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TITLE: Hero's Ridge SUMMARY: A mother writes a letter to her newborn son before joining a war. NOTES: This is my first try at something that doesn't revolve around dangly bits, so go easy on me, K? ;) My darling, beautiful son, You came into the world today, screaming and protesting, at 3:23 AM, January 18, 2026. Your Grandmother Dana delivered you in our little shack in Hero's Ridge, Montana. It's lovely here, little Sean, with the sunlight streaming through the thick trees to plant little angel kisses in your fluff of red hair. You look just like your father, Sean. Matthew would have loved you at first sight. I suppose you'll want to know about your father. His name was... is Matthew Scully. He was the firstborn son of William Jr. And Tara Scully. Bill was your grandmother's brother. When the war started, Bill went to fight like the great soldier that he was. Tara took your father and his younger sister Jessica to live with Dana, who had seen the war coming and had purchased this cabin. He grew up here, playing with the other children of the families in hiding. I fell in love with him when I was 12 years old. I had grown up with Matthew, of course, and he was as familiar to me as the face of my mother. I still remember, though, the day I noticed -- really noticed him -- for the first time. He was suddenly a man, strong, tall, and proud. His smile was suddenly brighter, his eyes bluer. I decided that day that I would marry Matthew Scully and no other man. I won his heart when I was 18. We were married in a simple, beautiful ceremony, performed by Matthew's mother. It was a beautiful evening, with a full moon in a cloudless sky lighting up the little clearing where we were gathered. I wore one of Dana's old evening gowns, and Matthew wore his father's old uniform. He filled it out so beautifully, with his strong shoulders and skinny little butt. He was my knight in shining armor, and he was my entire world, my reason for being. I felt so full of love and hope. I was so sure we two would conquer evil and together make the world a better place. I became pregnant with you almost immediately. Matthew was as proud as any man ever was, bragging about how he was going to be a daddy. He would talk to you at night, caressing my belly and telling you how much he loved you and wanted to meet you. Sean, the world can be such a cruel, terrible thing. The war escalated when I was six months pregnant with you. We had to hide indoors during the day, and avoided going out at night if we possibly could. Conditions became cramped, and the smell of terror filled the air in our little camp. My darling boy, I hope you never have to smell that terrible fear. Your father, having the big heart and fierce protectiveness of the Scully family, decided that he would join the fight. He wanted so much to help secure a bright, safe future for you. I begged him not to go, screamed and manipulated, but he would not change his mind. Such a stubborn bunch, those Scullys. He left to join, leaving me with a kiss and a promise to return to us. My husband, your father, was killed one month later, fighting bravely for the freedom of mankind. It's a bitter pain still, keeping me up at night, but I had, and still have, the comfort of knowing that I'll see him again, when my time comes. Sean, my beautiful baby, I swear to you I will give you the best world I possibly can. You will not starve, nor thirst, nor have to live in fear of playing in the sunshine or swimming in the lake. You won't remember me, either, except as the woman your Grandmother Dana tells you about or the person who wrote you this letter. I will keep you close to my heart, my son, and remember you every day - and pray that we will know each other when I return. I love you, my beautiful boy. I love you so much. Your loving mother, Th' End
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