Oh, Susannah!
Chapter 2 First Day
In the morning Julia, who had risen early, came into the bedroom. She kissed William, who opened his eyes, "I like waking up this way," he said as he sat up.
"If you think you'll be okay by yourself, I'm taking Susie to her house to get her things."
"She's staying here?"
"For now. The inspector said they can't find any relatives yet. And she seems to like you quite a lot." Julia smiled.
Just then the little girl ran into the room and climbed up on the bed and gave William a big hug. His eyes looked surprised, but he hugged her back.
"Hi William. Do you feel better?"
A little startled with the show of affection, William collected himself and smiled. "Yes, I do feel better. Thank you, Susannah."
"Julia said I can stay here with you both."
"So I heard. That will be nice. You girls run along. I'll be fine."
"Linney will be here if you need anything."
When they got to Susie's house Julia noticed her withdraw. "You'll be okay, Sweetie. I'm with you. We'll get your things and leave."
Susie squeezed Julia's hand. Deciding to make a game of it, Julia would name something, like slippers, and Susie would find them. Soon she had the little girl laughing. "Now, find the bathtub."
"Oh, Julia! We can't take the bathtub," she giggled.
"Well then, it's a good thing we have one at our house," laughed Julia.
"Where's Bear? I can't find bear."
"Here he is," and Julia handed the worn stuffed animal to her. "Is that everything?"
"I guess," Susie said sadly.
"We can always come back later."
William got up, put on his robe and went downstairs to the parlor. Linney brought him tea and toast while he read the Toronto Gazette.
When they came into the house Susie shrieked with glee when she saw William sitting in an easy chair. She ran to him and he couldn't help but grin. "Look! Julia found Bear."
William smiled. "I had a bear when I was little too," he confessed. "And I called him Bear as well."
She climbed onto his lap with her bear and laid her head on his shoulder. William looked a little embarrassed, but Julia just laughed.
The three had a pleasant leisurely day at home.
"William, I need to go to the clinic tomorrow, will you be okay here?"
"I'll be fine. Another day or two of rest and I too can go back to work."
"I meant, will you be alright here all day with Susie?"
"Oh. Sure. How much trouble can she be?"
"Well, Linney will be here as well if you need help."
They ate dinner early, all together at the dining room table. Then after, Julia said, "I see two people who need to go to bed. William, you've done nothing but yawn for the past half hour. And it's definitely Susie's bedtime. I shall get you both tucked in."
She picked up the little girl and started upstairs with William following behind. "Goodnight Susannah," he said as he went to his room.
Julia took Susie to the guest room and helped her change into her nightgown, tucked her in, and gave her Bear. She kissed her goodnight. "Goodnight Julia," said Susie.
Julia turned out the light and went to her bedroom. William was already in bed, his eyes closed but not asleep yet.
"William, I noticed you refer to Susie by her full name, Susannah, most of the time. Is it because that was your sister's name?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I haven't really thought about it until now."
"Well, try to sleep. I'm going downstairs for a while and work on some medical records I should have taken care of today."
She kissed him goodnight as well and turned off the light.
Julia had been working at her desk on the first floor for an hour or so when the silence of the house was broken by a blood curdling cry. She jumped up, realizing that Susie had made the sound. Running to the staircase she hurried to the little girl's room, but stopped at the doorway. William had gotten there first.
As he sat on the edge of the bed he held Susie in his arms, rocking her and patting her back, saying, "There, there. It will be alright. It's just a bad dream. I won't let anything happen to you."
When he saw Julia appear at the doorway he looked at her pleadingly, "Help me, Julia!"
"You're doing just fine, William," she assured him.
Susie slowly stopped crying and snuggled into William's neck. "William, mommy and daddy aren't coming back, are they?" she whispered in his ear.
"No Sweetie, they're not. But Julia and I are here with you and we're not going away."
Julia helped him lift her as he stood with her in his arms. Then he carried her to the big chair in the room, and held her until they both fell asleep. Julia covered them with a blanket and tiptoed out.