My Story: The Winchester House [Completed]

25: Family

Syren and Luke sat silently on the couch as Max and I tried to pack everything that we would need for the summer house while we were waiting for the main house to be fixed. The children tried to help by bringing us the things they wanted to take with them.

"Will you be fine without me?" Max whispered as he started to put our belongings by the door. Max had to stay because he had to make sure that the carpenters were proceeding with the standing that Mrs. Winchester wanted.

"We will be fine. I will have Madalynn and we will be busy," I told him confidently but not feeling confident at all. I didn't want to leave him. The earthquake took out most of San Francisco and the house's seven level tower had fallen.

"Very well. Please take this out to one of the carriages," he told the other butlers and motioned for the children to come over. They slid off the couch and Max knelt down to be eye level with them. "Luke, you take of your mother and your sister."

"I will, Father. I promise," Luke said and Max patted his shoulder. He looked at Syren who was wearing her shawl already and her outfit was the nicest that we could afford for her. Luke was wearing his nicest outfit as well.

"Syren, you will behave for your mother, or am I mistaken?" Max asked her and she nodded.

"Use your words, Syren," I told her and she swallowed.

"Yes Father," she said and looked at the tips of her shoes. I looked at Max who nodded as Syren stepped back.

"I will miss you," I whispered as he took my arm to walk me out to the carriage. The children followed and I watched as Syren climbed up into the carriage with Josh's help.

"The carpenters will have everything ready and fixed in a matter of weeks. You will be home in a month or so," he told me and I watched as he kissed my hand.

"We will be fine until we meet again," I said and he helped me up into the carriage. I sat next to Syren and Luke climbed up into the carriage. Max stepped up to help adjust the blanket over our laps and I fixed my shawl.

"Father? Will you be joining us?" Syren asked as Max kissed my forehead lightly. He moved her shawl out of her face.

"No but we will be together soon. I have to stay here but we will be together soon," Max said and I fixed her skirt under the blanket. I looked at Max who stepped down.

"Say good bye to Father," I said and Luke and Syren waved to Max as the carriage driver started to pull away to get the line to go to the winter home.

"Mama? Is Daddy leaving because he doesn't love us anymore?" Syren asked as she looked at me. I shook my head.

"Of course not, darling. Daddy is staying here to make sure that the house is safe for us because he loves us," I told her and she nodded as she took her doll from between us.

"Is Mrs. Winchester scared of what the spirits are saying?" Luke asked and I looked at him. The three of us had watched the spirits get restless in the following days of the earthquake and I made the children stay quiet about it. I thought about the night before when it was the worse.

"Mama! The spirits are going loud," Syren said as her and Luke ran into the bedroom. I sat up and was out of the bed as Max rubbed his face. I went to the children and knelt down in front of them.

"I know. Let's get some tea," I said and they took my hands as we walked to the kitchen to make tea.

"Mama, they are mad that -" Luke started.

"That Mrs. Winchester spend so long on the front of the house? I don't know, Luke,"  I told him as I filled the kettle with water. A spirit screamed and the children grabbed my legs as I held the collar of my night gown. It was getting worse.

"Of course she is. She has to make the spirits happy but you don't have to worry about what she has to do. Our job is to serve her," I told him and he played with his hands. I stilled his hands and he looked at me. "You are six now, Luke. You can sit still like your father does," I told my son and he looked forward.

"I apologise Mama," he said and I kissed his forehead.

"It is fine, Luke, but we are representing Mrs. Winchester outside of the gates. Syren, sit up straight and look forward," I said as I pushed her back up straight. I looked at my lap and shook my head. The blanket had a stitch that was out of place. I was going to have some fix that I decided as I looked up and forward.

"Mama, can I do figure skating?" Syren asked and I looked at her. I heard of figure skating. It was ballet on skates. I took a deep breath. Max wanted them to do something unique.

"Do you promise to put all your effort into it and to pursue competitions?" I asked, knowing a few a competitions were starting to be more predominant and I wanted her to be known for talent. Her eyes lit up and she nodded.

"I will, Mama!" she exclaimed. Max suddenly jumped up onto the carriage, making me squeal.

"It is delayed for about 10 minutes but I figured that I would let you know," Max said and Syren bumped my leg in order to get me to tell Max what she wanted to do.

"Thank you for letting us... Max, your daughter wants to do competitive figure skating," I told my husband and he nodded.

"Then, once you get up to the vacation house, buy her skates and I'll send a coach for her," he said and Syren smiled at him.

"Thank you, Daddy!" Syren bounced and I touched her head.

"What do you want to do Luke?" Max asked our son with a large smile.

"I want to go to the army and serve," Luke said and we looked at him after exchanging a look.

"Why is that?" Max asked and Luke shrugged his shoulders.

"Most of the spirits I play with were soldiers and I want to carry on their legacy," he said and I smiled at Max.

"I think that is very honourable," I said.

"Your grandfathers fought in the same war, Luke. I think they will be proud of you as well," Max said.

"Where was Grandfather Smith stationed?" Luke asked.

"He was in the infantry at Fort Tejon here in California," I told him and Luke smiled.

"He was a dragoon, Mama," he told me, knowingly. I laughed as Max patted his head a little bit. I smiled at Max as I held my daughter close to me.