Alfonsina Garcia's Bedroom

Edward made his way to Alfonsina's room and knocked gently on the door. With a silent movement he unlatched the door and saw Alfonsina playing with Thomas. He laughed heartily and walked towards them...

While she was playin with Thomas , someone knocked the door and then came in. Alfonsina saw it was Edward. She smiled as he was walking towards them.

"Welcome , love.."

Edward smiled and tapped Thomas's nose and kissed Alfonsina's neck,"How are you?"he asked and sat beside her.

She smiled after he kissed her.

"I am well husband. What about you?"

She looked at him and added.

"Your mother was here.."

"Mm I am good,"he said and kissed her hairs, hugging him from behind as he sat down.

"What? My mother is at court!"

She laughed a bit.

"Yes.. She was here a while ago. We talked a little bit."

"She did not say she was coming-I am sorry she sprung upon you...Anyway, how is my son?"Edward said with a smile.

She shook her head.

"I am glad she is here Edward. She has more experiences about raising a child. It's like God sent her to me. We talked about really useful things."

Then she smiled and looked at Thomas.

"He is good. I think he needs some sleep."

Edward nodded and then whispered,"I have a surprise for you..."

She smiled and stoop up , then kissed Thomas nose and put him in the cradle. He was asleep. Then she turned to Edward and looked at him directly.

"Oh my love.. You are spoiling me.."

"I don't have it with me...can you meet me tonight? Perhaps my mother or Elizabeth...maybe Margaret could look after Thomas for a while?"Edward said and pulled her gently closer to him by the waist.

She looked surprised.

"Of course love.. But I started to wonder about it very much."

She giggled and kissed his cheek softly.

Edward grinned and kissed her warmly on the lips, taking her face in his hands,"St James Park tonight,"he whispered between kisses and then mumbled,"I must go just now but I will wait for you tonight my love."

She nodded and smiled while he was kissing her. Alfonsina was loving Edward so much that she couldn't explain with her words. Then she whispered.

"I'll be there my love.."

Edward nodded and kissed her again with a smile-he could not bear to leave her but he must. So with a kiss and a sigh, he bowed and rushed away.

While Alfonsina was washing herself , she fainted. When she opened her eyes , she barely dressed up and lay down bed. There was no one. She barely stood up , and went out. Seh came across with a servant and she told him to call Edward. Then she went back to her bed.

Edward rushed to Alfonsina's room after the servant reached him and said Alfonsina was not well. He tried the door and walked in. She lay on her bed and looked ghostly pale,"My love what is wrong?"

She saw that Edward came. She smiled barely. Her smile was so weak that it was not obvious. She gulped and tried to speak. Everytime she breathed , it was like that a bone of hers was breaking.

"I don't know love.. I don't feel well , not at all..."

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Edward knelt beside her and took her hand,"Oh I am sorry,"he whispered and held her hand against his face.

"Do you want me to get a physician?"

She nodded.

"Yes.. Maybe it is the best way. Because I can't feel my leg. I tried to stand up , it was a torture for me. And everytime I speak or even breathe , I feel like a bone of my is breaking."

Edward nodded and kissed her hand softly. He then ran out the door and found an old physician.

He urged him to come and see Alfonsina. The man came to Alfonsina clutching a bag of herbs and another of instruments. He bowed his head as he entered and began to speak with Alfonsina. He asked her the symptoms and Edward stood in the corner of the room with his arms folded.

When the physician came , The body of Alfonsina was shaking. After he came , he started to ask about the symptoms. Alfonsina tried to talk.

"I think I have a fever. Also, my body is shaking now. My whole body is paining. Also I feel very tired that I haven't got the strentgh to raise my hand."

The physician listened to her and then he examined her carefully. After that , he looked at Alfonsina and then Edward.

"I am afraid your wife has puerperal fever. I think she didnt have enough rest after your son's birth."

Edward stared wide eyed at the doctor-puerepal fever...his grandmother died from the illness. He nodded through wet eyes and thanked the doctor.

As the physician was leaving he whispered in the door way,"Will she...will she survive?"
The door simply shrugged,"It could go either way, Your Grace..."

Edward nodded and shut the door. He then rushed to Alfonsina's side and kissed her hand,"I'm so sorry, my love,"he buried his head beside her and fought back tears.

She watched them silently. After Edward came near her and she saw him with tears. She started to talk.

"Ssh.. Edward please.. I'll be okay."

She gulped. She just said it. She didn't know anything.

Edward knew how dangerous the disease could be-it was common a few survived. The physician was right...it could go either way.

He took Alfonsina's hand and smiled weakly,"Anything you wish for-anything-I will get for you,"He paused and whispered,"I love you."