A Headstrong Woman(22)
Janice rushed across the room and threw her arms around both Alexandria and Lilly. She was a statuesque woman, complimenting her husband’s burly size. Her brown and gray streaked hair perfectly offset her blue eyes. Nathaniel looked like an older version of Elijah with his blonde hair and blue eyes. It was easy to imagine that Elijah would have looked very much like his father had he reached that age.
“Oh, dear, I am so sorry,” Janice cried as she held them.
“How are you, Janice?” Alexandria addressed the woman she knew only from her wedding and through letters.
“I’ve been better,” the woman admitted as she righted herself and mopped her face with her handkerchief. Janice laid her hand on Lilly’s tear stained face; her own tears threatened again.
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s clingy at moment,” Alexandria admitted.
“That’s understandable,” Janice nodded. Nathaniel had caught up with his wife at this point and hugged Alexandria briefly before placing his hand on his wife’s shoulder.
“Are you ready to go into the parlor?” his own face showed evidence of recent tears.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Janice nodded.
Alexandria trailed them into the parlor and watched as they held each other and cried. What would it be like to have that with someone, she wondered?
“Can Aunt Anna hold you?” Anna approached Lilly with her hands out.
Lilly whimpered and pulled away.
“I know you must be getting tired,” Anna commented.
“It feels right holding her,” Alexandria countered; Anna offered her a small smile.
“Hello, Mr. Stewart,” Anna greeted him as he entered the room.
“Miss. Cannon,” he greeted in return before moving to a chair on the opposite end of the room.
Janice moved to Alexandria’s side and took a deep steadying breath. “You expect your kids to outlive you,” she told them. “Can Nana hold you dear?” she reached for her grandchild.
Once again Lilly turned away.
“I’m sorry, Janice, please don’t take it personal; she’s been like this all day.”
“No, no; I understand actually. If I was around her more it would help but no, I suspect that given all she’s lost in the past two years she wants to hold onto what she has left.”
“Janice, would you and Nathaniel like something to eat?” Carolyn approached them.
“I need to; I haven’t since…since I received word.”
“Let’s try,” Nathaniel suggested as he took his wife by the elbow. He knew he would be alright but Janice tended to become weak if she skipped more than one meal.
Jonathon watched Alexandria move to look out the window; Lilly’s legs were wrapped around Alexandria like a monkey. Alexandria looked exhausted and reached to rub at her back. Jonathon stood and moved to stand behind her, his gaze met Lilly’s.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he picked up her small hand and rubbed it with his thumb. “It’s a bad day isn’t, baby?” he asked as another sob racked her body. She was too young at not quite four to understand death, or should be, but her mother’s had given the word meaning. Alexandria glanced back at him curiously.
“You’re scared your mommy is going to go away too aren’t you?” he asked her. Lilly nodded against her mother’s shoulder.
“That’s scary, I know,” he nodded. “Do you think I could hold you if I stay right here with your mommy where you can see her or go back to her if you want?” Jonathon asked. He could see her consider it. She sat up and looked at her mother and then at him hesitantly.
“We’ll stay right with her, won’t let her out of our sight. We’ll pretend we’re her shadow, okay?” Jonathon extended his arms and let her make the choice. She finally reached for him and nestled her head on his shoulder in a way that kept Alexandria in her sight.
“Thank you,” Alexandria reached to rub at her back again.
“I should be thanking Ms. Lillian; it’s a privilege to get to hold her,” Jonathon countered.
“It is,” a small smile lifted Alexandria’s lips. She moved to the settee and seated herself for the first time in several hours. “Will this day ever end?” she asked in exhaustion.
“Eventually,” he assured her.
“Good. I wish the funeral were today and not tomorrow.”