William was in his office, facing the window. Lunch had just ended. As he did for two days, he invited Julia to join him and they ate quietly in his office. William had to admit that he took advantage of the situation. He had not needed her to eat anymore now, but he wanted to be with her, feel her presence with him more often and as long as possible. Not being able to watch her consuming him, so he had the need to know that she was beside him. Today was special. Two years before, that day, they were married. And William had celebrate the anniversary. He had thought since he had woken up, since he had held Julia in his arms, still sleeping peacefully. He left the bed without a sound, and he had shaved, not without having skinned his neck. Then he was dressed and he called down the reception for breakfast, with instructions to slide a red rose on the tray. William ignored if the flower had been the color he had asked, but he held it when he had approached the bed again. He then tenderly caressed the body of his wife with the flower, gently holding it in the palm of his hand to find out exactly what the tips of his fingers touched. Julia had moaned in her sleep and then he filed a kiss in the crook of her neck. He whispered a "Happy Anniversary" and he had felt her smile against his cheek before she do the same. Then they took their breakfast as every morning, Julia had adjusted the suit and tie to William, she had left him leave before her, drawing all the strength in her to not to appear anxious to see him getting out alone on the street. She had dressed and prepared. She had found a huge bouquet of roses on the desk of the morgue, an hour later, William asked her to lunch with him. She accepted with joy, she kissed him, without worrying that every policemen could see through the windows of his office. She did not hesitate to snuggle against him for a lingering kiss again before heading to the morgue, and she had left him alone.
Now he stood at the window of his office, feeling the sun's rays pass through the glass and touch his face. He concentrated, with all his strength to try to see something but there was this blinding light. William then reached out to him, noting that he could see his shadow. It's a start, he thought, better than it was two days ago.
The young man stood in the doorway. He watched him move his upper hand before his face, frowning. Constable Crabtree admired. His strength of character, courage, tenacity. He was not only his mentor, he was his model, almost his hero. He saw that he had difficulty to move, to take an object, and it was obvious he could see anything, yet he continued. He attended interrogations outside the room, focusing on the suspect's voice intonation. He used much touched when fingerprints were raised, to feel a land of grain, a piece of paper hidden in a pocket or damaged by a pen. George admired him, and he knew that Inspector Brakenreid did too, otherwise he would have been sent home and emptied his desk. But the day before a murderer was arrested, thanks to the developed senses of Detective Murdoch. He adjourned the earned and they had all conscience.
-George? William asked, lowering his hand to slowly turn toward the door where the young man was.
-I'm here, sir, replied the young man approaching, you wanted to see me? I mean, I...
-It's alright George, William replied, laughing softly, yes I need you. Voila, I planned to do it myself but after what happened. I wish you to go to the florist, that you ask ten bouquets of seventy-three red roses.
-In one florist sir? Gave the young man with absinthe.
-I doubt one have as much, it's your job George, I need exactly seven hundred and thirty red roses for tonight.
-Well Sir.
-When you get them, could you have them delivered to the hotel?
-Yes, the young man nodded when he saw William take his cane leaning against the desk to go to the coat rack and take his hat, where are you going sir?
-I have to go in town, look for the meal and wormwood.
-Alone? The Doctor...
-It's our anniversary George, William tenderly cut, I do not want her to know, I will be fine, do not worry.
-And what if she comes to ask where you are?
-I count on you to find me a good excuse, said William smiling, see you later George and thank you again.
George stood there in the middle of the office of the Detective Murdoch. Yes, he genuinely admired him for his courage to venture out alone in a city as crowded as Toronto, in his condition. He admired for years for his work, for his intellectual and manual abilities, for his wisdom, his righteousness. Today he admired for the boundless love he felt and that he was hiding more show towards his wife. George knew that Detective Murdoch found the strength to go and fight with the woman who shared his life. He had seen so often unhappy before, when she had not been there, when she was with other men, when she was the wife of Dr. Garland. But since they were married, George had found them stronger than ever, especially Detective Murdoch. While he was struggling to find these flowers, he would return the entire city if he had to, but he would do it for them, because they deserve it, because they had the right to be happy, together, finally.
Night fell on the city when the Doctor Ogden left the morgue to get to the police station. She was exhausted, the day had been long and she only had a single desire, go home and spend the evening in her husband's arms, talking about everything and nothing, entwined on their sofa. No one noticed her entrance into the building and went immediately to the office of William. She frowned at seeing the empty room, the lamp off, the William hat missing on the coat rack. She then approached Constable Crabtree dozing at his desk and she cleared her throat briefly.
-George?
-Madam, Doctor, you ... can I help you?
-I would like to know where is my husband, she said, smiling.
-He is get home.
-Alone?
-Yes, but do not worry, he's fine and I passed there...
-Do you went at the hotel? Julia asked, frowning. Why?
-I ... um, I can not tell you Doctor.
Julia gaped a moment, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. She did not know if it was the news that William had returned home alone without him tell her, or thought he had to prepare something. Of course he's up to something, it's our anniversary, thought Julia, and this is William. Julia smiled sheepishly thinking of the exceptional man she had married. She was even more impatient to rush home and jump into his arms. She did not have time to answer the Inspector left his office and spoke.
-Doctor Ogden, yet here so late?
-I had a report to finish, she murmured, I was going to leave, since William is gone.
-I'm sure it's for a good cause, he said, giving her a wink, however, if all goes well and no stamped should not become tough tonight, you are both free tomorrow. Do you remember asking me a free day on May 29?
-To be honest, with all that has happened, I completely forgot. But I shall make good use, thank you Inspector.
-I do not doubt that, at the time both Thursday morning, that's all I ask.
-You know William, Julia replied with a laugh, he will not be late. Good evening gentlemen.
-You too Doctor, replied Brakenreid while George just nodded, smiling before Julia disappears.
They looked at her and they simply shared a glance and a smile before getting back to work.
The ride to the hotel had seemed like an eternity, when she climbed the stairs, her heart pounding, when she arrived at the door of the suite, her breath caught for a second. She took her keys and she opened before entering and close behind her. Julia hung her hat on the coat rack, she did the same with her jacket and she simply smiled at the hat and jacket William hung beside hers. She stepped into the room to see the living room invaded from bouquets of roses, blanket and pillows were on the floor. There was a wicker basket, glasses and a bottle of absinthe. Julia stood there in the doorway of the room, speechless, her heart filled with joy. Then she heard his footsteps behind her, very gently. She did not turn around, feeling the fingers of William touch her back, then slip on her hip, his other hand joined and she closed her eyes, feeling the chest of William against her back. He guided his breath on her neck to breathe deeply the scent before placing a soft but wet kiss. Julia lost feet, she put her hands on those of William and she bit her lips with desire.
-William, she whispered, it's beautiful.
-I expected candles but considering my condition, it is better not to put, I would have risked burning the entire building.
-Everything is perfect, sighed Julia cocked her head to the side to feel William kisses up along her neck, you're perfect.
-There's still something, wait.
He suddenly walk her away to reach the nearest piece of furniture. He reached out and groped, he set off the disk that was there and then he turned to her, holding out his hand simply. Julia smiled, noticing that her husband had removed his shoes and socks, the jacket of his suit, waistcoat and tie. His shirt was open of two buttons, he was not wearing his glasses, he was there, relaxed, smiling tenderly, his eyes fixed on the ground. She would have given anything to meet his eyes at that moment, to see the light that he gave to her, shining in them. Slowly, she approached him, slipping her hand into his, pressing against him, feeling her breasts pressing against his chest as he placed a hand on her lower back. She slid her fingers through his dark hair, tenderly stroking his scalp, failing her mouth over his ear. They never had such intimacy when dancing in public, they reserved it that when alone, in the privacy of their suite. Julia kissed the nape of William who was swinging gently from left to right. She closed her eyes savoring the feel of his hips against hers, she felt this heat in the small of her back, his warm breath on her cheek. Her heart was pounding, she was at peace. Nothing else mattered at that moment, there was William, the warmth of his body, the strength of his arms, his smell. The music ended too quickly for them and when silence fell in the room, he spoke in a deep voice in her ear. That voice that always made her wince.
-I made sandwiches peanut butter and jelly, I also found a bottle of absinthe. I invite you to join me for dinner Mrs. Murdoch.
-With great pleasure, Mr. Murdoch.
He smiled and the next moment, he left her to go to the salon. A few centimeters of cover, he stopped, unsure of where he was. She then helped him walk to the sofa and sat down in front, propping his back against the seat. Julia sat between his legs, leaning back comfortably against his chest, and she served them alcohol, then they began to eat, entwined on the floor of their suite.
When their second drink was finished, William kissed again the neck of his wife that let her go quietly in his arms.
-I wanted to relive our first meeting, he whispered in her ear, one of our finest memories together.
-Well, then, something is missing William.
He stopped his kisses and Julia just looked over at him, stroking fingertips cheek before touching his lips with hers.
-Our first kiss, she sighed before kissing him with love.
-You're right, William murmured tightening his arms around her, missing our first kiss.
They smiled again and a second after they renewed their kiss. Julia gently slid her body to face him and surround his face with her hands. Then she stroked his chin and neck, opening a button of his shirt, then a second and a third.
-Julia, William whispered on her lips, let's go in the bedroom, I might commit damage here and I do not want to hurt you.
-Follow me, she smiled before getting up.
She took his hand and he stood beside her. She then drew against him to steal another kiss and without breaking, they left the room, feeling the tension rising gradually as their breath quickened. Julia switched off the light in passing and once in the bedroom she moved away from William to close the swinging doors.
to be continued...