The Bachelor's Bride

Chapter 17-Etta

Meredith pulled on a soft cotton nightgown and then came over to carefully help me wash my skin with a rag without scratching up my newly healed scars. 

I sat there in the warm tub, silent tears tracking down my face. Meredith tisked  and wiped my face with the wet rag, "Honey, don't cry."

"But-but Jack..." I let out a painful sob, my shoulders shaking.

"What happened?" Meredith asked softly, beginning to work a soft lavender soap into my hair.

"There was a news-paper article...about m-me," I recounted what happened. "It said I was seeing another m-man. But not like that."

"Why were you?" She prodded, rinsing my hair and wrapping it in a towel.

"He was a doc-tor...he was helping m-me heal my throat and get m-my v-voice back. I wanted to surprise Jack."

Meredith helped me from the tub and she pulled a warm, cotton gown over my head, "My brother sometimes makes rash judgements before trying to find any reason behind it."

"But he hurt me!" I said harshly, feeling angry more than anything.

Meredith grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look into her bright blue eyes, "You have to give it time. Your marriage isn't going to fix itself over night."

"It's so hard, Mer." I cried, sinking into my bed. "I so badly want him to love me."

Meredith took a seat beside me, rubbing my shoulder in comfort, "Then show him that you love him, with all of your heart. And he will return that to you."

I nodded, sniffling and wiping my face on my sleeve, "Will you stay with me?"

"Of course." Mer happily snuggled up underneath the covers with me.

"Thank you, Mer." I said sleepily, my anger and pain draining me of any energy I might have had left.

She smiled. "What are sisters for?"

I fell asleep with a smile on my face.
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The next morning was awkward as we all sat down for a simple breakfast of eggs, bacon, and muffins.  Since it was Saturday, I wouldn't have to watch Elliot. Weekends always proved boring for me.

Meredith bit into her muffin and sighed, "Did you make these?"

"Mrs. Littleton showed me how." I replied, glad that Meredith was enjoying breakfast.

More so than my husband. Jack hadn't hardly touched his plate.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked quietly.

"Not particularly." Jack said.

Meredith looked between us and stood awkwardly, "I'm going to the store this morning. Do you want me to grab anything for you?"

"I can come and help..." I announced, making a move to stand.

Meredith shook her head, looking pointedly at her brother, "No, that's alright. I won't be gone long."

"Well, then, could you please pick up a carton of eggs for the week?" I asked politely, handing her a few bills.

"Of course. I'll see you all in a bit." Meredith waved, heading outside.

I hated watching her go. A choking silence settled over the kitchen table. Jack stirred the eggs around his plate and said quietly, "What happened to us, Etta?"

He sounded as hurt as I felt. I shook my head, "We had nothing to begin with."

Jack looked up at me, "But we started to," he groaned, running his hands through his already tussled hair. "But I ruined it. I always ruin it."

I held back the tears threatening to spill over my cheeks and held out my hand over the table, clasping his, "I wear this ring on my hand as a promise to you. And I have never broken that promise. And I don't plan on starting now. We can get through all of this, okay?"

Jack nodded, kissing my knuckles lightly as we sat in silence.

A/N
This chapter is unusually short for me, but I haven't updated in a while. I hope you still enjoyed it!

This chapter's shout outs go to @Whatupwithbooks
@WolfLoveDream
@anca1996
@hellformusic
@KelseyCheney (for catching all of my silly spelling and grammar mistakes😊). You all are super awesome and I couldn't do this without you!

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Love Y'all and Have a Wonderful Day!
Rosanna🌵🌿🌸