Bret looked at the grim-faced lawman. Shawn, Adam and Heath had come halfway down the stairs once they'd heard Hunter's voice. Hunter took off his hat and stepped further inside.
Bret finally spoke. "Good lord, Hunter. Is it Chris, or the children?" His face was etched with worry, he prayed nothing had happened to his godchildren or Chris.
Hunter shook his head "no" and took a deep breath. "I don't like this part of my job, but I'll just say it. Vincent McMahon hung himself to death in the hayloft of the stables. Scott had gone to check the barn one last time around eleven-thirty. He noticed that Deputy needed some hay for the night. Scott went up to the loft to throw a bale down, and found McMahon hanging in the far corner. It was too late, he was already gone."
When Shawn heard the news, he began to tremble. He couldn't believe the man he'd once loved so dearly was dead, and in such a horrible way. He turned pale and started to fall. Adam grabbed his poppa just as Shawn let out a small wail of shock. Heath helped Adam take Shawn to his bedroom.
Bret saw that for the moment, Shawn was taken care of. "Thanks for telling us Hunt. I'd have rather heard it from you than through gossip. Did he leave a note or anything?" he asked. It was strange to think that earlier that morning, the man had been sitting in the parlor of this very house.
Hunter nodded. "Apparently he left several. Probably spent most of the day writing them. I know there is one for Shawn one for you and another for Adam. I'm sure Lawyer Cole will call in the morning, he has the letters. I'm also sure you have mixed feelings about this. I'm shocked, but myself, from what little contact I had with him... I didn't figure him the type for a caper like this. I'd better go, still have a lot to do. Glad I got two Marshals to help. Try to get some sleep. Sorry to have bothered you, but I felt you needed to know right away. Good night," Hunter said with a slight smile as he put his hat back on his head. He nodded to Jason and Wade and shook hands with Bret. Hunter left, and Bret locked up behind him.
Bret turned to go upstairs, and his eyes landed on Jason. He couldn't read the boy's expression and that concerned him. How much more did this family, his family, have to go through? Nothing had been right since last Thursday evening.
"Jason, son? You with us?" Bret asked in a very worried tone, and his eyes bore into Jason's as he tried to read the young man's face.
Jason blinked a few times and shook himself. "Yeah, um... take care of Poppa, I need to be alone. Don't... I won't be stupid..." he turned and went to his room behind the stairs.
Wade looked at his uncle. "Heath will take care of him. Adam and Shawn need us. I... don't know what to say... " Wade looked in earnest at his uncle. It was one of the few times in his adult life he felt like a helpless child and needed his Uncle Bret.
Bret scratched his head. "I honestly don't know either, son. Shawn loved him for a long time, he was Adam's father, despite everything, Jason's as well. I think the best thing we can do is let them talk and support them, no matter what. Guess we'd better be prepared for tears and anger. Come on, I want to get up to Shawn and Heath needs to go to Jason." Bret hugged his nephew and Wade took comfort in the strong arms that had raised him.
Wade chuckled just a bit, since he was a good head taller than his uncle. "I feel like I'm six again. But, this is where I feel the safest. Thank you, Uncle Bret, for giving me such a wonderful life. It's because of you, I can be what Adam needs. You taught me all I know. I love you, Uncle," he gave a bit of a sniff. Moments like these were rare and special, both nephew and uncle treasured them.
Bret gave his own sniff and looked up into Wade's eyes. "So much of his Lordship in you, but, you have her eyes. Your parents would be so proud of you. Your mother would adore Adam. Now, there are some men up there that need us. Be strong. You'll be alright. I hope the baby will be alright," his eyes were filled with confidence, but Wade saw the worry as well. With a final hug, they made their way upstairs to face the unknown emotions.
Jason heard the creak of the stairs as Wade and Bret went up them. He sat on his bed, his kerosene lamp barely casting a light as he had the wick turned low. He banged his head against his oak headboard, angry with himself. Why was he feeling like this? He hated his father, but yet he was feeling sad about Vince's death. He did have a few happy memories, before he found out what his father was really like.
There was the time when he was seven and Vince bought him his first pony for his birthday. He remembered building sand castles on the beach at the Cape, Vince always helped him carry the heavy buckets of wet sand. Jason could remember Vince playing horsey with him and Adam on the nursery room floor, crawling on all fours, gently trying to buck them off. Poppa was there as well to catch them when they tumbled off Vince's back. Those were happy times.
Jason's favorite memory was the time Poppa draped sheets over the huge dining room table to make a cave for him and Adam to play in. Poppa let him and Adam eat their tea in the cave by lamplight. Poppa told them a scary story about an evil wolf, when all of a sudden, there was a low growl outside the cave. Poppa said it was the evil wolf and it was up to Jason to protect him and Adam.
Jason grabbed his toy pop gun. The gun was made of wood, and had a cork tied to a piece of string. When he pulled the trigger, the cork would fly out of the gun with a loud "pop". Vince found out the hard way, that when playing evil wolf, the pop gun was quite effective. He went to work at the bank the next day with a black eye, but Jason had saved his brother and poppa from the big, bad wolf. Jason's eyes filled with tears as he remembered Vince holding him, saying it was alright, it was just an accident. Jason wondered, did Vince play those kinds of games with Shane and Stephanie? He closed his eyes, lost in his thoughts.
Adam and Heath had gotten a shaky Shawn into his nightshirt and settled into bed. Adam lit a fire in the fireplace, using plenty of kindling to catch the bigger logs faster. He couldn't wait for next year. Bret had said when spring arrived, all the fireplaces would be converted to burn coal. Coal was a lot better. While it was more costly, it kept a more even and steady heat with a lot less fuel.
By keeping busy taking care of his poppa, Adam didn't have time to think about his father. Heath knew what Adam was doing, so he kept out of the way. Shawn looked terrible, his skin was pale and his eyes were red rimmed. For the moment, Shawn's eyes were closed, and his hands rested on his belly. Shawn's lips were moving silently, and Heath wondered if he was praying or talking to the baby.
Heath observed Adam as he flitted around the room. Adam pulled the drapes, poked at the fire, filled Shawn's water glass, poked the fire again, hung Shawn's dirty clothes on the hook to air before washing them, poked the fire, and went on to whatever little chore he could find to do. All the while, an occasional tear dripped dripped down his face and glistened on his neatly trimmed beard.
Adam grabbed Shawn's sliver-handled boar hairbrush from the dresser and sat on the side of the bed. Without a word, he took his poppa's pony tail from its leather thong and began to brush Shawn's long coppery blond locks. As Heath watched from the chair he was sitting in, he noticed that in the firelight, Shawn's hair looked like burnished gold. He hoped any children he and Jason had would have the same color hair. He squirmed a bit, wishing there was more he could do, he was worried about Jason, but he also knew his fiancé needed time.
Shawn's eyes remained closed as Adam brushed. It was soothing and comforting for both of them. Shawn's eyes opened and Adam's head turned as Bret and Wade came into the room.
Bret first went to Heath. He bent down and placed his hands on his knees so he could speak quietly. "Jason is in his room. He said he wanted to be alone, but he needs you. Just... he might not let you in at first. Be patient and be there, he will need you. Call out if you need help." He gave Heath's cheek a gentle caress and flashed him a soft smile.
Heath sighed. "Thanks. This is going to be hard on them. I'll go, Jason needs me," he stood as Bret moved aside, he hugged the older man and left the room.
Shawn held out his hand, and Bret walked over to the bed and took it. "Wade, take Adam to bed, we all need our rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day." Shawn paused and took Adam's chin gently in his free hand, then continued. "Whatever you feel is alright, just don't hold anything in. It's alright to be sad, it's alright to be angry. Your father was a hard man to love. Just remember, despite what he did, he once loved you dearly. This is one time I can't help you, because I don't know how I feel either... I'm numb right now. One thing I do know for sure, I love you and your brother very much. Now, go to bed and try to rest, I'm in good hands." He leaned up and gave Adam a kiss on the forehead.
Adam nodded. "I love you, my darling Poppa. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that's confused," he paused to look up at Bret. "I'm glad Poppa has you. I love you too, Uncle Bret."
Bret hugged Adam, and as he did, spoke softly in his ear. "I love you. Wade will be there for you, lean on him, he loves you so very much." He motioned for Wade with a smile.
Wade bent down and scooped Adam up in his arms and carried him out of the room. It made Shawn feel better to know that his boys both had good men in their lives to help them. As a parent, there was no greater comfort. Bret followed the married couple to the door and closed it after them. He leaned against the door and looked at Shawn with worry-filled eyes.
"Come to bed, I need you," Shawn spoke with a choke in his voice. Shawn watched as Bret stripped down to his cotton undershorts, then crawled under the covers.
Shawn and Bret snuggled deep in the bed. Shawn's head rested on Bret's chest, his favorite place. Bret's arms wrapped around his lover tightly. The slightly older man could feel an occasional drip of a tear falling on his chest, trickling through his curly chest hairs. Hart wished he could think of some wonderful words of wisdom or encouragement, but what did one say in this kind of situation?
Shawn let out a long, heavy sigh, his breath warm on Bret's chest. "I hated him, but once I loved him, like I love you now... no, that's not really true. The love I feel for you is much stronger because I know you love me in return. I'm so damn confused. He was upset this morning, I could tell, but I never thought... did Hunter say anything about a note or maybe a letter?" he asked with a deep sniff.
Bret echoed Shawn's previous sigh. "Yes, he did. Apparently Vince must have spent the day writing several letters. Hunter said among others there was one for you, one for Adam and one for me. Why me, I don't know, and he didn't mention one for Jason either. Hunt said Cole will probably bring them in the morning. I wish I had some words I could say. I think Brother Ted should be here tomorrow," he stroked Shawn's arm softly as he spoke.
"That's a good idea, about Brother Ted. I don't know how Jason will take if everyone was left a letter but him. He and Vince had a tumultuous relationship at best, but still, to be left out would be a blow. I really hope Heath has a lot of strength and patience," Shawn replied in a worried tone, his eyes closed. He inhaled deeply, and took in Bret's comforting scent, it was intoxicating.
Bret kept up with his gentle touches. "I'll go see Ted first thing then. I'm sure Heath is a lot stronger than he looks. Oh my darling, I'm here for you." It was the most comforting thing he could think of to say.
Shawn yawned, mentally and physically exhausted. "Thank you for the wonderful afternoon. At least you gave us a few hours of happiness in all this mess. I wonder... this won't help poor John Layfield... I would have been less surprised to hear that he had taken his own life. I can't help but wonder what will happen in Boston when the news gets out. Oh Bretty, I am so damn tired," he spoke his words through another yawn so deep, it made Shawn's eyes water.
Bret knew if Shawn cursed, he had to be tired. Normally it would have been funny, but not this time. "Try to sleep, Sunflower. You need to think of our Rebecca. She can't suffer because of him." Bret's left hand reached down and rested on Shawn's abdomen.
Shawn yawned again, he placed his hand on top of the one Bret had on his belly. "Sleep little Rebecca Grace. God, bless her to grow strong and healthy." Those were the last words he uttered every night before going to sleep.
Bret smiled softly. He loved hearing those words. "Amen" was the response he gave every night before he went to sleep. It was a routine that somehow made the horrible day end normally.
Both men closed their eyes. Sleep came faster and deeper than either man could have hoped for.
As Wade carried his husband into their bedroom, he could feel Adam relax. He wished he could hold him like this forever, but, after all, Adam wasn't that light of a weight to carry for too long. With reluctance he gently set Adam down on his feet.
Wade closed the door with a soft click of the latch. Adam had already begun to do the same mind numbing chores he'd done in his poppa's room. He started with wadding newspaper to lay as a base to light the kindling.
Wade thought it was probably best to let Adam do what he felt he needed to do. So, as Adam built the fire, Wade stripped out of his clothes, opting not to put on a nightshirt. Since their wedding night a week ago they had slept naked, and he saw no reason to break the routine, unless Adam asked him to. He slipped into their bed to wait for Adam.
Once he had the fire crackling cheerfully, Adam pulled the drapes. Normally he liked to have the morning sunshine into the room, but now he wanted to close himself off from the outside world. Adam then began to strip out of his own clothes. When he was completely naked, he debated reaching for his nightshirt. He changed his mind. He picked up both his and Wade's discarded clothes, as he did every night, and hung them up to air. They had a faint fishy smell, mixed with smoke from the campfire. It gave him a pleasant feeling. He turned to his husband.
"Thank you for today, my Dragon. You brought some happiness to all this... chaos. I love you," he whispered as he slipped into the bed next to his beloved spouse. It was his place of safety, comfort and most of all, love. His head rested in his favorite spot, just above Wade's left pectoral muscle. As soon Adam's body settled into its usual place, Wade wrapped his arms around his husband. Adam's knee then hooked onto Wade's hip. Their bodies fit like the pieces of a wooden picture puzzle.
Wade whispered softly. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. It was good to hear you laugh. I'm closing school for the rest of the week. Everyone will expect it anyway." As he spoke, his breath caused a few stray strands of Adam's hair to move like they were being blown by a light breeze.
Adam nuzzled his head against Wade's warm skin. "Good, I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on teaching. Wade, is it alright to hate him, yet... miss him?" he asked in a childlike voice as his fingers lightly caressed Wade's chest. He loved feeling Wade's body, it meant it was real, it made him feel safe and secure.
Wade nearly purred with Adam's gentle caresses, but now wasn't the time for bed fun. He needed to focus on Adam's needs, not his. "I think your feelings are perfectly normal. What he did to you was unforgivable, but I'm sure you also have some good memories of him. I'm here, Poppet, you talk if you want, or just be quiet. I'll love you, no matter what," he could only follow his uncle's advice. It had worked in winning Adam's heart, so Wade was sure it would help him now.
Adam closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "I adored Father when I was little. I can remember playing under his desk in the evenings when he worked at home..." he paused and gave a bit of a laugh as a happy memory invaded his thoughts. "One time I was sitting on his lap as he worked at home. I reached for something on his desk and I accidentally knocked over the ink well. I guess whatever he was working on wasn't that important, because instead of getting mad he laughed. He dipped my little hand in the puddle of ink, then carefully pushed it onto a clean sheet of paper. I was three, so playing in the ink was exciting. I remember laughing and patting Father's cheeks, of course there was a big, black hand print on his face. Later, he hung the paper with my hand print on the wall of his office at the bank. Why couldn't he have... why did he have to change?" Adam asked with a sniff, tears filled his pretty eyes. The happy memory had turned to sadness in the blink of an eye.
Wade kissed the top of Adam's head. "I think I would have been furious at you, spilling the ink, then getting it all over. I wish I had an answer for you, Poppet. I do think it's better to keep those kinds of memories instead of the others. I don't mean to make light of the horrible things he did but... I hope you understand what I am trying to say?" he was afraid Adam would take his words the wrong way. This was the most difficult situation Wade had ever been in.
A lone tear tracked from Adam's hazel eyes, ran down his nose and made a small splash on Wade's skin. "I understand, it's just... the bad is so much worse than any of the good. I remember, just before we decided to leave Boston, Poppa blamed himself, wondered how he failed. Billy Jay and I said he wasn't a failure, but maybe it was something we did, as children to make father hate us so." Although his body didn't move, he shrugged through his voice. Another tear dripped onto Wade's chest followed by a sniff.
Wade tightened his hold on Adam, his hand threading through the dirty blond locks. "The only person to blame was and is Vince. You, Jason and Shawn had nothing to do with it," he spoke firmly, hoping Adam took the words to heart.
A wry chuckle passed through Adam's lips. "That's the same thing we told Poppa. I know in my head you're right, but in my heart... and then... he didn't even remember... oh Wade... he didn't even remember..." Finally the tears came in a full downpour.
Wade was actually glad for the tears, he knew they would help cleanse Adam's mind. If he was lucky, Adam would cry himself to sleep and Adam needed the rest. Wade knew tomorrow would be a long, hard day.
Wade rubbed Adam's back in a slow, steady circular movement. Once again he had to tame the wild horse and comfort as best he could. "It will be alright, love. I'm here no matter what, so are the rest of the family. You just let it all out," he cooed the words softly in Adam's ear as he kept caressing Adam's naked skin.
Adam let his tears flow, the salty drops mingled in his beard and Wade's dark chest hairs. Normally it would have tickled, but to Wade, once again there was nothing to laugh about. As Wade suspected, Adam eventually cried himself to sleep. The older man kept rubbing Adam's back as his own eyes closed. Soon the entire upstairs of the house was asleep.
Down in his room, Jason heard the squeak of the telltale stair. He knew without a doubt it was Heath. Sure enough, in a few seconds there was a light knock on his door. Jason was not in the best frame of mind and rather than take his lousy mood out on an innocent Heath, he refused to let his fiancé in. "Go away Heath. I love you, but …. go away." His tone was sharper than he intended, more proof to him that Heath should not come in.
Heath was disappointed, but he knew Jason. "Alright, Daddy. I'll be here if you change your mind." He put his back against the wall and slid down. He sat on the floor by the door of Jason's room and stretched his legs out in front of him. He rested his head against the wall and put his hands in his lap. Heath would wait, all night if he had to.
Jason shook his head. He hadn't heard the stair squeak again, so he knew Heath was either in the kitchen, parlor or sitting on the floor outside the door. He opted for the latter because that's what he'd do if the situation were reversed.
Jason's thoughts went to another memory. When Adam was three, Vince had turned an accident with ink into something fun. When Vince had shown Shawn the framed paper with Adam's hand print, Jason cried. He wanted his hand print to hang in his father's office too.
Vince laughed and scooped Jason up in his arms and carried him to his study. This time, Vince poured some ink on an old plate. He got a clean piece of paper and sat down with Jason in his lap. Very gently he took Jason's hand and dipped it, palm down in the ink, then carefully pressed it on the paper. Jason laughed when Vince lifted his little hand and he saw the print that matched Adam's. Before Jason could make a mess, Vince took him to wash the ink from his hand. Now Jason's framed hand print would hang in the bank as well.
Jason's thoughts turned again, to the time he first found a beaten Shawn. After learning his father had done it, the flame of hatred sparked and began to grow. When he later learned that beating Shawn was a regular occurrence, the flames grew even bigger. Once in a while he would hear Shawn crying in utter despair. It angered Jason that he couldn't do anything to help his poppa. It was then he started to get the idea to leave Boston. Every time Jason brought it up, Shawn said no, he would not bring shame on the family. It was exasperating to Jason, but he understood. Society was what Shawn's life revolved around, it was all he had other than his two boys.
When Jason found out about Eric and the children, that was the last straw. He even went so far as to pack bags for Adam, Shawn and himself. When he told Shawn, he was again slapped down. Shawn refused, once again, to leave. No way could Shawn leave now, he wouldn't give Eric or Vince the satisfaction of leaving.
After that horrible night, when Shawn finally agreed to leave, Jason had hoped to never lay eyes on Vincent McMahon again. Now once again, his father had caused nothing but chaos in their lives. Jason banged his head against the wall in frustration.
Heath's eyes flew open. He'd been resting when the sound reached his ears. Jason must have hit the wall again. He wished Jason would let him in. Heath sighed, he could only wait.
Further down Maple Street, on the opposite side from number twelve, a large house sat between the Helmsley's home and the Congregational Church. It was the home of Damien Sandow. Upstairs in a guest room of the Sandow house, sat Eric Bischoff. He and the children had been staying in the Sandow's old apartment over the bank. When Hunter had come with the news about Vince, Damien had insisted Eric come to the house with the children.
Ever since he'd met Eric and the children, Damien Sandow had changed. There was something about Eric that calmed Damien's aching heart. Maybe it was that Eric reminded him of Evan. It wasn't the looks, because the only comparison was their dark hair and build, but it was Eric's demeanor. He was a wonderful, caring parent and was eager to please people.
Evan had been the same. In many ways, Shawn Michaels was the same, and that was partly why he'd been so taken with Adam. However, that little crush was over and forgotten. Adam was happily in love with Wade, and that had been that.
Damien knew Drew McIntyre liked him, but Drew just wasn't his type. Drew was strong and independent, Damien wanted someone who needed him. He wanted to be the one a lover would come to for strength and comfort. Drew would have never needed him like that. Eric, however, fit the bill perfectly. Unfortunately, Eric happened to be be taken... or so Damien thought.
Not long after Eric had moved in over the bank, Damien had invited him to the house for afternoon tea. He found out that things between Eric and Vince were strained at best. Eric had told him, once they went back to Boston, he was going to move out of Vince's house. Eric said they tired to put on a front for the children. They had been raised to think Vince was their uncle, but after they had moved to Vince's house, Vince had told the children he was their father. He had done it without even discussing it with Eric. Shane sort of understood, but Stephanie was still too young.
Vince had told the children to never call him Father around other people. Eric explained that during a party at the house, both children let it slip. Later that night, after the guests had gone and children were asleep, Vince hit him, over and over. For Eric, that was the end and he shut Vince out, their romance was over. Eric then told Damien he'd been summoned to give testimony at the McMahon's divorce trial. Had he gotten to the witness stand, he would have turned hostile, it would have been his revenge on Vince.
During their tea, Eric had laughed. He told Damien he had no idea why he felt so compelled to tell him everything so openly. Damien said sometimes talking to a stranger was easier because they had no vested interest in taking sides. That made sense to Eric and ever since that afternoon tea, he and Damien had been growing closer.
Once of the best things was that Mary and Simon took to Eric, Shane and Stephanie like ducks to water. Eric and the children really only used the apartment over the bank for sleeping, most of their time was spent at the Sandow house, and they spent that time together happily.
Now, Eric sat in a chair in the Sandow children's former nursery. He watched his sleeping babies. They had no idea of the horrible thing that had happened, and he wasn't sure how to tell them. Shane and especially Stephanie loved Vince and in return he doted on them. Eric was thankful that Vince's physical anger never touched the children.
Eric, like Shawn and his family, just didn't know how to feel or what to think. He'd loved Vince once, but that had died with the bruises on his face. He'd had to tell the children he'd fallen on the stairs. Little did he know it hadn't been the first time lies like that had been told in the McMahon house.
Eric looked toward the door when he heard it open, and smiled when he saw Damien standing there. He held a finger to his lips asking Damien to be quiet. He stood up, kissed his sleeping children and went to the lamp shadowed figure standing in the doorway.
In silence, Eric followed Damien down the hallway and into the master bedroom of the house. It was the first time Eric had been in the room. He admired Damien's taste. A king sized bed, dresser, wardrobe, wash stand, two bedside tables and a small sofa in front of the fireplace decorated the room.
When Damien lit the lamp that sat on the bedside table, Eric could see the wood of the furniture was of highly polished, golden oak. It was beautiful and he couldn't wait to see it in the glory of sunlight.
A fire burned in the fireplace and Damien indicated for Eric to sit on the leather sofa. There was a tea service set up on the small, marble topped, golden oak coffee table. The tea pot was steaming and was just what Eric needed. Damien sat down next to him, both men were in their nightshirts and robes, but it didn't matter.
Damien poured them each of cup of fragrant tea. Eric thanked him with a warm smile and shining eyes. The banker didn't push for conversation, he'd listen if Eric wanted to talk or just be a companion if he didn't. For now, they sipped their tea in silence.
Back at number twelve Maple Street, Jason decided he was tired of being alone, he needed his precious Sweet Pea. He slid off his bed and padded over to the door, and didn't bother with his robe. He opened the door and smiled.
Heath had drifted off to dreamland. His head was bent forward, which meant his beautiful red hair made a silken curtain around his face. His hands were relaxed on his lap, the engagement ring glittering on his finger. To Jason, Heath was so precious.
Heath smacked his lips and blinked a few times as the felt himself being lifted off the ground, with a bit of a groan from Jason. Heath smiled and rested his head on Jason's shoulder as he was carried into the small room.
Jason sat on the bed and held Heath close. "I'm sorry, I just needed to be alone for a bit. I didn't want to upset you with my bad mood," he explained as Heath woke up a bit more.
Heath kissed his fiancé's cheek. "I understand, Daddy. I can't imagine what you, Adam and Shawn must be feeling. We just want to be here for all of you, be whatever help and support we can. I love you, Jason. All you've done for me, I'm glad I can do in return," his smile was warm and his eyes glowed with love.
Jason kissed Heath's plump, soft lips. "I love you, Heath. Chris will give us the week off, I'm sure. Just... stay with me, I need you, so much," his words fell in a soft, warm whisper in Heath's ear.
"You know I will. Let's try to get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a long, long day," Heath spoke in his own breathy whisper as he looked into Jason's weary eyes.
"You will sleep with me, won't you? You know, they know we do sometimes," Jason actually blushed a bit. He also smiled. If Adam wasn't with Wade, or if Heath wasn't around, Jason knew he'd been sleeping with his brother. He was glad it was Heath instead.
They slipped under the covers and curled up together, holding each other tightly. Like it had with the others, sleep came quickly. It was a blessing.
Tomorrow would indeed be a long, long day.