Unspeakable

Chapter 56: Heart Melting

Anne was sitting reading a book while Garreth worked on more potions- or that was what she wanted it to look like. Really, she was sneaking looks at him over the top of the pages and getting very little reading done. He seemed so focused today, working on something that seemed a bit complex. He was acting odd, as if he was hiding something from her, and it was driving her crazy. She wanted to know what it was.

She glanced back down at her book with a soft little sigh, but knew she had to keep it quiet because if she sighed too loudly, Garreth would immediately look toward her. He'd gotten rather good at reading her now, which she did appreciate, but it also meant he was good at telling when something was wrong.

She had been thinking after the fight, about how she felt for him. She'd never really been so deeply in love like this before, it made how she'd felt for Ominis pale in comparison. Garreth was so kind, considerate, thoughtful, and she loved how brave he could be. He was never afraid to take a risk if it meant helping her or anyone else around him.

She looked back down to her book, looking at the words but still thinking. She wanted to do something as a gesture toward him... to show him how serious she was. She was still scared he may have second thoughts once he learned she may not be able to have kids, but... she wanted to find the right moment to tell him. The thought of telling him made her feel so sick, though. What if he left her because of it? What if he was angry for some reason? She wasn't sure if her heart could take it after how deeply she'd fallen for him.

She gave another sigh, and this time she was a bit too loud because Garreth glanced up from his work to her. Their eyes met from across the room, and he raised an eyebrow in question as he continued stirring the potion he was working on.

"It's fine, just something from the book." She smiled softly, but Gods, did she love those green eyes of his. So deep and beautiful, it reminded her of an old forest. Not to mention that hair of his, always so perfectly done in public, but he'd started to be more comfortable at home, keeping it undone and swept to the side when they were alone together. He looked good either way, though she was starting to prefer when it was undone because that seemed to be only for her.

"H-hey Anne..." Garreth said idly, though he sounded nervous. "Do you and Sebastian do anything for Christmas?"

Anne looked up to him again curiously. "No, not really. Why?"

Garreth stirred the cauldron he was working on, pretending to be casual. "How about you come visit my family for Christmas?"

Anne nearly dropped her book.

She stared at him with wide eyes, a flush coloring her freckled cheeks in shock. "G-Garreth, that's-" that was a BIG step to take! Meeting the family? And for Garreth, who cared so much about his family, it was even more significant!

"If you'd rather not that's fine, I just thought-" Garreth said quickly, feeling flustered.

"No no no no-" Anne stood up, frustrated he was backtracking. "I want to, it's just a big deal!" She yelled, her face red.

They both went silent for a moment, and Garreth let out a shaky breath when she said she wanted to. "So... you'll go?" He asked nervously.

"Of course!" Anne said, a hand going to her stomach when she felt queasy from the anxiety she was feeling. "I'm just... nervous! I've never been around a big family before, and I want to make a good first impression-" she was starting to babble nervously, her stomach churning a bit as her hand clutched at her corset to try and keep it tame.

"Hey, hey-" Garreth could see her starting to get worked up, setting the spoon down in the cauldron and walking over to her to wrap his arms around her. He held her against him, one hand going to her stomach to gently rub it soothingly, something he'd found she rather liked.