Every Rose Has a Thorn (The Patriot Romance story)

Chapter 18

Everytime a gunshot went off or a cannon sounded, a shiver went down Clara's spine. Her stomach churned, she hoped he would be okay. She knew he would be okay, but still that feeling would not go away. She stood outside of her home, on the porch, flinching every time a cannon went off. He swore on his life he would come back safely and in one piece.

"Please God, oh merciful God," She prayed, looking up to the heavens, "Please let my William be okay, please Lord, please."

She went back inside and sat at an old piano, pulling out sheet music and playing, "Symphony No. 5" to take her mind off of things. She hoped and prayed that the piano's gentle music would drown out the sound of war. She closed her eyes as her fingers danced across the ebony and ivory.

Tavington sat at the river, dragging a straight razor across his cheek, he missed his lover.

"At arms! At arms!" He heard Bordon shout at the top of his lungs, he heard gunshots go off. He stood up, his buttons undone and his jacket wasn't tucked in neatly. His long brown hair was still wet from him washing it just now.

He grabbed two pistols and loaded them, he shot at the militia. He drew his sword from its covers and slashed at the opposing men. He heard a cry of pain, he looked and saw that blonde boy from before stabbing Bordon in the stomach, the man fell to the ground.

Clara just sat and stared into the void, her body felt numb. The sounds of cannons and guns filled the air very faintly. Her heart was pounding. She looked up at a cross on the door.

"Oh William." She whispered, "Please be okay."

William aimed his gun at Gabriel Martin and they both fired at the same time. He felt a sharp pain shoot through his stomach. He looked down and saw blood seeping through his shirt. He smirked and thought of a good plan, he 'passed out' on the ground. He heard footsteps come behind him, he turned around and stabbed Gabriel through his stomach, killing the boy instantly.

The sound of gunshots faded quickly, making Clara worry more about her lover.

"Please, Please God," She begged, "Please guide and guard him. Let him be okay." She continued to pray aloud, her voice shaking.

William felt his gunshot wound just above his stomach, he groaned and passed out on the ground for real this time.

Clara felt this odd disturbance, something was wrong and she knew it.

Sunset came but Tavington didn't. Clara heard a knock at the door, she ran to the front and threw open the door. She looked up to meet her man's eyes but she was wrong. She looked up and saw two red-coats at the door, a grim look on their faces.

"Where's-"

There was her answer, laying on a stretcher as more red-coats took him off the wagon. Her heart stopped and she froze.

"There's an extra room upstairs." She points, "First door on the left."

They brought William inside, her heart was now nearly pounding out of her chest. She shook with fear.

"Is- is- is he?" She stuttered, her voice shaking.

"Alive," One of the men said, "But just barely."

Clara nodded her head, the men came down and gave her a nod before they left the room. As soon as the wagon pulled away she raced up the stairs to the bedroom. Her man was breathing lightly, his eyes closed. She kneeled down by the bed and burst out into tears. Seeing him like that was painful, she let hot tears stream down her face. She held his hand and squeezed it gently.

"William," She whispered, "I'm right here love, I'm right here."

His hand twitched but he didn't wake up, "Darling, I'm right here William. Please wake up." She begged, she continued to cry once he didn't and she fell asleep by his side all night while kneeling on the hardwood floor.

Days passed and he never woke up, he was still breathing though. She cried everyday and never left his side. Not to eat, drink, the only time she went to leave was when she had to use the bathroom.

"William." She whispered, holding his hand again, "Please wake up. It hurts so much to be without you." She touched the locket he gave her, "It hurts so much."

"...You weren't the one... who got shot in the stomach."

Clara looked up and saw his eyes slowly open, he smiled but she smiled bright. He groaned as he turned over to look at his girl.

"Hey love." He whispered, his voice was rough and raspy, Clara moved to the bed and got up. She kissed him, tears running down her face. She started crying, William hugged her tight, trying not to aggravate his wound anymore.

"It's okay love," He whispered, his lips grazing her ear gently, "It's okay... I'm here... I'm alive."

Clara smiled and kissed him more, littering his face with light kisses.

"I thought I lost you," She whispered, her voice shaking, "Every time I heard a gunshot, I thought you were dead."

"Darling," Tavington said, cupping her cheek with his hand, "I'm not going anywhere. I promise you that."

"Never leave me."

"I won't, I swear on my life."

"Don't swear on your life ever again, please."

William chuckled and kissed her cheek, "I swear that I will never go anywhere."

"Without you I am nothing." Y/N whimpered, he wiped her tears away and kissed her nose.

"I will not be going anywhere, I will stay with you forever till the end."