Victor yawned tiredly as he untied his cravat from around his neck and laid it neatly on the vanity table near the bed. He had realized too late that he had failed to remember to pack a few things for him and Victoria before they had left, including nightclothes. Both had to settle for removing what they could to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Victor had already moved his jacket, shoes, and cravat, and was now working on removing the pocket watch that was stubbornly clipped to his vest pocket. Victoria, with great difficulty, had managed to remove her corset and was now only wearing her dress and petticoat (though Victor could hardly tell the difference; why they insisted on forcing Victoria to wear a corset, he would never know).

After removing said watch, Victor turned from the vanity table and began helping his wife spread the blankets Emily had given them across the bed. As he did, he watched Victoria's thoughtful, far away expression, and couldn't help but wonder again what it was that she and Emily had talked about while he was gone. Certainly it had to be the cause of that look on her face, and Victor was just dying to know exactly what they had said to make Victoria still so thoughtful even after so much time had passed since their conversation. Finally, he couldn't stand it any longer.

"Victoria," he asked, trying to keep the curiosity out of his voice, "what was it that you and Emily talked about exactly?" Victoria looked up at him from tucking in the blankets with a blank expression on her face.

"Hmm," she asked in confusion for a second, as if she hadn't hear what he had just said, but she shook her head slightly and smiled at him. "Oh, it was nothing, Victor. Just regular women talk is all." Obviously that was all she was going to offer him, for she simply looked down and resumed her tucking. Victor opened his mouth to question her further, but decided against it. After all, he didn't want to come off as the meddlesome type of husband. If Victoria didn't want to share the conversation she had had with Emily, then she must have had a good reason not to. Reluctantly, Victor accepted her answer and returned to tucking in his side. A comfortable silence fell between them as they worked together preparing for bed, but soon Victoria broke the calm.

"It was very nice of Emily to take us in like this," she said suddenly. Victor looked up at her confused for a moment, but seeing that she wasn't giving him eye contact, he looked down at his task again.

"Yes, it was," he replied warily.

"She's a very lovely woman, Victor," Victoria continued.

"Yes, she is," Victor agreed, still not quite sure where this was going.

"She's kind and beautiful and smart," Victoria listed as she finished tucking and began smoothing out the wrinkles in the sheets, "and very talented from what I hear."

"Yes, indeed," Victor agreed once more, smiling fondly at the memory of their piano duet a few hours before their near wedding.

"I can see why you were so fond of her," Victoria added almost sadly.

"Yes, I…" Victor began to say, but something in her tone caused him to freeze completely. He looked up at her to observe her expression and, even though she tried to conceal it behind an intent focus for smoothing out the sheets, Victor could still see a hint of pain in her eyes. He knew his wife was far from the jealous type, but seeing him act so affectionate towards Emily must have hurt her deeply. Victor could have kicked himself for not realizing it before.

"Victoria," he questioned her timidly; "you do know I love you, don't you?" Victoria looked up at him in a mixture of shock and surprise.

"Of course I do, Victor, and I love you," she responded, shaking her head at the ridiculousness of the question.

"And you know I would never intentionally do anything to hurt you?"

"Victor, I course I know. Now come, let's get into bed. I am exhausted," she said as she pulled the sheets back and climbed in. Victor frowned, still not quite satisfied with her answer, but joined her anyway.

"Good night, Victor," he heard his wife say from beside him as she settled in and turned over on her side.

"Good night," he responded as he leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek before blowing the candle that sat on the side of his bed. He tried to close his eyes, but soon, he just found himself staring at the ceiling in distress, recalling the look in Victoria's eyes, and feeling the pain of knowing he put that look there. Though she assured him that she knew he loved her, he couldn't help but feel that she wasn't quite satisfied with his answers either. Victor knew perfectly well he wasn't going to be able to sleep with that thought on his conscience, so he quickly racked his brain for something, anything he could say to convince her how much he truly loved her. Finally it came to him.

"Victoria," he called out into the darkness. He heard her stir slightly before answering.

"Yes Victor," she replied somewhat sleepily.

"Do you know when I fell in love with you," Victor asked her. He began to feel the bed rock as, he assumed, Victoria turned on her other side to face him.

"I beg your pardon," she asked him, obviously finding his question rather random. Victor began to feel a lump of embarrassment form in his throat, but he pushed past it and continued.

"D-Do you know when I fell in love with you," he repeated.

"Oh I don't know, I suppose the moment we met," she guesses between yawns. Victor yawned as well before continuing.

"Well, yes," he admitted, "but do you know when it was that I truly knew that we would be able to spend the rest of our lives together?"

"When, Victor?

"Well, do you remember our wedding rehearsal?"

"You mean when you set my mother on fire," Victoria asked, her voice breaking up slightly with laughter. "How could I forget?" Victor smiled amusingly at her, though he was sure she couldn't see him, before going on.

"Well, during the rehearsal, when I couldn't get my candle lit, while everyone else was either yelling at me or staring at me disdainfully, you simply leaned over and lit it for me." He paused to try and take in Victoria's reaction, but seeing how he couldn't make out anything in the pitch black darkness, he decided to continue.

"I know it's rather peculiarly, but in that simple moment, I knew that no matter what everyone else thought, you would always be there for me. At that moment, I wanted to be there for you whenever you needed me, and vowed that I always will be."

When nothing but silence followed his little confession, Victor began to feel embarrassment color his cheeks. She must think me such a fool, he thought sadly as he stared into the abyss. He was about to close his eyes and attempt to fall asleep, when he felt a soft, gentle hand take his own hand and squeeze it affectionately.

"Oh Victor, that was beautiful," he heard his wife say in an emotional voice. Victor brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.

"And I meant every word of it," Victor replied with a smile. He sighed contently as he scooted closer to her and carefully wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you Victoria, more than anything or anyone. No matter how foolishly I may act," he assured her.

"I know you do, Victor. And I love you," Victoria replied, obviously forgiving him. She nuzzled deeper into his shoulder before sighing contently and eventually falling asleep. Victor lay there a little longer, indulging in that happy little moment before closing his eyes and falling joining her in a deeply complacent slumber.