THE GREAT WAR || T. SHELBY (3)

FINALE

FINALE: Closure

TWO MONTHS LATER

THEODORE HEARN'S RANCH

UPSTATE NEW YORK

IT HAD BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE TABITHA AND MAGGIE LEFT.

Two long, harsh months as started a new life without Thomas and the rest of the Shelby's family. Tabitha was able to find out what the new code to the safe was and took a couple million with her when they left. When they left, Tabitha told Francis to give Thomas his letter once he returned. By the time her and Maggie were on the boat to New York, there was no turning back.

Thomas didn't come in those two months, but what was Tabitha to expect. Even at the strongest point in their marriage, he chose the business before her. It was a tough pill to swallow, realizing that it was truly the end. Tabitha filed the papers for the divorce and sent them to Thomas. They were yet to return. At least she Theo and Lizzie to turn to for comfort.

Theo and Lizzie had bought a large plot of land when they moved to New York. Enough room for them to have a small ranch, tend from the land and raise horses. Even with the farm, there's was still area for their daughter's to play. A couple weeks after their arrival, Tabitha was able to enroll Maggie into the same school her cousin's went to.

All that was left to do was for Tabitha to find herself a good-paying job and a place to live to get on her and Maggie's feet. Until then, Tabitha helped Lizzie around the house while Theo worked out in the fields and in the stables. Lizzie appreciated the help, especially after the news that her and Theo were once again expecting another child.

It was the night of March 12th. The family had just finished dinner and Maggie and her cousins went upstairs to bed. Tabitha helped Lizzie clean up the kitchen while Theo went outside for a quick smoke. Together, both women stood at the sink, washing and putting up dishes. They talked about old times, funny stories from when they still lived down Watery Lane. The things they kept from both their husbands. Tabitha missed it, missed Lizzie. Lizzie was the only one without the name Shelby that was her dearest friend.

"I can't thank you and Theo enough for letting Maggie and I come stay with you guys," Tabitha told her sister in-law. "I promise as soon as I find a job, we'll be out of your hair."

"Tabby, please. You're family and you are both welcome to stay here as long as you like," Lizzie assured. "It's been so long since anyone's come to stay with us. Penelope and Elijah were here a couple months ago. I don't think we'll see them for awhile."

"She wrote to me not long ago. Apparently more and more riots have been going on in Sokovia. I hope they're doing alright."

"So do I. The world has changed so much in these last four years."

Tabitha looked down at the sink but agreed. "Yes. So much has happened. And things turned out the way I thought they never would.

"Is it okay to talk about? You know..." Lizzie paused, choosing her words carefully. But Tabitha knew what she meant.

"I am out of mourning, if that is what you mean," Tabitha said. "But still, the loss of a child is a wound no mother could recover from."

"I can't imagine losing the girls like that. This entire house mourned Charlie after you sent put that letter," the taller brunette said, sorrow in her voice. "And what now? What will you do about Tommy?"