Authors Note: This work of fiction is the sequel to 'Without Regret' and
is intended to entertain the reader. I hope the hard chore 'M*A*S*H' and
'Pride & Prejudice' fans will forgive the liberties I have taken with the
use of the characters. This is rated R, please do not read if you are under
18. Thank you.
Part 2
Chapter V
Saturday, August 31st, 1963
"I was never THAT small," declared young Charles Emerson as he stared at the new baby in his mothers arms.
"We were smaller because twins have a lower birth weight Charlie," corrected his twin Delia who at ten already sounded like a college professor.
"Vickie, stop coughing you'll make the new baby sick," nine year old Rick said crawling onto the bed next to Elizabeth to shield her and the baby from his sisters germs.
"It wasn't me, it was Eddy," pouted the seven year old as she stuck out her tongue at her brother.
"Mother, may I hold the baby too," Edward the shy four year old asked, whipping his nose with the back of his hand.
"Baby," exclaimed two year old Martin, as he hugged his new sister.
"All right children, I think that's enough for today. Why don't you go have lunch with Nanny Sarah and Lucy while mother and Ophelia get some sleep," said Charles hugging and kissing each child as they were ushered out of the room.
"We have a fine family Mrs. Winchester," Charles said once they were alone, taking the newborn from his wife and rocking her gently in his arms. "I never imagined that such a small creature could cause such enormous feelings in me."
"You say that about each child my love," Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes as she watched her husband with the newest baby.
--
The Winchesters were all busy getting ready for their annual Christmas family photo when a tearful Delia ran into Elizabeths dressing room exclaiming "Mother! Susan Johnson said that Charlie and I aren't real Winchesters because you and father weren't married when we were born. I said she was a liar and then she said that her mother told her that father HAD to marry you because of us otherwise he would have never gotten married to you at all." Delia was crying so hard she had the hiccups.
Elizabeth pulled her child into her lap, hugged her close and dried her tears, "Oh my darling, don't cry sweetie, everything will be alright." She rocked the crying child back and forth in her arms, thinking carefully about what to say next. "Delia, you know that your father and I love each other and all of you children very much. You are a smart girl and I'm not going to lie to you," she paused to hold her daughters face in her hands. "I want to tell you a story sweetie. Once upon a time a young nurse went very far away from her home, to a far away land where there was a war going on."
"Did she go to help nurse the wounded soldiers mother," asked Delia, who loved to hear her mother's stories.
"Yes dear . . . and this nurse was very frighten and alone. One day she found a wonderful doctor who was kind and intelligent and who made her feel safe from all the frightening things she saw in the war. This doctor fell in love with the young nurse and she fell just as in love with him."
"Oh, a love story. . ." sighed Delia.
". . . and on one very sad day, the two young lovers were separated by the war, the nurse was sent back to the states and the doctor stayed behind. Their hearts were broken to be apart! The doctor missed the nurse terribly and she missed him even more, for she had a secret that she had not told the doctor before she left. . ."
". . .was it a bad secret?"
"Not bad, but it was a secret. . . and due to the war happening, the doctor thought that his love had died on her way home. . ."
". . . oh no, she died!"
"No dear, the doctor was misinformed. He had heard that her plane was shot down, but she had not gotten onto the plane to begin with."
". . . oh, a misunderstanding, just like Romeo & Juliet. . ."
"Yes. . . and when the doctor came home from the war he found a letter from his love and that she was not dead but still alive."
". . . did he rush to be by her side?"
"He did indeed!"
". . . and did he tell her that he loved her?"
"Yes, he did tell her that he loved her and that he wanted to be married to her and live with her always. So the did have to get married, but they HAD to marry because they loved each other so very much."
". . . and what was her secret mother?"
"You and Charlie were that secret darling."
Delia looked wide eyed at her mother, suddenly giggled and gave Elizabeth a big hug. "I love you mother!"
"I love you too Delia. Now go dry your eyes and try not to let the cruel things that your classmates say hurt you so deeply."
Elizabeth watched Delia run out the room, she shook her head and smiled a little sadly at how quickly her children were growing up. She hoped that her story would comfort her child and Elizabeth hoped that one day when she was older, Delia would understand just what an important secret she really was.
The Winchester's house was originally designed for the master and mistress of the house to share separate rooms and while Charles and Elizabeth shared a single bed, they both had their own suites. Charles who was dressing in his side was unseen by his wife and daughter, had been able to over hear their entire exchange. After Delia left the room Charles walked through the closet that connected his suite to hers, "That was a lovely explanation Elizabeth," he said softly as his caressed his wifes shoulders and leaned over to kiss the top of her head.
"Thank you dear. I am a little worried that it's Caroline Bingley's daughter who always seems to torment our children." Elizabeth said thoughtfully as she leaned her head back against her husband. "I'm going to have to speak with her about this nonsense."
Chapter IV
Caroline Bingley Johnson hated Elizabeth Bennet Winchester. She had hated her from the first moment she set eyes on her and it had only gotten worse over the years. Caroline thought that Charles was the only man who was her equal in wealth, society and good breeding that was enough for Caroline to consider herself to be in love. She felt that Charles had abandoned her to serve his country during the Korean War and so she had married Truman Johnson only to spite him. It was entirely besides the point to Caroline that she was already married and had a child of her own by the time that the Winchesters were married; she always resented the fact that Elizabeth had married Charles right out from under her nose. Charles never though twice about Caroline, she was merely the sister of one of his friends. While he was aware of her crush on him, he had ignored her conduct for years for the sake of his friendship with her brother.
Caroline had created in her mind an understanding with Charles, she was obsessed with him and rather than moving on with her life after she married another man, she still continued to pursue Charles and fancied that he was secretly in love with her and just waiting for the right time to be free of his wife. Charles found it annoying that Caroline still carried on as if they were both twenty-one again and still single.
Elizabeth found it some what amusing that Caroline had a crush on Charles, what did not amuse Elizabeth was that now Carolines daughter Susan was telling tales to Delia an upsetting her. She knew the little girl was not to blame for her actions, and Elizabeth needed to confront the mother once and for all to end these silly games.
Elizabeth found her opportunity to speak with Caroline at Jane and Bingleys New Years Eve party. It was a quarter past one, and the house was beginning to empty of its guests. Elizabeth saw Caroline heading up the master staircase towards the back of the house and she followed her. "Oh Caroline, may I have a moment of your time please?"
"Of course, anything for you Lizzy," Caroline said with a polite sneer, she had obviously been drinking heavily and had a slight slur to her voice. She always appeared fake in her sentiments towards Elizabeth, never more so than now when there was no one around to witness them.
Elizabeth said gently, "Caroline, I know you've been under a lot of stress with your husband traveling and being gone so often. . . "
"Oh yes, well. . . not all of us can keep our husbands chained to them the way you have Charles dearest Lizzy," she snapped.
". . . but I wanted to speak with you about what you've been saying to Susan," Elizabeth ignored her comment, she did not want to be baited into an argument by Caroline.
"I have not been saying anything that was not true. You were not married when your children were born, you trapped Charles into marrying you and all of Boston knows that!"
"Caroline. . . Charles and I have been happily married for over ten years. . . Don't you think its time to let go of the idle gossiped of our youth?"
Caroline sneered at Elizabeth, the hate that had been slowly consuming her for years was building inside of her and she shook with suppressed rage, "I will never let go! You used Charles, and you should be ashamed of yourself for that!"
Elizabeth realized that Caroline was not being rational and that speaking to her further was pointless, she would just have to keep Delia away from this womans child in the future. With a small shake of her head and a sigh of regret, Elizabeth turned and walked away from Caroline.
"Don't you walk away from me when I am speaking to you," screamed Caroline in a voice that was frightening to all who heard it. She watched Elizabeth ignore her and continue to walk away.
Caroline snapped.
She ran towards Elizabeth and shoved her has hard as she could. Elizabeth fell forward with the full force of Carolines weight behind her, she stumbled and tried to catch herself but gravity had already won. She found herself falling, a small scream escaped her lips before her head impacted with the first stair and she was knocked unconscious.
Charles and the rest of the party that remained looked up in horror when they heard Caroline screaming at Elizabeth. They all saw her push Elizabeth, and a collective gasp came from the crowd as Elizabeth started to fall, Charles screamed "NO!" and ran towards the stairs. Charles felt his heart stop as watched his beloved go limp and tumbled like a rag doll down the long staircase. It was agonizing seconds until she landed in a heap at the bottom.
When he finally reached Elizabeth, Charles felt for her pulse, it was slow and her breathing was shallow. There was a small trickle of blood running from the corner of one nostril, Charles knew she was in grave danger.
Charles turned back to face the crowd that had gathered behind him, "Someone please call an ambulance," he said desperately. He knelt down next to Elizabeth and held her hand, making soft comforting noises to her unconscious body.
Charles could hear maniacal laughter coming from the top of the stairs, through his tears he saw Caroline walking down the steps towards him with her arms out stretched, she was reaching for him and had a look upon her face that Charles swore was the devil himself coming to swallow his soul. "Oh my God Caroline, what in heavens name have you done," Charles whispered in shock.
"I have set you free Charles," she said sweetly looking down at him kneeling over his wifes limp form. "You don't have to pretend that you love her anymore, you are free and we can be together now. . . "
Charles leaped to his feet, grabbed Caroline by the shoulders and shook her so hard that she almost lost her balance. Charles shouted at her, his face was red with rage and he though for a moment that he might snap her neck with his hands, "YOU ARE INSANE CAROLINE! I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE HERE TONIGHT!" Charles released Caroline and she fell backwards onto her bottom, staring up at him in disbelief. He turned back to Elizabeth and gently cradled her in his arms.
". . . but I love you Charles, I know you don't really love Elizabeth. . . I know you only married her because you had to. . . we can finally be together now. . . I did it for us. . ." she said in a sickly sweet high pitched voice that made her sound more than a little out of her head.
Jane was over whelmed and fainted into her husband's arms, Bingley caught her before she hit the floor. He was horrified beyond words at what he had just witnessed and could hardly believe his eyes and ears. He had no idea that his own sister was capable of such a vicious act.
Caroline stood up and walked passed the stunned guests into the main foyer, she sat down at the piano and began to play a lively tune. Caroline loved to be the center of attention.
Part 2
Chapter V
Saturday, August 31st, 1963
"I was never THAT small," declared young Charles Emerson as he stared at the new baby in his mothers arms.
"We were smaller because twins have a lower birth weight Charlie," corrected his twin Delia who at ten already sounded like a college professor.
"Vickie, stop coughing you'll make the new baby sick," nine year old Rick said crawling onto the bed next to Elizabeth to shield her and the baby from his sisters germs.
"It wasn't me, it was Eddy," pouted the seven year old as she stuck out her tongue at her brother.
"Mother, may I hold the baby too," Edward the shy four year old asked, whipping his nose with the back of his hand.
"Baby," exclaimed two year old Martin, as he hugged his new sister.
"All right children, I think that's enough for today. Why don't you go have lunch with Nanny Sarah and Lucy while mother and Ophelia get some sleep," said Charles hugging and kissing each child as they were ushered out of the room.
"We have a fine family Mrs. Winchester," Charles said once they were alone, taking the newborn from his wife and rocking her gently in his arms. "I never imagined that such a small creature could cause such enormous feelings in me."
"You say that about each child my love," Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes as she watched her husband with the newest baby.
--
The Winchesters were all busy getting ready for their annual Christmas family photo when a tearful Delia ran into Elizabeths dressing room exclaiming "Mother! Susan Johnson said that Charlie and I aren't real Winchesters because you and father weren't married when we were born. I said she was a liar and then she said that her mother told her that father HAD to marry you because of us otherwise he would have never gotten married to you at all." Delia was crying so hard she had the hiccups.
Elizabeth pulled her child into her lap, hugged her close and dried her tears, "Oh my darling, don't cry sweetie, everything will be alright." She rocked the crying child back and forth in her arms, thinking carefully about what to say next. "Delia, you know that your father and I love each other and all of you children very much. You are a smart girl and I'm not going to lie to you," she paused to hold her daughters face in her hands. "I want to tell you a story sweetie. Once upon a time a young nurse went very far away from her home, to a far away land where there was a war going on."
"Did she go to help nurse the wounded soldiers mother," asked Delia, who loved to hear her mother's stories.
"Yes dear . . . and this nurse was very frighten and alone. One day she found a wonderful doctor who was kind and intelligent and who made her feel safe from all the frightening things she saw in the war. This doctor fell in love with the young nurse and she fell just as in love with him."
"Oh, a love story. . ." sighed Delia.
". . . and on one very sad day, the two young lovers were separated by the war, the nurse was sent back to the states and the doctor stayed behind. Their hearts were broken to be apart! The doctor missed the nurse terribly and she missed him even more, for she had a secret that she had not told the doctor before she left. . ."
". . .was it a bad secret?"
"Not bad, but it was a secret. . . and due to the war happening, the doctor thought that his love had died on her way home. . ."
". . . oh no, she died!"
"No dear, the doctor was misinformed. He had heard that her plane was shot down, but she had not gotten onto the plane to begin with."
". . . oh, a misunderstanding, just like Romeo & Juliet. . ."
"Yes. . . and when the doctor came home from the war he found a letter from his love and that she was not dead but still alive."
". . . did he rush to be by her side?"
"He did indeed!"
". . . and did he tell her that he loved her?"
"Yes, he did tell her that he loved her and that he wanted to be married to her and live with her always. So the did have to get married, but they HAD to marry because they loved each other so very much."
". . . and what was her secret mother?"
"You and Charlie were that secret darling."
Delia looked wide eyed at her mother, suddenly giggled and gave Elizabeth a big hug. "I love you mother!"
"I love you too Delia. Now go dry your eyes and try not to let the cruel things that your classmates say hurt you so deeply."
Elizabeth watched Delia run out the room, she shook her head and smiled a little sadly at how quickly her children were growing up. She hoped that her story would comfort her child and Elizabeth hoped that one day when she was older, Delia would understand just what an important secret she really was.
The Winchester's house was originally designed for the master and mistress of the house to share separate rooms and while Charles and Elizabeth shared a single bed, they both had their own suites. Charles who was dressing in his side was unseen by his wife and daughter, had been able to over hear their entire exchange. After Delia left the room Charles walked through the closet that connected his suite to hers, "That was a lovely explanation Elizabeth," he said softly as his caressed his wifes shoulders and leaned over to kiss the top of her head.
"Thank you dear. I am a little worried that it's Caroline Bingley's daughter who always seems to torment our children." Elizabeth said thoughtfully as she leaned her head back against her husband. "I'm going to have to speak with her about this nonsense."
Chapter IV
Caroline Bingley Johnson hated Elizabeth Bennet Winchester. She had hated her from the first moment she set eyes on her and it had only gotten worse over the years. Caroline thought that Charles was the only man who was her equal in wealth, society and good breeding that was enough for Caroline to consider herself to be in love. She felt that Charles had abandoned her to serve his country during the Korean War and so she had married Truman Johnson only to spite him. It was entirely besides the point to Caroline that she was already married and had a child of her own by the time that the Winchesters were married; she always resented the fact that Elizabeth had married Charles right out from under her nose. Charles never though twice about Caroline, she was merely the sister of one of his friends. While he was aware of her crush on him, he had ignored her conduct for years for the sake of his friendship with her brother.
Caroline had created in her mind an understanding with Charles, she was obsessed with him and rather than moving on with her life after she married another man, she still continued to pursue Charles and fancied that he was secretly in love with her and just waiting for the right time to be free of his wife. Charles found it annoying that Caroline still carried on as if they were both twenty-one again and still single.
Elizabeth found it some what amusing that Caroline had a crush on Charles, what did not amuse Elizabeth was that now Carolines daughter Susan was telling tales to Delia an upsetting her. She knew the little girl was not to blame for her actions, and Elizabeth needed to confront the mother once and for all to end these silly games.
Elizabeth found her opportunity to speak with Caroline at Jane and Bingleys New Years Eve party. It was a quarter past one, and the house was beginning to empty of its guests. Elizabeth saw Caroline heading up the master staircase towards the back of the house and she followed her. "Oh Caroline, may I have a moment of your time please?"
"Of course, anything for you Lizzy," Caroline said with a polite sneer, she had obviously been drinking heavily and had a slight slur to her voice. She always appeared fake in her sentiments towards Elizabeth, never more so than now when there was no one around to witness them.
Elizabeth said gently, "Caroline, I know you've been under a lot of stress with your husband traveling and being gone so often. . . "
"Oh yes, well. . . not all of us can keep our husbands chained to them the way you have Charles dearest Lizzy," she snapped.
". . . but I wanted to speak with you about what you've been saying to Susan," Elizabeth ignored her comment, she did not want to be baited into an argument by Caroline.
"I have not been saying anything that was not true. You were not married when your children were born, you trapped Charles into marrying you and all of Boston knows that!"
"Caroline. . . Charles and I have been happily married for over ten years. . . Don't you think its time to let go of the idle gossiped of our youth?"
Caroline sneered at Elizabeth, the hate that had been slowly consuming her for years was building inside of her and she shook with suppressed rage, "I will never let go! You used Charles, and you should be ashamed of yourself for that!"
Elizabeth realized that Caroline was not being rational and that speaking to her further was pointless, she would just have to keep Delia away from this womans child in the future. With a small shake of her head and a sigh of regret, Elizabeth turned and walked away from Caroline.
"Don't you walk away from me when I am speaking to you," screamed Caroline in a voice that was frightening to all who heard it. She watched Elizabeth ignore her and continue to walk away.
Caroline snapped.
She ran towards Elizabeth and shoved her has hard as she could. Elizabeth fell forward with the full force of Carolines weight behind her, she stumbled and tried to catch herself but gravity had already won. She found herself falling, a small scream escaped her lips before her head impacted with the first stair and she was knocked unconscious.
Charles and the rest of the party that remained looked up in horror when they heard Caroline screaming at Elizabeth. They all saw her push Elizabeth, and a collective gasp came from the crowd as Elizabeth started to fall, Charles screamed "NO!" and ran towards the stairs. Charles felt his heart stop as watched his beloved go limp and tumbled like a rag doll down the long staircase. It was agonizing seconds until she landed in a heap at the bottom.
When he finally reached Elizabeth, Charles felt for her pulse, it was slow and her breathing was shallow. There was a small trickle of blood running from the corner of one nostril, Charles knew she was in grave danger.
Charles turned back to face the crowd that had gathered behind him, "Someone please call an ambulance," he said desperately. He knelt down next to Elizabeth and held her hand, making soft comforting noises to her unconscious body.
Charles could hear maniacal laughter coming from the top of the stairs, through his tears he saw Caroline walking down the steps towards him with her arms out stretched, she was reaching for him and had a look upon her face that Charles swore was the devil himself coming to swallow his soul. "Oh my God Caroline, what in heavens name have you done," Charles whispered in shock.
"I have set you free Charles," she said sweetly looking down at him kneeling over his wifes limp form. "You don't have to pretend that you love her anymore, you are free and we can be together now. . . "
Charles leaped to his feet, grabbed Caroline by the shoulders and shook her so hard that she almost lost her balance. Charles shouted at her, his face was red with rage and he though for a moment that he might snap her neck with his hands, "YOU ARE INSANE CAROLINE! I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE HERE TONIGHT!" Charles released Caroline and she fell backwards onto her bottom, staring up at him in disbelief. He turned back to Elizabeth and gently cradled her in his arms.
". . . but I love you Charles, I know you don't really love Elizabeth. . . I know you only married her because you had to. . . we can finally be together now. . . I did it for us. . ." she said in a sickly sweet high pitched voice that made her sound more than a little out of her head.
Jane was over whelmed and fainted into her husband's arms, Bingley caught her before she hit the floor. He was horrified beyond words at what he had just witnessed and could hardly believe his eyes and ears. He had no idea that his own sister was capable of such a vicious act.
Caroline stood up and walked passed the stunned guests into the main foyer, she sat down at the piano and began to play a lively tune. Caroline loved to be the center of attention.