Guardianship
One cold December morning shortly after Christmas he was in his study reading and drinking a good whisky when he heard a knock on the door. He grunted that his peace had been disturbed but he knew his servants wouldn't unless it was something important.
"Come in," he barked.
His butler came in solemnly and he at once knew that his cousin was on his death bed. His cousin Seamus had been very ill recently and apart from his nine year old daughter Stephen was the only family he had. Niamh had been an incredible beauty but very frail and passed away in childbirth. They'd just been thankful Labhaoise had survived.
"It's my cousin, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes sir. They believe he's close to the end."
He nodded and stood up leaving to get his coat and hat and gloves. He then headed to the stables to get his horse. Before he did he told his butler to prepare a room for his young cousin and a meal for them both when they got home. He had a feeling his cousin would ask him to look after his daughter.
When he got to his cousin's house he placed his hose in the stables and headed into the house. Seamus' housekeeper led him up to her master's bedroom where he found him in bed with his young daughter kneeling beside his bed.
Labhaoise looked up with tears in her eyes as he took his place the other side of Seamus. Seamus and Stephen had been quite close growing up but had drifted apart after he'd left for America. When he'd gone down ill they'd tried to rebuild the friendship they once had.
"Stephen, is that you?" Seamus asked weakly.
"Yes, cousin, it's me," he answered.
"I want you to do something for me when I'm gone."
"Anything."
"Take good care and look after my dearest possession; my daughter."
"I will to my very best."
He nodded and then suddenly closed his eyes and drew his last breath. He felt a pain and fear in his chest but though he was deeply saddened by his cousin's death and afraid he might not be as good a guardian he would do everything in his power to raise his daughter the way Seamus would want him to.
As the priest gave Seamus his last rights Stephen went over and scooped Labhaoise into his arms. She carried on crying into his shoulder as he held her close to him. He knew he would do anything for her. He'd loved her from the moment she was born.