Molly-Jane Walter

Chapter Eight

I wake up in a large white bed to people talking quietly all around me. I blink a couple of times, and try to make sense of where I am. I look over to my right, and there was Gilbert, asleep in the chair beside me, his fingers wrapped around mine. I squeeze his hand gently, and he stirred. "Molly!" He gasped. "Oh, Molly! You had us so worried!" Mrs. Harding gasped, and rushed to Gilbert's side. There was a doctor on my other side; he held my hand tenderly in his. My head was pounding, and I felt like I was on fire. "She has a small concussion, and a mild fever, but other than that, she'll be just fine." He told Mrs. Harding, who sighed in relief. "Don't ever scare me like that again, Molly," Gilbert whispered urgently to me, so quietly that no one but me could hear his words. It was all I could do to nod my head weakly. He leaned over me and gently kissed my forehead when his mother and the doctor had turned away. "I didn't mean to scare you, Gilbert," I whisper hoarsely. Gilbert only shook his head, eyes closed, a frown on his face. "What is it?" I ask, gently placing my hand on his shoulder. He shook his head again, not saying anything. "Excuse me, doctor, Mrs. Harding?" I call. "Yes?" "What is it, dear?" They both answered. "Would I be able to have a moment alone with Gilbert please? It'll just be a moment, I promise," I assure them when a look of uncertainty passed between them. Reluctantly, they agreed. "Gilbert," I whisper. I could tell something was up. And I was not about to stop until he told me exactly what was going on. He opened his eyes, and I was shocked to see they were full of tears. "Oh, Gilbert." I breathe. He took a deep breath. "That man...how he held the gun to your head...I can't stop thinking about it." He told me. I shake my head. "Gilbert, I'm okay. That's all that matters. I'm alive BECAUSE of you." I insist. "THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT, MOLLY!" He shouted. I froze. In all our years of friendship, Gilbert had never yelled at me. Ever. He lowered his voice. "He could have killed you. Do you understand that? You could have died!" Gilbert whisper-shouted. "I know that. But he didn't. The worst he did was grab me and throw me in the river." I tell him, trying hard to calm him down. He didn't look convinced. "Molly...I didn't mean to shout, I'm so sorry." He buried his face in his hands. I move to sit up in bed, grabbing his wrists. "Gilbert Harding. You listen to me. I am ALIVE because of YOU. YOU are the one who saved me. Things could have been so much worse, but they weren't because YOU were there. Look at me, please." I beg when he wouldn't meet my gaze. He lifted his eyes and gazed into mine. "Gilbert, you saved me. I owe my life to you. That man could have really hurt me, but you were there." I remind him. Gilbert nodded half-heartedly. "Promise me you won't blame yourself, Gilbert." I wait. "Gilbert, PROMISE me. I couldn't live with myself if you blamed yourself for what happened." I insist. "I promise. But only if you promise me something in return." He demanded. I raise an eyebrow. "Never ever scare me like that again. And never ever leave my side. I need you, Molly. I can't live without you." He whispered. I nod. "I promise, you'll always have me, Gilbert. Always."

I was put on complete bed rest for a week. No walking about, no going outside, and absolutely no carriage rides. Gilbert stayed with me the whole time. He would sit beside my bed late at night until his mother said he could no longer stay as he needed to get some sleep. Gilbert would slip out of my room, only to return minutes later after his parents had retired to their room. I felt horrible that Gilbert should trick his mother so, but he declared that there was absolutely no way he was leaving my side. "You MUST be tired!" I exclaim late one night. The moon was shining through my window, lighting up the whole room, and I could see Gilbert's face as clearly as if it were day. Gilbert had been sitting in the chair beside my bed all night every night and had not once slept in his own bed. He shook his head, but I could see the dark circles under his eyes. I frown, giving him my sternest expression. "Gilbert Harding! You go to your room right now and sleep! I mean it!" I command him. He shook his head. "Absolutely not going to happen." He replied. I sigh, annoyed. "Gilbert, I LOVE having you here, I do, but you've got dark circles under your eyes! You NEED to sleep in your own bed!" I say, trying to reason with him. That boy could be as stubborn as a mule at times! He opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. "Okay, you know what, I know this isn't proper, but climb into the bed with me," I whisper quietly. I slide over to the other side so that Gilbert could climb in beside me. "You HAVE to either move to the chair or go back to your room BEFORE your parents or the servants awaken. Otherwise, we'll BOTH be in huge trouble." I warn him. Gilbert laughed quietly. "My parents don't rise until at least seven-thirty, and the servants would not DREAM of coming into your room at so early an hour." He grinned. He gently pulled me towards him, and kissed me on my forehead. I wrap my arm around his waist. "You must promise me you will sleep now, Gilbert. You are so tired, and you cannot POSSIBLY keep going on like this." I whisper desperately. He nodded. "Only if you promise me something first." He whispered back. I raise my eyebrows, waiting. "Promise me you'll never leave my side. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you, Molly. You're my best friend in the whole world, and you really scared me that day you fell in the river." Gilbert's voice shook, tears sliding quietly down his cheeks. I reach up and gently brush them away with my thumb. "Gilbert," I whisper meaningfully, "I promise. I will NEVER leave you. I'm alright now though because you rescued me. If you hadn't jumped in and grabbed me, I would have stood no chance against the current." I tell him. "I'm not going anywhere. I love you more than anything in the world, Gilbert." I remind him. "And," I add, "If I were to die, there would be no one to keep you out of trouble," I said lightly. Gilbert laughed quietly. "Indeed there would not be." He had that twinkle in his eyes again, and I knew he was going to be alright. "Get some rest now," He whispered to me quietly. I nod and drifted off to sleep, Gilbert's kiss on my forehead as light as a feather.