Security
It took twenty minutes for Ethan and Claire to walk to the water to see the other children.
The place was pretty well laid out, Joseph had done a good job on the park for the baby. It was solid and secure, a carpet and a blanket covered the ground, another covered Tess who slept on this late afternoon of October.
The boys who were fishing at the water's edge, had caught two fish so far. Their main food, by necessity.
The children backed away as Ethan approached. Fortunately Claire was accompanying him or they would have gone like rabbits to be with the baby.
"Hello children, don't worry, I'm your uncle Ethan, your mother's little brother.
Benjamin, George, you were too small the last time I came, Joseph, do you remember me?"
"Yes Uncle Ethan, I remember. What are you doing here?"
"I haven't had any news for several weeks, I was worried, so I came." summed up Ethan.
"I'm bringing you back with me to Paradise. I'm going to have to add Tess for the guardianship and the train, I didn't know about her."
"Are we going to take the train, sir?" Asked Ben.
"Yes, Ben, Paradise is far away, will we have twelve days by train. I'm your uncle Ethan. Ethan repeated calmly.
"It's getting late, let's go home!" Ethan said.
"No!" Exclaimed Joseph, "We don't have enough fish to eat tonight yet!"
"Young man, you don't yell at me! You will speak to me with respect, as well as to all adults." Ethan growled.
"Yes, sir, I'm sorry."
"Alright Joseph, apology accepted. I understand that you have to survive, but I'm here now, I will take care of everything. You just have to be a kid and only fish for fun, understand?"
"Yes sir!"
"We'll take your two fish but I think you have eaten enough fish for the year! I have planned to have meat tonight."
"Is that true?" Ben asked.
"Yes, I even have a surprise for the dessert."
"A dessert?" George asks, ecstatic.
"Let's go, I'm going to carry Tess."
Ethan gently lifted the baby and rested her head on his shoulder, whispering comforting words.
"I too would like you to carry me!" George says.
"But you are a big boy, George, if you walk well to the house, I will hold you a little tonight, it is a promise, alright?"
Ethan recognizes the child's need for comfort more than a whim.
"Me too? Sir?"
"Yes, Ben, you too, and I'm your uncle Ethan You may call me by my name."
Ethan cooked meat and beans that night.
"Claire? Does Tess eat like us?"
"Yes Uncle Ethan, she is three years old not three months old! " Teased Claire. "The bottle is for the morning only" she clarified.
It was great to see the kids eating with so much fun! It had been a long time since they had eaten a real meal!
The strawberry pie was greeted with joy! And when at the end of the meal, Ethan took out the bag of candy, their eyes widened, full of tears! Ethan himself had tears in his eyes.
"You can take three candies each, we keep the rest for tomorrow." said Ethan.
"Ethan took three soft candies and handed them to Tess."
She gave him a magnificent smile.
"Yes, thank you Uncle Ethan! Said Claire and Joseph.
"Can I take four Uncle Ethan?" Asked Ben.
"No Ben, I said only three." replied Ethan. He was sure that one of the children would take a chance to test him!
He began to make rules and be obeyed without the children noticing.
"George, come here," said Ethan pointing to the floor in front of him.
George got up, obedient but uncertain, and approached; Ethan lifting him and placing him on his lap, wrapping his muscular arms around him for a tight hug.
"I promised you, didn't I? I always keep my promises, George."
Then he called Ben the same way, the two were delighted with the comfort!
Ethan changed Tess's diaper under Claire's supervision and rearranged the bed, Claire and George would take the large bed, Joseph and Ben the other, he would take the small bed with Tess, his idea was that Claire feel relieved of the responsibility for the baby.
He let the children know what he decided, that his word was the law.
Ethan brought in the three little ones who fell asleep immediately. He secured Tess with cushions while waiting until he went to bed where he would let his body act as a barrier.
While he was busy, Joseph put on his jacket and prepared to go out.
"Where do you think you are going?" Ethan asked with his hands on his hips, resting on his belt.
"I go out at night. My friends are waiting for me. During the day I can't go, so I see them in the evening."
"No longer Joseph, this life there, doing what you want is over. I am your guardian, I am responsible for you. No more theft, fishing to survive, having to take care of the little ones more than usual and especially no more going out at night! It is dangerous." Ethan clarified sternly.
"And if I go anyway, what will you do?" Shouted Joseph.
It was a challenge, high and clear for Ethan, he quickly weighed his options and decided to be firm with the boy.
"Joseph! This is the second time that you have disrespected me today, I already told you not to yell at me! You can undress and go to bed with the little ones, you are being punished! To answer your question if you still disobey me today, I will lower your pants to give you a good spanking!"
His tone was firm and stern. To Ethan's surprise, Joseph threw himself into his arms, hugging him tightly in the middle. Ethan returned the embrace. Sitting on a chair, he placed Joseph on his lap, surrounding him with his strong arms. The child also clearly needed to be held.
"Go to bed now, Joseph! You are being punished for yelling at me. I do not change my mind, I will let you go out for a moment tomorrow during the day."
Joseph obeyed, undressed and went to bed without further challenge.
"I apologize sir, good night." He called from the bed.
"Apology accepted, good night Joseph".
Ethan turned his head and saw Claire, sitting opposite him, her eyes had seen everything. Ethan preferred that the discipline be made in private but with everyone in one room, it was difficult!
"Come here Claire." Ethan opens his arms to welcome the child. Did you find me too harsh? I am your guardian and the person in charge, I had to be firm with Joseph" Claire lost the battle with her tears, wetting Ethan's shirt, he tightened it more tightly on his chest.
"It's not that Uncle Ethan, you were right to be severe. I spent so many nights worrying about him! I begged him not to go out! He did what he wanted, now you're here, we're safe with you!"
Ethan felt his eyes get wet, "Yes Claire, you are all safe, I promise you!"
"Do you promise that nothing will ever happen to you, that you will not die and that you will always take care of us?"
"Claire, my darling, I can't promise you that, nobody knows what the future holds! I promise to take care of you and I promise to make arrangements to keep you safe, even if something happened to me! Between us, I hope not, I want to raise you as your mother would have liked, to see you become a beautiful young woman, like her!"
"Thank you Uncle Ethan! I love you!"
"I love you too Claire".
"Claire, I have another question, does Tess not speak?"
"She spoke very well before, when Mama was here, but since the six months that she died, she has not said a word."
"I understand, it must have been a terrible shock for her! With love, patience, and a new sense of security,I am sure she will speak soon. Thank you for your explanations, go to lie down my heart, it is late "
"Good night uncle Ethan, I'm glad you're here!"
"Good night Claire, and yes, I understood that! You are free from so much responsibility." He said with a wink.
The week went by quickly, Ethan added Tess to the guardianship documents and bought an additional train ticket. The cashier offered him, for five dollars more, a private compartment with bunks. Stating tha with a baby, it was easier not to be disturbed,
Liking the idea, he thanked the man and paid the difference.
Then he brought the children to shop for clothes, they only had old clothes, Lucy had obviously not had the means to purchase new.
Each boy got two pairs of jeans, two shirts, a belt, underwear, socks, two nightshirts, a hat, boots, pants and a shirt for chores.
Girls, two dresses each, two pants and two blouses, two nightshirts, bloomers, stockings, boots and a straw hat as well.
Claire had even obtained permission from her uncle for a new fashionable bonnet for a teenage girl. She didn't think he would say yes, but he did.
Ethan saw Tess admiring a doll.
"Do you want it my darling?"
The baby nodded. Ethan took the doll from the shelf and handed it to her.
"Alright, you can have it."
Tess threw herself into his arms!
"Children, you can choose one toy each." Ethan says.
Spoiling them a little made him happy as his children had had a hard life in his last weeks. He wanted them to become children again.
Claire chooses a book, Ben a slingshot, George a game with toy soldiers.
"And you Joseph?" Asked Ethan.
"I saw this beautiful penknife but I don't know if you're going to want me to have it, Uncle Ethan."
"Show me." Looking at the knife, Ethan says. "Listen, I think ten years is an age when you can have a little penknife but Joseph, it's dangerous, it is not a toy. I want you to be responsible and always pay attention, especially in the presence of the little ones. Promise?"
"I promise you Uncle Ethan!"
"Alright, you can have it but look at me! Joseph, if I see you playing with it or using it in a dangerous way, I will spank you and confiscate the knife. It is a promise Joseph!"
"I will not do that, Uncle Ethan. I will be responsible and pay attention! It is a promise!" Joseph said, making Ethan smile as he repeated his words.
Ethan paid the clerk while trying to keep the group of children away from their embraces and their "Thank you Uncle Ethan!"
"Oh ... It's beautiful!" Said Ben, admiring his mother's beautiful gravestone.
"Yes, thank you Uncle Ethan!" The other children say.
"Uncle Ethan? Are you rich?" Asked Ben seriously.
Ethan laughed!
"No Ben, I'm not rich, today is exceptional! You will only have gifts at Christmas and your birthday. I live well, I have money on hand, so as not to worry, but we'll have to be careful. It's late, let's go home my children! Joseph, you can go play but you just have two hours. Be sure to say goodbye to your friends, we're leaving tomorrow. Claire? Do you want some free time too?"
"Yes uncle Ethan."
"Go then you also have two hours. Both of you come home before nightfall! For the sake of your behind, I advise you not to be late!" He said firmly.
"Yes sir!" They said before leaving.