Vincent, Eve and Eugene left the Moriarty mansion and arrived at Dawson's residence in Meadow. There was a deep frown on Eve's face, and once they got down from the carriage, she quickly ran inside and made her way towards Lady Aubrey's room.
Her eyes fell on the older woman, who was now resting on the bed with her eyes closed.
Eugene said to Eve in a low voice, "Rosetta and I didn't notice the changes because Lady Aubrey made sure we didn't know. She has been coughing blood, and it is only now that I know about it. I should have understood when she said she wanted to wash her own clothes."
When Eve stepped into the room, Rosetta, sitting next to Lady Aubrey, went to get up. But Eve waved her hand for the vampiress to sit down and took the other side of the bed.
Eve's hand reached out to gently hold Lady Aubrey's hand, and the woman, without opening her eyes, said,
"Eve…"
"It is me," Eve replied.
"Of course, it is you. You and I, we have held each other's hand for so long, I can tell it with closed eyes," Lady Aubrey said slowly, and one could tell by her voice that the elderly woman was physically weak. She opened her eyes and she turned to look at Eve, who had tears in her eyes. "I am still here and fine."
Eve nodded, blinking the tears away from her eyes, and she complained, "You should have told Eugene or me, or Rosetta than suffer by yourself."
Lady Aubrey weakly returned the hold on Eve's hand, saying, "All of you have your plates full and I know you would be more than happy to take more, but things like these, I am old. With old age, a person's body starts to deteriorate."
Vincent said to Lady Aubrey, "Eve and I were hoping that you would help us raise our dozen children, Lady Aubrey." He had heard from Eugene that the human had not more than a year in her hand, and he could tell both Eve and Eugene were struggling as death was approaching. He stated, "I heard you don't want to extend your life."
Lady Aubrey smiled at Vincent's words, "It is true. Even if I do not make it through, I know with my full confidence… that they will be raised well. They are going to be smart, kind, beautiful and handsome children. Anyways, I still have lots of time… I am not dying any time soon and have a lot of time!" She snapped at them because of the amount of gloominess that was hovering in the atmosphere.
Eve returned the smile and said, "We will make sure every day counts, Aunt Aubrey."
"It has, Eve. It very much has," the elderly woman replied with warmth in her eyes.
After Lady Aubrey had lost her husband, life in many ways, had dulled down for her. Because of her previous status of being a governess, she had made connections and acquaintances, but that hadn't been enough to fill the emptiness since her husband passed away.
But then came the little girl with bright blues, and she loved her as her own daughter, raised her with everything she believed in and what a fine woman she had turned out to be.
"If you all want me to see you children, now is the best time to get to business so that I can hold them in my arms," Lady Aubrey looked at the four of them.
After two hours, Lady Aubrey went back to rest, while the four of them stepped out of the room. Knowing how Lady Aubrey was attached to this house, Eve didn't go to mention about having her moved to the Moriarty mansion. Not to mention, Eugene and Rosetta were now using the room which was hers before she got married to Vincent.
Eve said to Eugene, "Tell me if you need anything, Eugene. Anything at all, and we will do our best so that all of you are comfortable."
Vincent said to Eugene, "I will speak to the physician I know and he will come twice a day here to check on Aunt Aubrey, it would be good to be up to date than not knowing anything."
"Thank you, Miss Eve and Mr. Moriarty," Eugene thanked them.
While Vincent and Eugene began to speak about the Council and how Eugene's new work was going, Rosetta and Eve moved aside. The vampiress hugged her tightly and asked,
"How are you doing, Eve? We heard about your kidnapping today. Are you hurt?"
"I am fine now, Rose, thank you for asking. I somehow got healed," Eve replied to Rose and then she said, "How about you? How are you doing?"
Rosetta nodded, "I think I am alright. Though I miss Eugene when he's away for work, Lady Aubrey has been teaching me a lot of things. I now know how to make salted butter and bread sandwiches and even just bread."
Eve had a proud smile, realising how much Rosetta was learning and improving herself. She said, "Maybe we can sit down and eat one of these days."
"I think it would be lovely! Lady Aubrey will be happy to have you here too," Rosetta beamed with a wide smile before her smile vanished. "I wish everything was okay… Now Lady Aubrey is sick and my parents…"
Eve placed her hand on Rosetta's arm and said, "I heard Eugene and you visited."
"Mm. Our meeting seemed fine," Rosetta nodded again and then innocently said, "They were in a horrible condition there and I wanted to bring them here, because of how guilty I felt. Lady Aubrey also told me it was fine, if I wanted them to come live with us, after all they have nowhere to go. She said it would be interesting… but then I thought, maybe they could use some more time in the dungeon before they come here?"
Eve stared at Rosetta before nodding, "I guess so."
She made a mental note to ensure that Rosetta's parents wouldn't attempt to kill Lady Aubrey if they stayed here. She turned to look at where Vincent and Eugene stood, and met her pureblooded vampire's eyes, who seemed to know what she was thinking as he smiled at her.
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