Thank you everyone for the patience. I have been so busy lately, and overrun with everything that I didn't want to scrap together a chapter so that it was only mediocre. From now on I will be posting more regularly. Thank you, so much, dear reader!

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Mr Rochester was up, dressed, and ate a quick breakfast all before the sun had fully risen. Jane watched him as he moved about the room, falling in and out of light sleep as he did so, being woken up when he moved close to the bed or made a particularly loud movement. He kissed her goodbye, and was gone, leaving everything to fall into silence once more.

With him gone, Jane rose and dressed a little slower than she would have if he had stayed in bed. She washed her face in the water basin, the cool, refreshing water soothing her face which was still puffy with sleep. She glanced at herself briefly in the mirror; the almost see-through material of her nightgown showed that there were no longer any signs of her having ever been pregnant. As she lifted off her nightgown over her head she saw the dark purple stretch marks across her stomach that had at one time been the symbol of the growth of her child. She ran her fingers over them lightly and felt tears flood her eyes. Edward had been nothing but a support, and a great force of love and comfort, but he could not understand what she truly felt. The idea of being pregnant lingered in her flesh and blood, and she at times still felt the guilt of not being able to support the child that had been within her. The thought was painful, and she quickly brushed away the tears that fell down her face. She needed moments such as this- moments where she could grieve alone. Glancing at herself again she could see that her eyes were now puffy, and bloodshot, but on the whole she looked much healthier and happier than she had been in previous days. She once again took the basin and brought some water to her face.

Everything was perfectly silent in the house, there was the sound of nothing but her own hands dipping into the water. She deeply enjoyed the peace of the early morning alone- she always had. She went to the bathroom's window and peered out at the wakening world. The snow covered landscape was bathed in warm sunlight as it rose over the far away horizon. Jane thought it looked as warm as a summer day, though surely it was still very cold outside. She touched the pane of glass thoughtlessly and sighed deeply. What a beautiful morning.

In the days that Edward was gone, Jane was kept very busy around the house. Not only was it her first time ever watching a house- her house, be decorated for Christmas, but there was much more than she expected to be done for it. She was involved in everything; she strung popcorn on lines for the tree, wrapped boughs around the banister of the main staircase, watched great amounts of food come in and out of the house, all while being completely enamored by the entire process. The house was extremely vibrant in its attempts to prepare for Christmas, and the spirits of all within the house was touching. Jane was reminded however of something she had been putting in the back of her mind for quite some time- hoping it would go away. John was showing his age. He was no longer young, or strong, and he seemed to struggle with even the smallest activities. Jane could see that Leah stepped in at times and eased his load, but for the majority of the time he seemed to struggle with even the simplest of tasks. She took her time to think of how best to ease his responsibilities.

Jane received a letter from Edward on the second day of his absence. He said that the carriage had encountered some trouble on the way to town and to be sure they would be forced to stay in London longer than expected. Jane, in reading the letter, felt a small pang of regret she had not gone as her husband had wished. Part of her was uneasy whether he would decide to take the position of the magistrate or not, and she thought selfishly that if she was there, it may be a reminder for him that he did not need to take the job. Surely it would drain him, bringing out his impatient and at times, short character. It would not be good for him, Jane thought, and yet she had no right to restrain him from things he wished to do. She would support him, no matter his choice, as his friend and his wife. She shoved aside her selfish thoughts and returned to her task of wrapping bushels of holly berries with the servant girls in the kitchen.

Finally, five days after the carriages departure it came back over the drive, bringing all the servants to the front of the house and a very excited Jane. She did not realize the burden of being someone who liked to share with no one to communicate her thoughts to. The carriage had hardly stopped before the door flew opened and out came Adele, beaming as she ran towards Jane's opened arms.

"Ms Eyre, Ms Eyre!" she cried, hugging Jane tightly.

"Hello Adele, I am so happy to see you again".

Truly she was. Adele had been a wonderful student, and she had loved her dearly. Here she was again before her, and Jane could not be more pleased. In hugging her however, Jane could feel she was much thinner, and her clothes which before had been decadent and girly was reduced to a grey tunic with a simple lace collar. A glow of Adele's innocence was gone, and it was replaced with a more mature look- bags under her eyes, even.

Jane, feeling a little saddened forced a smile as she rubbed Adele's back.

"It was such a surprise to see Mr Rochester come- I do not think I have ever been so happy"

Jane looked up to see Edward around the back of the carriage, helping John lift the heavy trunks down onto the ground. Jane smiled, unable not to at the renewed sight of him.

"I am so glad! I am sure you must have been very surprised. But I am sure you are tired after a long journey. Will you not join me for lunch? You can tell me absolutely everything then"

"But of course, I have so much to tell you, so much to say! I hope that you and-"

"Come child" Leah called, taking Adele by the hand, "We will get you washed up and ready for lunch"

Adele looked back at Jane,

"I will come to your room in a moment" she promised. Adele nodded and continued on with Leah.

As she turned, Jane saw Edward beaming at her and she quickly rushed to him, being lifted into his arms.

"Hello my darling, my darling"

"Hello!" Jane said, closing her eyes as she hugged him.

He set her back down on the ground and kissed her cheek, her chin, her nose and forehead. Jane grinned as he brought her lips to his and kissed her sweetly.

"I've missed you" Jane said, interlocking her fingers with his.

"Perhaps you would not have missed me if you saw the person I was standing on the side of the road with a broken coach wheel and then stranded in London"'

Jane laughed, looking into his eyes,

"Do not tell me you were disagreeable?"

"Me? No, of course not!"

He kissed Jane's temple before putting his arm around her waist and walking them towards the door.

"My God how I've missed you. And now you've seen our Adele once again?"

"I have, and I fear I find her spirits depressed and her frame far too small"

"I wish I had better news for you Jane, but I regret to tell you there is much to be said about the school she currently resides in. I told her to take everything that belonged to her, for she cannot go back there- though she does not know yet".

Jane nodded at him slowly, smiling encouragingly.

"We shall work it out".

He rubbed her hand and smiled.

"Indeed. She will enjoy Christmas here, and from there we can help her".

"And for now..." Jane said, walking away from Edward, but still having her fingers wrapped in his, "I must go and see Adele in her room for a moment".

"No you must not, you must kiss me once before you go"

"I have already kissed you" Jane said, laughing

He smiled, "Then kiss me again, it has been a full five days"

"Well, in that case.."

He pulled her waist to him for one final kiss before she went into the house. She turned back to shake her head at him, smiling.