I referred to Ms Heliotrope as Mrs Digweed at points.

Cursed

The wedding was brilliant.

Lights, music, merry guests all over the place.

He had given her away to someone whom he trusts to be worthy enough otherwise as he had put it prior to him, he will chop off his head.

She is almost the most beautiful bride he had laid his eyes upon, almost.

She is rivalled only by one.

Today was a day where there was no room for misery.

Today was a day that reminded him of all kinds of misery.

He had the second dance as the father of the bride should.

"He'd have been so happy, so proud of who you grew up to be" his voice is low and gentle.

"For real?"

"For real, Maria"

"He'd have been grateful to you as well, Uncle Ben, you did a marvellous job putting up with the rock headed, hot tempered me"

"Can I have this dance with my wife, Uncle?" Robin barged

"Don't call me that" he glared "why did you have to practically marry such a jerk, Maria?"

He leaves them be and retires to the study.

"I knew you would be here" he could hear Mrs Digweed

"Why did you leave the wedding?"

"It is almost over, I came to check on you, Master"

"Really, Did they retire to their chamber?"

"Yes"

"My God, time has flown fast"
"for those who are absorbed in thoughts, She would have been ha…"

"Enough of that talk, Mrs Digweed"

He doesn't know if the curse extended or if it was sheer bad luck, for there lays his wife, screaming in the most heart wrenching sobs, as she is giving birth to their child.

Both her father and he are helpless as what to do.

He prays his heart out that everything would turn out fine.

The time drags slow and painful, before no more sobs, no more cries, no more anything.

And his heart is laden.

"She is pregnant" Heliotrope announced.

Robin was chirruping, she was smiling.

He stood mortified at the doorframe, before he took off.

He was afraid of losing her, as prior.

"You know you shouldn't have fled that way, Master"

"Leave me be now, Mrs Digweed"

"They were both put off by your treatment"

"I meant them no harm, I …"

"You are afraid It is a curse"
"I can't afford losing another one, I…, She was that bright sun that lit up my world after my brother just left, then she was gone. I only have that happy dim ray, Maria, she kept me sane, I can't lose her, Mrs Digweed, if you know a way so we can just get rid of that heavy curse in her womb"

"What the hell are you talking about? Have you lost your mind? Don't ever propose such thing in front of them, you plan on devastating them"

"Look Mrs. Digw..."

"Listen, you are going to forget all about that and you are going off to congratulate them properly, fine. Lay off all those stuff in your head, what ever meant to be will occur, besides any interference in such things might cause her huge health problems,so uncalled for. Wise up Master Benjamin, Wise up"

Later that afternoon, he gathered of what was left of his strength and dignity and went on to congratulate the couple with a happy cheerful smile, one that didn't reach his eyes.

He keeps counting the days, Nine months now.

At least this time he is prepared.

He had the best of infirmary workers overhead.

And he tries to convince himself that he is mentally prepared to lose another one.

History is repeating itself, for there lays his niece, screaming in the most heart wrenching sobs, as she is giving birth to their child.

Both her father in law, her husband and he are helpless as what to do.

He prays his heart out that everything would turn out fine.

The time drags slow and painful, before no more sobs, no more cries, no more anything.

He could see Mrs Digweed carrying a bundle.

"They are both fine" she smiles soothingly

It has been a little over a year since Loveday was born.

And oh what a girl is she.

Pretty as a moon, bright as the sun.

So warm and innocent with a beautiful smile that has his heart warming and leaping.

He catches a fever.

There he lies in bed with Mr and Mrs Digweed, wroth, Robin, his father in law and Marmaduke by his side.

She breaks in, carrying her daughter.

"I told you not to come here, or you will catch the disease" he says in between the coughs.

"I couldn't care less and she" she pointed to Loveday "didn't stop crying since you were locked in"

He smiled.

He was left to sleep with Maria beside him.

He stares at the sky above, and he feels chilly, abnormally chilly.

And oh he feels so happy, so blissful and happy.

He feels as though he is floating, floating through the pines and willows, floating above the stream.

He can see her eyes waving for him; he can hear her calling for him, asking him to see her God Daughter.

"Maria, Maria" he nudges

"Yes, Uncle"

"Go fetch Loveday"

He can feel her coming.

He can feel her hovering over him.

He can see her smiling at him.

Both Lovedays smiling at him.

She stretches her hand at him, and tells him to take it, so they can runaway, run far away in the woods, under the stars.

And as his surroundings slip away, he takes her hand.