Happy Easter!
After this chapter, I want to do one on Belle and Adam and one of their other children, (whom I have not introduced yet), and an unexpected disability that he must learn to live with. I also have ideas I absolutely can't wait to do for Gaston's family too.
If you guys have any ideas you'd like me to write for these three couples, please fill me in.
Lissa sat bundled on the floor as close to the fireplace as she dared to sit without getting Isabelle overheated. Jesse was lying on the floor close to the little nest of blankets Lissa had made, keeping watch over baby Isabelle. "Oh, Rob! Please be alright! Please be safe."
She wept as the rag she'd wet to dab Isabelle with had already dried. "Come on, Belle." Lissa begged. "Please! Fight this, my love." Isabelle was coughing and wheezing, and shaking. "God, help me!" Lissa cried. Jesse was on the floor, licking Isabella's face, trying to calm her.
A sudden knock on the door startled Lissa out of her roiling emotions. "Who in the world-" She groaned, astonished. Who in their right mind would be coming to her door in the middle of a snowstorm? It could only be one of two people: Robert, or...fugitives, again! But why would Robert knock on his own front door? Lissa cautiously reached up for her whistle from Gaston sitting on the mantle, and grabbed a potted vase.
"Who's there?!" She demanded.
"Don't be alarmed, love. It's me, Agathe!" A voice answered from behind the door.
Wha- "Agathe?" Lissa gaped. "Agathe! Is that you?"
"Yes, child." Agathe's quiet voice replied, unnervingly calm. Lissa opened the door and saw the older beggar woman standing on the porch. Odd thing was, she wasn't shivering!
"Agathe, come in! Get out of the cold!" Lissa told her, dragging her inside by the arm. "What are you doing outdoors, in a blizzard?!" She nearly shouted at Agathe. "What are you doing here? For goodness's sake, get warm by the fire. Is something wrong?" Lissa's voice choked up.
"Lissa, dear child, your hands are shaking." Agathe said quietly, gripping Lissa's wrists. Agathe's hands were warm? "You've been weeping."
"Agathe, Isabelle is so ill! Robert has not returned, I don't know when he'll be back, or if he can even attempt it in this weather, and," Lissa ran her fingers through her hair, "Isabelle is worse! We are out of Ipecac. I can't help her, by myself!" She covered her face. "I don't know what to do..." She wailed. "She's too sick, and I can't make her well. She needs Robert! He's not here. I'm so afraid she's going to die..."
Agathe patiently squeezed Lissa's forearms, and guided her to the armchair. Agathe remained silent, turning to gaze on the sickly infant. She stooped down and cradled Isabelle gently in her arms. The poor child's body was trembling uncontrollably and she coughed horribly. Jesse watched the old woman sharply, whining. "Shh. Easy, little one." Agathe crooned to Isabelle. Lissa stood back up and walked over to them.
"Give her to me." She begged. Agathe handed the baby over to her. "Oh, Belle," Lissa garbled. Agathe placed her hand on the child's face, massaging her head. Agathe said no words, but only breathed deeply in and out. She smoothly rubbed the toddler's chest. Lissa's hot tears fell on Isabella's sweaty face, while Agathe slowly performed her ministrations, humming quietly.
Lissa began to notice that as the moments passed, Isabelle was starting to cease convulsing so hard. In fact, she was actually barely shaking now, and she was coughing less. "Belle?" Lissa croaked.
"Sit down with her now, Lissa." Agathe finally spoke, guiding the both of them to the sofa. Lissa carefully sat down and Agathe picked up the nest of blankets and pillows from the floor then arranged them comfortably on the sofa. Agathe knelt in front of them and repeated the process that she had been doing for the passed twenty minutes.
Robert stood near the front windows of Dr. Tanner's office, gazing despondently outside at the blurring, dark world of white. He should be out there, forcing every ounce of will to plow his way home! He prayed silently for Lissa and Isabelle, hoping feebly that his daughter was improving. Dr. Tanner touched his shoulder, offering him the tenth cup of hot tea. Robert politely pushed it back. "Sit down." Dr. Tanner instructed him.
"And what? Just drink up, only to rise back up to stare helplessly out the windows like a caged animal?" Robert snapped. "You have to let me go, sir. I have to get home!"
"In good conscience, I cannot let you go, Robert." The older man shook his head solemnly. "I am sorry."
"Isabelle needs my help! I can feel it." Robert held his stomach. "I can't just pace in here and wait! I'm going!" He frantically reached for his cloak. Dr. Tanner grabbed his hand.
"Robert, no!" He told him.
"I don't care what you say! I'm going home! I'm going to help my little girl!" Robert declared defiantly. "I suggest you let go of me." He glared darkly. "Don't make me have to make you let go." Dr. Tanner gaped at his young partner. He'd never seen Robert this angry or demanding.
"I'm not going to let you kill yourself. Robert, you're not thinking clearly! Listen to reason, my friend." Dr. Tanner begged him. "You won't make it across the street! You can't help Isabelle if you freeze to death."
"That's a risk I have to take." Robert hissed, placing his hat on his head and covering it with his cloak hood. "Wish me luck!" And with that, he opened the door, letting in a huge, icy gust of wind and snow inside the doctor's office.
"Robert!" Dr. Tanner called and rushed to pull him back inside. But Robert slammed the door. "Oh, that boy!" Dr. Tanner growled in frustration, grabbing his own cloak. He opened the door, hauling the lantern outside and trudged through the snow, following the younger man. "Robert, come back!" He yelled. "Robert!" He could barely see in front of him and any tracks of Robert's were completely invisible. "ROBERT!" He called. "Dear G-, where are you, boy?"
He took a few more steps forward, when his feet hit something and he stumbled. "D- it!" He cursed. Then he realized what he'd fallen on top of! "Robert!" He gasped. The young man was lying in the snow, curled up. Dr. Tanner pulled him up and with much difficulty, dragged him back inside.
"Dang it, Robert! Don't ever do that again. I mean it!" Dr. Tanner scolded harshly, trembling from the cold. "Good G-, did you really think you could make it? You're chilled to the bone, and you weren't even out there five minutes!" Robert was shivering and moaning. Dr. Tanner noticed he wasn't putting weight on his left foot. "Sit down, lad." He said in a softer tone. Robert obeyed, resuming his seat in front of the stove. Dr. Tanner removed their wet cloaks and placed another blanket around the other doctor. "Does your foot ache?"
"Don't worry about it." Robert groaned. Dr. Tanner looked at him sympathetically, and removed his boot, carefully running his hand over Robert's ankle.
"You appear to have twisted your ankle. It should mend before morning." Dr. Tanner said with relief, propping the foot up with an ottoman. He noticed that Robert was quietly weeping. "Look, Rob, I'm sorry. I was harsh."
"I just...wanted to save my baby girl." Robert said shakily. Dr. Tanner rubbed his shoulders.
"I know, lad. I know you're afraid, and that there isn't much I can say to comfort you. But you must have faith."
Robert leaned his head forward and covered his face, trying to hide his tears. "I can't squelch the bad feeling I've got in the pit of my stomach. I just know something is really wrong at home. The...the last time I wasn't home to help in such a dire situation, Lissa was very sick, and alone, and nearly died! Do you not recall?"
"Aye. I do, lad." Dr. Tanner nodded, remembering when Robert had returned home from his travels only to find Lissa extremely ill with appendicitis. That had been a close call, one that had taken Robert months to recover from.
"What if..."
"Hush, now. Stop borrowing trouble, boy, until you have to." The elder gent said firmly. "We have the blizzard working against us at the moment. That's more than enough. The rest? Well, it's all in His hands."
"Drink, little one." Agathe said to Isabelle, holding a cup of warm tea to her lips. Lissa held her upright so she wouldn't spill on herself. Isabelle was so thirsty and too worn out to argue. She sipped down the tea.
"Momma, 'irsty. Cold, irsty." She mewed.
"Drink Agathe's tea, my darling. Then Momma will give you some cool water." Lissa told her. Isabelle whined and drank a bit more before she pushed the cup away.
"Very good, child." Agathe smiled. Lissa started to get up.
"Momma!" Isabelle wailed.
"It's alright, dear. Agathe is kind and will watch you while I fetch you some cool water." Lissa assured her.
"Momma!"
"Look, Jesse's here." Lissa reminded her. "And Jesse wouldn't let anyone hurt you, remember?" Jesse panted happily, licking Isabelle's face. Lissa took advantage of the distraction and made her way into the kitchen, and came back to the parlor with another fresh cup. "Here, darling. Nice, cool water." She sat Isabelle up against her chest, helping her drink. Isabelle gulped down the refreshing drink.
"Slow down, child!" Agathe urged her.
"'Irsty!" Isabelle protested.
"Small drinks, Bella. I don't you to upset your poor tummy, on top of everything else." Lissa mildly scolded. "Here, just a little bit. There you go. Okay, now you can have another one. That's enough. Swallow. Good. Alright, here's some more."
Agathe felt Isabelle's forehead. "She's still running a fever, but it has wavered considerably." She approved.
"She's breathing easier now too!" Lissa exclaimed. "Agathe? How did you come to our home, in a blizzard? Is there something you need? You are more than welcome to firewood, or some cheese bread, or any preserves you might need from the cellar."
"I had a distinctive feeling to stop by here."
"In a snowstorm?"
"Woman's intuition doesn't lie, now does it?" Agathe smirked.
"N-no..." Lissa frowned.
"I think she will be able to sleep now." Agathe smiled tenderly.
"What did you do for her, Agathe, that Robert could not?" Lissa asked curiously.
"I am not in any way trying to disgrace your husband's reputation in medicine, child. He is an excellent physician. But, living on the streets without many resources, you pick up a thing or two." Agathe explained, leaving out the fact of her true identity.
"I suppose you'd have to. Thank you so much! Isabelle surely would've died if you hadn't come along!"
"You are welcome, dear one." Agathe patted Lissa's face. "It will be sunrise before long. If you don't mind, I would fancy a bit of cheese bread, and some blueberry jam as payment for my services?"
"Help yourself, mon ami." Lissa beamed. Agathe headed down to the cellar. Lissa stroked Isabelle's face. "Are you still thirsty, my love?"
"Wi." Isabelle nodded. Lissa helped her drink a little more water.
"Rest now, Bella. Papa will be home soon. Sleep." Lissa whispered.
" 'usic?" Isabelle whined.
"Of course!" Lissa grinned. She was quickly in and out of the nursery with the music box Maurice had made. Lissa wound it up and then opened it, setting it on the small table next to the sofa. "Sleep, darling." She smoothed out Isabelle's hair. Jesse hopped onto the sofa and settled himself nearly on top of the toddler, his huge head laying on her small chest.
" 'esse!" Isabelle's worn, pale face lit up. Jesse cuddled closer. Within moments, Isabelle was dozing peacefully. Lissa kissed her face.
"Did you find what you wanted?" She asked Agathe.
"I did, my friend. Thank you." Agathe nodded.
"Thank you!" Lissa wept, tackling the beggar in a tight hug. "You saved her, Agathe! How can I ever repay you?"
"Don't worry about that, Lissa. Get some rest. You're exhausted, child." Agathe instructed her. "She will be alright, I promise. Now, I shall be on my way."
"God bless you, Agathe!" Lissa waved.
"Ahh, would you look at that? The storm has ceased." Agathe remarked.
"Can you get home safely in this drift? Perhaps you should wait 'til Robert returns and he can escort you."
"I've traveled through many a rain and snow storm, young one." Agathe grinned. "And I've never frozen to death yet. I have been learning my way through these elements since before you were born!"
"You're sure? It's still dark out."
"Trust me, we will see each other in town within a few days."
"I'd feel better if you would wait."
"Tend your daughter, Lissa. She needs you more than I do. I can take care of myself. Good day." Agathe blew her a kiss.
"Alright..." Lissa sighed, still not comfortable with the idea. But as she watched Agathe force her way through the snow, she had to admit, the old woman seemed to know exactly what she was doing. She turned back inside and put a fresh kettle of coffee on the stove. Then she knelt beside the sofa, caressing her little girl.
"Thank you, God!" She breathed with happy tears.
A jarring knock, and booming voice startled Lissa out of a light sleep. "Hey! Does my sister live here, or did she decide to skip town?!" Gaston called from outside.
Lissa, half awake and quite agitated, angrily yanked the front door open. "Gaston, shut it!" She scolded coldly. "Isabelle is sleeping, and your bellowing is going to wake her! She hasn't slept well at all for the passed two days! What is the matter with you?"
"Sorry." Gaston muttered innocently, shrugging.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, I like that. Here, I dug myself across town, out of the warm comfort of my own home mind you, just to make sure that shrimpy husband of yours made it back in the flesh, and not a block of ice!" Gaston huffed with his fists on his hips. "No thanks, nothing. Well, sorry I bothered."
"You...brought Robert home?" Lissa asked eagerly.
"Or, I could just throw him back." Gaston teased. "If you're this unhappy to see your brother, then I dread how you'd react to see your own husband!" Lissa's face softened.
"Lis..." Robert breathed as he marched up to the porch. Lissa flew into his chest, crying. "It's okay. I'm back."
"What happened to you?!" She teared up.
"The storm hit town pretty hard, just as I was getting ready to head back. It was too intense out for me to venture home. I tried, but Dr. Tanner stopped me. Before daylight this morning, Gaston fetched me and saw me home."
"Thank you, Gaston." Lissa said wearily.
"That's more like it." Gaston smirked.
"I missed you horribly last night. Did you bring the medicine?"
"Yes!" Robert nodded and strode inside the house to see his little girl.
"Thank you, brother." Lissa murmured. "I'm sorry I snapped at you. I didn't mean it." She rubbed her temples.
"You look bloody awful, Sis." Gaston shook his head disapprovingly.
"Was up all night." Lissa hung her head. Gaston guided her back inside and removed his hat.
"How is she?" He asked seriously.
"Her fever's way down!" Robert beamed. "And her lungs sound much better. I think she's going to make it!"
Lissa's shoulders sank when she heard that. "Are you sure?"
"I believe so, honey. I think she's made it through the worst of it." Robert smiled brightly.
Lissa leaned her head on Gaston's shoulder. He rubbed her arm. "Thank God for that!" He declared. "Good thing she takes after her favorite uncle. Fighters run in our blood, you know."
"Oh, please..." Lissa groaned, rolling her bloodshot eyes. "Agathe came last night, Robert! In the middle of the blizzard!"
"Agathe? Was something wrong?" Robert sputtered.
"I...can't explain it. She just appeared." Lissa said. "But, she tended Isabelle. She saved her, Robert! She helped me look after her and gradually, she became less agitated. I don't know exactly how, but she saved our daughter!"
"I knew something was wrong last night. I couldn't shake the feeling." Robert said. "I knew my little angel needed help. But there was nothing I could do! All I could do was pray."
"And that prayer was answered!"
"I am sorry, I didn't know about Isa being ill until this morning." Gaston spoke up. "I was most surprised to see Shorty-I mean, Robert with Doc Tanner. When he explained the situation, I felt that it was my duty to bring him home at once!"
"And you have my deep thanks." Lissa smiled wearily at her brother.
"I shall need to pay a visit to Agathe, to thank her!" Robert beamed.
"Aye. She was so calm and reassuring, and seemed to know exactly what she was doing. I don't know what I would've done if she hadn't come!" Lissa shuddered. Robert squeezed her hand. "I think I shall make a basket filled with food, that we shall take to Agathe."
"Yes, indeed! But first, you get some sleep, dear. You've been up all night."
"So have you." Lissa insisted.
"I'm alright. But, darling, you looked beyond exhausted. Go get some rest."
"I have to bake-" Lissa shook her head, but Gaston tapped her on the arm.
"Am I going to have to throw you over my shoulder and see that you get proper rest?" He asked.
"No." Lissa grunted.
"Gaston? Will you watch Isabelle for a moment?" Robert asked.
"Of course!" Gaston smiled. Robert led Lissa to the bedroom while Gaston knelt next to the sofa, stroking Isabelle's face.
"Sit down." Robert said, gently pushed Lissa on the bed. "Listen to me, you need a good rest! I'm here now, my love. I'll take care of our baby girl. I believe she will sleep peacefully now."
"But you need my help, and-" Lissa argued. Robert softly pushed her down on the bed.
"Shh. Just close your eyes. Everything is fine now."
"Rob...Agathe...I have to..." Lissa said no more as her head hit the pillow and her eyes fell shut. Robert smiled and placed the afghan from the foot of the bed over her. He kissed her face and brushed back her hair.
"Rest." He smiled, then walked to the parlor.
"Her fever seems to be gone." Gaston informed him happily.
"Thank the Lord." Robert half laughed, half cried. "Thank you, Gaston for bringing me through the snow."
"That's alright." Gaston smirked. "If I return this afternoon, I will personally deliver the food to Agathe."
"Oh, Gaston, you don't have to. I can do that."
"You're more needed here." Gaston stood up. "Besides, I owe her a favor or two after the way I used to snub her. I'll take it to her."
"To be honest, I do want to tend Isabelle as much as I can so I can insure that she is well. And so that Lissa can get some sleep."
"Then you worry about her. I shall be back this afternoon." Gaston placed his hat back on his head. He bent down and kissed Isabelle. "Get well soon, Isa. Uncle Gaston will have a big surprise for you!" He pet Jesse then straightened back up. "I'll see myself out."
Robert nodded then took Isabelle's vitals. She was indeed much, much better. Robert stoked the fire, tucked the blanket around Isabelle, and lovingly massaged her tummy. Jesse tried to climb into Robert's lap. He licked Robert's face. "Yes, boy. Yes. She's better. Our angel is healing." He chuckled, holding her small hand.
Robert sat at Isabelle's side, bracing himself for listening to that horrible coughing again! But it didn't come. She slept peacefully, and barely stirred for hours. Tears filled Robert's eyes, grateful for their miracle and astounded at what Agathe had 'randomly' done for them. He truly was a blessed man.
" 'apa, thirsty." Lissa heard Isabelle murmur when she came out to the parlor. Robert helped Isabelle drink some cool juice.
"Well, you look much better, my darling!" Lissa smiled proudly, kissing the top of her head.
"Tummy 'urts." Isabelle moaned.
"I think her ribs are quite sore, from all that harsh coughing." Robert explained.
"Well, it is no wonder!" Lissa shook her head. "But Papa will take care of you."
Robert tended Isabelle while Lissa busied herself in the kitchen and the cellar, baking and collecting preserves for Agathe. Isabelle was asleep again as Lissa finally sat down from cooking. "She still looks so drained." Lissa mentioned sadly.
"Aye. But the sleep will help." Robert patted her hand. Lissa leaned forward and their foreheads met. They just sat there, breathing, letting the tension and anxiety of the passed day and a half roll off their shoulders. Jesse lay at their feet, staying faithfully near his little mistress. Out of all the trials they'd already been through in their relationship of marriage, this had been the most frightening that they'd had to go through together. Isabelle was only a small child, and couldn't tend herself as they could if injured or ill. The helplessness of her toddlerhood had absolutely terrified the both of them. Just to hear her breathing almost normally at this moment was a tremendous blessing.
"I wanted to be here." Robert whispered. "I should've been here."
"You were trying to get her the help she needed. You're a good father, Rob." Lissa touched his face. "But I must confess...I felt so clueless and about as vulnerable as she was. And then...Agathe showed up. I saw a miracle happen before my eyes."
"Aye. We'll never be able to repay her in full. But I just thank God she was here when you desperately needed some help! Or our baby angel might not be..."
"Please, don't even talk about it!" Lissa cried. "Just thinking about it is too much." Robert grunted in agreement. Lissa knelt on the floor and leaned her head against his chest. He wrapped his arm around her, and they watched their daughter rest. "Rob? Have you found that since Isabelle has come into our lives, that...you seem to find yourself having powerful fears and new, fierce instincts that you didn't have before? To this extent?"
"Yes, my love! Indeed, I have." Robert answered. "Becoming a father has changed my life in so many ways, ways I never saw coming. But, it's a good change."
"The parts of parents we can't grasp when we're so little." Lissa mentioned.
"Aye."
Isabelle was still sleeping heavily when Dr. Tanner arrived later that afternoon to check up on her. He'd stayed close to town most of the day due to all the snow, calling on the ill people close to his office. But he'd been anxious to see how his little patient was doing. Yes, he'd been encouraged when Gaston had returned to Villeneuve and informed him of Isabelle's progress from Robert. But he'd still wanted to see for himself, particularly because he felt guilty for keeping Robert from his little girl at such a time, even though he'd had no choice.
"She sounds mostly cleared up." Dr. Tanner smiled brightly, putting his instruments inside his bag. "But she will need to remain in bed for a week. She's quite weak and needs much rest to regain her strength."
"Thank you, Dr. Tanner," Lissa kissed the elder physician on the side of his face.
"Oh, I didn't do very much I'm sorry to say. Personally, I feel that I made things all the more difficult for you, keeping Robert in town when you needed him badly."
"Well, if you had let him gallivant off into the icy night, he might...be very uncomfortable right now." Lissa said grimly.
"Yes. Robert, you have enough Ipecac?"
"Yes, Sir. Now that her cough is subsiding, we should be fine." Robert nodded.
"I'm pleased to hear that." Dr. Tanner said, putting his black hat on. "Well, Isabelle appears to be improving at a steady pace. I shall return tomorrow evening to check again, if the weather is fair. I am very happy she's healing."
"So are we!" Robert nodded, wrapping his arm around Lissa. "Thank you for coming, Sir."
"Thank God things took a turn for the better. I will see myself out. God bless you both." Dr. Tanner tipped his hat and made his way out the door. Lissa leaned on Robert's shoulder, inhaling in relief.
"I'm happy to say I don't suppose God was ready for our little angel to join His in a better place." Robert said, tearing up.
"Hallo!" Gaston greeted. "Is the food ready for Agathe?"
"Yes, it is." Lissa nodded, hurrying to the kitchen and bringing back a large basket.
"She won't be so needy with all this!" Gaston remarked, feeling the weight of it. "There's enough for an army!"
"She did us a great service. It's the least we can do." Robert said.
"Quite. Well, I'd best deliver it before dark. How is Isa?"
"She's healing." Lissa smiled warmly.
"Oh, I am glad to hear that!" Gaston exhaled. "Well, I'm off. Goodbye, Sis. Take care of that precious niece of mine!"
"We will." Robert cleared his throat.
It continued to lightly snow for three days, but no more blizzards came. Lissa and Robert tended Isabelle day and night, unless Robert was off on his rounds. Gaston came by to deliver sweets from Uncle Lefou, to 'help' Isabelle get well sooner. Isabelle slept a lot and had a bigger appetite. Her cough was completely gone by the third day, yet she was still lethargic. Lissa read to her and let her look at picture books.
The third night, Robert arrived home from visiting patients to find Isabelle sitting in her high chair at the dinner table. Jesse bounded over to Robert, wagging his tail. "Hello, boy. Ahh," Robert kissed Isabelle's face, "I see my little girl is back in her big girl seat!"
"I'm big girl!" Isabelle announced.
"So, you are. The bigger you get, the prettier you become like your momma." Robert grinned. "Oh, by the way, I did see Agathe in town today."
"Oh, good." Lissa replied. "The food was still good I hope."
"Oh, yes. I told her how grateful we are for what she did for us. She acted as if it wasn't an enormous deal."
"She was quite humble indeed when she saved Isabelle." Lissa agreed.
"I also gave her some spare coins."
"Thank you, dear. It seems like such a small price to pay for what she did."
"I know, but she said that every little bit is a blessing. She was happy to have the bounty we gave her.
'I thought we might invite Lefou over for supper later this week?' " Robert asked.
"Ahh, Lefou. It would be nice to see him again. He hasn't been over for quite a while!"
"Uncle 'Fou!" Isabelle cheered.
Have another new Gaston/Lissa sibling fanfic in the works! Anyone interested in reading it when I post it?