Chapter Eighteen

Healing

Part One

It was too much for her to handle.  Marguerite donned on her boots and escaped to the woods, surrounding herself with the trees – away from Roxton and his despair.  He wanted her to remember, but she wanted to remain innocently blissful.  Why dredge up the past if it was only going to hurt her?  Why reminisce on a son who no longer lived?

Marguerite, still weak, didn't get far before collapsing onto the ground, dirt painting the back of her skirt.  She glanced down, her eyes catching on the sight of her ugly, charred skin and she shrieked.  Why was God doing this to her?  Frustrated, she clawed at her hair, sobbing. 

She didn't know who she was except for a wife of a damaged man and a mother of a dead little boy.  Did her existence even matter?  Was she loved by anyone?

John.

The one simple thought quieted her crying.  "John," she murmured, thinking back to the kiss.  Suddenly, she felt calm and refreshed.  John loved her.  He had to love her.  She was his wife.

Part Two

For the last two hours, Roxton lay perfectly still on his bed, his eyes closed.  He listened to the calming noises of the wild, focuses on the nocturnal birds' songs in order to draw his memories away.  A whooshing sound brought his attention to the door and he squinted in the dark until the shape of a woman became clear.

"Marguerite," he whispered hoarsely, tiredly.  "Having trouble sleeping?"  He hoisted himself up until his back was firmly against the headboard.  She only continued to stand there, her face illuminated by the pale moonlight.  "Marguerite?  Darling, is something wrong?"

She hesitantly, silently stepped forward.  "John," her voice was silk.  "When did you fall in love with me?"

A tentative grin appeared on his lips and he patted the mattress beside him, inviting her to snuggle in.  "You were enchanting from the beginning.  You with your cunning, breathtaking smile and luminous, large eyes and sharp, intellectual mind; entrapped me from day one."

Marguerite, nestled against his side, smiled bashfully.  "You're not so bad yourself, Lord Roxton."  She cleared throat, staring him straight in the eye.  "But when did you fall in love with me?"

"To be honest, I've fallen in love with you over and over again.  Yet, the first time, the time I realized it for what it was, was when Druids who wanted to sacrifice you tore you away from me.  It was during our first year, only a couple months stranded.  We were mapping a series of caves, searching for a way off the plateau.  You were busy collecting gemstones.  We were caught off guard.  After they carried off, I knew I would stop at nothing to save you.  And then…and then we got you back…and you took that leap of faith.  I'll never forget the terror of watching you take that step off the cliff, fire nearly licking your hair."

Marguerite concentrated, but failed at conjuring up the memory.

"Yet, I also fell in love with you every time you smiled or called my name or," he nudged her, "used your manipulation skills to get us out of trouble.  Then of course I fell in love with you when you agreed to marry me.  And on our wedding day, love couldn't describe how I felt.  Then there was the day you told me you were pregnant.  And then one day, my heart burst – seeing you holding our son for the first time.  So you see, Marguerite, I've fallen in love with you a million times and I'll continue to do so forever."

Marguerite, nearly choking on a sob, lips quivering, wrapped her arms securely around herself.  "I wish I could remember, John.  I want to remember when I first fell in love with you.  I want to remember the day you asked me to be your wife.  I want to remember our wedding.  I want to remember being pregnant.  I want to remember Adam.  I want to remember everything about us."

"You will, Marguerite.  It'll come back to you.  I promise."  He embraced her, pulling her tight against him, the smell of her intoxicating.  "But maybe you needed some time to forget…time to heal…maybe this was all for the best.  It's definitely brought us closer."

She released a bent-up sigh, burying her face into the crook of his neck.  "I hope so.  I may not recall our past, but I know why I loved you."

"Do you love me now?"

"I would like to think so, but I hardly know you.  Yet…somehow…yes.  Yes, I do.  It's like a whisper…a long forgotten memory of a previous life…but I know I'm meant to love you.  It's like it was…destined."  A moment slipped by before she chuckled.  "Listen to me: being mushy and sounding ridiculous."

"You don't sound ridiculous to me," he murmured.  He titled her head up towards him.  "At least I hope loving me doesn't sound ridiculous."

"It doesn't."  Then she leaned up and kissed him.

End Chapter Eighteen

The episode mentioned was Out of Time.

Keys3303: (Your Chapter Sixteen Review): Wow.  It's shocking that you read this twice.  And it's nice to know that someone has an idea of what I'm going through health wise.  (Your Chapter Seventeen Review): At least they kissed, right?  That's a step forward. 

SiearraSunshine: (Your Chapter Sixteen Review): Your review made me smile.  (Your Chapter Seventeen Review): I didn't think that chapter would make anyone cry.  /Here's a tissue/. 

Spirita: I won't let you die in your 'own lake of tears'!  I'll save you! 

LoveMR: Roxton's trying his best, but I may change that… 

Wishes: She'll get her memory fully restored…I think… 

ZeusFluff: You're so sweet.  /smiles/ And I noticed you added me to favorites.  I'm honored.

E1stwin: Thank you for the prayer. 

TheChosenOne3: But can he pass the test?  Anyway, thanks for the offer.  I appreciate it.  I may even cash in on it sometime.  By the way, I noticed you added me to favorites.  Wow.  What an honor. 

Velma-K-O:  As soon as I see that a review is from you I can't help but feel uplifted.  And, yeah, as much as people want them getting together, it would be too soon and too much for Marguerite.  But they're making progress!  Anyway, let me know when you update. 

Fab:  Oops, maybe I didn't explain it well enough. Marguerite was willing, but then she got nervous and withdrew.  That's why she started picking up the fruit.  And Roxton, being a gentleman, didn't want to push.  Sorry for the confusion. 

Clux: Thank you so much, Clux.  And I'm glad you thought it was depressing – it was supposed to be! (And thanks for the Paybacks review, too.)