Come Away.

Dealing With Death

By the time Billy arrived at Marlowe's place, a couple of cars were over and it was nearly midnight. Parking his car, he got out and could see from out a window people crying.

But from the barn area, Billy heard a baby cry and a woman shhing it while she did her best from not crying. Following the cry, it was Marlowe with a baby that she was softly bouncing.

"I know little red, it's heart breaking." Her voice cracked. "But my mom wasn't there anymore." The child couldn't be more than one. Holding the child close to her body. "She's in a better place." Not even knowing that Billy was there. The child sorta calmed down as Marlowe just wanted to break down.

Billy knows what that is like. Walking quickly to her. "Mars?" Jumping a little he whispers "Sorry."

Whipping her tears away. "What brings you by?" Still bouncing the baby in her hip.

"To tell you the truth I have no idea." Softly chuckle. "You had a baby?" It was a bad joke and both of them knew it.

Letting that slide. "My cousin, well one of them. She's one of the triplets. And the only girl." Painting a kiss on top of her head.

Billy moved closer to Marlowe. "What's wrong?" Even though Billy knows.

"My mom.... She passed in her sleep." Holding tight of the little girl. Her cheek went to the little girls head. "Your sister is passed out in my room and I didn't have the heart to wake up the girls." Pointing out to the cars. "Granny called the family as you see." Not giving Marlowe time to greave on her own.

Billy felt that. Leaning on the car that was near them. It hasn't worked in years, it just stayed there because it could. Nodding his head. "Fuck." Folding his hands on his thighs.  "I'm sorry. Anything that I can do?"

"I wish that I've never been born." More tears escape and fell on the little girl's head. "Sorry sister." Whipping it off her head gently. "But me wishing that... No. I wish. But thank you. "

Billy wasn't and didn't think he would ever be good with smaller kids. "Why don't you give me her and we'll go inside get you all cleaned up?"

"No.." Shaking her head. "I cannot go back in there right now. They'll look at me and feel sorry for me and I can't handle that." Marlowe's body was shaking a little. Billy reached out for Marlowe. She came over to him. "I hate crying infornt of people."

Whispering into Marlowe's ear. "Good thing I'm not people." Wrapping an arm around her shoulder. The little girl looked at Billy and giggled. "Someone likes me and she doesn't even know me."

"Well you like to please all the girls." Being playful back.

Few minutes pasted. "As much as I would love to stay out here with you. But I think little one needs to go back inside and get warmed up."

Red was passed out in Marlowe's arms. Agreeing they both went inside. Not a dry eye in the house. Marlowe placed the little girl in the small play pin. All was in the kitchen while Marlowe and Billy went into the livingroom. Placing her head on his shoulder.

"Do you mind staying, if you can't I'll understand." Marlowe mutters a bit.

"Only if you want me too." Nodding her tried head. "Then I'll stay."

Some of the relatives left to stay in a hotel and Billy didn't dare to move until Granny helped him with Marlowe. Marlowe slept on the couch while Billy took the floor.

In the morning, Max came down stairs seeing her step brother was on the floor holding Marlowe's hand. Along with seeing Marlowe's face was beat red. Granny was making breakfast.

Max looked at Granny. "What happened?"

"Marlowe's mother passed and Billy thankfully stayed with her until she went to sleep. And Marlowe asked him to stay since it was three am."

This was kinda of a shock, Billy wouldn't dream doing that for her. But yet if Neil would yell or scream at Max. Billy would stand up for her the best way that he could. Max nods as she walked into the kitchen to go eat El would join her later on.

Billy woke up first still holding Marlowe's hand. Which he sorta smiled and gently lets go. The baby was gone, Billy entered the kitchen. Seeing Max, Max who had a silly grin on her face. Sitting next to her he mutters. "Not a word."

"What... I didn't say anything." Scooping her spoon to get the cereal out of the bowl.

El joined about three minutes later, everyone now knows about Marlowe's mother. Granny watched Marlowe sleeping as grandad enters the living room.

"Why tot sleeping?" Pointing at Marlowe.

"Her mother passed."

"Who gassed?"

"Her.. mother..passed..." Being a little stern but she had to be.

Once grandad understood. "Poor tot."

Marlowe slowly woke up at elven am. Billy was playing a card game with El and Max. Grandad watching TV. Granny calling most of the family. Rubbing her eyes as she sat up.

"Morning tot." Grandad gunts.

"Morning grandad."

Billy looked over at Marlowe with a half of a smile. "Granny has breakfast ready for you Mars." Standing up and heading into the kitchen granny sadly smiled at her granddaughter. 

"My sweet baby. I made waffles for you." Placing the plate on the table. 

"Thank you, Granny."  Sitting next to El who was almost done with her food.  It felt odd waking up, not because Billy was there, but knowing that your mother is truly gone, how was she going to handle all of this. Who was going to tell her dad?

Granny passed some fruit to Max, food not looking good at all feeling his awful numbness. Marlowe didn't want to eat anymore. So, she just sat there listening to the girls talked as Billy patted Marlowe's back.  Knowing that tit was him, no smile just giving him a glance. Billy had headed out back for a smoke. 

"Granny, I'm not hungry right now, can you save this for me for later please?"

"Of course, sweetie."

Excusing herself from the table, going out the back. Billy smoking outside of his car. "Thanks for staying last night."

"Eh, don't get used to it." Billy didn't want to word to go around that he was being nice for one person. 

"I won't." That response took her off guard a tad, but she understood. 

"Now that she's really gone, how are you dealing with this?"

"I'm not dealing at all Billy, I'm so numb that... well I just don't know to be honest."

"At least you're not alone." Knowing that she's on the same boat as him. He felt that he wasn't alone as well