Of the Fells

[heartofcourage]

"We might not have a choice." Valentina murmured as Theo buried his face against her hair. "This isn't something that I can just fix, Theo. If he starts bleeding again and I can't control it, then we might lose him."

 

[KieranSoares]

Theo felt like a child, shaking his head as if his denial could save their son. "You an' Vincenzo can manage. An' Alex is strong as they come." He couldn't handle the idea of the death of another child. Losing his daughters had been the worst of all he'd lost.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I hope." Valentina murmured softly as she heard Theo's anguish at the idea of losing another child. "I hope for all of us that he can pull through. There is so much still to teach him. More hugs and kisses to give."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We can't lose 'im..." Theo whispered. "I don' know if I could take that..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know." Valentina said as she finally closed her eyes to try and rest, hoping that Theo did the same. "I know, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

Their morning rest was fairly unsuccessful, but around noon when they went to check on Alex, they found the little boy cradled between his grandparents with Anna in his arms. His breathing was slightly labored, but a calm look from Vincenzo told them that Alex was stable.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Has Nonna been telling you stories?" Valentina asked with a soft smile as she saw Vincenzo sitting with a peaceful expression. "She knows all of the best stories."

 

[KieranSoares]

Only half awake, Alex nodded slightly and let his head rest against Kitty's shoulder. Between the sickness and the medicine Vincenzo had given him for pain, the world was a dense fog.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh, bambino." Valentina said softly as she leaned in and kissed Alex's brow. "I promise you'll feel better soon. Your Da needs all your help with the herbs. He's been making a mess of things since you've been ill."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can do it now," Alex muttered hoarsely, making to get up. Kitty's arm wrapped about his middle gently.

"I don't think so, little man," she laid her head against his. "A good healer knows to step back when he gets sick."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Not until you are better. It's one of the rules." Valentina said as Kitty gently restrained Alex from getting up. "Even Papa has to take a day off from time to time."

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex was simply too tired to argue, and he was asleep again in minutes. Kitty hugged him close with a sad sigh. "Poor thing... every time he wakes up he insists he needs to make himself useful."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He needs to learn that it's alright to simply be a little boy. He's had to care for someone since he was very young. It's in his blood to want to help." Valentina said softly as Alex fell back into a heavy sleep, his head on Kitty's shoulder

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe that's why he fits so well with you, love. You're still learning to balance work with your personal life. You were always such a serious little girl." Kitty smiled up at her youngest daughter. Despite not having raised her for the first eight years of her life, Kitty had known everything about Valentina thanks to Ashelin and Warwick's friendship and love for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I had reason to be. Someone had to keep Ciaran and Cole out of trouble." Valentina said with a smile as she saw the saddened look that her mother and father shared. "They were always climbing trees and breaking something or getting into scrapes and needing Warwick to patch them up. He taught me a lot about simple things like bandages and kindness."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That man adored you three like nothing else. He still does." Kitty drew Valentina down to kiss her cheek. "And once Alex is back on his feet, we need to make sure to call him and the others home for that wedding."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would expect nothing less from you, Ma." Valentina said with a smile as her Ma pulled her down for a kiss on the cheek. "Theo and I are going to get something to eat. Call for us if Alex needs anything."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No worries, love." Kitty shooed them away. Chessie was in the middle of making lunch when they arrived, keeping the chaos manageable in her usual graceful way.

 

[heartofcourage]

"What's for lunch, Chessie?" Valentina asked as she and Theo entered the kitchens, both tired and hungry from their evening tending to Alex.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Venison, mostly. Boar took a bunch o' his friends out hunting an' dumped about five deer on me afterwards." Chessie turned to Valentina with a smile, kissing her cheek. She and Valentina had come to stay in the keep about the same time though Chessie had been Ciaran's age and quickly became his sweetheart. The two had always been good friends. "Take whatever y'like. God knows there's too much an' th'leftovers are goin' t'make compost fer the garden."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Leave it to Boar to feed everyone for a week." Valentina said with a grin as she let Theo gather them both heaping plates of food. "Maybe send something to Ma and Papa for Alex. He's waking up every so often and can probably handle something soft. Anything to soothe his throat would be very appreciated too."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think I'll try shreddin' some meat up for 'im so 'e gets somethin' heartier than broth. An' I think I'll make 'im my special mint tea."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's still rather drowsy. Papa's keeping him very medicated for the time being." Valentina said as Chessie talked about shredded venison and some of her mint tea. "Small portions for now and we'll work on his strength and stamina."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don' you worry, love. I know how to do my job as well as you know yours," Chessie assured her. She had always been good with children especially despite never having had the chance to have her own. Ciaran had died before they got the chance to really give it a try.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're too good to us, Chessie." Valentina said with a smile as she left the cook to her duties and went to settle with Theo outside in the keep's garden.

She let out a sigh as she relaxed next to him, leaning against his side in the sunlight. She needed to relax and it seemed that the moment was going to allow her to do just that.

"You need to go spend some time with Annie and Ciaran. They probably wonder where you've gone." Valentina said softly as she looked up at Theo.