My Story: The Winchester House [Completed]

28: Salt

"Ms. Winchester is asking for you, Mother," Luke asked as he walked into the room that I was dusting. He was seven and my little Syren was six. She won three gold medals already and Luke won one trophy from his season.

"Very well. Will you find Syren and tell her that she needs to practice her routine?" I asked my son and he nodded as he went to go find Syren, who probably was already practicing in the garden. I walked down the hall. There was at least 70 more rooms that had been built since the earthquake and it was still easy for me to find the rooms and locations to go to.

"Samantha, Ms. Winchester is calling for you," Braxton said and I nodded.

"Luke just told me, Braxton. Thank you, though," I said as Josh opened up the door for me. I walked into the room and Madalynn was standing near Ms. Winchester.

"Samantha, darling, sit down," she said and I knelt at her knee, putting my hands over her knee. Madalynn sat at the other knee and we looked up at her. "The New Year is almost here which means the spirits may get restless again." It was almost 1908 and every New Year, Ms. Winchester got a little more anxious about the spirits growing restless.

"What can we do to make them calm?" I asked and she put her hands over Madalynn's and my hands as we waited for her response.

"Garlic dishes." That was a new one. Usually she wanted lights on all night or salt laid at the doorways. "And salt to protect everyone." There it was.

"We will personally lay the salt out," Madalynn said and I nodded in agreement.

"Is there anything else we can do for you, Ms. Winchester?" I asked and she waved us off. We stood and she looked away as we walked out of the room.

"I need to check on Adalynn. I'll meet you in the kitchen," Madalynn said and I nodded as I started walking towards the kitchen.

I touched my small stomach that held another addition to our family. Max and I hadn't told anyone else yet because we wanted to wait until the New Year. In addition, Max was trying to mentally prepare for the fact that he may have to pay for another sport.

"Sam, are you looking for something?" Max asked as I walked into the kitchen. I shook my head.

"It's just time to get the salt and line the doorways," I told him as I opened the crate that was called the New Years' box in jest by all the workers of the house. Madalynn and I may have complained about the salt every year but we saw how relaxed the spirits were once we laid the salt down.

"Would you like some help with that?" he asked as I picked up four containers. I sighed.

"Madalynn is just checking in on Adalynn, then she should be coming to help me," I told him as I wiped my hands on the apron. He smiled as he went to pick up a box.

"You shouldn't be alone for too long," he told me as he put the box on the counter next to me. He leaned against the counter as I turned around to put my hands on the counter.

"Nothing bad will happen to me if I'm alone for a few minutes, Max," I told him as I played with the salt lids. He moved a strand of hair from my face as I focused on the salt.

"I know. I just don't like you alone," he said and I kissed him lightly before Luke walked into the room with Syren. They had their equipment over their shoulders and Luke held Syren's hand.

"Mother, Father, we are going to take the trolley to our practices and then we return home around sunset," Luke said and I looked at Max.

"Very well," Max said and the kids started off.

"Wear your coats!" I called after them and Max touched my arm.

"Let them go. They are growing up. They will learn by themselves," Max told me and I took a deep breath.

"They will always be my babies," I told him and he hugged me.

"They are our children and I promise they will remember that you are their mother," he told me as I nodded.

"I know that they will remember but just let me be their mother for a little bit longer," I told him and he nodded.

"How much is a little longer, darling?" he asked and I looked at him.

"Once I die," I told him and he laughed as he gave me one final peck on the cheek. Connor and Madalynn walked in as Adalynn ran pass us and started climbing several boxes.

"Connor, watch her," Madalynn said and Connor went to hold onto his daughter as she attempted to climb up the wooden boxes. I gave her two containers of salt which she put one into her apron.

"Salt in doorways again?" Connor asked. I smiled as I nodded.

"It does make the spirits calm which is nice when we have children in the household," I shared as he picked Adalynn off the boxes and held her on his hip. She laughed and touched his face which Madalynn made a face since my twin's face was dirty.

"I have to go to San Francisco for Ms. Winchester but I should be back for dinner. If not, do not worry about my meal and just get the children to bed. You sleep as well," Max told me as he touched my chin. I smiled.

"Of course, I will," I confirmed.

"Do they ever have the city up and running yet?" Connor asked and Max shrugged.

"Guess I won't know until I get there, won't I?" Max asked and Connor chuckled as Madalynn took Adalynn.

"Well, if you want to be back before breakfast tomorrow, you should get going," Madalynn said and Max nodded as he fixed his jacket.

"Adieu, my love and friends," Max said as he left.

"Shall we?" Madalynn asked as she pushed Adalynn out of the room.

"We shall."