Morticia hummed a solemn melody as she trimmed the flower heads off the stems. It was a wonderfully dreary day, the promise of storms lingering in the air. The children were in school, (how was it that Pubert was already in preschool?!), so Morticia was enjoying the window of quiet time to herself.
A sharp ring from the telephone cut through the greenhouse. Knowing that Lurch was outside doing yardwork, Morticia made it a point to answer it herself.
"Morticia Addams,"
"Mrs. Addams," a male voice sounded on the other end, "This is Officer Charles Hankerman with the county police. I'm afraid I have something to tell you regarding a member of your family,"
Morticia seemed unable to process the news. Her mother? A heart attack at the grocery store? Died at the hospital a short while ago?
Morticia hung up the phone, staring at the device as if she were seeing it for the first time. Glancing over the final handful of uncut roses next to the receiver, Morticia numbly decided she should first finish what she was doing.
Morticia briskly picked the roses up and cut the tops off, letting them fall uncharismatically to the floor. It wasn't until then that she noticed she'd snatched the flowers without much care, causing the thorns to slice into her fingers.
Morticia stared at the blood running down her palms, thinking of the blood that no longer coursed through her mother's veins. In that instant the reality of the situation crashed into her, sobs wracking Morticia's body as she dropped to her knees. The agony engulfed her in such a way that she didn't even hear Gomez yell "Tish!" as he ran into the room and wrapped her in an embrace.
In all their years of marriage, Gomez had never seen Morticia in such a state. She'd always been calm and collected, even under the direst of circumstances. "What happened?" he asked, holding her as securely as he could.
"She's…gone…" Morticia managed to say into his shoulder between sobs.
Gomez tried to gently lean Morticia back to see her face, but she only pushed herself into his arms again. "Who's gone?"
Cries were the only response Morticia could give until she was able to form the word "Grandmama,"
Gomez's heart melted in understanding. "I'm sorry," his voice cracked as he held her tighter still, "I'm so, so sorry,"
In the Addams household, death was celebrated; after all, it was the final stage in existence. But they also had a strong family bond, one that was not easily shattered. To lose a member while the others remained brought an emotional pain far worse than any the physical element could ever produce.
When Morticia's sobs began to ease, she leaned back into a kneeling position.
"Your fingers," Gomez said worriedly.
"Hm?"
Gomez wrapped her hands in his. "You've injured your fingers,"
Morticia looked down. She hadn't even felt the pain when she'd touched the thorns. "Yes, I suppose so,"
"Let me get you some gauze," Gomez began to stand, but Morticia reached out and grasped his arm.
"Wait," she mumbled. "Can you just…sit with me another moment?"
"Of course," Gomez replied, sitting back down as she leaned onto his side.
They sat in silence, looking at nothing in particular until Morticia said, "I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to see me like this,"
"Like what, cara mia?" he asked gently.
"Like…this" She gestured to her face, her pale complexion reddened from crying and smeared with mascara.
"I love you no matter what state you are in," Gomez said softly. Mortcia turned away to wipe her eyes, but Gomez gently placed his hands on her face and turned her head back towards his. "I mean it,"
The sight of Gomez's reddened eyes caused Morticia to catch her breath. Had he been crying as well?
Rubbing his thumbs on her cheeks to clear her tear-streaked face, Gomez said "Your pain is my pain. Not only this, but I loved Grandmama as well. We will give her the most festive funeral she deserves, and then some,"
Mortcia gave a small smile at the thought. Yes, a large gathering of family mourning Grandmama's passing should help her feel better. "She would've loved that,"
Gomez stood and held out his hand, which Morticia gingerly took. "I'll arrange for Lurch pick up the children from school today," he said as she joined him. "We'll handle this how we handle everything else: together,"
"Yes," Morticia gave Gomez's hand a squeeze, "Together,"
