Hello guys! Almost in the end! Thank you for your support and reviews! I hope you enjoy this chapter! I loved writing it! Please, share your thoughts!
Notes: The Last chapter (18) was rewritten!
At the beginning of May, August arrived at the winery pedaling his bike. Sat down with James and Mary Margaret in the small garden and drank the new crop of rosé straight from cask. Exhausted and slimmer than before, he told them how the Maquis, quartered in the forested slopes of La Garde-Freinet, were preparing for the invasion in the south.
"The Germans are being deceived. They think that the invasion will start in the ports of Marseille and Toulon, but allies are planning to land on the beaches, close to Cavalaire and Rematuelle. And we, the Resistance, we are doing what we can to confuse them and hinder their lives," he said, smiling. "We are cutting telephone cables, blowing up bridges and railway capturing their trains with weapons. There are thousands of us now, all fighting for the same cause. The British are bringing secretly a huge amount of weapons for us and we are well organized. I heard that Americans will lead the attack on the south coast by the sea.".
The news was really exciting, but Mary Margaret could not resist the temptation to ask. "Do you have any news about Gold?".
August sighed, frowning. "I haven't heard any news of him since the moment he managed to find his son. Both he, Jefferson and the boy disappeared." He sighed. "I'm sorry.".
As the day of the birth of Belle's baby approached, she struggled to climb the basement stairs, due to huge belly. Even so, she had an air of quiet and enjoyed great health.
Mary Margaret managed to find some balls of wool and a pair of knitting needles in the room of the old housekeeper's château, and sat with Belle in the walled garden in the afternoons to make coats, hats and booties for the baby. Sometimes, Mary looked at Belle a little jealous, after all, she had a dream to start a family with James. Now she saw her desire to be a mother carried by another woman.
On warm evenings, she and James often sat at the table in the home garden, surrounded by vines that protected the young green shoots and small that would soon turn into fat grapes, juicy and tasty.
"It will not be long until harvest time. But I don't know if I can hire people to help with this task "James sighed. "Everyone is thinking about more important things than making wine. Who could imagine? A secret agent making wine.".
"I'll help you," offered Mary Margaret, knowing that it was a futile gesture.
"It's a kind offer, darling, but I think someone may need your help elsewhere. Do you know anything about helping babies to be born?" James asked.
"No. I never thought I would have to know that," she replied with irony in her voice. "In the books I read, all occupy themselves with towels and hot water. Well, not exactly sure how, but I think I can handle it when the time comes, and I'll also try to contact Johanna. I know she can help me.".
"I fear that something may go wrong and that Belle may need medical help. What would we do in this case? We cannot risk taking her to the hospital." James said, worried.
"Like I said, I will do my best."
"And that, my dear Mary, that's all we can do," James sighed.
During one night, Margaret Mary was sitting next to a fireplace, thinking of the danger that the coming months would bring if the Americans really were invading France.
Suddenly, James entered the living room with his face in dismay. "Mary Margaret, there is someone snooping outside. Be attentive. I'll see who's there.".
James grabbed the rifle that had always been stuck on the wall above the fireplace, but that now was left behind the door of the house, and left.
After lights out, Mary Margaret returned to the lower floor and found James standing in the living room, with a gun pointed at a short man with black hair almost gray and thick beard, with the features marked by pain. He was with his arms raised in surrender.
"Stay away! He is German!"
James poked him in the chest with the barrel.
"Sit there," he said, indicating a chair near the fireplace, where the man would be trapped.
When the man sat down, Mary met his eyes, huge in his face emaciated, with long black hair and muddy and what was left of his shirt and pants involving the skeletal body. She stared at him and her heart began to beat. She thought she would faint with shock.
"Mary Margaret, it's me, Adrian" the man said, speaking hoarsely. "You might not recognize me because of the beard."
Mary Margaret was forced to go back to look him in the face. The expression he had in his eyes was the only clue as to who he really was. She saw the fear in his eyes and, with a sigh of relief, recognized him.
"Adrian? Adrian Gold?" James asked, his face transfigured by disbelief.
"Yes... Is him" she nodded. "Is Gold." Said Mary, looking into the eyes of James, realizing her own shock she felt.
James, with a nod of his head, lowered the gun. He turned to Gold. "What are you doing here? August said you wouldn't come here.".
"I came to see Belle, as I promised I would. She still here?"
Mary and James remained silent. Did not trust Gold as Belle trusted.
"As you can see" Gold said, indicating his clothes. "I'm not anymore who I used to be. Actually, I'm a wanted man. If they find me, they will take me back to Paris and I will be shot immediately.".
James let out a cruel laugh.
"You really expect us to believe this story? How do we know that this is not a trick? Would not be the first time you'd be lying to get something in return.".
The contour Gold's lips twitched in a straight line. "I cannot prove what I'm saying. All I can do is tell you my truth," he said and turned to Mary Margaret. "After I left the station, I left Paris. I knew Gaston would not rest until I was brought to justice by helping you escape. Not the first time he doubted of my "loyalty." He wants to see me dead, even more now... Earlier this year, I managed to find my son and I and Jefferson could rescue him from a townhouse in Lyon, where some members of the Resistance were arrested.".
The pain and exhaustion in the eyes of Gold were palpable. Without his usual suit and his cane, he seemed much more vulnerable.
"Where were you traveling, Gold?" Mary Margaret intervened.
"Mary Margaret, my only thought was to be able get here to see Belle as promised. When we left Lyon, we begin to hide. Traveled to the Pyrenees, where Bae and Jefferson are now. Used since bribes to the kindness of strangers to stay alive. Not exposed myself, reaching even to milk goats and eating chickens, and waited until it was safe to travel through France, to find Belle. I left for many weeks to get here.".
"How could you travel a very long distance without being caught by any of the armies?"
"It was the idea of reviewing Belle that gave me strength to continue. But I'm sure my luck will not last long. There is a person who knows where I would come and who cares enough to want to hunt me down" Gold sighed, shaking his head. "No matter. I know that my death is inevitable, it is the hands of the British or by the Germans. I just wanted to see Belle one last time. Please, Mary Margaret. At least tell me if she is safe and well. Is she still alive?".
Mary Margaret saw that Gold's eyes were full of tears. Sitting under the gaze of James, almost unrecognizable, she felt her heart failed convince by the words of the Scottish. He chose to risk his life to see the woman he loved, rather than escape and save his own skin. Whatever his nationality, political perspective, or even what he had done in recent years, there was a human being who deserved some sympathy.
"Yes, she is safe and well" Mary said. James gave her a warning look, but Mary ignored. "Are you hungry? I doubt you have eaten in weeks.".
"Mary Margaret, anything you have left will be welcome, but please, tell me. Belle is here? Can I see her?" Gold begged.
"I will bring you food and then we'll talk. James, you can store the weapon. Gold will not harm us."
"If you think we can trust him" James said, putting the gun behind the door reluctantly. "I will trust." Mary Margaret realized that her husband was unsure whether or not to trust this man, even after he helped them to flee.
"I know we can" Mary nodded. "Well, Gold, come to the kitchen and we can talk while I prepare something for you to eat.".
With some effort, Gold rose and Mary realized that every step he took was an effort. Had reached the end of the journey and exhaustion, hunger and despair were taking the place of adrenaline. Mary closed the kitchen door and firmly stated that Gold should sit in a wooden chair across the table.
"Mary Margaret, please," he begged again. "Is she here?".
"Yes, Adrian, Belle is here."
"Oh, my God, my God," Gold said, sticking his head in his hands and began to cry. "Sometimes, while I was coming here, sleeping in ditches and looking for food scraps in the garbage, I thought to myself that she might be dead. I imagined it so many times, I..." Gold wiped his nose on his sleeve and nodded. "I'm sorry, Mary Margaret. I understand that you and your husband does not feel sympathy for me, but you have no idea the hell I went through to get to find her. ".
"Drink this," she said, placing a glass of wine in front of the Scottish and touching him gently on the shoulder. "I'm amazed that you manage to get here alive.".
"What helped was the fact that both the French and the Germans know that something is about to happen. France is taken by the chaos and the Resistance gained momentum. The Germans are struggling to prevent their actions. And the last place anyone would expect to find me is here. Any person, except one.".
"There it is. Eat" Mary said, offering him a piece of bread and cheese slices.
"They've come here searching for her?" Gold said as he tucked the bread and cheese in his mouth, without bothering to chew.
"Yes, they've searched the place and found nothing. James and I are doing everything to the château remains closed and Belle keep hidden. At the time, no one suspected that she is here.".
"Well, I cannot stay long. I know that every second I step in this place I put your lives at risk," Gold said, swallowing the last bits of bread and cheese with a large gulp of wine. "So I'll see Belle and then leave. Can you take me where she is? I beg you, Mary Margaret. Please".
"Yes. Come with me.".
Mary Margaret led Gold to the winery, made him enter in oak barrel and led through the tunnel.
"Oh, my poor, poor Belle" he muttered, struggling to move forward in the path due to the lame leg. "How does she stand it? Does she gets to feel the warmth of the sun touching her face?".
"She has no choice. Her safety depends on she can go through all this suffering," said Mary to get to the door. "She is here and can be asleep. And Adrian..." she said, turning to face him. "I think you'll have a big surprise, get ready.".
Mary knocked on the door three times and opened it slowly. Belle was sitting in the armchair by the window, with a book open on her belly.
"Mary," she said, lifting her face.
"Yes, it's me" replied, walking over to where Belle was sitting and resting her hand on her shoulder. "Don't be afraid, you have a visitor. I think you'll be happy when you know who came to see you.".
"Belle... Belle, my love, it's me, Adrian" whispered a voice from the hole of the door, behind Mary. "I am here, my dear."
Belle squinted, trying to distinguish the feature from the man who now walked slowly to where she was. His body was thin, scrawny, and black hair was grown and were united with a bushy beard. But the eyes... The eyes were the same shade of brown chocolate that she remembered, and assumed a hue golden was intended only to her. For a moment, Belle could not speak. "Am I dreaming? Adrian?" She whispered. "Is it really you?".
"Oh, yes Belle, sweetheart, it's me."
Belle held out her arms to receive him and the book fell to the floor.
Mary Margaret turned away, looking under the door jamb while Adrian went to Belle and took her in his arms. Tears filled her eyes as she silently leave the room, closing the door.
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