Chapter 6: Shadow

A fine liquid. Discovered during the era of the great Persians, it gradually fulfilled many of men's needs. Its importance has extended beyond its medical purposes to posing as a consumable painkiller, though the latter is but a perception of many in sorrow. And alcohol was to be Ethan's drug and companion.

Night after night, bottles were unloaded from the cellar. 'A fine spirit', Ethan would say to himself before drowning himself in the rich taste of the finely fermented product. The alcohol flowed smoothly down his throat and into his stomach. It burned. It hurt him. It reminded him of the predicament that his wife was going through alone in the hospital.

It carried on for 10 years.

By then, the two infants were already young, fine men. They rose from the ashes of their Father's fall from prominence to once again represent the towns best hope and source of joy. They were, however, completely different lads. Remus, was an academic, who did extremely well in school. Never once was he ever caught without a distinction in his studies. He was also a shrewd young thing who loved to broker many a deal on behalf of his friends. It was such fine profits that helped build a solid foundation for the larger boots he was to fill in time.

Romulus, well, was a talent of sorts as well. Never interested in the lessons and talk of a good education, he taught himself music. On many a school day, he would liven up the town hall with melodies that reflected his melancholy. However, his audience was only able to take from his fine playing, the joy and gladness that burst out from his wonderful playing. His eyes never failed to twinkle and his smile seemed to be etched for eternity and beyond.

Then one day a letter arrived.

[!] Merry Christmas: Wishes + Poem

Dear readers,

As we enter the 25th of December (in Singapore time) let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas. Its not just a holiday, but a day of remembrance and significance to a model of a great person. Give from the heart peeps!

Here's the poem I wrote last night:

Streets of snow,

faces that glow

Presents all wrapped, 

but is there a gap?

Lest we forget, 

the one true fact:

That a baby boy was brought to this Earth.

To love and respect.

To forgive and forget.

A toast to this day of feasts,

and let us be reminded to give

to say the least!

Hope its good! Thanks for the support over the last two months. Hope you guys have a great festive period ahead.

Merry Christmas!

Jethro.

Chapter 5: Titanic

'Get the doctor here right now!'

A chilling and desperate voice echoed through the town hospital. The fire from the kerosene lamps gave off an eerie glow that revealed parts of the dark and damp corridor.

'For Gods sake its an emergency!'

This time a door slammed open. A man, cloaked in white promptly rushed out. Sweat dripping and with parched lips he stared at the woman in the man's arms. More importantly, he noticed the extremely huge inflammation of her abdomen. With horror in his face, he shouted for nurse.

'Ethan...'

'I know! God damn it! Just do something!'

'I..but..'

'I'll take care of her now.' The nurse suddenly intervened.

She could feel the numbing and aching of his shoulders. The strain of every muscle. The tenseness and unrest within as his eyes refused to blink. Sweat dripped from his eyebrows and tears flowed freely from his eyes.

Ethan grabbed the collar of the man and nailed him to the wall. His grip, firm. His desperation, immeasurable.

'Save...her.'  He choked in between the sobs and whimpers.

'Is mummy going to be alright?' Little Remus uttered with a forlorn gaze at the woman being wheeled away on a stretcher.

'I hope so..' Romulus replied. His head hung low from the shock he received after seeing both his parents in such a state. Papa, was never the same again.

[UPDATE]

Recently, a friend of mine decided to do some artwork for the story.

Great art. Greater guy. Thanks Marcus!

Chapter 4: Additions

The world stood still in that instance. For as long as a second, or two, he saw straight into the thoughts of Amadeus. Through his fiery eyes, he sensed the shock, disbelief and surprisingly, the commitment of a man who had recently, too, just welcome a new member into his family. It wasn't actually a secret. Once again, the room was filled with boisterous cheers and generous applause.

'I must say, this is quite an honor.' Amadeus burst out, with a broad grin across his face.

'I must have startled you, but I do believe that you are more than just your weight in gold and property.' Ethan managed a weak smile.

The celebrations slowly died down and silence ruled over the streets once again. However, sitting on the front of the porch of the Goodend residence were two men, deep in talk. The end of a party, in this case, did not signal the end of a long-delayed conversation.

'Trust me. Your two boys will grow up faster than a blink of an eye!' the godfather exclaimed.

'By golly i hope not! Ahh, you've yet to tell me about her.' Ethan replied with his face towards his wife in the kitchen.

'Well, old friend, I think you need to tell me something too.' Amadeus whispered in a grave, sullen tone.

Ethan turned pale and a clanking of his goblet on the floor, turned the soft white snow into a pool of melting crimson.

'You've got to help me'

It was only around 2 in the morning did Mr Kelly leave the unsettling residence with a heavy heart. Thoughts shifted to his very own child. Though a man of responsibility, he wasn't sure if he was the right moral compass for such a task. His newly adopted family also lingered in his subconscious as he braved the blizzard that awaited him.

[UPDATE]

Hi readers!

Thank you for your earnest and steadfast support over these last few weeks. This project, initially a mere project, has grown to be a meaningful investment of my vacation period.

Facing a tight schedule over this weekend, it is unlikely for me to release chapter 4 during the course of this week. However, with almost half of the material already covered for this coming chapter, I'm affirmative, and actually making a promise here, that you'll see the next installment.

On a side note, after receiving feedback saying that the story is too draggy, fret not! Actions on the way :D

Yours Sincerely,
Jethro Lim

Chapter 3: Grandeur

Lights. Lights everywhere. Candles and lamps lit up their narrow front porch all the way into their living area. The added glow also revealed the large spread of food laid out for their guests. Ethan was indeed a good husband.

Within an hour, the guests were all present and savouring the wonderful delicacies that one man had prepared for an evening with close relatives and friends. The cooking and preparations certainly had taken its toll as the dark, sinking skin below his eyes revealed. Suddenly, like a crashing wave, silence engulfed the room and there in their presence was the proud mother with an infant in each arm. They were like precious stones, glowing and capturing the attention of all who laid their eyes upon it. Applause, promptly filled the room. A symbol of part envy, part adoration but yet full congratulations.

The thunderous ovation couldn't, however, divert Ethan's gaze from the rather obvious bulge at her abdomen. He turned to stone focusing on the single image before him. The white gown before him turned to a dark and gloomy shade of scarlet as an extravagant cape swung into sight.

'A toast to the head of the household!'

It was an all too familiar voice. A certain Mr Kelly, all dressed in his expensively tailored suit, had proposed a toast. The clashing of glasses did nothing to uplift the sudden gloom and forlornness that had descended upon the host. Abruptly, with eyes ablaze, Ethan stood up, firmly grasped his goblet and lifted it up. He froze.

'To the Godfather of the two most beautiful children in existence!' he exclaimed

Chapter 2: Welcoming

The news spread like wildfire. In a town desolated by gloom and uncertainty, the new born twins were like gleaming beacons in a dark tunnel. The elders of the town agreed that they had never seen such beautiful infants before.

Ethan Goodend, the proud father, stood outside their humble two-storied apartment receiving well-wishes and many presents on behalf of his wife. Observing and sensing the nonchalance and emptiness in their regards, he quickly withdrew, on the pretext of a throat infection (an extremely convenient excuse to depart from large human gatherings), back into his home. The door slammed shut. He slumped into the nearest chair, took of his glasses, and took a deep breath. As his hot stale breath exited his parched lips, he felt a sudden rush of blood to his brain as he heard the faint audible evidences of the excitement outside fade into the normal bustle of life.

'Ethan, is that you?' a voice called from the second storey.

Hurrying up the stairs, he went straight to his wife's bedside and sat gently on the space that he woke up to everyday. Anne must have been half asleep, he mused judging from her eyelids struggling to keep watch of the twins sleeping soundly at the edge of the room. He smiled and gently stroked her head. Turning his gaze to the twins, he saw a stack of bills lying beside the bedside mirror.

Mr and Mrs Ethan Goodend 

cordially invites you to partake in their joy of 

the birth of their twins Romulus and Remus.

16/7/1898

7 in the Evening

The Goodends would spare no expense to ensure the grand debut of their offspring to society. Descendants of mayors and clergymen, they were well-respected and revered in society. Besides, Ethan was looking forward to meeting his old friend again: Mr Amadeus Kelly.