Sweet Surrender

~It is official~

The morning sun found Adrian, in low spirits with blood shot eyes weary and tired slumped in a chair in the library. He idley twirled his whiskey in his glass before bringing it to his lips.

He felt so exhausted and tired. Before yesterday, he was a man that claimed he saw the worst in his travels. He has seen his comrades fall in duty. But never has he witnessed the death of a child. Wearily he stood and walked over to the window. Leaning his hands on the cold glass he closed his eyes trying to rid the sleepiness from his head.

At first light he sent Penniford with instructions to fetch Harold his fathers good friend and magistrate. He would have to take care of the burial arrangements and see to the welfare of the children.

The knock on the door brought him away from the list of things he must do. He turned to watch Penniford admit Harold.
"Adrian!" Harold walked quickly to shake his hand.
The magistrate wearily looked at the young man before him.
Swallowing nervously he eyed Adrian.

"Is it bad?" He stood beside him.

He watched as Adrian breathed heavily and raked his hand through his hair. Frustration etched on his face.
" I have no clue what to do, man" he hissed.

"There are two children who have nothing and one is dead," he bolted out loud.

"Calm yourself my friend, you will get through this. The preparations have been done." Harold spoke softly.

Silence dwindled between them.

"Have you heard from your father and brother? When do they return?" Harolds hopeful gaze searched his face for answers.

"No," Adrian confirmed dully shaken his head and turning to the table to pour himself more whiskey.

Harold followed him.

Taking a sip of the strong spirit, he stared momentarily out of the window before turning to Harold again.

Tiredly he asked with reddened sleepless eyes. "Is it all taken care of?"

Nodding abruptly Harold withdrew two sheets of folded paper from his pocket and placed them on the nearby desk.

"All I need is your signature and it will be official," he pushed the document before Adrian.

Adrian's gaze rested on the documents before him. His name will go on them and as soon as that is done his future will change forever. Not only his but of Tonk and Evangeline.

He placed his cup beside them, without hesitation he signed his name on each of them. He handed them back to Harold.

As soon as Adrian handed over the papers to Harold his eyes caught sight of the two sets of eyes that watched him from the door. Quizzical gazes shifted from Harold to Adrian but his gaze was riveted on the angelic face of Evangeline.

"I've made arrangements for the girl to be buried in a quaint but modest spot with a stone burial plot engraved in her name as should be. Is that OK?"

"Of course," Adrian whispered.

Harold followed his gaze; his eyes widened with surprise. "The children?"

"Yes," Adrian nodded.

They watched as the tall gangly man in a grey suit with spectacles hanging from his slim nose, stepped forward and bent his head in a curtsy.

He smiled and nodded to them calling their names.

"Young Thomas and Evangeline I presume," he smiled.

They silently fidgeted and looked up to Adrian for assurance.

"Are you here to take us away?" Tonk questioned in a saddened tone.

He chuckled and shook his head with a delighted smile and assured them otherwise.
"No. No my young man. You have no need to worry yourselves. You are safe."

Adrian stood and listened to Harold speak to them ever so often he would avert his eyes from Tonk than back to Evangeline's. Something inside him searched her face for a sign of acceptance of such news. But her face as cherubic and calm as it was gave no sign of anger or happiness.

As Harold finished and stood straight, Rosie entered clucking at them and apologizing for their intrusion. Harold chuckled with a blush and brushed her apology aside.

Before she could usher them away for breakfast he shifted his eyes to Rosie with a smile.

"Rosie I wanted to tell you before you leave," he spoke.

She stopped and looked at Adrian and Harold.

" I signed the petition to be granted guardianship of Evangeline and Tonk. Its official now they will be under our care."
His eyes smiled with Rosie's joyous cry.

Immediately she squeezed Tonk to her bosom and hugged and kissed Evangeline. Tonk in a long stride walked over to him, wrapping his arms around his waist and thanked him.

His eyes went to Evangeline's and she shyly looked into his. In a matter of minutes Rosie jubilee clapped her hands together remembering that breakfast was getting cold. Coyly she blushed and invited Harold to join them and he graciously accepted.

He chuckled as they all left and watched Tonk impatiently pull Evangeline along. She gave Adrian a last glance before being hauled off.

He shook his head smiling and turned to stare out the window into the snow cold morning. He never heard the slight footsteps that entered behind him. But his heart dropped at hearing her soft voice.

"Milord!"

He turned astonished that she returned.
Without hesitation she closed the distance and threw herself wrapping her arms tightly around him in a tight embrace.
With a gasp and shudder he held her tight as well. The tense moment gripped his heart.

"Thank you." She whispered.