Sue Storm (susanstorm) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2018-09-25 22:06:00 |
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Entry tags: | !closed, !complete, !completed gdoc, !log, [plot] wild wild west, ~2018 september, ~25 points, ~~jemma simmons (smarterhalf), ~~sue storm (susanstorm) |
WHO Sue Storm Andrews & Jemma Simmons
WHAT Sisterly gossip time
WHEN Wednesday afternoon
WHERE The Rogers homestead
WARNINGS Unfavorable opinions of whores
STATUS Closed | Completed gdoc
Jemma had known when she’d gotten married to a miner that it might not be the best of ideas. She’d known it was dangerous and she could lose him to his work at any time. She’d never actually thought it would happen until it had, and weeks after finding out she was pregnant with their first child had been a painful blow. It had been months since, though, and she was moving on, getting ready to live her life as a widowed mother. It was getting close to when the baby was meant to come which meant she was going to have to arrange to stay somewhere that wasn’t her own town home. She couldn’t be alone to give birth.
But she had other things on her mind these days.
Sue had always been good to her, they were sisters and they were as close as they ought to be, and all of her siblings were some the of the few people Jemma counted herself close enough to that she could just drive up to the farm unannounced. The cart was rickety but easy enough to get up onto on her own. Getting down was another question, and she hoped maybe one of the boys was around to help her down again.
“Hello,” she called out as she rumbled up toward the house. “Anyone about?”
***
Sue very much enjoyed her life, just as much as she enjoyed living with her husband and sons, but being at home all day with a six month old child was sometimes very tedious. So long as her chores were done around the house, she often took Max to her childhood home so that she could spend time with her family on the farm. There were always things to do there, as well.
Today, she arrived maybe an hour or two before she heard someone come up the path. Sue grinned when she heard her sister and set her potato peeling aside to greet Jemma. "And just how, exactly, did you plan on getting down?" she asked with a grin as she moved to meet her very pregnant sister.
***
“I’d hoped one of the boys would be here to help,” Jemma answered with a light laugh and a half shrug. “But seeing as it’s you, give me your hand and we’ll manage it.” One of the boys could have easily just lifted her. Even pregnant, Jemma wasn’t a large woman and farm work made for very strong young men. Mining had, too, but she tried not to dwell too much on that.
Arranging herself and her skirts she waited for her sister’s hand to come before carefully climbing down from the cart. “I’m actually glad it’s you here. I was hoping to see you this week.”
There were things to talk about and gossip to be had. Gossip no one appreciated quite as much as a sibling. No one cared as much as Sue did when she just wanted to talk about one of their brothers.
***
"Of course we'll manage," she replied easily as she made her way over to her sister to help her down. "And you know Steve's caught up in that nasty business. He's hardly ever home." Sue worried about him, but then again she worried about his potato farming twin, too. "Max is inside though and he'd love to see Aunt Jemma."
It hadn't been very long at all since she was as pregnant as her sister was now. Sue'd given Jemma many of the maternity clothes she'd worn, under the assumption that they'd just trade them back and forth as they grew their families. Now, that wasn't really part of the equation which just meant her sister needed her more than ever.
Once Jemma's feet were firmly on the ground, she let one of the workers deal with the horse while she wrapped her arms around her sister. "Come on, we'll have some tea and we can catch up properly." Sue looped her arm in Jemma's while they made their way into their childhood home.
***
“Steve is exactly the centre of why I was hoping to see you,” Jemma noted, shaking her skirts out as she gave the farm hand a smile while the horse was led away to be tended to. “You know he disappeared for a few days, I’m sure?”
They didn’t see too much of him, despite living in the same town. These days, all the unpleasantness with the murders kept him rather busy and if he was at home it wasn’t when they were. Jemma felt as though, even around town, she hardly saw him at all. She let herself just be proud that her brother was doing such admirable work and let him go about his business.
Lighting up as they went inside, she pulled away from Sue to immediately go scoop the baby up into her arms. “Oh, Sue he’s so much bigger every time I see him! What an absolute sweetheart.”
***
"I had heard he'd been gone when that poor Miss Luthor was found," Sue replied with a nod. "Do you know where he went off to, favorite sister?" She was definitely very nosey about the lives of all her siblings, but she and Jemma took particular interest in nosing after the boys because they were utterly hopeless without some interference.
Before she could say anything else, Jemma went to pick up Max and Sue couldn't help but smile. "He certainly should, given how hungry he is all the time!" Sue chuckled, hardly minding how often Max cried to be fed. "At least he's getting reasonably close to sleeping through the night. Soon, hopefully, Fred and I will be able to stop rushing so much." It was a comment said without thought for her brother in law and Sue immediately felt badly about it. She knew calling attention to it would only make things worse so she hustled over to the stove to set the water on for tea.
"How strong do you want your tea, Jemma?" Sue asked as she went about getting the cups and the tea leaves. She knew if her sister had any more information about Steve, she'd share after cooing over her nephew.
***
It did sting a little for Sue to mention not rushing around so much with the baby, knowing that she wasn’t ever going to be able to stop rushing. She wasn’t going to have a lick of help, not that men were much in the way of it when it came to children anyway. But Jemma didn’t let it show, just smiled and fell quiet for a moment, cooing over the baby and settling him comfortably in her arms. It was good for him to be acquainted with his cousin as early as possible. They’d be close enough in age that they’d be the best of friends.
“As strong as you can stand it,” she answered about the tea after a moment. “I’m just exhausted lately.” The baby made it difficult for her to get comfortable enough to sleep well, and worries kept her awake even if she could do. She knew that soon enough she’d probably have to come back and live with her brother and his wife, wouldn’t be able to support herself on her own in town and couldn’t rely on family to give her the means to do so.
“Anyhow, I know exactly where our dear Steven went to. He came to me for some baking before he left and I got it out of him. He went camping.” It was almost laughable. Both of their brothers liked to be outdoors as much as any man but camping wasn’t something either of them had ever done as far as she could recall. “With that Mr Barnes. The husband of his new girl?”
***
"I remember that all too well," Sue replied as she began to set aside the amount of tea that would be required. She'd take a strong cup for her sister's sake, and simply add a bit more cream and sugar to balance it out. Jemma needed her support now more than ever, and that would only continue after she gave birth. There wasn't a single chance that Sue wouldn't do everything she could to help her sister, especially when she couldn't welcome her sister into her home. Maybe if Archie was married and living on his own, but they just didn't have the room.
"Camping?" Sue could hardly believe it and laughed at the very thought. "Well, I suppose that's one way to get the man to be social." It was very odd, given how outspoken his wife was, that he was so withdrawn from their community. "And he asked you for sweets? I'm sure to take advantage of the boysenberries being in season, but that's hardly something one would find camping. How curious."
Though it did remind her that there was a nice loaf cake and she pulled that out along with some plates so they could have a snack. "What on Earth inspired him to go camping? Did he say?"
***
Playing with Max a little, delighting in his smiles and cooing, Jemma just shook her head. “He did not. It was the oddest thing that I very nearly went to see you straight away.” Because clearly Sue was going to be interested in that particular strain of gossip. “He just popped in and asked for a bit more of my baking than I’d promised to him.”
She tried to keep her bachelor brother, as she was sure Sue did as well, supplied with a little home cooking as often as possible. It was unheard of for him to ask for any more than was offered, though, and worth mentioning.
“I half think he just wanted something nice to take along and am fully convinced he doesn’t remember the first thing about spending a night out of doors.” As children things had been different and the boys had been allowed to do such things in the fields. But that was a long time ago now. “I gave him some rolls and whatnot as well, so hopefully they ate properly. And it seemed like he had a good time when he stopped by to return the basket. But that very well could have been because I heard he’s been spending more time than usual down at the brothel since he’s been back from the little trip.”
***
Sue was almost disappointed that Jemma hadn't stopped by right away, but she certainly wouldn't hold it against her sister. Seeing her in person was much better than getting it through a letter and she knew getting around wasn't always the easiest at this stage in her pregnancy. "He asked?" That was new. "I'd say maybe he and John tried to pull a fast one on you, but he's got Kara now." And he'd grown up far beyond the childish games they used to play.
She was a little dismayed to hear he was spending so much time at the brothel, though. "I had hoped he'd grow out of that by now," Sue replied with a heavy sigh. She knew her brother was very idealistic, but some things were just a bit too far and with how frequently Steve visited the brothel? She worried about what his chances were for meeting a respectable woman to wed.
The water boiled and she set to work letting the leaves seep for a few minutes. "Do you think something happened between him and Mr Barnes? Steve usually isn't so...careless about how frequently he indulges himself."
***
“I did think,” Jemma said with a nod. She’d definitely thought at first that something hadn’t gone well and he was seeking comfort or something of the sort. “But you ought to go into town and see him talk about it for yourself.” Their brother looked happy despite everything that was going on, and it had been a long time since Jemma had seen him smile the way he did even as he said the trip was nothing special.
“I have no idea what’s gotten into him. Though I have heard a rumour, some of the ladies hear from their husbands, that it could be he’s got his eye on someone down there.” Which was terrible, and not at all what she or any of them wanted for their brother. It wasn’t right and wasn’t respectable and Steve already pushed so many boundaries by hiring so many women to work with him.
If he were less of a troublemaker maybe it would be less of a conversation but as it was, bad enough he felt the need to go whoring as often as he did.
***
It was enough to make her stop and look at her sister with a very worried expression. If she had to go see Steve for herself, that could mean any number of things and she couldn't say that she thought any of them were good. That was only confirmed when her sister shared that their brother might have his eye on one of the brothel women. They certainly weren't ladies as far as Sue was concerned. Times like these made her wish that their parents were still around to talk some sense into him.
"Well, if that isn't just a rumor, we'll have to do something." That was the only thing they could do, and it would have to be approached with the utmost care. Telling Steve 'no' was impossible. He only ever heard 'yes', much to all of their frustrations now that he was older. It'd been much simpler when they could goad him into silly, harmless things as children. Now, he was far too stubborn for his own good.
"He certainly can't marry one of them." Obviously that was out of the question.
***
“I would like to believe he knows that,” Jemma said. She really would like to. But their brother had always been too stubborn for his own good and if he’d gotten it into his head that he wanted to, there was no stopping him. It had been the same way when he’d decided to start taking on women as his deputies. She’d tried to tell him it was a bad idea, tried to make him see reason, but it had only made him more determined and he’d been quick to point out that both she and Sue were smart as anything and he’d put his life in their hands in a second. It was hard to argue with him when he was like that.
“I do hope that it’s just talk, though. You know how men can me.” They didn’t get the details the way they should do, and she had just heard everything second or third hand. “I don’t think there’s a way to talk him out of making himself a poor match if he’s got a mind to.”
Honestly. Men were nothing but trouble sometimes. Brothers even more so.
***
As much as she loved her brother, she knew that was too slim a hope. "At least we're already married," Sue replied with a heavy sigh. Honestly, sometimes she wished Steve was different, that he was normal and didn't always buck the way of the world. Their lives would be so much easier if that were the case. She poured out the tea and brought both mugs over to the table so she and her sister could enjoy it like they did so many times before.
"Well, we can at least find out if the rumors are true," she supposed. "Carefully, of course, but Steven isn't generally the best at keeping secrets. Particularly if he feels strongly about it." At least that would be to their advantage. Sue fixed her tea with a bit of milk and sugar, grateful they had it to even out how strongly she'd made the tea for her sister.
"I've always wished for you to have a boy, but now doubly so," Sue added softly. At least Steve would only be her Uncle, but still. "Have you given thought about John and Kara's offer?"
***
Glancing toward the ring she still wore, her husband hadn’t been dead so long that she had even thought about removing it, wouldn’t risk it as long as she was pregnant or had a small child anyway, Jemma didn’t point that technically she was no longer married. She had no husband. She might want to remarry one day if there was a man who would take another’s child as his own. It wasn’t something she needed to worry about any time soon, though.
And she did hope that no matter what trouble their brother got himself into, it would have died down by the time she thought about it at all.
“I’ll see about finding something out,” she promised. It was easier for her, being in town with him, to nose around in his life for the both of them. “Maybe do call on him some time, though.” Sometimes, Sue could get something out of Steve that Jemma couldn’t.
Her hand coming to rest against her rounded belly, she nodded. “I’m considering it.” It didn’t feel right to accept their kindness, but these days Jemma didn’t have many other options. “I’m also considering going to see our aunt for a few months.”
They had one who still lived in the city back East and it might be nice to go there for a while rather than being a burden on her hardworking and married siblings.
***
Sue honestly didn't think that Jemma would want to get married again, at least not anytime soon. A newborn baby wouldn't make courtship easy, nor would a young child, especially if their newest family member was a little girl. Not many men would want to take that responsibility on, though she would certainly support her sister in that search when the time came.
"I will," Sue promised, about calling on Steve sometime soon. "Maybe before the wedding. Ordinarily, I'd suggest waiting for this business to resolve itself so as not to distract him, but you know how he gets during weddings." Their brother was a hopeless romantic sometimes, much as they loved him for it.
At the mention that Jemma was thinking about going to stay with their aunt, Sue frowned. "And leave Madison?" she asked. She didn't particularly like that idea, but she could understand the reasons why. "I didn't think you'd want to go to the city." It was a gentle probe for more information, to see what Jemma's reasoning might be.
***
“He might get it into his head to propose,” Jemma said with a laugh. It was an absurd idea, if Steve was interested in a whore, to simply propose to her because he was feeling sentimental. It wouldn’t be the most ludicrous thing he’d ever done, though, and if things were more than just a rumour then Jemma did think there might be cause for concern. Sweet as he could be, their brother did not know what was good for him, most definitely needed a guiding hand with his best interests in mind.
Shifting Max in her arms, to ease his weight a little off of her belly, she sighed. “I don’t. Not really. But John and Kara have more than enough going on around here already, and they ought to be worrying about children of their own.” And love Sue as she did, she couldn’t put her sister in the position of having to refuse her the help she’d need. “I’ve sent word to see if she’d mind very much.”
When she got a reply, if one came in time at all, she’d be forced to make the decision.
***
"Sometimes I think God accidentally tipped too many ingredients in when Steven was made," she replied with amusement. Steve was sometimes quite the thorn in their side, but they loved him unconditionally and did all they could to make sure he didn't do anything too foolish. Sometimes that mark wasn't an easy one to hit.
Sue reached across the table to take Jemma's hand in her own. She knew she couldn't offer a place for her sister to stay with them, but the idea of her being across the country? That was just awful. They'd been separated before, of course, but never over such a great distance for months. Selfishly, she hoped their aunt would say no, that she wouldn't want a newborn in her home, but she knew it would probably be best for her sister.
"John and Kara wouldn't have offered if they didn't want you to stay," Sue replied reassuringly, knowing full well it was selfish of her to try to sway her sister into staying. "And you know John. He needs to be around babies to get used to the idea he might have some of his own. I'd say Kara will be expecting their first in a few months if you were to move in with them." She gave Jemma's hand a squeeze. "And Max and I would be here every day." Or perhaps she could convince Steve to take Jemma in. That would quash any thoughts of marriage and, hopefully, any budding relationships that weren't appropriate.
***
With a smile, Jemma just nodded. “I know, I know. I haven’t made any decisions just yet. We’ll just have to see what the response is first.”
It might be for the best, though, to be in the city and away from the memory of her husband. It might be good to spend the first few months with an easier life and everyone knew that childbirth was dangerous enough even other women present. She would feel more at ease with a calming older presence and without her brothers waiting anxiously outside.
“Even if I am to go, it won’t be very long, and you know I would write every day.” She sounded hesitant as she said it, though. Jemma didn’t really want to go anywhere, wanted to have her baby in the same house she was born in, raise her child in the house she’d shared with her husband. She wanted to have her sister there to call on for advice and companionship. But she couldn’t just think of herself.
***
Sue knew distance and time wouldn't be nearly enough to put a damper on their relationship, but that didn't mean she wouldn't miss her sister terribly. Even writing every day, it wouldn't be the same. She couldn't just pick up and go see her sister, dote on her niece or nephew whenever she wanted, and she wouldn't be able to just give her sister a hug. Those first few weeks after birth were the hardest and she didn't want Jemma to be alone through that.
"Well either way, you know we'll support you in whatever you want to do," Sue promised, speaking both for herself and her family as well as her siblings. She didn't want to dwell too much, afraid of upsetting Jemma, so she turned the conversation toward the rest of the latest gossip around town, knowing that would easily fill a few more hours. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
***