Hey Folks! William and Eliza have decided to act like adults and listen to William's reason for rejoining the NYPD. Ivy with her husband reluctantly return to England and there is a development in the main case which could become life threatening for William. This is a short chapter, so enjoy! Let me know if you are enjoying it or what you think. Thank you so much! Love-Carebearmaxi.
Frightened
Chapter 4
Eliza and William ventured into the kitchen quietly. Barnabas and Ivy still sat there drinking their morning tea which Ivy had made when Eliza had retreated to the bedroom. They both took chairs at the table sitting across from one another. Eliza folded her hands in front of her and then William cleared his throat and rose leaning on the back of the kitchen table chair. He was still dressed in his dressing gown which he had retied in the bedroom since the tie had become very loose during his frustration in his argument with Eliza. He did not want to look disheveled in front of the Potts'.
"As I started to say, I have agreed to return to the NYPD as Chief until a new man can be promoted. The reason I need to return is that the Chief was the casualty from last night when we captured Jimmy. As I am responsible for his being there and the men wish me to return, I agreed."
Ivy had gasped. Her husband looked uncomfortable and made different motions with his mouth. Meanwhile Eliza's gaze did not waver from her husband as he spoke to them about the issue. She should have known the reason why William would return would have to be a noble one. He felt too responsible. The Chief, around William's age, had left a wife and three children Eliza knew.
"I volunteered to lead Chief Dowry's men because I know how to lead men. I also know who we are looking for."
Having finished his announcement he walked to the kitchen sink which looked out over the alley behind their home.
Eliza averted her eyes and twirled her rings as she wondered how she could help William. She knew as much as William did having worked the case with him, but she dare not volunteer to accompany him or his other officers in her present condition. Despite sometimes seemingly without common sense, Eliza's maternal instinct had finally emerged. She would not do anything to harm the child she carried especially now that she could feel him (she was convinced she carried a son) move within her. She understood now why William did not want her there. If she were not pregnant, he would have found some way for them to work together with her safety uppermost in his priorities.
Eliza looked up. She looked at Ivy and then Barnabas. This was their signal to leave discreetly leaving husband and wife alone. Then Eliza rose and took the few steps to where her husband stood. His face was grim, and she knew that he felt guilty for what happened and now he must take the same risk for himself to amend, in some way, the Chief's death. She placed her hand on his arm, and he immediately turned to embrace her. He kissed the top of her head.
As she stood in his arms, a fearful tear rolled down her cheek. She was intrepid for herself feeling many times that she was impervious to harm even before her time of working cases with William. William was always there to admire her courage, audacity, or stupidity (whatever his view was at the time). He always protected her whether she liked it or not. William knew that in Eliza he had his protector of the man himself. That no mattered what happened on the job she knew he was a very good man with a big heart with the noblest of reasons for doing what he did.
Now, though, she felt a little helpless. She worried for William. She loved him deeply. She always had even when she did not want to admit it. She did not want to be without him especially now they would be a family with the advent of their child. He was such a good man, kind, noble, and always willing to help. The world, her world, would be a much lonelier, bleaker place if anything should take William away.
However, she realized there was no way to dissuade him from taking on this role. This was who he was, so she knew she had to support him.
"William," Eliza said looking up into his face. "When do you start as Chief?"
"Tomorrow. I have to gather some information on whom I have under me. I am familiar with some of the men, and I know they trust me."
"So, we have only today to spend together before you take over," Eliza said. "I'm frightened for you, William."
He stroked her cheek and kissed her softly on her lips.
"I know you are. It's thanks to you, though, for your good detective work we know who we are looking for and where to find him. Hopefully by the time the baby is born we'll both be back in our office working our cases together."
"I don't mean to change the subject, but that reminds me I will need to look for a nurse or a nanny. I think Mrs. Carruthers mentioned her daughter was looking for a position."
William smiled and was glad that Eliza had found something else to immerse herself. He was extremely happy it was her impending motherhood. For a few weeks now he silently worried that Eliza would become a dispassionate, disinterested mother and see their child as an interference and not a blessing. He should have known better.
Eliza pulled back and smiled and then turned her head.
"It seems Ivy and Barnabas excused themselves," Eliza observed.
As Eliza seemed to go, William pulled her close and held her.
"Let me just hold you, Mrs. Wellington, before we rejoin our company."
Eliza closed her eyes listening to the steady rhythm of William's heart.
Ivy and Barnabas had returned to England via a steamer only a few days after William had returned to the police force. Eliza and William saw them off as they boarded the boat. Ivy promised to be back soon so she could be there when the new blessing was born. Her husband did not look as enthusiastic to return. Groveling to make his quick goodbyes, he hurried his wife along the ramp so they could find their cabins.
Eliza and William both quickly hugged and kissed Ivy thanking her for taking such good care of Eliza while she recovered from her gunshot wound and subsequent few months of pregnancy.
"The ship won't leave without us, Barnabas. I'll find you if you want to go on ahead. I need to speak to Lizzy for few more seconds if you don't mind," Ivy implored her husband. Eliza and William smiled at each other at this exchange. They both then said their goodbyes to Barnabas and watched momentarily as he climbed up the ramp with his hat in one hand and Ivy's small valise in the other.
With her coat and bonnet tied up snugly against the rainy New York March day, Ivy hugged Eliza with all her might. Then William kissed her cheek warmly and held her hand tightly.
"I don't know how to thank you, Ivy. You've taken care of us. Like you always have," William smiled and hugged Ivy.
"My turn, William," Eliza said being her pushy self. "Ivy, I'm going to miss you so much. I don't know what I would do without you." Eliza hugged her so tight that she was afraid she would break one of Ivy's ribs.
When Ivy pulled away with Eliza within her arms, she looked at her as if she were leaving her own daughter. She patted Eliza's bump and said, "Be good to your mum and don't give her too much trouble or Ivy will be back to spank you."
She hugged her again. In her ear, Ivy said to Eliza, "Be good to that husband of yours, I have never witnessed a man so deeply in love."
"Oh, I know now, Ivy. Thank you," Eliza whispered back confidentially into Ivy's ear with her eyes pouring tears onto Ivy's tightly clad neck.
Ivy twisted her neck to look up behind her and waved to her husband who was doing his impatient moving about the deck waiting for her.
"Well, I'd better leave. Barnabas will walk the entire deck until I get up there."
One more kiss goodbye, Ivy then walked the ramp to the deck. When she got to the top she turned and waved to Eliza and William now looking so tiny below.
William gave his wife his arm and Eliza looped her hand within it. They walked slowly a few steps on the way back to their house when one of William's officers ventured up to him.
"Chief, nice to see you out and about, Mrs. Wellington," said Officer Carlyle who was one of the younger men William knew.
"How nice to see you, Officer Carlyle," Eliza said in return. William and Eliza always thought of Oliver Fitzroy as he once, young and green, whenever they met with Officer Carlyle.
They continued walking when Carlyle cleared his throat.
"Go ahead, Carlyle, you can say anything to me in front of my wife. Not only is she my wife but my professional partner for whom we have to thank," William proudly told Officer Carlyle.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I was not aware of your involvement. I have just been put onto the docks case a few days ago."
"That's fine Officer Carlyle. Thank you. Now you had better let us have your information."
Officer Lionel Carlyle, aged 25, fell into step with them as he relayed the latest news.
"I was set to find you as we received word there is a meeting tonight between the Irish and the Italian gangs. The meeting was sparked by Jimmy's arrest and subsequent captivity."
"So, what is the meeting to be about?" Eliza asked.
William looked at Officer Carlyle when he was reluctant to respond to Eliza's question.
"Yes, what is the meeting to be about?" William asked smiling at Eliza. Her mind never stopped thinking about the case.
Carlyle then said, "It seems there is a meeting to elect the next mastermind and determining a way to break Jimmy out of prison."
"A jailbreak? Should have seen that one coming," Eliza continued to speak as she looked up into William's now frustrated expression. Not frustration with her but the fact that now the police would have to counteract this meeting and hopefully catch the instrumental people of the gangs.
"Thanks, Carlyle. I'll be back in about an hour. "
"Thank you Chief. Good day, Mrs. Wellington," Officer Carlyle said tipping his hat to Eliza and then hurrying back in the direction of the station.
In the interim, William and Eliza had arrived at their house.
"Now, Eliza, I need to go back to the station. Please try to occupy yourself and take it easy. You've had a lot of exercise today. How are feeling by the way?"
Eliza smiled. "I am feeling fine, William. I could accompany you all the way to the precinct if you want. I promise if you raid, I will stay completely happy sitting in your office."
"You never stay complacent anywhere I would stick you, Eliza. No, I cannot worry about you and help get these gangs arrested and rounded up simultaneously."
"Please William? I know I can help in some way."
"No, Eliza. I'm scared to leave you here at home knowing your penchant for following me onto crime scenes."
"That was before when there was no other way for me to gain information and experience. I don't have to do that anymore."
William, now frustrated with her, stopped at the front stoop of their New York home and walked in front of her. He took her hand which he always did when he was speaking of something heartfelt and serious for her ears only.
He took her hand and removed her glove. He sweetly kissed it closing his eyes as he did so. He then opened his eyes and looked at the white manicured left hand he held. William toyed gently with the rings upon her third finger.
"I took a vow, Eliza, when I placed these rings on your finger. I know you can help me professionally and I will ask for your help when I need it in that way. However, personally, I need you to stay here and take care of yourself. Lock the door and do not answer it."
"William, I know how to protect myself."
"Yes, I know, but just do as I say. I don't want to frighten you even more than you already are, but these gangs know who we are and who was intrinsic in putting Jimmy in jail."
Eliza knew William spoke the truth. There had been death threats since Jimmy's capture a few months ago.
"All right, William. I will do as you say."