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Chapter 14 Clouds on the Horizon
After Jack's family leaves, life at 221B The Esplanade, St. Kilda returns to normal; Jack working and Jane at school and for Phryne devastatingly boring. She is tired of reading and tired of being confined and tired of tender breasts and kicking babies and an aching back and not having sex with the delicious man with whom she shares her bed. Mercifully she has a couple of distractions in the form of Halloween and the Melbourne Cup in the initial aftermath of going from lots of hustle and bustle in the household to almost total quiet.
Through Bert's and Cec's "slight" obsession with the track and her own confinement, Phryne's awareness of horses that the two men are following is heightened. Their favorites at present are Trivalve with his white blaze; Statesman, a beautiful chestnut with a white blaze and a white sock on his right hind leg; Nightmarch, a deep brown stallion with black mane and tail who is half-brother to Phar Lap; Phar Lap, a large chestnut gelding with white socks; Peter Pan, a lightly framed chestnut with a white star and blonde mane and tail; and Hall Mark, a chestnut with a narrow white stripe on his nose and a white sock on left hind leg. The horses are at various stages in their careers and the three of them discuss what they think of the horses, their pedigrees and their records as they prepare for race day. Jack, Jane, Dot, Hugh and Mr. Butler join in the discussions from time to time as well. Everyone is excited about the upcoming Cup.
Phryne plans a post-race dinner for everyone and Dot executes her wishes perfectly from the handmade horse figurine place markers painted to match the color and markings of the horses they are following to the horseshoes used in the centerpiece of the dining room table. The menu includes lamb and mint meat pies, grilled Snags, potato gratin, stringed beans and for dessert, Vanilla Slice and Pistachio Cake.
Dot keeps Phryne apprised of the plans as they unfold and Phryne hopes Dr. Wilson will agree to let her be downstairs yet again, but when he comes to examine her, he finds her blood pressure elevated and he finds evidence of spotting.
"When did this start?" frowning slightly Dr. Wilson asks Phryne as he finishes his examination.
"Yesterday morning I think," Phryne says thoughtfully, "I felt a bit strange, but I didn't see blood, so I thought I was just being paranoid and then I was busy with party plans... May I go downstairs for the race?" Phryne wheedles flashing her winning smile at him, hoping for a reprieve from the four walls of her room.
"I'm sorry my dear, but you have clearly had a bit too much excitement and need to stay in bed. In fact, for the next few days except for necessary functions, I don't want you out of bed at all – no showers," he says warningly, "and no encounters with Jack."
"What?!" she exclaims in complete defeat.
Seeing the stricken look he says soothingly, "Let's see how you respond over the next few days and then we will reassess your restrictions."
She nods tears she can't hold back gently slipping down her pale face, but bravely giving him a watery smile, "Please stay for dinner Doctor. There is more than enough and I know everyone would like for you to stay. They will have the race on the wireless," she hesitated, "unless you are going to the track of course."
"Well, my dear," he says patting her gently and brushing a lock of her raven hair back from her face, "I would be delighted."
"Um, Dr. Wilson, would you help me to the restroom so Dot can change the sheets while I am in there."
"Certainly, certainly, I'll go find her. Don't run away while I am gone."
"Cheeky!" Phryne's response floats after him and she simpers in spite of the tears.
Dot returns with Dr. Wilson already carrying the clean bedding. She begins gathering fresh pajamas, robe and underthings.
After Phryne gets into the chair, Dot comes from across the room, "Here you are Miss Phryne," She hands Phryne her clean pajamas, robe and under garments along with some extra lining material and Dr. Wilson rolls her gently down the hall to the bathroom. "Do you need my help?"
"I think I can take it from here Doc," she says in a honeyed voice. "I have been walking and using the loo for a long time now, and dressing myself for that matter, but thank you for your concern."
Dr. Wilson bursts out laughing. "Oh my dear Phryne, if I had a daughter, I would want her to be just like you."
"Careful what you wish for," she chimes out from the bathroom, "it just might come true." His chuckle echoes back to her.
Phryne takes her time changing, somewhat appalled by the amount of blood she finds, realizing Dr. Wilson's concern is valid. Sighing dejectedly she pulls the silky pajama top over her head, sliding her slim arms through the arm holes and letting it fall gracefully into place over her tummy. She adds the robe though it hardly seems necessary. Doctor Wilson is somewhat familiar with her body now.
"Dot, I'm ready," Phryne calls before she sits down since her back will be to the door.
"Coming Miss," Dot calls back.
When the bathroom door opens, a pair of large hands slide over her shoulders and a warm breath ghosts against her ear, "Inspector," she squeaks, "I thought Dot was coming."
"She was," he rumbles, but I sent her downstairs to handle our guests." He slides his hands gently down her arms brushing his thumbs across her breasts nibbling along her neck as well.
Phryne gasps lightly, her body responding to his touch and she feels a slight twinge across her belly. "Did you speak with Dr. Wilson?"
"No," he continues mouthing along her neck, "should I have done?"
"I have something to tell you, but first I must lie down."
"If you insist," Jack places a final kiss on the top of her head before straightening up and taking the chair handles to wheel her back to the bedroom.
After she climbs back into bed and gets as comfortable as she can, and they share a few kisses which Phryne finds as intoxicating now as she did their very first, she fills Jack in on what Dr. Wilson said.
Jack looks more and more alarmed as she shares with him his expressive eyes becoming shadowed, "Oh Phryne, I can't begin to know how difficult all of this is for you." Brushing his long fingers along her cheek and then down to curl around her small hand his voice low and deep he says, "I love you."
"I love you more Jack," she says, but her sapphire eyes have a haunting look about them. He can tell she is very unhappy at the moment.
"Will you be alright if I go speak to Dr. Wilson?" he asks, his blue eyes telling her he will stay if she wants him too.
"Yes, I'll be fine. I'll read my book," she gestures to the book of poetry beside the bed.
"Before I go downstairs let me talk to our children for a moment."
Phryne rolls obligingly onto her back and Jack lays his head on her tummy, talking soothingly to his children, telling them he loves them and he can hardly wait until they arrive. He enjoys the kicks he receives laughing softly. Phryne runs her fingers through his hair thinking what a lovely father he will be and biting her lip against the frustration she feels.
When Jack leaves to check on their guests and have dinner, Phryne attempts some poetry reading, but she is unable to focus on the beautiful prose Anne Bronte wrote so long ago. Sighing heavily she snaps the book shut and broods about the situation and the seemingly interminable time until the babies are born. Unconsciously she rubs her belly as she ponders.
Jack returns a little later with a heavy silver tray laden with plates filled with the food Mr. Butler and Dot prepared, the smell of the sausages and lamb pies making his mouth water.
Phryne picks at her food until Dr. Wilson wanders in bringing his dessert plate with him.
He notes her lack of empty plate, "Come now my dear, you must eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"You may not be, but the babies are. I know you are a bit upset by this development when you have been doing so well," he says his eyes twinkling kindly. "By the way, this Pistachio Cake is delicious."
"Very well, Doctor, I will try to eat so you don't hound me from your chair," she primly retorts.
"Thank you, Phryne."
He eats his cake, as well as a small helping of Vanilla Slice chatting amiably with both Phryne and Jack about everything and nothing, but keeping a shrewd eye on how much Phryne eats.
At last he says, "Well my dear, I think you have eaten enough now if you truly aren't hungry."
"Thank you Dr. Wilson, I really don't feel much like eating."
"Not even dessert?" Jack asks with his signature half smile.
"I'm not hungry for that kind of dessert, Jack," her gaze meets his with smoldering desire.
"Hold that thought for a few days," Dr. Wilson quips, standing abruptly. "I'm going to listen to the race now. Good night Phryne."
"Good night."
Watching Dr. Wilson leave the room, Phryne says, "Jack, you should go down and listen to the race. I know how much you enjoy the Cup"
"I do enjoy the Cup, but,"
"No buts, Jack. You go listen so you can tell me all about it when you come to bed."
"Very well," he turns to go.
"Jack," she calls softly, "will you sleep here even though we can't…her voice trails off and her lips tremble slightly.
"Do you really want me to?"
"More than anything," she says with a slight smile, "I like having you near me."
Grinning Jack nods, "I'll be back later."
Phryne tries to read again, but she can't focus for hearing the laughter that floats up the stairs. She hears the shouts for various horses to go faster and the groans depending on how slow the horse might be going. Phryne's annoyance with her condition grows threatening to overwhelm her. She attempts to think positively, but she can't shake the feeling of being put upon, and the incessant pounding of little hands and feet are maddening.
"I never wanted this – marriage; children," she whispers, restless, kicking out her legs and thrashing about because she can't get comfortable. As she continues to fight the bonds of her situation her hands flutter to her throat where her pink and blue necklace lays as a reminder of both her captivity and the deep love that overcame her fears. She strokes the necklace allowing her tears to fall for it is very confusing to be so frustrated and yet feel so much guilt mixed with her love for Jack. Eventually her tears stop and she feels exhausted, so she snaps the light out. Falling asleep almost immediately she races into her dreams which, to suite her mood, grow increasingly dark and scary.
Frozen, the young girl watches the snakes as they slither around her. Rooted to the spot, afraid to move, afraid to call out, her fear paralyzing her, she feels her heart thumping in her chest-faster and faster as a snake with flashes of red crawls across her bare foot. She holds her breath letting a soft sigh as the Red Bellied Black Snake moves past and she sucks in a small amount of oxygen as several snakes move closer. She knows the snakes will likely feel threatened if she moves and she can't outrun a snake should it choose to chase her and she recognizes if she is bitten she will surely die as she is far enough from home that she won't make it back.
She hears a scared voice, "Phryne, Phryne help me". Oh no, Janey must have followed her.
She can't see Janey and she doesn't want to move her head to see her, "Jane don't move!"
Phryne hears Janey's whimpers and they cut right through her.
The sound of Janey's fear galvanizes Phryne for action. She looks at the large branch lying almost within her grasp. She judges the distance and knows she will have to move if she wants the stick as her arm isn't long enough. Stealing herself against the bite she is sure will come at any time; she takes a moment and then scoots over a bit shuddering as the snakes nearest to her hiss angrily. Her hand closing around the stick she freezes again. "Hold on Janey, Hold on."
"I'm trying," comes the faint reply.
"When I tell you, be ready to jump up and run.
Slowly, the hair on the back of her neck raised and her back muscles pulling in on her in fearful anticipation, she inches the branch closer to her. Finally she is able to firmly grasp the only weapon available to her.
She hears Janey's soft sobs and knows she must save her. Bellowing like a Bunyip, Phryne sweeps the stick in an arc scattering the nearest snakes. Jumping to her feet she races toward Janey, the younger girls screams spurring her on.
"Now Jane," she pants as she brandishes the stick like a club to scatter the snakes, As Janey jumps up, to Phryne's horror a Tiger Snake strikes before she can use the makeshift weapon.
"No," she screams, shoving the snake aside with the stick and grabbing for Janey.
"Phryne wake up! Miss Fisher, wake up! It's a nightmare. Come on darling, wake up," a deep urgent voice commands. You're alright, all is well."
Phryne begins to feel the strong hands that are on her arms, and she slowly stops thrashing, her tear glazed eyes opening to stare unseeing into Jack's anxious face.
"Are you ok?" he asks pushing her sweaty bangs off her face.
Still gripped by the image of the snake attacking Janey, for a few more moments Phryne is disoriented, her body shaking in reaction, her nightclothes sticking to her where she has been sweating, crying with loss.
Jack seeing the state of her gently pulls her into his arms, rocking her as a small child, crooning a soft song in her ear until her shaking and sobbing subside. Feeling how wet she really is Jack realizes that he needs to strip the sheets and get Phryne fresh pajamas.
Once Phryne calms Jack determines he will tend to her first. "Phryne, I'm going to leave you just for a moment." She nods, her head drooping against his shoulder as exhaustion pulls at her again.
Jack gets a bowl of warm water and a wash cloth and soft towel along with afresh nightgown and underclothes before beginning to minister to Phryne. He moves her to the soft rug in front of the fire so she is no longer lying in the wet sheets. She continues to tremble, her teeth chattering in reaction.
He then urges her out of her pajamas, peeling the wet sticky garments from her. He gently sponges her face and hands with the warm water and then takes a few minutes to sponge off her back and her tummy, arms and legs and dries her carefully before helping her into the clean dry nightgown and smalls.
"Phryne, I'm going to leave you by the fire, so I can change the sheets."
She nods her teeth chattering. Jack places a soft, lightweight blanket over her and then efficiently strips and remakes the bed.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks her as he carries her back to the bed.
She shakes her head negatively, "I can't remember much except snakes everywhere and Janey being bitten. I couldn't get there fast enough to save her, Jack. I was afraid to move." She begins shaking again and Jack gets her back into bed, quickly strips off his own clothing and puts on his silk pajama bottoms before sliding between the cool sheets to gather her close to him infusing her with his heat. Phryne allows his warmth to steal over her clinging to his strong arm until her shaking finally ceases, "Who won the Cup?" she asks suddenly her voice husky from her tears.
Startled Jack is at a loss for words, "I uh, I wasn't, um, I didn't really listen to the race. I'm sorry, but I was a bit distracted by the latest developments," with that his hand tightens slightly on her abdomen seeking reassurance that his children are ok before kissing Phryne's shoulder.
Remembering that they are not to exercise their passion, he whispers regretfully, "Good Night Miss Fisher. I love you."
Her only response is a slight snuffling and movement as she tucks her hands beneath her chin as sleep once again claims her.
Jack lays there thinking about the happenings of the day and wondering if Phryne and the babies will make it to Dr. Wilson's hoped for 36 weeks given her current status. "Can I make it that long?" he wonders as his body sings with the desire for her that is always close to the surface now that it has been unleashed. He holds her, unwilling to let go of her even though his desire is stoked even hotter as she has those occasional hiccupping shuddering breaths that often come after an emotional upheaval and which cause her to rub more intimately against him. Sleep takes a long time to claim him, and as he waits for sleep, the shadows of clouds cover the full moon making him shiver slightly as he hears the thunder, and it is only the soft kicking of the babies and Phryne's steady heartbeat that keep him anchored to the present rather than falling into past memories or dwelling on the latest little girl in the morgue.