To Julia's great disappointment, William had called and cancelled their dinner plans. He did, though, promise to stop in at her house on his way home.
As she waited for his return, Julia pondered what she would say to him. She soon dozed off and fell asleep.
"Julia?" William opened the door and walked into the parlour. Asleep in the armchair lay his fiancé. Not wanting to wake her in her slumber, he slumped into the chair beside her.
She is so beautiful, he remarked, even as she sleeps. Her dark eyelashes hovered over her closed eyes and her cherry lips remained pursed. Her hair lay all around her, framing her face. Her gentle chest rose and fell with each breath she took.
"Beautiful", he said. :
"William, I didn't hear you come in. I'm sorry, I must have dozed off."
"I just came from work, I haven't been here long."
They sat together, not talking; two minds that so desperately wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.
"William, don't you think that it's time we marry?"
He didn't reply right away, but moments later he looked up at her.
"I...I can't do it."
Her draw nearly dropped. "What? William! I thought...I don't understand!", she cried.
"No, Julia", he said as he gently clutched her trembling shoulders. "I love you, you know that. I want to marry you, I want to have and raise a family with you. But I don't want to do that when I know that Brackenreid's assailant is still out there."
"What are you saying?"
"What I mean, I need to solve this case first. Once they're behind bars, I promise we will marry. And when we do, I promise to continue to love fiercely and passionately, more and more each day."
"We've waited this long already. I suppose a bit longer won't hurt, and I intend to help you", she said with a seductive smile on her lips.
"Yes, but I really must make my leave. Mrs Kitchen will be wondering where I am."
"It's late, Will. You may as we'll stay here tonight."
"How very modern of you, Dr Ogden. But what would your neighbours think?"
"Perhaps the Detective is simply investigating a case!" she declared with a laugh. "Oh William, they knew we were courting while I was still married! I don't think this would surprise them."