Blue Moon

Emily dragged me into the next store, almost making me drop what she forced me to buy. Not that the dress and hats weren't beautiful, I just really wasn't in the mood.

“Alright, I don't see anything in here worth buying,” Emily told me not even five minutes after being at the story. She turned and started towards the front of the small boutique.

“Are you sure? I don't mind--,” I ran into the back of her when she stopped short, “Emily?”

“That's Collin,” she whispered. I walked around her and trained my eyes on Collin, walking and talking with a unknown women.

“Don't think to much into it Emily,” I immediately tried to turn her thoughts the other way, “it isn't what you think. You trust him right?”

She looked down at herself and rubbed her growing stomach, “I have no choice but too.”

“Just ask him about it next time you see him, I'm sure it's nothing,” I smiled at her. She just frowned back at me and started towards the waiting carriage. I followed her and couldn't help but feel bad, her emotions have been all over the place since she's pregnant. She won't admit it unless she's having one of her now regular emotional breakdowns, but she's self-conscious.

Once we arrived back home, I knew Emily wasn't feel her best. The one this that cheers her up in a time like this is food. Her favorite is soup but I don't have the ingredients for any broth or really any produce. I would go back out and get some, just for her.

“Emily?” I called out and I heard her moving around in the sitting room.

“Yes?” She looked up from the book she was reading and I saw the bright face she was attempting to put on for me.

“I'm going out to the market, I'll be back soon,” I told her. She just nodded and I sighed, “Also, when I'm out it would be a good time to see Collin and clear your conscious about it.”

“Why would you say that,” she looked at me almost offended to suggest it.

“Because you're holding your book up side down,” I smiled, trying not to laugh a little. She look at her book quickly and rolled her eyes, propping it right side up.

“I'll consider it,” she spoke casually. I just smiled and walked out the door.

Emily POV
I smoothed my dress out nervously as I stood in front of Collin's manner. I knocked on the door quickly, butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

The butler opened the door, “Miss. Emily, Master Collin is in his study.”

“Thank you,” I smiled. My visits were so normal, Collin has asked why I just don't walk in. I told him it wouldn't be appropriate if I did but really I just don't know why I don't.

I walked back to his study and saw the door was opened just a crack. I silently pushed it open and saw him busy with work. He looked up and I jumped a little, “You startled me.” I smiled weakly.

“You startled me,” he smiled and got up from his desk and crossed the room over to me.

“If you're busy I can come back,” I looked down and messed with my dress a little.

“You look lovely today,” he lifted my chin to look at him.

I couldn't help but smile but I couldn't help but blurt it out, “Are you seeing someone else?”

He looked competely off guard, “Why would you ask such a thing?”

“I was in town with Eliza today and I saw you with another women and I can't help but think it because I know there are a lot of women out there who are far more attractive than me at the moment,” I quickly spoke.

Collin remained serious and then much to my surprise, he started to laugh. “Oh Emily, I'm not seeing anyone else. I wouldn't think of it!”

“Then who was that women?” I asked, feeling even more insecure.

“I was looking for a midwife for you, we need to find one soon and she was one my list of recommendations,” he cupped my face.

I felt foolish, of course Collin wouldn't cheat on me. “I'm sorry, I should know better than to think you would be cheating on me.”

He kissed me quickly, “No worries. Besides, you're the prettiest out of all the women who throw themselves at me at the charity gatherings.”

I rolled my eyes, “Oh stop it.”

“It's true,” he quipped.

“I'm sure,” I chuckled, pecking him on the cheek. Someone cleared their throat and we both turned and look and saw Will standing in the doorway.

“Am I interrupting?” He asked with raised eyebrows.

“Of course not,” I shook my head.

“I thought I might find you here,” he gestured to me, “you won't happen to know where Eliza is do you?”

“She's out at the market,” I answered, trying not to give him the knowing look.

“Do you know what she'll be back? I went over to talk to her but the door was locked,” he looked around nervously.

I reached into my small handbag and grabbed the key and walked over to Will, “Here, it's the master key. Just wait for her, I'll be here awhile.”

“Are you sure? I mean I can—“

“Will you've put that girl through enough, now go pour you heart out to her,” I ordered.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” he muttered.

“Oh shush, you're a nervous wreck. Now go,” I shooed him.

He sighed heavily and left. I shook my head at him, “He better not mess up with her.”

“He won't, I'm sure of it,” Collin hugged me close and kissed me on my forehead.

Elizabeth POV

I entered the front door, bags of fresh produce threatened to spill over at the wrong move.

"Emily?" I called out, a little desperate for help. There was no reply. I continued into the kitchen and let the items spill out onto the table. I didn't wait to start picking up the produce and setting the items aside. I heard the floor creak behind me and I started talking, assuming it was Emily.

"It was rather crazy at the market today, they must have got a fresh trade—" I cut short when I turned to see it wasn't Emily behind me. To my shock, it was Will. I stood awkwardly against the table.

"Emily left a while ago, she's with Collin." He gestured around towards the front of the house. I noticed bandages around his knuckles, the undersides a little bloody.

I nodded silently, both of us quiet for a minute or two. "What happened to your hands?" I asked quietly concerned. 

He looked down at them quickly and waved the worried atmosphere around me away. "Chopped to much wood, it's a stress reliever; helps me think." 

"What did you have to think about?" I asked slowly, uncertain. 

"Lucy visited me the other day and--" 

"Oh no. I'm so sorry, I didn't tell her too, I knew she was visiting somebody but I didn't know it was you. Everyone told me to let you be so I let you be. I hope she didn't give you much grief, I am the one at fault here after all." I didn't want to look uncomfortable so I decided to busy myself by putting away the produce. I walked past him and listened carefully as he started talking. 

"Eliza, I overreacted. Not talking to you for a month was out of complete self-fear. I was scared to admit to myself something I should have admitted long ago, and for that I'm sorry. I really am." 

My breath was short and I couldn't gather my words, I paused for a second to speak. "I--uh...thank you. You didn't have to apologize, what I did was idiotic. It only caused problems." I continued putting the produce away. 

I could here him walking up behind me, his hand slithering down my arm to my hand to stop fiddling with the now empty bag. He slowly turned me around and he gaze was intense, almost determined looking. 

"Eliza..." I took his hand and looked and the dirty bandages. I oddly wanted an escape from his stare. 

"I have some ointment for this and new bandages," I stated quickly and quietly, sliding away from him. 

I walked over to the other side of the kitchen and reached up to the top cabinet, reaching for what I needed. I was concentrated on keeping my nerves together, I didn't notice him come up behind me again. This time his hands wrapped around my waist and turned me around, making drop the ointment in the process. I only had a moment to observe his broken stare at me before he pulled to him and kissed me slowly, but the missing time ignited the emotion that reminded me what I was doing here.

He pulled away a minute later, still gripping my face. He stared directly into my eyes as he uttered the words I've been longing to hear, "I love you, completely and unconditionally. I'm an idiot for not realizing it the moment I saw you."

"I love you too." I whispered, a smile broke out and it felt real for the first time in a long time. 

He smiled back but his face twisted in confusion as he gripped his head in pain. He backed up and rammed into the door. 

"Will?!" Alarmed, my hands fluttered around trying to help.

He looked helpless as his body went limp and fell to the ground with a thump. I let myself fall down next to him as I started to feel the deep seeded panic that he was dying from the curse or I slipped up somewhere along the way run laps through my head. 

"Will..come on get up!" I shook him but his head just rolled limply to the side. I checked his heartbeat, it was normal. It was as if he was in a deep sleep. I kept shaking him and shouting his name but it came with no avail. I breathed raggedly, afraid. Finally I slapped him, my own way of dealing with hysterics that would surely take over if he didn't wake up. With a huge feeling of relief, he jolted awake right after the slap echoed around the room. 

"Uh," he looked around, looking lost. His eyes landed on my wide set panicked ones. They softened."Elizabeth, " he spoke my name as if it held a new meaning. 

"Are you alright?" My hand rested on his cheek. 

"It worked," he said in a dream like state. 

"What are you talking about--"

"Did I do this?"His fingertips brushed over my scar lightly. Guilt painted its picture all over his features. 

It hit me then. He remembered. "It's about time." 

He had a desperate look on his face as he grabbed me and held me like I was going to disappear forever, like this was all a dream. I gripped him back, happy that I have the Will that I knew back. I loved him both ways though. 

"How do you feel?" I murmured. 

"I feel like the last five months were a wild dream, I can't really remember any of the past months before you came along. This feels real now." 

I released him and looked at him. " I know exactly how you feel." 

He leaned in a kissed me quickly. I felt giddy, the whole town could go up in flames but I wouldn't care because I had Will with no curse holding us back. 

"What now?" He asked, his hand still tracing over my scar. I had an inkling that he wouldn't ever get over that he was the reason for the scar. 

I heard the front door open, Collin and Emily's chatter was hushed until I heard Emily's voice ring out. "Is it safe?" 

Will stood up and grabbed my hand to pull me up beside him. I walked towards the foyer, Will trailing very closely behind. Emily saw me round the corner ad lean against banister casually. Will slid his arm around my waist and Emily just smiled. 

"Alright then." Emily walked past us, Collin clapped Will on the back as he passed. I heard her mutter something along the lines of: "About time, that stubborn ass." 

It made me smile, it made Will raise his brow in surprise. 

"I wasn't that stubborn was I?" He asked. He really must have forgotten large chunks if he didn't remember how stubborn he was. 

"You have some making up to do." I teased as I walked out of his grasp and towards the sitting room where Emily spends most of her days. 

Will caught up to me and grabbed me around me waist lifting me up and almost over his shoulder. I gasped surprised,"Will!" 

He only chuckled and set me down quickly after protest and kissed my temple. It was real this time that things could go my way.