IF EVERYTHING HAD BEEN DIFFERENT – Chapter 13
A very special thanks to Cris (our very kind translator) and to Doc Maria Celia for her help in providing research information related to medical terms, remedies and treatments cited in this fic
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Also in Portuguese: "Se Tudo Fosse Diferente"
"Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;"
Khalil Gibran – "The Prophet"
Veronica opened her eyes, but then she closed them again quickly when the light filament that entered the room bothered her. She tried once again, but now very slowly until getting used to the clarity. She looked around trying to identify where she was and was confused trying to rescue any memory of how she had arrived back to the Treehouse. She was very thirsty, her entire body hurt and she discovered that breathing was even more painful. Gradually and very carefully she began to move until she noticed something holding on her firmly. She pulled the blanket and smiled when finding out Tommy embracing her, with such tight arms that she doubted she could release herself from them.
"I missed you too, sweetie…" - she wondered, touched.
Very slowly she removed one of his tinny arms from her abdomen, brought the boy for closer to her, and she hugged him lovingly, really slowly, in a way he wouldn't wake up. She put her face in the child's - "You grew up, Tommy... you're a very strong boy..." – with her eyes closed, she caressed his little back. - "You're pretty... and look... what a beautiful cloth also... Clothes that Marguerite made, didn't she?" - She kissed his warm head tenderly - "And you have a good smell too, sweetie... much better than when we were out, isn't it?"
When the memory of those days came back to her mind, Veronica felt great sadness. She was deeply sorry for what was spoken during that discussion and for having taken Tommy with her to so far. - "Will you forgive me some day, my dear?" - She hid her nose in the boy's neck and closed her eyes, feeling the child very close to her. She was very weak, but there was nothing that could strength her more than having Tommy in her arms, so healthy.
She tried to go back to sleep, but she couldn't. She didn't get tired of looking to the boy, checking that he was alright. And she couldn't stop thinking about the awful discussion with Challenger and how much she had hurt him. How would he be? Could he forgive her one day?
The door screeched and Veronica saw Summerllee coming in. Immediately he sat down taking the young woman's hand. She noticed that the heat of the good man's hands made her feel better and she saw the love and relief that emanated from his eyes.
"Never test the heart of this old man again." - Arthur affectionately arranged the woman's hair who smiled back to him with a touch of innocence. -"Did you like your buddy?"
"Hum, Hum!" - She answered in a very weak and hoarse voice. Summerllee noticed and helped her to drink some fresh tea.
"I'll call somebody to take him..."
"Please... don't."
"If he wakes up we couldn't separate him from you." - Justified Arthur leaving and coming back with Roxton who smiled kissing Veronica in her forehead.
"Hello, my friend. I missed you."
"And I missed you."
"So, when can we go out for hunting? If you want I will be free in a few minutes" - John blinked once again what made her smile once more.
Daintily Roxton tried to release the child.
"Come on, Tommy, Veronica needs to rest" - He accommodated him in his lap and the boy continued to sleep.
Veronica's recovery would be slow. They all knew that, but they were happy and alleviated.
Challenger got the four friends together to give his orders: If everything happened well the fever would continue to give in leisurely and as she was very enervated, any effort would exhaust her. Then the priority would be strength her so that her organism would struggle the infection and make her stronger. He was also categorical when informing that she ought to stay in bed for, at least, fifteen days. The scientist knew that sooner or later she would be restless for being so much time locked in her bedroom but he was extremely persuasive when affirming that anything about Veronica's health would be determined only by him. And nobody would dare to question his orders even for the girl's insistence.
George also taught Marguerite the use of the ventouse, explaining that they were used to remove the humidity and to reduce the toxins. He was surprised with the easiness that she had learned how to deal with them and he suspected that the heiress had already had contact with the technique in some of her trips, but he decided not ask. Marguerite was a woman of many secrets that maybe would be revealed at the right moment. Then she began with the massage in Veronica's back and afterwards she applied the cupping glass. Malone still tried to watch once or twice, but he gave up. Although Marguerite guaranteed that it didn't cause any pain he was not convinced, mainly when he saw the marks of bruises in her honey tanned skin.
When Malone took the boy for a visit, it seemed that the only people that lived in the world were Tommy and Veronica. Tommy threw himself towards the young woman with so much urgency that Ned had to interfere so that he didn't hurt her. Then she held him closer with tenderness. And that was one of the few moments in what, while awake, Tommy stayed quiet, hugging her, as if he was sure of how precious was that occasion for both of them.
Challenger insisted on caring for her sleep. And nobody would contradict him.
"Don't worry. You're getting better day by day..." - he whispered - "and if you don't want to see me again, I'll understand... I was blind and selfish...But taking care of you made me see my mistakes, and thanks to you, my dear, I am a better person now... I won't beg for an apology. What I did doesn't deserve any kind of excuse. But if one day brings me your forgiveness, be sure I will be the happiest man in this world...."
But whenever he noticed that she was awoken the scientist stood back and called somebody to stay in his place. Then Challenger took a shower, had a meal and slept for some hours. He woke up and always went for a walk in the forest together with Marguerite, Roxton or Summerllee. When returning to the Treehouse he went to the laboratory where he jotted down his notes and separated meticulously everything that he would need for Veronica's treatment.
She became sad when noticing that now he avoided her. But she understood. Sometimes her mind moved away, and when their friends noticed her bitterness, and they asked about it, she always said that everything was fine and nothing was worrying her.
Malone went to Veronica's room carrying her dinner when Roxton, arriving with Marguerite, took the tray from his hands.
"What...?" -the journalist said without understanding.
"Sorry, Ned. But today I shall have dinner with your girl." - Roxton came out smiling before the young man could protest. Marguerite caught his arm.
"Leave him. Roxton is just pretending to be a gentleman. What are you cooking, Summerllee?"
"Ah, my dear! We have a very special dinner tonight."
"What is it?"
"Have a sit and wait for the best meal of your life"- Arthur laughed.
Marguerite snorted, turning her eyes.
"Raptor's steak again, Summerllee?"
"Knock, knock." – Roxton called in good mood entering Veronica's room. She was lying and surprised to see the hunter coming instead of Malone.
"My God, Veronica. You look terrible."
"You're very nice, Roxton"- She answered trying to sit down with a grimace - "I feel terrible." - He ran for her.
"Let me help you"- John assisted the young woman and positioned some pillows behind her back. She smiled showing gratitude. The hunter took the platter.
"Guess the menu today."
"The same thing of yesterday and of the day before yesterday: carrot soup, yam, turnip and thistle-saint's tea. Am I right?"
"You're a genius."
"I'm not hungry, Roxton. Just thirsty."
"I know, but make an effort." - John glanced at her supplicant -"I need my partner in hunting back to work as fast as possible or I will go crazy. Malone tries, but he is very clumsy; Summerllee is very slow and Marguerite complains so much that she frightens all the animals of the neighborhood."
Veronica laughed.
"Only a little, then." - she began to eat slowly.
Malone entered the laboratory.
"Challenger. Dinner is ready."
"Just a few minutes and I'm going. Some minutes more and I'll go. I want to finish this first." - the scientist said without letting himself to get distracted by the journalist who moved towards him curiously.
"What are you doing?"
"Finishing some notes about Veronica's recovery."
Veronica didn't eat more than half of the meal. Any effort that she did was painful and she hated this more than any other thing. Roxton thought about offering help so that she could finish the meal, but as he didn't want to constrain her, he got satisfied when she pushed the plate. She was a proud and free woman and to depend on people had always been very difficult for her. John became very serious.
"All of us know that something is disturbing you, so, please, talk to me... or Malone, Summerllee, even Marguerite, but talk to somebody."
"It's nothing...Really…" - the hunter leaned taking her hands into his.
"Talk to me, Veronica."
Roxton made a break. When she looked at him she felt so supported that, even hesitant in the beginning, the words began to flow from her mouth.
"You all have been so wonderful that I will never be able to thank you enough. Tommy should be my responsibility and I'm so sorry that you are having all this concern with him and mainly with me. You don't imagine how difficult it is for me to depend on you and I couldn't do anything." - she swallowed hard.
"And you don't have any idea about how taking care of you and Tommy had been changing things here. And despite all the anxiety, things are changing for better. Believe me." - After a few seconds Roxton continued - "Have you been seeing Challenger?" - She gave him a melancholic glance and answered dryly.
"No."
Malone closed Challenger's diary who looked at him.
"You are avoiding her. Why?"
"Me? What idea is that, Malone?"
"I do know that you have different opinions about some things, and went to opposite sides, discussed, hurt each other, but after everything you went through together it wouldn't be the time now to leave the pride aside and forgive?" - Roxton and Malone asked to Veronica and Challenger, at the same time, who answered with excited voices, but firmly.
"Forgive? What should I forgive?... I spoke a lot of nonsense with the only intention of hurting somebody that I deeply care. And in the moment I noticed how ruthless I was I felt so much shame of myself, and so much pain as I had never felt before."
"And I was afraid of losing her, Malone. I stayed all these days with her not only to save her life, but specially to save mine. I waited and I prayed so that she reacted and got better and it was the way things happened, fortunately. And I also thank for her not remembering a thing, not remembering that I was there with the whole weight of that shame and of the burden on me."
"On that day when I took Tommy away, I didn't look back. And I couldn't think about anything, only in moving away from you and mainly to move away from Challenger. I couldn't face him. In fact, I couldn't face any of you. And I took care of Tommy and I was more and more embarrassed. What example would I be for him? I only thought about what I had said to Challenger and how unfair I was."
"But now I know I don't need to be only George Challenger, the scientist. I am much more than this. I only wanted to have made this discovery 25 years ago, and then my Jessy would never have been alone and I would be the proud father of somebody like Veronica."
"Days ago I asked him to stay with me. I needed that comfort and he was gentle enough to do that for me. Summerllee said that Challenger stays here all night, but I could never see him... I am not entitled to ask that he forgives me, Roxton. I am not entitled to ask him anything else."
"Did you already imagine that both of you can be torturing yourselves for the same reason?" - Roxton and Malone concluded.
"Let's eat, great scientist." - Ned went upstairs towards the kitchen and he was followed by a grateful George by having talked to somebody. He couldn't only suspect that this person would be Malone.
"Roxton. Thank you for the dinner and the conversation."
The hunter got up.
"I am the one who thank you for having trusted me, Veronica."
On that afternoon Summerllee had decided to relax dedicating some time to arrange the vegetable garden. With the lately priorities the plants had been left aside. Arthur appreciated the company of the people, but being with the plants he felt like home.
Roxton was right when saying that despite everything things were changing for better. Observing Challenger and Veronica in their respective processes of cure Summerllee discovered that the change that the episode had provoked was making him stopping to torture himself for not having been together with Anna when she died.
And for some reason he had the sensation that this would still be a special day.
Roxton invited Marguerite to go out hunting with him. The Treehouse didn't need provisions, but after so much pressure only walking around the forest without concerns was a blessing.
"Can I ask you a question, Marguerite?" – Roxton said.
"Just talk. Or do you think I don't know that provocation tone?"
"You like him, don't you?"
"Whom are you talking about?"
"You know."
"The little monkey?" - She didn't wait for an answer - "You're crazy, Roxton."
"You were the one who sang to him and make him stop crying."
"I wouldn't stay the rest of the day with the little monkey crying in my ears…"
"I know. He likes you." - Roxton continued to provoke her.
"He doesn't like me. He likes to annoy me: a perfect Veronica's disciple."
John laughed when concluding that the old Marguerite self was back.
"You have been wonderful, Marguerite" - The words were formed in the hunter's mind, but he noticed on time that saying them would be his ruin. The heiress would never let him forget that praise.
Marguerite continued in front of Roxton without letting him notice her smile – "I'm glad your destiny may be different from mine, Tommy." – she thought.
Veronica felt her blanket being pulled to the ground. She opened her eyes and saw Tommy trying to climb her bed, and already getting irritated by failing. Malone appeared through the door ajar.
"I found you out!"
The boy shrieked and tried desperately to climb the bed. Ned pretended to catch him while the boy hid himself under the blanket on the floor.
Veronica saw herself enjoying observing that scene, it was impossible not to feel better. Finally she extended a hand to Tommy who used it to finally climb the bed, and so both of them got hidden under the blanket.
"Hey! This is not fair! I can't enter there, can I!?"
"NO!" - Veronica said smiling. Ned got closer and pulled the blanket a little.
"Ha! Ha!"
Tommy laughed hiding his face on Veronica's lap, who was either smiling still a little weak.
Ned faced her with a serious glance on his face and she felt goose-bumps when he got closer and touched her lips with his, kissing her with such tenderness she had never experienced before. The soft touch from both sides made them both dive into a deep lake of sensations. Malone felt the flavor and the texture of a sweet strawberry caressing his lips. Their hearts were getting warmer when the sweet and tender kiss was interrupted by a tinny had, pushing the journalist. Both smiled embarrassed and Malone ruffled Tommy's hair tenderly.
"I already understood. She's your girl, isn't she?"
Veronica smiled when Tommy hugged her avoiding looking to Ned – "Alright, you win... Can't I stay just a little with her, Tommy? I promise you I will let her at home!"
Tommy extended his arm, never letting go off Veronica and without looking to Ned – "Ah, you don't want to talk to me, do you? Are you angry with me, aren't you? Alright then... I think I will have to find another spoon..."
The boy finally looked to him and both of them smiled – "Ah, selfish boy!"
"Come on Tommy, let's play by the room, Veronica needs to rest..."
Ned took the boy who was sadly glancing at him and Veronica - "Mmmm..." – he mumbled pointing to her.
"You're very smart, aren't you, kid? You want to stay with her all day, don't you? Well, you're not the only one."
"Ned..." – she asked in a low voice - "Could you please do me a favor?"
"Today you can even ask me two favors, since I'm in a good mood..."
"Can you take me to the common room just for a while?"
"I'm sorry, but... I can't..."
"Why?"
"Because you have pneumonia and a wind flow is the last thing you need to catch..."
"But the sun is probably so beautiful… And I'm here tied to this bed, locked for so long..."
Ned thought for a while. "I don't know if it would be good for your health..."
"It would be good for me, Ned... Please..."
She asked so faithfully that she seemed adept to some minutes of sun cult.
"What do you think, little friend? Let's take her for a walk?" – Malone asked putting Tommy on the ground - "Alright... But first I will arrange things for you in the common room..."
Ned left and Tommy crawled as fast as he could behind him. Minutes later, the journalist was back. He caught Tommy and put him hugging Veronica's neck.
"I can walk, Ned." – She said.
"No way. Lord John Roxton is teaching me how to be a gentleman and we need to practice, don't we, little boy?" – he looked to Tommy - "Can you hold him?"
"It's him who holds me" – she laughed.
"So… " - Ned answered back with a smile - "Transportation for two. " – He inclined himself and took Veronica in his arms – "Ow, you are heavy!" – she leaned her head on his thorax, who enjoyed that contact. He felt he could remain with her lying on him for hours.
He took them both to the common room and accommodated Veronica in a chaise by a side of the room where there was no wind, but in a way she had a total view of the balcony and the external area of the plateau. Only then he noticed she was trembling. He ran to here bedroom and came back bringing her a blanket.
"I'm sorry" – he told embarrassed. She just smiled at him.
"Ned? Who cut Tommy's hair?"
Malone was even more embarrassed.
"Did you notice? Roxton did it."
"Roxton?"
"Alright, I confess. Roxton and I did it. His hair was growing over his eyes and then we decided to give it a cut. It is not that straight, but it is not that bad either, is it?"
Veronica started laughing – "No."
Ned took Tommy putting him on the ground. He inclined getting closer to her and talking in a low voice.
"Is it better now? I still don't think it's a good idea."
"I'm fine...really..." – she reassured, in a soft tone of voice when feeling the closeness of the journalist.
He inclined a little bit more until their lips met again tenderly. Tommy mumbled while insistently pulled Malone's trousers' hem. Ned caressed Veronica's face.
"I missed you too, Ned." – They both smiled.
"Can you stay alone for just a little while? It's time to bath this dirty boy and to feed him." – She nodded an agreement.
"Now you just rest. If you need anything, I will be around. Let's go, dirty boy." – He said, putting Tommy over his shoulders.
Veronica tried to relax and enjoy the sun rays from the morning.
She closed her eyes and touched her lips softly, still feeling there the sweetest kiss she could ever get. Certainly she would never forget that scene, even Tommy pushing Ned… She smiled. – "Jealous boys…"
TO BE CONTINUED...
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