The Oak Trees

Prologue

Aurelia Deveraux was the second daughter and third child of the great Viscount Henry Deveraux and his gracious late wife Augusta Deveraux. Henry and Augusta had many children, sadly the medical advancement robbed them of having the big family they always dreamed of. Not that they necessarily had few children but they always imagined a horde of children rummaging through Syon Park House near River Thames.

Aurelias older brother, the next Viscount Deveraux, Ambrose born in the year 1786, was the first child the couple was blessed with. This pregnancy was easy for dear Augusta, she did not suffer from morning sickness or any other difficulties a pregnancy might bring along. The pair - madly in love - was certain that this was a blessing from god as he, too, was delighted by the love match of the season.

Sadly the bliss was short, as Augusta got pregnant just a few moons after the birth of Ambrose and the sweet child - probably a girl - was lost only a few months into their pregnancy. They named her Amelia, she always had a big place in their heart. Her little grave was always bedded with the most beautiful flowers and Augusta never failed to place them underneath the tree they had planted herself.

Many years later, in 1792 Augusta had not bled for a month again. The couple was thrilled to have a new child and Ambrose could not wait to finally have someone to play with in the garden. The pregnancy with Aurelia was good. They wanted to do everything right, Aurelia refrained from doing difficult tasks and stopped attending social outings when the last two months of the pregnancy started. And they did everything right when Aurelia - a healthy babe - started screaming right when she came out of the womb.

The couple had faith again as they both were still not too old to have the large family they desired before any pregnancy would be most difficult for Augustas health.

The next pregnancy was not too far away. Just one year later Aurelias younger brother Andrew saw the light of day for the first time. A healthy babe who - sadly - died just after a few too short weeks on this earth. And they planted another tree, right next to the one for dear Amelia.

The following eight years four more trees were planted, all in a fine line next to each other. All with new flowers every time the other ones even started to lose their beauty. It put a strain on the perfect relationship of Henry and Augusta. Arthur, Arabella, Anne and Alicia now occupied a large part in their parents heart, together with dear Andrew and Amelia. This part was supposed to be filled with love, cheerfulness, laughter and every good feeling the vast world had to offer but the Viscount and Viscountess were only granted with a large black empty hole filling their heart. And that space started to overcome them. The best time to have children was soon to be over and they did not receive the eternal bliss of having the big family they always desired. But they stayed strong, together, their motivation being Ambrose and Aurelia, their children who came out to be two well-behaved, beautiful and strong people. They both had a mind of their own, they often had different opinions, if one can even say that they had a fundamental reason for that. But they were always the best of friends to each other, through the hardships of losing a sibling prematurely or even at the young age of just two years to a cold.

Then Augusta became pregnant again. Henry and her were certain that this shall be her last pregnancy as the doctors were wary of what a pregnancy might cause for Augusta. They hoped with all their heart, all the love they had for each other and for every single one of their children that their garden would not see another tree planted this year. Augusta went into labor during a cold snowy day in winter and the doctors soon realized that she carried two babies. The first one came out rather swiftly, Athena she named her, as she should symbolize the strength of the family which was not granted what they rightfully deserved. She cried loudly and filled the whole castle with happiness. Every single one in the castle that day hoped that this babe would survive. And Athena did.

Then it was time for the second baby. The doctors realized too late that the babe was turned around and Augustas dying wish was for the baby to survive. So the doctors decided to cut her open and bring the boy to the world carrying him out of the fainting body of his mother who surely had no chance of survival. She was far too gone to be saved. Henry could only do so much as hold his wife and try to make her passing as peaceful as he could. When the baby cried out for the first time, Augusta gifted him the last smile she shall ever give. Healthy Augustus was born and yet another tree was planted that day.