Hello everyone, happy holidays!

Thank you, so much, for your patience in my sporadic posting over these past few weeks. Things have been very busy, as I am sure they have been with you too. I wish you all the very best in the new year and every happiness.

Thank you, as always, for being amazing readers. I am so humbled.

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The trip to the cottage did Jane and Edward a world of good. They spoke late into the nights and into the morning about everything. Though this was not a new practice for them, it was unique in this, for it unburdened their minds and hearts. The miscarriage had been the real first test of their marriage, for everything up until the moment they had lost their baby had felt like a dream. Despite Jane feeling guilty for not having told him how she was feeling earlier, he understood, and she did not wish to burden herself with guilt that was unfair to carry. She no longer walked around with the sinking feeling of dread for the future, or how she was to face anyone who knew she had been pregnant. The person who was once Jane Eyre still burned in her veins, and with her, she could accomplish anything.

The carriage ride home was a quiet one. Mr Rochester fell asleep within minutes of the carriage leaving the cottage and Jane was happy to support his head on her shoulder. She laughed to herself at her perhaps pious behavior the first time she and Mr Rochester were in a carriage together. She had repeatedly knocked his hand away as he tried to hold hers, but she had wished to keep him at bay, and not let him run her over with feeling. She had been naive then, but was not wrong in her actions. She only wanted to make sure all was right, and not a passing romance. She knew that he had experience with other women intimately, something of which she knew nothing; and though she had never felt that pressure from him, she wanted to keep him at a distance- to make sure he did not only desire her for those reasons. But now, having been fully loved by him, having lay with him, having been caressed by him, she could not imagine something further from the truth.

Edward stirred, and Jane's eyes were diverted from the rolling hills and fields before her. He readjusted in his seat and without opening his eyes, felt for Jane's hand. In finding it, he eased back into sleep quickly and was still once more. Jane eventually fell asleep too, for the night before had little sleep in it. Upon hitting one major hole in the road, however, both were jostled awake and looked at each other amusedly. Edward wrapped his arm around her and brought the blanket closer around them, for the wind had picked up and the cold wind ran through the moving carriage.

"How happy we will be to arrive home where the fires are lit" Edward said, a little grumpily, blowing hot air into his hands as he rubbed them together. But his face suddenly fell and he looked at Jane curiously.

"You are happy to be returning home, are you not?"

Jane nodded, "Yes, I am very happy. I know I told you I could have stayed in the cottage forever, but I am happy wherever you are. I love our house, I love the servants there, and I love living there. I would not trade it for the world".

Edward smiled, kissing Jane's temple as he held her close.

"I have faith.." he began with conviction, "that we are able to conquer anything together. I cannot imagine there is a worse thing to experience in a marriage, or a larger test of strength, and yet I love you more now than I ever have"

Jane nodded, rubbing his leg lovingly.

"I am so very lucky for you" she said, softly. It was a simple statement, and one which in comparison to how she felt, was shallow. He smiled down at her, and then looked out of the carriage window.

"Look, there is the post. We are very close".

. . .

As the carriage pulled up the drive of the Rochester's house, Jane could see the servants pour out of the house. They stood in line expectantly, the women smoothing their dresses and the men standing tall. Leah and John walked the line of servants, assessing the appearance of each one. When the carriage stopped, the door was opened by a smiling John who helped Jane from the carriage.

"Hello mistress" he said kindly. His old, dark eyes sparkled with care as he greeted her. She was very happy to see him.

"Hello John"

"I hope you are well', the statement was almost a reluctant question. Jane nodded knowingly.

"To be away from this place for a few days did me quite a lot of good. But I am happy to return home"

"Exactly miss" he said, smiling.

Leah whisked Jane into her arms as John greeted Mr Rochester. Soon, however, John was hurrying around to the back of the carriage to remove the luggage- only to find that he could not. As soon as he had gripped the sides of the trunks he was forced to drop them again. In seeing him grappling with their weight, Jane was reminded of his age. She looked to Edward who had already noticed and was glancing concernedly at Jane. Quickly, he moved to the back of the carriage.

"John, good man, allow me. I have overpacked, I do not expect anyone else to carry the weight of my indecision".

This was a lie. In fact he had packed lightly, but the lie was an attempt to protect his pride. Before John could refuse, Edward had already lifted the trunk down from the carriage and laid it on the ground. A younger footman rushed forward to take the trunk and soon it was out of sight- leaving John looking more worn and older than before. Edward once again looked to Jane, for he too must have come to a realization of faithful John's age. Leah did not seem to notice, however, she stood talking to the cook, who was busy listing off potential meals to celebrate the Rochester's return. Eventually, everyone retreated once again into the house with the promise of dinner being a roasted chicken and all of Jane and Edward's favorite side dishes. With this prospect, the Rochester's retired to their room.