@xaenyth @flauschtrud @Belalucina
1301 - FAREWELL TO PARSON BERNARD - SUNDAY - WEEK 2 - DAY 8
https://i.postimg.cc/fLYL6Njt/parson-bernard-headstone.png
The next morning, Francesca woke up feeling sad. Before Gwendolyn had left yesterday, Gwendolyn had told her that it was alright to feel sad and remember the ones that we loved and had lost, but that you must not lose yourself in the sadness. Gwendolyn told her that when her own parents had passed that she had felt very sad and alone, but she had continued on because Ian, and her sons, who were very young at the time, depended on her. Francesca took a deep breath, and realized that is what she must to do, too. She could not let the sadness engulf her like it had her sister, Colette. Her sister who had been so strong and cared for all of them when their mother had passed, and who could now barely function because she was so grief-stricken. Francesca had a caring husband who loved her, and a new baby, Amelia, who depended on her. And even though she was sad about her Uncle Bernard's passing, she must carry on.
https://i.postimg.cc/hvZZwy8w/IM-SCARED-GWENDOLYN.png
At breakfast, William and Francesca talked about the farm chores, and William told Francesca that if she was not feeling up to it, that William would handle them all himself. Francesca immediately dismissed that notion, and told William that she was very capable of milking Eda and looking after the chickens, and that William should tend his garden to ensure they continued to have food on the table.
Francesca: "Plus, it is a lovely day outside, and perhaps we could move Amelia's cradle outside and I could tend to her while I work..."
William smiled at her and thought how fortunate he was to have someone like Francesca.
https://i.postimg.cc/7Yjn6sDx/hi-eda-nice-to-meet-you.png
And so, William tended his garden while Francesca tended to the animals. She gave Eda, the cow, an extra hug and spoke to her about her new daughter and how Eda would meet her soon. When she fed the chickens, she talked about her Uncle Bernard and how, when he was tutoring them, would give them logic problems to solve, and her favorite one was "which came first, the chicken or the egg", which none of them were able to solve properly and always had a good laugh about it. Talking to the animals and remembering Uncle Bernard made Francesca feel better. Francesca went over to chat with William.
Francesca: "William, do you think you might look after Amelia for a bit? Since I am not pregnant, I was thinking of going for a ride on Buttercup..."
https://i.postimg.cc/W4YmkTJJ/RDING-BUTTERCUP.png
William smiled at her and said that was a wonderful idea, and so, Francesca headed off and saddled up Buttercup and went for a ride. As she left, William got a note from a messenger that he had successfully sold one of his knife blocks, that he had placed on display at one of the market stalls in Finchwick.
https://i.postimg.cc/fbgXLsVq/RETICULATING-SPLINES-BUYS-THE-KNIFE-BLOCK.png
(Note: All items made/found will be sold either on Plopsy, the yard sale table, or by selling their harvestables at the market stall in Finchwick. They will not be selling directly to their inventory.)
Later in the morning, William received another note from a messenger that there would be a burial service for Parson Bernard later that day, at The Old Stone Church in Finchwick.
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https://i.postimg.cc/gk9SvP1R/the-stone-church.png
When they arrived at The Old Stone Church, Parson Thomas Bennett met them at the entrance. He had been a friend of Parson Bernard de Baskerville when they had attended monastic school together. It had been some time, though, that he had seen his old friend, and even with the passage of time, he recognized Parson Bernard's nieces.
They all went into the church, and Parson Thomas said a few words about his dear friend and the strength of families.
https://i.postimg.cc/QChYJ9SC/he-gave-a-moving-spech.png
Then they all headed outside to the gravesite, and Parson Thomas spoke more words.
https://i.postimg.cc/dt4HY0tP/farewell-parson-bernard.png
Parson Thomas: ",,,My dear friend, Bernard is in the heavens now. He may be gone in body, but he will always be in our hearts. He will be watching over each of you until it is time for you to meet each other again..."
https://i.postimg.cc/BnLBXmTS/parson-thomas-says-a-few-words.png
Colette, Isabelle and Francesca placed flowers beside the gravestone. Colette also gave Isabelle and Francesca each a photo of their uncle that she had found in some of his books. It was then time for them to say a final goodbye to their uncle.
https://i.postimg.cc/rsRGW82s/at-the-gravesite.png
Ian came over to them, and told them all it was time to go. Before he left he thanked Parson Thomas for his kind words.
https://i.postimg.cc/RCtXNRSR/ian-came-over-and-told-tem-it-was-time-to-go.png
Reginald held onto Colette tightly as they walked towards the waiting carriage. Ian and Gwendolyn were going to visit with Thaddeus and Isabelle and meet their new grandchildren, and would return to the De Baskerville cottage after dinner. Baby Joan was being cared for by Rahmi Watson at the Watson Farm, and Gwendolyn felt that it would be good for Reginald and Colette to have some time alone together.
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When Colette and Reginald returned home, Reginald prepared them some tea and they sat in front of the fire. Reginald placed a cup in front of Colette and wished that there was something he could do to help her be happier.
Colette sipped her tea and looked at her husband, "Reginald...do you still want to be with me? To be...to be married to me?"
https://i.postimg.cc/mDG8f3RD/pouring-tea-for-colette.png
Reginald was surprised by her question, "Colette, why would you say something like that? You are the only one I want to be with..."
Colette: "It's just that I haven't been a very good wife or mother...'
Reginald: "That's nonsense. Colette, your uncle passed, and you were the one who was closest to him, so his passing hit you the hardest. But, know this, Colette, I will never leave you. No matter how long it takes for you to feel like yourself again, I will wait. I will be patient...and that is why my parents are here to help..."
https://i.postimg.cc/brygdzZf/giving-her-some-tea.png
Colette: "Yes, your mother has been wonderful to baby Joan and me. I have learned so much from her. I really like her being here..."
Reginald: "Yes, I can see that she is a great comfort to you. And, Colette, she so enjoys being here with you, too. In fact, my mother and father were wondering if they could stay on here, even when you were feeling yourself again. That is...that is, if you want them too..."
Colette: "Oh really, Reginald? Well, if it's alright with you, I would like that very much..."
Reginald softly caressed her cheek, and was filled with such desire for her, but quickly tried to squelch the feeling. He knew that she was not ready to be with him yet and, instead, tenderly kissed her on the cheek.
https://i.postimg.cc/15YB51Pb/kiss-her-cheek.png
Colette: "Oh Reginald, I am lucky to have someone like you..." she said looking into his eyes, and suddenly Colette realized that she had much to live for.
https://i.postimg.cc/dVn7sLhF/colette-was-the-hardest-hit-rom-her-uncles-death.png
Reginald held her in his arms, and then kissed her softly on the lips.
Colette: "I know...I know it's been awhile...but...I heard that our favorite bush is free tonight..."
Reginald raised his eyebrows and looked at her: "Oh? Really?"
Colette just nodded her head and then took his hand in hers and led him to the bush outside.
https://i.postimg.cc/Hnk0dBNp/the-bush.png
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Over at the Fletcher Farm, it seemed that William and Francesca had the same idea!
https://i.postimg.cc/rzXVjLzQ/trying-for-baby-william-an-dfrancesca.png
https://i.postimg.cc/J79ZvDkd/lets-hope-this-is-a-boy.png
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And after Ian and Gwendolyn left for the night, Thaddeus kissed Isabelle tenderly and since the twins were asleep...they...well...you know...
https://i.postimg.cc/TPWfHxYx/thaddeus-and-isabelle-kiss.png
https://i.postimg.cc/bNN8fkN3/thaddeus-and-isabelle-woohoo-2.png
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Notes:
The Old Stone Church credit:
https://i.postimg.cc/wBPKDfPw/old-stone-church-credit.png
A bit of a reno to the De Baskerville Cottage:
Parson Bernard's old sleeping shelter is now where Ian and Gwendolyn sleep. I switched out the single bed for a double bed and widened the shelter a bit.
https://i.postimg.cc/yNQs3KTw/BED-SWITCHED-OUT.png
A horse shelter was built near the house for Lexington.
https://i.postimg.cc/NLhn2JSh/LEXINGTONS-HORSE-SHELTER.png
