By late October, things had died down, though the mystery was never solved. Sheriff Paterson made the rounds to the local farms, sometimes Byron Grover would accompany him, looking for his son. When Christmas came, the visits were less frequent. Their plans had worked, thanks to their quick actions that fateful day, they had taken the bastards unaware and had killed them, as they’d deserved.
The families took time to celebrate the birth of Victor and Mary Beth’s new son, Henry Alexander Anderson on September 9th, 1880. He was a healthy, beautiful child and a joy to his grandparents. Mary held the baby constantly, loving the sweet smell of him. Alex was passed from her to Ellen, who said the boy looked just like Thomas had, when he was a baby.
Ida was also pregnant, her large belly the constant attention of Drake’s hands. She would swat her husband, telling him to behave and he would devil her until she gave in laughing. She was due in February and was growing weary of the bulky body. Mary was tickled proud that her family was growing and thriving. The Anderson farm had started years ago as a slavery milieu and had come full circle as a sanctuary for their descendants.
That Christmas, they had much to be thankful for, and celebrated Victor’s and Mary Beth’s first wedding anniversary. The laughter was punctuated with Alex’s squeals. Theo joined in with the festivities, holding Alex securely in his arm, the baby gnawing on his tiny fist, his large button eyes watching the activity in the house.
New Year’s brought sadness, Tall Tom passed away, his bent curled body finally pain free. The arthritis had bent and twisted his body painfully, Sue had tried to help him with her medicines, but he had been in constant pain. Tom’s wife, Netta, went to live with her daughter, who had moved to Richmond. It was a tearful farewell for all.
Mary was sitting in the warm kitchen talking with Cookie and Mary Beth when Ida walked in, her enormous belly leading the way. Mary turned and saw that her daughter had a peculiar look on her face. Looking down, she saw that the front of Ida’s smock was wet. A wide smile wreathed her face, Ida’s water had broken, it was time.
Mary sent for Ginny and Ellen, telling Cookie as she left, that she needed a basin of warm water. Mary Beth went to get Sue, knowing she could be useful. Mary took Ida by the arm and led her to the master bedroom and began to strip the bed. Going to the linen closet, she pulled old sheets out and bundles of clean rags. Ida stripped down, putting on a soft worn birthing smock. Crawling into the large bed, Ida plumped up the pillows, her hands shaking. Mary saw them and walked over, taking her daughter’s hands in her own.
“All will be well, my heart.” Mary said softly and squeezed her daughter’s hands. Ida had been present when Mary Beth delivered. Mary Beth had screamed in writhing agony. It had terrified the stoic Ida.
Late into the night, Drake was pacing back and forth in the study, his father, Victor and Henry kept him company. He looked haggard, his hair spiked with sweat and constant pulling. Theo’s mouth trembled as he watched his son. He remembered Rachel’s birth, it had nearly drove him mad.
A primal scream rent the air and reverberated through the house. Drake faltered in step and nearly went to his knees. Victor caught him and walked him over to a chair. Victor could feel the trembling in his brother-in-law’s body. He well understood how Drake was feeling, it had nearly unmanned him when Alex had come.
Theo choked, his nervous hiccup turned into a nervous giggle, then a nervous laugh. It swept across the room and Henry coughed and choked, his laughter added to Theo’s. Victor looked up and his lips trembled suspiciously and he caved in and joined in the hilarity. Drake, thoroughly offended. He looked into the tear-filled eyes of his family, seeing that it wasn’t humor that caused them to laugh, it was a need to release. Drake lent his laughter to the rest, tears coming down unashamed. His fear so great for his wife, his laughter soon turned to tears. Cookie came into the room, a strange look on her face. Their hilarity escalated when they saw her, each man helplessly laughing like loons. Cookie looked to the heavens for help and left the men to their nonsense.
Mary heard the eruption of laughter and knew that Drake must have fainted. She remembered Henry when she had delivered Ida and a gentle smile curled her lips. Ida delivered a healthy baby boy and Ellen was cleaning the baby. Mary was cleaning Ida when she shouted for Ginny to help her, there was another baby. Ida was having twins, and this one was coming fast.
Ellen swatted the boy and he gave a wavering howl. Sucking in his breath, he let out a powerful wail. The laughter stopped abruptly downstairs and a moment later they could hear foot steps pounding on the stairs. Drake burst into the room, wild eyed, looking for his baby and his wife. Sue hollered for him to leave the room immediately. She was shoving him out when Drake caught sight of another child being pulled from his wife. Drake hit the floor like a stone, all color gone from his face. Sue gave an indignant cry, calling the men to get Drake out of the doorway. Henry and Theo followed Victor up the stairs and ran to the room. Theo looked into the room, seeing both babies. He gave a whop of excitement and helped the other men take his son to Joshua’s room. Joshua was standing at his door, his face pale, the freckles standing out like
