The Vows
Part 2
by Tessa
"What do you mean, she's gone?!!! I thought I ordered you to guard her! You have been sleeping, haven't you Proser? Why can't you do a simple job like guarding that woman?!!!"
"I'm sorry Osric. You know I...."
"To late!" Osric was so angry that Marguerite got away, he couldn't control himself. With his powers he killed Proser. Manic paled. "Osric..."
"Get the hell away from me. You are going to find that woman and if you do, you kill her!!!"
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Back at the treehouse, Marguerite took her bath. When she was finished she put on her clothes and went to the living room. She sank in a chair, in deep thoughts. She still couldn't believe it. Was it true Osric had said? Was she pregnant and carrying Roxton's child? And if she was, should she tell it Roxton and the others. Or should she leave the treehouse? They were definitely not waiting for a pregnant woman.
"A penny for your thoughts", Malone said.
"My thoughts aren't worth a penny," Marguerite answered, "well, I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to bed. Good night."
"Good night, Marguerite," Veronica said.
Marguerite quickly went to her room. When she had closed the door, she walked towards her bed, let herself fall on it and started to cry. She cried like she has never done before. Roxton, who walked to his own room, stopped and heart her sob. He opened the door and when he saw her crying, he felt a pain, which he had never felt.
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"Marguerite, may I come in?"
"Do what ever you please, you're always doing that, so way change old habits!" she answered with her normal personality.
Roxton ignored the tone, closed the door and walked towards her. He put himself on her bed and took her in his arms. Marguerite started to cry again. "Ssssh, what's wrong, my sweetheart? What happened there? You know you can trust me."
"Marguerite turned her tearful face to Roxton. She saw so much love in his eyes and she decided to do the thing she never did. She would trust him and tell him what Osric had said to her.
"John," she started. Roxton looked surprised. Her tone was different, like it was more caring.
"Yes." He answered.
"I have to tell you something and it's not easy for me. But I think you should no. I think I might be pregnant." She had told the crucial word.
"You think you're what?!! How did you get that idea?" Roxton said softly.
"When Osric kidnapped me, he said it."
"Why should you believe that evil boy, Marguerite?"
"Because he said more, John, he also said he wanted revenge. Revenge by letting you suffer. Let you suffer because he would kill the baby and me. That's way I believe him John." Marguerite's eyes looked up frightened, and when she saw the look on Roxton's face, she turned away.
"Please leave, I should have known that you wouldn't believe me. What is it with me and trusting people?" she said with tears in her eyes.
"Marguerite," Roxton said with a warm voice, "I do believe you. I only have to get used to the idea I'm going to be a daddy."
"Roxton, maybe you're right and am I not pregnant. Maybe Osric WAS telling a lie. We have to know for sure."
"Maybe Veronica and Summerlee know something."
"What, let everyone know I might be pregnant? Oh no way, forget it, I'm not telling it and you are not telling it either."
"But Marguerite," Roxton said with a sigh, "If you ARE pregnant they will know it anyway."
Marguerite looked at him. "Maybe you're right, but..."
"I know darling, you are afraid to tell it. But I think we have no choice. If Osric really wants to make me suffer, he will try again to take you away from me and maybe we're not so lucky this time."
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Marguerite knew he was right and she sighed. "Okay, we will tell them." They walked into the living room. The other explorers saw Marguerite's tear-filled face, but no one said anything. Roxton looked at Marguerite and she knew he was right. It was for the best. "Ehm, I have to tell all of you something, we have to tell you something." She grabbed Roxton's hand. "Well, ehm, there could be a small chance I might be pregnant.
"What? Were did you get that idea from." Malone said.
"I'm just glad you told us, Marguerite." Veronica replied.
"My dear, will you please tell us why you think you're pregnant?" Summerlee asked.
Marguerite looked up frightened at Roxton, who was nodding a yes to her. "When I was kidnapped, Osric told me."
"Osric," Malone cried out, "In the name of God, you really believe that evil boy?!" Roxton felt Marguerite stiffening and he told the explorers what Osric also had said, holding Marguerite close to him.
"So if I heard it right, that little evil boy will let you suffer Roxton." Challenger said.
"That's right."
"And he wants to do that by killing Marguerite and with that also the baby."
"That's also right."
"Maybe it's a good idea to see if you really ARE pregnant my child," Summerlee said, "and I know precisely which plant to use for that." Summerlee went to his greenhouse to get the plant. In five minutes he was back. He told Marguerite what she had to do and ten minutes later they had the answer: Marguerite was indeed pregnant.
Veronica broke the silence. "If Osric really wants to make you suffer Roxton, he will try to kidnap Marguerite again."
"Like I haven't thought of that!" Marguerite said sarcastic. Immediately she regretted her tone and she apologized.
"It's okay Marguerite." Veronica replied.
"Okay, enough chit-chat, we have to make a plan." Malone said.
"Making a plan is a good idea." Challenger said and his eyes started blinking.
"You already have a plan, don't you George." Summerlee asked.
"Indeed I have, Arthur. I think we have to irritate that little evil boy."
"How do you want to do that?" Veronica asked.
"Well, it's quite simple, my dear."
"George, you can't do that!" Summerlee responded.
"What are you suggesting Challenger?" Roxton asked.
"Well, I think we have to celebrate something. We are going to be having a little boy or girl being around here in nine months."
Marguerite knew what Challenger intended. "Maybe that's a good idea George. No, it's a perfect idea. I think a party is just what we are needing now."
Roxton looked surprised at Marguerite. "Marguerite what..."
"Shhh, I really think it's a good idea to have a party tomorrow, John." And with that answer she went to her room.
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Roxton walked towards Marguerite's room, knocked on the door and let himself in. "What was that all about? I know Challenger's plans are usually good ones, but most of the time you don't like them."
"I know, John. But I'm not telling you anything. You won't agree with it."
"The hell I won't! I don't even agree with it now!"
"It's the only way John."
"Why do I get the feeling that there is a bate used with the plan and that that bate will be you."
Marguerite couldn't lie to him. "Well, that feeling is quite right."
Roxton couldn't even argue with her. He was touched by the fact that Marguerite told him the truth and didn't lie to him, for his sake. "I guess there's nothing I can do to change your mind, can't I?"
"No. I love you John, with all my heart. I can't see you get hurt."
Roxton took Marguerite in his arms and kissed her. She kissed him back. He shivered with the thought of what would come.
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The next morning Marguerite wanted to take a bath. "You can't go alone. I'll come with you."
"Roxton, I can take care of myself."
"You're not going alone! Not with Osric out there to take his chance to kill you."
"Okay, you can come with me."
They walked hand in hand to the river. Suddenly Marguerite stood still. Roxton looked perplexed. Marguerite never stopped that suddenly. "What is it, Marguerite?"
"Ssssst, I thought I heard something." Suddenly a man jumped out of the bushes with a sword in his raised hand. He ran towards Marguerite and when he was close enough he stabbed her with the sword. Marguerite felled down. Her eyes were closed. Roxton took his gun and shot Manic, because he was it who stabbed Marguerite. Manic felt a pain in his chest and he felt on the ground. His last thoughts were that Osric was insane.
The other members of the group heard the shots and immediately they ran to the river. When they arrived they saw Roxton kneeled down at Marguerite's site. She was not moving.
"No! No! Don't you die on me Marguerite! Don't you dare to do that!" Roxton felled over her body and for the first time in many years he cried.
End of part 2