The Butchers Love

Chapter 52

It was December now, William had gotten considerably worse but he still tried his best to make Edward and I happy. To make it easier we hired a few maids and kitchen staff to help us both. On the rare occasion that William was well, he was rather annoyed that we had next to no privacy throughout the day. One day he sent most of the maids to Charlestown as a 'treat'. In reality we both needed some much needed privacy so we could be more intimate with each other without worrying that we would be walked in on. That had already happened once before.

December 13th was the day that William's health started to decline, it all started with a simple cough. However the next day he was bedbound with a cough and cold sweats. I hadn't left his side once, I couldn't. the night before the 21st,I held onto his hand through the entire night, fearing that he would somehow slip away. Thankfully he survived.

I woke up to William violently coughing, he was drenched in cold sweat and tears were visible in his eyes "I'm here, William..." I mumbled and he looked to the side "Shh, darling I'm here"

He looked up at me and smiled weakly "I'm not finished fighting yet..."

I shook my head before running my fingers across his cheek "But you're suffering..."

William took in a shaky breath and took my hand into his "I am, but my job isn't done...not yet..."I looked over his body, he had lost a lot of his muscle mass and I could see his ribs. He was fighting, but what for? "C-can you stay with me? I don't want you to go..." he pleaded and looked over towards me "I'm sorry..."

"Don't you dare apologise" I smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his lips "In sickness and in health, I love you so much Will"

William's face seemed to lighten a little at those words "I love you more..." he mumbled and huddled up to me.

"Would you like me to bring your son to you? He misses his papa"

He let out a small laugh before coughing slightly "He misses you, he loves you more than me"

"That couldn't be further from the truth, he loves you one hundred times more than he does me" it wasn't a lie, Edward preferred William over myself and it has never once effected me. I had my own special bond with him anyway.

"Alright" he tried to sit up but his arms betrayed him and he fell back onto the mattress "If I could go, I would"

"Don't worry about it, I'll bring him to you" I tried to get up but he took my arm, stopping me "I'll be back in a matter of moments my love"

"I know, I just..." William shivered slightly and looked to the side "I don't want to be alone..." Those words broke me, we promised each other that we'd stay together until the end. It's just that his would come sooner than we both expected "I'm sorry"

"Stop apologising" I sighed and brushed my fingers over his hairline "Father and Peter are visiting today, will you be well enough to say hello?"

William smiled slightly and nodded "as long as you sit close to me and hold my hand"

"of course I will, Edward will be there as well" I ran my hand over his chest and rested my chin on his shoulder "Now, I will be back in a matter of moments"

He swallowed and nodded "promise?" William asked in a quiet voice.

"I promise" I mumbled before kissing his neck "I'll be back" with those words, I rushed out of the room and into Edward's nursery. Thankfully he was awake. I gathered him in my arms and kissed his forehead "Papa needs your help Eddie, he needs you to behave. Alright?" in response he pulled on my hair "I'm glad you agree" I look at the floor to see Freddie curled up in a ball, he wouldn't leave Edward's side unless he needed feeding.