Jane woke up for the first time in a week cuddled into Edwards chest. She opened her eyes slowly, closing them again in seeing him still peacefully sleeping. As a consequence, she fought with herself for quite some time before finally rising and slowly getting dressed. She had been so comfortable, and so content. It was one of those mornings where if she wanted to, she could have stayed in bed until noon. Edward did not stir as she disentangled herself from him, no doubt because he was back in his own bed. After she had dressed and done her hair she walked back to his side and climbed playfully on top of her husband, dropping her weight onto him and laying so that her head fell into the crook of his neck. He stirred now and turned to look at her confusedly.
"Good Morning Jane" he said, his voice thick with sleep.
"Good Morning Edward" she said, smiling at his childlike ways as he rubbed his eyes.
"I am going to go and help start a big breakfast for Adele. It is still very early, I doubt she will be up. But I did not want to leave without a kiss from you first".
"Well then, madam, I guess that I should kiss you"
He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to hers as his hand rubbed her lower back affectionately.
"Let me help you" he said, "I'll get up and help you".
"No, no" said Jane, "I will have trouble enough with being aloud into the kitchen to help. You sleep for a little longer. I'll see you downstairs".
"Okay" he said warmly, bringing his hand to her face and tracing her hairline with his thumb.
"You look so beautiful this morning"
"You say that every morning"
"That is because you are so beautiful every morning"
"Now i know that you are lying"
He grinned at her as she stood up.
. . .
Despite the early hour of the morning when Jane went down into the kitchen, it did not take long for Adele to join her there. Like Jane, Adele had been accustomed to spending time in the servants corridor of a house and so was comfortable fluttering around the kitchen, talking among the servants.
"Miss Adele, I hear you are to go shopping today" Jenny grinned at Jane and then at Adele, kneading the dough in her hands with power and familiarity. Jane sat next to her, peeling apples for the pie that was to be prepared later on.
"Ah yes, Ms Eyre- Ms Rochester- Jane-"
The girls in the kitchen giggled as Jane laughed,
"Jane. Yes Adele?"
"What time will we leave? I cannot help but ask, I am so very excited".
"We can leave directly after breakfast"
"Where is Mr Rochester?"
"He is still in bed"
"We cannot eat until he has risen, do you think I could go up and-"
"Adele, you must have patience"
"Well, Mr Rochester does not understand how exciting a new dress can be".
The girls in the kitchen snigered and Jane smiled, yet tried to look seriously at Adele.
"Will you not help me Adele? I could use some assistance with these apples"
"Well" said Adele, springing out of her seat and walking towards the door, "I think I should go and see what books there are to read", and with that she was gone like a flash from the kitchen up over the stairs into the main house.
"Oh Jane" said Lindsey, "You are so wonderful with children, I can imagine you made a fine governess".
"Well, if I was it was because I worked very hard at it and I loved it a lot. Sometimes I even miss it"
The girls looked at each other, and Jane smiled,
"You must think me selfish, or ungrateful for grieving work that I do not have to do to make ends meet-"
"No Miss" said Jenny, kindly, "You are the very best mistress we could possible wish for, and Mr Rochester is the kindest master. You both are always so aware of our situation, sometimes it does not even feel like we are servants we have that many liberties. We have much free time to ourselves, our living corridors are bright, and airy and spacious, and I never fear the idea of approaching you if something were to arise".
"You see, I am, in places in my heart, still the Jane who was a servant and remembers all the disrespect servants expect to receive unjustly in their life. And so I cannot imagine being a mistress to someone else that is different from what I would have wanted in a mistress".
She paused, continuing thoughtfully.
"My life was not meant to be this way. God knows it is not what I imagined my world to be. I do not want to ever forget the people who continue on the path of life I was supposed to be on".
Jenny, Lindsey and Molly all looked at one another, and in turning back to Jane she could see that they were touched.
"It is easy, Jane, to not care for anyone. But we will always be indebted to you for your great compassion and consideration".
"You say that to me as you make my favourite, apple pie. How could you owe me a bigger debt than I now owe you"
As they laughed with one another Mr Rochester rounded the corner, smiling at them all.
"Good morning ladies" he said, "Jenny, Molly, Lindsey, I hope you are well".
Out of habit they curtsied awkwardly before pulling themselves out of it half way through and standing up straight.
"Good morning Mr Rochester, I am very well", they said in varying phrases.
"Jane I see you have been put to work"
She smiled, "Indeed, if I am only good for peeling apples then I will certainly peel apples".
He flashed her a meaningful look with his eyes that was full of love and admiration before turning to the other girls in the room.
"Molly, how is your father?" Mr Rochester asked thoughtfully, "I know he is unwell"
"My father is still ill, sir. Where I grew up, sir, and where he lives now has no doctor. His best hope for medical care is to travel to a neighbouring county and yet of course he cannot gather finds enough for it. For now, he remains at home with my sister and her husband".
He nodded, "I am very sorry to hear it. Ladies, I must take my leave of you, but I wished to say hello".
He turned to leave, but looked back, "I'm sorry, but Molly? Would you mind assisting me for a moment upstairs? I hate to take you away from your duties here, I know you are very busy".
"Of course sir"
. . .
Jane left only a minute after her husband and Molly had left the kitchen. In rounding the corner she heard them talking in lowered voices.
"Molly, your salary is for you. You worked hard for the money, and it must be yours. Please, it is not a large sum of money".
"Sir, it is too generous. I cannot just take it".
"Then, if you would prefer, I will deduct a little from your salary each month to pay it off, that way it is not generosity, it is just given to you in full now so that you may take care of your father. Please, I will hear no more protests, I know how he is important to you".
Jane could hear Molly's voice fill with tears.
"Thank you Mr. Rochester"
"Do not thank me. Now, shall I send the money express by horse? It will reach your home sooner that way".
A sniffled response was the answer.
"Okay. When you are ready you can bring me the address. Please, do not be upset. I look forward to hearing of his positive news".
Jane stepped out from around the corner, and Molly smiled weakly at her, trying hastily to wipe tears from her eyes.
"Molly, would you like to take a short walk, get some fresh air?" Jane asked kindly, taking her arm and rubbing it encouragingly. "I think in the kitchen things are taken care of, for now, and I know how hard it can be to work with a cloudy head. I always find a walk does me much good".
"I would appreciate that, ma'am, very much. Thank you".
Molly left, looking exceptionally lighter and happier. She was wiping tears from her eyes still as she descended back downstairs, no doubt to grab her cloak and winter boots. Jane turned back to her husband, taking his hand.
"Why are you such an exceptional person?"
"A better question would be why am I such an exceptionally rich person. It is only right, with the money that we have to do some small amount of good where we can".
Jane looked down at his fingers which were playing with hers instinctively.
"The fact that you view life in that way makes you an exceptional person, Edward Rochester".
"It is you that has softened me, witch", he kissed her nose. "I am slowly losing my ability to be hard and cruel and grumpy and stern- especially if it is at the risk of losing you".
Jane pulled him closer to her with a light tug as his lips pressed against her temple.
"Come" he said, "Let us find Adele'.
"Wait" Jane said, stopping him.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing. I just love you".
"Mmm" he said, pulling her mouth to his. "I love you too".