1809

Chapter 1 - 1809

It was the year 1809. William had just turned three years old in October, and it was December now.

December.

Although William was only three, he was observant. He fell asleep that night as he did all the other nights of recent. Expecting there to be another him the next day. His mom kept telling him how he should be so exited! Another little him to run around with and to place the blame on when he does something wrong. His father says similar things, although he's a bit more gruff about it. Supposedly William isn't exited enough about having another sibling. In his eyes, having another sibling would be like lighting a second candle. The first candle was already enough light, why waist another candle? Although the glimmer in both his parent's eyes as they planned another room for whomever was to come, made the butterflies flurry in him every once in a while.

He hoped they were right. He hoped once he saw his new friend he would get that glimmer too. Although somehow, he doubted it.

Finally that night, December 2, 1809 it came. A loud scream shot throughout the house and William flew out of bed. His chamber's door was closed, and outside he heard maids scurrying within the hall, rushing towards the scram.

Once the noise outside the hall dampened, he cracked the door open to ensure no one was there. With a quick peak, he left his room and tip toed his way towards his mother's chamber. His father was surely already there, aiding to his wife. William wanted to be there. But William knew he wasn't allowed. His parents has said, "if mommy is screaming, that's ok! It means the baby is coming."

But that didn't settle William as the screams turned louder and rang in his ears. He wanted to be there for his mother. So he decided he would be.

He creeped silently through the familiar hallways. Once he got to his mother's door he heard his father speaking, although it sounded like... tears? No that couldn't be. His father never cried.

William rested his ear against the shut door to get a better volume of what was happening. Although as his ear hit the door, it swung open. The doctor swung over to the door and saw William flat out on the floor in his nightie.

"Elizabeth! Deal with the boy!" The doctor yelled towards the maid.

Elizabeth ran towards William to lift him up. She grabbed him in her arms and rested him on her hips. "Everything is going to be alright, I promise you, Willy." She lifted her thumb to his cheek and wiped a tear that had unknowingly fell.

Before William could say anymore, his mother let out one last gut wrenching scream. Then suddenly, everything was quiet. William held his breath, the silence scared him. Although in the years to come, he'll realize how he wishes for a moment that quiet again.

It felt like minutes of silence, with the adults all circling around his mother, whispering. William couldn't take his eyes off the scene.

Until a new scream came. A small new voice. Elizabeth gasped, and William looked over at her face. She had a large smile plastered against her skin. Her age showed kindly to the years she'd lived. The happiness she'd had lived was clear within the wrinkles.

"William." Came his father's voice across the room.

He looked at his father, and Elizabeth placed him on the ground.

"Come." And he did. He walked towards his father, then was hoisted up onto the bed next to his mother. She was sweaty, and gross looking. Atleast that's what William thought. Although, the way that his father looked at her, William could tell he thought differently.

"Would you like to hold her?" His mother whispered.

William looked down and saw a little lump of skin sat on his mother's lap. He could feel his eyebrows furrow as he thought. What was all the fuss over this? He didn't understand. He didn't get why so many people were crying around him. Why the lump made his parents so happy.

Until it happened. Her hand moved. Ever so slightly. But it moved towards him. His heart leaped. He nodded his head to his mother as she passed to baby to him. He took his sister in his arms, and he immediately felt guilty.

Because all that doubt he had earlier, made no sense. He loved this little girl. His stomach lurched with excitement at the thought of running around with her. "Can she run?" He asked.

Both his parents laughed. "She will." His mother giggled.

"When?"

"Soon enough."

William sighed. He knew he would do anything for that girl. He just knew it.

"What's her name?" William asked, his eyes glimmering.

His mother looked up at his father, and he nodded. She looked back down at him. "Adelaide. Her name is Adelaide Mary Winston."