Chapter Four

Broken Pieces

Part One

Her heart twisting, Marguerite paced the length of the mouth of the cave, chewing on her lower lip and nervously fidgeting her fingers.  A shadow fell across her and she spun around, peering anxiously up at her husband.  "John," she murmured, her eyes pleading for him.  You better come back to me.

He gazed at her for a fleeting moment before drawing her into a tight embrace, crushing her frail body against his solid one.  "More likely than not, I will survive, but our attempts at bringing Adam back will fail."

"I know, but," she squeezed her eyes shut, "I appreciate we get the opportunity at another chance.  I just pray that it works."

"If it doesn't, we've lost nothing that we didn't already have.  And we'll still have each other," he bent down, cupping her slender face in his large hands and placed a gentle, but deep kiss on her soft lips.

"It's time, Lord Roxton," one of the technicians interrupted briskly.

Roxton shifted back, grasping her small hands.  He gazed intensely at her before walking back, their fingers slowly pulling apart.  'I love you', he silently mouthed before slipping into the heart of the cave.

Part Two

In the mid-afternoon sun, Marguerite sighed and brushed a strand of dark hair away from her face as the breeze swept it across her eyes.  She gazed out across the yard where a little boy wobbly ran gaily after a butterfly.

Thinking of her husband, as she often did during the bleak days, brought salty tears to her eyes that she quickly wiped away.  She missed him with every heartbeat.  He hadn't pulled through, but instead had slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness.  Marguerite had taken him to the tree house and spent hours on end sitting with his nearly lifeless body, urging him to wake.  She wondered if he could even here her desperately begging to the God who had shunned her from His miracles.

A squeal brought her attention back to the little toddler.  He was a happy, loving innocent two-year old, unbothered by the harsh world around him.  Marguerite rose to her feet, desperate to be away from the happiness of the child, and disappeared back into the tree house.

Veronica, who had been quietly sitting beside the heiress, helplessly watched her friend slink away.  She glanced back at the little boy and sighed.  She knew it was difficult for Marguerite to interact with him, but she did make a few hearted attempts now and then for the benefit of the rest of them.  Veronica could only hope that one day Marguerite would be able to overcome the pain and live again.

"Come here sweetie," Veronica called out to him.  "We're going to make lunch for Aunt Marguerite."

End Chapter Four

Velma-Kelly-online:  Thank you so much for your passionate reviews!  All three of your reviews were greatly appreciated.  And in response to a certain detail you mentioned, there will be a surprise around the corner.  Spirita:  As usual, your reviews are welcome.  Thank you so much.  TheChosenOne3:  Always the voice of inspiration.  In how many different ways can I say 'thank you'?  LoveMR:  You make my day with your reviews.  SierraSunshine:  I wish I could screw my British Literature assignment, but the world isn't that fair.  Lol.  Mary:  Well, you're question was answered.  You're favorite characters have a son of their own!  NLD_diva:  I hope you didn't get impatient.  Thank you for your review.  Brainfear:  I hope I keep up the streak, too, but after I finish my work.  Lol.  Pamiekae:  I know what you mean.  I sometimes take a while getting around to reading, too.  Thank you ever so kindly for your review.  Everyone:  If I missed you, I'm sorry, but these were the names that were posted at the time I wrote this.  Thank you, anyway; even if you don't post a review, I'm glad if you like it enough to read it.