AEA - Changes

This is the last in the series.  It wasn't very popular do I never did finish it, but it's here for your enjoyment.

AEA-Changes

Prologue

March, 1513

Things were never the same at the Manor de Barbarac after the twins were born.  They were keeping Henry and Danielle pretty busy, not to mention their responsibilities at court. 

Annette and Paulette were doing everything they could to help out, despite Danielle’s wishes.  Paulette would often mention to Annette how all this hustle and bustle reminded her of when Danielle had been a baby.

Jacqueline had another girl, Michelle Louise, on July 13, 1512.  By this time, the Manor de Richaud had a full staff as well, with Annette making trips back and forth when time allowed. 

The most difficult thing for Danielle to endure was the death of her servant and friend, Maurice.  He had gone to sleep one September night in 1512 and did not wake up.  He was buried at the castle cemetery.

Things were not so quiet at the Manor du Bois.  Marguerite was also having her share of excitement.

Chapter 1

Marguerite stood outside in the front garden of the Manor du Bois.  Everything she had ever known and loved was gone, including little Alexandre who had gone off to live with Viviane’s surviving sister, Monique and Arnaud le Fleur.  There were wild stories regarding Arnaud’s older brother, Gerard, who had been a seller of fine linens and other goods.  According to rumor, he had run away with a gypsy woman and hadn’t been seen since, although, Marguerite had been told that he had been spotted in the marketplace from time to time. Marguerite had heard the union had produced two children, but she had no idea who they were or what their names might be.

Anyway, it was all speculation, no one knew for sure.

Here she was again, without power or money. She had promised herself she would never be in that position.  At least, she still had her title.  They couldn’t take that away.

But, she thought, what good would that do?

She was so grateful that her family had forgiven her for everything.  The thought of going to see them to ask for money was against every fiber in her being.  What should she do now, she wondered?

She sat down and began to reflect on everything that happened up to this moment.

Chapter 2

The Manor de Barbarac was again preparing for another christening.  Danielle had given birth to a new baby boy, Louis Auguste, on February 10.  Another year gone by and she still hadn’t been to Paris, but neither had Jacqueline, which had been a comfort to her. 

“What ever happened to the promise that there would be no more babies after these two?”  Danielle asked Henry after she found herself pregnant yet again.

“Didn’t I mention that I wanted a large family?”

Danielle looked at him and frowned.

“Funny, I don’t remember that.  You said just the opposite.”

Henry just smiled and shrugged. 

“Don’t worry, Princess,…” he began, alone at first.

Danielle was waiting for it and said it the same time Henry did.

“Paris will always be there next year.”

They both laughed and hugged each other.

Chapter 3

The night before Francois left the gypsy camp for good, Gregor had pulled him aside and asked him for a favor. 

“In all this time, we’ve never had need of a blacksmith,” he said.  “Each man in this camp did not have a horse.”

Francois smiled.  “You still don’t, Gregor.”

Gregor smiled and continued.

“I know,” he said, “but that is of no consequence. We still need metal work done.  If it is possible, I would like you to teach my best friend’s son, Rene le Fleur, in the art of metalwork.  What say you?” 

“Doesn’t Gerard have an older son?  I believe his name is Marc.”

 “Yes, Francois, he does, but Marc does not seem to be interested in our way of life. He roams around the province searching for odd jobs and prospects.  He has a bit of his father’s selling instincts you might say.  He is still young yet, about your age, 21, and doesn’t know what he wants. But I will tell you this, when he finds something or someone he loves, believe me, he will not want to go anywhere else.  He just needs time to find it, that’s all. “  He looked up at Francois.  He was smiling back at him.  “I believe that it just happened to you.”

Francois turned red.  The smile disappeared.

‘I never realized..”

Gregor smiled again.  “Just answer the question, Francois, yes or no?”

Francois laughed.  “Of course, Gregor.  I will teach him.”

And so, Francois had returned to the camp to teach Rene.  He usually went in the early morning and returned before traffic on the road grew heavy.  This way, he could come and go from the camp, undetected.  Francois knew eventually that the camp would be discovered.  Once that happened, they picked up and moved.  Here one day, gone the next without even a trace.  

Rene picked up the trade quicker than Francois thought he would.  He was adept at metal working and Francois was surprised and pleased.  He hadn't realized how much he had missed his royal side of the family, but his biggest concern was Anna. 

      

Francois and Anna remained at the manor at Henry’s insistence, even though he had inherited his father’s chateau.  Henry kept saying there was time enough to move in, just not right now.  They would move into the estate before the year was up, though.  Francois had been right; once they were reunited, they were inseparable.  Only now it wasn’t two people anymore, it was six.  

Francois became Henry’s trusted man and advisor, but the meetings they had would always include Danielle and Anna, even if the children were there.

Danielle had changed the rules about children being cared for by servants and nurses.  Only if an emergency had arisen involving court politics, Annette would be called to care for the children.

Laurent, as Captain of the Royal Guards and Henry’s personal friend and bodyguard, would attend with his wife, Jacqueline. After all, she was Danielle’s Lady-in-Waiting. 

Most of the time, they broke up into different groups, the men in one room and the women and children in the other, sometimes with the children, sometimes not.

It was a cozy arrangement for a while.

Chapter 4

Marguerite was at the marketplace.  This time she was alone.  No Claudette, no Alex.  She missed the little boy.  She had taken care of him for two years.  Everyone had praised her for the remarkable way she had handled the boy and she couldn’t and wouldn’t understand why they had taken him from her, although she was told the reason more than once.

It had been her reputation at court, as Jules had told her from the beginning.  She had tried desperately, even Danielle and Jacqueline had been there for her, but it was all for naught.  They would always remember her as the little spoiled brat that had everything taken from her and rightly so.  At least that’s the way everyone thought.

Stupid, narrow minded people, she thought, as she scanned the marketplace provisions.  She was going to need someone to help her and quickly.  She didn’t know how long she would be able to hold on to the house.

“Good afternoon, Duchess.”

She looked up.  She was half expecting the Marquis de Limoges.  Lord, what would they have thought of her if she had had that little affair.  She didn’t want to think about it. 

It wasn’t the Marquis at all, it was Pierre le Pieu’s brother, Jean.  The family resemblance was very pronounced.  Oh no, there’s two of them was the question on her mind when she had seen them together for the first time.

“Good afternoon, Monsieur le Pieu, I trust you are well.”

How come they hadn’t criticized and chastised him and his brother for what they had done to Danielle?  Why was it her they always talked about?  Why was there always this double standard? Men could do anything they wanted and get away with it, but if a woman did the same thing she be criticized for it?

She had made a mistake and she corrected it or at least tried to, but so had Pierre and Jean.  It was all right that Pierre’s land had been confiscated, the house bought over and the fool run out of town.  That was fine.  People had forgotten about it. But not her, no one would ever forget what she had done.  She was stared at everywhere she went.  Sometimes she wanted to crawl into a hole and stay there for the rest of her life.

Stupid, narrow minded people.

“Are you alright, Duchess?” Jean asked.

Marguerite looked up at him.

“I am sorry, Jean, but the hour has grown late and I still haven’t bought a thing.  If you will excuse me.”

“May I walk with you?”  Jean asked, “I, too, am in need of some provisions.  We’ll can start over there,” he said and gestured toward a stand piled high with silks and linens.  “I am in need of some new clothes,” he said, steering her over in that direction.  “Shall we?”

Jean proceeded to describe to Marguerite every detail of his personal life, where he and Pierre lived, and how many servants they had.  He had bored her to tears until he started talking about money.

Chapter 5

Francois had just returned from the castle with Henry and Laurent.  It had not been an exciting day.  They had gone over plans for Henry’s project, the university

There was no answer.

Francois rang again.  Still no answer. 

Francois looked at Henry and they both turned to Laurent, who looked at the two of them.

He tried the door.  It was wide open.

All three looked at one another, walked in and up the front stairs. 

They looked around, puzzled.

“Where is everyone?” Laurent asked.

“SURPRISE.”

They had been facing the wrong direction.  They had all been in back of them.

Anna walked over to Francois.  He looked very perplexed.

“What’s all this about?  It’s not my birthday.”

It was so quiet in the room you could hear a pin drop.

Anna smiled and put her arms around him. 

“We’re going to have a baby,” she said.

Francois looked at her.  It had to sink in.

“What?”

“I’m pregnant, Francois.”

Francois was stunned and a little frightened.

“Do you think that it’s alright? He stammered.  “I mean, after what happened last time?”

“Of course, my love,” Anna whispered, bringing him closer to her.  “Remember what your aunt told me?  Everything will be all right this time.  I have a feeling.”

Francois looked at her face.  All his fears disappeared when he saw her smile.

“I love you,” he said, kissing her.  The crowd erupted into cheers and claps.  Francois and Anna didn’t hear a sound.

Chapter 6

Leonardo had finally stopped painting.  He just couldn’t move his hand at all anymore.

He was surprised he could still write.

He was grateful that Gustave was such a great painter.  Probably go down in history as one of Leonardo’s greatest apprentices. That gypsy boy that Gustave found as an apprentice.  What was his name?  Ah, yes, Pieter.  He smiled.  Gustave had been right.  He had been everything he said he was, but there was one word to describe him, magnificent.

Gustave hadn’t been around that often, lately.  His wife must be taking up all his time now.  She was pregnant for the first time herself.  My Lord, he thought, is everyone having babies these days? 

He smiled to himself.  The christening for Louis was coming up. Danielle’s twins were two now, the same age as Jacqueline’s little girl, Jeanee.  Michelle was turning one.  Now Anna and her sister were pregnant.  He shook his head  He couldn’t believe there were so many children. 

There was a knock on the door.  Leonardo looked up and at the door.  It couldn’t be Gustave, he never knocked.

“Come,” he called, “it’s open.”

The door opened and Pieter stepped in. 

“I need your expertise, sir.  If you wouldn’t mind.”

Leonardo smiled.  “I would be happy to, my boy, and call me Leonardo, please?”

He put his arm around him and led him towards the door.

“Did I ever tell you about how I became a painter?”

Chapter 7

“Pierre?” Jean called as he entered the chateau. 

There was no answer.

Where could he be now?

After searching the inside, Jean walked back outside.  Chateau le Mer was located on a hill, overlooking the beautiful French countryside.  From this point, he was able to see everything, the small province of Hautefort to the right.  The province of St. Etienne’s was slightly further away, only recognizable by the church spire.  He could only imagined living by the sea and that was why he had it so named.

He walked past the stables to the little shack that Pierre set up as a small, makeshift forge.  Jean opened the door.  There he was, working on new swords for the Royal Guard.

“Well,” Pierre said, “Is everything taken care?”

Jean smiled.  “She was there, exactly where and when you said she would be.  How long did it take you to pinpoint her every move?”

Pierre looked at his brother and smiled.  “She’s pretty obvious, Jean.  I had her followed.”

Jean grinned.  “You really are a rat, aren’t you, my dear brother.”

Pierre laughed.  “And proud of it,” he said. He went back to shaping the sword. 

“So, here’s the next part of the plan.”

Marguerite had just arrived back at the manor.  She smiled to herself.  She couldn’t believe that she’d even consider seeing a man like le Pieu.  No one wanted him, not even her own mother when she was alive.

As she walked closer, she heard noises coming from inside the house.  She broke into a run, but slowed down when she reached the door. She grabbed the door handle and opened it, slowly.  

Chapter 8 

Henry was pacing back and forth again.  Things weren’t right.  He had heard about Marguerite’s predicament from Danielle and Jacqueline.  He wanted to help.  He had Danielle’s support on this, in fact, it had been her idea.

“She had done such a fine job with Alexandre,” Danielle had said at their private meeting earlier, “there are just so many children now.  We will soon need a tutor.  It was my idea to set her up as a teacher.  What do you think?”

Henry had looked at her.  “That’s an excellent idea, Princess, but do you think she’ll agree to it?”

“I don’t see why not? It will give her something to do and take her mind off of her problems for a while?”

Henry pondered some more.  He began to pace back and forth.

Danielle watched him, smiling.

“This is new for you, isn’t it?”

Henry looked up.  “You mean the pacing?”

So, Danielle thought, he knew he was doing it.

“My father does it, too.”  Henry shook his head, smiling.  “And I swore up and down, I’d never be like him when I grew up.”

Danielle laughed.  “I don’t mind, Henry.”

He smiled and walked over to her.

“Do you think you could talk to Marguerite, tomorrow, Princess?  I have got to go back to court with Francois and work on this university thing.”

“Don’t worry, Henry.  I won’t let you down.  You know how much I love you.”

Henry smiled and touched her cheek.  “And you know that I love you, Princess. “

She smiled.  “I do, milord.”

Chapter 9

“Hello,” Marguerite called to the dark.  “Is anyone there?”

There was no answer.  Even the noise had stopped.

She crept closer.  “Is anyone..”

Someone grabbed her from the back.  He covered her mouth with his hand.

“Please,” he said, “I haven’t done anything wrong.  I can explain everything.  If I take my hand away, will you promise me that you won’t scream.”

Marguerite nodded her head.

The stranger removed his hand.

She whirled around to face him.

She was looking into the face of a handsome young man, maybe a little younger than herself. His brown hair was long and tied in a queue.  His eyes were a bright blue that shone like two jewels in the light. His long scar ran vertically across his cheek. 

Marguerite was angry and she didn’t hold back.

“Who are you and where did you come from?  What do you want?”

“My name, Madame, is Marc le Fleur.  I am looking for nothing more than some employment.  I happen to have found your door open and not realizing anyone had lived here, I walked in.  I am sorry to have disturbed you and I will bid you adeiu.”

He bowed and started to walk toward the door when Marguerite called him back.

“Wait,” she said, “I have some odd jobs you can do around the manor.”  She smiled.  “I can’t pay you much, though.  I have very little money.”

She looked at him. For some reason, she had taken a sudden likening to him.  He was polite and honest.  If he had wanted to do anything to her, he could have by now.

“Thank you my dear lady,” Marc bowed.  He straightened up.  “I don’t really need the money or want it.   I require nothing more for my services than a few meals and a warm place to spend my nights.  I will not be burden. I plan only to stay a few days and then move onward.  All I need now is some direction.  Tell me how I may help you?”

Marguerite smiled.  She was going to like this man, very much. And this time she really meant it.

Chapter 10

Gustave was still painting.  He was in his chambers, putting the last touches on yet another picture of the royal family, this time with three children.  How long could this baby thing go on?

Well, he should talk.  His own wife was going to have a baby, plus he had found out that her sister Anna was pregnant again as well.  He had been so frightened about his own wife.  He hoped she wouldn’t lose her baby.

He couldn’t help being frightened about his new position.  Everything was going surprisingly well.  He was actually enjoying this. 

So what was the problem?

His mentor and his teacher, Leonardo was wasting away, slowly.  Well, it wasn’t his body or his mind; it was just his hand.  But that enough.  It was a large part of everything Leonardo was.  There would be no more miniature models, no more paintings, no more flying contraptions.  Leonardo had shut himself in his room, pouring over his journals.  Writing and rewriting. 

A knock came on the door.  It wasn’t Eva; she was asleep right now.  Who could it be?

He went to the door and opened it.  Standing before him was Leonardo.

“Hello, Gustave,” he said, smiling. “We would like you to come and look at Pieter’s painting with us.  We would very much value your opinion.”

Gustave smiled. “I shall be there in a minute, Leonardo.”

Gustave put the finishing touches on his painting.  He looked up, half expecting to see Leonardo standing there, but he had disappeared, leaving the door open as usual.  

He grinned and shook his head.  He put down the paintbrush on the side of the easel, turned around and opened the door in back of him.  This led to their room and sleeping quarters.  He walked in and looked down at his wife, sleeping.  He smiled and knelt down beside her.  He kissed her on the cheek and stroked her long dark hair. He loved her so much.  He didn’t think he could function without her.

“I’ll return in a minute, love,” he said, “do not worry.  I am only going down the hall to Leonardo’s studio.  My opinion seems to be highly regarded these days.”

He stood up, turned around and headed for the door.  He closed it behind him.

Chapter 11

Danielle knocked on the door of the Manor du Bois. She had been surprised when a man opened it.

Danielle just stared at him.  “I’m here to see the Duchess du Bois.  Is she at home?”

The man smiled.  “You must be her sister, the Princess of France.  Yes, she told me that you might be coming.  We received word only this morning.  Come in, Your Highness.”

Danielle stepped in.  “Formalities are never needed among family, milord.  If you would kindly tell me your name?”

“My name is Marc, Your Highness, Marc le Fleur.”

“Yes,” Danielle said.  “Your name sounds familiar.”

Marc nodded again.  “You probably have heard of my father’s brother.  His name is Arnaud le Fleur.  He does not live too far from here.  I have not seen him in some time and I..”

 

“Hello, Danielle,” Marguerite said as she came forward to greet her.  “And what brings you to the manor?” 

Danielle smiled.  “Nice to see you again, Marguerite.  I have come here on Henry’s behalf.  We have a proposal for you.”

Marguerite looked at her. “A proposal?” she asked.  “For me?” 

Danielle smiled. “Do you mind if we sit down and talk about?” she asked.

Marguerite smiled.  “Not at all.  Marc, please bring us that wonderful tea that you brewed only this morning.”

Marc bowed.  “It is done, milady.”

He left the room.

Danielle stared after him.

“And who might he be?”

“That’s Marc, he just…”

“Yes, he introduced himself. What is he doing here?”

“He is doing some odd jobs around the house,” she said.  “Not only that, but he is a marvelous cook.  He made some eggs this morning that were the best I’ve ever tasted.”

Danielle smiled.  “Is a permanent addition?”

“Sadly, only temporary.  He doesn’t stay in one place for very long.  He says he will be gone in a few days.”

“He is very handsome, Marguerite, except for that one long scar on his left cheek.”

“Yes, that frightens me, too.  If he stays longer than he says, maybe I’ll get the nerve to ask him how he received it.”

Marc, who was wheeling in the teacart, interrupted their conversation.  Beside the teapot were two cups and saucers.  On it were fresh baked bread, rolls and tea crackers.  Marc poured the tea and served it to Danielle, then to Marguerite.  He bowed and turned to address Marguerite. 

“I will finish up fixing the stables, milady, will there be anything else?”

“No thank you, Marc.”

“Then I will bid you adieu.”  He turned to Danielle.  “Good afternoon, Your Highness,” he said, “I mean..”

“Danielle,” she said, along with him.

Marc smiled.  “I promise not to make that mistake again. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Danielle watched as he walked out the back door.

“Where did you ever find him?”

“That’s a long story, Danielle.”

Marguerite began to relate the entire story.

Chapter 12

Marc was outside making repairs to one of the doors to the horse’s stall.  Hadn’t anyone taken care of this place?  He thought he would have to stay longer than he had planned if he was going to do everything that was needed to done.  He was moving it back to see if it held on, when he heard Marguerite call his name. 

He stood up and watched her come closer.  He smiled.  She was absolutely lovely, long blond hair, swept back from her face, hanging loose and curling in ringlets.  He had never felt this way about anyone before and he wasn’t about to fall in love now. Besides, she would never accept him. He was part gypsy and she, well, she was a Duchess.

As Marguerite came closer, she couldn’t believe how her heart was beating.  It was like a pounding in her chest.  How could she feel this way about someone she didn’t even know?

She wanted to mention the le Fleur family, but she didn’t want to pry, not just yet.  She was hoping that he would be around a lot longer than only a few weeks.

“Marc,” she said.  “I have great news. “

“Really?” he answered. 

“Yes.  I am going to become a teacher.”

Chapter 13

Jean le Pieu was waiting at the front door.  He must’ve knocked a dozen times, but no one had answered.

He heard laughing a woman’s high-pitched laughter coming from the back of the manor, but he thought he heard someone else laughing with her.

It definitely was not another woman.

He went around the back to investigate.

Marguerite was enjoying Marc’s company.  He was telling her stories about some of his adventures on the road.  She couldn’t believe how many people he had met and some of the things he had done.

“You would never believe what happened next, Duchess,” Marc said, still laughing.

“Tell me, Marc, I am dying to find out.”

‘Well, I..”

“Hello,’ a voice called from the front door of the stables. ‘Anybody here?”

Marguerite turned at the sound of the voice. 

Marc stood up the smile fading from his face.  He crept closer to the stable door.

“Whose out there?”  Marguerite called.

“Only I, Duchess.”

Marguerite stepped closer.  So did Marc.

Le Pieu stuck his head into the door.

Marc had tried to hide, but it was too late.  Le Pieu had already seen him.

Chapter 14

“Jean,” Marguerite said. “What a pleasant surprise.”

‘Hello, Duchess,” he answered, taking her hand in his and kissing it. “You look lovely this morning.” Marguerite pulled it away.

 ‘Something you want?”

“Just to find out if you would like to go riding with me,’ le Pieu asked her.

“By the way, who is that?” he gestured to Marc.

“Who is it that you are referring to, Jean?” she asked.  “I don’t see anyone.”

“Let’s take a walk, shall we?”

She put her arm in his and led him away from the stables. 

“I just wanted to know who..” he kept asking her as they walked toward the front of the house.

Inside the stables, Marc was able to breathe again.  Unfortunately, he had seen him.

Chapter 15

Jean had surprised Marguerite.  He had actually been wonderful.  She hadn’t realized that he could be so kind.  That wasn’t his reputation.

“Duchess?”  It was Marc.  “Would you like your tea now?”

Marguerite looked up. She had been standing outside in the back garden leaning against the porch railing.

“Duchess?” Marc asked again.  He walked over to her.

“What are you thinking about?”

There was no answer.

“Duchess?”

Marguerite finally turned around.

“I was thinking about Alexandre,” she said.  “How much I have missed him.  I am afraid to be teacher, Marc.”  She looked up at him. “If I did such a good job with Alex, why did they take him from me?”

“I am sorry about that, Duchess.  I can’t answer you.”

Marguerite smiled at him and straightened up.

“May I ask you something personal?”

“You can always talk to me, Duchess.  I’ll be here to listen.”

“You said you only stay for a while, Marc.  After that you’d leave.  How long is a while?”

Marc shrugged.  “Basically until there is nothing left to do.  Why do you ask?  I explained this to you, already?”

Marguerite took a deep breath.  “Marc, I have to ask you this.  I’ve been wanting to ever since you surprised me at my door.”

“What is it, Duchess?” Marc asked, waiting.

“Your last name, Le Fleur.  Are you related to Arnaud and Monique le Fleur?”

“Yes, milady, I mentioned that.  Arnaud is my father’s brother, but I haven’t seen them in some time.  Why do you ask?”

Chapter 16

“They’ve taken the Duke’s son away from me, Marc.  I haven’t seen him since he was four.   They never explained why he was taken from me, just that it had something to do with my reputation at court.”

Marc was standing next to her.  “Princess Danielle’s proposal this morning will change all of that, Duchess.  You shouldn’t be so afraid.” he whispered, reaching out to touch her, not really understanding why.  He pulled his hand back, but Marguerite grabbed it and placed it on her cheek.

“You don’t have to call me Duchess or milady all the time, Marc. You can call me Marguerite.  In fact, I wish you would.”

“Marguerite,” he whispered and brought her into his arms.  She went, willingly.  As soon as he pulled her close to him, she began to cry.

Marc tried to release her, but she wouldn’t budge.

“What is wrong, milady?”  

Marguerite smiled through her tears.  “I miss him so much, Marc.  Sometimes I dream about him, sometimes I hear him calling out my name.”

Marc heard her very faintly.  Her touch, the warmth and smell of her body only made him want her more.  He wondered if she felt the same way.

He tried to release her, but she wouldn’t budge.

“Hold me a little longer, please Marc, don’t let me go.  Right now, I need you. I am so confused.”

She pushed herself away and stared at his face.  Marc was already looking at her.  He picked his hand up and touched her cheek.

“I will be afraid when you go, Marc.  You have given me the strength to go on in the absence of my husband and his son.  You have proven that all things are possible.  I would never have believed that there would be anyone again who makes me as Jules did.  He made me realize so much about myself. He changed my life, Marc.“

Marc was still touching her cheek.  He hardly heard at her at all. She was so beautiful and so wonderful.  He could never imagine why anyone would have a boy in his fourth year of life taken away from her someone who had called her Mother for so long.  He swore as long as lived, he would watch over her and care for her.  More importantly, he would be here if he needed her to be here.  He would never leave her side.  He cared too much for her.

He also swore that even though he was frightened to see his father’s side of the family, he would do it.  He wanted to get little Alex back into the arms of his mother.

All these feelings coming to the surface.  She would never tolerate this behavior, not from a half-gypsy.

She didn’t move away, though. 

“Marguerite,” he whispered again, bringing his lips down to meet hers.

The only thing that they hadn’t mentioned was how much they loved and needed one another. 

Chapter 17

Marc was lying next to Marguerite watching her sleep.  He reached out to touch her, tracing his finger around her face. 

She is so beautiful, he thought.  She could do anything. He loved her so much.  He should tell her that.