by Dee Jones
When his stomach snarled its censure for food again, Daniel was forced to accept Jeremy's offer to sit with Julia, but only long enough for him to grab a quick bite to eat. Except for his investigation of the swimming hole, he hadn't left Julia’s side for more than a few moments to relieve himself. Leaving her now was not an easy task and he felt like a weasel abandoning her out of the selfish need for self-preservation, as Jeremy called it.
Daniel hurried out of the room, but not before giving a list of orders to his brother-in-law. He was to continue speaking to Julia - a fact Daniel said was important - he was to make certain Bridget filled the pots full rather than three quarters as she had been doing lately, and Julia was to remain covered under the tower of blankets, even though she had been gaining enough strength lately to try and kick the blankets off.
After the younger man promised for the third time to call if she woke up, Daniel finally headed down the stairs. He hadn't slept more than a few hours a night since all of this occurred, his bloodshot eyes and stiff limbs reemphasizing the fact. His chin was now completely covered with a beard and mustache, his hair hung loose about his shoulders, desperately in need of washing. But nothing, even his own appearance or smell from sitting in a steaming hot room mattered to him. His only thought was of Julia and what her needs were.
Downstairs, Louise quickly fixed a plate of bacon and eggs, fresh blueberry muffins and fried potatoes, then ordered Bridget to draw Daniel a bath. She insisted he should smell at least halfway decent when his wife awoke, or he would never get within three feet of her.
Daniel couldn't resist chuckling at the older woman. Although Julia was still in her bed, the thought of the danger nearly being over had lifted the spirits of all who occupied the large old house. In the past few hours Julia actually behaved as though she were sleeping, rather than unconscious. Her breathing had returned to normal, her fever had broken two days before and the attitudes of those occupying the house were slowly changing from fear and dread, to optimism. If you listened hard enough, one could even hear Mrs. Lester barking orders every now and again, rather than the whispered requests she had been doing the past week.
Daniel devoured his meal in silence, anxious to return to Julia's side. The doctor promised to return by supper and he was determined to be there when he did. The last two visits the old man had made, he allowed Daniel to remain in the room while he conducted his examination and he was in no way ready to concede to leaving again.
"You're awfully quiet Daniel," Louise observed, feeling the man's intense emotions bouncing around the room. Daniel glanced up and smiled softly. "Is Julia alright?"
"Yes Louise, she's fine. I was just thinking about everything that's happened," he said softly. "First Julia's assaulted in her own home, then she's nearly scared to death by a snake in her wash closet and now the attack at the swimming hole. Either it's coincidence, or Julia's living under the unluckiest sign I've ever heard of. "
"There's more going on than you think," Louise said strangely, motioning for him to follow her. They walked into the den where she closed the door and slid open the bottom drawer of the liquor cabinet. She removed a thin black book and ran her hand across its cover in reverence, before giving it to Daniel.
"There were problems before Julia ever got here, problems even you didn’t know about. Victor kept track of them just in case he needed to prove he wasn't going insane as well as dying. He mentioned he knew who was behind them, but refused to tell me, or Julia. I thought he'd have written the name down, but I couldn't find anything when I checked earlier."
"Why didn't you tell me about this before now?" Daniel's concern and suspicions were vivid in his turquoise eyes.
"After Julia was hit, the day of Victor's...here at the house," she hesitated, unable to mention that fateful day in her life. "I came down to see if the book would give me any hint as to who may have done it, but there wasn't anything in it. At least nothing I could find. To tell you the truth, I'd forgotten about it with planning the wedding and then this and worrying over Julia. I probably would have left it alone forever if it hadn't have been for our talk the other day."
Daniel opened the book and began glancing through the pages. He would have to read it very carefully, but the urgent cry from Jeremy made the task seem distant and suddenly forgotten. They hurried out to the hall and looked up at the young man leaning over the banister calling to him. Mrs. Lester, Thompson and Bridget all hurried into the foyer and all looked up at Jeremy's smiling face.
"She's awake!" he gasped, as Daniel nearly jumped across the banister and ran up the winding staircase. The book in his hand forgotten, the concerns of the swimming hole were no more than a long ago memory. The only thought on the man's mind was his wife who was now awake.
The door to the room swung open and Daniel rushed in. He tossed the small black book to the nightstand as he knelt beside the bed. He took Julia's hand gently between his own, just as he had so many times over the long, desperate hours. A soft moan came from the woman next to him and he smiled.
"Julia," he whispered, bringing her a little further awake. "Open your eyes, Princess." Julia frowned and tried to obey, but moaned again with the effort.
"It's alright honey," Louise insisted, putting a reassuring hand on her leg, buried beneath the stack of covers. "Take your time." Julia tried again, this time succeeding after a great effort. A brief second later and they closed again, only to reopen and focus on the man next to her. Her frown deepened and she tried to raise a hand to her head.
"Don't do that," he ordered her softly, pulling her hand away from her wound. "You've been hurt. The doctor said you'll be fine though, it's just a bump." Julia closed her eyes, trying to remember what had happened.
Her frown deepened as she focused her sight on the man sitting next to her. He looked familiar, turquoise eyes sparkling at her, long blondish-brown hair in a mangled disarray. He looked like Daniel, but her husband didn't wear a beard.
Daniel smiled, his heart leapt in his chest, his hands shook with relief and deep seeded emotion. He leaned closer and brushed a light kiss to her forehead. Her skin was cool, not hot as it had been for so many days. Julia wrinkled her nose causing Daniel to chuckle softly.
"It's about time you woke up, Little Princess," he told her through whispered tones, squeezing her hand softly with reassurance.
"Daniel?" she tried to speak, but the hours of not talking closed in around her throat making her effort difficult.
"Of course; do you think I'd allow anybody else to kiss you?" he teased, bringing a smile to Julia's dry lips. She tried to focus on her surroundings, but frowned when she couldn't comprehend anything but the people around her.
"Where's Heather?" she asked softly, looking around the room at the faces staring at her. Daniel and Louise both looked at each other, than to the younger man leaning across the foot of the bed.
"Heather?" Jeremy asked, his concern echoing in his voice. Julia's eyes opened again, this time a little easier.
"Am I dead?" she whispered, trying to remember how she got out of the water.
"Of course not," Daniel insisted, squeezing her hand. "You've just had an accident. You're going to be fine."
"Heather," she said again. "I saw Heather. She said it was my fault. She blames me...I should have been there...why did she have to die?"
"Take it easy, Princess," Daniel urged softly, running a gentle hand across her cheek as her eyes began to fill with tears. "You've been dreaming."
"It wasn't a dream," Julia insisted, her pulse began to race as she tried explaining what her friend had said. "I saw her; she told me she wanted revenge. She said it was my fault she died and she was going to make me pay." Daniel and Louise stared at each other again, this time concerned for the girl's sanity.
"Julia, Heather's dead. It was an accident; you're not to blame for any of it." Louise tried to soothe her daughter, but found her own fear and confusion lessening the effects of her effort.
"I couldn't have dreamt
it. It was so real. She said she came back for me. She blames me for the accident. She pulled me under the water; I swear it, she tried to drown me."
"It was just a bad dream, sis," Jeremy insisted, gently. "Heather would never do anything to hurt you. She loved you like a sister." Julia's head was pounding and her stomach ached as it lurched with emotion, but she didn't have the strength to argue with them. She turned her head towards Daniel, the pain causing her to moan softly, as she tried to get a better look at him.
"You look awful," she said and when he leaned closer to give her another kiss, she wrinkled her nose again and tried to back away. "You smell awful too." Daniel chuckled again, laying his head next to hers on the pillow. His hair fell across his shoulder and onto Julia's neck and cheek where she reached a shaky hand up to touch it. The thought of her being out of danger was overwhelming and Daniel's heart filled with a mixture of joy, relief and love. So much emotion swelled up within him, he nearly cried from its intensity.
Louise stepped forward and tapped him gently on the shoulder. "I think that's your cue for a bath," she said quietly, causing him to chuckle in such an intimate deep tone, Julia felt the color burn her pale cheeks. Daniel had barely slept twelve hours over the past week, but just the sight of Julia's eyes made him feel awake and invigorated.
"If you were a man," he began, with a pretense of irritation in his tone focusing on the young woman lying weakly in the bed next to him, "I wouldn't bother."
"Get out of here," Louise insisted, watching as he leaned across Julia and kissed her more endearing. "Go on, or I'll have Jeremy and Rally haul you to the horse trough and scrub you raw with lye." Daniel smiled at the woman, a silent warning echoing in his turquoise eyes, telling her she'd better not even try it. The woman laughed and went to the dresser for a clean shirt and pair of pants for her new son.
Daniel watched with amusement as Louise retrieved a pair of long-johns, tucking them between the other clothes with a deep red tinting her cheeks. He didn't have the heart to tell her he only wore those things during the winter and always slept in the nude. One bit of news the older woman probably wouldn't appreciate hearing.
He turned to Julia smiling happily, knowing the danger was nearly over. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, whispering against her ear the words he'd envisioned saying to her since he held her lifeless body in his arms. "I love you, my Little Princess."
When Daniel emerged from the wash closet half an hour later, clean and shaven, Julia was asleep again. Louise sat in the chair next to the bed and held the book she had given to him earlier. He tossed his shirt and long-johns to the chair next to the vanity and smiled at Julia's sleeping face. Her breathing was even and a hint of color tinted the pale layers of skin. He looked to Louise, who smiled knowingly at him.
"Why don't you get some rest," he offered. "I'll stay with her until the doctor gets here."
"You need your rest too, Daniel. I think I've had at least a good night's sleep over you, since this whole thing began."
"But I'm not tired, you are." Reluctantly Louise understood the man's unspoken plea to leave him alone with his wife. She leaned across Julia's sleeping body and kissed her softly on the cheek before turning back to the man.
"Do you think she could really have seen Heather?" the woman asked softly. Daniel looked to Julia asleep in the bed.
"I don't believe in ghosts or goblins Louise and no spirit could have left those footprints by the pond, but it might explain an awful lot."
“What do you mean?"
"Julia may have mistaken her attacker as Heather. It may still prove to be a sick joke."
"Why would anybody do such a thing?"
"Revenge, sadistic humor, it's hard to say." Daniel continued to stare at Julia's pale face.
"She said she saw her," Louise said in a whispered tone. "She had to be fairly close in order to see her face wouldn't you think?"
"Unless all she saw was a woman's figure, heard a woman's voice and her mind assumed the rest," Daniel guessed.
"Sharon looks an awful lot like Heather; nearly her twin. Perhaps she..."
"You can't blame anybody without proof Louise," Daniel interrupted, knowing the only crime his mother-in-law committed was to repeat what he himself had secretly been thinking. "We're going to have to be very careful in the future. Julia can't get out of our sight even for a minute." Louise looked at her daughter then back to Daniel and smiled.
"I think you're the best thing to happen around here since....I don't know when." Daniel hugged the woman affectionately walking her to the door and bidding her good-night.
He sat for nearly an hour just watching his wife sleep. She was beautiful and she was his. He felt alive with the realization of that statement, repeating it over and over in his mind. He was determined not to let her forget just how much she meant to him.
Daniel watched the movement of her eyes beneath her closed lids. He imagined the dreams floating around inside her mind and wondered if she was dreaming of love and passion, or death and ghosts. Did she see them together as they had been before their argument; embraced, touching, feeling, exploring? Was she feeling his arms around her as he had felt hers so many times over the past torturous days? The soft moan escaping her throat as her lips curled into a smile, making Daniel think perhaps she was.
Julia's eyes opened to the dimness of the room. She felt hot and wet and the blankets across her slender frame made her feel like she was lying beneath a soft mountain. She blinked several times before her eyes focused, meeting with sparkling pools of turquoise.
Daniel smiled softly looking at her sleepy confusion. His thumb brushed her cheek tenderly, helping her wake up. Julia smiled at his touch; so strong, yet so gentle. He looked more like her Daniel now, clean shaven and happy, his hair hanging loose about his shoulders, his chest bare of clothing and covered with the soft matting of hair she knew to be soft and silky to the touch.
"Time to wake up Princess," he told her in a hushed tone. "Dr. Stewart is here and wants to examine you." Julia groaned at the revelation, causing Daniel to chuckle softly. She didn't have the energy for the man's probing and poking.
The elderly form of the family doctor sat down beside her as Daniel stepped aside, but she barely noticed him. Her eyes were locked on Daniel as he moved to the foot of the large four-poster bed, leaning against one of the posts. Dr. Stewart's examination wasn't quite as torturous as Julia had anticipated, yet it was thorough. He listened to her lungs, took her temperature, examined her eyes, changed the bandage on her head and closed his bag securing his cold and impersonal tools back inside.
“She's weak and needs rest," he began, repeating the same words he had said so many times over the past week. "But she's going to be fine," he added, knowing Daniel had been waiting anxiously to hear those very words.
"You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that," Daniel said, smiling at those enchanting emerald eyes with a deep exhausted sigh.
"I'm not just a doctor, son," the older man said with a smile as he stood and patted Daniel on the back. "I'm a husband too. I know how you're feeling. She's not completely out of danger, though." He walked to the door as he continued speaking. "Her lungs are weak and there's still the risk of influenza. Make certain she stays quiet and keep her warm. You look like you could use some sleep yourself. I suggest you get into bed with her. I’ve left some sleeping pills on the bedside table; give her one at bedtime for the next few nights and it wouldn’t hurt for you to take one tonight. Julia could use you to help stay warm, but that's all you do, understand?" Daniel smiled at the man and nodded as he held the door open.
"I never argue with doctors, remember?"
"I'll be back by in a couple days. This traveling back and forth is hell on my arthritis," the old man complained, as he headed down the stairs.
Daniel turned back to Julia leaning against the closed door and listened to Louise’s soft voice in the foyer as the old doctor relayed his instructions again.
Julia
was weak and tired, that much was obvious, but even as close to death as she came she had never looked more beautiful. Daniel stood by the door for several moments staring at her as though he'd never seen her before. Her dark hair lay across her chest in a thick braid; her eyes sparkled like rare gems and her ivory complexion held just a hint of pink. God, she was more than he deserved, he thought silently.
Daniel moved across the room to her, leaning over her as he pressed his lips to her dry mouth. He offered her his strength and for a brief moment he feared she would refuse, but when her lips parted offering him a silent invitation, he groaned and accepted willingly. He kissed her with such tender force, she had no choice but to moan with the experience. As he raised his head he looked into her eyes and whispered, "I love you, Princess."
"What...did you...say?" she frowned. This couldn't be real. She didn't hear him right.
"I said I love you," he told her again. Julia's eyes filled with tears, hearing the words thought she'd only dreamt of. He loved her; he said it. He loved her! Those words kept echoing inside her head until the tears spilled down her cheeks.
Daniel misunderstood and stood up walking away from her. How could he have been so wrong to think she would love him in return? He envisioned this moment over and over as he sat next to her praying for her life. He had imagined she would tell him she knew or that she loved him back, but not once did he think she would cry. Damn it, how could he be so stupid?
"Daniel," he heard his name whispered from the bed, but he didn't turn around. He couldn't bear to look at her now, not after the way he'd acted. "Say it again," she whispered.
Why? he thought. So you can laugh at me? So you can rub in the fact I'm acting like a love sick mutt?
"Daniel...please?" she begged and he turned to see her struggling to sit. He went to her quickly, pushing her gently back against the small stack of pillows.