the difference

Chapter Thirty-four

William rode home to Charlestown with a small smile spread across his features. Although his wife was bedded by another, he understood her need for closeness. He'd been rather distant, even in his letters, but now with Theodore gone, he had a new purpose. That was to take care of his wife and child that was yet to be born.

He marched up the stone steps of their manor before searching through every room for Evelyn. Then he found her. She was in the library holding a bundle of Theodore's blankets. His heart broke at the sight.

"My love" William smiled and walked up towards her "I want to speak to you" he took the blankets from her arms before laying them in Theodore's old crib "Don't forget, cherish the memories of him..."

With those words, Evelyn started crying again "I-I'm sorry about what happened, don't leave me...please it was a mistake-" she was cut off when he lifted her into his arms "What are you doing..."

"We are to go to our chambers, we will resolve both of our issues..." William paused before glancing down at her "Unless you want me to leave you alone...I brought dishonour to you and was distant"

"No, I want you..." He walked with her in his arms until they reached their chambers. Evelyn let out a surprised squeak when William practically dropped her onto the bed "Muffin!"

"Yes, my darling?"

"you'll scramble this one!" She laughed and rested her hand on her belly "I miss our little theo..."

"I do too...he was our son, our first child"

"He was never mine..."

William shook his head before tilting her chin up "You were his mother, biological or not, he was yours" he lifted her into his lap before pecking her forehead "and you are mine, my wife and the love of my life"

"I'm sorry-"

"hey, Shh, it's alright" William tilted his head to the side before brushing his thumb over her lips "I understand, you sought closeness and I was distant...I'm not angry at you, I'm angry with myself"

Evelyn ran her fingers through his rather knotty hair before untangling a lock of it "where did you go?"

"Pembroke...I killed Benjamin Martin at Cowpens but his son...I asked him to kill me, I wanted to die..." William explained before hissing when she pulled his hair slightly "I informed Lord Cornwallis that I'm no longer commanding my dragoons..."

"But you've worked so hard to get where you are"

William smiled before shaking his head "You are more important to me, I'll work the fields or beg in the streets if needs be"

"William-"

"And I'll build us both a home-"

"William!" She shushed him with a kiss "Shut up..." then she kissed him again and nuzzled into the nook on his clavicle "Just hold me"

"Yes, yes of course"

~~~

"So"

"So..." William smiled before kissing up her shoulder "How is my beautiful wife?"

"tired as you've worn me out" she rested her hand on the back of his head before sighing "I love you"

He smirked before pressing a soft kiss to her lips "I love you too" William pulled away the blankets for a moment before kissing her belly "And I love this one, no matter if its a girl or a boy"

Evelyn gently stroked his cheek before unravelling from his embrace "Your heavily pregnant wife needs to rest"

"Hmm, may I stay?"

"Maybe, just sleep over there"

"so I get five percent of the bed?" he complained before eventually rolling to the side "Come on! Even the blanket!?"

"Yes"

"Damn it!"

"Hmm, so warm!" She smirked before taking one of his pillows "And comfortable"

William wrapped an arm around her before pulling her closer "Just shut up and sleep before I decide to overdose on laudanum"

"I love you so much..."

"I love you more"