Choking On Sapphires

81 Mardy Bum

Aggie stands in the doorway and sees Alfie nodding off again while sitting up in bed. He had done this constantly the past few days, his body and mind begging for sleep, but his heart not allowing it. He wouldn't let Genevieve out of his sight. He wouldn't sleep, wouldn't eat or do anything but hold watch over her like a dragon guarding his treasure. He was scaly and red just like the comparison, his words equal to fire as his mood was poorly to understate its severity.

He kept her company through her fits in her sleep, the same cycles of active dreams, both good and bad and the latter only increasing in frequency. Every time she would become restful, he became fearful. He worried her lack of upset was a sign she was slipping away again and he'd move to hold her if he wasn't already, waking her and causing her pain. But despite the unhealthy paranoia he was revealing in this situation, every time Gen would be awake for a few moments, she would meet his gaze and gently touch his face before resting her head back against him with a smothered sigh. Never had so little of an acknowledgment given him so much feeling.

Aggie could see the signs of him breaking, knowing he would only get worse if he kept up this grueling schedule. It wasn't only him she was worried about. Once Gen was well enough to get up and move around, and she was hoping that today could be the day for it, she knew he wouldn't be in any state to help her much. The lack of rest had taken its toll on his body, looking and moving like a much older man. He needed to be strong for her in all aspects. Two people falling apart simultaneously would do no good to anyone. Especially with how Gen had responded to similar trauma in the past. Aggie was worried she'd act out. Alfie would have to serve as a hand of the law and hold fast rules of the house as a man if she did. If he was weak and desperate it would only lead to trouble.

With the appearance of Tommy, Arthur, and the children in tow that morning Aggie saw her chance to get Alfie back into working order.

"Morning Agatha." Tommy's cool voice coasted out with a nod of his head. Claire was already distracting the children with the maids and Arthur as they led them to the nursery.

"Forgive me for not exchanging pleasantries Mr. Shelby but as you can imagine things have been terribly tense around here as of late." Aggie's tense face tells him all he needs to know.

"I do not have to imagine it Agatha, I've been through it myself." He gives her an empathetic hand to her hunched shoulder.

"Might I ask you for a favor sir? One that might make Mr. Solomons angry but I'm at the end of my rope with him truth be told." she lets out an exhalation, a bit of pleading in her eyes.

"You would not be the first and you will not be the last." He muses. "What do you need?"

"Mr. Solomons is being most difficult. He won't sleep or eat or leave. We're more than capable of caring for Genevieve here but he refuses to let anyone near her, save Claire and me. Even to us, he won't meet our eyes. Just watches over her like some gargoyle." She answers with clear exasperation. "I was wondering if you thought you could talk him into letting us handle her and get her out and have him get some much-needed rest? He needs to be able to function as he had been. This seclusion is doing neither of them any good. I am relieved that you showed up as I was going to try to get her to the garden today."

"I will make no promises Agatha but I will try. He's a most stubborn man."

"Thank you Mr. Shelby." She responds with a bow. "Now I'm going to go check on the children." She dismisses herself.

As Tommy makes his way down the hall toward Gen's room, he hopes she will be in good enough shape to argue with Alfie on the point of leaving her. He knew deep down that he also wouldn't be leaving if he were in his position. He'd be drunk off his arse and just as mad as Alfie. But he didn't have to know that.