“Her hand. It moved.” Weston repeated, and like an order, her left hand twitched one more time. And this time, Anne saw it.
“Oh heavens!” She exclaimed. “She's waking up. Weston, she's waking up!”
“Go fetch mother. And tell one of the footmen to go tell Irene.”
Anne nodded and hurried out of the room, her sharp, brisk footsteps matching Weston’s heartbeat. Weston watched fervently as Juliet's legs began to move as well. Soon, her eyes began to move underneath her eyelids. Weston held her hand and moved the hair away from her face. As he moved the last strand, Juliet’s eyes fluttered open.
Weston laughed in joyous relief, watching his wife's eyes open ever so gently.
“You're awake.” He whispered. He leaned down to kiss her hand gently and brought his head back to her face. “You're awake.”
***
The bright afternoon light penetrated through Juliet's eyes the first time she opened her eyes. She shut them back immediately, feeling the almost blinding effect.
“Is it the windows?” She heard Weston say and leave her side almost immediately. A few seconds later, she could hear the curtains getting closed. She opened her eyes again. Light still filtered into the room, but not as much as before. Weston had tried his best to close the windows.
“Am I—” Her voice trailed off as a cough overtook her. “Am I dead?”
“No. You are far from that.” Weston replied. His eyes reflected a mix of joy and immense relief.
“Oh, Thank heavens.” Juliet whispered. “For a while there, I thought I was.”
“You're not.” Weston replied, holding onto his wife's hands tightly. “You're alive. You're here. With me.”
A weak smile covered Juliet's face. She was not dead after all. Soon, her countenance changed almost immediately, and she started to look around.
“Estelle. Where is Estelle?” Her hoarse voice asked.
“She is fine. She was also waiting for you to wake up from your slumber. She will be glad to know you're up.”
“Well, I would hope so.” Juliet replied. She looked down at Weston and the entire room in general. The room looked tidied up and felt too neat, almost like it's been untouched for days. Her eyes returned to Weston, and she studied him carefully. His hair was messy, and it looked evident that he did not care about it. He had wrinkles underneath his eyes, an apparent sign that he had not been sleeping at all.
“How long was I unconscious for?” She asked gently.
Weston laughed again. “That is not important now. All that matters is that you're awake.”
Juliet sighed. “I heard you.”
Weston frowned in confusion. “What?”
“Everything you said. I do not know if it was some strange magic, but I heard everything you said. I wanted to hold back your hand and tell you everything would be alright, but I couldn't. I wanted to tell you not to blame yourself anymore and that nothing required forgiveness.”
“No. I should've done better in defending you. I let the disdain go on for too long.” Weston continued.
“I forgive you, Weston. Even though there's nothing to forgive.” Juliet continued. “And yes. I love you, too. I had fallen in love with you the day you caught me as I fell from the ladder.The day I saw who you truly were behind your mask. Masks are but a mockery of who we are. You told me that, remember?”
Weston nodded, the grin on his face wider than ever. “Yes. I do.”
“I saw you for who you are. A kind, impressive, witty, and intelligent man. While the circumstances that brought us together were not the best, I am glad that I walked out of the spring ball that night and met you.”
“Me too.” Weston replied.
“I also do not see the rest of my life unfolding without you in it. You have brought out the best in me, and I would never have had it any other way. I love you, Weston Edgeworth, and I hope, deep in your heart, that you love me just as much.”
“So it's a yes?” Weston asked, the anticipation on his face laced with joy and happiness.
Juliet laughed heartily. “It is a yes.”
