the show didn´t provide us with a backstory for Liza, i took the freedon to produce one. Hope you don´t mind.
Enjoy the story.
THE CONSTABLE AND THE SINGER
When he told Julia that story, William thought she would be jealous, but instead his new wife of two weeks, just smiled, told him it was an overly sweet manner to propose, but, told him that their own proposal by the seashore was even romantic. He laughs.
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The year was 1889 and like every Sunday, now constable William Murdoch sit with other people on the pews of the church, to hear the priest´s lessons and as usual, he stayed after mess, to confess.
It was in one of those Sundays, that William had met his first love, her name was Elizabeth Milner, daughter of Joseph Milner, an forensic author, whose William was fan. It was love at first sight, Elizabeth was a singer from the choral and as soon as they eye meet, they instantly fell for each other.
Of course, that same day, she didn't even directed her word to William, after all, she was a lady and a lady couldn't show affection for strange men as soon as they met them. Still, two days later, Liza decided that it was time to finally talk with that handsome constable she had met at church, so as she saw him doing his rounds at Queen´s Street, she passed by him and pretend to be lost, after all a lady also needed to be a bit manipulative to win a man´s heat.
''Miss are you alright?'' Constable William asked upon seeing her a bit disoriented.
''oh… I'm a bit lost, I want to go to Francine´s store, you know where it´s location?''
''Its on Jarvis street, Miss, a bit far from here… and it's a bit dangerous place.'' William advised and she smiled.
''You mind if I ask you to escort me there, Constable?'' Eliza blushed.
''Not at all, Miss…''
''Milner, my name is Elisabeth Milner.'' She said and William offered his arm to her.
The next Sunday after the church, it was William´s turn to talk to Liza, congratulating her for her voice and her dedication with the Lord´s song. After that then, the young constable start to court the singer, with all respect of course, visiting her at her home, hanging with her under her father´s vigilance and talking about endless subjects, from church songs to books and even police matters and each day that passes, they got more and more in love with each other.
Three years later, three years of love and courting, William was promoted to detective on summer of 1892 and decide it was time for finally ask Liza´s hand in marriage, so just after he left the station that afternoon, he invited Liza for a picnic and told her he had a surprise.
The girl smiled, put her red dress and the necklace William had give her last birthday and then, wait for him to arrive.
''You look lovely.'' He said once seeing her and kissed her hand.
''Thank you, Detective, congratulations for your promotion.'' She said and with a smile, they left.
The picnic was lovely, although they had spent more time kissing than eating the meal. Once they finished then, William asked Liza to close her eyes and pick up a small box from his pocket.
''Elizabeth Milner,'' he started. ''Since the first time I had seen you at the church, I fell in love with you, you are an amazing woman and I love you with all my being, so, I want to ask you, you would marry me?'' he asked and in response, she opened her mouth in surprise.
''Oh William… YES! Yes, I really love you, Detective William Murdoch and I will be honored to become your wife.'' She exclaimed almost jumping over him and kiss him tenderly on the lips.
They felt like they were living a dream to become true, at the station, all constables and even the Inspector congratulated William for the engagement as both he and Liza started to prepare for the engagement party and for the wedding the very next year.
''William, you will take good care of her, of my Liza?'' asked her father once and a nervous detective answered with a nod.
''Yes sir!'' he said as he was again a young constable in front of his superior.
1893, the following year, a young woman came to work in the morgue, to substitute old Dr. Pullman, who was about to retire. Her name was Julia Frances Ogden and when William first laid his eyes on her, he felt his hart beat in a way different than when he first met Liza, as if this Julia meant to him, much more tan could even had imagine. However, been a gentleman and a man of his words, the detective still stay true with his compromise with Liza and only shared with the young doctor, the necessary to go through cases and proofs.
Sadly later that same year, Liza became sick. It only lasts six months to the wedding, they had planned to wed a few days before Christmas and then, spend the holydays in Paris, when she became too sick to even get out the bed.
It was consumption, said the doctor once and she had just a few months to live…
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''…I barely survived when she passed and I thought that after that I thought I would never love anyone else, like I loved her.'' He said caressing Julia´s hair.
''hum… I'm glad you changed your mind.'' She smiled lying down on his chest and he laugh at her sense of humor.
''Miss Pensell helped me a bit, but… it was you, who brought light back to my heart Julia and I love you so very, very much.'' William said. ''Beside that, I want to believe that wherever she is, Liza is blessing our marriage.''
''I´m sure she is.'' Julia agreed and they kiss.
END.