Jeffrey refused to say anything at first, but when they got back to the house, Rose was told everything. Her face paled and she motioned for them all to sit down. Then she began her story. "After the children's mother died, my son Bert resorted to drinking. I-I couldn't believe it, but my sweet, kind son began to beat Jeffrey and sometimes Serena. I had to get them out of there. I knew that you wouldn't turn us away." Rose said softly, looking anxiously at Olivia and John.
Olivia's face grew worried. "Stay for as long as you need to. You'll always be welcome here." She reassured, and smiled a little. Then she put an arm around Serena and Jeffrey, instantly welcoming them into her home properly.
Emma couldn't help but feel that Ben was hiding something from her. He seemed the same old him, but now that she was a mother she just seemed to jump to conclusions more and more. She told herself she was being paranoid. One night, she lay in bed, reading 'The Wizard of Oz'. It wasn't her favourite book, but she mostly read it for the nostalgia rush.
Ben opened the door, his red hair messy. He looked exhausted. Emma knew he had been working extra hard to save money so that they could build a house. Living in the shed wouldn't work forever, especially if they decided to have more children, and the house was full already with Rose taking Grandma's room. The much loved older woman was away visiting relatives.
Emma set down the book and smiled at her husband. "Ginny went to sleep real quick tonight."
Ben grinned back at her. "That's good. How are you feeling?" He asked, yawning and changing our of his work clothes.
"Pretty good. I'm thinking of going back to work once Ginny gets bigger." She glanced over at her daughter protectively. The little girl was sound asleep. It was just what Emma had always wanted to be. A mother.
Emma and Mary Ellen found Jeffrey and Serena sprawled on the ground in the barn, pouring over old photo albums. Emma inwardly cringed at the thought of seeing herself as an awkward looking teenager. Mary Ellen also looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Can I see?" The eldest sister asked, as she kneeled down and smirked. Serena reluctantly handed her the photo album and resorted to peering over Mary Ellen's shoulder. Jeffrey collapsed in a fit of laughter at seeing a school photo of her with wild hair. She must have been about ten. "I look awful." Mary Ellen chuckled.
Emma giggled at the sight of Ben giving the camera a solemn, doe eyed look. He must have been about five. "Ben has to see this. Where did you find this one? I've never seen these photos."
Serena shrugged. "It was in a box in the attic."