Episode EIGHT
“Yes, my dear, that’s quite alright with me.” She sits next to Lillianne, “Lilly sweetie, your father is running a slight fever, but other than that he will be alright. Will you be okay sleeping with Nora tonight or would you rather stay by your father’s side?”
Lilly quickly swallows the rest of her sandwich before speaking, “Oh I would much rather stay by Papa’s side please, if you don’t mind.” Pointing towards her empty plate, “That was really good, I’ve never had this mayonnaise stuff before nor have I ever had a sandwich with sliced bread. This was quite a treat, especially with the cheese melted on top. I don’t like onions, but I did have a piece of lettuce.”
Nora leans over and whispers in Lilly’s ear. They giggle. Lilly, looking at Nora, says, “Are you sure I can ask her?”
Nora nods with a burp. All the children chuckle.
Elouise rolls her eyes at Nora and smiles pondering what she is about to be asked.
“Well, Miss Elouise…” Lillianne places her hands in her lap and with a glint of curiosity in her eyes, “Is it true you’re thirty-one and never married?”
Ellie chuckles and nods, “Yes, it’s true, however…and none of you know this…” at that everyone quiets and leans in to listen closely, she chuckles again, “…I was once engaged and meant to marry someone that I loved with my whole heart.”
Winifred exclaims excitedly, “AND YOU NEVER TOLD US?!”
Alfred adds on, “I could have had a father too?”
“Well…” goes Ellie calming him down, “…there was the accident, and I unfortunately could not go through with it.
Joseph asks, “Was it THE accident?”
Ellie nods, “Yes, it was THE accident.”
All the children sit back in the seats all nodding in understanding. All, except Lilly.
She looks confused as she asks, “What’s the accident?”
Elouise glances towards the children who all keep quiet, she places her spoon down putting her elbows on the table folding her hands, extending her thumb to rub her furrowed brow at that question. She takes a deep breath in, and sighs out, “Regrettably that is quite the lengthy and also confusing story from five years ago for another time my dear. For now, why don’t we all clear the table and wash up for the night. Winnie, what story will you be reading tonight?”
“Princess and the pea” Winifred proudly declares.
“That is one of my favorites.” Nora leans over and says to Lilly, “You’ll love it.”
Ellie stands and helps the children collect the plates while stating, “Henry don’t go anywhere, you know it’s your turn tonight to wash the dishes. Joseph, you dry. Nora, you put them away.” They all nod in understanding, but groan in dislike.
“Now come on, we all pitch in here.” She says hushing their groans, “Luke sweetheart, why don’t you show Lilly where the library is.”
Lilly hesitantly asks “May I visit your library…” then points up, “…your personal library that’s upstairs?”
Ellie looks towards Nora who avoids her questionable gaze with a sneaky smirk. All the children snicker and try to muffle their giggles. Ellie scans the faces of her children who all suddenly have something to hide, “What else has been told to you?” She smiles while jokingly crosses her arms.
“Well not much, but Henry said only him, Luke and Nora are all actually siblings. And Alfred is obviously different than everyone else. So, if I had to take a fancy guess you adopted them all. Can’t you have children? Is that why you’re not married?” Lilly responds with curiosity bursting out questions.
Blinking quickly, Ellie wasn’t expecting such a question. “Um…wow…okay I was not prepared for that.” Fiddling with the top of a chair she has between her and the children she answers, “Yes, it’s true none of my children, are actually my biological children, but I love them just as much as I would if they were.” She pauses and looks down, “As for if I can have children…I don’t want to until I’ve found the right man again.”
“Oh…okay,” Lilly understands it’s an uncomfortable subject for Ellie seeing her posture and drops it, “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable Miss, sometimes I don’t know when to stop asking questions.” She pauses and reflects, “My mother usually doesn’t let me ask any, I just feel…free here.”
Ellie sighs and walks over to Lilly, hugging her, “You can ask anything here, there’s no wrong question. Now then, are you ready for story time?”
Lilly, enjoying the warm motherly embrace, hugs back and says, “If it’s alright, I would much rather go to bed right now and sleep next to Papa.”
“Alright my dear, that’s okay, you head off to bed. We’ll keep the noise down, after story time it’s bedtime anyways for everyone.”
“Actually mom, I think we’re all going to head to bed.” Henry chimes in. “It’s been a crazy day and you know how we all get with long rides.”
“Alright my lovelies. Sleep well and sleep tight. I shall see you all tomorrow late afternoon once I get back from my trip into town. I’ll leave early in the morning. Winnie, no need to make me breakfast as you know I’ll be on my way before you all wake. Henry will be in charge.”
Elouise kisses the foreheads of each of her children and tucks them all one by one into bed. She finally enters into her room and begins to undress, unaware Lilly slipped out of bed and peeking in her room. In Elouise’s bedroom it’s darkening from the nights ensnare and only lit up by the ambient glow from the fireplace. Ellie’s back is turned as she faces toward the bed. She undresses to change into her night gown. Her skin shows a soft tan from working in the sun. As Ellie is brushing her hair naked, Lilly sees Ellie’s bare back with the scars of her ‘wings’. Lilly, thinking to herself, “I knew it.” Sneaking back into her bed, she cuddles up to her father. She whispers, “I found her Papa, I found the angel!”
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