Waiting For His Kiss

Jamie stumbles along through the dark searching for the direction of his home. Home? No, not really. It’s more of just the place his family lives. He hasn’t been “home” in almost 9 months. Suddenly, he is pulled from his musings as his leg gives out and he has to lean against the wall to gain his balance. He reaches down to his thigh and his hand comes away slick with blood. He almost feels faint at the sight of it, but shakes his head and pulls himself together. I have to make it home, he reminds himself and he slowly continues moving in the direction of his family home. When he reaches the door, he knocks quietly; trying not to wake the whole household and bring attention to his presence. No one answers. He knocks again. This time a middle-aged man answers the door. He seems surprised at finding someone at the door at this late hour and also that the someone was Jamie. “Good evening, Arthur. Sorry about returning at this late hour,” Jamie heard himself greet the older man, but was struggling to get inside and remain conscious. As he turned, to close the door behind him, he heard the shuffling of skirts in the hallway and turned around to find his wife moving swiftly down the hallway. She seemed both surprised and agitated by his presence. “Jamie”, Leah said as she approached, “we haven’t gotten a letter from you in months. We weren’t expecting you home.” Then her eyes widened as she took in all of him and realized his entire pant leg is soaked in blood. “Good heavens!” What happened?” Jamie shushed her as he turned back around to secure the lock on the door. “I’m not supposed to be here. I was being followed and was attacked. I have no idea who it was, but I had no where else to go tonight since I’m not supposed to be in town and made no arrangements for the night.” It was then that he noticed that his wife was very pregnant. He gestured to her belly. “How far along are you?” “It’s yours if that’s what you’re asking”, was the response he received. Leah rolled her eyes and made to move away from him. She had begun to move toward him in concern for his injury, but after his inquiry, she slowly moved her hand to her swollen belly and leaned away from him. Before he could respond, there was a loud banging of stairs as his children came bounding down the steps to see why their mother had left them halfway through their bedtime story. “Hannah,” Leah began softly, “ please take your brother’s hand and both of you need to go back upstairs. I’m going to get your father settled and I will come tuck you into bed.” “Can Daddy tuck us in bed too?” came the tiny voice of Paul, as he peaked around his sister. Paul had only met his father once, so he was shy, but fascinated that his father was home. “Your father is tired and has just returned from a long journey. Let him get some rest and you can see him in the morning. Now, off with both of you. I won’t tell you again.” Leah gestured toward the stairs as she spoke to the children; not even looking Jamie’s way as she told them they could see him in the morning. Had she been watching him, she might have seen him wince slightly at her words. He intended to staunch the blood flow in his leg, get some rest, and leave again as early as possible. Seeing the children made him uncomfortable. He felt some guilt that he didn’t even know who they were, but mostly he felt uncomfortable with the knowledge that they were his; that he had a part in creating them. THREE YEARS AGO Jamie watched as she walked down the aisle. If her father had been wise enough in business not to make that shoddy investment, none of this would be happening. He glared as she got closer. Her veil showed very little of the face behind it. He could make out delicate features, strawberry-blonde hair, and very little else. Part of him was hoping his new wife would be pretty, but part of him didn’t really care either way. He would do his duty and be gone as soon as possible. He had more important business to attend to. As she reached the altar, he put out his hands and she took them. As she did, he felt her trembling. In an uncharacteristic act of kindness, he gently squeezed her fingers, hoping to reassure her. This brought her eyes to his and at this close proximity, he realized that they were hazel; a beautiful mixture of green and flecks of brown with just a hint of grey. The grey is really what made them unique. He almost let himself get lost in those eyes for a moment. Then he blinked and he was back in reality; marrying a stranger. No, she was worse than a stranger; a second daughter with little dowry and no prestige. But, what could he expect. He was his father’s second born; the “spare” son. So, it was only fitting that he be getting married today as a favor to his father who was settling a debt a client owed him. As the priest began the service, Jamie continued to allow his mind to wander until he heard the part where he had to say his vows. Grudgingly, he repeated after the priest. He heard the woman beside him clear her throat as she repeated her vows as well. She kept her eyes down and didn’t look at him again until the priest had finished and he was expected to complete the ceremony with a kiss. Determining that this marriage would remain exactly as it started, a business arrangement; he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles instead of taking her in his arms. He heard her suck in a quick breath in surprise, or was it relief? He glanced at the priest, who was watching them closely. Jamie nodded. The priest introduced them as husband and wife. Jamie none too gently pulled his new wife behind him down the aisle. Now to get through the wedding night and then he’d be off on assignment. PRESENT DAY When he felt Leah’s touch on his arm, he was jolted back to the present. “Do you want me to take a look at your leg or call the doctor?” She asked timidly. “No doctor,” he replied. “No one is supposed to know I’m here and I want to try to keep it that way.” She nodded and turned to go. As she walked away she said, “Go on into your study and I will bring some hot water, bandages, and antiseptic.” He nodded. “Thank you.” He made his way slowly to the study.