The Second Crawley Bride

Once More Unto the Breach

After the shocking announcement, Lilly and George had went back the Crawley house with both Isobel and Matthew. There, George and Lilly were sitting together on their bed in their room, where they held each other's hands tightly. Lilly could see the trepidation in her husband's eyes, something she was familiar with seeing in others. George whispered out in shock,

"I don't know when I have to go... but I don't want to leave you any sooner than I have to."

Lilly's eyes showed the understanding and sadness in them as she responded back quietly,

"I don't want you to leave if you're not feeling ready. But this is war, George."

Her husband disbelievingly chuckled, more from the shock than actual amusement, as he asked her,

"Is this what you felt?"

Lilly merely shook her head as she said, "No. It was slightly different. You have the chance to prevent something like that from happening. Your country, your government currently has the power."

George let out a tense sigh as he admitted and could not help but flash back to one of his later encounters with his wife before they had married. And he remembered the words that she had said to him when he had tried to dissuade her from risking her life for her country.

"If life is a flower destined to wither, I wish for mine to bloom like fireworks."

He hadn't been able to say anything to that, knowing that she was braver than most men, and he realized how her fire that she had, still probably had, was something rare that he wasn't sure he had.

Lilly, as if sensing his solemn thoughts, took his hand she had been already holding, in both of hers and said to him,

"It would be a lie if I said I wasn't scared of death. But fighting to protect those you love, for those you care about so they could remain the person they were born to be, is what kept me fighting. And I hope that you fight for the same thing. Not for anyone else. Not for the king, but for those who you know will be waiting for you."

George looked at his wife, love full in his eyes as he nestled his face into the crook of her neck, breathing shakily as he said,

"I will. I will fight for you."

Lilly sadly smiled, hugging him, making sure to make the most of whatever time they had.

~~ ..... ~~

Approximately three weeks later, Matthew was drafted to head out to war, whilst George had not received word yet. By the time Matthew left, Lilly and George realized how nervous cousin Robert seemed to be. They could sense that he had wanted to head out to war as well, but both individuals knew better. This war was not a normal one, and it was becoming more and more dangerous.

During this time, George and Lilly mad the most of their moments together, not wanting to regret anything by the time George was needed. Another week had passed, when George finally received a letter. He had opened it for breakfast, where both Isobel and Lilly were watching anxiously as he read it. George sighed heavily, before looking up to his mother, and said,

"I'm to head to London in a week's time. Apparently, they decided that they would not like me to head out to battle due to my injury from last time, but they would like my expertise in a more strategic way to help understand the atmosphere in the Asian countries along with Russia..."

Isobel couldn't help but let out a breath of relief as she said, "Then that means you wouldn't have to see battle in another country."

George nodded and said, "That seems like it, but it would mean that I might outrank Matthew, though I don't know what rank I'm getting as of yet. They haven't enclosed it in the letter."