Matt came down the next morning in his 'new' old-fashioned clothes. Gregory had been fixing the railing of the stairs after he noticed how unsafe it had been. When he noticed Mattthew, he smiled, "Handsome and you tucked in the shirt too." He laughed to himself
Matthew blushed and walked over to Gregory and surprised his with a hug, "Thank you for everything." Indicating his clothes, "And this."
Gregory nodded, "Emmeline did most of the work, she deserves most of the credit."
Matthew headed to the dining room, he noticed Ania sitting down, he came up from behind and hugged, her, "Thanks."
"Mm."
"Good Morning Matthew," Emmeline beamed when she noticed the clothing she had made with Ania and Gregoy. It was a simple shirt and vest, with trousers opposed to the knickers he was wearing yesterday, a little gift. "Breakfast will be done shortly, just some fruit and two eggs, we'll have to go and find more, we are out of eggs." she mused to herself before disappearing back in the kitchen ensuring the eggs didn't burn.
"So, Ania? What are we doing today?"
"Creek?"
Matthew nodded, "Yes, I am already hot! I was wondering." His voice got low, "are there any good places to get flowers?"
Ania smiled looking towards the kitchen, "Yeah! We can make a pretty bouquet" she whispered quietly.
And thus began his new life. For the next couple weeks and the last weeks of summer, the days were the same, Breakfast, the two children would head outside, to the Creek and Ania would teach games that she grew up with to Matt. The children would head back for lunch and then head straight outside again.
When the leaves started to change color, would begin the lessons. As the two children were preparing to leave to spend their days at the creek and field, Emmeline squashed those plans. "I think it is time for your lessons to begin."
"Lessons?"
"Yes, Gregory and I formed your lesson plan. It can't be fun all the time. You must have your education. You boy are still living!" Emmeline noted. When she saw his face drop in disappointment she added, "Today will be the last day of all fun and games, you'll start your lessons promptly after breakfast, tomorrow!"
Matthew nodded and the two children disappeared out the door.
Gregory came in, "I thought we were going to begin his lessons today."
"Yes, well you should have seen his face! We didn't give him any warning. I thought one more day of fun before the work would begin." putting her hands on her hips and turning toward Gregory.
Gregory shook his head, "You are too easily swayed."
Emmeline had a sheepish look, "He is just a child."
"A child that has to make it in the world. We can only support him so much, or have you forgotten we are dead?"
Emmeline squinted her eyes, walking toward the elder ghost and pinched his cheeks, "so stern."
"Well, apparently one of us has to be!"
Emmeline kissed him on the cheek, "we will provide him the lesson plan this evening to prepare him."
***
Matt read the document and groaned, he hadn't even begun and he was already exhausted. Breakfast followed by mathematics, law/history, French, and English. then lunch, German, latin, and science.
"You need to be well rounded!" Gregory mentioned when he heard the boy groan.
Matt sighed but he accepted his fate. He thought it was only going to have fun and games.
Lessons with Gregory and Emmeline was both easier and harder than his regular school. Both of them were tough, but understanding. At least there was no homework he thought to himself.
After his first week of lessons, he woke up on Saturday, his mind beat! Ania stood on the other side of the door knocking and calling out impatiently. "Matt!?"
How was she not beat? She attended lessons with him. she did the same things he was doing.
"Go away!"
Ania ignored him and walk through the door.
"That's not nice!"
Matt jumped when he heard her voice next to him.
He finally got out of bed, not that he could sleep with Ania pestering him. "Shoo get out, I'm going to change." He washed his face and got dressed for the day.
Ania and him went to the creek, but they didn't jump in, Matt just rolled up his pants and took off his shoes and socks dangling his feet in the water. The weather was getting cooler, officially fall. They just sat there looking at the fallen leaves float down the river.
"I'm glad your my brother and I am glad you are here." Ania muttered with her eyes closed and a dreamy look on her face. When she had said that she looked over at Matt hoping he would agree.
"Mm."
"I want to tell you my story." Ania went on and told him the full story. Ania sat up after she was finished, "I've never told anyone the complete story, not even Papa or Emmy."
Matt raised his brow, "they don't know your story?"
"Well, they know most of it, except for the part where my mother murdered me. They just think I died from the Spanish Influenza."
Matt looked at her and held her hand, "Ania, I'm glad you told me. I will keep your secret." Matt paused, "And I am glad I am here and you're my sister, even if you're annoying!"
Ania stuck out her tongue and stood up, "I think it will be time for lunch soon."
Matt nodded and followed her back.
That was how their days went, Monday through Friday it was grueling lessons and Saturday and Sunday it was family time, Matt had to pitch in around the house, to build character Gregory said. But other than chores on the weekends it was pretty easy.
Emmeline found the time with the human child to be a much needed change around the house. She suddenly had something to concern herself with and even if most days were repetitive in the eyes of Matt and Ania, she found that her days had significant changed for the better since he had joined the household. She almost felt alive again.