Chapter 72 - The Funeral

Vincent and Delaney rode home in silence, both lost in their thoughts. When they finally arrived at Edgewood, Delaney felt exhaustion unlike any she had ever encountered. She felt as if she'd aged years in a day.

Vincent didn't question her when she said she was tired and retreated to her bedroom. Worried about his wife though, he sent Ms. Bird along shortly after.

Delaney was relieved someone had told her maid about her friend's death. She didn't know what she would have done if the woman had burst into her room with a smile and asked her about the baby.

Instead, Ms. Bird came in and was quiet, not asking Delaney questions or trying to push her to talk. She helped her mistress out of her dress and took the pins from her hair.

"Is there anything else my Lady?"

"No," Delaney answered quietly, her voice scratchy, "Thank you Ms. Bird."

The maid left and Delaney pulled on her robe and sat down on her couch, tucking her feet up. It was too hot out for a fire so she sat and watched the dancing flames on the candles used to light her room.

A light knock on her door came sometime later and Vincent came in with a server close behind him, carrying a tray laden with food and drinks.

"Vincent I..."

"I know you may not feel like eating," he said quickly before she could argue, "But you need to try my Love."

She agreed to make him feel better more than anything. Vincent had enough to worry about without adding his wife's health to the list.

They sat at her small table together and ate. Delaney did more pushing the food around her plate than actually eating but Vincent didn't comment since she had at least eaten a bit.

Giving up at last, Delaney got up and got ready for bed. Vincent watched her as if she might shatter any minute.

When she crawled into bed, he took the tray with their dishes and what was left of the food and sat it outside her door. Delaney watched him with worry now, his leg giving him a lot of trouble after the long day.

"Will you come get in bed with me?" she asked quietly. Vincent gave her a warm little smile and blew out the candles before he made his way over, pulling off some of his clothes as he went.

Climbing into bed with his wife, Vincent held her and kissed her gently on the cheek. She snuggled up against him and found comfort in his warmth.

She closed her eyes and felt tears warm on her cheeks. "Vincent?"

"Yes my Love?" his deep voice rumbled through his chest.

"I don't... I don't want to ever have my heart broken like this again."

"I know."

"I don't know what I would do without you."

Vincent swallowed hard, looking up at the ceiling above them. "You know Delaney... if anything ever does happen to me... you'll be taken care of. I have made arrangements with my lawyer. You'll have your own estate and Miles can help you manage it if need be. You'll never want for anything."

"Except you," she said urgently, feeling more tears, "I would want for you."

"I know," he sighed, "But I just don't want that to ever be something you worry about. If we have children or if we don't, I've made sure you'll always be taken care of.

"I don't want you to talk like this," Delaney sat up so she could look at his face. He was very serious as he stared back at her.

"Alright," he agreed, "We don't have to talk about it anymore. You're exhausted. Let me hold you until you fall asleep."

Delaney nodded but kissed him before she moved back to her position. He slid his hand around the back of her neck to hold her there while he kissed her, slowly and deeply. When they came to an end, Delaney dropped back down in her place.

Her sleep was fitful and filled with memories of Olive, Bernard, and their baby Benjamin. But when she started to toss and turn too much, Vincent would pull her close again, kiss her, and whisper to her that everything would be alright.

Two days later, Delaney and Vincent dressed in black and got in the carriage to go to Olive's funeral. She felt exhausted even though she had spent most of the time since her friend's death in her bed.

Vincent kept a close watch on her as he had over the last days. Delaney knew he was worried about her so she tried to assure him as often as she could that she was going to be alright. He would nod but never seemed convinced.

Thankfully, the trip to the cemetery wasn't very far so Vincent wasn't in terrible pain. When they reached their destination, he took her on his arm and started for the plot where Olive would be buried.

Looking up, Delaney saw with sudden panic that there was quite a lot of people there for the funeral. It was a crowd.

"Vincent," she whispered and came to a halt, looking up at him with worry, "There are so many people."

"I know," Vincent swallowed and looked down, "But I would never make you do something like this alone."

Delaney looked at her husband then and felt the first tingling of happiness she had felt in days. She felt her heart warm in her chest.

"I love you you know," she whispered to him.

"And I love you, my Lady," he forced a smile for her.

The couple stood through the service, Vincent holding Delaney's hand tightly to offer his strength to her. 

Cora, Selina, and Constance stood with her and the four of them cried as they said goodbye to their best friend. When things were done, Delaney watched as her husband embraced Bernard, telling him how sorry he was.

The gesture made her heart leap for him.

Constance, who had been holding baby Benjamin, handed the child to Delaney so she could go speak to Olive's family.

Delaney held the warm, little, sleeping bundle in her arms and looked down on his angelic face. She hadn't held many babies in her life and found herself in awe of the way he fit perfectly in her arms.

"How is he?" Vincent asked quietly, getting back to her side now.

"He's fine," Delaney smiled lovingly down at the sleeping baby, "He's so perfect."

"You look perfect holding him."

Delaney giggled and looked at her handsome husband smiling at her. "I like holding him," she spoke softly.

"You're going to be a wonderful mother," he said quietly, reaching out and brushing back a lock of her hair, "Looking at you now, holding Benjamin, I can see it."

Delaney blushed but couldn't keep from smiling, "Do you think so?"

"I do my Lady."

Delaney looked down at the tiny baby in her arms and felt a stab of guilt. They were at Olive's funeral. She shouldn't be giggling and thinking about her future with Vincent. Today was a day to mourn.

Olive. How strange it was to think that when Delaney had her own children, one of her best friends wouldn't be around to see them. She would have to tell them stories. Benjamin too.

"Excuse me," a voice interrupted her thoughts, "Delaney? I'll take the baby now. I'm ready to go home."

Delaney turned and saw a red-eyed, broken looking Bernard. She shifted Benjamin into the mans arms, relieved that he had no trouble holding him, even with one less hand.

"I'm so sorry for your loss Bernard," Delaney apologized, "If you ever need anything, just let us know. We'll also try to come see little Benjamin as often as we can."

Bernard nodded, "Thank you. Constance has been staying with us as she promised. I don't know what we'd do without her."

"She loves you both," Delaney smiled sadly at him, "She loved Olive too."

"Yes," Bernard looked down at the tiny baby, "She won't be able to replace Olive but I think she will be a good substitute for Benjamin for now."

"Constance will take the best care of Benjamin," Vincent spoke up then, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.

Bernard swallowed and nodded, "Well thank you for coming. I want to get us home now. It's time to start a life alone..."

"You're never going to be alone Bernard," Vincent looked at him seriously, "You have your son now. And you'll always have all of us."

"Thank you," the shorter man whispered. He nodded to each of them before turning and heading back to his carriage.

"Let's go home my Lady," Vincent took her on his arm then and walked with her to their own waiting carriage.

The couple rode home quietly, sitting side by side. Delaney held Vincent's hand in both of hers on her lap. With the steady rocking carriage and the exhaustion from crying all day, she soon fell fast asleep leaning on her husband's shoulder.

That night home in her bed, Delaney slept in the security of her husband's arms, relieved they were together and healthy.