Chapter 6
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Mrs Filan health is getting worst and she never did get up out of her bed. One evening, Alice drew up a chair and sat down beside her bed. "I sometimes that that life would have been terribly boring without you to keep me company." "Nonsense !" Alice protested, taking the thin hand between her own. Alice, that's what I like about you, and why I'm so happy with Shane choice. It would have been dreadful had he married someone I couldn't get on with. "Alice flinched inwardly. "Shane wouldn't have married anyone you didn't approve of , nana." "Love is funny thing, Alice." He married you because he loved you, and my approval was by the way. "He married you because he loved you, the words echoed through Alice. "Oh, god if only it was true !" Mrs Filan signed and closed her eyes, but Alice remained beside her, then sliding her hand carefully from beneath hers, Alice left the room quietly. "He married you because he loved you, Mrs Filan remark keep returning, and choking back the tears Alice fled down the passage into Shane she emerged from his room. Shane, I must speak to you. She said urgency that made him glance of her sharply before he drew her into his room and closed the door. "What is it ? "Shane, I can't go on leaving this lie, "she choked out the words. "We must tell your nana the truth. It isn't fair to let her go on thinking that we-that we're happily married. It isn't fair ! "It's just that I feel so terrible guilty each time she talks about us and she talks about us often. "Isn't that an indication of how happy it's make her to know that we're married ? "he asked, placing a hand beneath her chin and raising her face to his. "Do you want to take that happiness from her now when it meant so much to her? Alice drew a shuddering breath. I wouldn't do anything to make her unhappy, you know that. She turned away and buried her face in her hands. I love and respect her too much to continue with this force." "You promised!" she doesn't deserves it, Shane. Please ! He turned her to face him. "Are you going back on your words ?" "No, I shan't go back on my word. The following Sunday evening, Alice and Shane stood beside Mrs Filan bed in the room. Alice experienced again that feeling of guilt as Shane's arm lightly circled her waist. "I 'll look in on you again, Nana, he said after a while. I have a meeting with Louis and the lads. "Of course, she smiled. "Alice will stay and talk to me. "You shouldn't tired yourself so, nana, "Shane said. "It's never tiring to listen to Alice speak, "she replied . "She has the kind of voice that's so soothing it would make the angels sit up and take notice. Don't tell me, Shane, that you've never noticed?" "Naturally, nana that's one of the reasons why I married her, "he replied, flicking a glance over Alice's cheeks. I'll see you later as well. "His hand was warm against her side as he drew her closer and kissed her. Then he walked out. Alice pulled up a chair and sat down beside the bed. Mrs Filan said weakly. "Is everything as it should be between Shane and yourself? " Alice feel uncomfortably. "What-what do you mean, nana ?" "Oh, I don't know, I suppose, but I sometime get the feeling something is wrong, and it troubles me. "There is something, isn't there?" "No, no of course there isn't, "Alice…you lie so badly, and I'm not a fool. I love you as through you were my own grand- daughter, so won't you confide in me ? "Alice felt trapped between the desire to tell the truth, and fear of breaking her word to Shane. "I can't ! I promised---" You promised Shane, you wouldn't speak to me about it? Mrs Filan cut in. "Yes". "Do you love my grandson, Alice ? "I-- yes, very much, "she admitted. Ah…then it doesn't matter that he rushed you into this marriage. "you….you know?" I suspected it and you're just confirmed it. "Oh, nana! You tricked me. "Alice rebuked her gently. "Yes, she laughed softly. Her hand gripped Alice's hand. "I must know the truth, my dear." If Shane----" Tell me." So, she told her everything then she said that he's be able to help Bruce. He's such a nice boy. "You do want it to be a real marriage, don't you? I lie very badly, remember? Mrs Filan nodded. "Yes, you do, and I know you meant it."
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During the next few days as Mrs Filan's condition grew steadily worse, a new fear replaced Alice's feeling of relief. "You've been very thoughtful lately. "Shane said he followed her out after dinner. "Care to talk about it? Alice pushed her hair away from her forehead, I've been thinking about your nana--and about us? "Your thoughts about nana I can understand, but what is it about us that troubles you ? "Just our marriage- she replied. "Are you in a hurry to be free, Alice…? "You make that sound as though you're asking me whether I'm in a hurry for your nana to die, and you know I'm not, I----"Alice ! he interrupted, forget my nana for the moment. Are you in a hurry to be free of me ?" N--not particularly. "And what exactly does that mean? He asked. "Well , I'm not going to rush to a lawyer the moment---the moment---"Oh, Shane!" "Alice" His hand moved moved across her shoulder, and came to rest against the nape of her neck, his caressing fingers sending a tingling sensation along her nerves. "Don't ……please !" "When you tremble like this I want to hold you in my arms, "he said. Do you think that some day you might consider giving our marriage a chance ? "You mean---make it a real marriage ? she asked. "Why not? Would it be so impossible? "I--I don't know," she whispered. "I shall have to think about it. A smile touched his lips. I shan't rush you, honey. Take your time. There are other times when I've wanted to kiss you. Before she could protest, his lips had fastened to her and all desire to resist was swept aside as his arms drew her close against the hardness of his body. "No more please, "she begged, her hands against his chest. "Then stop trembling. "I 'm not trembling. "Liar," he laughed softly against her throat. "Alice, you will consider my suggestion ?" Yes--yes, I said I would, she replied. "Shane, let me go". "Must I" ? "Please !" His heart touched her heard- is beating so fast. Shane, please. All right !
Two days later, just midnight, Alice stood beside Shane's bed and shook him gently. "Sweetie", he murmured in his sleep, drawing her closer. "Shane, your nana is asking for you." He hurry getting up from the bed. It was the last time, Mrs Filan spoke to anyone, for less than an hour later, she went into a coma and gone. I’m so sorry, Shane," said Alice, catching a trembling lip between her teeth as he turned away from the window. It sounds so terrible at a time like this, but---" "I know, " he cut in, his voice touching her heart as he drew her head down on to his chest. Her arms circled his waist and they clung together for a moment. I'd better go and shave, they'll be plenty to do this morning. "If there's anything I could do to help ? "Shane nodded. "You could telephone Louis, Anto and the lads, the rest I'll see to myself. Sister Johnson remained until after the funeral, while await for the taxi, she handed a sealed envelope to Alice. Mrs Filan asked me to give you this when it was over, she told Alice. "She was most explicit about that, and that you had to be alone when I gave it to you. " Alice stared at the shaky handwriting on the envelope and blinked back her tears. "Thank you, Sister Johnson, and thank you for everything you did for Mrs Filan. I'm sure my husband has spoken to you already. "Sister Johnson nodded, then as her taxi arrive, she held out her hand and clasped Alice's. "Goodbye, Alice, and God bless. " Alice stared at the envelope in her hand and she going into her room where she could be alone, she slipped her thumb beneath the flap and opened it.
My dear Alice. I want you to know that, had I been able to choose, I could not have chosen a more loving and dear wife for my grandson, and knowing the truth, I am happier that I deserve to be. I'm confident that your love for Shane will find a way to overcome the obstacles between you, but may I issue a word of warning--don't enter into a real marriage. Tell Shane that I knew the truth before my death, and tell him, too, that my happiness was even greater knowing that my grandson loved me enough to go to such length to ensure my happiness.I love you both very dearly, and I know that one day you will be rewarded for you loving kindness towards the impossible old woman than I am." It was signed. "Mrs Filan, Alice, strangled by the tears she could no longer control, fell across her bed and wept until she felt drained and shaky, and considerable calmer.
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