The Homecoming Bride

Chapter Twenty Two: Breathe Me

CHAPTER SONG: "Breathe Me" by Sia

"Thank goodness you're both returned. Though I feel awful; you cutting your honeymoon short like this." Molly held her brother tightly in an embrace, regretful tears welling in her eyes.

"No, Mol. You were right to tell us about Charlotte. We both agreed on leaving London early, didn't we, love?" Will turned from his sister to glance at Emmy, who held little Cecelia and Giselle in her arms as the children clung to her skirt, the exhausted American girl meeting the eyes of her sister-in-law.

"Yeah, we had a lucky turn in leaving the city." Emmy felt a subtle shiver down her spine, the piercing air raid sirens still in her ears with a fading echo. "Have you been able to check on Joe? I'm worried about him being alone. He's due to leave with Will in five days back to France."

"Nobody has heard from him since this afternoon when he telephoned from Surrey station. It may be best if one of you or both of you go visit him." Captain Smith entered the parlor to join everyone as Will withdrew from Molly's arms, approaching her side and reaching out to shake Will's hand.

Will didn't miss how Smith's fingers brushed those of Molly's as he walked past her to come toward him...

The young corporal accepted the distinguished officer's gesture of comradeship as he saw the concerned look in Smith's dark eyes. "Yes, sir... he's more or less a family friend... just the thought of him..."

He trailed off as he looked down to the floor of the parlor, barely hearing Emmy walking behind him, her fingers caressing his hand and standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek in comfort, a bold move to do in front of a commanding officer.

Will closed his eyes to hold back tears in front of his family, briefly seeing the pale, frightened face of Thomas Blake looking up at him, helplessly bleeding out in his arms...

"I'll go check on him. Will, you stay here and I'll be back later." Emmy spoke up in a strict tone, looking in between all the adults in the room, her head held high. "I know it's not appropriate for a married woman to visit another man who's not blood relation, but exceptions can be made."

"Alright, love. Be careful and let him know we asked after him." Will placed his hands on Emmy's shoulders, looking down into her green eyes before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "All he's been through..."

"What we've all been through..." Emmy whispered back, stepping up to give him a quick peck on the lips, not missing the reddening fluster of his cheeks at being kissed in the presence of Captain Smith.

But Will failed to feel any embarrassment as he watched his wife turn to hug Cici and Elle, assuring them as they asked her where she was going.

"Girls, your Auntie Emmy's going to check on your Uncle Joe. He's our friend and we all need to look after each other, correct?" Molly explained to her daughters as Elle was scooped up into Will's arms and Cici went to her mother, reaching up to also be lifted into the air.

They all watched the fiery impulsive American woman sprint out the door, her indigo plaid dress skirt flying around her legs, her mahogany curls loosening from her braid around her head at the acceleration of her running.

"I daresay, Corporal... you've married quite a spirited young lady." Captain Smith chuckled humorously as he patted Will's shoulder. "You'll have your hands full in the years to come with her."

"Yes, I shall, sir." Will smiled to himself as he watched with admiration his wife's fearless dash through the grassy pathways away from the Schofield property, his arms still cradling his younger niece. "Yes I shall..."