EPIC SHORT FIC: Some Honey of His Own, Part Two
Title: Some Honey of His Own
Author: JAGNikJen
Words: 2633/8105
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Incident of miscarriage and a somewhat graphic description thereof in part two
Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, Much, Robin, Djaq, et al. I have earned nothing from this endeavor but the joy that comes from the writing and the possibility of a nice comment or two.
Summary: Much finally finds a special someone or two to love.
Notes: There's a little something special for omteddy2006 in there somewhere. Can she find it?
~*~*~
Some Honey of His Own, Part Two
“Much gived me a bath,” Avalee said to the newcomer.
Djaq glanced down at the girl and smiled.
“What are you doing here?” Much asked.
“I saw Robin on his way to Locksley and he sent me. Where is the patient?” she asked even as she looked about the room and then headed straight for Emma. Djaq made a face when she dropped to the floor. She felt Emma's forehead with the back of her hand. “She is very warm.” She pulled back the blanket and gasped. “Ya lahwy.”
“What? What does that mean?” It couldn't be good. In fact, he knew it wasn't good.
“Much, open the windows,” Djaq instructed.
He moved to do so, but discovered he still had Avalee in his arms. “What has happened? Can you help her?”
“I do not know.... Much, she has miscarried.”
He looked from Djaq to Emma and back. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. “Wh-what? A miscarriage? She couldn't have. Her husband is...”
“Mu-uch,” called Avalee.
“Yes, honey,” Much said without thought. Emma had been with child. But how? And who?
“I am making mud, Much.”
“What? Oh. Oh, dear...” He glanced at the moist dirt and then carried her to the cot and set her down upon it. “I guess you need dry clothing now, too.”
“In the chest.” She pointed.
Much pulled a gown from the small chest and gave it to her. “Do you need help?”
She nodded.
Oh, dear. Wait, Djaq was here now. Djaq could help. “Djaq, can you help Avalee dress?”
“Me?” she asked, looking surprised.
“You are a girl, she is a girl.... I am not.” Much raised a brow.
Djaq smiled and nodded. She crossed to Avalee while Much scrambled for the windows and pushed open the dilapidated shutters.
Robin and Matilda stepped inside just then. Much looked at them both. Relief rushed through him.
Until Matilda sniffed the air, a sour look crossing her face. “Dear God.”
Much followed her to Emma’s bedside.
She yanked the bed clothes off Emma and the putrid odor filled the air.
“Oh, my God.” Much gagged and backed away, swiping a hand over his face.
The linens beneath Emma were saturated with blood and a pale blob--a tiny body--her baby--lay between crimson-stained legs.
“Damned quack,” Matilda exclaimed. “Get the girl out of here.”
“What do you mean, quack...?” Much asked.
“Whoever prepared this poultice included way too much tansy. It’s amazing she’s still alive, but there’s no way to know just yet if she’ll recover. There’s nothing to do but let it run its course. Someone will need to stay with her once we’ve gotten her cleaned up and settled.”
“I’ll stay.” Much turned to Robin. “Master, please let me care for her. She is...she is my friend. I-I care for her.”
Robin patted Much’s shoulder. “C’mon, let Djaq and Matilda tend to her first. Take Avalee to the camp. She cannot see her mother like this. And you should not be here either.”
“But...”
“But nothing. Avalee is going to need you. Someone she knows and trusts to take care of her.”
Much nodded.
“What if...what if Emma...?” He could not bring himself to think it, much less speak the words.
“I will bring the news,” Robin replied.
This time, the trek back to camp was not so easy. Worry about Emma made him clumsy. It was also darker, and Much had to go slower so as to a void the many pitfalls of the forest floor. Avalee was cranky, as well, wanting her mum and something to eat and to go back home.
Much was out of breath and huffing a bit as he staggered into camp, lifted Avalee from his shoulders, and set her on the ground. She slid an arm around his leg and her finger into her mouth as she regarded the three other men.
“Where is Robin?” asked John.
“And Djaq?” asked Will.
“And who is that?” asked Allan, pointing to Avalee. “She's not really your type, mate,” he said with a guffaw.
Much sent him a dirty look. “This is Avalee, and Robin and Djaq are at Avalee's house tending to her mother, Emma.”
“So what's for supper, mate?” Allan asked.
“You can eat tree bark, for all I care, mate,” Much snapped.
Avalee started crying.
Much was crouched next to her in an instant. “What's wrong, honey? Please don't cry.”
“I want Mama,” she said, rubbing her eyes.
“I know, but Mama has a big ouchie, and Djaq and Matilda are trying to make it better. And they need room to work. So we are going to stay here for a little while. Now, shall we find something to eat?”
The little girl nodded.
“Do you like cheese?”
She nodded again.
“Good. Then we shall have some cheese and bread and some nice cold water.”
Much gathered up the food and the water and led Avalee close to the fire. He found a good spot and sat cross-legged, pulling her into his lap. “Remember what we said about fire?”
“It's hot.”
“That's right. Now, here.” He handed her a chunk of bread and a chunk of cheese.
“Oi, wot about us?” Allan asked, waving a hand between John, Will, and himself.
Much looked up at Allan and was about to tell him to jigger off, but John spoke first.
“Much is busy tonight, Allan,” he said. “We are grown men, we can fend for ourselves for one night.”
Much's gaze flew to John's.
He nodded.
Much nodded once in return. Just when you thought you knew a person. John never seemed to like Much or have much use for him and then he goes and sticks up for Much. Huh.
Allan moved off to dig around in the larder, as did John and Will.
Much felt a little bad about not feeding John and Will. Especially John. He was a big man and probably needed more than bread and cheese to fill him up properly. But Allan...well, Much did not care so much about Allan. Leastways, not tonight.
“I want to go home,” Avalee said once she'd finished her bread and cheese.
“I know you do, but it is dark now and too dangerous to walk through the forest. We could get ouchies from walking into trees or tripping over rocks and roots.”
“Ouchies?” asked John, a ghost of a smile playing around his bearded mouth.
“Yes, ouchies. Right, Avalee?”
She nodded but yawned and rubbed her eyes again.
“How about I tell you a story?” Much asked.
Avalee nodded again, put her finger in her mouth, and settled into Much's embrace. If it were any other circumstance, Much could get used to this kind of evening.
“All right, then. A long, long time ago, there was a man named Noah. And one day, God told Noah to build a big, big, big, and, I mean big, boat. All Noah's friends laughed at him because he started building this boat on land and far, far away from any kind of water. But that's what God told him to do, so that is what Noah did....”
By the time he'd finished, Avalee was fast asleep, and Much's legs tingled from sitting in one position for so long with her weight on them. He couldn't even get up to place her in his bunk.
John finally had pity on him and relieved him of Avalee's sleeping form. Once Much regained the feeling in his legs and could actually walk again, he paced.
What was going on with Emma? How had she become with child? Why had she lost it? Was she going to recover? And if she didn't, what would become of Avalee? She was such a sweet little girl. Much could easily love her. Wanted to love her. Wanted to love Emma, too, and make them both his own.
But no one wanted him. To love him, least ways. And why should they? He was an outlaw. A smelly, dirty one, at that. He was only good for catching small animals and cooking them and keeping the camp clean. But not good enough--not worthy enough of love.
Much sighed and suppressed his sadness.
As the fire died down, John said, “You must sleep. You won't do the wee one or her mother any good if you wear yourself out with worry. Let us hit the sack.”
~*~
Much was already awake as the first tints of light trickled through the trees. He'd gotten up early to make porridge for Avalee, John, Will, and Allan. In order to make up for the lack of dinner the previous night, Much chopped up some dried apples and added them as a special treat.
“Mama!” Avalee's small voice rang out in alarm.
Much jumped up and headed for Avalee.
“Much!” called Robin, striding into camp.
Much whirled around, his heart in his throat.
“I want Mama!” cried Avalee again.
Much turned back toward the little girl.
Robin smiled sympathetically. “Go on, Much. Emma is holding her own.”
Much released a breath and hurried to his bunk. “Good morning, honey. We'll go to see your mum soon, all right. Let's have a bite to eat, shall we?”
The small cottage smelled infinitely better now than it had when Much had left the previous evening. A fire crackled quietly in the pit. Bright sunlight spilled in through the opened windows.
Snoring slightly, Matilda lay on the cot on which Avalee had changed the previous day.
Djaq sat against the wall next to Emma's pallet, her head leaning to the left and her eyes closed, legs strait out and crossed at the ankles. Her chest rose and fell in a deep even rhythm.
Much breathed a sigh of relief. Everything seemed better. It certainly smelt better. He crept toward Emma, trying not disturb her or Djaq.
But Djaq startled awake, her eyes wide when they met his.
“How is she?” he whispered.
“She is very ill, Much, I will not lie, but she is lucky you showed up when you did. Matilda thinks that Emma will recover, but we cannot be certain until she wakes up.”
Much nodded, but he shivered as cold dread filled him.
“She will need care, as will the little girl.”
“Well, I will do it, certainly.” Much nodded decisively. “If Robin will allow it.”
Djaq smiled. “If you are going to care for two girls you are going to have to get over that you are not a girl.”
Much nodded, less certain this time. “Right. Of course.”
“Where is Mama?” called Avalee as she ran into the cottage.
Matilda started and sat up.
Avalee ran to her mother and dropped to her knees. “Mama, Mama, I sleeped at Much's house. Only it's not a house, it's a...it's a...” She looked up at him, the question in her eyes.
“It's a camp,” he supplied.
Turning back to her mother, Avalee said, “It's a camp. It's Much's camp.” She leaned over and peered at her mother and then looked at Much with disappointment on her little face. “Mama's still sleeping. When is she going to wake up?”
“Your mum had a very bad tummy ache. And Matilda gave her some medicine to make it get better, but it also makes her sleepy. In a day or two, she won't need so much of the medicine and will start to wake up. I promise.”
~*~
Emma opened her eyes and looked about, panic filling her. How long had she been out of it? And where was Avalee? Was she okay? Emma struggled to her elbows to look around, but dizziness swirled about her, and she fell back to her bedding. She took a deep breath.
Wait, what was that smell?
She sniffed again. Porridge of some sort. Who was cooking porridge? Who was caring for her and, hopefully, Avalee, as well.
Heavy footstep sounded and Emma turned to find Much approaching. Her heart thrilled to see him, but she forced herself not to show it. She was in his debt forever, but she could not continue to encourage his affections. She knew that now. She'd been foolish in entertaining the notion that she could change her lot. Or that she deserved happiness.
He smiled down her, his blue eyes full of surprise and joy and caring. “You're awake,” he said, kneeling next to her and placing a light hand on her forehead. “Fever's gone.
“You must be hungry, too. Let me get you some tea and some porridge. I think there are some currants left. Would you like that?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you. Where is Avalee?”
“Avalee is still sleeping. Quite the little snorer, isn't she?” he said, amusement tainting his voice.
“Yes,” she said softly, but avoided looking at him. He was so sweet and handsome and his feelings were written all over his face. She could hardly bear it.
He had probably volunteered to tend to her and Avalee. And if things had been different--if circumstances were different, if she were different, she'd welcome the chance to get to know him and spend time with him. However, she was pretty sure she already knew all there was to know.
He was a good man. He was caring and funny. Honorable and gallant. Courteous and considerate. Loyal and sweet. Good looking. He had a bit of a stomach on him, not that it bothered her. She was rather roly-poly herself. That he seemed to find her attractive baffled her. He looked to be well endowed in the man department, as well, but she could tell he was more innocent than not when it came to that. And that thought pleased her. Blessed would be the woman who was lucky enough to snare Much for a husband. But it couldn't be her. She didn't deserve him.
“Much!”
He jerked his head toward the sound, joy shining in his face.
Emma's heart broke. The pair of them had surely bonded. And the day she sent Much away forever would be hell for them all.
“Come here, honey, your mum is awake!” He sounded just as excited as a child. And honey? He called her little girl honey?
That Much cared so much for her daughter made Emma love him. But he was too good for the likes of her. She had no choice. As soon as she could, she had to send him away. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“Mama, Mama!” Avalee cried, dropping to her knees next to Emma. “You are awake--why are you crying?”
Much's eyes rounded as he studied her, worry marring his brow.
“Are you in pain,” he rushed to ask.
She shook her head and focused on her baby girl. “I'm happy to see you, Avalee. Happy to be awake and feeling better. I'm so sorry I left you alone--I didn't mean to.”
“Is your tummy hurting anymore?” Avalee asked.
“Just a little,” she said. Only a dull ache remained, although the pain in her soul would soon out-hurt the pain in her stomach.
“Much and me taked care of you.”
Emma nodded and offered her precious daughter a small smile. She looked at Much, sadness welling within her. “Thank you.”
Continued in Part Three
Author: JAGNikJen
Words: 2633/8105
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Incident of miscarriage and a somewhat graphic description thereof in part two
Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, Much, Robin, Djaq, et al. I have earned nothing from this endeavor but the joy that comes from the writing and the possibility of a nice comment or two.
Summary: Much finally finds a special someone or two to love.
Notes: There's a little something special for omteddy2006 in there somewhere. Can she find it?
~*~*~
Some Honey of His Own, Part Two
“Much gived me a bath,” Avalee said to the newcomer.
Djaq glanced down at the girl and smiled.
“What are you doing here?” Much asked.
“I saw Robin on his way to Locksley and he sent me. Where is the patient?” she asked even as she looked about the room and then headed straight for Emma. Djaq made a face when she dropped to the floor. She felt Emma's forehead with the back of her hand. “She is very warm.” She pulled back the blanket and gasped. “Ya lahwy.”
“What? What does that mean?” It couldn't be good. In fact, he knew it wasn't good.
“Much, open the windows,” Djaq instructed.
He moved to do so, but discovered he still had Avalee in his arms. “What has happened? Can you help her?”
“I do not know.... Much, she has miscarried.”
He looked from Djaq to Emma and back. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. “Wh-what? A miscarriage? She couldn't have. Her husband is...”
“Mu-uch,” called Avalee.
“Yes, honey,” Much said without thought. Emma had been with child. But how? And who?
“I am making mud, Much.”
“What? Oh. Oh, dear...” He glanced at the moist dirt and then carried her to the cot and set her down upon it. “I guess you need dry clothing now, too.”
“In the chest.” She pointed.
Much pulled a gown from the small chest and gave it to her. “Do you need help?”
She nodded.
Oh, dear. Wait, Djaq was here now. Djaq could help. “Djaq, can you help Avalee dress?”
“Me?” she asked, looking surprised.
“You are a girl, she is a girl.... I am not.” Much raised a brow.
Djaq smiled and nodded. She crossed to Avalee while Much scrambled for the windows and pushed open the dilapidated shutters.
Robin and Matilda stepped inside just then. Much looked at them both. Relief rushed through him.
Until Matilda sniffed the air, a sour look crossing her face. “Dear God.”
Much followed her to Emma’s bedside.
She yanked the bed clothes off Emma and the putrid odor filled the air.
“Oh, my God.” Much gagged and backed away, swiping a hand over his face.
The linens beneath Emma were saturated with blood and a pale blob--a tiny body--her baby--lay between crimson-stained legs.
“Damned quack,” Matilda exclaimed. “Get the girl out of here.”
“What do you mean, quack...?” Much asked.
“Whoever prepared this poultice included way too much tansy. It’s amazing she’s still alive, but there’s no way to know just yet if she’ll recover. There’s nothing to do but let it run its course. Someone will need to stay with her once we’ve gotten her cleaned up and settled.”
“I’ll stay.” Much turned to Robin. “Master, please let me care for her. She is...she is my friend. I-I care for her.”
Robin patted Much’s shoulder. “C’mon, let Djaq and Matilda tend to her first. Take Avalee to the camp. She cannot see her mother like this. And you should not be here either.”
“But...”
“But nothing. Avalee is going to need you. Someone she knows and trusts to take care of her.”
Much nodded.
“What if...what if Emma...?” He could not bring himself to think it, much less speak the words.
“I will bring the news,” Robin replied.
This time, the trek back to camp was not so easy. Worry about Emma made him clumsy. It was also darker, and Much had to go slower so as to a void the many pitfalls of the forest floor. Avalee was cranky, as well, wanting her mum and something to eat and to go back home.
Much was out of breath and huffing a bit as he staggered into camp, lifted Avalee from his shoulders, and set her on the ground. She slid an arm around his leg and her finger into her mouth as she regarded the three other men.
“Where is Robin?” asked John.
“And Djaq?” asked Will.
“And who is that?” asked Allan, pointing to Avalee. “She's not really your type, mate,” he said with a guffaw.
Much sent him a dirty look. “This is Avalee, and Robin and Djaq are at Avalee's house tending to her mother, Emma.”
“So what's for supper, mate?” Allan asked.
“You can eat tree bark, for all I care, mate,” Much snapped.
Avalee started crying.
Much was crouched next to her in an instant. “What's wrong, honey? Please don't cry.”
“I want Mama,” she said, rubbing her eyes.
“I know, but Mama has a big ouchie, and Djaq and Matilda are trying to make it better. And they need room to work. So we are going to stay here for a little while. Now, shall we find something to eat?”
The little girl nodded.
“Do you like cheese?”
She nodded again.
“Good. Then we shall have some cheese and bread and some nice cold water.”
Much gathered up the food and the water and led Avalee close to the fire. He found a good spot and sat cross-legged, pulling her into his lap. “Remember what we said about fire?”
“It's hot.”
“That's right. Now, here.” He handed her a chunk of bread and a chunk of cheese.
“Oi, wot about us?” Allan asked, waving a hand between John, Will, and himself.
Much looked up at Allan and was about to tell him to jigger off, but John spoke first.
“Much is busy tonight, Allan,” he said. “We are grown men, we can fend for ourselves for one night.”
Much's gaze flew to John's.
He nodded.
Much nodded once in return. Just when you thought you knew a person. John never seemed to like Much or have much use for him and then he goes and sticks up for Much. Huh.
Allan moved off to dig around in the larder, as did John and Will.
Much felt a little bad about not feeding John and Will. Especially John. He was a big man and probably needed more than bread and cheese to fill him up properly. But Allan...well, Much did not care so much about Allan. Leastways, not tonight.
“I want to go home,” Avalee said once she'd finished her bread and cheese.
“I know you do, but it is dark now and too dangerous to walk through the forest. We could get ouchies from walking into trees or tripping over rocks and roots.”
“Ouchies?” asked John, a ghost of a smile playing around his bearded mouth.
“Yes, ouchies. Right, Avalee?”
She nodded but yawned and rubbed her eyes again.
“How about I tell you a story?” Much asked.
Avalee nodded again, put her finger in her mouth, and settled into Much's embrace. If it were any other circumstance, Much could get used to this kind of evening.
“All right, then. A long, long time ago, there was a man named Noah. And one day, God told Noah to build a big, big, big, and, I mean big, boat. All Noah's friends laughed at him because he started building this boat on land and far, far away from any kind of water. But that's what God told him to do, so that is what Noah did....”
By the time he'd finished, Avalee was fast asleep, and Much's legs tingled from sitting in one position for so long with her weight on them. He couldn't even get up to place her in his bunk.
John finally had pity on him and relieved him of Avalee's sleeping form. Once Much regained the feeling in his legs and could actually walk again, he paced.
What was going on with Emma? How had she become with child? Why had she lost it? Was she going to recover? And if she didn't, what would become of Avalee? She was such a sweet little girl. Much could easily love her. Wanted to love her. Wanted to love Emma, too, and make them both his own.
But no one wanted him. To love him, least ways. And why should they? He was an outlaw. A smelly, dirty one, at that. He was only good for catching small animals and cooking them and keeping the camp clean. But not good enough--not worthy enough of love.
Much sighed and suppressed his sadness.
As the fire died down, John said, “You must sleep. You won't do the wee one or her mother any good if you wear yourself out with worry. Let us hit the sack.”
~*~
Much was already awake as the first tints of light trickled through the trees. He'd gotten up early to make porridge for Avalee, John, Will, and Allan. In order to make up for the lack of dinner the previous night, Much chopped up some dried apples and added them as a special treat.
“Mama!” Avalee's small voice rang out in alarm.
Much jumped up and headed for Avalee.
“Much!” called Robin, striding into camp.
Much whirled around, his heart in his throat.
“I want Mama!” cried Avalee again.
Much turned back toward the little girl.
Robin smiled sympathetically. “Go on, Much. Emma is holding her own.”
Much released a breath and hurried to his bunk. “Good morning, honey. We'll go to see your mum soon, all right. Let's have a bite to eat, shall we?”
The small cottage smelled infinitely better now than it had when Much had left the previous evening. A fire crackled quietly in the pit. Bright sunlight spilled in through the opened windows.
Snoring slightly, Matilda lay on the cot on which Avalee had changed the previous day.
Djaq sat against the wall next to Emma's pallet, her head leaning to the left and her eyes closed, legs strait out and crossed at the ankles. Her chest rose and fell in a deep even rhythm.
Much breathed a sigh of relief. Everything seemed better. It certainly smelt better. He crept toward Emma, trying not disturb her or Djaq.
But Djaq startled awake, her eyes wide when they met his.
“How is she?” he whispered.
“She is very ill, Much, I will not lie, but she is lucky you showed up when you did. Matilda thinks that Emma will recover, but we cannot be certain until she wakes up.”
Much nodded, but he shivered as cold dread filled him.
“She will need care, as will the little girl.”
“Well, I will do it, certainly.” Much nodded decisively. “If Robin will allow it.”
Djaq smiled. “If you are going to care for two girls you are going to have to get over that you are not a girl.”
Much nodded, less certain this time. “Right. Of course.”
“Where is Mama?” called Avalee as she ran into the cottage.
Matilda started and sat up.
Avalee ran to her mother and dropped to her knees. “Mama, Mama, I sleeped at Much's house. Only it's not a house, it's a...it's a...” She looked up at him, the question in her eyes.
“It's a camp,” he supplied.
Turning back to her mother, Avalee said, “It's a camp. It's Much's camp.” She leaned over and peered at her mother and then looked at Much with disappointment on her little face. “Mama's still sleeping. When is she going to wake up?”
“Your mum had a very bad tummy ache. And Matilda gave her some medicine to make it get better, but it also makes her sleepy. In a day or two, she won't need so much of the medicine and will start to wake up. I promise.”
~*~
Emma opened her eyes and looked about, panic filling her. How long had she been out of it? And where was Avalee? Was she okay? Emma struggled to her elbows to look around, but dizziness swirled about her, and she fell back to her bedding. She took a deep breath.
Wait, what was that smell?
She sniffed again. Porridge of some sort. Who was cooking porridge? Who was caring for her and, hopefully, Avalee, as well.
Heavy footstep sounded and Emma turned to find Much approaching. Her heart thrilled to see him, but she forced herself not to show it. She was in his debt forever, but she could not continue to encourage his affections. She knew that now. She'd been foolish in entertaining the notion that she could change her lot. Or that she deserved happiness.
He smiled down her, his blue eyes full of surprise and joy and caring. “You're awake,” he said, kneeling next to her and placing a light hand on her forehead. “Fever's gone.
“You must be hungry, too. Let me get you some tea and some porridge. I think there are some currants left. Would you like that?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you. Where is Avalee?”
“Avalee is still sleeping. Quite the little snorer, isn't she?” he said, amusement tainting his voice.
“Yes,” she said softly, but avoided looking at him. He was so sweet and handsome and his feelings were written all over his face. She could hardly bear it.
He had probably volunteered to tend to her and Avalee. And if things had been different--if circumstances were different, if she were different, she'd welcome the chance to get to know him and spend time with him. However, she was pretty sure she already knew all there was to know.
He was a good man. He was caring and funny. Honorable and gallant. Courteous and considerate. Loyal and sweet. Good looking. He had a bit of a stomach on him, not that it bothered her. She was rather roly-poly herself. That he seemed to find her attractive baffled her. He looked to be well endowed in the man department, as well, but she could tell he was more innocent than not when it came to that. And that thought pleased her. Blessed would be the woman who was lucky enough to snare Much for a husband. But it couldn't be her. She didn't deserve him.
“Much!”
He jerked his head toward the sound, joy shining in his face.
Emma's heart broke. The pair of them had surely bonded. And the day she sent Much away forever would be hell for them all.
“Come here, honey, your mum is awake!” He sounded just as excited as a child. And honey? He called her little girl honey?
That Much cared so much for her daughter made Emma love him. But he was too good for the likes of her. She had no choice. As soon as she could, she had to send him away. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“Mama, Mama!” Avalee cried, dropping to her knees next to Emma. “You are awake--why are you crying?”
Much's eyes rounded as he studied her, worry marring his brow.
“Are you in pain,” he rushed to ask.
She shook her head and focused on her baby girl. “I'm happy to see you, Avalee. Happy to be awake and feeling better. I'm so sorry I left you alone--I didn't mean to.”
“Is your tummy hurting anymore?” Avalee asked.
“Just a little,” she said. Only a dull ache remained, although the pain in her soul would soon out-hurt the pain in her stomach.
“Much and me taked care of you.”
Emma nodded and offered her precious daughter a small smile. She looked at Much, sadness welling within her. “Thank you.”
Continued in Part Three