When I'm with you

Understanding

She turned off the light and slid deftly under the covers, snuggling contentedly against his warm chest. He reached out and held her close, kissing the top of her head. She smiled and nuzzled him.
- Is everything all right? - he asked.
- Yes, the children are asleep - said Esther, kissing her husband's neck.
- I asked if you were all right - William said, pulling her closer.
- Of course, why should it be otherwise? - asked Esther - the reception was excellent. The guests were happy.
Babbington took his hands away from her and drew back a little. There was so much excitement and concern in his gaze that Esther's breath caught in a sudden rush of tenderness.
- You know exactly what I'm talking about - Will said sternly, and Esther smiled, remembering that this was how her husband spoke to children. They adored their kind and caring father, but they never allowed themselves too much, intuitively understanding and accepting the authority of father in the house.
- I know, but do we have to discuss this? - she asked.
Esther was ashamed to bring up the subject of her brother.
- Yes - Babbington replied without hesitation - I want to know what my wife is thinking about, and most importantly, what she's afraid of.
- William, I - she began.
- I'm worried about you, Esther - he said, taking a deep breath.
Babbers couldn't finish the sentence, his own excitement and apprehension taking over for a moment.
- My God! I don't want him to hurt you again - Babbington said, sitting up abruptly - I hate him for what he did to you.
She sat up and put her hand gently on his shoulder.
- I'm really all right, Will - almost whispered Esther - Yes, it was unpleasant, maybe even insulting. No more than. I don't care about Edward, he doesn't have any power over me anymore.
Babbington turned and looked his wife in the eye.
- I love you very much - he said faintly - and I will do anything to protect you.
- I know - she whispered, gently wrapping her arms around him and holding him close - I'm so happy with you and I want you to know it.
He looked back and Esther saw tears in his eyes. She began to kiss William tenderly, longing to comfort him. Babbington took her in his arms and kissed her back, letting down her thick red hair with one hand.
Their kisses became impetuous and passionate, allowing Esther and William to forget everything and lose themselves in the tenderness they were happy to give each other.

It was well after midnight when Sidney and Charlotte finally reached the house. With a blanket wrapped around her to protect her from the night's chill, Sidney longed to be inside, take a shower together, and burrow into the pillows on his huge bed. He was talking to Charlotte about the Babbington children and his own nephews, and she was laughing at their funny antics. Looking at Charlotte, Sidney knew perfectly well that this girl was the only one he wanted to call the mother of his children.
When they reached the main entrance, they stopped and looked at each other anxiously.
- What the ... hell? What's all this about? - Sidney exclaim.
What he saw was not part of his plans.
- Do you think something happened? Or...? - Charlotte asked, frowning.
- We should leave everything as it is and go to bed -Sidney said confidently.
All this was beginning to irritate him.
- Are you crazy? - Charlotte asked - I hope you're joking.
- No, I'm very serious - he said, frowning slightly.
- Sidney, but this is ridiculous - said Charlotte with a smile - we can not leave them here?
- I think they're doing fine as it is - he said, still trying to keep a smile from his face - It's warm outside, it's unlikely to freeze, or at least I can leave them blankets.
- I'm more afraid of the two of them - Charlotte said.
- You're not the only one - Sidney agreed, rubbing his eyes wearily as he sat down on a small bench next to a large wooden swing.
Before them appeared a truly picturesque picture. Francis Crowe was asleep on the edge of the swing, his head thrown back and his long, thin legs stretched out in front of him. His dashing curls flew up every now and then, torn by gusts of wind, making the whole image very, very funny. Next to him, curled up with her head in his lap, Georgie fell asleep, carefully covered by his jacket. Looking at these two sleeping peacefully outside their friend's house, it was hard to imagine that just a few hours ago they had been arguing and calling each other obscene names. To complete the picture, an open bottle of whiskey stood next to the swing, clearly waiting for its moment of glory.
Charlotte came over and put her arm around Sidneyfrom behind, resting her chin on his shoulder.
- Shall I prepare the guest rooms? - she asked.
Sidney kissed her on the cheek, shook his head, and rose to cover them both with blankets.
- Don't worry - he said – Let them stay here, We all need to get some sleep. I'm not ready to talk to Georgie right now, and I'm not ready to talk to Crowe either.
- All right - said Charlotte.
He smiled affectionately and, putting his arm around her waist, led her into the house.
After taking a bath and changing her clothes, Charlotte sank into the pleasant coolness of the bed. A few minutes later, Sidney joined her.
He nuzzled the back of her head and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She smiled and snuggled into his arms.
- Is this crazy day over? - she said, giggling slightly at his brief kisses on her neck.
- Yes, and already a couple of hours ago - said Sidney, gently touching his lips to her ear - I'm so glad that you are with me now. This is the best reward for all the events of today.
She hesitated and held her breath, deciding to ask the main question. When he felt her stiffen, he pulled her closer to him.
- What is it? Are you all right? - he asked, his lips barely brushing her earlobe.
- I keep thinking about Eliza - Charlotte whispered - why did she come to Sanditon when you've already worked it out between you?
- You don't know Mrs. Campion very well. Eliza doesn't like to be contradicted, I've learned that over the past five years - Sidney said, and his voice was so hard that Charlotte wished she hadn't brought it up.
- Sorry... I really didn't want to - she said, not daring to move or break the connection between them - ... I thought...
He kissed her ear again and rubbed the tip of his nose against her temple.
- It's all right - Sidney said - Mrs. Campion is no longer a part of my life. Eliza had interfered with it too long already.
- What if she decides to hurt you...or us? - Charlotte asked, burrowing deeper into his arms - I'm afraid something will go wrong.
He sat up and turned her around.
- Look at me - said Sidney, smiling - I love you, and this time no one can separate us, not Eliza, Not Tom's idea, not anyone else. Do you believe me?
- Yes - whispered Charlotte.
- Everything will be fine, just calm down - he replied and tried to change the subject - you know, I promised Alicia tomorrow to go with them to the beach.
- I see - said Charlotte, after a moment's hesitation - I think I can keep myself busy for a while/
- I want you to go there with me - Sidney whispered, sending a shiver down her spine - I'm sure Mary will have a family dinner. I think we should tell them everything.
- Are you sure? - Charlotte asked, looking at him carefully, as if trying to read his thoughts - Maybe we're in too much of a hurry.
- No - he said, smiling - we've waited too long already. As many as five years. You've been a part of the family for a long time, and now you'll be a real aunt, and the children will love it, and Tom and Mary too.
- Did I tell you that I love you very much? - Charlotte asked coquettishly.
- I think I remember something like that - Sidney said, smiling - but to be honest, I'd love to hear it again.
- Sidney Parker, you're incorrigible - laughed Charlotte - well, I accept your invitation, but what are we going to do with our guests?
- Crowe and Georgie? - Sidney asked - I don't know why they're here. I hope it's nothing serious. Maybe they just came to tell you that they decided to get married?
- They? Well, this is not serious! - Charlotte said, raising her eyebrows in surprise/
- Why not? - Sidney asked, smiling.
- Crow and Georgie can't be left alone for a minute! They fight all the time and drive each other to white heat! - Charlotte exclaimed.
- As we do with you when we met - he said smiling - I remember how I took you for a maid?
- And then you told me off like a schoolgirl for giving my opinion - Charlotte continued - and was really rude when I tried to apologize.
- For telling the truth about me and my brothers - Sidney finished for her - But you paid me back when you impersonated me in front of Georgie and Otis!
- You should have seen your face then - giggled Charlotte - my heart sank from fear, I was ready to sink through the ground.
- But not confused, and attacked me with accusations, saying that I am cruel and inhuman and also a racist. I felt like a slave owner in Antigua in the 19th century - Sidney concluded.
- God, I told you so many things - Charlotte said, covering her face with her hands - I'm so ashamed. It was just awful.
- We're definitely worth each other - Sidney said, smiling - just like these two. Maybe Crowe and Georgie just need more time. They're both not as bad as they want to appear.
- Well, they're actually quite harmful - said Charlotte - and sometimes just unbearable.
- Do not argue - laughed Sidney - But there's nothing we can do about it.
She nodded and pressed her face against his cheek.
- We should probably get some sleep," Charlotte said, yawning - I'm just falling over/
- I suppose you are right, future Mrs. Parker - said Sidney, holding her close and tickling her neck with his stubble - can I call you that?
- As you please, Mr. Parker - said Charlotte, smiling - as you please.
Sidney laughed and gently bit her ear. She giggled and turned to him, covering his face with kisses, as if she didn't want to leave him even for a second. Being with Sidney was so easy and pleasant that Charlotte forgot everything and gave herself up to his power without a trace.