The Last Love Of Arthur Morgan

A Diamond in the Rough

3 months later...

Despite it being early November, Rhodes was still a fairly warm climate, much like summer but all year round. Other places like Valentine and Strawberry had grown cold and dreary, winter creeping in like a thief in the night. Staying in the south was probably best for all of them right now.

Arthur took a few months to heal, since he'd broken three ribs and suffered lacerations and bruises to most of his body, his face included. He gained back most of his strength, though he was still pretty sore and now walked with a slight limp. He didn't get gangrene which was a blessing, considering they weren't a proper hospital and had no real way of preventing it. But Arthur cauterizing the wound when he did, killed any infection that was set to spread. 

Lily had grown tremendously since then, even developed a tiny laugh that warmed them all at one point. Once Arthur was strong enough, he and Lily began to really bond. Arthur started telling her stories - made up stories that barely made any sense and others that made too much sense. She was his therapy through this whole ordeal and because of her, he healed a lot quicker than most thought. In many ways, she was his light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

After three weeks, the dizziness and nausea subsided and he was cleared to begin walking around. He couldn't do anything strenuous, so he resorted to sarcasm and stories. For the most part people listened, people like Charles and Mary-Beth. Others responded to his sarcasm with sarcasm. It was the best medicine, after all. 

But once he was strong enough, he started picking up Lily and playing with her. She was at an age now where she didn't need to be held with such delicacy anymore. She was learning to lift her head on her own, she was laughing and babbling to herself. Blowing raspberries was her favorite thing to do, especially in someone's face. And Arthur never missed one milestone - he'd been there for it all. 

"Now where are you going?" Lorna chuckled.

"To the lake." He lifted Lily up from the crib."Gonna get some lessons in on how to swim. We're gonna show Uncle John how it's done." 

Lorna rolled her eyes."Well be careful, the both of you."

"Yes ma'am." 

He settled Lily against his chest, one arm securely under her bottom and the other across her belly. Lily waved her tiny arms around as they neared the lake, drooling all over his arm. 

After months of healing from his imprisonment, shitty diapers, baby puke and slobber was refreshing to him. It just meant that he was alive and he liked the feeling. He strode down to the beach, pressing kisses to Lily's head as he neared the fallen log.

Jack sat in the sand, digging with a stick, Cain at his side - per usual. He looked up when he heard Lily babbling and smiled big, showing off his two missing teeth. Lily nearly leapt out of Arthur's arms, screeching. Apparently Jack was her favorite person, aside from Lorna and himself - though he was beginning to question that.

"Hey Jack."

"Hi, Uncle Arthur. Hi Lily." He touched her chubby hand, greeting her. 

"What'chu lookin' for?"

"Uncle Hosea said there was crabs in the sand and Uncle Pearson said we didn't have food, so I'm looking."

Arthur ruffled his head of brown hair."You're a good kid, Jack."

"Jack!" Abigail called.

"Go on to your momma." He instructed.

Jack nodded."C'mon Cain."

Arthur chuckled and sat against the fallen log, sitting Lily in his lap, her head against his chest. He scooped up a clump of sand and let her feel it with her chubby fingers, but the moment she brought her hand, filled with sand, up to her mouth, Arthur interfered and quickly wiped her hand off.