Chapter 3

When the father-son pair finally returned to the cottage, darkness was settling in, their only light being what came from the cottage's fireplace. Looking around, they noticed that the others who had been napping were now inside, Simon assumed eating.

Once they opened the door however, they were surprised instead to find they sat around the table, Henry in Thomas' arms while his Aunt Mary waited for the soup to finish cooking.

"How are my boys?", Simon asked, walking over to where his sister stood.

"As well as can be expected. I expect we'll have plenty of leftovers.", she replied, spooning some soup into the bowls she had set near her.

Simon nodded, glancing back toward his sons, seeing just how clearly the recent event affected them emotionally. Even Jeffery, who was always the last one be put down, clearly had sorrow in his eyes.

Sighing, Simon picked up a couple of the bowls, carrying them over to the table for his sister. A look of sorrow covered his face as he looked to each of his boys, knowing the event had to crush each of them so much. "Boys,", he called, the single word nearly choking him just to say it. "I know today hasn't . . .been easy for any of you, but . . .first thing tomorrow we're going to bury your mother." He took a slow breath trying to gain enough strength to finish what he wanted to say. "I-If any of you want to say anything or . . .or do anything" He sighed, setting two bowls on the table before turning back toward the fireplace to get a couple more bowls, struggling to keep his composure, be strong for his family.

Supper was, not surprisingly, quiet and as Aunt Mary had predicted, the boys ate very little of their supper.

Afterward, Simon went out back to think and Mary cleaned up, while the boys sat around, Thomas still cradling little Henry in his arms.

Now, sighing as she put away the last of the dishes, Aunt Mary knelt at Thomas' side.

"How are you sweetie?", she asked her eldest nephew, gently taking Henry into her own arms.

Sighing, Thomas now hugged his knees, looking to each of his brothers before looking once again at his Aunt. "Ok I guess. I just hope Pa's gonna be alright.", he whispered.

Nodding Aunt Mary gently rubbed his arm. "I know it's hard to see him upset sweetie, but it'll get better.", she told him in her most reassuring tone.

His lips curling up ever so slightly, he leaned over just enough to kiss her on the cheek. "Think Pa would mind if I went to talk to him for a minute?"

"I shouldn't think he would.", Aunt Mary answered, standing up as carefully as she could. "While you do that I'll put Gabriel, Walter and Billy to bed. I know the poor things are ready.", she replied.

Nodding, Thomas gave her another kiss before heading out the back door. However, once he did, he was surprised to hear a faint sobbing. Knowing the noise could only come from his father he sighed walking toward the noise until he could see his father.

Though, he now questioned the decision, he hesitantly knelt beside him. "Pa?", he whispered, his just barely manly eyes full of the desire to heal the hurt of those he loved.

Simon, slightly embarrassed, looked up at his son, his eyes shinning with both shed and unshed tears. "Tom? What are you doing out here?" he whispered, the slightest hint of worry coming over his features, hoping nothing else was wrong.

Now, slightly sorry he had decided to do this, Thomas slowly knelt at his father's side. "Pa,", he began slowly. "Mind if I talk to you for a minute?"

Looking up at his son, Simon gave him a surprised expression. "I suppose so. Everything ok?", he asked.

"Yeah.", he whispered, suddenly realizing that his mother laid not far away. "Pa . . .How is this gonna change our lives? I'm gonna help with my brothers, especially Henry. I know Aunt Mary can't do this all on her own."

Sighing, Simon turned to his eldest son, his expression difficult to read though he was clearly grateful for his son and what he was willing to give. Hugging his son close Simon whispered, "I love you so much Thomas. But, please don't over do it. I know you want to help and I'm glad, but it's not worth it if something happens to you.".

The two sat, side-by-side until it was bedtime and all to soon they were waking up, the sun coming over the horizon.

The group sat around the coffin, Thomas and Jeffery, their arms around their younger brothers while Adam, though he sat in the circle, emotionally he was far away.

"Alright boys. I know the last few days have been tough on all of us, but it'll get better.", Simon announced, his tears full of as much sympathy as he could have for his sons. "Now, if any of you would like to say anything, go on."

Thomas, doing his best not to cry, nodded his head before walking up to the pair of caskets and ever-so-carefully laid a rose on the lid of each one. Then, turning around to face the others, he sighed, doing his best to put up a strong front. "I know we all loved Ma so much and I know all of you, as would I, would have loved to have a sister. But, I also know that we'll all work together, to give Henry the best that we can." And, with that, he once again picked Gabriel up, cuddling his second youngest brother close to his side. "I love you so much, he whispered.

Simon, touched by what his eldest son had to say, silently wiped away a few tears. As he did this, he looked from one son to the next, until he finally stopped, reaching Adam. Like his other sons, Adam sat silently, watching the coffins. However, unlike the others, Adam felt more responsible for the events, even blamed himself for what had happened, though he couldn't have stopped it.

Knowing, there was nothing he could do for Adam, Simon sighed, looking again to each of his sons, then back to the caskets. "I suppose we're done.", he whispered. "I suppose you can all go inside with your Aunt. I'm not going to the mines today.", he announced, taking a couple steps toward the caskets.

Thomas and Jeffrey obeyed, carrying their younger brothers into the house, following their Aunt. Adam, however, stayed outside and waited until the others were gone to speak what he had to say.

"Pa,", Adam whispered hesitantly. "Are you positive Ma is in heaven?", he asked.

Surprised, Simon turned to face his son, giving him a smile though it was weak. "Of course son. Your mother was one of the best women I ever knew. I have no doubt."

Adam nodded. "Good. 'Cause I had a dream about that last night and I hoped she was there.", he whispered, a slight smile coming to his lips.

"Well, don't worry because you have nothing to worry about Adam.", Simon answered.

The rest of the day was quiet, not to Simon's surprise. The boys, though they tried to be brave, struggled over the next weeks, with the loss as well as the changes they went through due to it.