I Promise (Wattys 2016)

Off to France

1917

Three years. Victoria had been without her husband for three years. And James had told her at the start of it that if would only be one and a half! The liar. No more letters had been received, but she could feel that he was alive. She supposed it was a weird ability they had. While herding sheep (Bailey was magnificent at herding now and had won in many competitions) into pens one day, Dwight approached her. 

"Hello." She said. 

"Hi." Dwight said. "Um, I was wondering if we could talk inside later?"

"Of course." Victoria nodded. "Just give me a second and then we'll go."

Victoria clicked her tongue, a signal for Bailey to come. Bailey ran to her and followed her and Dwight back to the house. Dwight seemed very nervous to Victoria. It was odd. Victoria sat down at the kitchen table, and Dwight sat next to her. Bailey growled at how close he was, and Victoria silenced him with a snap of her fingers and a glare. 

"Now, what did you want to talk to me about?" She asked, looking up at Dwight.

"Well, um... You and I have become very good friends in the past year." Dwight started.

"We have." Victoria said, laughing slightly. Deep down, she had a feeling she knew where this was going. 

"As I've started coming around, I've started to develop feelings that are...more than just friendship. I never thought I would want to settle down with someone- I've told you this- but after I met you, I decided I did." Victoria's heart was sinking to her feet. "I'm very sure that I love you and that marrying you will add greatly to my happiness. Now, nothing remains but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affections." Dwight got down on one knee, causing Victoria to spring up.

"Dwight!" She said sharply.

"I assure you, I won't ever speak of James once we're married." Dwight assured, thinking that Victoria was still raw from her 'previous' marriage.

"I haven't even given an answer!" Victoria protested.

"I must add that my mother will thoroughly approve when I speak to her of your modesty, economy, and other qualities." Dwight said.

"Dwight, I'm...honored and flattered by your proposal, but I have to decline it. You seem to have forgotten that I'm married." Victoria said. 

"I know that women don't seem to seem too eager-" Dwight started.

"Dwight, I am very serious!" Victoria said. "You could not make me happy, and I'm convinced I'm the last woman in the world who could make you happy! Besides, I have James!"

Dwight looked a little shocked, but regained himself after a moment. "I flatter myself that your refusal is just a natural delicacy. Besides, you should take into account that despite what you think, your husband has probably been killed by the Germans at this point-"

"DWIGHT!" Victoria shouted angrily. 

"-so I must conclude that you want to increase my love by suspense-"

"Mr. Schrute." Victoria had never called Dwight that before, but maybe it would get him to stop this. 

"-according to the usual practice of elegant females." Dwight finished.

"Dwight, I am not the sort of female to torment a respectable man. But, given the fact that you stepped over boundaries and basically just told me to forget about my husband and marry you instead, I'm not even sure you're that." Victoria said. "Please understand me, I can't accept you, and as of this moment, you're fired. I must ask you to leave now."