halelegacy

[halelegacy]

“Really Oswald?”

July 23, 1900

Recently, Oswald has begun.. shenanigans, acts targeting the whole family. It’s certainly hard to keep a straight face when Hannah finds giant “bugs” in her pots and pans or Theo is sent on a wild goose chase to find an Oswald “trapped in the walls.” 

Though his most recent shenanigan has gone too far in my opinion. Hannah and I were in the kitchen, chatting, preparing supper for our families when we heard William yell from upstairs. Hannah was gone in a flash, me trailing behind. We went up the stairs and rounded the corner to find a wet and red faced William and a laughing Oswald. Esther would have had that child over her knee before he could even blink. It certainly took everything in me not to laugh at the sight, and Theo guffawed when I retold the tale over dinner at our cottage.

I just hope that our own children don’t follow in Oswald’s footsteps. One ne’er-do-well is quite enough!

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

“I Age”

January 1, 1900, Hours past the turn of the century.

“I AM OLD. The family says, calm, you are going to be 42, the world, the culture, the players, they tell me, I am senior. My family does not know. My family of course does not understand, but I age. Theo has been writing things as I say it.

Medications list of what the doctor says I should take, done.

A large calendar to track the days that pass me by, done.

My last will and testament, done. 

Tomorrow, I think about how to tell the kids that I am dieing. Oh, Hannah, if she only knew the age of the man she married.

42!!!!!!!!!!! An unction driven howl to the moon.” 

-Theo

[halelegacy]

William: Model Father

Found in Hannah’s Journal

“December 3, 1899

Last night we had our first snowfall of the year. William took that as on opportunity to teach our two youngest children about the seasons. I sat with Edward at the piano, teaching him fingerings as William read aloud. My heart is always so full when he spends as much effort with the children.

As I stepped away to check on dinner, I heard him moving onto talking about the Hale family history, much like Esther did when Daniel was a babe before she passed away. I fought the urge to run in and cover Abel and Anabelle’s ears. Subjecting the “heir” to the Hale fortune to these lessons is bad enough, leave my children out of it.”

[halelegacy]

Broken Toilets and Puddles

July 8, 1899

Esther does not know what she’s doing. She has been mad about how William and Hannah have been reacting to Oswald. They are very much in the mindset of oh that wonderful kid, he will be who he is. As pranks began we saw toilets broken with the pattern of the letter W and the mess occuring from the break in the shape of an H. The message seems rather clear. We will report as activity continues. Until then I fix the toilets for William and clean up for Hannah.

-Theo

[halelegacy]

The Princess and Her Jesters

March 30, 1899

Darling Anabelle is now over a year old. One would never have thought that she was born so early as she’s finally catching up in size to other one year olds (though she is still small for her age!). Her four older brothers absolutely adore her in their own little ways. Abel is almost two, and he loves hugging and kissing “Na.” She seems to appreciate the attention. Edward has been looking at picture books with his sister, but more often he tells her his own story creations. Whether they make sense is not my place to judge. Daniel often helps his mother chase after the little girl. For someone so small and young, she is certainly agile! She’ll be running before I know it. And Oswald? Heaven bless him. He’s already trying to rope the poor babe in some of his tricks and pranks, with varying results. That boy will turn Theo, Hannah, and myself grey well before the age of 35 (William is starting to turn grey himself, though whether age, work, or his family are the cause, we may never know).

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

For in all the world, nothing is better than the family at home in the twilight shine.

A Plaque in the Hale Parlor

[halelegacy]

Anabelle Beatrice

February 14, 1898

A daughter is born. My dear. My loveliest gift. My world. My daughter. My blessing. I write forlorn in awe struck grief that a daughter was gifted unto me, cursed by boys. [incomprehensible writing blurred by a tear] as I’ve journaled before, my greatest wish is answered in you Anabelle and with the years ahead the breath in my lungs, the energy in my fingers, are all to make you the best life. To marry [second tear] you love. To live your life. You will inherit all this blasted time will let you. You are the spirit of the Hales going forward. God knows Oswald won’t even be the 4th choice for heir. Know that heir is the choice of the time and not the choice of our hearts. In you the hope of all our hearts lay. 

-Hannah

[halelegacy]

December 29th,1897

William is sleeping curled around a tree’s stump at what I can only guess is 5pm. Why he needed the sleep I do not know. I do not question. His construction work is shoddy. I will finish, fix, and polish this addition. I am dreading the prides exuding from this man’s pores in the morning when he totes his work on the construction of the house. Many people see him as an egotistical brag. I see it as job security. 

Sundays pass and I consider myself more and more blessed. Prayers of venting have become prayers of thanks. With everything so fruitful. A man is happy. With everything so consistent. A man is happy. With this life. A man is happy. 

To the rest of the night, I bid adieu. To the morning, I welcome you with open arms. 

-Theo

[halelegacy]

The Odd Couple

Undated Swatch of Parchment

I scribble down these words as it is the purest definition of brothers. Edward sits, reading his stories and studies as Oswald, at the highest pitch possible, screams and runs in a tight circle around him. Edward, surprisingly unphased. Theo, growing the largest of headaches.

-Theo

[halelegacy]

Twins Turn 5

November 3, 1897

Cassie gave me 12 minutes to escape the chaos of our living area to write this note. The twins turn 5 today and we are all feeling it. The beauty of youth is not half as wonderful as the beauty I see in Cassie’s smile at the end of the night. That is what is driving me through the harsh wilding of the living area. The Hale parents are shopping for the surprises for the children so we have taken on the charge of all of the children for today (four Hales and two Burnhams!). The last time we take this charge in our space. I promise you that.

-Theo

[halelegacy]

October 5, 1897

I love autumn out here in the bay. The leaves turn beautiful colors and the town becomes quieter. I’m holding Jonny at my desk by the window as I watch Aria play in the leaves Theo is attempting to rake.

Theo has been extremely busy these past two years, hence my record keeping. The Hales have been undergoing some massive renovations as their family continues to grow, and Theo has been overseeing it all. He comes home to work on projects for our own family before playing with the children and collapsing into bed next to me. I’m hoping that next year sees a break in his busyness.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

August 24, 1897

Two weeks have passed since our Jonathan had been born. Theo has been wonderful and made sure that I don’t have to lift a finger as I recover. Aria has been excited to hold “Little Jonny” whenever she is able.

I should go before Theo catches me up and about. He’s had me on bedrest except for eating meals with the family and one evening walk every night. 

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

Unto Us A Son Is Given

August 10th, 1897

Weeks have passed. Our cottage is tired. Aria notwithstanding. Cassie and I are talking over revamping the “health plan” around birth. With all of this tire. With all of this stress. We have good news. Jonathan has been birthed at 9 pounds 3 ounces, a healthy baby to my love and I. Such a happy day. Aria loves Jonny, Cassie and I are talking about if Jonny is okay to let her say it that way. Time will tell. 

-Theo

[halelegacy]

April 4, 1897

Another Hale son has been born! Abel was born in the mid afternoon after a rather quick labor for Hannah. Poor woman is very outnumbered with all the men in her house. Everyone is in great health.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

March 3, 1897

Hannah is reaching the end of her pregnancy. She’s told me that after the twins, this one was a piece of cake. Especially since William is much more hands on with the boys than he has been in the past. I’ve even caught her finding time to nap during the day!

I wish my own condition has been as kind to me, but I find myself ill and rundown more often than not with no time for naps. Theo said I should see about reducing my working hours if I continue feeling so unwell. I know our new addition will be worth everything in the end, though.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

December 20, 1896

Happy birthday Daniel! It’s hard to believe you’re five years old already! It feels like just yesterday that you were born. Next time I blink, you will be the head of the house. May you be happy and healthy all the days of your life.

Love,

"Cozzie” (Cassie) and “Thatha” (Theo)

[halelegacy]

July 27, 1896

Theo had mentioned to me today that it has been quite a while since I have last written. Between my work at the Hale house, helping Hannah with her boys, and chasing my little Aria everywhere she goes, I’ve been quite busy!

I have a small Burnham secret to share. Theo and I have begun discussions regarding giving Aria a sibling. After spending so much time watching Hannah blossom into such a wonderful mother to her three children (with whispers that there may be a fourth on the way soon), I’m excited to have another one of my own. I wonder, will my love be divided between the two, or multiply?

As for the Hales, there doesn’t seem to be much of a break in the routine. Though I have noticed William becoming just as likely to play with or bathe his children as Hannah is. Though he still leaves the disciplining and other harder parts of parenthood to her.

The cottage is a bit too quiet, I must go and see what sort of mischief Aria has gotten herself into this time.

-Cassie