Lola never thought that she would be sitting with her husband, gripping his hand and watching an execution. She wasn't exactly thrilled to be here, but she knew that she had to be.
“Are you alright?” Wesley asked, as he heard the executioners drum.
“Do you want to go back to the colonies?” she turned to him, suddenly.
“What?” he asked, turning to her. “What are you talking about?”
“I got an offer,” she said. “A few offers. We could go to all the colonies.”
“When?”
“As soon as possible,” she said.
“What is the rush, exactly?” he asked.
“I...” she bit her lip. “I'm with child. And I want to tour before I have the child. Because I know I might never get the chance to do so again.”
His jaw dropped.
“You're with child?” he asked. “Are you certain?”
“I'm certain,” she said. “And I know it will change everything, and I'm sorry but...”
“You're sorry?” he asked, confused. “Why would you be confused?”
“Because...you're having a child with an actress, who is not of noble blood...”
“Lola!” He threw his arms around her and kissed her, in front of everyone.
The drums stopped. She didn't open her eyes, didn't turn her head.
She heard the gasp of the crowd, and put her head on his shoulder.
It was over.
She heard people crying, and others trying to breathe properly. Worse, she heard applause and cheers.
There was death and then there was life. Life inside of her, to replace this death they had caused.
Whether or not Gilles had deserved it was a different matter.
“God Save the King!” came a cry from the crowd then.
“God Save the King!” came the echo.
Lola pulled her face off of Wesley, to see the crowd turning towards them.
“God bless you, Lord Bamber!”
“Bless you, Lord Bamber.”
“Aaron,” she said, in a strangled voice. “This is for you.”
“No...”
“It is,” Harold said, refusing to stand up. “This is for you. This is your welcome back.”
“Death and life,” Lola said softly to him. “Gilles is dead. But you are alive, at least.”
Aaron looked hesitant to accept the honor, but he rose, on shaky legs.
“God save Lord Bamber!” Matheson's voice roared, leading the applause as he stood.
It had been several years since Aaron, the favorite noble of the country, had received such praise and such adoration. As he looked out at the crowd, he realized that he had given up on ever seeing this again. It wasn't about basking in the sun or the praise; but rather being home, being recognized. Living his life in the sun rather than facing the ground.
“God save Lord Bamber,” Harold said quietly, to him.
“God didn't,” Aaron answered, as he raised his hand to the crowd. “It wasn't God that saved me.”
“Just promise to be available to watch my child,” Lola said, casually, which made him turn his head to Wesley.
“Did she tell you, then?”
“Aye,” Wesley answered, still in shock. Harold choked, leaning around Aaron.
“Lola...”
“I'll join the club that you and Aaron had exclusive rights to,” she put a hand to her belly. “It wasn't the best place to announce it but...”
“Ashes to ashes,” Aaron said, at last.
“Yes,” she said, as Wesley put an around her.
“We're done here, gentlemen, don't you think? It's come full circle.”
“I agree,” Harold gave one last wave to the crowd and then led the way, turning to go. Wesley lingered with Lola behind, making sure she moved slowly.
“To the colonies, though?”
“One last adventure,” she said. “I know it's controversial, but I thought I could tour until near the birth time...”
“And if the baby is born in a different country,” Wesley said. “Then it's a new start for our little family. I never wanted any child of mine to be tied to one life. I was...and it wasn't.”
“Even if they are the child of an actress?”
“Even if they want to be an actress,” he said. “Or an actor.”
“My my, if the nobility could hear you talk,” Lola said.
Aaron turned around then, eyeing both of them.
“Wesley, you look like you were run over by a carriage,” he said. “Did she tell you the news?”
“That she did,” Wesley replied, and Lola leaned into him. “She also informed me of our latest adventure.”
“So...we'll go?” Lola asked and Wesley paced a kiss on top of her head.
“Of course, my love,” he said. “I am never leaving your side again. And if our child is born away...then so be it.”
“I love you,” Lola wrapped her arms around him.