Marriage isn't so bad

Diary of Alexander Chetwood

Marriage is great

1735

Marriage hadn’t been such a horror after all. Alex found himself very much in love with his lovely wife, Dorcas. They had yet to have children, but he dreamed of the time that she would grow large with his child. The families had been overjoyed when he asked Dorcas to marry him. The wedding had been the event of the summer. Alex had wanted to wait until it was cooler, but Dorcas refused. Maybe it was because she knew that her dress would look best in the summer sun, or that Alex might just change his mind on the marriage.

“Love, you are off in the past again.” Dorcas declared that when she had tried talking to him, he didn’t seem to hear her.

“Yes, thinking of our wedding,” Alex told her with a bright smile on his face. He could recall every detail of that day. Even more of that night.

“That was five years ago,” Dorcas exclaimed, when it shouldn't have really surprised her.

“I do love, but I still think about how lovely you were that day. The way your white dress looked on her slim body. The silk and satin almost shone in the summer sun.” Alex could still picture her in that gown, how she had almost tripped twice coming down the aisle.

“You make it sound like I was an angel.” Dorcas knew that Alex could paint a picture with his words. It always brought a blush to her cheeks.

Alex didn’t say anything to that; he knew what he felt, and it had taken years for him to admit that he had loved Dorcas for years. The night of the party, he had been overcome with the memories of life with Dorcas playing a major role. Simple things can sometimes make a man see life in a new light.

“We are going to be late for the Opera.” Alex had noticed that she hadn't gotten ready for their night out.

“I would rather stay in tonight.” Dorcas looked at him, then away. She didn't want him to see her face. The way she had been feeling poorly lately.

“Are you feeling alright, love?” Alex was at her side in a moment, making sure she was well enough to go out.

“Alexander, I’m fine, just a slight headache.” Dorcas touched her forehead, then his hand, making sure he understood she was alright.

Alex looked at his face and could see the slight tint of black under her eyes. The way she had lost weight, and how she seemed to have trouble standing up. He would call for the physician if he thought they would know anything. Alex had seen her getting sick for the last few weeks. She had trouble keeping anything down.

“Dorcas, my love, I think you need to see a doctor,” Alex called out to the butler. Knowing that Dorcas would fight him about seeing a doctor.

“Alexander, my love, we have discussed this before. I’m fine.” Dorcas hated it when he tried to get her to do things she hated.

“I would hate to argue, but you are not fine,” Alex told her with a sigh. He didn't understand why she couldn't just get the doctor to come out.

Alex stood to stand in front of his wife. When he took her hand, he could feel the cold in it. The fact that she was shivering worried him. He turned to the butler when he entered the room.

“Travis, please call for the doctor.” Alex had noticed the change in her. The way she didn’t want to do the things she loved.

“Really, Alex, I don’t feel bad. Just a slight headache.” Dorcas knew that he wouldn’t stop until she saw the doctor.

“Dorcas, you are my wife, and you will let the doctor check you over,” Alex ordered her, but knew that his harsh words wouldn't work on her.

“Alexander, you are an overbearing bear of a man.” Dorcas knew that she loved him and would do as he wished. It was fear that kept her from seeing the doctor. What would the doctor tell her or him? She was rather sure she knew what was going on.

It made her love for him grow when he would insist she see a doctor right away.

“You love me for being so. Let me take you to bed.” Alex helped Dorcas stand, but she couldn’t keep her feet under her. He picked her up and carried her to her bed. The room was chilly, so he called his maid. With the fire roaring, he could feel the chill leaving the room. He pulled down his waistcoat as he sat on the edge of the bed. Dorcas lay on the bed with her dress still on. The long train was trailing over the side. The green fabric with the floral design almost shone in the firelight. The long sleeves seemed to swallow her arms and hands. A knock at the door had Alex jumping up off the bed to open the door.

“Thank god, come in, please.” Alex opened the door to see the doctor standing there.

“Came as fast as I could.” The doctor seemed out of breath, but still fully aware of what was around him.

“Thank you, Dr. Slatters.” Alex walked back to the bed to hold his wife's hand. He watched as the doctor put down his bag and seemed to slowly take off his frock coat.

“Let’s go over what is going on.” Dr. Slatters looked at Dorcas, then at Alex.

Dorcas didn’t seem to want to tell the doctor anything. Alex finally told him everything that he had seen.