Masters And Lovers 1-4 novel Chapter 40

Charlotte’s enforced bed-rest isn’t well received. She doesn’t cope well with inactivity. After another two days, I’m beginning to think I’ll have to tie her to the bed. Not that I haven’t done that often enough, but the circumstances were different.

I aim a finger at her. “You chose to get pregnant. You have to live with the consequences. If the doctor’s say you belong in bed, that’s where you’re staying. No argument.”

Head drooping, she submits, but then her eyes rise to mine. “Where’s Michael?”

And I don’t know how to answer her.

*****

After a week, the doctor’s pronounce Charlotte is well enough recovered to come home, albeit with much wagging of fingers and warnings to ‘Don’t overdo it’.

As I drive up the mountain road, Charlotte sits beside me, very quiet. I lay a hand on her thigh. “You alright?”

She silent for a moment. “Is Michael at home?”

“He is, yes.”

In a small voice, “Does he want to see me?”

“I’m sure he does. But I think he’s worrying that you might not want to see him.”

“I do want to see him. I’ve missed him. So much.”

I squeeze the thigh. “I know. It’s going to take all of us time to get past what happened. Your priority is to look after this one.” I pat her stomach.

She’s smiles up at me, but the smile is a bit watery.

When we’re five minutes from the house, I tap my phone, sending the message I pre-prepared.

As I pull up at the front, Michael is there, surrounded by bricks and sawdust where he’s been repairing the door. He’s put on a clean tee-shirt and the dressing on his arm is the only physical sign of his injury and the subsequent removal of the bullet. But his expression is uncertain.

As Charlotte gets out of the car, still a little stiff on her bruised knees, he moves, holding out a hand, then semi-withdraws it, blinking hard. “Hi, Babe. You okay?”

“Michael?” She stands, stares at him, then bursts into tears. “You didn’t come to see me. Not once. After everything that happened. Why not?”

"Oh, God." He throws his arms around her. "Oh, God. Charlotte. I didn’t know… I thought you might not…"

“I wanted you. I wanted you there, and you didn’t come.”

“I’m sorry, Babe. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He presses his face against hers, holding her, swaying with her as the two weep and shudder. I pace a little, hands in pockets, waiting for catharsis to run its course.

At length, she breaks off, stands back, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. “Michael, what happened wasn’t your fault. You’re my husband…. My… my Golden Lover… I want you with me.” She looks to me. “I want both of you with me. You understand?”

“I understand,” I say, “Yes.”

“Yes,” repeats Michael. “I understand.”

*****

“Master?”

“Yes, Charlotte?”

“Michael’s not here.”

It’s the wee small hours and beside me, my Jade-Eyes props herself up on an arm. Beyond her, sheets thrown back; an empty space.

“I know. He left a couple of hours ago.”

“Where?”

“He’s in the next room, Charlotte. He was tossing and turning. He didn’t want to disturb us.”

“He shouldn’t be sleeping by himself, Master. I’ll go…”

She begins to rise, but I drop my arm on hers. “I think he wants to sleep alone just now. Give him some space.”

*****

Dawn comes. Not even dawn really, just that pre-light that promises the sun.

Charlotte lies beside me, warm, beautiful, but even in sleep, there is a crease of worry on her brow.

As silently as I can, I rise, pulling on a robe and padding through to the bedroom next door. Opening the door a crack, I look inside.

The bed is disturbed but empty. I step inside, listening. But there’s no sound from the shower room. Touching the sheets, they’re cold.

Back in the main bedroom, trying not to wake Charlotte, I dress quickly and go downstairs.

“He’s outside.” It’s Mitch, waiting in the hallway, offering me a mug that steams the fragrance of coffee. “I heard you moving,” she says. “Michael was up as soon as it was light enough to see by. You’ll find him at the back, in those old buildings he’s renovating.” Her face drops. “I’m so sorry to have been the cause of…”