The End Of Walden's War

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Sorry it's been a while. Now non essential shops are opening back up again I'm back at work! I'm only part time so it shouldn't affect my writing too much but I am pulling overtime for my colleagues still furloughed. So I might start updating slower than I already am, I'm so sorry!!! I will try my hardest to get at least a chapter a week from now on!

I stared at Finnegan, unable to find any words to say. My hand rested against his chest, unable to pull away due to his hold of my wrist. His gaze never once left mine as he took a small step toward me again. He was close enough for me to feel that warmth, one that could engulf me.

No, this man wasn't warm, he didn't care. He couldn't care.

"Madeline, think what you want but know that I'm loyal to you. I love-"

"Madeline, Finn dear." My mother interrupted him as she came around the corner of the shrubbery we were hidden behind. "Oh, am I interrupting something." She smiled as the blush rose to my cheeks.

"No mother." I spoke quietly, finally removing my hand from Finnegan's chest. I walked to my mothers side and the two of us walked back to join my family, Finnegan trailing behind. I wasn't sure if the red on my face had calmed but the still quick beating of my heart

"Are you sure I wasn't interrupting, Madeline?" She asked once more as she hooked my arm around hers, "Bayliss and your sister wanted to discuss something with everyone, I would have left you alone if you wanted me to."

"It's fine, Mother. You didn't interrupt." I smiled at her, her expression told me she didn't belive me at all.

My mother's perception of my relationship irritated me. She knew the real reason for our marriage yet she still expected me to be so in love with Finnegan that the nature of our relationship would have changed.

The announcement of our trying didn't help the situation. Neither did the position she had caught us in. She must have started believing that our relationship was even deeper now.

I ignored her suggestive gaze as I untangled our arms and joined my sister and Loretta who had, one again, amazed me with their close friendship already.

Our conversation was cut short by the gleeful cheer of my mother, who had been in conversation with Bayliss.

"That is an excellent idea!" She smiled, her voice raising a few octaves as she beckoned everyone over with her rapidly waving hands.

"A party!" She exclaimed as everyone reached her, Loretta and Frank awkwardly hanging back but staying involved in the conversation.

"A party?" My father repeated, urging her to give us more detail.

"A celebratory party. For Abigail and Bayliss' engagement." She clapped her hands together and smiled brightly at us, "is it not brilliant?"

Abigail smiles, "I would love that, and we can celebrate Madeline's visit." She turned to me as she spoke, "and we can dress up! It's been so long since we've been able to wear our best gowns!" She cheered happily. Her excitement utterly contagious, I couldn't help but smile at her.

"I'd love that." Finnegan's hand brushed my arm and I gently pulled away from his reach.

"Of course, we'll have to lend Loretta a gown." My mother smiled at my friend as she pulled me and my sister towards her, "we have to start planning! We'll host it tomorrow, you're not here for much longer." My mother squeezed my arm as she spoke some sadness in her voice as she spoke.

My mother could have spent hours perfecting the night for Abigail, she enjoyed hosting extravagant parties more than anything but rarely had the opportunities. She loved them, but she would never host them without reason, and this was more reason than any.

Loretta and I agreed with whatever plans both my mother and sister wanted, it was Abigail's night and we were as much guests as anyone that would attend.

I watched my family interact and realised that I was a stranger in my home, in fact this wasn't even my home anymore. I didn't fit back in like I had never left, it was clear I had been gone for a long time and my home was in London with Loretta and with Finnegan.

Night fell and our evening ended, everyone had retired to their rooms including me and Finnegan.

I sat on the bed, my back to Finnegan as he lay underneath the duvet. He let out a sigh as I tried to ignore his presence.

"You have to acknowledge me again eventually." He told me, as if he were reading my mind. I ignored him once more as I placed my small amount of jewellery on the bedside cabinet. "Maddie,"

"Please stop Finnegan, I don't want you to lie to me anymore." I told him, finally turning to face him again.

He had sat up slightly, his elbows rested on the mattress underneath him, the duvet resting at his hips, leaving his shirtless torso exposed to me.

"I told you I wasn't lying." He told me.

I scoffed I response. I had convinced my that he was just too good at lying, he'd almost tricked me. His hand reached out to touch my arm, gently caressing my skin as he looked into my eyes.

"I promise you, I am not lying to you Maddie." He spoke softly in a tone of voice I was sure I was the only one that had heard.

"You lie to everyone about everything, why should I believe this?" I sighed, my voice quiet.

"Why would I lie about this Maddie? I'm not getting anything out of it, I know you despise me." He sat up in the bed completely and turned his body towards mine. "I'm not tricking you into anything Maddie, am I?"

"You're confusing me Finnegan." I admitted, "I don't know whether I believe you or not, I don't know if I want to believe you or not."  I sighed as I looked down to my hands "Today has done nothing but mess with my emotions."

"Because you're in love with Bayliss." He spoke, more so to himself than to me. "I know you don't care for me."

"I do care Finnegan." I told him, "I can't not care, I just-" I let out a sigh as he continued to stare at me, listening to every word I was speaking. "I don't know what I'm feeling anymore." I confessed.