Chapter 9 The Last Dance

Edward

"She's finally done it, Edward. She's done it on purpose. And now, you'll father children… Just like you."

"Silence!" Edward spat as he paced the tent, waiting for Emily Beth to return. Ever since she'd left to see Dr. Edison, his whispering half-face had told him her supposed "secret." Edward was horrified, at first. Then, the more the thing droned on and on, accusing the couple of bringing a part of Edward's afflictions into the world, he became enraged with his wife.

How could she not tell him? She even take her medicine? They'd discussed this!

But then he remembered… The Demon lied, maybe Emily would try to lie… But her eyes never lied. He would know the moment he saw her. And he would wait.

The waiting went on and on. And the Demon droned on and on. Edward sat his cane aside and sat on his bed, pressing his forehead into his hands. Finally, a shed of light flooded the tent as someone pulled back the flap to enter. He looked up to see Emily Beth standing before him, with her hair pulled half back and a simple pale cotton dress, as if she'd left in a hurry.

He heard her gasp a little as he looked into her eyes and saw that the whites of them were red from tears. Fear slowly crept into them when she realized that he knew.

He closed the distance between them, but they never touched each other or spoke. For a long while, neither of them knew what to say. Finally, Emily's face crumpled. "Edward, please… I took the medicine, but… What I said was true. I-I didn't want this…"

Edward shook his head. He already knew what she was going to say, but hearing her actually confirm everything he knew…

"You careless woman! How could you not tell me? Do you realize what this means!" he yelled, losing control of his fear.

Emily stood there in shock, hands reaching out to touch him, but she never did. "Careless? Edward! I… Please…" she pleaded. "I cannot handle this now, Edward. I'm terrified. Please do not-"

Edward stopped, suddenly hurt by what he thought he heard. "So…you share my fear. Emily?"

Emily was confused by his sudden change in emotion. "Your fear? I don't know what you…"

She gaped and stepped back when Edward took his hands and pressed them onto the top of his cane. She shook her head. "No, Edward! Not that. I didn't mean…"

Edward couldn't stay. He turned his back to her and left the tent, ignoring anyone who greeted him as he made his way to the Big Tent. He couldn't think or listen to anything. The Demon, satisfied with its mischief for the day, was silent. Edward stared at the piano keys and ran his fingers along them, reflexively playing a dark tune of his own as he tried to sort things out. Except he couldn't. He didn't even know where to start thinking.

He knew what Emily meant, of course. His fingers suddenly felt heavy with guilt over the way he'd left her. He played quickly as he struggled to think on the bright side of things. He had to force himself to say them, but wasn't sure he quite believed the statements yet.

He and Emily would be a happy family…

Maybe the child would be a good child, like its mother…

But then…. What if it was the other way around? What kind of life was a Freak Show for a child, even if it were normal?

A sudden dark, grisly voice stopped his fingers with one statement: "She'll die."

If Edward weren't too prideful to give it the satisfaction, he might have asked who it meant. It couldn't touch his wife. Surely it spoke of someone else. The child?

Edward steadied his hands and folded them in his lap. He'd stopped letting this monster scare him long ago. Hadn't he?

Finally, it spoke again. "Let me ask you, Edward. If the child were 'normal,' how good of a father would we be without your dear wife?"

Edward's spine straightened as he drew in a deep breath and held it a moment.

"No." He said the word through clenched teeth. Not as an expression of dread, but as a fierce refusal the let the Half-Face speak such things into existence.

Suddenly, he drowned the voice by playing the soft melody he'd composed for Emily. He played with fierce determination until he felt a light touch on his shoulder. When he looked over that shoulder, he found himself staring into Emily's face. Her eyes were still red, but her smile was bright and wide enough to make him grin despite the turmoil in which he'd found himself.

"Is that our song, my love?" she asked hopefully.

She started to withdraw her hand, but he took it gently. "Yes dear heart," he whispered quietly.

Emily gestured to the piano set. "May I?"

Edward made room for her and embraced his young wife. She broke free of his embrace and took one of his hands as she spoke.

"Edward, you must know that I never once meant that I shared your fear. I want our children to be just like their father because you are truly the most remarkable being I have ever met, love. You must know that. Never would I believe that the Demon could even touch our family. My fear is…something different."

Edward took her face in both his hands and kissed her forehead. He looked into her eyes. "And what are you afraid of, love?"

Emily averted her eyes as if she were ashamed to say. Suddenly, her forehead crumpled as she stared into the distance.

"Giving birth," she said. "My mother, she… She died…giving birth. The baby was blue, and… I've never wanted children since. Edward, I'm so terrified…."

Edward took her in his arms, growing furious with the Demon as she confirmed its previous statement.

"Do not fret love," he said in the most soothing voice possible as his eyes burned with intensity. "Do not fret. I won't let anything happen to you. Or our children."

He felt Emily's hold on him relax and they sat in their embrace until the working staff entered to prepare dinner.

…

The next three months were rough for Emily. Edward did all he could to help her through it. It was a busy time for shows, but guests were often disappointed when Emily Beth couldn't perform.

She was often sick for the first two months, hardly able to eat without getting sick. Dr. Edison became fearful when he saw that she was losing weight, rather than gaining weight. So he gave her medicine. He, too, had a soft spot for Emily Beth.

The third month was better for Emily. She had more energy. Edward and the manager finally agreed that she should do one final show before she stopped entirely, due to her condition. Emily Beth and Lewis were very excited about the show, and practiced nearly every day.

Lewis noticed Edward cringe one day when he lightly lifted Emily Beth into the air. Afterward, he came up to Edward. "I'll be careful with her, Edward. I give you my word."

Edward watched as Emily Beth talked with the manager, who seemed excited about the upcoming show. "I trust you, my friend," he said to Lewis.

"So how do you feel?" Lewis asked.

Edward turned and looked at him, but couldn't find the words to express his feelings. Lewis frowned and nodded. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you will make a fine young father. If this isn't the life you desire, you and Emily are still young and talented. You have plenty of time to decide."

Edward nodded and managed a grin for Lewis. The man wasn't the same since Minnie's death. He still hadn't found his joy. But he'd found his place, and was still a very encouraging spirit to be around.

Edward grinned back at his best friend. "And I believe Emily Beth and I are in agreement on who the godfather will be, my friend. But do not let on that you know. Emily Beth will be upset I ruined the surprise."

Lewis' face lit up with a rare smile that was once seen all the time. "No surprise. I already know," he said, walking off.

Edward furrowed his brow in confusion. "She told you?"

"No. Who else is more qualified to do it?" he said casually. Edward laughed quietly and left him to rehearse.

Finally, the day of the show came. Emily Beth walked out of their tent in the same red dress she had worn to his father's estate. Her hair was swept away from her face. Edward rose from his seat and kissed her hand.

"You look radiant, my love."

Emily Beth smiled at him, but was interrupted by Lewis. "Yes, you do! Now hurry on. We were supposed to be dressed a half hour ago!" He turned on Bertha. "Bertha! You're not ready!"

Emily stepped in before the two of them got into an argument. "She had to help me."

She took Edward's arm. "I'm glad we didn't wait any longer for this show."

"Why?"

"Because very soon I won't be able to draw the laces of this dress," she said with a smirk.

Edward smiled. "Don't be silly. You still look the same."

Emily smiled. The young couple nearly kissed, but was interrupted by the sound of the manager clapping his hands together. "Showtime, everyone!"

The two just settled for a smile. Part of Edward's part in the show was the escort Emily Beth to center stage and pass her to Lewis before going to the piano to play, which he did. Lewis and Emily were supposed to do three dances in a row. Edward played for them once, Bertha played for the second, and Otto was to play for the third. Then the freak show would continue as normal, with them showing off their afflictions to the crowd.

For the first dance, Emily Beth looked happier than Edward had seen her since the outbreak. And so radiant, he could hardly play. He became worried for her when he noticed her frown during the second dance as she faced away from the audience. Suddenly, she looked pale as a ghost in the spotlight. Edward looked to see if Otto had noticed since Bertha was playing, but shifted uncomfortably in his seat and waited anxiously for the third dance to begin, hoping she could make it through.

Only Emily Beth did not make through the last dance. Edward knew she wouldn't hold out when Lewis lifted her as they spun in a circle. Normally, this movement was smooth and graceful. He knew she was going to fall when Emily's head fell back and her hold on Lewis' shoulders slipped. Edward rose out of his seat, knowing she was going to fall. At the same time, Lewis stopped the dance and lowered an unconscious Emily to the floor as gently as he could.

A few people in the audience gasped, gazing on in shock at the scene before them. Edward crossed the stage and took Emily in his arms as Lewis patted her face and said her name. "Emily? Emily Beth!"

The manager came out of nowhere, standing protectively between them and the audience. "Get her to your tent and get the doctor right away. Take Bertha with you."

Edward lifted Emily in his arms and carried her backstage, calling for Bertha to follow him. Edward looked around cautiously before stepping outside, then hurried to their tent. Emily was dead weight in his arms.

As he walked, he felt something hot and sticky soaking through his sleeve and shirt. Emily was stirring a little as he laid her down on their bed, moaning and trying to say something. Edward removed his gloves and gently stroked her cheek, trying to reassure her. He checked his shirt and sleeve, and was horrified to see a dark stain on his coat, and a red one of his shirt. The world seemed to slow down as Edward realized what was happening.

He looked to the plump, pale woman bedside him, helpless with despair. "Bertha?"

Bertha hurried to Emily Beth's bedside and looked her over. "Edward, get a doctor. Fast as you can."

She handed him his gloves. Edward quickly kissed Emily's damp forehead and hurried for the barn. He found Lady in her stall, already beginning to hear the triumphant whispers of the Fiend. The other horses shied away when the grisly voice sounded, except for Lady. She looked him over cautiously and peeked around the corner, looking for Emily.

"Come, Lady. You know I would never hurt you." Edward tried to remain calm despite his despair. Lady let him saddle her with little fuss. As soon as he closed the barn door, he swung himself into her saddle and urged her forward. "Hurry, Lady!"

Surprisingly enough, Lady lunged forward without the usual fuss. She ran so fast that Edward had to lean forward to keep his balance, which Emily Beth would chastise him for. Since meeting Lady, he had faith in the saying that "animals knew."

At one point, Lady startled at the whisperings of the Demon.

"It's too late! Too late, too late. You've killed her, Edward!"

As the words came out more forceful, Lady threw him off, but didn't run away. Edward burst into angry tears at the Demon's accusations as he picked himself up off the long, dark path.

He took Lady's reins and forced his body back into the saddle in determination. "She not going to die!"

Edward struggled to keep his mind on Lady, ignoring the repetitive whispers until he finally arrived at Dr. Edison's darkened house. Edward threw himself from Lady's saddle and desperately pounded on the door, forgetting his courteous way as he anxiously waited for the doctor to answer.

Edward feared he was with someone else when the doctor didn't answer. "Dr. Edison," he called desperately, nearly bursting into tears. "Please…!"

His heart rose in his chest when Dr. Edison finally opened the door, poorly dressed due to rushing for the door. The doctor's trained eyes instantly focused on Edward's bloodied shirt.

"Mr. Mordrake…? What's happened, sir?"

Edward desperately tried to find the briefest words, but only ending up fumbling at a sentence, forcing the words from his mouth.

"My wife… Emily Beth…." he panted. "You've got to come, please…"

"I'll get my supplies," the doctor said calmly.

The longest ten minutes of his life was spent waiting as the doctor readied his horse and supplies. The doctor followed closely behind Lady on his old horse. The manager, Lewis, and Otto were waiting for them near the end of the road.

"Otto….?" Edward quickly closed the gap between them and jumped from Lady's saddle.

"It doesn't look promising, Edward. Let me have her," Otto held out a steady thin hand.

Edward reluctantly handed him the reins. At first, Lady whinnied and reared on Otto. But once Otto said a few kind words, Lady settled down enough for Otto to lead her away. The manager did the same for Dr. Edison's old horse.

Edward quickly led Dr. Edison to their tent. "Dr. Edison, this way-"

He darted inside when he heard Emily Beth's muted cries of pain. He nearly fainted at the sight before him because he was only thinking of her, and unprepared. Somehow, Bertha had gotten Emily Beth out of her red dress and into a white cotton nightdress. The white fabric around Emily's upper thighs was already stained with blood. Emily was awake, but her face was crumpled and red.

Edward recovered and gently cupped her cheek in one hand, trying to make eye contact with her. "Emily..?"

"Edward…?" she whispered. She tried to smile, but he couldn't tell if she was happy to see him or wanted him to help her.

Suddenly, Edward felt himself being gently pushed away and noticed Dr. Edison was trying to usher him outside. "Mr. Mordrake, I think it would be better if you waited outside…"

Edward looked over Dr. Edison's shoulder and desperately called to his young wife. "Emily!"

She watched as he was ushered away. "Edward…"

"Emily…"

He blankly stared at the doctor as he tried his best to reassure him. "Mr. Mordrake, I give you my word I will do all I can for her."

Suddenly, there was nothing between Edward and the flap of the tent. Edward slumped into one of the chairs he and Emily Beth had outside their tent. He listened with a sense of dread as the whispers of the Demonic face behind become more and more menacing.

"Your Demon child, Edward. It will finish her. You killed her, and you will finish everyone you know. And all their worthless lives…"

It was too much for Edward to fight back. He covered his ears with his hands and began to sob, desperate for it to stop. "Please, stop! I love her…" his words were barely audible through his sobs. He felt someone behind him, tugging on his hands.

He head snapped up. He saw Otto was in front of him as a blur, saying soft things to him to comfort him. He heard Lewis' voice behind him. "Edward. Edward!"

He realized Lewis' hands were tugging at his from behind. Suddenly, Edward felt Lewis release his hands from behind. Edward slowly turned around to see what caused him to let go; he'd neither given in nor exerted any more force. He stared blankly into Lewis' face as the three-legged man processed what Edward knew he had just seen.

He'd seen the Demon's lips moving unceasingly. Lewis was a smart man, and he now knew it wasn't night terrors that caused Edward such pain. He hesitantly took Edward's wrist in his fist. Edward was shocked that, now that he knew, he would still comfort him anyway.

"You did nothing, Edward. These things happen. What can we do to make it stop?" he whispered the last part.

"I've tried," the agonized words fell from his lips as he forced an answer. "I've tried my entire life! So many times… Every way…. Nothing brings me relief. Nothing except Emily, and I can't lose her."

He was sobbing now. Otto placed a thin hand on his shoulder. "Edward, Emily Beth will be alright. Bertha is with her and will bring us news. You must have faith as we wait."

Edward said nothing, but the words made him sick inside. Faith. If only having this caused him joy rather than pain in the end. Faith did not belong to freaks.

They all waited outside in silence until midnight. For the sake of his friends, Edward kept a straight face, though he heard nothing but those hateful whispers.

Finally, Dr. Edison stepped outside. Edward jumped out of his seat with everyone else and took a step toward the doctor. He couldn't find the words to ask the question as he glanced down at the doctor's blood spattered apron. He was wiping his hands on a bloody cloth. Edward's heart skipped a beat as he processed this brief glance.

"She's alive," Dr. Edison stated, "but barely. I've stopped the bleeding for now, but she is very weak. Come for me again if she begins to fail."

Fail? Edward quickly stepped in front of him when he started to walk away. "Sir, what about…the child?"

The doctor bowed his head sadly. "She wanted to tell you herself."

Edward was sure he already knew the answer. "What is the cause of this?"

"Hemorrhaging, I think. It might happen again. And if it does, come at once. She can't stand to lose any more blood ." The doctor laid a hand on his shoulder as he passed.

Edward felt as if he were in a kind of trance as he stepped forward to enter the tent. His throat closed in on itself as he pulled back the flap and fixed his gaze on the bed. He expected bloody sheets, but somehow Bertha had gotten rid of them. Emily Beth was in a clean nightdress, and the bed was neatly covered with sheets.

Edward touched Bertha's shoulder as he gazed at Emily Beth's ashen face. Her face looked thin and pale. Her eyes were closed, and the bones outlining her face could be seen a lot more easily. Bertha gently urged Edward forward. He gently touched Emily Beth's forehead, and stroked her cheek.

"Em…" he whispered.

Emily sighed and slightly turned her head, but never opened her eyes.

"Give her time to come around. She will wake up for you," Bertha assured him.

Edward took her hand in both of his and looked up at their dear friend. "Thank you, Bertha. I don't know what we would have done if you had not watched over her."

Bertha spoke in a shaky voice as she folded another sheet. "I still…remember when they brought Emily here…"

Edward watched her with sympathy. "You poor woman. I know this must have been terrible for you. Go and rest. I will sit with her."

Bertha sniffled and nodded. Edward embraced her, then stepped back and nodded to her as she left the tent. Edward brushed Emily's hair back away from her face and quietly sat down in the chair beside their bed. On the nightstand, he found the book Emily kept private and picked it up, immediately turning to the last page titled "To My Child." Edward frowned as he ran his thumb over her beautiful handwriting. His eyes moved to her sleeping face, then back to the page. It was unfinished, and seemed to be a letter of some kind. It wasn't a normal letter; it was a poetic letter of some kind, filled with imagery and beautiful language. Edward grinned as he turned back the page and found a letter titled, "To My Husband."

He turned back the page and read the letter that would have been for their child, had it lived to be born into the world.

"My Child,

I do not yet know whether you are boy or a girl, tall your father or slight as your mother. I cannot promise you an easy life, or a life filled with luxury. I cannot even sit in this chair and write a vow that my husband and I will be the parents that you deserve, or the ones that will guide you down every path without fear.

But I can promise you that you are loved, my child, so loved. I vow that you have a strong and talented father, and a mother who will always be there for you. I promise to you that we are one, and will do our best to give you the best in this harsh world in which we have found ourselves.

I spent so long worrying about these things that I never stopped to think how I so long to hear your first word, or the song your father will play for you. I can't wait to dance with you, and show you what real friends are because your father and I have found them.

I imagine I'll continue this letter for quite some time…."

"Edward?"

Emily's strained whisper ripped him out of the letter. Edward's eyes felt puffy as he stared into his wife's wide, watery eyes. He gently set down the book and cupped her cheek in his hand. "You never told me you wrote so beautifully, love," he said softly.

Emily Beth's eyes teared up. "I don't… It's only a diary and…..scribblings. Nothing…special like your work."

"Oh, it has so much more purpose than my work. Bertha and Lewis…they would love to see their letters. I would be delighted to read mine, and… the letter to our child… Your expression of your desires were….so beautiful, Emily…."

Emily's face crumpled as she began to cry. "Well, I won't be able to promise or do or see any of those things because there is no child anymore," she sobbed.

Edward felt tears on his own face as he kissed her cheek and pressed his forehead to hers, able to feel the hurt his wife was feeling. "Ooohh, my love."

He quietly reached over and closed Emily's book. He stroked her cheek until she calmed down a bit and gently kissed her forehand. She took his wrist in her hand as he did so. "We might have it again one day, if you desire it, love. Right now, you need rest."

Emily Beth sniffled. "Stay with me? The sheets… They are clean."

Edward sighed, unwilling to do anything to put Emily's health in jeopardy. Finally, he agreed. "Yes, but we must lay still. We nearly lost you tonight, love."

He carefully slipped under the covers in his trousers and undershirt in case he needed to make another run for the doctor in the early hours of the morning. Emily Beth reached over. He took her hand and kissed it gently.

"Did you write anything? For…for the baby?"

Edward turned to look at her and forced himself to grin. "Songs. I started so many songs, but I never could finish them. I thought I could make two for either a boy or girl, but then… It never came together without getting to know them first."

Emily's eyes watered again. "Do you forgive me?"

Edward sat up when he realized what she was asking. He leaned over and stared into her eyes with the utmost intensity. "Oh, my love, my love, my love…. There is nothing to forgive. You cannot blame yourself for something you cannot control."

He stroked her cheek. "Promise me, Emily."

She nodded and took his hand in hers. "I love you."

"And I you. I couldn't bear it if we would have lost you tonight, Em."

Emily touched his cheek. They shared a long, deep kiss before Edward moved back over to his side, still squeezing her hand. Within moments, the exhausted couple was fast asleep.

…

Edward's eyes opened, still heavy from all the physical and emotional exhaustion from the day before. It took him a moment to remember everything. Then he heard the faint sound of early morning birds and realized that the tent was still dark. He wondered why he woke so early. It was cold, even under their bed sheets. He turned to face Emily, deciding it was time to check on her. Maybe even wake her to see if she needed anything. He sat up beside her, immediately noticing she was still very pale from the night before. She hadn't moved from the position she'd fallen asleep in.

Edward frowned and gently shook her shoulder. "Emily, love…"

Edward's heart stopped when he felt how cold that shoulder was. Not a single reflex in her face could be seen when he tried to shake her awake. Edward quickly sat up and took her face in both hands. "Emily Beth…?"

He felt as if all the breath had been knocked out of his chest as he quickly sat up and fumbled for her hand. His breathing quickened when he realized that her hands and face were as cold as her shoulder. Edward took ragged breaths as he put his ear next to her mouth, praying that he would feel warm air on his ear. When he didn't, he quickly threw the covers off the bed.

He gasped for air, horrified and grief stricken because the sight before him confirmed that his wife was dead and that last night's performance was Emily Beth's last dance.

Sometime during the night, she began hemorrhaging again and bled out. Right next to him. She lay peacefully with a pool of blood under her. Edward gasped and began to cry as the Demon's laughter echoed louder and louder through his mind.

No! She can't leave me!

Edward took the body of his wife in his arms. "EMILY!" he cried out, as if calling out would reach her.

He sobbed and took her in his arms. "Emily….!"

Apparently someone had heard because, eventually, he felt men trying to pry him away from his wife. Once he separated from her now, he knew what came next. They tried prying gently at first. Edward couldn't focus on who it was. He heard the familiar voices of all their friends telling him she was gone in their own sorrowful way. But he was stronger. He just couldn't bring himself to let go. He simply stared into her lifeless face.

Suddenly, he felt something new. Someone had stuck something into his arm. He looked up to see Dr. as Edison looking back at him as everything went blurry. Finally, he was forced to allow some of the strongest Freak Show hands to pull him away from Emily as the effects of Dr. Edison's medicine took place.

He stared blankly at the bed where Emily still lay, now tended to by Bertha, as the rest of his body went numb. Dr. Edison knelt down and took his chin in one hand, pulling Edward's face side to side to look into his eyes as he spoke.

"Oooohhh, Edward…. I'm so sorry…."

Edward's head drooped when the doctor let go of his face. He heard the manager's little steps as his eyes closed. "Take him somewhere to rest."

"He can any one of our tents…" Lewis said. It was the last thing Edward heard before he lost consciousness.