Eclipse of Solaris

Chapter 4

I cannot recall how long me and Beau sat there, but long enough for the day to fall dark and for the mosquitoes to start biting at us.
"C'mon. It's fine I go inside." I tell Beau as I pick him up.
I pay no mind as his tears soak through my dress and onto my skin.
As I make it into the twins bedroom, I see Briar sitting there just as upset as us.
She must have been watching through the window.
I lay Beau down in their bed as his cries fill the room louder, Briar follows suit.
I walk over and silently shut the door before making my way over to their bed and laying with them.
The endless crying was exhausting.

Although I'm tired, the tears don't stop. I can't get her out of my mind.
Why doesn't she love us.
We're we not enough for her?
Did she think she wasn't a good parent?
Question after question flooded my mind as I desperately try to sleep.
I look down at Beau and Briar, who are securely wrapped in my arms.

"Why does she not love us" repeats in my mind, clearly not ending soon.
I sigh and decide to go downstairs for some milk to help me sleep and maybe help get my thoughts togethor.

I make it to the kitchen though as I begin to enter, whispering voices are heard from inside.
"It might just be the maids." I suggest
But no. I recognize those voices.
My father and Lady Alden where in the kitchen chatting amongst themselves.

"Yes, I'm thinking maybe next week!" She exclaims happily.
"Don't you think that's a bit too soon, Martha?" Father says, concern lacing his voice.
"What? I think it should be sooner rather than later! And plus, your children's mother has already left the picture and the need someone to fill the role don't they!" She pushes herself up against him.
"Plus, I think Eliza would like to have 3 more siblings!" She mumbles.
"What do you mean, 3 more siblings? Do you have another child I don't know of?" Father questions, accusingly.

Lady Alden stays silent before placing his hand on her stomach.
His face drops before a bright smile reappears on it
"This is amazing, Martha!" He says, picking her up and spinning her around as she giggles.
Once shes back on the floor, he kisses her and places her on the counter as I enter the room, glaring at both of them.
I stand in the door, not moving or speaking and they both stand still.
"Alessia, sweetheart. I can explain.." he says before I swiftly cut him off
"No. You've been cheating on Mother and now you're getting married directly after? You don't actually care for us do you? You only care for 'Martha" I spit, venom lacing my tongue.
"That is not true! Me and your Mother never loved one another, it was a marriage of convenience."

"Save it." I quickly made my glass of milk before storming back up the stairs and into the twins room where they remained calmly asleep.
I sit beside the bed, on the floor, occasionally sipping my milk as I try to process all of my thoughts and cry.

Eventually, after I'm all cried-out, I get back into bed with my siblings and go back to holding them like my life depended on it.

"From this day forward I promise no harm will come to you, I'll treat you like my own children if I must. It doesn't matter who enters or exits our lives, as long as I'm here nothing is going to happen to us." I vow as I kiss both of their heads individually and close my eyes, finally falling asleep.