Chapter 2

"Ma, no!", Adam cried, sobbing as he sank to his knees, burying his face in his hands.

Thomas, though upset himself, did his best to hide it as he knelt at his side, hesitantly laying a hand on his brother's back.

Simon, heart heavy, watched his two eldest, little Henry in his own arms. He knew Jane's time was near when she began letting him attempt to make breakfast. Before, she would have never allowed it, even if she, herself were sick. "I'm so sorry son.", he whispered, looking down at his now youngest. He looked lovingly at the baby that laid in his arms when-

"Leave me alone Tom!", Adam yelled, startling both his brother and father, punching Thomas in the nose, knocking him backward a few steps. "What do you and Pa think that I'm so weak I can't handle my own mother dying!?", he yelled, eyes burning with anger.

The next moment the two of them could only watch as he stormed out of the room, slamming the front door behind him.

Still somewhat in shock both father and son looked at one another with weary eyes. What could either of them do?

Thomas turned to face the door when Simon called out to him.

"Yeah Pa?", he asked somewhat hesitantly.

"Let your brother go. A little time alone will do him some good, I hope. If he's not back by dark I'll go look."

Thomas nodded, walking the few steps back to where his father stood. "How will we take care of Henry?, he asked, looking lovingly at his newest brother, who slept in his father's arms. At the moment, he wouldn't have minded having the baby's innocence, not knowing what horrible things were going on around him. Though, at the same time he did feel some sorrow at the fact that Henry would never know what a wonderful woman their mother had been.

Simon, watching the little interaction of his two sons, smiled ever-so-slightly despite the sadness he felt.

Thomas, gently taking Henry's small hand into his own, looked up at his father. "Pa, what are we gonna do? We can't take him to the mine. How can we take care of him?", he asked, his own eyes filled with concern and sadness.

Nodding, Simon gave his son a one armed hug. "We'll make it somehow. I promise.", he whispered.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Giving his son a look of appreciation, Simon once again sighed. "Well unfortunately I must tell your brothers about yer mother. Think you could help Jeffery comfort them?"

Nodding, Thomas also asked, "Want me to go find Aunt Mary first?"

"That's probably a good idea. Ask her also if she has any extra milk.", Simon added after a moment.

"Yes sir.", Thomas replied, doing his best to plaster a smile on his face before leaving the room.

Quickly agreeing, Mary headed straight for her brother's house, what was left of the milk cradled in her arms.

Mary herself had never been married, but had always helped her brother with his six, now seven sons.

Thomas stayed back and took care of the few animals his aunt had before returning home himself.

Hesitantly, Thomas walked toward the house, slightly afraid of what he would find, when suddenly, he looked up, hearing Adam yell at no one in particular, just getting his anger out as he sat in a secluded area he claimed as 'his'. Tempting as it was, he merely shook his head, deciding it was better just to let him alone for the time being.

After walking a little further, he then looked up, seeing Jeffery, Gabriel, Walter and Billy in his arms.

"How bad is it Jeffery?", Thomas asked.

"I guess it could be worse.", he replied, optimistic as usual. "I think it affected Gabriel the worst.", he whispered, gently rubbing his brother's back.

Thomas nodded, gently taking Gabriel into his arms as he sat down beside Jeffery. "So, what's going on here?", he asked wanting to be updated on the situation.

Jeffery sighed, taking a moment before answering. "Well, Aunt Mary's in helping dad. She's taking care of Henry . . .while he gets Ma

and . . .whatever her name would have been. It'd been cool if they woulda named her, but I'm glad they didn't. Makes me not quite as sad about it. Pa's gonna burry them tomorrow morning. Says it's too late in the day and he doesn't want us to go to bed with the image in our minds."

"I understand what you mean Jeffery.", Thomas whispered, laying a hand on his brother's arm. "Just remember one thing; that Ma was better off. She was suffering, I could tell it. She wouldn't have admitted it, even to Pa, but she was."

Slowly Jeffery Nodded. "I know. Remember a few days ago when I didn't go with you guys to the mine? She asked me to stay back."

Thomas, now realizing what his brother was saying, slowly nodded. "Oh Jeffery, If I'd known."

But, he only shrugged. "At least I made her happy."

And with that the five of them sat, not saying a word.

Later, after getting everything ready for the event that would take place the next day and laying Henry down in his bed, the little boy sleeping peacefully, the two of them went to check on the others.

However, once they reached the door and glanced down, seeing all the boys cuddled together and napping, they both did their best not to laugh.

"Simon,", Mary whispered, gently squeezing her brother's arm. "I know you're too upset to eat and the boys probably are too, but how about we let them sleep while I try to make a little something?"

After a moment Simon nodded, agreeing.

And, while the boys slept and Mary made their supper, Simon, hesitantly decided he should go look for Adam. Heading off into the forest, it didn't take him long, already knowing where his son went. However, when he did find him, it was with a great surprise.

"Adam no!", Simon cried, seeing the knife in his son's hand, knowing what he was about to do.

Glancing in his father's direction, Adam looked slightly ashamed as he put the knife down. "Hey Pa.", he mumbled, barely audible.

Slightly relieved for the moment, Simon knelt at his son's side. "Adam, what on earth are you thinking?", he asked, eyes full of both confusion as well as concern for his son.

Looking down, refusing to look at his father, Adam sighed. "What's the use Pa? Nobody understood me like Ma did. I'll be miserable."

"Adam, I know you just lost your mother and I know you'll miss your mother, but this isn't the answer son. The rest of us need you. Think of Henry. He'll need you someday to teach him to dig and stuff."

"What does he need me for? You've got Thomas . . .the perfect son. Nobody needs me.", he replied, crossing his hands as he stood up, turning his back.

Simon sighed, already knowing this would be an extremely difficult time, dealing with Adam's loss as well as his own. "Son, I know how much you loved our mother. Believe me, I do. She was the love of my life."

"Really? Then why'd she have to die?", Adam mumbled, kicking a rock that laid at his feet.

Simon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he thought over how to respond to his son's statement. "Well son, it's not like she wanted to leave us. It was just her time. But, she'll still watch over us.", he replied, hopping he'd said the right thing.

"Don't talk about angels to me dad!", Adam yelled before burying his face in his hands as a rush of sobs suddenly overtook him.

Eyes full of compassion as always, Simon gently took his son in his arms, thankful he didn't attempt to fight him.

The pair stood for a few minutes, giving Adam time to get is emotions in check before they headed back to the cottage.