For Better Or Worse

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Author’s Note: Long time, no
write, I know. A lot has been happening
in my life. Marriage, a new house, and
a new job. I simply haven’t had the
time or “umph” to work on my unfinished stories – or to read any…but I’m
back! Please visit my website (on my
profile) for updates there as well. I’ve
missed it here and am so glad to be back!

***

The sun, that had been a stranger
to New York for so long, streamed in through the window of the parlor.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Victoria’s face was bathed in light, causing
her to look even more angelic than I already found her to be.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I could not help myself as a small smile crept
onto my face at the memory of what had transpired between us only a few short
hours ago. I had also thought of a plan
to save her life…and hopefully keep her in mine.

I let her
wake on her own, not wishing to disturb the peace that I hoped her slumber had
brought her. Her eyes fluttered open
and her gaze immediately fell upon me.

“Ichabod?”
her voice was no more than a whisper.

“Yes?” I
pressed my body against hers, hoping to warm the slight chill to her skin.

“Do you think
ill of me?”

Her question
was a genuine shock to me. “Victoria,
why would I think ill of you?”

“I’ve become
an adulteress,” she answered, a blush of shame washing over her face.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “A…a whore.”

“No,” I said,
before my mind truly processed her words.
“You are no such thing. Whores
are paid for their services, and adulteresses seduce with their bodies.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Your eyes seduced me the moment I saw you.”

Victoria
caressed my face and warmth crept into her voice. “You’re a romantic, Ichabod.
Tell me, were I to run away with you, would you remain the same as you
are now?”

“No.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> My answer made her face twist in confusion,
but I smiled at her. “Were you to run
awith ith me, Victoria, I would be whatever you needed at any given moment.”

“Words and
actions differ greatly.”

“Mine remain
the same, I assure you.”

She kissed
me, her lips somehow conveying a promise of so much more to come.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Do you truly love me, as you said you do?”

“Yes.”

She
smiled. “What if you were to discover
that I don’t cook well, or that I snore?
Would your feelings remain the same?”

I mirrored
her smile. “I’m terrified of
spiders. Could you still love me?”

“Your point
has been conveyed, Ichabod.” She rested
her head between my neck and shoulder.
“And I do,” she whispered.
“You’ve shown me more compassion and loving tendencies in mere hours
than Hector has ever shown me.
Rescue your damsel.”

That was all
I needed and wanted to hear. She was
willing to leave her life for me – with me.
“I have thought of a way to take you away from him – without harm to
anyone – and a guarantee that you shall always be safe.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Victoria’s eyes htenhtened with hope.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Do you trust me?”

Her answer
was sure. “With my life.”