Mother and Daughter

A One-Shot

MsLarkRiser1894

Darkness had finally fallen over the tiny hamlet of Lark Rise. In the end house, Emma Timmins was putting her children to bed.

"Ma?" It was Ethel, sitting up on the edge of her bed. "I've decided somethin'."

"What, Ethel?"

"I don't ever want to get married."

Emma's eyes widened. "Ethel! What a thing to say!"

"It's true." The little girl's lip jutted out and she stared at the ground.

Stunned by her daughter's confession, but not wanting to push her away, Emma asked gently, "Why?"

"C—Cause I heard you and Pa fightin', and I don't ever want to fight like that." Ethel sneaked a glance up at her mother.

Emma sighed. Even though Robert had sent the children out of the house for the latter part of their quarrel that afternoon, she sincerely doubted whether they'd strayed further than the garden gate. She was still angry at Robert, but Ethel's words hurt. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she put an arm around her middle daughter. "Ah, Ethel. You know, just because your pa and I fight sometimes, doesn't mean we don't love each other."

"Why do you do it, though, Ma?" Ethel asked.

"Well, sometimes when couples get angry, they say things they don't mean. Things that hurt one another. But eventually, if they love one another enough, they'll forgive each other."

"Will you and Pa do that?"

Emma wasn't so sure. She and Robert had barely spoken since their fight. But she didn't want to scare Ethel, so she nodded. "I'm sure, sweetheart. Now lie down and go to sleep."

As Emma reached the door, Ethel called out again. "Ma?"

"Yes?"

"I've changed my mind. I do want to get married."

"Really? And what changed your mind?"

A sweet smile lit up Ethel's pixie-like face. "'Cause of what you said. If you love one another, then you'll always forgive each other."

Emma smiled back. "Night, Ethel."

"Night, Ma."

A/N: A one-shot that just slipped into my head, believe it or not, when I was showering. I've had a terrible case of writer's block, so this is just something to get the creative juices flowing. Dedicated to my Aussie penpal CeffylGwyn, for her swift e-mails and encouragements. You're the best!