Chapter Text
The house was cold on Christmas Day, and not only because of the weather. Everyone at Jelliston Park felt a deep melancholy in their hearts for Sunny, who remained so sick, each person sorely missing her sweet disposition on such a special day. No one celebrated. The family each took their turn at Sunny's sickbed and though she did not worsen that day, Klaus doubted she could really get much worse.
Halfway through that quiet day, a carriage arrived, and Rosie announced that Mr. and Mrs. Quagmire had arrived. Violet and Klaus met them in the parlor, where Charity embraced Violet so tightly, crying into her shoulder. Quigley spoke, "I regret what has happened here these last few weeks. I have been gone from home too long and was unaware of the change in my sister's disposition. Violet is not the only one who has suffered at the hands of Isadora." He looked at his wife with sad eyes. "My Charity now admits to being bullied from day one. I wish she would have told me sooner, but now that we have more than just us to think about, I won't tolerate her to suffer, especially at the hands of my own family."
"I did not want to cause trouble," Charity chimed in, and Klaus noticed how she held her belly in a protective gesture.
"Charity! Are you with child?" asked Violet exuberantly, showing joy in the prospect.
"I am," the young girl admitted happily, wiping her tears away. "But after what we witnessed last night, well... Dr. Baudelaire, I commend you and my husband for your reservation. My brothers would have seen the end of Mr. Arthur if he had treated any of my sisters in such a manner."
"Anyway," said Quigley, shaking his head at the memory. "We're leaving a bit early for London. We're on our way right now, in fact, but we had to come to see you," continued Quigley. He turned to Violet, addressing her, "I am so sorry for ever bringing that scoundrel into my home. He has caused much unhappiness. James was a fine man for the sea, but he is no longer a friend of mine. He departed our house before sunrise this morning."
"But how is little Sunny?" asked Charity, changing the subject.
"She is not well, to be honest," answered Klaus. "But we pray that she will recover quickly."
"As do we," said Charity, and they made their final goodbyes.
Weeks passed, more than Klaus had intended to wait, but he couldn't bear to leave Violet behind, and she couldn't bear to leave Sunny while she was sick. They spent many quiet days planning for their apothecary and Violet packed that favorite old tome of plants from the library. Justice Strauss was sad when they announced they were moving to Blockley, but also a little relieved to be freed of responsibility for this stubborn pair of siblings. It was agreed all around that Sunny would stay at Jelliston Park to finish her education. Justice Strauss would never part from Sunny, and she was the closest thing the young girl ever had to a mother.
Eventually, the fever lessened, the labored breathing eased, and though it would take some recovery still, it was a blessed day when Klaus announced that Sunny was free from her infection. Violet spent almost every minute those last couple of days at Jelliston Park by Sunny's side, savoring every single second with her, until finally it was time to say goodbye. "We'll be back before you know it," Klaus assured the sisters. "It's only a three hour ride, and when it's warm Sunny can come stay with us for a while."
Not having a carriage of their own, Violet and Klaus could only bring a few belongings and their clothes. Each rode their own horse, which saddened Jack, who loved those creatures, but the friendly stable boy helped them load their things onto the horses. They dressed in their warmest traveling clothes, coats and cloaks, because even though the sun shone brightly the morning the two oldest Baudelaires departed Jelliston Park, the air remained icy cold.
Once on the road, Violet's smile grew wider as the miles passed. She admitted to enjoying the prospect of the long journey on horseback and Klaus was glad to see her so cheerful. It had been a very long time since she had even left the village of Portage. His sister had not been sad these past weeks exactly, but worried, of course, for Sunny, for their future, and reserved with her feelings towards Klaus. Not that he had pushed it. He was more than content with her decision to come with him, so followed her lead on their conduct towards one another. For now, at least.
Having to pass through several villages as they traveled, they stopped briefly to eat lunch at an inn, but Klaus was anxious to get to Blockley. He looked forward to showing Violet their cottage, which was called Little Laurel, and the apple orchard just to the south of the house. He couldn't wait to tell her that he had ordered a brand new stove and new bedding. He told her that he had hired help, a young girl named Janie, that he was sure Violet would soon adore, who would come to Violet clean and cook twice a week. Janie's family lived only a mile away, farming the land that neighbored them, and her parents had many mouths to feed, so were very grateful for any extra money that came in.
It was early afternoon when they wound around the lonely road on the outskirts of the town that led them to Little Laurel. Klaus was very glad not to have to pass through the village to get to their cottage. He hoped for a few days alone to get settled, for Violet to feel comfortably at home, before they started receiving visitors and medical summons. Violet was appropriately appreciative at her first view of her new home. It was set on the side of a gently sloping hill, the winter skeletons of apple trees could be seen off in the distance. The house was made of stone, and the lit windows and dark door made up a cheerful, if not weathered, face at their arrival. Everything was covered by a deep layer of snow, though someone had swept a small path to the front door. Violet seemed surprised to see smoke coming from the chimney, and Klaus assured her that Janie would meet them today, that he had written ahead so that she could get the house ready for Violet.
They put their horses in the barn, where there was hay and water laid out for them, then carried their few belongings to the house. Janie, a dark haired girl of about 15, dressed in shawl and clean apron, waited for them on the front step. "Hello, Janie!" greeted Klaus. "This is my sister, Miss Baudelaire. How are you?"
"Very good, sir. Good to meet you, Mistress." She gave a little curtsy then rushed to help Violet carry her bag.
"The pleasure is all mine," greeted Violet.
"The beds are all made, sir," she informed Klaus, as she took his coat and Violet's cloak and hung them by the door, "and the fires are all lit. It sure has been cold. How was your long ride from Portage?"
"It was pleasant enough, but it is good to be here now, don't you think, Violet?" Violet agreed, looking all around, seeming eager to explore.
"My mother sent along eggs, cheese and a fresh loaf of bread to get you started on supper. Father came by this morning to make sure your well wasn't frozen and I've fetched you some water on the stove."
"You've thought of everything, clever girl," praised Violet, and the young girl seemed pleased.
"Remember not to tell anyone we're here yet, if you don't mind, Janie? We need a few days to get settled into the place. Can you come again in three days? Then we can take a trip together to the village to get some supplies. We'll know better what we'll need by then."
Janie nodded. "Would you like Dr. Baudelaire to carry you home on his horse, Janie?" asked Violet.
"No, Mistress. I have little BlackJack tied up on the side of the house. Can't walk too far in this deep snow and my brother lets me borrow his pony when he's not using him."
"Very well. Thank you so much for making the house so cheerful. See you in a few days." Walking her outside, they made sure she got on her horse and was riding away safely before going back inside.
Klaus shut and locked the door behind him, feeling a sense of relief. He was finally starting his own life. It felt good, like shedding old skin, and exciting, like kissing your love for the first time. He watched, amused, as Violet pulled open every cabinet and drawer, taking a quick inventory of the house, running her hand over the furniture, and admiring the new stove.
Klaus grabbed their bags and led her upstairs, through a narrow hallway where several bedroom doors stood open. The first one he showed her was a small corner room, but cheerful and sunny with its two windows, white walls and warm blankets on the bed. "This can be Sunny's bedroom when she comes to stay with us."
Next, he pulled her into a room full of shelves and cabinets, with a thick rug on the floor in front of a glowing fireplace, along with two comfortable looking armchairs. There were curtains on the window and a lovely wrought iron bed, also made up with thick, warm bedding. "This is your room, Violet, to do with as you please," Klaus announced, but he didn't set her things in there. He bade her to keep following him to the last room at the end of the hall.
The door was open and the large room was warm from the generous fireplace. The bed was twice as large as the previous two Violet had seen, also made from wrought iron and covered in new luxurious bedding. There was a bedside table on each side of the bed and it was also bright with windows. A dressing table and a very large wardrobe took up one wall, and there was a table with two plush chairs in front of the fireplace. Klaus set the bags down by the door and pulled her deeper into the room. "That room is all for you, like I said, but this one is also yours…and mine, if you wish." Violet let out a shuddering breath.
She glanced at the bed, then at him, taking a step closer, nodding, "I want to be with you, Klaus." The longing for her that he had been feeling doubled at her words. He leaned down to kiss her, but she stopped him with a hand to his chest.
"Shouldn't we close the door?" she asked.
Klaus shook his head. "No. This is our home and we are alone. We don't need to hide here. We don't need to be ashamed." He picked at a few stray locks of hair that had come loose from her bun. "Will you take your hair down for me?" She gave a light laugh and headed to the dressing table. Klaus sat down in one of the chairs by the fire to unlace his boots, taking layers off until it was only his bare feet on the thick rug. Violet was watching him, but he pretended not to notice as he stood to take off his waistcoat, untied his neck wrap and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it up over his head and leaving it where it landed on the floor.
Hair loose and wavy now, she approached him silently, reaching out to place a hand on his chest, another one on his stomach, her fingers spreading, feeling him as she slowly caressed up to his neck. Her hands felt like heaven and he closed his eyes, reveling in her gentleness.
"Klaus," she said simply, drawing his eyes back to her. She unbuttoned her jacket and pulled it off, then her dress. Klaus reached around her, drawing her into his embrace as he loosened the stays of her corset. She was not idle, but drew her fingertips over his shoulder blades and down his spine. She placed a chaste kiss to the center of his chest.
The corset fell to the floor to join the pile of discarded clothes. Klaus knelt in front of Violet, untied her boots, then took them off. He lifted the hem of her shift and handed it to her to hold. His hands glided up her stockinged calf to her thigh, unrolling her thick stockings until he could pull it off her foot. Starting at her knee, he placed kisses up the inside of her thigh, dragging his lips and tongue, and she unconsciously lifted her shift higher, her head thrown back as she anticipated where his kisses might lead, but then he stopped, and repeated the procedure with her other leg. He could easily devour her, kiss every single inch of her skin, he wanted her so badly. Upon standing again, though, he dragged his hand up the back of her thigh and up into her shift until it rested on the bare skin of her back. Violet's chest heaved with arousal. With his other hand he plucked at the tie of her shift. The loose garment pulled easily down her shoulders, exposing her breasts to him. He stroked the sweet curve of them with his fingertips, and circled the dark nipples that peaked from his touch.
"I am ashamed to admit that I have thought of your breasts every day since we swam in the pond last summer," he told her, leaning down to taste them, then cupping them as he kissed along her collar bone and up the column of her neck. The only thing holding her shift on now was the way it hung at the bend of her arms. It had been several weeks since their last kiss and he had been desperate for it. When he at last met her lips with his, he tangled his fingers in her hair, and she was all softness and fullness and breath. She made a little appreciative noise in the back of her throat, then stood on her tiptoes to better reach him, pulling him as close as possible by his waist, then let go of him to fumble with the buttons on his pants, pushing them hurriedly off his hips and he gratefully stepped out of them.
Walking them backwards to the bed, Klaus laid down on it slowly, making sure she followed over him, never breaking their kiss. He had his hands under that white shift again, feeling the roundness of her bottom, pulling her thighs to either side of him, and he was ready to push into her, could feel how he was just inside her slick warmth. "Yes, Klaus," she murmured against his lips, encouraging him. "I'm yours. Make me yours." It was the ultimate in hedonistic, self-indulgence, the way Klaus felt as he slid all the way into Violet, thinking he had found the rarest, most excessive pleasure of mind and body.
There was only the smallest gasp of pain and no hesitation from her as she began to move over him, taking him in and out of her body. Sitting up, she pulled her arms out of the shift and the fabric puddled around their laps, obscuring any view of their coupling. He gazed at her in her nakedness, all sweet innocence and gentle sin, and realized if making love to Violet offended heaven, then he would gladly accept his damnation.
Her eyes were shut, long hair hanging past her breasts, lips parted in breaths that were becoming harsher by the moment. In other words Violet looked like a wanton goddess to Klaus, wild and natural, but he knew she was nothing but tender virtue and he felt so grateful for this gift that she gave him. He pulled her down to him, to kiss her again, to hold the weight of her breasts, rolling them over to lay between her bent legs so he could thrust into her as fast as he pleased, so he could nuzzle his face in her bosom as he did so.
Violet's back arched as he kissed her neck and he slipped his arm behind her to hold her so close, his chest moving flush against hers. "Klaus," she called out breathlessly.
He felt a tremor run through her body, her arms and legs tightening around him. "Violet. That's so good," he told her in her ear, feeling a gentle pulse around his erection that was buried deep inside of her. "I love you, my sweet girl."
And with his face nestled in her neck, he experienced pleasure beyond what he had known before as he reached his climax inside the woman that he loved. After a few minutes, when their breathing had returned to normal, he climbed off Violet to pull that damn garment off her body, and bade her to join him under the new covers of their bed.
At first they faced each other, heads sharing a pillow, kissing some, smiling a lot, and feeling comfortable in the quiet of the evening, where only the popping embers from the fire made any noise in the house, but soon Klaus propped himself up on an elbow, to better see his lover. As he kissed her he pulled the blankets down just a little so he could touch her breasts again, plucking at the nipples then soothing it all with the palm of his hand. Using one finger, he pulled the blanket more, exposing her belly button to him, which he drew circles around in an ever widening circumference until he had the blankets pushed down past her thighs. He wished to touch her, to watch her pleasure. "Will you open your legs for me, Violet?" he asked, voice husky.
She turned her face to hide under his, but did as he asked, turning more fully onto her back. She was wet with a mixture of him and her as he pressed his fingers deep inside of her, feeling her soft vagina, then pulling out to feel the rest of her, circling the little nub that had her gasping and trembling, then starting again. Watching as she unconsciously drew her fingertips over her belly and over her own breasts, he wondered if she had ever touched herself the way he was touching her now. Had she thought of him when she did?
It didn't take long until her muscles were incredibly tense. His slow, steady rhythm had her moving against him, calling out his name and then he watched how she trembled, her mouth parted in silent pleasure, feeling the squeeze around his fingers, liking it especially when she used her own hand to push his deeper inside her, holding it there as she rode out her orgasm against his hand.
She turned into his body again, nestling her knee inbetween his and wrapping her arm around his waist, keeping her face hidden under his cheek. She was so sated that she fell asleep quickly as he stroked her long hair and the skin along her spine. He gently untangled himself from her loose embrace and snuck out of the bed, put his pants on and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The light outside was just beginning to fail and the room was dim, lit with only what remained of the fire. Klaus added wood to the low flame and some to the stove to heat up some water for tea.
Violet slept for over an hour, coming to find him dressed in her shift again and a shawl around her shoulders. He read by the fire, still bare chested, but feeling ridiculously content when he saw her there, like she was a gift, just for him, and he wanted to unwrap her all over again. They grinned at each other, happy. "I'm hungry," Violet announced, turning her attention to the kitchen stove. She poured herself a cup of tea and sliced bread and cheese, toasting them over the stove, enough for them both.
She brought her cup to sit opposite Klaus by the fire, bringing each of them a plate of food. "Add sugar and milk to our list. I'm not sure how long I can drink this tea black," she said and Klaus laughed at her. "What? It's strong enough to grow hair on my chest."
"Is it very bad to say that I am really enjoying being all alone with you, Violet?" Klaus asked her. "So many times I've wished for just a few minutes alone with you so that we can just be us, to find out who we are together, and now to have all of this uninterrupted time feels like a luxurious indulgence. It makes me selfish. I never want to share you again," he admitted.
"Well," she said, "when it comes to us, I suppose being selfish is a good thing. I like having you all to myself. This," she gestured to the house and then between themselves, "feels good. A really good beginning." And he liked the sound of her words.
He waited impatiently until she had taken her last sip of tea, then quickly set aside his food and pulled her by the hand back up the stairs, telling her, "I have to have you now, Violet." Once inside their room he pulled her shift off, not making that mistake again, and kissed her, tasting tea on her tongue. He turned her around, her back to his chest, moving her hair all to one side to kiss across one shoulder then the other, squeezing her bottom, her thighs, her breasts. He freed himself from his pants, pulling her hips close so that the cleft of her bottom welcomed his erect thrusts. He sucked at the pale skin just under her ear, moving his fingers to that sweet spot between her legs, to feel her arousal. "Oh, God," was all he could say, and he briefly imagined keeping her sequestered in their room for a small eternity, and staying there with her, naked and making love.
Klaus leaned Violet over the nearest surface, which happened to be the bed, and hastily guided himself into her slick warmth. He felt only a little sorry when she hissed quietly, probably sore from their earlier love making. She looked at him over her shoulder, then away again, moaning quietly when he began to thrust hard and steady, and she gasped little incomprehensible words each time his hips hit her bottom. Hands gliding up to her shoulders then back down to cup her bottom, he watched as he disappeared into her, watched as her body trembled and grew damp with sweat, and watched her surrender completely to him for the third time that day. It felt incredible, completely empowering, to make this beautiful girl call his name in pleasure, and to hold her in his arms as he gave himself to her.
They collapsed onto the bed and Klaus felt the need to apologize. "I'm sorry. You were probably sore and tired? I should be more careful with you."
She laughed, climbing over him as he rolled on his back, straddling him, kissing him. "You are not sorry. I can tell by that satisfied look on your face," she teased.
"Well, you put that there," he breathed heavily, and she continued to kiss along his jawline and his neck. He pulled her with him as he scooted back in the bed to sit against the iron headboard in order to reach the drawer in one of the bedside tables. He took out a small box that he handed to her and she inspected it in the dim light from the fire.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Something for you. Open it," he said, stroking her thigh absentmindedly.
Inside the box was a ring made of both silver and gold, two thin bands that came together to form an intricate design. "A lover's knot," Klaus informed her. "I know we can't be wed or wear a wedding ring, but maybe you would consider wearing this ring, Violet." He paused for a moment and Violet remained silent, waiting for what else he had to say. "So many times I've heard different people, including yourself, tell me that I am tied up in your apron strings, or that you have me wrapped around your little finger. Everyone wants me to cut my ties with you when all I want to do is to tie our strings a little tighter, wrap myself a little closer to you. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and if I could marry you, I would." He took the ring from where it rested in the middle of her palm and placed it onto her right ring finger. "This ring symbolizes how I want to be with you, tied up endlessly, your life and mine."
She touched the knot again, holding out her hand to admire how the ring looked there. "No beginning and no ending," she said. "It's perfect."
He couldn't help but agree. Klaus gathered her in his arms, kissing her, embracing her, savoring the knowledge that this would be the first of many, many days spent with Violet in their new home together, in their new life together. He instinctively knew that no matter how many ups and downs they experienced on this new journey together, and he had a feeling it wouldn't always be an easy one, a life spent together with Violet would always be perfect.
The End