Chapter 2: Another tragedy.
Cressida does not know how long she was in the guest room, but she doesn't care. Time is all but an illusion to her. All she could think about was that she could have done something. Something that would have protected her husband. Something that would have protected her children. But she didn't and her family is dead.
Jonathan and Elizabeth come into her room often to check on her. Sometimes to give her food that she barely touched. Other times to give her company. But she doesn't want it. She wants to be alone.
" I know you're sad. But you need to eat. At the least for the baby." Her sister urges her when she waves away the food for the upteinth time.
The baby. The one thing that is keeping her alive. For now. She can't be responsible for another one of her children's deaths. Especially her last one. No matter how much she feels guilty for what has happened.
Cressida slowly forces herself to drink down the broth her sister made. The gnawing feeling in her stomach goes away as it feels a bit full.
" I know it's been five days since it happened. But Jonathan told me to tell you that the people at your job really miss you and want you to take as much time as you need."
Her job. She must mean the rats of NIMH. Elizabeth does not know about NIMH and it's best this way. Even though they are sisters, Cressida knows better than to let her sister in on this major secret that could change history itself. It's for the protection of the rats and her sister's family. Elizabeth is better off not knowing what she and Jonathan are doing.
" Why don't you join us in the living room. The children really want to see you." Her sister insists. " A bit of company would help."
Even though Cressida just wants to simply stay in bed and grieve more, she doesn't want to be mean to her nieces and nephews. She adjusts her headscarf before being help out of bed by her sister. Spending five days in bed really takes a bit out of you. Especially since she is ten days pregnant and has to get used to the shifted gravity.
She is met with bright light of the glowing hearth of the fireplace. Three of the children, Theresa, Martin, and little Cynthia, are playing in the main living area. Which raises an eyebrow with Cressida. Where's Timmy?
" Auntie Cressida!" Cynthia shouts as she runs over. Cressida smiles a little. Her youngest niece just looks so cute with her bow tied around her tiny waist.
" Hi Cynthia." She quietly says as she groans. She definitely just felt a kick in her swollen stomach.
" What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" She asks so innocently.
" No you didn't sweetie. I just… have a baby in me." Cressida explains to her.
" There's a baby in you? How did it get in there?" She asked in fascination.
" Well…." Cressida said sheepishly as she explains to the child. " That's something you can find out when you're a little older."
" Aw man." The little mouse huffed. It's obvious that she has heard of that statement.
" Don't worry Cynthia." Theresa promises to her little sister. " When you get older, you'll get to learn lots of things. So many that your head will explode." She emphasizes on the explosion part.
Cressida chuckles before she says, " Do you want to feel the baby?"
Cynthia's eyes widens as she nods.
Cressida takes her niece's hands with her own and places them on her ever growing stomach. It wasn't long before the baby kicks again and Cynthia gasps.
" I felt it! I felt it!" She shouts.
" Cynthia." Her sister sternly says. " Keep it down. Timmy is trying to sleep."
" Oh. Sorry mommy." She apologizes.
" It's alright honey." Her mother says.
" Is there something wrong with Timmy?" Cressida asks out of concern.
" He has a bad cold. Hopefully he'll come out of it in a few days." Elizabeth says though unsure. " I'm worried though. This is the worst I've seen from him. From all the children. If things get bad, I might have to go to this Mr. Ages you and Jonathan were talking about."
" I hope it doesn't resort to that. He doesn't like visitors. Even I'm at a level that he only tolerates me." She says.
" Brisby!" Cressida hears a familiar shrew enter the house.
" Auntie shrew!" Cressida says.
The shrew lets herself into the house and unwinds herself from the gigantic scarf she was wearing.
" Oh you wouldn't believe the day I had out in the fields today. All those rocks and boulders." She self pities. " I thought it was the end of me."
She then notices Cressida.
" My word! You risen from the graves. I am very sorry for your losses my dear child. Those children of yours were always so sweet." She says to Cressida.
" Thank you Shrew." Cressida says mournfully and shakingly. " I'm just... trying to get through this."
" And I see you are heavy with child again." The shrew says noting her pregnant stomach. " At least you won't be alone. Make sure you're eating. You're not the only one you're starving. You want a nice strong healthy baby. And if you need anything at all from me just howler." She says as she pats Cressida's pregnant stomach.
" I'll….take that to heart." Cressida says.
" What brings you here Shrew?" Elizabeth asks.
" I have come to tell you that spring is nearing and so is moving day. You guys better start your packing. Especially now that you Cressida are with child." She advises.
" Well I need to speak with Jonathan about that. I'll talk to him when he gets home tonight." Elizabeth.
" I think it's the wisest thing to do at this moment." Cressida agrees.
Cressida isn't just saying that because of moving day, it's also the prospect of what's going on back at rose bush. From what she is hearing from Jonathan, Nicodemus is talking about the Thorn Valley Plan being executed around moving day at this point. It's not just moving day for her sister, it's also for the rats. Things are getting serious.
" If that's what you feel, I will best be off. Remember my warning." Shrew says before wrapping herself back in her gigantic scarf. " Good day."
She then heads up the stairs and sees to herself out of the home.
" I'm sure worried for Jonathan. He's never been home this late." Elizabeth says.
" He's fine. Liz." She assures her sister. He's always been known to take care of himself. Surely he has a reason for being late.
" Cress." Her sister says. " I know it's been hard on you. I can't imagine my life without my family and I want you to know that I will always be there for you."
" And I will always be there for you. We've taken care of each other Liz and not a day goes by that I feel guilty for leaving you alone for all those months when we were just young mice." Cressida says.
" You were trapped in the farmer's boy cage before Jonathan rescued you. I don't blame you for that." Her sister smiles says as she gently takes her sister's hand.
Before Cressida says anything a knock is heard from the door of the Brisby home.
" I wonder who that is." Elizabeth says as both her and her sister go up the stairs.
The door is opened to find Mr. Ages looking sorrow at the two females.
" Mr. Ages?" Cressida says in surprise. She knows him. It's not like him at all to visit. Unless….no.
" Mrs. Brisby." He says in a quiet manner.
" Yes." Her sister says oblivious.
" There was an accident." He struggles to say. " Your husband….. Your husband…."
Her sister quickly pieces it altogether.
" No. No!" Elizabeth denies getting upset. " Please!"
" I'm sorry. There was nothing anyone could do." He says.
Elizabeth grabs Cressida as she starts crying. Cressida could only breath heavily and hold her sister in her arms as she cries.
" Jonathan." She cries.
" Mom?" Theresa says. " What's going on?"
" Theresa. You and your brother and sister need to go to bed now." Cressida says to them immediately. " I don't want any objections. Please."
Theresa looks at her crying mother and shakingly nods before she takes care of her siblings.
Mr. Ages look at them sadly one more time before seeing to himself out of their home.
" Elizabeth. I may not be strong as well right now, but we need each other. We have to help each other. I will help you and you need to help me. Jonathan, Hamish, Lise and Bradley would want us to continue, because there is no other option. Alright?" Cressida says as tears roll down her face.
Elizabeth says nothing but nods as tears come down her face and she continues to hold her sister.
I'm back. After a while. I decided to continue and I have been busy with a lot of stuff. Next chapter will be the start of the movie au with Cressida. I hope you like it.
Please Review. See You Later.