Somewhere Only We Know

“Just one more.”

Seeing her pout, Ben easily caved and bent down to press this lips together one more time. They were both standing in front of her bedroom door, saying goodnight to each other. Ben’s room was at the opposite side of the hall and they were supposed to have been asleep for about an hour but they had stayed up having tea while they talked about anything and everything.

“You really should be going to bed, love. You need to rest, it’s been a long day.” He murmured softly, brushing back Camille’s long hair as she looked up at him.

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Of course dear. In the afternoon. I’ll be home after lunch time but before tea. I have patients to see before that.” Ben explained softly and Camille nodded, turning to open the door to her bedroom.

“Sleep well darling.”

“You too.” Ben smiled, sighing happily when she returned for one more kiss before she disappeared inside the room with a smile.

Ben went back to his bedroom, falling in bed with exhaustion but with a smile on his thin lips. He was so happy to have her there. She had been there for a day but it had been wonderful.

Anne and Camille seemed to get along well almost immediately and that meant a lot to Ben. He knew that Aaron had been observing all their actions intently and he made sure to be perfectly polite and civil in his view, he didn’t step over any lines. Only when he knew that Camille and himself were alone but he always followed her limits when it came to kissing and holding. Whatever she wanted, he would give.

Forcing himself to stand, Ben changed and headed to bed.

Camille followed the same routine all alone in her bedroom. It felt different to be in a room all by herself but Mel had asked to stay because of Claude, they didn’t want to be apart, and Camille could never insist upon that.

Lying down, the bed felt immediately too large but even still the young woman curled and tried to fall asleep. Her first day in England had been perfect. She had met Ben’s wonderful cousin and they had all spent the night together playing card games or chatting. The plus side was that Camille and Ben were able to chat freely and just sit with each other. It brought her immense happiness just to be there, though he was at the end of the hall now.

Camille had never felt as close to Ben as she felt now and there was something blissful about it. As heavy rain began to pour outside, she was slowly lulled to sleep. A few moments later, thunder struck and she woke suddenly, grasping the blankets tightly.

To say that she hated thunder was an understatement. She did not only not like it, she was very much afraid as well. The rumbling of the thunders had always scared her and not even age had helped her cope. Every time there was thunder, Mel used to come upstairs and stay up with Camille all night. Tonight that couldn’t happen, she was by herself.

Given this fact, Camille knew that attempting to sleep was a loss of time so she got up. Feeling instant shivers go up her spine, she grabbed the warmest robe she could find on the closet she had been given for her clothes. Searching for her slippers, she decided to explore the house.

She took a little lamp with her and the only sound was of her footsteps. Heading downstairs, she couldn’t help but to be impressed. She was used to the luxury of her own house but Ben’s was just as impressive. It was beautifully decorated and something about it just made the visitor comfortable. Camille felt oddly at home.

Walking to the kitchen, she gasped when she found their Henry there, drinking tea with the butler.

“Camille?”

“I’m sorry.” She apologised softly, both men standing up as they saw her and she moved to go before Henry called for her to stay.

“It’s perfectly fine. William and I do this all the time.” Henry smiled, motioning for the domino pieces.

Camille smiled “I was just wondering around the house.” She said softly as William kindly offered her a seat.

“Unable to sleep?” Henry asked, fixing her a cup of tea. “Do you want to play?”

“No, thank you.” Camille smiled, sipping from her warm tea “I’m actually exhausted but... the thunder kept me up.”

“It will soon pass miss.” William soothed “By the time your tea is all gone, you can return to bed.”

Camille nodded softly as the men started a new game. While she sipped on her tea, their laughter and joked helped her relax and she was nearly asleep even before her tea was gone.

“Come. I’ll take you to bed.” Henry offered.

“Oh no, no. I... I can do it.” Camille said sleepily but the young man didn’t listen as he picked her up bridal style.

“Nonsense, you can barely keep your eyes open.” He chuckled quietly as he carried her up the stairs carefully.

“Why can’t you sleep?” She murmured curiously.

“Luz.” Was his only reply before he added “And a few other things but that doesn’t matter now. Camille... be honest with me, does Luz had some other lad back at home that she fancies?”

“No. Nobody.”Camille replied softly with her eyes closed “She just... she doesn’t quit believe that you can love her. She knows that you’re known for shameless flirting with every skirt you can find.”
Henry nodded, having a feeling that his past could be part of the reason. The thing was that he was ready to change for Luz, if she asked that of him.

“Is there anything I can do?” Henry asked as he got into Camille’s room.

“Prove her wrong.” The brunette murmured as Henry settled her down.

“How?” He asked as she sighed, pulling the covers over her.

“Use that brain and figure it out. If I help... she’ll know.” Camille smiled softly as she drifted off into a deep sleep.

Henry sighed in frustration.

Women.

“Darling, please, you mustn’t.” Charles whispered softly as he and Anne sat in the living room together, watching Camille by the window as she sat outside in the garden with Henry as her company.

It was near tea time and Ben wasn’t home yet. Camille couldn’t help but to worry. She was sure that he was busy though, he wouldn’t forget her.

“He left the poor girl waiting.” Anne nearly bit back at her future husband “I’ll do as I please, Charles. Benedict may be my cousin but, a true gentleman, doesn’t leave a lady in such waiting all day. She’s been sighing all day for him, all day Charles.”

“I know...” The blonde man frowned, holding Anne’s hand dearly “Just don’t get pissed at your cousin. I’m sure he’s working very hard with his patients.”

“But that’s the thing.” Anne insisted “Before her, Ben only had his patients, his books, Medicine but now he doesn’t and if he doesn’t cherish her, he’ll lose her. Their relationship is so weak still, Charles. They may be madly in love but... if he does this, I’m not sure if she can cope. I won’t let Ben lose his new opportunity to be happy because it might not happen again.”

Just as she spoke, the door closed. William greeted Ben at the door, taking his coat and doctor’s briefcase. Ben’s voice sounded graver than usual but Anne didn’t care as she quickly stood to face him at the door. Setting eyes on him, she froze.

“What in the world happened to you?”

Ben had his sleeves rolled up, his vest open but his shirt was stained with blood. His hair was unruly and he looked exhausted. He didn’t reply at first but Anne stepped in front of him before he could head upstairs.

“Get out of my way Anne. I’m tired.”

“What happened?”

“It’s none of your business. Please, let me pass.”

“What was so important that you couldn’t send a message? She’s been waiting for you.”

“I know that.”Ben said briskly, his eyes becoming more intense. “But do you think that I want her to see me like this?”

Anne was about to insist when she heard the voice of Henry and Camille coming inside. They were easily becoming great friends and, unlike the night before, the woman had agreed to give Henry a few pointers on how to act with Luz.

“Ben?” Camille called naturally. Without the presence of either of the parents, she was more relaxed.

Ben tensed. He didn’t want her to see him looking like such a disgrace but it was impossible not to at least turn his head towards her. Anne saw him instantly relax as Camille walked up to him.

“Is something wrong? You look tired.” Camille said softly, Anne giving her space so Ben’s hand could reach out to her.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Ben said softly, leaning into her hand as she reached to caress his face. “Will you wait here for me?”

“Of course.” Camille nodded and Ben restrained himself from kissing her forehead, knowing he was stepping over a rule by doing it publicly. Releasing her softly, he made his way upstairs to take a shower and rid himself of the blood.

All the others were silent until he disappeared and then Anne crossed her arms over her chest.

“I thought you’d explode at him.” She said to Camille.

“Why would I? He’s clearly hurting. He wasn’t home sooner because he couldn’t and I understand that. He seems in enough pain, he doesn’t need to fight with me.” Camille explained, though her tone was serious “William, can you please arrange for some food and bring it outside? I’m sure that Benedict is starving.”

Anne swallowed hard and forced herself to calm down. They were clearly two different kinds of woman. She was feistier, for sure, while Camille’s temper suited Ben’s. Both somewhat rational, calm but clearly madly in love with each other.

“Would you tell Ben about the musical tickets we’ve arranged for tonight?” Charles added softly, wrapping an arm around Anne. “And about dinner?”

“Of course.” Camille smiled “I’m sure he won’t say no though.” She added, remembering Charles’ lovely idea of taking her to a show in the city. He had bought them tickets to see ‘Les Misérables’ special anniversary show. Camille was thrilled with the idea, they were even having fancy dinner and she dearly hoped that Ben would say yes, so they could all have fun together.

Anne and Charles retired back to the living room and Henry went to check on his horse, since he had promised to show the stables to Camille the next day. By a miracle, the parents had all been out together with their own plans so Ben and Camille were good to go when it came to alone time.

Sitting outside, Camille relaxed back into the comfy chair. Leaning her head back, her hair spilled down, almost touching the floor as she relaxed, the soft breeze was comforting. She opened her eyes when she felt a presence standing over her.

“Hello.” Ben smiled, reaching to gently caress her hair. Camille smiled and straightened up, patting the chair next to her.

“I asked William to bring us tea, he’ll be here in a second.”

“Thank you. I’m starving.” Ben said as he took a seat. He had combed his hair carefully but he hadn’t washed up properly, given that he was in a rush to be with Camille, instead of making her wait longer.

Her eyes studied him carefully. She hadn’t realised until now how sensitive he was to his own profession. Ben dedicated his brain and heart to medicine and this had to be the clear result when someone went wrong. She wanted to ask but she wasn’t sure if she should.

Feeling her tender touch over his arm, Ben relaxed.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here like I promised.” He murmured as he turned to face her. She settled her pale hand on his arm, his flesh feeling hers given that he had his sleeves rolled up.

“It’s perfectly alright.” Camille said softly, squeezing his arm while Ben’s free hand settled over hers “It’s not your fault.”

“Thank you...” Ben murmured, looking at her face “Aren’t you going to ask?”

Camille shook her head “It’s clearly something you don’t want to talk about so we don’t need to, though... I’d like to know what left you so concerned.”

William came in and left the tray on the table before the couple. Camille thanked him kindly and Ben dismissed him. Though he rarely shared any details about his patients, today had been very rough and he needed to talk to someone about it.

“I...” He started as neither him nor Camille reached for the food as he began to talk, “I lost a patient today. Someone who’s been my patient for as long as I’ve been a doctor, someone I really cherished.”

Camille frowned, gently rubbing his arm as it tensed “How did it happen dear?”

“Hm... before I went to France, I helped her in labour. She had a beautiful baby boy, very healthy and strong. She was really happy and full of energy so I was certain that she would recover well, despite the difficulties of her pregnancy. It was her first.”

As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears and Camille pulled herself closer while his hand tightened around her hand.

“The moment I arrived, her husband came to me, very concerned. She had a fever but I thought it was a cold, that... that it was nothing. Today, she was bleeding out. Camie... she was bleeding out right in front of me and there was nothing I could do, she even... she coughed blood... I... I...”

“Ben... Ben, darling it was not your fault.” Camille assured, pulling him to her for a hug as he began to cry very quietly, almost as if he was ashamed to let out his sadness over a patient’s death. “Let it all out. It’s just you and me here.”

“Camie.... Camie, I should have been more attentive. That child can lose its mother. There was nothing I could do more, nothing.... nothing allowed me to predict it. God... I failed them.”

“Ben, you did the best you could, you did what you could do.” Camille said softly, rubbing his back but he was too agitated to calm down that easily. It was clear that his conscience was heavy.

“I should have done better.” He said, letting her hold him, though he just wanted to give up on everything. “Are you disappointed at me?”

“What? Oh no. No, of course not. I know you did the best to your ability. I know how much you sacrifice for each patient and sometimes... sometimes, things like this happen without a plausible explanation but it was your fault Ben. You couldn’t know.”

Lacing his arms tightly around her, Ben nearly crushed Camille to him as he slowly calmed down when he felt her hands in his hair and her soothing voice in his ear, slowly guiding him to calm down gradually.

“I’m taking a break from Medicine.” He decided, wanting Camille to be the first to know. “I’ve been too much into my work for years, it’s not... it’s not good for my patients to have me so exhausted. After I make sure she is safe, I will take a time off.”

“And what will you do?” Camille asked him softly, hating to see him so unhappy for a once time event.

“I have plenty other plans, other things I’d like to do.” Ben replied, pulling back to look into her eyes “Most of all... I want to be with you.”

“But Ben, Medicine is your passion.” Camille replied back and he leaned in to kiss her softly.

“Let’s say that you’ve gained more significant importance. You’re all I need now, Camie. Medicine has had me all to herself for quite too long.” Ben whispered and seeing the concern on her face, he cupped her warm cheeks “I will be fine, I promise you.”

Camille leaned into his touch “I’ll be here for anything you need.”

“I wish you never had to leave.” He said bittersweetly as he pulled her to his lap “I wish you could stay here forever. I’d bring Mel over, I’d bring anyone you wanted here, you’d have everything to be happy.”

Camille laced one arm around his shoulders “You’re daydreaming love, it’s a bit too early for all of that.”

“Can you blame me for wanting everything?” He grinned and she pecked his forehead.

“For now let’s enjoy the week we have ahead, yes?”

Ben nodded and kissed her with a hum “Sounds perfect already.” He smiled, arms laced around her waist.

“By the way, we’re going out this evening. Charles bought us tickets for ‘Les Misérables’ and he’s taking us out to dinner as well.” Camille told him, brushing the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Sounds like we have a fun evening ahead.” Ben smiled “Are you my date Camie?” He asked just to see her chuckle.

“Of course I am, darling.” Camille smiled, hugging him to her again.