"I'm very sorry, Lady Stauffer. We were unable to save your husband," the doctor excused himself after some minutes of silence. Rolfe stood alone, surveying his family. His two children were at home, the hospital not being a good place for a 4 and 2 year old. His sister was sitting with their mother, crying and clinging to one another for support. His brother-in-law was away on business. His wife was standing behind his mother, tears running down her face as she laid a hand on her shoulder. His father was dead. He was now head of the family, the decision maker, the 12th Duke of Stauffer. Rolfe was shaken from his thoughts when he felt his wife wrap her arms around his waist, he looked down to see her burry her face in his chest.
"Come," Rolfe finally spoke. The three women looking up at him, "We're going home; we don't need to be here any longer. It's already past midnight." His mother began to protest, "I'll come back tomorrow morning and start the arrangements, we all need sleep and you're both coming home with us."
-SOM—
Rolfe sat heavily into the comfortable chair in his bedroom; he closed his eyes with a sigh and let his head fall onto the top of the back rest. He could hear Liesl in the bathroom, and allowed himself to fall into a light sleep. He was woken some minutes later by Liesl kissing his forehead and running her hand through his hair, "Are the children still asleep?" At his nod, Liesl climbed into his lap and buried her head in his neck.
"My father is dead," Rolfe looked down at Liesl and their eyes met.
"I know, darling," replied Liesl, her eyes full of sympathy. "Are you alright? You're allowed to cry, you know."
Rolfe gave a humorless laugh, "I think I'm doing as well as I'm supposed to. It hasn't really taken full effect. I'm the Duke of Stauffer, our 2 year-old son is Earl of Rosthorn, GSC is now fully under my control…and so is the family." His head once again fell back, "But I don't think I can cry…not yet anyways."
"Well, I understand that all these things are now on your shoulders," Liesl began to loosen his tie, "but you need to take time to grieve before you can worry about all that." She let his tie fall out of her hands and she prompted him to sit up so she could begin unbuttoning his shirt. "Now you need to sleep, so you can be well rested for the challenging days that I know lie ahead for you and this family."
His shirt off, Rolfe stood so Liesl could help him out of his trousers and undershirt. He noticed then that she was ready for bed, wearing one of his pajama tops, which came to her knees, with the sleeves rolled and her hair loose. "You're too good to me," Rolfe whispered, left only in his shorts. Liesl just smiled and pulled him silently by the hand to bed.
-SOM-