Marguerite's senses returned slowly. When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself in a bed in Avalon. The room was filled with Avalonian nurses bustling around. Her gaze settled on Abigail, who was looking at her with a mix of relief and concern.
Abigail approached her and said, "For a moment, I feared Morrighan had completely taken over you. But you proved stronger."
Marguerite tried to sit up, "What happened? Is Veronica okay?"
Abigail's face showed a hint of worry, "Veronica is still out. The blast that took down Mordren affected her too. She bore the brunt of the power unleashed. But she's strong; she'll come around."
Marguerite's eyes widened, "And Roxton?"
Abigail quickly reassured her, "He's alright. Everyone's alright."
Marguerite let out a relieved sigh, "Thank God."
She gently placed a hand on her stomach, "And...?"
Abigail smiled, "Both you and the little one are fine."
Marguerite shifted slightly, testing her strength, "Can I get up now?"
Abigail nodded, "If you feel up to it, you can."
Emerging from the infirmary, Marguerite was greeted by the sight of friends and allies gathered outside. Some were tending to the wounded, others shared silent moments of grief for those they had lost. As she ventured further, her eyes locked with Roxton's from a distance. The world seemed to blur for a moment, and then they were racing towards each other.
"Marguerite!" Roxton exclaimed. "You are alright!"
She smiled tearfully, "And so are you!"
They embraced tight. Roxton lifted her off her feet and spinned her around.
Marguerite, catching her breath, gently took his hand, placing it on her stomach, guiding it with her own. "We're both fine," she whispered.
The depth of emotion in Roxton's eyes was overwhelming. "I love you," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her. Pulling her close once, he whispered against her forehead, "Both of you." Holding her tightly, he added, "With all my heart."
Marguerite gazed deeply into Roxton's eyes. Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "I want to marry you."
Roxton's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and elation. Remembering the proposal he had offered earlier and the answer he'd been awaiting, he responded, "Are you saying...?"
"Yes," Marguerite interrupted with a soft chuckle, "Yes, I'm saying yes."
He twirled her around again, their faces inches apart, eyes gleaming with shared joy. They exchanged a series of joyful kisses, each punctuated by laughter and happy tears. The world around them seemed to fade as they lost themselves in the moment.
They made their way to the common room, where Veronica lay in a deep slumber. Ned sat vigilantly by her side, gently cradling her hand. The room soon filled with the presence of their friends, with Abigail joining the somber gathering. She took a seat next to her daughter, placing a tender kiss on Veronica's forehead. Turning to Malone, she softly suggested, "Talk to her, guide her back to us."
Malone took a deep breath, trying to find the right words, "Veronica, I've never been great with words, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Every time I see you, it feels like my day just got brighter. The way you light up a room, the way you stand up for what you believe in, it's all... awe-inspiring."
He looked around the room trying to find the courage in his friend's eyes.
He returned his gaze to Veronica and continued. "You've always been the strong one, the guiding force for all of us. Now, I'm asking you to find that strength once more. Please, come back to us. We need you. I need you. Please, Veronica… come back to me."
She remained still. Malone cleared his throat, looking down at Veronica with a mix of determination and softness. "From the first moment I laid eyes on you, I was smitten. I tried to hide it, tried to deny it, but the truth is, I fell for you right then and there."
Gathering more emotion, he continued, "There's so much more for us here and beyond. I envision our future, both here and in the world outside. Think of the tales we'll share, the wonders we'll witness, and the life we'll build together. I dream of a day where we're side by side, forever. But to see that day, I need you to fight, to come back to me. Because Veronica, that dream, our dream, it means nothing if you're not by my side. I love you, from that very first moment and every moment since."
As Malone's heartfelt words hung in the air, there was a palpable silence in the room. Everyone held their breath, waiting, hoping. Slowly, a soft stir came from the bed. Veronica's eyelashes fluttered, her fingers twitched, and her breathing became more pronounced.
Her eyes started to open gradually. First, just a sliver, then more, until her familiar gaze was looking around the room, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
Veronica, gathering strength, pushed herself up slightly, and her gaze met Malone's.
"Malone..." she whispered.
"Veronica..." he replied.
Their foreheads touched. For a moment, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of their combined breaths. Then, their lips met in a gentle, heartfelt kiss, and the room erupted in applause.
As the cheering continued, Abigail moved to sit beside the reunited couple. With tear-filled eyes, she caressed Veronica's face. "My brave, brave girl," she murmured, "You've done wonders. You saved us all." She pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, planting a tender kiss on her forehead. Then, glancing up, she added with a grin, "With Marguerite's help, of course." She extended an arm, beckoning Marguerite closer.
Marguerite approached, and with a soft smile, whispered to Veronica, "You were always the right choice." Their hands intertwined in a symbol of unity and mutual respect.
"Thank you, Marguerite." Veronica said, her voice filled with emotion. "You are like a sister I've never had."
"And you are like a sister I've always wanted." Marguerite replied.
Then, sensing the need for a private moment, Marguerite announced, "Come, everyone. It seems Veronica is well tended." She cast a knowing glance towards Malone, and the group began to disperse, leaving the two of them alone, wrapped in each other's embrace.
Marguerite and Roxton retreated to the privacy of their bedroom. They settled into a plush lounging chair near the balcony, surrounded by an array of comfy cushions. Marguerite nestled comfortably into Roxton's lap, her fingers playing with the strands of his hair as she showered him with kisses – on the lips, cheeks, and forehead.
Roxton broke the tender moment with a hopeful comment, "Seeing Veronica and Ned like that... It was heartwarming. Makes me think of our own future."
Marguerite paused, her gaze meeting his. "They truly deserve their happiness."
Roxton's eyes shimmered with emotion. "So do we. I can't wait for us to start a family, to settle down and experience everything life has to offer."
She pulled back slightly, looking deep into his eyes. "I love you and we have a child on the way, so yes, marriage is the logical next step. But you have to remember that it won't be easy. My past, my secrets and my complicated life back home are still there."
Roxton's eyes searched Marguerite's, filled with understanding and warmth. "Marguerite," he began softly, "I knew from the moment we met that our journey wouldn't be a simple one. I've seen glimpses of your past, and while I may not know everything, I'm prepared to face it all with you. Because what we have here, now, is real. It's us. I love you for who you are, not for who you were. We'll take on every challenge together."
Marguerite's thoughts raced as Roxton's words enveloped her. She knew deep down she had to come clean, to lay all her cards on the table. He might believe that her past didn't matter, but every choice she'd made, every shadow she'd kept hidden, they all bore their weight. And they mattered.
Marguerite's mind then wandered to the life growing inside her. The very thought of children had always made her uneasy. It wasn't out of any dislike for them, but more a reflection of her own past. To her, children symbolized a purity and innocence she felt had been stolen from her too soon. She remembered, all too painfully, the shadows of her early years.
On the other hand, the prospect of bringing a life into the world, especially with the man she deeply loved, infused her with profound happiness.
"Do you actually believe I could be a good mother?" She asked all of a sudden. She knew he was going to be a wonderful father, there was no doubt about that, but herself? She wasn't entirely sure.
Roxton, sensing her apprehension, gently cupped her face, his eyes earnest. "Marguerite, I have no doubt that you'll be an incredible mother. Perhaps not in the conventional sense," he said with a teasing glint in his eye, "but that's not what we need. Our children will be cherished, a little spoiled, and most importantly, loved beyond measure."