Chapter 85: The Best
Meredith's heart quickened as she neared the cottage and heard nothing but silence inside. Slowly, she opened the door, calling out, “Boys, I'm back!”
But the sight that greeted her froze her. Broken vases were scattered across the floor of the living area. Chairs were toppled over, and her youngest, Marcus, sat on the floor clutching his head.
Blood trickled down his temple, staining his chubby fingers and the collar of his shirt.
“Marcus!” Meredith cried, rushing to him and dropping the sack of food. She knelt by his side, gently cupping his face to inspect the wound. “What happened?!”
Marcus sniffled, his tear-filled eyes looking up at her. “M-Mama… I—” he began, but his words were lost in hiccups and sobs.
Her other two boys, Ksaver and Daemond, stood a few steps away. They lowered their gazes, bit their lips, and did not make a move.
Meredith's gaze darted to them. “What is this?" she asked. "What happened here?!”
Daemond, always the braver of the two, shuffled his feet and mumbled, “We were playing, Mama..." His shoulders shook as he sobbed softly. "Marcus wanted the ball, and I threw it too hard…”
Ksaver added, “It hit the vase, Mama, and Marcus were close. So… so it f-fell, and...” His words broke into sobs as he looked at his little brother. “We didn't mean to, Mama! We're so sorry...”
Meredith's hands shook as she grabbed a clean cloth from the table to press against Marcus’s wound. The sight of his blood, coupled with the chaos around, overwhelmed her.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she whispered, “Why? Why couldn't you keep him safe?”
Her voice broke as anger suddenly boiled to the surface. “I was gone for a little while—just a little while! You're supposed to look out for each other, not let this happen!”
Daemond's lip quivered, and he began to cry. “We didn't mean to hurt Marcus, Mama… I'm sorry.”
Ksaver, clinging to Daemond's sleeve, echoed through his tears, “S-sorry, Mama… We won't do it again…”
But Meredith was too distraught to soothe them. Her tears fell freely as she wrapped her arms protectively around Marcus, holding him close as he whimpered against her chest.
“He's your little brother,” she said through her sobs. “He's smaller than you, and he depends on you! How could you let this happen?”
The weight of her words echoed around their small home, and the boys’ wails grew louder.
For a long moment, Meredith stayed where she was, holding Marcus as her tensed muscles began to relax. Seeing the tears in Daemond and Ksaver's eyes made her heart ache. And it almost killed her.
She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to calm down.
She looked up at them. “I know you didn't mean to hurt him. But you have to understand. You're brothers..." Her voice was softer now. "You're supposed to protect each other, not hurt each other.”
Daemond wiped his face with the back of his shaking hand. “I'll be better, Mama. I promise.”
Ksaver nodded fervently. “Me too, Mama. I'll take care of Marcus next time.”
Meredith sighed, pulling them close into a hug. “Promise me you'll look out for each other. No more fighting, no more accidents like this. Please.”
The boys nodded, their small hands clinging to her.
As Meredith tried to settle her nerves and clean Marcus’s wound, a firm knock on the door startled her. She glanced toward it, and her chest tightened.
Without waiting for a response, the door creaked open, and Edna stepped inside, carrying her usual basket of goods. Her bright smile died on her lips as she took in the scene.
Her eyes widened as she said, “Good heavens, Merry! What on earth happened here?”
Meredith straightened, keeping a protective arm around Marcus, who rested his head on her shoulder.
“It was just an accident. The boys were playing, and Marcus got hurt,” she said.
Edna hurried over, placing her basket on the table. She crouched to inspect Marcus, her fingers gently brushing his cheek.
“Oh my, that's more than just a bump. He needs to be seen by a doctor, Merry. What if it's worse than it looks?”
Meredith's jaw tightened as she adjusted the cloth pressed to Marcus’s wound. “It's not as bad as it looks. I've cleaned it, and I'll keep an eye on him. There's no need for a doctor.”
“Merry,” Edna said firmly, standing to her full height. “You can't take chances with a head injury. Let me help you get him to the hospital. Quick!”
Meredith slowly shook her head. “No. I appreciate your concern, Edna, but I can handle this. Marcus doesn't need to go anywhere.”
"But..." Edna hesitated, her brow furrowing as she searched Meredith's face. “You're sure about this?”
“I am,” Meredith said quietly. She glanced at Ksaver and Daemond, who were now watching with tear-streaked eyes from the corner of the house. “I've got this. I just need some time with my boys.”
Edna's shoulders slumped. “All right. But promise me—if anything changes, if you need anything at all—you'll call for me." She sighed heavily. "I'll come right away.”
Meredith softened, offering a small smile. “I promise.”
Edna gave Marcus’s shoulder a light pat and turned to the twins. “You two behave for your mama, you hear? She's got enough on her plate.”
The boys nodded solemnly. Their guilt was still etched on their handsome faces.
After Edna left, Meredith sank onto the couch with Marcus still cradled in her arms. Ksaver and Daemond hesitated before inching closer, their small hands tugging at her sleeve. Meredith pulled them close, wrapping her arms around all three boys.
“I know no one wanted this. But you have to listen to me, okay? Please, love each other. Because we have nothing else but ourselves. That's all I ask.”
They nodded against her, and for a moment, the weight on her chest lightened.
As she rocked them gently, Marcus mumbled sleepily against her. “Mama's the best…”
Her eyes stung, and she kissed his temple, careful to avoid the bandage. She sat all three boys down and spoke to them gently.
“I love you. All of you.”