My Story: The Winchester House [Completed]

18: Funeral

I walked up the main stairwell to find Max. I wanted to ask him about a delivery but I couldn't find him. I was officially three months pregnant according to the doctor at that point and I was tired of walking up stairs.

"Max?" I called out as I stopped walking. I took a deep breath as I realised that no one was around. I leaned against a wall and sunk to the ground.

I hadn't told anyone but my mother passed. Max didn't even know. It was so hard being strong in front of everyone while they were rejoicing my pregnancy. I had just lost Luke and now my mother. I hid my face in my knees to cry as I held my knees to my chest.

Samantha, I'm here for you, Luke said and I looked at his spirit sitting next to me.

"I miss her already. I should have visited more," I said and he touched my back.

She understands why you couldn't. It would have been a full day thing to really visit with her and not just running out of the house like you did on Christmas, he commented. I covered my face again and shook my head.

"Just because it takes all day to go see her doesn't mean that I couldn't go visit her," I whispered and he touched my hair.

The more you worry about not being the perfect daughter the more you won't be able to move on, he told me and I looked at him as a door opened. He disappeared as a door opened and I looked over to see Max walking out of the room.

"Sam? Are you okay?" Max asked and I shook my head which made him kneel at my side. "Sam, what's wrong?" he asked as he pulled me to his chest.

"My mother died last night in her sleep. My father told me a few hours ago," I told him as I tried to hold back my tears which just wasn't working. He hugged me tightly and I bite my lip.

"Sam, why didn't you tell me? I would have dropped everything to help you through this," he said and I shook my head.

"Everyone is still celebrating the pregnancy. I can't ruin that for them," I said and he kissed my forehead.

*

Three days later, I stood next to my sisters as we watched our brothers and Father carry Mother's casket into the church. Max had his hand on my shoulder and it was nice knowing that he was there for me. I led the way into the church as the eldest girl in the family. We took our seats in the front row and Max sat next to me as I adjusted my youngest sister's skirt that was riding up.

"Samantha-" one of my sisters - Sara - who was thirteen started but I silenced her.

"Children are to be seen not heard, Sara," I told her.

"You are only eighteen," Sara said. I held her jaw and she whimpered a little bit.

"Last I checked, I am the adult. I am married and I am about to be a mother. Now, sit still and be quiet," I told her and she nodded as she looked at her lap.

"Must you be so aggressive with her?" Connor asked as he sat behind me. I looked at him over my shoulder and gave him a look.

"She has to learn the proper way to act if she plans to get married. What man would marry a woman that doesn't know how to behave?" I asked and he nodded.

"I know but she lost her mother as well," he argued and I turned forward as I took Max's hand.

"Samantha has a point, Connor. Your sister should be teaching your younger sisters mannerisms that will help them succeed in the real world. If I remember correctly, Samantha does have a husband that supports her and is not living in my house as an adult," Father cut in and kissed the top of my head as he sat down. Max pulled my glove up a little bit and I smiled as he fixed my wedding ring so the diamond was visible. Sara stood up and walked over to me with her head down as she fiddled with her hands.

"Yes, Sara?" I asked as I raised my eyebrow and she looked up at me.

"I apologise, Samantha. I should not have doubted you," she said, "You know more about the real world than I do." I touched her face with a small smile and nodded.

"I understand but I need to listen to what I say when I am around. Sara, you are the next oldest. You need to teach our sisters what to do for Mother and for me so I can work and Mother can rest in peace," I told her and she nodded. "Go sit back down. The funeral is going to start at any moment now." She walked back and sat in her seat as we waited for the funeral to begin.

*

Father led the way from the grave site with tears in his eyes. Max was talking to my brothers, who seemed to like Max a lot more than they did Luke. I was carrying my youngest sister who was asleep. She didn't understand what had happened to Mother. Sara was walking next to me and I put my hand on her back.

"Samantha," Connor said as he stopped walking to talk to me, "Girls, go on ahead." Our sisters went to Brenton and I adjusted the one I was holding to make sure that she was still asleep.

"Connor, what is wrong?" I asked. He took our sister and I fixed her skirts as she rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.

"It's about Max." I stared at him as I stopped walking.

"Connor, I am married to this man. You know Father let us elope," I told him and he nodded.

"I liked Luke better than this man. Max seems to be one that won't raise his children," he told me and I looked at Max.

"Connor, Max has moved me into the second class. We have a house that has three bedrooms. I don't think that middle class men help with the children," I told him as I folded my hands and he shook his head.

"What if that is a little boy? I know any little boy wants their father in their life," he said and I nodded.

"I can't impose, Connor. Please, let this go," I said and he nodded.

"Very well, but only because I am going to work for Mrs. Winchester," he said and I cocked my head at him with a confused look. "I am coming in as a butler. She was one short." A pain shot through my heart as I realised why there was an opening. Connor watched me as I shut my eyes to think.

"I'm glad that you will there. Don't get lost in the house," I told him with a smile as I skipped away.

"Wait, what?"