A week later...

A flicker of flame shot up as Robert ignited the lighter. He burnt the tip of his cigar and puffed out smoke into the air. Ever since Gerrard was arrested, Robert could finally sleep without having those scary dreams.

It was amazing, truly.

The chatter of inmates and their visitors filled the visitor's room of the prison. A creak sounded and the burglary proof at the corner of the room opened and Gerrard walked out already dressed in a prisoner's coverall. Robert couldn't help but smile when he saw the cuffs at both Gerrard's legs and wrists.

Gerrard advanced to him, his dark hair already shaved clean. Clearing his throat he sat across Robert and settled his chained hands on the round blue table.

"Do you smell that?" Robert asked, sniffing the air.

Gerrard raised a brow lazily. "What?"

"It's the smell of victory."

Gerrard clenched his jaw and balled his hands into his fist. He wouldn't dare do anything. He would be adding to his sentences. Which may lead to a life sentence.

"I have to say, you were the last person I was expecting to visit me."

Robert released the smoke from his mouth, the plumes spreading on Gerrard's face. "Your mother is sick Gerrard."

His eyes widened with urgency.

"She has been unable to sleep since you were declared a national threat." This had happened a long time ago and no one had noticed. It was until recently that Helen told him. She said the maids at the Finley estate claimed she refused to even eat till her son was brought out of jail.

"How is she doing?" Gerrard asked, sighing.

"Bad. You're most likely to get a life sentence and she's scared at the thought of that happening."

"Where are you going with this?"

Robert put his hand inside his frock coat and brought out a piece of paper. He placed it on the table and crossed his leg over his lap.

"The Captain can pull some strings and try to get you twenty years. After you've signed this document stating that you were the one who killed all those people Mr Featherington was arrested for killing."

Gerrard chuckled. "And if I don't?"

"Then you'll get a life sentence and only God knows what will happen to your dear mother. You've taken lots of lives, Gerrard. You wouldn't want to add your mother to the list."

The rage was evident in his green eyes. Robert found it odd how he could easily have a conversation with the man that killed his friend. It seems that when he forgave himself for Howard's death, he also forgave Gerrard. By the way, he was going to pay for his sins the right way. Robert was glad he didn't take matters into his hands and spill his blood. Howard wouldn't have wanted that.

"It didn't have to be this way, Gerrard. You crossed the line when you killed my friend."

"If you're expecting an apology from me, you wouldn't get one." Gerrard leaned back in his chair and smiled. "But I have to say I am impressed that you managed to beat me."

"It was never a competition."

"Whatever you say, Your Lordship." He stretched out a hand and Robert gave him a pen and pointed to where he should sign. Robert was confident he would take the deal because as much as Gerrard acted tough, he could never want anything bad to happen to his mother because of him.

Gerrard signed his name and stood up. "Send my regards to my mother."

"I will." As Gerrard turned to leave, Robert called him. "And Gerrard..."

Gerrard's green eyes curiously looked down at him.

"I hope you become a better person while you spend your time away from society."

"There's no better for me, Your Lordship." Gerrard turned his back to Robert. "That ship sailed a long time ago."

******

Ella settled the flower on the grave of Howard. Things didn't have to be thing way. It appeared there was some truth to the saying, 'You can't have everything.' Ella couldn't fight back the tears that washed down her face. Howard was gone. There was no one to banter with anymore. Who would correct her when he did something silly? Or asked something stupid.

Robert held her shoulders and looked down at the grave of his friend. Howard had died for Ella to live. And for that, she was going to use the life meaningfully. She looked up at the beautiful countryside that was laid below. The meadows were endowed with fresh rivers and luscious valleys. Veins of the sun struck the greenery, popping its colour to the brightest form possible. At least Howard was going to have a beautiful view every morning when the sun rose.

"Howard would forever remain in our hearts," Robert said.

"Aye," The Captain said, dropping his bouquet next to the gravestone. It read; Sergeant Howard Lithstone. 1825-1848

She would never forget Howard. His jokes were irreplaceable. His sarcastic comebacks were to die for. But he was in a better place now. And Ella knew he would want all of them to be happy.

She wiped her tears with a handkerchief Robert gave her and side glanced at him. "I never got the chance to thank you for getting my father out of jail."

"You don't have to thank me. He's family."

He's family. Did Robert see her as family? She knew family was very important to him and the fact he classified her under that category made her heart do flips. She wanted to be his family. She wanted to build a fam- No, that was too fast. She wasn't even married to him.

Ella stop thinking of such nonsense.

"What are you both going to do now?" Captain Asher asked.

"We're going to complete the moon lamp," Robert said, smiling at Ella.

*********