Little boy blue

1919. (4)

"Alexander, come here for mummy!" Genevieve called out, hearing the pitter patter of little feet along the floor. Her son came into the sitting room, his favorite toy in hand.

"Mummy?" He asked, his big brown eyes peering back at her. Her and Thomas's son was quite literally a spitting image of Thomas but with her eyes. His quietness, her love of life.  His love of horses, her love of having her feet quite firmly planted on the ground. For being only four years old, young Alexander was smart. Genevieve geuinienly thanked God every day he was as smart as Thomas.

"Love, make sure you keep your clothes clean, eh? We are visiting Aunt Polly, Uncle Finn and Aunt Ada. Then going to the train station for you to meet some very important people to us, especially mummy. Can you do that?" She asked, starting to unpin her hair. She had just come home from a shift at the garrison and before that she delivered a baby at the local birthing center.

Alexander shook his head yes and Genevieve smiled, shooing him off to play. Genevieve worked hard to make life as comfortable as possible for their son, even going so far as to keep a picture of Thomas in his room so he would know what his father looked like. 

Genevieve did write Thomas, and developed the courage to finally tell him of her pregnancy. But once she did his replies ceased, much to her disappointment. She understood why he may have not replied, the fact of learning that you have a son through letters is quite a scary thing and must be even worse when faced with the fact of being in war with also the possibility of never having the pleasure to meet him.

So in the meantime, Genevieve took up living within her work as a midwife, as well as becoming a barmaid at The Garrison, the local favorite pub.  She managed to get enough money together purchase a home for her little family. Of course she had a separate room for Thomas with his things just in case.

Today was the day, though.

Today the boys came home.

Genevieve checked herself in the mirror, making sure her black dress was nice and wasn't dirty. She thought black was as professional and forgiving as any color.

The war may have taken the men of the Small Heath families, but that just meant that the women had to change as well.

And change they did.

"Alexander! Pune-ți haina și mănușile pe tine!" (Get your coat and gloves on) she called out, peering out the hallway at her son. She felt sick again, but not sick like she was when she was pregnant. Just worried as usual.

Alexander came to his mum with her wishes granted and a fairly familar cap to Genevieve.

"No! Give mummy that hat!" She exclaimed. Alexander had on Thomas' peaky hat. She could see the sharp new razor blade she sewed into the brim for him, and even went and purchased a new coat for him. A wee bit to long and black, but it would work.

Alexander gave her the hat confused, and she simply smiled.

"Did ya know who's hat that is?" She asked, taking his hand and ushering him out the door.

"Daddy?" He replied, and Genevieve knodded.

"Daddy is right. And youd do well to stay away from daddy's things, eh?" She peered at him while walking with him to Polly's home. He simply smiled and she took it as he understood. He was already so much like Tommy, but brown eyes. She loved it.

Once they arrived at Polly's she was greeted by Polly, Ada and Finn already stepping out of the house.

Today was a special day, but it was a hard day.

"It's good you're bringing Alexander with" Polly spoke. Polly was always something of a spectacle in her own rights. She also wore a black dress, her long brown hair in a bun with her infamous pin putting it all in place.

"I just hope it he doesn't scare him" she spoke, walking along the group. Alexander and Finn ran ahead from the group and Genevieve did well to keep an eye on them.

"Fatherhood is going to scare Thomas, but not enough to scare him away like his father " Polly spoke, glancing at Genevieve. Ada scoffed

"If you can even call him a father, always in and out of our lives.." she went on.

As they reached the train station pretty much all of Small Heath was in attendance. They were waiting to be reunited with those they sent to war, or be given the news that their loved one didn't make it home.

As a train rolled down the tracks and made a stop, Genevieve grabbed onto Alexander's hand and held tight saying a silent prayer to herself.

As the men came off the train strangely enough the first person she saw was Ada's Freddy.  Ada ran to him, his arms wrapped around her as she cried.

"One" she said silently. The next that she saw was Danny Whizbang, and his Rosie almost fell in tears.

"Two" she spoke. It was like she was looking for everyone they were close to. Next was Arthur and she released a breath it felt like she was holding in forever.

"Jesus, Genevieve! Goin' to a funeral?" He spoke, taking her in a hug.

"You never know, Arthur." She replied.

Three.

Then John came and he immediately went to Polly, saying his same cheeky jokes he always had. He then took in her, Finn and Alexander.

"Whose this one? You take a kid off a poor mum?" John asked, looking at Alexander.

Four.

"Mummy, whose that?" Alexander asked, holding on tight to her.

She sighed, preparing herself for the questions.

"John, Arthur.. this is your nephew. Alexander, these are your other uncles... John and Arthur" she replied to him, gesturing to each man.

John's jaw slightly dropped, realizing who's son he was. Arthur simply smiled and shook his small hand, picking him up after.

"Who is that kid?" She heard his voice and her heart almost stopped. Turning around, she came face to face with the man she loved and missed so dearly. His blue eyes still the same, but his demeanor changed. He didnt seem like the same man that went off to war, to The Somme.

"Thomas... he is your son." She spoke gently.

Five.

~~~~~

Oh my gosh, I really like how this one ended! Let me know your thoughts in the comments!!

All my love,
TheRealJuneBug