35. Don't You Worry Child

Sorry, I haven't posted in a while, I've been working on my other big story recently.

Elizabeth was on the floor sobbing while the marines just stood in the doorway. Regina and Henry went over to console her. They brought her over to the couch where the number of tears streaming down her face was resulting in her eye makeup running and leave black stains under her eyes.

They entered the house and began to explain, "Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Jack T. Thornton was killed in an accident in the mountains." Stated the first marine.

"He was training a group of recruits through the mountains, and there was a landslide." Informed the second one.

"He pushed two of his men out of the way, saving their lives, at the expense of his." Added the first one.

Elizabeth looked at Regina and she knew what Elizabeth wanted her to do, "are you sure it's Sergeant Major Thornton?" Regina asked, "there have been cases of identity mistakes causing a military family member to be presumed dead."

The second marine pulled something out of his pocket, "does this look familiar?"

He handed her a chain with dog tags and an identification badge. Elizabeth-Lillian looked over them desperately and read them over, and over, and over until she finally nodded and began to cry harder. Henry wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, while she squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth, and Regina rubbed her back in soothing circles.

That's when the two marines stood up, put their hats on, stood up, and stood in a saluting position, "Sergeant Elizabeth-Lillian Thornton, we are very sorry for your loss of your father, the late Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Jack Thornton."

"Semper Fidelis." Said the first marine.

"And God bless." They put their arm down and left the house closing the door behind them.

A few minutes later Briar Rose Thornton burst into the house, her eyes were red and puffy, her nose was red, and they were red streaks down her face and neck from crying so hard. "Oh my gosh!" She said freaking out, "they got here before I did!" She ran over and sat down in front of her daughter, "darlin' I'm sooooooo sorry I wasn't here to tell you!"

"Mama!" Yelled Topanga running down the stairs.

"Guess what I drew for Daddy!"

Amanda ran after her, "Mama I'm SO sorry I tried to stop her! But the knucklehead just wouldn't listen!" Amanda informed her, "so I also drew him a picture too!" She said holding up a sheet of paper.

Their mother took the pictures from her daughters and began to tear up, "Well it's good but it's nothing to cry over." Commented Topanga.

"Here Aunt Briar, why don't I make you some tea," Regina said, leading Mrs.Thornton to the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Asked Amanda.

"Darlin's come here," Elizabeth got down on the floor and the girls sat on either side of her, and Elizabeth wrapped an arm around them. "Do you know how Daddy left to go teach Marines?"

"Yes, I do I'm very proud of him." Stated Amanda.

"I am too," Elizabeth said smiling at them, "but,"

"Haha, you said butt!" Yelled Topanga.

"You guys are 7!" Stated Charlotte.

"I know!" Said Topanga.

"We turn 8 in November." Said Amanda.

"Oh, they're actually..."

"Yeah." Elizabeth nodded, "there was an accident, there was a landslide in the mountains, Daddy didn't make it." She said, her voice cracking.

"You mean," Topanga stated, "my Daddy's dead?"

"Yeah." Topanga started to cry and Charlotte sat down next to her when they noticed Amanda didn't do anything. "Mandie, you okay?" Amanda still had a look of confusion and hatred across her face. She finally picked up her drawing and ran away. Elizabeth looked at her mother.

"Give her a minute." Briar stood up and took a deep breath, "I'm sure Peter and Josie are up by now." She said wiping her eyes, "I'll go tell Josie you check on Papito."

Elizabeth went to go check on her little brother, she saw him hugging his pillow and shaking the same way he did when Daniel died, "Papito?"

"Go away!" Elizabeth quietly closed the door. She was about to go down the stairs when she heard the sound of JJ crying.

She went into the nursery, picked him up out of his cradle, and rocked him in the rocking chair, "Hey buddy." She whispered soothingly, "did you have a nightmare?"

Soon his cries began to settle, "why don't I tell you a story?"

WARNING VERY CRINGY PART

"There was a time

I used to look into my father's eyes

In a happy home

I was a queen, I had a gold throne

Those days are gone

Now the memories are on the wall

I hear the sounds

From the places where I was born

Upon the hill across the blue lake

That's where I had my first heartbreak

I still remember how it all changed

My father said

"Don't you worry, don't you worry, child

See heaven's got a plan for you

Don't you worry, don't you worry now"

...

"Don't you worry, don't you worry, child

...

See heaven's got a plan for you

...

Don't you worry, don't you worry now"

There was a time

I met a boy of a different kind

We ruled the world

I thought I'd never lose him out of sight

We were so young, I still think of him now and then

I still hear the songs reminding me of a friend

Upon the hill across the blue lake

That's where I had my first heartbreak

I still remember how it all changed

My father said

"Don't you worry, don't you worry, child

...

See heaven's got a plan for you

Don't you worry, don't you worry now"

...

See heaven's got a plan for you

"Don't you worry, don't you worry, child

See heaven's got a plan for you

Don't you worry, don't you worry now"'

Elizabeth-Lillian looked down at her little brother, "I know, it's pretty cheesy." She put her brother in his crib and walked down the stairs.

"So is this really it?" Regina asked looking around, "Uncle Jack's dead. Just like that!?"

"Yeah," Elizabeth agreed, "I'm not ready for this." She said, her voice shaky and eyes welding up with tears.

So I used how Mr.Thornton died the same way that a character from 'When Calls the Heart' died. I also used a couple of lines from 'How I Met Your Mother' I also used 'Don't You Worry Child' by Beth. In my opinion, it's a pretty good father-daughter song that explained the relationship between Jack and Elizabeth-Lillian. If you know any songs that go with ANY relationships whether it be family, friends, or romantic... let me know. I DO NOT OWN WHEN CALLS THE HEART, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, DON'T YOU WORRY CHILD, OR ANY OTHER THING THAT WAS USED IN THIS CHAPTER. NO COPYRIGHT INTENDED.

Don't you worry child- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PGMSWygCWTo

I'm not ready for this- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWz-hrztvU