the difference

Chapter Thirty-two

"my love-" William looked at himself in the mirror before sighing "my actions have brought shame to you and myself, you're the best person in my life...I love you darling-" Little did he know, Evelyn was leant against the door frame, looking at him with disbelief "No amount of honeyed words will change what you did, you murdered innocent women and children!"

He turned around before looking down at the floor "I still love you..."

"If you loved me, you would've stayed"

"I aimed at the sky, in a duel, for you!"

"Johan...yes, it would've been better if he pierced your heart, all you are is a cold hearted bastard!"

William scowled at those words "Do you really wish me dead? If so, I'll go back and bloody get myself shot and killed! Would that satisfy you, hmm?!"

"Just leave"

"Don't worry darling, I'll leave but I'll just keep coming back because I love you"

Evelyn shook her head before hearing Theodore crying "how I'm going to attend to MY son before his fever gets any worse!"

"My god woman..."

"Ahem, that woman is your wife" William smiled to himself before glancing over his shoulder at her "who is unimaginably furious with you at the moment" all he did was turn to face her and raise and eyebrow "don't give me that look"

"what look?"

"That stupid eyebrow raise!"

"My natural look then?"

"Get out"

"it's my room darling"

"Fine then I shall leave!"

"No you won't"

"What do you mean?"

"Nope, you're staying"

"No I'm not!"

"Why are you still here then?"

"you're so annoying!"

William smirked before walking over to his desk and sitting down "I may be like that, but just remember when Johan caught us kissing, he threw you to the ground. I may be many things but a wife beater is not one of them, unlike Johan"

Evelyn shook her head before hearing another cry from the nursery "Leave me alone" she walked off and went to the nursery. Once she saw Theodore, she picked him up and gently patted his back "Shh my dear boy, it's just flu"

"Mama..." He whimpered before coughing into her nightgown.

"I've got you love, Shh, there, there" She sat in a nearby lounge and cradled him in her arms "that's my boy, breathe"

"Is he alright?" asked a surprisingly concerned Stephen who walked into the room "more importantly, are you?"

"I don't know...he won't stop sweating but whenever I take his blanket he cries..." Evelyn started crying at this point and looked down at the babe in her arms "can you take him?"

Stephen nodded before picking up the child "god he looks like him" he mumbled before brushing through his short hair "a shame really, I'm far better looking" Theodore soon fell asleep and Stephen placed him back in his crib "sleep well little man"

He turned around and knelt in front of Evelyn "don't take this the wrong way, I think you're a strong, beautiful woman"

She felt something in her stomach stir at those words before he stood up and turned back to the baby's crib "what's the real reason you're here major?"

"Because I've just heard that my wife has given birth to a boy, I haven't been home is three years..." He mumbled before stroking Theodore's cheek.

"I'm so terribly sorry for that"

"It was arranged anyway"

Evelyn got up and walked to his side "William has lied so many times, I just want to forget about him for a moment before I have to forgive him"

"Even when he doesn't deserve it?"

"What?"

"His eyes were cold when he let the church alight, only afterwards did I see the regret build"

"you were there?"

"Unfortunately...I couldn't disobey my order to stay put..."

"Don't blame yourself for that" she smiled and tilted his chin up "It wasn't your fault"

"I blame myself-"

"Shh, its alright" She mumbled and brushed some hair from his face. They stared into each others eyes for a moment before Stephen stared at her lips "why are you gazing?"

Without any other word, he bent down and captured her lips in a soft kiss. She felt that it was wrong, she knew it was. But all she wanted was to forget. Evelyn wrapped her arms around his shoulders before pulling him impossibly closer "let me ease your pain..."

~~~

Stephen lazily stroked through her hair before braiding it and tieing it with a ribbon "there, is that good?" he mumbled before gently stroking her cheek.

"Perfect...Stephen we can't do this again..." Evelyn looked up at him before resting against his naked chest.

"I understand, this will stay a secret for as long as you wish" he smiled before kissing her forehead "I won't tell him"

"Thank you...for everything"

"Not a problem"

Evelyn fell asleep against his chest before waking at dawn to check in on William. He was no where to be seen.

She checked everywhere.

He still wasn't there...

She discovered a note and read it:

Evelyn,

I know what happened between you and Stephen. I'm not angry at you, I couldn't be but you deserve to be treat with respect and if that means you want Stephen, then have him. I'll return soon my love, I have some business to attend to and I shall be back at dusk.

Your devoted husband,

Muffin