The Butchers Love

Chapter 55

Christmas day
William managed to stay alive for another few weeks, his exact words were 'I'm not finished fighting yet'. When we awoke on Christmas day, he tried his best to stay happy but in the end he couldn't even get out of bed. Most of that day consisted of Peter and my father giving William a few gifts and staying in our Chambers with him. William somehow managed to get me a few things, In exchange, I gave him a journal. My words were 'so you can write your next adventures' in response he said 'very few pages will be written on then'. It hurt now, it hurt to see him suffer. But I loved him so dearly that I couldn't let go. No matter how long I was preparing for, his death was something that I couldn't bear.

New years day
He'd made it this far, my brave husband had made it this far. I was at his bedside day and night now, although he insisted on being moved to one of the guest bedrooms for some reason. For the first time, I read him a few poems.

One being;

'Love is a sweet song,
Most are lucky enough to hear it once,
But how can one be in pain when hearing this song?

Be patient and strong for the one you love,
Be kind and grateful for your youth,
Life is such a sweet song,
You only get to live it once'

William smiled for the first time in ages and held onto my hand. He was ready now. I knew he was. For the rest of the day, William was talking with Edward, although he couldn't understand what he was saying, it made him feel better. Like his son would remember him.

17th January 1782. The anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens.

James had been there since the 15th, he wanted to bid farewell it seemed. My brother and father were there in support for me. But all I really wanted was to be in the arms of my husband.

William had been laying in bed all day, coughing and praying for the pain to go away. Once the physician had visited, he took one look at William and shook his head before pulling me outside the room "he's deteriorating rapidly, it would be a miracle if he survived through the afternoon" With those words, I was prepared to face my worse fear. I would see my dearest William die. It was too much to comprehend at that moment and all I could do was nod "I'm sorry to deliver this news to you, especially in your condition"

"I...it's alright, you're doing your job..."

"he needs someone to comfort him, he needs his wife"

A few tears escaped my eyes and again, all I could do was nod. The doctor tipped his hat before leaving. I composed myself before making my way back into our room. James, bless him, had been trying to cheer William up "How about, after you get better, we'll go race our horses? You could bring little Edward with you"

William smiled weakly and looked at him "If Mable allows me to do so..."

"Oh you can do what you want, you don't listen anyway" I smiled and made my way over to his bedside before kneeling down "A little like me"

William smiled fully for the first time in ages and looked towards James "K-keep this one safe, she's a h-handful at times..." He looked up at me once again. I could see that he was in pain by just looking into his eyes.

"I swear, but she'll probably be the one keeping me safe" James chuckled slightly and made his way to the door "I'll leave you two to your business"

I smiled and ran my fingers over his hairline.

"I know I am..."

"You're the bravest man that I know" I mumbled and kissed his cheek softly "My annoyingly handsome Colonel..."

William smiled sweetly before offering me his hand "Hold my hand?" he asked and I nodded and took his hand into mine "I love you Mable...I love..." his breathing became rapid for a moment before he coughed once again.

"I love you, I've always been in love with you..." I quickly mumbled and squeezed his hand "I will always be in love with you..."

He let out a small hum and looked into my eyes "When Edward grows, tell him that I fought to see him being born...tell my daughter that I love her..."

"Shh you can tell them yourself, that is why you must stay alive..." I softly spoke and he just smiled as a tear ran down his cheek "w-we are going to wake up tomorrow in each others arms and our son will be waiting for us in his crib...a-and you will be the first one to hold him...h-he will be pull on your hair and I will laugh like I always do..."

William smiled sweetly and looked up at me "He has your nose..." he winced and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment "a-and your smile..."

"But we can't forget that he has your eyes" I ran my fingers through his hair and smiled slightly "Oh how did I fall for a fancy British man?"

"Y-you married me" he let out a small laugh before whining "It has been an honour my love..."

I kissed his forehead gently and mumbled "Wait for me, alright?"

"Oh darling...I-I will be watching like I promised..." he mumbled and looked up at me with watery silvery-blue eyes "My story ends here, but yours has only just begun..."

"My story isn't complete without you..." I muttered and placed my other hand on his chest, only to feel his heart beat become weaker.

"you'll find happiness my love, and I will be waiting for your" William murmured and closed his eyes "M-my mother is calling me..." he muttered and closed his eyes for a few seconds "I don't want t-to leave you..."

"You'll always be here my love, we'll meet again one day..."

"I love you Mable..." Then he closed his eyes and smiled once again "I'll see you soon, alright..."

"Shh, close your eyes and count to one hundred, you'll be asleep by fifty" I mumbled before trembling slightly "Sleep well Will, I love you"

"Mable..." William whined as his grip loosened on my hand "I'm scared..."

"Shh, don't be..."

"I love you..."

"My love as deep as the sea; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite" I mumbled and softly kissed his lips "infinity is a very long time, sleep now as the angels are calling your name"

I sat there with him for hours it seemed until the physician came into the room. When they pronounced him as deceased, I cried in the arms of my father as my brother tried to comfort me. I felt sick, angry, sad and even regretful. But he was with his mother and sister now, he promised that he would wait for me.

William was so many different things, he was kind, loving, funny and he was tough when he needed to be. I remembered our first conversation;

"M-my name? Mable, Mable Smith"

"That's a rare name, it suits you"

I remember when we were in the camp when he told me about his family. He was definitely stronger than he seemed, he was so much more than he thought he was. But I could never forget the sentence he said to me on the night he proposed;

"screw my position and screw my reputation, I want you Mable, because I love you"

18th January 1782...

We buried him the day after he died. My father, brother, James and John were all present. William expressed that he wanted to be buried underneath a tree with his countries flag laid upon his coffin. My father lost his second son, he'd finally learned how to accept William only weeks before he died. I still remembered the day we met. then the day I fell in love with him. The day when we got married.