The Way Back Home

Chapter Twenty Seven: Again

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains depiction of implied SA. Read at your own risk.

CHAPTER SONG: "Again" by Hadley Fraser

"At first, he was charming, if not annoyingly persistent. I'd worked in the Richmond library for a few years already when his family began funding it and he began frequenting it nearly every day." Emmanuelle looked down at the wooden floor as she sat on the edge of William's bed in his train stateroom, the lance corporal listening to her every word as he held her close to his side, one of his large hands holding both of hers in the young woman's lap, his other arm enfolded around her waist.

Emmy found herself sniffling as unshed tears watered her eyes, but she blinked them away as she felt her soldier's empathetic gaze on her, ever patient in his silent presence beside her as she gathered her composure and strength to continue her story. She looked into the ocean depth of his eyes as he lifted both of her hands to his mouth and kissed both sets of her dainty knuckles, not needing to express his encouragement to her with repetitive words of reassurance.

Corporal Will Schofield's love for her was beyond genuine. He was steadfastly true and unconditionally protective of her emotional and physical well-being... And he had articulated as much with every touch, kiss and word spoken to her.

Emmy pushed some her messy strands of her brown hair loosened from her braid behind her ear, a nervous tic Will had noticed she occasionally did when she was flustered or overwhelmed. Will bit his tongue when he felt tempted to whisper some soothing words to her, only settling to continue cradling her small hands in his larger, scarred one... His free arm held her close to his side as she held her head up and cleared her throat to prepare for more talking.

Will imprinted a most tender kiss on her forehead, sighing with silent pride toward this young lady displaying such strength in her vulnerable state, such courage in her desire to confide in him as her confidante and trusting him with such sensitive details as the woman who chose to love him when she deserved a more worthy man than himself...

Emmanuelle choked back more oncoming tears and cleared her throat again so she could keep talking and finally release herself of the devilish demon residing on her shoulder, whispering noxious venom in her ear to discourage and discredit her.

No...not again!

"His name is Erik Baumer, from one of the richest families in Berlin. My library was on the brink of being shut down with low customer attendance and staffing being shortened. He went to college in the States and graduated in Richmond, thanks to studying at the library and he suggested his family lend their patronage to keep everyone employed and business running."

Emmy briefly leaned her head on Will's shoulder before turning to him and placing a kiss on his cheek, allowing her sweet lips to curl into a briefly enlightening smile before they turned down again into a grim set of melancholy expression.

Will remained calm and silent, not wanting to pressure or overwhelm her lest she not want to continue her tale of woe. However trained he was to keep his emotions bottled up as a reserved Englishman, his Emmy was an American spitfire siren of immovable temper and admirable passion whist still possessing a confident dignity about herself; he adored her furthermore for it...

She pressed another kiss to his jawline before she leaned her head on his shoulder again, to bask in her soldier's quiet masculine presence sheltering her and she found the resolve to keep talking.

"He was handsome enough, and most of the girls had eyes for him, fawning over him like he was some sort of Prince Charming. But, I could tell that he was rude and conceited and chauvinistic. Definitely not the type of man for me." Emmy lifted up Will's scarred hand and placed his bare palm to rest on her cheek, the heat of her blush emanating on the lance corporal's healed wound before she removed it and placed a loving kiss on the scar itself. "You're a thousand times the man he'd ever dream of being."