Chap 22 Love Awakens

The young woman touched of the hand of her love as she looked into his moist eyes. D'Artagnan Jr. shot up from the side of the bed with a great startle.

"She's Awake! She's Awake!" As he gently brushed her hair from her face.

The other men rushed into the room the moment the words were spoken to see the beauty watching her love with adoring eyes.

Duval walked up to the bed and gave Jacqueline a smirk. "You gave us quite a worry, young lady!"

She tried to set up but she still felt a bit lightheaded. D'Artagnan Jr. placed his arms gently around her to help her set up. 'Take it easy you have been unconscious for a few days."

She gave the men around her a weak smile. "May I please have some water?"

Ramon rushed out of the room and returned carrying a goblet of water. Jacqueline gave him a grateful look as she eagerly accepted the water. "Thank You Ramon!"

She looked at all the men in the room and got a puzzled look upon her face. D'Artagnan Sr. noticed her look of confusion. "We will explain everything as soon as you are feeling better."

She gave them a little pout and D'Artagnan Jr. shook his head and gave a little laugh. "That's my girl, as stubborn as always."

She gave him a smile as she snuggled further into his arms. D'Artagnan Jr. now had a look of confusion upon his face but felt comfort in the knowledge she was content if only for the moment. She looked into the adoring eyes of the man she loved. "If I can stay in your arms then I will wait for as long as I need to, to hear everything." Her face was filled with the love she felt within her heart.

The other men watch as the two lovers held each other in a loving embrace. All the men knew they were meant to be together in the name of love. They all exchanged a glance and left the room to give D'Artagnan Jr. and Jacqueline some time alone.

As soon as everyone had left the room D'Artagnan Jr. removed his arms from around Jacqueline and knelt upon the ground. He looked into her emerald green eyes and gently held her hand.

"Jacqueline, I love you! I know I may not perfect in any way. But when I am with you I feel like life is wonderful. I feel like I can do anything with you by my side." He kept running his fingers nervously through his hair.

"Jacqueline, you are my best friend and now I wanted to know if you would….

I can not live without you by my side. It almost broke my heart when you left. Please stay by my side as my wife."

Her heart began to flutter at these words as a tear started escape her eye. "D'Artagnan, I want to tell you something."

D'Artagnan Jr. hung his head in disappointment. She got a small smile upon her face and picked his head up in her hands to look into his eyes.

"D'Artagnan, my love! I want to stop running from my heart. Being with you is what I desire above all else. I would be a foolish not to love you. Yes! I will be your wife. I want to have our son and be by you side…."

He looked into her eyes as his heart began to melt with her loving words. He grabbed her in his arms and gave her a kiss of great passion. She melted within his loving embrace as he gave her a look of admiration.

He quickly grabbed a ring adorned with emeralds and rubies from his jacket and placed it delicately upon her finger.

In another part of the inn

Jacques (Siroc) walked over to his friend and placed his hand on Ramon's shoulder. "She is awake now. She is a fighter and won't give up. She will survive and none of this is your fault."

Ramon looked at his friend with appreciation in his eyes. "I know Jacques; I just wish I could have protected her so she would not have been harmed in the first place." He let out a sigh of frustration.

Ramon's father walked up behind the two men as they were speaking. "Ramon, it is not your fault. It is mine if I would not have attacked her she would…."

Jacques (Siroc) placed his other arm around Ramon's Father's shoulder to try to offer comfort. "It is no ones fault. She is safe now and if I know our Jacqueline she will not let this slow her down a bit."

The older man gave Jacques (Siroc) a suspicious look. "How exactly do you know MY granddaughter and who are you!"

Ramon gave a laugh as the two men exchanged a puzzled look. "Father this is my friend Siroc, I mean Jacques Leponte."

He gave Jacques a small smile. "Sorry my friend, I am so used to calling you by Siroc. It is going to take time to get used to calling you by your real name. This is my father Count Emanuel Cedro Javier de la Cruz."

Suddenly the older man seemed to gasp for air and turn pale. His voice shook as he spoke. "Did you say Jacques Leponte? I know your father!"

Jacques slowly shook his head. "My father is dead he die a long time ago."

The Count looked at the young man that stood before him. "Your father's name is Maurice Leponte isn't it?"

Jacques got a look of complete panic upon his face. "How is that possible? He is still alive? Where is he? Why did he not come find me?"

He older man now tried to comfort the younger man. "There was a fire your father was badly burned. He has scars to attest to that. As for looking for you, he has been searching for you. He had heard that you were in Paris. He had asked for my help in searching for you. But I must confess to you I had no desire or willingness to help him. I know it was wrong to be so selfish. My mind was only filled with thoughts of revenge. Please forgive an old man's foolish thoughts of revenge."

Jacques gave the older man a sincere smile with his eyes misting at the triumphant news. "Of course! Please tell me sir where is my father? Is he nearby? When can I see him?"

The old count laughed. "I will see to that soon! I give you my word as Count Emanuel Cedro Javier de la Cruz that you will be reunited with your father.

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