The Wonderful Bouquet

CHAPTER NINE: The market

William had made his decision. He was to travel through England for a year, like Elizabeth had proposed he should do. She was happy for him, for this was a great opportunity, and something he really wanted. But she could also not deny she was a little selfish and wanted him to stay. A year sounded like a long time, and she did not want to miss him for that long.

But if she told him to stay merely because she wanted him to, she would feel guilty for not giving him the opportunity of a lifetime. If she truly missed him too much, then mayhap she could surprise him and stay with him for a few weeks. She was certain her siblings would not mind watching after her children.

Her biggest hope, she must admit, was that William did not like traveling as much as he remembered he did. That he would return to her because he missed her too much and he did not want to travel anymore.

Whatever was going to happen in the future, she cherished the last moment she had with him. He must leave tomorrow morning, so after putting the children in their beds early, she prepared a warm bath with candles, and enjoyed it together with him. Afterwards, they did not feel the need to dress and went straight to bed to share their last night together.

She was going to miss him. She was going to miss him a lot. Whenever she could, she would write to him, and probably every day, she would think of him. She would dread her moments alone and the cold side of the bed, and she would long for the day he returned. Every moment she wished he was with her, she would tell herself he was happy traveling, and she would try to convince herself she had made the right decision of giving him that chance.

But right now, she should not think of how she would surely feel in the future, but enjoy the last moments she had with her husband.

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She did not want the morning to come. The usual knock on the door she hated, was even more hateful than usually, and she groaned.

Next to her, William chuckled, and when she opened her eyes, she found her husband was already watching her. "I will miss watching you sleep," he admitted.

"You watch me sleep?" she asked, surprised.

"Sometimes."

He had never told her that, but the thought that he was watching over her as she slept, was a comfortable thought. But the thought that soon he would not be here to do so anymore, was certain not pleasing. Another reason why he ought to stay.

But she ignored the thought and pulled him closer to her. Her naked body was pressed against his, and he wrapped her arm around her waist.

"I will miss you," he told her.

Elizabeth shook her head and laid her finger on his lips in an attempt to shut him up. "Let us not think of that yet. I have at least a few more minutes with you alone."

William nodded, then bend closer and pressed his lips on hers. She rolled on top of him and kissed him back, her hands around his head so that he could only kiss her lips.

This was what she wanted to do in her last moment with him. Kiss him, and show him how much she loved him. Make him realize that she would miss him so much. And hopefully he would feel the same, and come back soon. Or better yet, not leave at all.

But unfortunately, when that second knock came, he groaned and pushed her softly away. "I must go now," he whispered.

She sighed, sad that he had made his decision, for right now, she wanted to be selfish. But eventually she rolled off him and allowed him to get out of the bed. She watched as he dressed, then accepted the kiss he gave her before going down for breakfast.