11. You're Not Alone.

The air in the house was quiet, filled with the soft hum of memories. William, Anna, and Penelope sat with their father, Parrish, around the dining table, the faint scent of vanilla lingering in the air, a reminder of their mother, Eleanor.

It was the anniversary of her death, and they had decided to spend it together at home, sharing stories and reminiscing about the woman who had brought so much love and warmth into their lives.

Parrish broke the silence. "Do you remember how your mother used to sing while cooking?" His voice was soft, a touch of sadness mingling with fondness.

Anna smiled, her eyes distant with memory. "She had the most beautiful voice. It made everything feel like it was going to be okay."

"Yes," William added. "She always knew how to make us feel better, no matter what."

Penelope, the youngest, wasn't so much opportuned to share wonderful memories with her mother she could recall. It was a brief experience for her, she had  no recollection of her mothers affection towards her "I can only imagine how good it felt when she was still with us. And dad, you must have missed her the most."

Parrish closed his eyes, transported back to a time when Eleanor's laughter filled their home. "Your mother was the heart of this family. She had a way of making even the simplest moments feel magical. She gets me easily even without saying a word, her presence alone was more than enough."

As they continued to talk, Parrish's mind drifted further into the past, to the days when Eleanor was still with them.

(Few years back…)

Eleanor was in the kitchen, the soft light of the day shining through the curtains. The smell of fresh bread baking in the oven filled the room. William, Anna, and young Penelope were still asleep, and Parrish was sitting at the table, sipping his morning tea.

Eleanor hummed a cheerful tune as she moved around the kitchen, her presence bright and comforting. "Good morning, love," she greeted Parrish with a warm smile.

"Morning, Ellie," Parrish replied, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "You're up early."

"I wanted to surprise the children with fresh bread for breakfast," she said, her eyes twinkling. "It's the little things that make them happy."

Eleanor was always thinking about her family. She had a knack for turning ordinary days into special occasions. Birthdays were a grand celebration, complete with homemade cakes and hand-crafted decorations. She had a way of making each child feel uniquely loved and cherished.

"Remember when Anna was sick last winter?" Parrish said, coming back to the present.

Anna nodded. "I remember. Mom stayed by my side the whole time. She read me stories and made me soup."

"She was like that," Parrish said. "Always putting others first. She had the biggest heart."

Penelope, her eyes blinking with unshed tears, said, "I miss her so much. Wish I had more time with her, to know her like you all do and have my own memory and experience I could also share."

"We all do," Parrish said, his voice thick with emotion. "But she wouldn't want us to be sad. She would want us to remember the good times, the love she gave us."

They sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own memories of Eleanor. Then Anna spoke up, her voice breaking the stillness.

"Do you remember the time we went to the lake side?" she asked, a smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, yes!" William said, laughing. "Mom packed enough food to feed an army. We played in the sand and swam all day."

"That was one of the best days," Parrish added. "She built the biggest sandcastle. It was amazing."

William nodded, his eyes distant. "She had a way of making everything an adventure. Life with her was never boring."

Tears ran down Penelope eyes as Anna rushed to give her a hug. "You're not alone my dear, if there is anything you want to know about mother, I am here to tell you."

"Just promise me you will all stick around. I can't loose anyone." Penelope begged as she tightens her arms around Anna.

William feeling down stretched his hand to pat Penelope back "It's okay my little angel, I promise you we will stick around. I'm not going anywhere, neither is Anna or Father."

As the evening went on, they continued to share stories and memories of Eleanor. They laughed and cried, finding comfort in each other's company. It was a bittersweet night, filled with both sorrow and joy.

"She would be so proud of you all," Parrish said, his voice soft. "You are her legacy. The love she gave us lives on in each of you."

"We know, Dad," William said, his voice steady. "And we'll keep her memory alive, always."

"Always," Anna echoed, reaching out to hold her father's hand.

Penelope, with tears moving down her cheeks, added, "Forever."

As they sat together, the bond of their shared love and loss held them close. Eleanor might have been gone, but her spirit was still very much a part of their lives. Her laughter, her kindness, and her love were tied into the fabric of their family, a legacy that would endure through the generations.

While night came, they felt her presence, a reminder that love never truly dies. It remains, a guiding light in the hearts of those left behind. And as they remembered her, they found peace knowing that Eleanor's love would always be with them, a beacon of hope and joy in their lives.

The morning was alive with the melodious whistles of birds as Parrish and Anna set out for the meat shop. 

"I hope they have fresh meat today," Anna said, adjusting the basket on her arm.

"Fresh? With old Mr. Thompson running the place? We'll be lucky if the meat's haven't grown legs and walked off," Parrish joked, earning a chuckle from Anna.

Mr Thompson was a short, old, bald butcher who could see with just one eye. He lost his other eye in a pub fight.

Meanwhile, Penelope tagged along behind William towards the farm. "William, do you think we'll see the new chicks today?" she asked, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Possibly. But first, we have to make sure the hens haven't staged another escape. Last time, it took us hours to round them all up," William replied, shaking his head at the memory.

Back on the path to the market, Anna and Parrish suddenly stopped, their way blocked by a weird sight. A large pig stood in the middle of the road, chewing happily on a pile of apples. "Well, that's not something you see every day," Anna remarked, trying to hold in her laughter.

Parrish approached the pig cautiously. "Shoo, piggy! We're on an important meat mission here," he called, waving his hands. The pig merely looked up, unimpressed, before returning to it's feast.

"Looks like he's not ready to make room," Anna said, placing her hands on her hips. "Maybe we can lure him away with something else?"

Parrish nodded and began searching through the basket. "Let's see... bread, no... cheese, definitely not... Ah, here we go!" He pulled out a carrot. "Pigs love carrots, right?"

Anna smiled. "Worth a try."

Parrish held the carrot out, moving closer to the pig. "Come on, buddy. Follow the carrot," he persuaded. The pig sniffed the air, interested, and began to follow Parrish slowly. Just as it seemed they might succeed, the pig made a sudden rush for the carrot, causing Parrish to stumble backward and land in the mud.

Anna burst into laughter. "I didn't know pig struggle was part of our errands today!"

"Very funny," Parrish muttered, standing up and wiping mud from his pants. "But look, it worked!" He looked to the pig, now  chewing on the carrot away from the path.

As they continued on their way, still laughing about their unexpected adventure, Anna remarked, "Well, if nothing else, this will make for a good story at dinner tonight."

"Indeed," Parrish agreed, . "But next time, let's take the easy route."