Redemption: A Dickensian fanfiction story

Chapter One: Satis House

(Author's Note: This story begins shortly after the last episode of the tv series, with one added OC. I hope you enjoy!) 

Arthur Havisham set his tea cup down on the table. He sat opposite his older half-sister, Amelia Havisham. They both sat in silence, Amelia watching her dog, Arthur staring at the table. He looked up to say something, but changed his mind.

"I need to find someone to care for that dog." Amelia stated harshly, keeping her eye on the puppy Compeyson had given her.

Arthur's eyes darted between the dog and the table.

"Are you not going to say anything?" Amelia nearly shouted. "Are you going to just sit there, like a petulant child?"

Arthur's large brown eyes grew even wider as his bottom lip trembled. His grip on his glass of near-empty bourbon tightened.

"I-I'm sorry." Arthur whispered.

"Go wash your face, you reek of bourbon." Amelia stood up from her chair. "The shareholders will be here soon and as a Havisham, you need to have more dignity than," she looked her brother up and down. "That."

"I'm not a Havisham." Arthur sneered. He downed the rest of his drink and stood up, getting inches within his sister's face. "I gave away my share, remember? Or did you forget your fiance was bought and ran out on you?"

Arthur immediately regretted his words. He watched as his sister's shoulders shook as she began to sob. Amelia fell back in her chair and Arthur quickly ran to her side and placed his hands on her arms, trying to soothe her.

"Oh, Amelia, I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean it."

"It's alright," Amelia placed her hand on her brother's. She sighed heavily and shook her head. "Can we try, once and for all, to put all this awfulness behind us?"

Arthur agreed and hastily went to the washroom. After splashing his face with cold water, he looked at himself in the mirror. The bags under his eyes were still puffy and red from crying and drinking. Past events flashed in Arthur's mind.

~ ~ ~

Arthur stood on the edge of the rooftop, the very same one he, Compyson, and his cousin, Matthew, dared each other to jump across. Arthur stared at the empty streets as the night grew darker and most everyone had gone off to bed.

It could be done so quietly, so easily, he thought to himself. Everyone's gone, no one would notice. And by the time they found his body, he'd be long dead and he wouldn't care.

Arthur smirked.

Wouldn't that be a sight? A Havisham dead on the street from suicide.

Arthur then thought about Amelia, and how heartbroken she would be.

Even after all their fights and insults, they were still family.

Arthur sighed deeply and made his way safely to the ground.It was time to go beg for his sister's forgiveness.

~ ~ ~

Amelia and Arthur stood next to each other as they greeted their guests before their business

meeting.

"Thank you," Amelia whispered, as everyone had made their way inside.

"For what?" He turned to her.