Of the Fells

[KieranSoares]

"I don't need presents to be happy," Alex murmured, leaning against Valentina and holding onto her tightly. As quiet and reserved as he was, his wonderment not only at the gifts, but the love being shown to him was clear.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, don't think of it as a gift then. It's an investment in your future as a healer." Valentina whispered as she kissed her son's cheek and held him tightly. "I trust that Papa got you one that will last you many years with little care or repairs."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course he did. He doesn't believe in cheap and disposable things," Alex nodded, quoting his grandfather perfectly. Vincenzo had encouraged Valentina through her life to never accept convenience or quantity over quality, and that extended to their work from their tools to making casts and bandages and stitches. It should be made to last, or not made at all.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose it's the same way I feel about love. It should be made to last or not pursued at all." Yasmine said softly, brushing Alex's hair out of his eyes. "I hope one day you find someone that makes you feel the way that I feel about your Da. We work hard, bambino, and that means that sometimes life can pass us by without us realizing it."

"I know that I'll miss milestones and I'll miss moments that mean the world to you. Your Da will be there for every single step though." She knew it would be hard to explain to Alex just how their dynamic worked, but he would understand.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just don't miss the ones that mean the world to you," Alex insisted, laying his head on her shoulder.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I promise I will try my hardest, bambino." Valentina said with a soft chuckle, pressing her head against his own. "Let's get changed and then go see what your Da has accomplished today. He's been working on our cabin since dawn."

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex nodded, slipping from her arms after a moment to go change before following her out to get their horses. Across town in a quiet little clearing in the woods with few neighbors, all blocked by stands of trees, the little cabin was coming together quickly. It seemed the outer walls were all in place and the roof was being assembled of half-logs split down the middle and slid into place up large ramps between Theo and two helpers. This particular day, it was Boar and Durban. It had been mostly Valentina's brothers helping Theo when he needed it, occasionally a neighbor or strapping lads who needed a little pocket money for their effort.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's about time you finally put them to work." Valentina called with a smile as she saw her two brothers helping him slide logs into place on the roof. "Their wives have complained about their laziness lately."

She let Raul roam the clearing, trusting the horse not to run away into danger. Alex she let explore as well as she turned to look at the large plot that he had cleared for her future garden.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then Marri's full of it, I've been buildin' a stable!" Durban called over the grunts of effort as the three powerful men lowered a log into place with ropes and sheer might.

"Alright, lads, take a break," Theo encouraged, and all three climbed down a ladder to meet Valentina. Both her brothers kissed her cheeks and Theo greeted her with a proper kiss before scooping up Alex. "What brings you two out 'ere?" Theo asked with a bright smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"A certain small boy who is too big for himself felt the need to come out here and check to make sure that you were making progress on the cabin so we could move in soon." Valentina said with a smile as he picked up Alex and doted on him like a proud father.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're the impatient one, Mama," Alex insisted matter-of-factly, making Boar snort and laugh.

"Truer words were never spoken, lad," Boar nodded with a grin as Durban agreed and Theo simply stayed out of it.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll remember that, Lynndon Ghis. Especially the next time I have to reset a broken bone or stitch up a knife wound." Valentina said as she gave her brother a long look.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar could only chuckle at his sister, answering her look with a loving smile.

"Yer man's put a lot o' heart into this build," Durban spoke up, looking to the hardy shell of the house that was growing hardier and more homey each passing day. "Fine workmanship on 'is part too.

"Used t'help build houses all th'time," Theo nodded. "Picked up a few tricks."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Alex only wishes it could go a little quicker." Valentina said as she looked over all of the work that Theo had done to try and get the cabin finished before the wedding that following weekend. "But, I know it'll be complete before we know it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Should be a' least livable in time fer our needs, if a bit sparse fer a while," Theo nodded. "Got some basic furniture an' such ready."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose I'll get to buying some plants then." Valentina said as she turned her attentions back towards the bare garden. "That way it has s a chance to get rooted before the winter comes."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Do anythin' you need. We're done on tha' side. Jus' gonna put up some fences later." Theo looked to Alex with a smile. "Anythin' you'd like me t'add before we're done?"

"Will we have an oven?" Alex asked. "Chessie's been teaching me to bake and I really like it."

"We sure will. Gonna build a proper one like in th'bakeries."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think it's lovely, Theo." Valentina said as she turned towards him with a smile and moved to kiss his cheek.

 

[KieranSoares]

Theo stole a proper kiss, and to their credit, her brothers chose not to tease in the moment, turning to mov the ladder to the roof to a better place and drag a new log out to be raised. Theo drew Valentina and Alex into his arms and held them for a long moment. "A family an' a home an' a good future ahead... I've got all I need."

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina smiled and rested her head against Theo's chest as her brothers prepared to get back to work. "Would you like to stay with your Da and help, bambino? I'm going to go to the market and gather some plants with Raul."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I could use someone t'help keep things in order an' bring us tools," Theo offered when Alex couldn't seem to choose. Alex nodded, joining Theo's side. Theo sent Valentina off with one more kiss. "See you soon, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Keep them out of trouble, Alex." Valentina said with a smile as she kissed his cheek and kiss Theo one last time. "When I get back, you can help me in the garden."

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex nodded happily, and though he was still a touch under the weather, he seemed lively and bright at the prospect of building a garden with his mother.

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina smiled as Boar handed Alex a piece of paper so that he could write down the progress and what needed to be done later. She moved and gathered up Raul before she headed towards the city market to buy some live plants and seeds to get the garden going.

 

[KieranSoares]

When it was just the two of them, Raul loped along lazily and occasionally got into mischief at Valentina's expense. This day was no different as he chose to ignore her and wander off the path.