You Promised

Chapter Four

'Come on dear....there, I think she's waking. She'll be alright. I'm sure. Yes, Master Green. She will. Very well. She should not go back to the bakery until Wednesday. Yes. Yes. Good day.'
I recognise the voice of our doctor, Dr Watts, and Adam talking. It's Adam. He's still here. Not gone to training for the army. I feel relief washing my fears away. I open my eyes and see his caring face inches from my own. I reach up for him and he stands up to put his arms around me to help me sit up. I realise that I'm in my own bed. At home. I see my bedroom, the watercolour paintings that my sister, Jenny and I used to do, the bed covers that my great aunt made for me shortly before she passed away, the walls that took John, Adam and my father all summer to re-paint. Adam sits on a chair that must have been taken from the kitchen. He looks at me, worried.
'How do you feel? What happened?' He asks sounding completely panicked.
'Woah. It's ok' I try to soothe him. 'Don't worry I'm fine.' He looks unconvinced. 'I just had a shock at the bakery that's all.'
'What's wrong?' He asks impatiently. 'Jayne came running down the street to tell me. She was very worried for you.'
Ah. Jayne. Mrs Heartly's youngest daughter and the only unmarried one, although we all knew that there was interest in her, which was hardly surprising given that she was only 17 but had with golden hair and blue eyes that just shone brighter than stars.
'Jayne?? Don't mind her, I'm fine!'
Adam doesn't look convinced. 'Ok Adam, you can stay if you want to be sure I'm okay.' His eyes told me that that was a good idea. I lean up and kiss him. We stay like that, his hand goes to the back of my neck to hold me to him as we sink into one another.
Until I hear someone at my door coughing politely. It's mother. She is wearing her old apron with her glasses perching on the top of her head. She looks at Adam cautiously then slowly back at me.
'How do you feel dear? Can I get you anything?' She asks while still keeping a strict eye on Adam.
'No I'm really fine thank you.' I say trying to relieve the tension. 'I'm sorry if I startled you all.'
Adams hand squeezes mine before he brings my hand to his soft lips. He shuffles onto the bed to sit beside me as his eyes search my face for any sign of discomfort.
My mother nods slowly and leaves the room, not quite closing the door as she leaves. I sigh and look into Adam's face. He is looking out the window, wrapping his arms around me as his blue eyes search the horizon as the sun slips beneath it. I gaze at his face. His cocoa-brown hair falling gracefully on his face. I look at myself in the mirror, my dull blue eyes that he calls 'sparkling' my small mouth and my dull tawny hair that falls in waves down my back. I cannot understand how an angel like my Adam could ever be with me. It makes him feel unreal.
'What is it?' Adam asks. 'You look deep in thought' he says smiling.
'Is it that unusual?!' I ask laughing. Being with him is the easiest thing in the world. I can be me with Adam. And the crazy thing is that he seems to like the real me. He loves me.
Then, as sometimes happens, the moment freezes. Me, staring into his eyes, loving him. Him, staring into mine, loving me. I know that if he ever left me, I would fall apart. I know that we are only seventeen and eighteen, but I know I never, ever want to be without him.
He sighs and leans back on my pillows.
'Lily nearly had a panic attack when I told her you had fainted.' Adam informs me, chuckling at the memory.
'Oh the poor dear.' I say. 'I'll call to the house tomorrow to see if she is alright now.'
'No you won't.' Adam states, propping himself up on his elbows. 'You shall stay here and get better.' He orders.
I peek up at him from underneath my eyelashes. 'Yes my lord.'
He nods, feigning a serious mood. I raise my hand and lightly push him away. In response, he wraps his strong arms around my waist and pulls me in close.
I snuggle in to him, feeling his breath rolling against my neck and down my back. As usual, I find myself thinking that we are a perfect fit, and am unsurprised to think for the hundredth time what being married to him would be like and if that lucky woman could ever be me.
'Adam?' I ask slowly, deciding how to voice my thoughts.
'Hm?' He mutters back, playing with my hair between his long fingers.
'Do you think we'll be like this forever?' My voice fades into a whisper, I don't dare to look him in the eye.
He goes silent, fingers stilling on my shoulder. 'No.' He answers eventually. 'I don't.'
My entire body tenses beside him and I turn my head away, unable to look at him. I feel his fingers underneath my chin, gently pulling my face back to his. 'I'm going to marry you someday.'
I smile and curl up to his chest, listening to his heart beating. He places his hand on the side of my head and gently pushes my ear closer to his chat.
'Hear that?' He whispered, the sound echoing through his chest. 'That beats for you.'