I slowly began to open my eyes, I could see my dearest Edward sitting in a chair next to me holding my hand. I suddenly felt a sharp pain coarse through most of my body. My stomach felt as if it had been beaten. I could hardly talk. I slowly started to turn my head toward Mr Rochester. He looked up from his book in which he was reading to me and looked into my eyes.

"Jane! Get the doctor in here Mrs Fairfax! She is awake!"

"Edward…."

"What is it my dearest Jane?"

"Wh…what has happened he…re?"

"Jane, it was Bertha, she came in your room in the night and attacked you."

"Ho….how long have I been like this for?"

"3 weeks! I feared for your health, the doctor is her now Jane, he will explain to you."

I saw the doctor approach me, he had entered the room but a few minutes before.

"Now, Jane. You were attacked and were badly hurt in your stomach. Is that where the pain is Jane?"

"Yes, but I have a headache now"

"That is just the shock. Now you have awoke you should be perfectly well within a few weeks. I have left some medication with Mrs Fairfax for you which you must take. Is that clear?"

"Y…Yes"

Dr Carter left my bedside and left my chamber Mr Rochester had been sitting in the corner of the room whilst Dr Carter was talking with me. After the doctor had left Mr Rochester once again took his seat next to my bed and held my hand in his.

"Oh, Jane! It is my fault for keeping Bertha here with you, I should have sent her to my other house Ferndean Manor. If anything worse was to happen to you I don't know how I could go on without you Jane!"

"Do not worry dearest Edward; the doctor says I will be fine in a few weeks."

"But Jane! What am I to do? I do not want you, us, staying here with that mad woman upstairs! I fear she will harm you again Jane!"

"Edward we will talk about this another time, I am tired and wish to get some rest, and you need rest yourself. Have you been by my side since I was attacked?"

"Yes, Jane I have never left your side, this chair has been my bed, my life these past few weeks."

"Then you must retire to your chamber and rest properly, I am fine I assure you."

"Very well my darling Jane."

Mr Rochester stood up from his chair and kissed me gently, tenderly, passionately on my forehead. I held his hand and squeezed it tightly. We gazed into each others eyes for several seconds before he let go of my hand and exited my chamber. I could not remember the events that had occurred on that dreadful night I was attacked, but all I knew was that my dear Edward had been by my side the whole time. The thought of this made me smile a little; know I could settle in my bed and sleep, for the first time in 3 weeks.

During the 3 weeks I was in my bed Mr Rochester sat by my side day and night. He stayed with me until I fell asleep and when I awoke in the mornings he was there, once again by my bedside. He would read to me in the mornings. Poetry, science, philosophy all sorts of books. It relaxed me. He would often tell me more stories of when he had been travelling. To the blue mountains of Mongolia, London, Paris and several other places. It was on the last week of my illness that I began to feel much better and Mr Rochester had brought Adele to come see me. Adele didn't know what had happened on the night of the attack as Mr Rochester had not told anyone of it, only the doctor and Mrs Fairfax. Adele didn't know of Mr Rochester's past either, about his marriage, about Bertha, about her illness. So I thought it best not to bring it up. Adele had entered my chamber and was standing quietly at the door.

"Come Adele"

I said, she looked a little frightened, she had not seen me for several weeks, months even and she didn't know how to talk to me anymore, or how she should react seeing me in such pain. She approached my bed and took her seat upon the chair.

"Ca va?"

"Oui, Adele, I am very well thank you."

"Ah, Miss Eyre what happened to you?"

I didn't know how to answer I had to think quick, I suddenly changed the subject matter.

"Adele pass me that water on the cabinet over there please?"

Adele fetched the water and brought it to my lips. I thanked her and she sat on the edge of my bed. I could see in her eyes she was glad to see me. I sat up in my bed, and I embraced her tightly. We embraced for many minutes when Sophie called Adele to the nursery.

"I will see you again soon Adele"

"I hope so Miss Eyre!"

Adele exited my chamber and once again I was alone. 2 weeks had now passed and I was now able to walk again, I was still pale but I could continue to teach Adele, I did not need my medication any longer. I rose early one morning and dressed in my grey Lowood frock. I descended down the backstairs and into the kitchen. There sat Adele, Mrs Fairfax and Mr Rochester. I took my place around the large table and glanced over at Mr Rochester. He glanced back at me and we held our gaze for several minutes.

Mrs Fairfax had made me breakfast. I ate it quickly and retired to the drawing room. Mr Rochester had followed me into the drawing room and sat beside me.

"Jane?"

"Yes, Edward?"

"I must speak with you. I have news."

"News? What is this news you speak of?"

"It involves Bertha!"

"Then we must speak alone."

"Come with me Jane to my study. There is much to be said!"

I followed Mr Rochester up to his study and sat beside him on the red silk sofa in front of the fire. Mr Rochester held my hands tightly and stared into my eyes. I stared at his. His deep brown sparkling eyes. We did not speak a word for the few minutes we had entered the room, but I knew this news that Mr Rochester had to tell me was serious. I did not know whether to be happy, sad, or nervous. I just sat and waited for the news I had long dread. Would I have to leave Thornfield away from my beloved Edward, or was his news much worse than I had anticipated?...