The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Valerie had returned from San Myshuno after promising her father in law that she would bring the children to live there. The old man wanted to be closer to his grandchildren, so he offered Valerie a roof for them all in his home.Little did she know how things were at Rowanwood Farm.
Vivian and Van had gone after Vanessa, but Verity only knew this because they left a letter and ran during the night.
The young widow could not leave her mother all alone, so she wrote a telegram to Mr. Munch explaining the situation. She told him that she would honor her promise as soon as her mother had someone to keep her company. Her childhood home was in upheaval, but it still comforted her to sit down in front of the big fireplace to read a book.
At least, her children were well.
Valerie enjoyed caring for her children, even with the added house work. Bathing time was always an adventure with Anguy.
She was hopeful things would get better soon. After all, the newspapers proclaimed that the end of the War was imminent, right? When she and Verity shared their meals, she tried to be optimistic, but it wasn't easy. The laughter of the children echoed throughout the almost empty rooms.
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A few weeks after the twins left to chase after Vanessa, a telegram was delivered at home.
They had not found her, but they had enlisted and would be going to the front.
Both mother and daughter were speechless. Valerie was shocked, she could not believe her brothers. Verity on the other hand knew that Vivian had yearned to be able to fight in the war, but she did not really expect him to use the excuse of going after Vanessa to enlist and drag his brother along.
Valerie was stuck at the farm, because she would not leave her mother completely alone.
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Time went by and by the end of summer events precipitated all of a sudden.
Verity was notified that Vivian had been killed in action, and Van and Virgil were coming home. Vivian was 16 years old when he died.
It was a bittersweet time for Verity. At least some of her children were safe, but the ones lost would always be missed. She had given birth to ten children, and had had to learn of the death of six of them. She did not wish that upon any mother.
Van had always been a happy and carefree child, but it was a gloomy boy who returned home.
Virgil had grown to look pretty much like his father. Even with the inheritance of her complexion, Verity could see Vance in the beloved face of her young son.
The young man brought more good news with him. He had been in a hospital in Brindleton Bay before being sent home and had met Miss Elizabeth Monroe, young daughter of a fellow combatant also recovering there. He was besotted with her beauty and charm. Not wanting to waste precious life, he had quickly made his intentions to court her to her father, and received his approval. The young lady accepted his courtship and soon they were betrothed and married in the City Hall. She would be traveling to Rowanwood Farm before the end of the year and they would have another ceremony to honor his mother, too.
When Elizabeth arrived, Verity could see that Virgil was very much in love.
He was a changed young man, but at least he still had hopes and dreams for the future. Perhaps having a loving woman by his side would help heal his troubled mind and allow him to lead his family towards a brighter path.
The ceremony was planned to be simple. Verity asked everyone to wear their best suits because she wanted the young bride to feel that they indeed celebrated her coming into their family.
Of course, with two young children in the house, things got less orderly than everyone would have wanted. Eliana soiled her dress and Valerie had to leave her in the house; Anguy seemed to be well behaved sitting down when he abruptly farted and soiled himself.
Valerie was shocked, but resigned herself to miss most of the ceremony. She took the little boy and got to bathe her two little loves.
In the end, only Verity and Van were presentable enough for the ceremony, but it was a nice one.
Virgil was now the head of the family and he and his bride had a fresh start.
Valerie was free to fulfill her promise to her father in law and give the old man the company he had asked for, so she moved out of the farm with her children.
Van was searching for his own path into manhood, after the few but traumatic months he and his beloved twin had spent in the front line.
A new chapter in their lives seemed to be starting right then.
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