Notes:

I had submitted this fic to the "Holding Hands" anthology posted by TheScribblerCMB. Thought to post here too. Thanks for reading!

...

Their hands met to bid farewell.

A parting handshake.

Both held each other's hand a little tight, never wanting to let go. They had met under unfavorable circumstances, right when he was flinging his fists over his worker while she stood nonplussed. The next time they met, she refused to shake hands with him. Next came the tingling moment when their fingers brushed each other lightly, like a feather's touch, when she served him tea. After a few more meetings, she willingly shook hands with him at the dinner party, one unaware that it was the first time their hands met, while the other relished the touch, realizing that what he felt for the young woman was not mere infatuation but true love.

Now when their eyes met to bid each other adieu, both of them realized that they couldn't live without the other. They were forever bound to remain incomplete without the other. He thought that she would get united with her forlorn lover or if not, then with the barrister Henry Lennox, while he would remain a bachelor lifelong yearning for her. She, on the other hand, couldn't bring herself to think another woman would take her place, his affections which once belonged to her before, relinquishing.

They held on hoping the other would utter a few words. But no, neither did.

And the carriage had arrived. The time to leave forever came.

He watched her go, silently begging her to look back once, just once if there was at least an ounce of truth in what they called miracles.

She didn't.

As the carriage pulled away,

he felt their bond slowly breaking,

never to be fixed again…

Something whirred within him and the next minute, he woke up with a start.

"Margaret!"

At first, he didn't know where he was or what was happening. He rubbed his eyes furiously and realized that, by god's grace, it was just a dream.

No, it was a nightmare.

He was in his bedchamber, all alone. The fire was slowly dying, its embers burning fiercely and receding at the same time.

He knew what he had to do.

He slowly left his room and checked if any maid was awake. The house was eerily quiet. He walked as carefully as a mouse and reached the room on the far end of the floor. Opening it with extreme gentleness, lest it creaks and awakes his mother, he entered inside.

It was dark but bright enough to see the graceful figure sleeping on the bed.

His lovely Margaret.

Oh thank goodness, it was just a dream! She was for real, this time meant to be together with him. Hadn't he escorted her from the station back to Milton just this evening? Hadn't they shared a kiss in the station and declared their love?

Yet it felt strange and undeserving for a hopeless fellow like him. Now he witnessed a dainty Margaret sleeping soundly, her lips parted a little. She looked annoyingly beautiful in her nightclothes. John forced himself to not let his eyes wander but he couldn't help but be stunned at her innocent repose.

He slowly sat beside her sleeping form and gazed at her for some time. He would forever be happy watching her like this. His mind wandered towards how he had distrusted her and thought her the exact opposite of what she once stood for. He was again ashamed of his actions and wondered how generous she was to forgive him without remorse.

Her hair was mussed up and whirred over her face. He tucked a few strands of her beneath her ear and caressed her cheeks.

Margaret stirred a little, before she was finally awake.

"John!"

"I am sorry, Margaret. I startled you."

"Well yes. But tell me, what happened? Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing dear. I was just… well, never mind. You must be exhausted. Sleep tight. I bid you goodnight."

He started to move away towards the door. "No, John. Wait! Come here and sit beside me."

John hesitated at first, not because it was improper to be in her bedchamber at such an hour, but because he was worried he would let his emotions and passions override his senses. Yet, he assuaged her plea and sat beside her.

"John. Are you unhappy that I have come with you instead of returning to London?"

"What? No! You have made the most happiest man in the world, Margaret. I would have been loath to see you go back to your aunt's place even after you accepted my love."

"Thank goodness! I thought you condemned me and were confused by my actions."

"How can I ever disapprove of your actions when it's the first thing I love the most? No, it's not that. I just had a dream, a nightmare to be exact… That's why I came to see you if you are here for real…"

"John…"

"No Margaret. I know well I don't deserve your kindness to myself as well as the mill. I have hurt most intensely. I still find it too hard to believe that you are here."

"John, don't you trust me? Do you think I'm so fickle that I will change my mind? Let me tell you that I have been in love with you ever since the day you said your affections for me were over. I was in London thinking of you and Milton all the time. It was so hard for me as well, dear. I used to check the papers every day to see if there were any news of your engagement or marriage to…"

"Miss Latimer? Oh, Margaret. No! I am sorry. There had never been anyone else before you and even after we were distanced due to misunderstandings. I had never let her or anyone take your place in my heart even when I thought that you had a lover. You must have been led to think that way by others' attention to me. But I hardly bothered. True, mother and Fanny tried their best, especially during Fanny's wedding to have me court her. But they lost all hopes in the futile plan when I rebuked them and told them once and for all, that I shall never do such a thing, not to her and to anyone, who isn't you."

He could see the tears slowly brimming in her eyes. He wiped them with his fingers and caressed her cheeks.

"Thank you so much, John. See? It's I who doesn't deserve you."

"Aye, never! You were steadfast in your love although it took you time to understand my love."

She smiled and touched her forehead with hers. They stayed like that for a while, eyes closed, each reveling in the touch of the other. At this moment, he was certain that she would be his and he, hers. Their marriage would soon bring them both everlasting happiness. Just then, he felt Margaret's soft fingers brush his stubble and lips. He was astounded to see the passion lurking beneath her eyes. He kissed her soundly, this time with no trepidation. She returned his affections intensely too. In no time, her hands embraced him tightly. He silently assured her of his love by holding her in his arms.

"I love you, John."

"I love you, Margaret."

He stayed until Margaret slept again, under his loving caresses. He gave her a soft peck on her forehead and returned to his room.