Chapter IV- Blossoming amaranths

Some weeks later after the whole "incident" with Doctor Angus, Alex and I agreed on being close every time we were in the orphanage. Well, I have not told him about what had happened between the doctor and I, especially out of fear of what might happen to him.

Everything is getting worst. I barely can keep my own eyes open, from the lack of sleep and from how little I am able to eat. Today as I was cooking breakfast for Nan and my sisters, I felt my hands shaking out of control.

Cold sweat ran down my back and my eyesight started to darken. The last thing I felt was my body getting lighter and my name being called: "Evelyn!" Pure darkness. A most welcome change in my sleep which are usually plagued by nightmares.

I wish I could always sleep like this. My eyes opened up and I realized I was laid in my bed. I had been changed to my white long-sleeved nightgown.

A comforting grip around my hand was all I felt. Looking to my left, I noticed it was Alex who seemed distraught. (How long was I sleeping? Who warned him I passed out? Always the inquisitive one, aren't I?)

I gave a soft squeeze to his hand and drew a small smile. He turned towards me and stood up: "Evelyn! Dear Lord, I was so worried!" His arms enclosed around my smaller form, as delicately as possible.

My own arms wrapped around him and squeezed him. He smelled of Earl Grey with a pinch of mint. His favourite. Poor Alexander, he must have been so worried. "I am okay now, Alex."

He sat back on his chair and brought a tray which was on my night table. I sat up slowly and Alex fluffed up my pillows behind me: "Did any of my sisters give you any trouble? They can get quite flirty when they see handsome young men in the mediations."

Alex flushed slightly and rubbed his neck: "No, they did not… Y-you think I a-am handsome?" Turning my head slightly, I responded: "Of course, you are. Don't you know this?" A deep chuckle came from within him: "I guess I need to check myself on the mirror more often. Yet, we all know who wins on that department."

"…Who?"-I asked confusedly. He takes a daisy which was on his breast pocket and places it on my right ear: "You, silly." Now, I was the one who blushed deeply like a tomato.

His hand slid down to my neck and I gulped: "Me? Alex, I look like a corpse." I looked away and grasped my covers. Alex pulled my chin towards him and gazed directly into my eyes. "Silly, you do not seem dead. If you do, then you are one of the prettiest corpses I've ever seen."

The dark humour brought out a chuckle of me and I turned towards him: "Shh, don't talk so loudly or the spirits will get jealous." Alex laughed with me and brought my hand to his lips: "I'll try my best, but I meant what I said, Evelyn. You are the only one who doesn't see it."

I gasped and realized that he meant what he had said but I just couldn't believe it. As I was going to deny it once again my stomach grumbled, making me flush and Alex chuckle: "I can see that you are hungry. Here. Nan left this tray here before she went to pick some tea."

Looking at the tray, I saw a bowl of chicken soup, some bagels and butter. He placed the tray on top of my legs and my hand reached for the spoon, but I was so shaky that Alex picked it up.

I was going to take it from him but he dipped the spoon inside the bowl and then blew it: "Say ahh…" Rolling my eyes I parted my lips and accepted the spoon: "Thank you." He smiled and just kept feeding me: "You don't need to do this. I will be fine, Alex."

Alex stopped and offered me a napkin: "I want to. After all, you did the same for me when I was hospitalized." I wiped my mouth and took a bagel from the smaller plate: "…I appreciate it, but I am not used to being cared for. It's usually me doing the caring."

As I bit softly into the bagel, he gave one of my hands a squeeze: "Weren't you cared for when you were a child?" I swallowed dryly: "Cared for? Oh no. My mother was rarely at home and if I heard more than a word from her it would be a was more of a mother to us than that woman could ever be."

"Oh Evie. I'm so sorry." -he said fondly. "I never understood why she was like that. Guess I never will. The only person I could count on was my brother. He…was everything to me."

"I understand. It was the same for Lizzie and I."-his grasp tightened around my hand. "Kind of. You see, since we were twins, it was like we were two halves of the same coin. The moment he vanished it was like I became incomplete, empty. Sometimes, I barely have the strength to eat."-tears ran down my face, at the mention of my lost half.

"Oh Evie, it's okay. They would not want you to be like this. I bet your brother would want you to live on. I know I am not one of the best people to say this but…you can rely on me, Evelynn. You are important to me."-he placed his hands on my shoulders and brought me slowly to his chest: "…Alex. You too."

His fingers ran small circles on my back which made me quite drowsy: "Now, you should rest." Alex laid me into the bed and covered me, but I grasped into his shirt: "No, please. I don't want to! The nightmares…they are too vivid."

He drew a sad smile and offered me his hand: "Shh, I will be here until you fall asleep. Listen to the sound of my voice. I am here with you." Alex hummed a small nursery rhyme which made me want to close my eyes: "London bridge is falling down…Falling down…falling down…London bridge is falling down…My fair lady."

Soon enough, my eyes started to become heavier and for the first time in a long time, I didn't have any nightmares, it was a blissful deep sleep. "Sleep well, Evie."

Alex POV

As Evelyn fell asleep with a satisfied grin on her lips, I took advantage of this moment to truly see her. It was the first time I had seen her with nightwear. She really seemed exhausted.

My fingers traced her face as if to remember every facial feature of her. Her auburn locks draped down her chest as her dainty pale hands grasped her covers. I could see the dark circles around her eyes due to her lack of sleep.

She was so pale that her skin almost seemed translucent. Worry gnawed at my insides. The medic, Nan had called to see her, said that she collapsed due to her lack of sleep and eating.

(How could I not have seen this? All this time, Evelynn always knew what went through my mind even when I was catatonic and here I was, not protecting the one I loved the most.)

Every time I had a bad day of therapy, which was most days, I would simply remember her smile and how kind she was to make me get up on my feet. I want to get better for her, so that I can actually court her.

I want to protect her and to love her just like she deserves. Nothing would make me happier than creating a life with Evelynn. (Wouldn't it be great to explore the world, just the two of us? And maybe some children of our own, only if Evelynn wants to of course. What am I doing? I don't even know if she feels the same and I am already thinking of marriage.)

A door opened and I looked behind me, it was Nan. "Oh, Alexander. How is she? Has she eaten?"-she fumbled in a nervous wreck with the teapot. This brought a smile to my lips: "She's better now. Evelynn managed to eat the soup and a bagel."

She sat on the bed on her left side and draped a wet towel to her forehead: "Thank you, Alexander. I don't know what I would do if I-." -she sobbed a little into her hands. "Me neither. She will be okay, Nan."

"I hope you are right. She remembers me so much of her a way..."-Nan petted her protegee's hair. "How was she, Nan? Her mother."

"Katherine was a mystery. She was refined and classy like an upper-class lady but she always kept her distance. She trusted only me and yet sometimes I question myself that. When I met her she already had her children. Poor thing, she couldn't be any older than fifteen when she had them. Katherine seemed so frail and frightened. And the way she looked at her children was...concerning. It's like she was afraid of them. One can only wonder about had happened before she had them."

Hearing about Evelyn's mother made me sadder for her, to realize just how much she must have suffered. Yet, I was confused. "How did she die?"-I asked.

Nan's face became pale: "The bobbies would tell you that it was an obsessive ex-client of hers who pulled out her heart in envy. Alas that scene was completely out of this world. The police told me that they found just Evie sitting on a pool of her mother's blood as she stared at the corpse. Sadly, we never found Everett again."

My hand around Evie's hand tightened at what Nan told me: "Poor Evelyn, she must have seen horrible things." Her caretaker nodded and looked at our entangled hands: "Yes, she did… Alexander, do you love Evelyn?

Flushing at her question, I drew a loving smile as I stared at the object of my affection: "Yes, more than anything." The bosomed woman drew a relieved grin and nodded: "I knew it. I think you should tell her."

I nodded and pulled something out of my pocket. It was a small quadrangular black velvet box which my father had offered to me when I completed seven years of age. «Offer it to the one who owns your heart, and may she be as curious as you are, Alexander. »-he said.

Opening it, I showed her what I hoped to offer to Evelyn as a gift when I asked her for courtship. Inside it was a black lace choker with red roses surrounding a brooch with a marble-lady. Nan gasped at the sight, but I quickly saved it back on my pocket: "Oh, Alex that's beautiful."

"Do you think she will like it?"-I inquired nervously. "She will love it. Even though she would like anything that you offered her."-Nan smirked teasingly at me: "What do you mean?" Shrugging her shoulders, she just snickered at something which I did not understand. (We really are a bunch of loonies, aren't we Evie? Still, I wouldn't change anything about it.)

Some days later…

It has been some days since Evelyn has passed out and now, she is fully recovered so I came to pick her up, so that she could get some air after all the time she spent stuck on her bed.

While she was recovering, she wouldn't stop pouting about her long stay in bed and despite her frustration, I found it adorable. Today, as we walked around the Hyde Park in small talk, we heard music coming the main avenue.

Evelyn's eyes sparkled at the sound and she pulled me by the hand towards it: "Come on, Alex. Let's see where it come from!" For someone so small she has a lot of strength: "Ok, Evie. Let's go!"

When we reached the main avenue there was a group of people in a circle, mostly from the working-class, clapping and dancing in pairs while a small band played a merry tune.

Evelyn watched as couples and children danced together and then she stared at me: "Alex, let's go dance!"-she pulled my hands to the centre, but I tried to stop her: "Evie, I can't dance that type of song. I have two left feet!"-she released my hands and nodded in understanding: "Oh, okay. I understand."

Seeing as she was sad, I placed my hand on her shoulder and smiled: "Hey, but don't let me ruin your fun. If you want to dance, you can dance. I'll be cheering you on!"-her frown quickly turned into a giggle: "Ok, I will!"

She walked towards the centre and just spun on the same spot with her arms opened diagonally. Quickly, the circle around her turned towards her and started cheering her on, which increased her smile and my own as I clapped.

At that moment, I could only see her, spinning around in her white ruffled shirt and toffee coloured high waisted skirt. Her long maroon locks in a low ponytail made it seem like maple leaves spun with her.

Feeling the box on my breast pocket, I gained the courage to do what I have been dreaming of doing for a while: Tomorrow, I am going to ask her in courtship. I can't wait any longer, even if I am nowhere close to recovery. I need her to know how much I love her.

(I can't wait to tell her. Even if she rejects me, I hope we can be friends.)

Evelyn POV

As I danced and saw Alex cheerfully cheering for me, I realized that I could no longer keep my true feelings inside. He needed to know. I should offer him something, though. He deserves it. I saw him staring at a silver pocket watch when we were window shopping.

Alas, where am I going to get money for that? Well, Nan told me that my sewing skills would be amazing in the future. Perhaps, I can find a clothing shop that needs an extra hand.

(That's it! Tomorrow, I am going to search for work, but I cannot tell Alex, or it won't be a surprise. New job, here I go!)

Some weeks later…

Alex POV

After an excruciating session with Doctor Bumby, I dragged myself to my room and once more Evelyn was not there. I am so worried about her. After the day at the dance, she just stopped visiting. Could she be busy at Mangled Mermaid's bar?

I need to know what happened to her. The children miss her too. They keep asking about her and about her stories. Poor Violet was adopted the other day. I remember how close she was to Evie.

Yet, this is all so strange. The children just disappear out of nowhere. I don't remember ever seeing a couple to adopt them but alas they vanish. (Bloody hell, what is going on? My Wonderland is being corrupted by a train. Evelyn and the children are missing. I need to find out what is happening, now.)

I go to my night table and wash off my face. My trembling hands try to untame my unruly coal locks, in a vain attempt. Looking at myself in the mirror, I try to be brave and off the door I go.

As I am going to leave the lobby, I hear the doctor calling for me: "Alexander, heading off, I see?"-I look back at him and nod. "Are you going to visit your friend, Evelynn?" My eyes squint at his sudden interest in her: "Well, yes…"

He clears his throat: "A shame that she hasn't graced us with her presence anymore. Be sure to give her my regards, okay?" "…I will." Glaring at him one last time, I run off towards the brothel. (That was weird…)

Evelynn POV

"Have a nice day, Evelynn. At the same time tomorrow?"-Ms. Philips asked me. I nodded with the small satchel full of coins as I exited the clothing store. "Of course, Ms Philips. Just a few more days!"

I waved her off and I walk back home with my satchel. Counting the shillings, I notice that I am almost there. (YAY, finally! I miss Alex and the children so much, but this is a full-time job.)

As I get to the brothel and open the door, I see Nan sat in one of the tables with Alex in front of her seeming rather distressed. (Oh no, if he sees me what will I say?!) Walking slowly towards the stairs, Nan notices me: "Evelynn Whitlock, where in the blazes have you been?! You worried us crazy!"

I turn towards them and wave slowly: "Sorry…"-the moment Alex sees me; he runs towards me and hugs me to his chest: "Evelynn! God, I was so worried!"-blushing profusely I try to enjoy the moment and wrap my arms around him: "I apologize. You see, I have been a bit busy lately."

Nan approaches us with a knowing smirk on her face and Alex releases me: "Oh, I see. May I know where?" I fiddled with my fingers and then I looked up. (Think, think, think Evie!) "Well… I have been working."

My caretaker approaches me and grasps me by the shoulders as she inspects me for any marks: "Do not tell me you have-." My hands push her since I understood what she meant: "No, I am not selling myself! I promised myself!... I am working in a clothing store, making dresses."

They sighed both in relief and Alex smiled: "Blimey, Evie! That's what you wanted to do wasn't it? I am so happy for you." Seeing him so happy for my accomplishment made me love him even more. Alex is certainly not like other men and that's why I love him.

"Thank you. I am so sorry I haven't been able to visit you, but the job is full-time. But do not worry it is only temporary. Give it a few more days and everything will be back to normal."-he gave me his hand and his smile increased: "It's alright. It was for a good cause. We will see each other again."

Looking amusedly at both of us, Nan wrapped an arm around us and smiled: "This asks for a celebration. Why don't we have dinner next Saturday? Are you free then, Evie?" Being so close to Alex made my heart almost jump out of my chest but I just stared into his emerald green eyes and smiled: "Yes, I am."

Little did I know that there wasn't going to be any celebration…

Chapter IV-END