Detailed Roleplayers discussion
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McKensie and Lara III
Lacey whimpered tears streaming down her face as shd tried to hold back the screams. She pressed her hand against her side "h-here...it hurts here..." She whispered raspily trying to get a voice to come through the pain. The fever came from the infection that was coursing through her body because of the appendix. She thrashed trying to get comfortable she just wanted her brother but he was gone...
Illiana and Maxwell both didn't really know how to help her. Neither were doctors, and neither knew any medical procedures. Maxwell was in agony simply because she was, and he pressed his forehead against her hand, closing his eyes. "Please be ok." He kept murmuring. Illiana let the doctor in the moment he arrived, and told him what Lacey had described. The doctor felt her stomach gently, and immediately had his suspicions confirmed. "Everyone out. I have to perform a surgery immediately."
Maxwell refused to hear the doctor and refused to move. He clung to Lacey, frightened for her life. What sort of surgery did she need? There was no way he was leaving her all by herself!
Lacey whimpered scared, as she clung onto Maxwell she didn't want to be left alone either but he shouldn't have to suffer because she needed him. She closed her eyes trying to breathe through the coursing emotions going through her. Fear, pain...hope, love it was all too much "g-go tell father and stay with him...you don't need to see this Max..." She whispered her hand drenched in sweat from holding his so tightly.
Maxwell looked up then, only feeling pain and guilt and fear. "I can't leave. I won't leave you Lacey, not now." he whispered, promising to her. The doctor frowned, laying a hand on Maxwell's shoulder. "You have to get out now son, or I can't operate, and she will suffer for it."
Maxwell winced, but it was Illiana that helped him stand and tugged him away from Lacey and out into the hallway, where she sat him in a chair outside the closed bedroom door and made sure someone was watching him as she ran to tell Lacey's parents.
The doctor sedated Lacey, and then, in the next half hour, removed her appendix, and stitched her abdomen again. He left her in bed with pain medicine and her stomach bandaged.
Marcoux watched his friend and felt anguish because of the love Max felt for Lacey. He squeezed his shoulder lightly "she'll be alright these procedures are common and she won't feel a thing..." He assured, he saw Illiana and wished with everythibg she would talk to him even so he could comfort her...he sat and sighed looking at the ticking clock.
Max was half was too occupied with his fears and emotions to hear Marcoux, and half ignored him. He just sat with his head in his hands, shutting out the world and willing time to move faster. Finally, when the doctor came out, he looked up. "She will be ok." the doctor said softly, packing up his things and taking his bag. "Keep her well fed and hydrated, and call me again in a few weeks so I can take the stitches out." He waved, and left.
Maxwell jumped up and ran into the room, immediately falling into a chair beside Lacey's bed. "Love…" he whispered, scooping up her hand again. "I'm so sorry I had to leave…" He lay his head beside her, just weak with relief that she would be ok. "The doctor said you'll get better."
Illiana had just come back when the doctor was leaving, and she too rushed into the room to make sure Lacey was alright. She no longer looked to be in extreme pain, and for that, Illiana was thankful. She let out a soft sigh of relief and bit on her lip, watching Maxwell whisper to Lacey. She felt bad for them both, and envied them at the same time.
Marcoux heard the phone, he looked at the time and knew it was James. He had promised a call to the house, obviously Lacey was in no condition to get out of bed but he could be a messenger between the two anything to make himself feel useful "ah James good man, I assume you arrived safely?"Lacey was still extremely drowsy from the medication, and sedation she slowly turned her head and kissed him as he lay next to her she couldn't keep her eyelids open for long. "Stay..." She whispered that's all she could muster her mind so unfocused.
James had waited on the other line, tapping his foot impatiently as he counted the seconds, hoping his sister would pick up. When the other line was answered, he smiled. "Yes, I made it alright. Could you tell Lacey that she doesn't need to worry? Let her know I have a nice apartment and I'll be sending her a letter as soon as I can." he said seriously. Maxwell nodded weakly, it wasn't his plan to go anywhere else anyways. She needed company, and so he would stay here all day if needed. He would hold her hand and tell her it was alright, as long as it made her feel better. Surgery was a big deal! "I'm so so proud of you love." he whispered, relaxing finally.
Marcoux nodded "I give the same message, she won't want you to worry but she just underwent a surgery, appendix removal I believe. She is resting but seems to be doing fine the doctor is positive she will recover fairly quickly. I'd let you talk to her but im afraid she is still loopy from the ether."Lacey sighed glad that he relaxed so she could relax and heal not worried about him "I didn't do anything..." She reminded confused at why he was proud. She squeezed his hand and sighed tryibg to get over the upset stomach feeling.
James nearly dropped the phone in panic. His little sister had been through a surgery the day he had left!? James had to sit down because the world had started spinning. "Oh my gosh." He whispered. "I…" Of anything now, he wished he could be home. And this would only make being away harder. "Tell her I love her and I hope she gets better." he said seriously. He had limited call time however, so he had to get off soon. "I just wanted to tell everyone I'm safe. I should go now."Maxwell chuckled softly then, shaking his head. "You did a lot love. You survived a surgery, and you were very brave." he promised, bringing her hand up so he could kiss her knuckles. She looked to be doing better now, and that he was thankful for. "How are you feeling?" He asked softly.
Marcoux sighed "do not worry, Maxwell hasn't left her side and is caring for her in your absence. I will pass on the message but she would love a letter from you, stay safe and out of the armies eye...don't need to lose my favorite cousin."Lacey smiled lightly her hand caressing his cheek gently as shd just rested "queasy...with some dull pain but nothing unbearable...I remember some of if...but didn't feel anything it was so strange..." She muttered mostly to herself as she gently rested her other hand on the bandages.
James smiled weakly and nodded. "Thanks Marcoux. Goodbye." He hung up and ran a hand through his haywire hair, huffing out slowly. His little sister had surgery, and now he was about to go off to war. What could get worse? Nothing really. He would never see Lydia or his family again. James sighed softly and got out some paper. He grabbed a pen and started to write.Maxwell nodded, listening as she talked. He couldn't imagine going through a surgery, knowing you had been cut open and sewed together again. The very thought made him queasy and he pushed it away again. "If there's anything I can do to help you…" He whispered. "Just let me know."
Lydia was sitting in lessons etiquette, political and speech. She signed starting to get antsy as it was so hot in the tight corset and gown as she listened to the governess droan on and on. She thought about James wondering if he got her letter and was too embarrased to write back. It was horrible worrying about him, she knew the war was getting worse...so many soldiers coming home to the hospitals she'd have to visit them as her royal duties.Marcoux hung up and sighed, he saw Illiana and stood up straighter as he stood by her saying nothing for a moment "you saved her life...you saw every symptom and sign knowing something was wrong...you'd be a good nurse."
James had sent out two letters than night, one to his sister and one to Lydia. In his letter to his sister, he told her as many funny stories as he could, talking all about his living quarters, and the shops in Paris. And in his letter to Lydia, he sent her a recipe, described Paris for her, and then wrote on to say that he cared for her deeply and hoped she was enjoying being a princess. Two days later he was enlisted in the war. He sent one more rushed letter to each of them, the day before he would be sent into battle, and then the letters stopped. Illiana looked up as Marcoux came over, and she listened to him hesitantly. Was he right? Did she save her lady's life? She certainly didn't think she was that heroic… but maybe she did contribute a little… "You think so?" She asked hopefully. She liked caring for people, and being a nurse was a perfect job in that field, as was being a maid.
Lydia clenched the letter in her hand as she paced the long halls of the palace. She was getting thinner not eating or sleeping just rereading his letters and worrying. The news of the battle got worse and the letters stopped she tried to bribe every general to find out information about her love...but nothing came from it.Marcoux nodded and smiled lightly "I think you would be wonderful Illiana...you care deeply for everyone and never give up on trying to help others..." He sighed knowing he was going to have to tell her but not yet...he didn't want her to not care...or worse care.
Lacey listened to Maxwell read the letters and she sighed not in the mood to laugh at the stories or think about shopping. She was worried and getting depressed lying in day after day. It was Maxwell that kept her from losing her mind.
Illiana found herself blushing and she looked down at her shoes, a faint smile on her features. "Thank you, Marcoux, that means a lot to me." She said honestly, not quite sure what else to say. Her stomach was in turmoil, but to be honest, she was just scared, scared of him and her emotions and what might come of getting close to him again. The doctor had come back, two weeks later, as promised, and had removed Lacey's stitches. He said she had healed just fine, but would keep the scar for the rest of her life. Maxwell had assured her that it was a battle wound, and he still found her beautiful. He knew James's letters by heart now from reading them to Lacey day after day, and he was starting to grow worried about James.
James was in a trench, somewhere along the French lines, running through the dirt and muck with a friend he had made among the ranks. The sound had dulled in his ears from the explosion of so many shells going off nearby. He had been lucky, but he didn't know for how much longer. He needed to get back to Lydia. He needed to get back to Lacey. That was what drove him, and it was what he most regretted when the mustard gas wafted through the trench and he lost consciousness.
That week, two yellow postcards were sent out, one to the palace, and one to a manor in the countryside. Both had only a short message. "We are sorry to report that Lieutenant James Wendel is missing in action."
Lydia felt her heart shred, she had to find him she had to get him back. She went to her mother with the card her eyes filled with tears "please...please help me find him...I can't live without him..." She whispered her hands shaking as she thought about all the horrible incidences that could happen.Once Marcoux saw the postcard he had made his decision, he packed up his things and looked at Maxwell "take care of Illiana please...and marry when I come back I want to see little blonde children running around." He chuckled trying not to mourn that he was leaving and may disappear as well.
The queen read the postcard, and concealed the thoughts that immediately entered her mind. The man was not proven dead, but he was as good as dead. She pulled her daughter to her and hugged her gently, kissing her forehead. "I can't do anything love, I'm sure the generals are already doing all that they can."Maxwell looked sadly at his friend and slowly nodded in agreement. He hugged him quickly, and then stepped back again. "Take care of yourself out there. We don't need another one missing." He said seriously. He was trying to control his emotions. He would come too, if he didn't have Lacey to take care of while James was gone. "Promise me you'll be back."
Lydia pushed her away and shook her head refusing to believe it "you think he's dead too...he's not!" she yelled feeling a rush of emotions attacking her and closed her eyes running out the door and slamming it, she was going to France and finding him on her own.Marcoux sighed and nodded "ill try..." He promised and pat his back grabbing his bags. He sighed glad Illiana waasnt there he couldn't take the sad looks anymore and the shield she put up blocking him from her heart. He headed out to the carriage and closed the door without looking back.
None of the soldiers let Lydia leave the palace, it simply was not proper for a princess to rush out of her country like that. Not to mention it was far too dangerous. France could end up killing her because she was royalty. Her mother had her brought back and locked in her room. "I'm sorry dear. This is for your own good. You are not thinking straight and are going to get yourself killed." she said, as she pocketed the key. She stationed guards outside the door and made sure that the window was watched. Maxwell sighed sadly, watching his friend go. "Please be ok." He murmured, returning inside again.
Meanwhile, James sat in the muck in a trench, his breathing shallow and laboured. He could not see. He couldn't see anything at all. The mustard gas had not killed him, but it had stolen his sight.
Lydia sobbed screaming as she threw everything in sight and collasped on the bed sobbing, it wasn't fair! If she was a cook still she could go after him she wouldn't be trapped in an ornate cage. She felt lost and scared holding onto his picture tightly and trying to find someway out of this room.Lacey was in shock she would speak or eat since the news of James, her heart was broken as she stared out the window day after day. The glow gone from her cheeks and her blue eyes shallow and blank.
Marcoux was immediately put in the heart of the battle, he ducked as dirt flew around him. His heart beating fast as he looked at every tag on a corpse praying it wasn't James. He had to be alive! He felt agony as he was blasted shrapnel going through his leg, he blinked back agonizing screams as he rolled to the trenches coughing up dirt.
Emma, one of her younger maids, was allowed in to tend to her needs. When she saw the mess the room was in, she gasped, rushing over to her princess. "My lady…" She breathed. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" She asked, her eyes filled with worry and pity. Maxwell returned to his love's side, watching her with an ever present sense of worry. He hated to see her suffering so. It was easy to see that she loved and cared deeply for her brother. He just wished there was more he could do to help. He scooped up her hand gently, kissing her knuckles. "Lacey." he whispered. "Will you eat some soup if I bring some to you? Starving yourself will not help James come back sooner." he said gently.
James could only rely on his hearing now. Everything else was failing him. But what he did hear was not happy sounds. He heard the constant rumble of fighter jets high up above, and tanks rolling across the packed ground. He heard the boom of canons and the screams that followed. Sometimes he heard the sick thud of a body falling into the trench with him, and he always cringed.
Lydia looked up, Emma was a sweet girl they were the same in age and she found her to be a good friend. She sat up shaking her head "I need to get to France...I have to find him..." She whispered her lips trembling as she cried "they won't let me out...your the only one allowed in or out."Marcoux groaned seeing another solider there, he appeared to be alive but barely. He crawled with his hip towards the man "do they know...your down here?..." He whispered wondering if the man could even understand him at this point.
Emma frowned a little in worry and confusion. "France, my lady?" she repeated, patting the blankets around her and making sure she was comfortable. "but who is in France?" Lydia had not talked to her maids much, not after that one mention about James, and none of them knew that he was in France.And then James heard a voice he never thought he would hear again. His cousin. Marcoux. But what was Marcoux doing in the trenches? Surely he would not have left the manor… I must be dead then. This is what death is like. Everyone has come to send me on my way. He thought miserably. But then… he wouldn't be in so much pain if he were dead, would he? James swallowed and tried to get his dry tongue to move. "M….Mar…." he coughed feebly, pain lancing through his lungs. "Marcoux…."
Lydia pulled the blankets off not wanting to sleep or be waited upon "James...my James is missing in war, they won't let me go to him...I can feel in my heart that he isn't dead...I have to go find him." She paused the did look similar "Emma...I need a very big favor from you..."Marcoux blinked, how did he know his name? He grabbed the tags and gasped reading the name "James!" He nearly shouted helping his cousin out as he wiped the mud from his face and found a cream to ail the wounds caused by the gas "I'm here...Lacey has been sick with worry."
Emma's expression softened when she heard her story, and she sighed softly, pacing the room, wondering what they could do. Searching the battlefields was a completely pointless mission. Really, the only thing they could do, would be to search the hospitals in France and see if he turned up there. But Lydia wasn't even allowed to France! Emma frowned a little. "Favor, miss?" She inquired. James was too weak to do little more than lean on his cousin and try to stay conscious. His sister! Oh his poor sister. And Lydia! He needed to get back to them, he had to get back home… The cream eased the burns on his skin, and he found himself breathing a little easier. "H-have…. have to go…. go home…" He panted, a shudder running through his body. He needed to get to a hospital.
Lydia nodded "you switch me places, I wear the maids uniform and leave the country unknown and go to the hospitals to find him...mother wouldn't know till I'm far gone...please Emma?" She pleaded already dressing out of her dress and wiping the make up off till she was just plain old Lydia again.Marcoux nodded "I know I know..." He assured and slowly eased him up trying not to cry out as his leg couldn't hold him up. He grabbed the flare gun and shot it into the air trying to get anyone's attention. No one was coming so he climbed the trench wall and rolled his cousin out dragging him to the tent ducking away from the blasts and groaning as the bone that was still intact snapped and he fell with a sickening thud.
Emma gasped. That was so highly improper she didn't even know what would happen. She could get killed if she was found for participating in this. But she cared for Lydia, and so she nodded, agreeing. "Alright miss, but only this once." she said, changing into her dress and fixing up her hair and makeup so she looked like Lydia.James was shifting in and out of consciousness. He wasn't aware of much that was going on. He heard the fizz of a flare, and felt the bump and scrape of the trench edge. And then he felt himself hit the ground alongside another body. Marcoux's, he figured. James went unconscious again, and didn't wake up all through the next few days, in which someone found them, and moved them both into a french hospital for war soldiers, where the conditions were horrible, and they all sat in their dirty rotting clothes, but at least they were alive.
Lydia hugged her tightly and wrote a letter telling them that this was her plan and Emma by law will not be punished for this. She got in the maid uniform and concealed her hair "thank you Emma..." She whispered as she left the room going to the servant quarters quickly so she could run.Marcoux had lost the leg it was little more then a stump, he felt discouraged and angry to the point of losing it throwing things at the nurses and then collapsing in sobs. It was too much and he wished he was hkme.
Emma nodded, hugging her lady back. She hid the letter that Lydia had written, not wanting her lady to get in trouble. She could easily see that she was in love with this man, and that was inspiring to say the least. So she waved as she left and hoped to heaven she would find him. When James did wake again, it was in panic. He gasped and tried to move but found his body still too sore and weak to do so. At first he was alarmed and frightened by his lack of vision, and then he remembered what had happened and he moaned, resting back on his pillow again. "Marcoux…" He whispered, wanting to know that he had at least someone he knew nearby. Being alone was horrible beyond anything.
Lydia arrived in France she asked around for the hospitals but her French was horrid. She sighed living in a tiny motel room that was unfit to live in but she didn't want to use her money in fear of being caught.Marcoux heard his voice and rolled in, in the wheelchair "hey...I'm here, you are alright..." He assured him forgetting about his own problems "the army gave you a honourable release and Lacey and Lydia have been notified."
It was easy to see where the hospitals were in France. They were all marked by the same white sign that had a red cross through it. Nurses bustled in and out of them, and wounded soldiers were carted inside each day. The war was slowing drawing to an end, and everyone knew that the worst was now over. James relaxed when he heard his cousin nearby, and he huffed out a tired sigh. "We're alive." he breathed. "At least Lacey and Lydia know…" he said, reaching up to feel the blindfold that was over his eyes. Then he sank back, sighing. "You know you're crazy for joining the war. But thank you." he said, smiling weakly.
Lydia finally found it, she was filthy for it had been a couple of days living in poor conditions. She looked at each man not seeing her love "I'm looking for lieutenant James Wendell?" She asked each one trying to find her love.Marcoux sighed "I wish I had died...I wanted to die a hero not come back wounded and heartsick...I wish Illiana never had to worry about me again..."
One of the nurses pointed to the two figures talking at the end of the row, one blindfolded man on a bed, and another one legged man in a wheelchair. "He should be there." The nurse said, before rushing off again to take care of her duties. James's forehead wrinkled in a deep frown. He could hear the pain clearly in his cousin's voice and it hurt him to know that he was so wounded by his love. "Marcoux… It pains me to know you feel that way. I would be in pieces of you had died. And so would Maxwell. I can not speak for Illiana, but I can advise that you do not give up on her yet." He said, trying to be gentle with his cousin, as they both had been through hell and back.
Lydia coveted her mouth when she recognized him, she started sobbing and ran to his side holding him close "James it's me Lydia...I came to find you...I love you James." She whispered and sobbed into his chest "I love you..." She whispered over and over so relieved to find him alive.Marcoux felt the anger again as it rushed through him he quickly wheeled back to his bed and tossed the medical tray throwing the meds and yelling hating that he would never feel that love.
James was stunned when Lydia's voice suddenly registered in his hearing, and then he felt arms around and on him, and there was a whirlwind of motion and emotions. He reached out and felt her against him, and his heart squeezed with joy and relief. "Lydia…" he breathed, wrapping both his arms around her body. It hurt that he couldn't see her, it hurt more than anything else, but he was more than happy to have her in his arms again. Two nurses had to come and hold Marcoux down in his wheelchair again, one of them administering the soothing drugs they had been giving him whenever he had fits like this. "It's alright mr." One of them crooned softly, trying to help him relax again. "We'll get you home to your family again soon."
Lydia just stayed close to him the tears not ceasing, "James...I was so scared...they told me you were gone, nobody believed me...my mother locked me away but I escaped...oh love what happened to you?" She whispered scared cupping his face.Marcoux shook his head whimpering "please just let me die, I don't have a love anymore. I have no one that would care if I went home!" He said angrily still feeling sick and drowsy from the medication.
James listened to her tale but the flurry of events and facts and emotions were making him tired. He was still weak from everything. "Sounds like some adventure." He whispered, smiling weakly. When she asked what happened to him, he sighed softly, shaking his head. "Mustard gas." he whispered. "Its not a huge deal. I lived, and I'm happy for that much."The nurses did feel badly for him, which was why they were so gentle and patient with him day after day, when they had hundreds of other patients to tend to. "Nonsense mr, I'm sure many people will be happy when you return home. You'll be a war hero." They soothed, rolling him to his bed and helping him out of the wheelchair and into it, so he could rest. "You just sleep now, and we'll get you on a train up to England again in the morning." the one nurse patted his shoulder. "you'll be ok."
Truthfully, Illiana was suffering back at the mansion. When she had received the message that Marcoux had left for battle, she locked herself in her room from guilt. She felt that she had driven him off to war, and nothing made her feel more sick than that. And now she was just a thin wraith of a human being, hardly anything but skin and bones. She spent most nights on her knees, praying that Marcoux would be brought home safe. For she knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself if he died.
Lydia curled up with him "just sleep love...you've been through so much my love. Your a war hero...I'll be giving you a knght's status..." She promised and kissed the bandages over his eyes "I'm just glad your alive..." She said honestly and curled her fingers around his shirt.Lacey had heard the news of James being alright and she grew healthier leaving the bed and being with Maxwell "he'll be coming home soon! They say he's at the hospital..." She showed him the card "I'm just so grateful he's found...it's been months..."
James could only muster the strength to nod slowly, kissing her cheek. He fell asleep then, with his arms around Lydia. He could hardly believe she had found him, and the promise of a better life, being able to go home, and being safe allowed him to relax and sleep without any dreams, which had been a first since the war started. He wasn't ever letting her go again.Maxwell was as thrilled as she was about James coming back, and he had been even more thrilled at the news that Marcoux was alive as well. "Yes, they'll both be coming home on the midday train tomorrow, I believe." he said, kissing his love's cheek. "I am so thrilled that they are alive." he admitted, and then smiled. "Though we knew they were." He winked.
Lacey smiled and nodded, "we need to get both rooms ready, I'm not the invalid anymore and I need to care for my brother he is without sight and though that breaks my heart we must allow him to try to live a fairly normal life." She sighed going to Illiana's room "Illi...Marvoux is coming home tomorrow, he's alive."
Maxwell nodded in agreement. It was really unfortunate that James had lost the use of his eyes. But in all retrospects, that wasn't the worst that could have happened. He got up and worked on readying the two rooms with Lacey, as they had grown dusty in the mens' absence. Illiana looked up when a voice came through her door and she felt relief wash over her. Marcoux was alive. She was not responsible for his death after all. She swallowed and stood slowly, swaying for a moment, and then regaining her balance. "thank you for letting me know." She whispered, to weak to raise her voice above a whisper. She was as frail as a young child now, hardly able to grow excited about anything as she tired too quickly. But Marcoux was alive. And as long as he was well, she knew she would forgive herself for pushing him away.
Lydia helped James into his fresh pair of clothes that she got from his apartment, she grinned so excited for them to go back to England. She hoped that she wouldn't get in too much trouble and Emma was alright but she couldn't focus on that James needed her. "I like the scruff on your face" she stroks his cheek "very manly..."Lacey immediately ran to her side and helped her, she got her some soup and fed her carefully "your health matters too Illi..." She said worried and had her eat some crust of bread. "Him leaving had nothing to do with you...James went missing so he went to find him..."
James was slowly learning how to do things blind, but it was a process. He was always bumping over things and fumbling into furniture he had not seen. It was frustrating to him how hard this was, but he was slowly getting it. Lydia's help was definitely making things easier. He smiled softly, shaking his head. "It's scruffy." He complained. "I need to shave." He fumbled for her hand for a moment, but squeezed it when he found it.Illiana had no way to resist her when she came bustling in and started feeding her. She could only sit there and swallow, thinking glum thoughts. She shook her head. "It had everything to do with me. I would not let him back in my heart because I was scared. And he went off to war because he thought I'd never love him again." She pushed away the bowl of soup after a few bites and stood again. "I need to go clean his room." She mumbled, heading for the door.
Lydia smiled lovingly and squeezed it back "you are doing better...do you want me to shave you love?" She asked grabbing a bowl of warm water and the shaving cream gently lathering his face "want to look good to see your family." She reminded and smiled "then I have to return to the palace and my mother's wrath."Lacey shook her head "I won't allow it illi! I'm your lady and you must obey my orders back to bed and finish your soup. Or else I will call the doctor you are ill...all because of guilt you can't carry, he loves you yes but he left to help his cousin and is coming home."
James smiled softly, just nodding. He couldn't very well shave right now when he couldn't see what he was doing. That would take practice. So he sat still as she lathered up his face, and just got used to the feeling of someone else doing basic things for him. It wouldn't be this way forever. He would learn eventually, but for now, it was both humiliating and nice at the same time. "Thank you." He said. "Though I'm sure your mother will be forgiving."Illiana looked positively miserable as she pinched her lips together and obeyed orders, returning to her bed and slowly finishing off bites of the soup until she was scraping the bowl. She didn't believe a thing that Lacey said. She knew it was her fault. So she curled on the bed and turned her face into the pillow, crying softly into it. Lacey had never forcefully given an order like that.
Lydia shaved his face and smiled lightly kissing him deeply "now it'll always be a nice surprise...you can use your other senses to love." She whispered and smiled fingering the locket on his neck softly "you kept it..."Lacey sighed and hugged her "I just worry so much about you so much Illi your my best friend and I couldn't stand losing you. You are going to be a great nurse...I know that, you have so much to offer then some ladies maid."
James kissed her back, a little surprised at first, and then he beamed, reaching up to caress her cheek gently. "Of course I kept it." He said softly, his smile gentle. That locket had been what he looked at when he was in the trenches, what he gripped when a shell went off close by. It was his most prized possession during the war.Illiana hugged Lacey back, sobbing. She didn't know what she would do with herself and her grief. She was a bubbly girl, yes, but she was very sensitive. Which is why she had been hesitant to let Marcoux back in, and it was why now she blamed herself for his departure to France. "I don't think I could be a nurse. I would blame myself for every death." She admitted softly, wiping at her eyes.
Lydia sighed and hugged him tightly "I don't care what my mother says, I love you I only want you..." She whispered and nuzzled in his chest "but you need to get better...and strong." She said seriously and sighed helping him up so they could go on the train "Englamd is only a day away..."Lacey hugged her close "tell him how you feel when he's home, he would want to know...and even if he is injured he's still alive and I bet he missed you dearly..." She insisted and looked at Maxwell "can you contact the train station and see if they are getting in?"
Maxwell had passed Illiana and Lacey on the stairs, and immediately paled in panic. He was already on the phone, dialing up the physician when Marcoux came out. When the physician said he was on his way, Maxwell hung up and ran after Illiana into Lacey's room, sitting beside her and taking her hand. "Baby..." He whispered. "What can I do to help? The doctor is coming."