That was the not-so-startling revelation that came from this tragic event. For so long, Marcus had believed that he was happier alone. He had forced himself to believe that he did not want this marriage or the life that it offered him. Even when he finally accepted it, fear pushed him back, and it was the type of fear that he thought he would never get over.
Now that he was faced with the possibility that he might just get what he had asked for, he knew how wrong he had been.
He did not just want a marriage. He did not just want a family. What he wanted was Lucy. Those things meant nothing to him if she was not in his life, and as soon as she woke up, he would spend the rest of his days proving it.
If she woke up…
That it took something like this happening for Marcus to realize his feelings were wrong, he knew, as it should not have had to come to this. But it had come to this, and despite the tragedy that nearly befell him, he would do whatever it took to see it never happen again.
His happily ever after was there for the taking… all he needed was his wife to wake up so that she could be a part of it.
* * *
“Your Grace…” The voice spoke softly from over Marcus’ shoulder. “Your Grace…”
Marcus had fallen asleep without realizing. Sitting by Lucy’s bed, still holding her hand, he had drifted off to a not-so-peaceful sleep. Not done on purpose, as he was determined to stay awake until she came back into this world, but it had been nearly a day now since she was poisoned, and he was only so strong.
“Wh – what?” he slowly started, jerking awake.
For a moment, he dared to believe that Lucy was who had spoken, but no… she was still sound asleep. There was a smile on her lips, her skin was pasty white, but she was alive.
“I am so sorry to wake you, Your Grace.” Helga stood in the room, and she held James in her arms. “Ordinarily, I would not dare.”
“It is fine,” Marcus sighed. “If you have come to check on Lucy, I regret to say that nothing about her condition has changed.”
“I am sad to hear that, Your Grace,” Helga said. “But she is a fighter, and if anyone can come through such an ordeal, it is her.”
“She is stubborn too.” He smiled at the thought. “I suspect that she would look death in the eye and not blink, just to prove a point.”
Helga chuckled. “That she would, Your Grace.”
“Did you need something?” He turned to face her, hardly noticing James in her arms.
“I would not normally ask, Your Grace. And certainly, with all that has happened…” Her chin wobbled and she sniffed back tears. “But it is James, Your Grace.” She indicated to the baby in her arms.
“Oh.” Marcus’ stomach tightened. “What… what is wrong with him?”
“Nothing is wrong, Your Grace,” Helga said quickly. “On most days, Her Grace watches him at this hour. I have done so this past day, of course, and I do so love to do so. Only, today, I have other tasks to attend, and I was hoping you might be able to find someone to watch over him for a few hours.”
“I am sure another member of staff…”
“Are busy, Your Grace,” she said as she looked right at him. There was something about that look, a knowing glimmer behind her eyes, the sense that she was only telling half the truth. “Plus, I think he misses his mother. I thought perhaps you could watch him?”
“I…” Marcus leaned back. “I am a bit busy right now, Helga.”
“He is no trouble,” she said. “Truly, if you leave him on the floor, he will happily crawl about. He just needs someone nearby to ensure that nothing untoward happens.”
“That is… then you should be able to –”
“I will be moving about the home, Your Grace,” she cut him off. “From room to room. He cannot possibly follow me.”
Marcus had no desire to watch over James. Not only was he far too concerned about Lucy’s wellbeing, but he also had no idea of how to do such a thing. He was not father material, he had never pretended otherwise. Damnation, the entire point of this marriage was to avoid this type of circumstance entirely!
“I… I would not know…” He stammered with fear, not even caring how pathetic he looked.
“There is nothing to it.” Without waiting for approval, Helga approached him and held out James for him to take. “He has been fed. He has just woken from a nap. All he needs is someone to keep an eye on him.” Her smile was genuine. “Again, I think he would love to be with Lucy right now too. He does miss her.”
He hesitated further, his body trembling with fear.
