Contrite & Convicted

I Need You Part II

AU- My heart and prayers are going out to Ukraine and all the people helping, caring and supporting them. 💛💙

I NEED YOU PART II

"Where is my family?!" Anthony called out into his home with the front door slammed open wide, rain pouring outside with Benedict trudging in mud behind him. The two men were soaked, with old mud and new mud over their coats, pants and shoes. Their hair soaping wet, dripping down their shirts.

"Viscount the Viscountess is upstairs but-" Anthony didn't wait to hear the rest, he didn't really want to hear the rest. He had to see his family. The whole ride here he was a mess, thinking in his head replaying every possible scenario that there could possibly be.

Skipping the steps two and a time, slipping almost all the way up he was in a panic. He had to see them, he had to see her, his wife. Finally reaching the door to Ester's bedchamber he bombarded his way through.

Daphne was there on the couch and went to approach her brother but when Anthony saw the trail of unclean blood from Daphne's arms to her dress his face went white and his stomach dropped. An inaudible or detectable grunt of pain and realization came flooding out of his mouth.

"Uh."

Daphne, realizing what he must be thinking gave him a smile.

"No, Anthony...she's okay. The babies are okay, it's just blood from cleaning everything. I haven't had time to change." Anthony nodded and Daphne grabbed his arm, which was pale and shaking.

He felt like a weight was lifted off his heart but the exhaustion that filled his eyes from his long travels, hangover and rain adventure had his adrenaline running out.

"Thank God, Thank you!" He fell to his knees and began to cry. A happy cry for once. Daphne sat beside him and held his shoulders, her small pregnant bump prohibiting her from doing much other than bending down for a little while.

"Why don't we go see her? She is awake, you know." Daphne whispered into her brother's ear. Anthony's head leaned up and straight towards the door that stood in front of him. Like a gate he was about to cross. No longer a man going to see his wife but a father going in to see the mother of his children.

"I'll go alone." Daphne was hesitant, given their history in this marriage but she knew this was a moment for only them.

"Of course. I'll go get you a hot bath set up." Anthony didn't really hear what Daphne had to say and his hands touched the cool metal of the door knob. This was it. With a deep breath and the cracking of the door frame his eyes were met with the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

There in the magnificent ray of the candlelight was his charming wife. She looked radiant as he had ever seen her. In her arms she held one of their children while the baby cooed at the lullaby she was humming. The other between her legs sound asleep. Diaper cloths folded beside her bed, two bassinets beside her bed and the rain through the windows making the room more entrancing.

He closed the door behind him and hesitantly walked towards her bed. She could not see him yet as he approached her from the side. Her curly hair was rather tangled, with her nightdress all strewn about. Her normally pale smooth skin was a little blotched and red but to Anthony, it only made her more perfect.

How strong must she be? How incredible is his wife? Many women died in childbirth and here was his wife, strong and so amazing. Giving birth to not only one child, but two.

"Ester.." His voice was hoarse and fragile but also quiet so as to not disturb her. Ester immediately turned to face him, her face beaming with joy. She went to get up to see him but when she realized her current position (and the fact it hurt like hell) she stopped.