Disclaimer: I do not own any of Jane Austen's works.

Persuasion

He pulled out a sheet of paper and looked at me pleadingly. I could feel myself growing tired. I stayed up last night reflecting on my life, reliving Frederick and my path together. Though I felt anxious, Why would he write a note to me? He is gone. I take the note and read

`I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in

F. W.

`I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never.'

I started to shake uncontrollably.

"Anne, Is something wrong" I heard Charles ask. He was in front of me.

" Oh dear… Charles get a coach to take her home." Mrs. Munsgrove told Charles. I felt like my head was spinning. I couldn't comprehend the words of the letter.

"Anne… to whom shall I call for" I heard Charles. His face appeared in my head.

"Captain Wentworth." I whispered.

Charles heard me. "You want me to get Captain Wentworth "he repeated disbelievingly. I nodded. Charles looked at his mother and then looked at me, the shaking lightened. He left quickly.

Mrs. Munsgrove looked out the window, "Captain Wentworth seems to be worried by the way he's moving". I heard the door open.

I looked up and saw his worried eyes looking down. "Mrs. Munsgrove…Charles May I ask if me and Miss. Elliot Could speak privately." He calmly asked staring at me with hope. I started to shake again, suddenly gained a fascination of my fingers. I heard him pull up a chair beside me.

He gathered my shaking hands. "Anne, share your thoughts with me". I shook my head, not believing that this conversation is about to start. "did it disgust you that badly., that you became ill. If so, I will leave at once. Never hear from me again?" He rushed this letting go of my cold hands.

I shook my head again, "No Fred…. I mean Captain; I just can't believe this letter. Are you sure this is for me and not another". He lifted my chin "how can you ask that? It is for you… I'm sure… I have always loved you."

I met his eyes, which were glowing "Yes, Frederick".

"Yes, what Anne?" confusion written on his face.

"I will be yours again" I declared.

Joy glowed in his eyes"… and marry me" he stood up his hands pulling mine up.

I stood up from the chair and whispered "I will". He gently smiled and leaned thus kissed me after eight and a half years

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