#byron alabarch

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Elodie Charlotte Calloway wed Thomas Quentin Hyde in spring of 1922.

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Byron Henry Alabarch 1899-1923 and Meera Shalini Malhotra 1900-1923

Byron was the only son of Elisabeth Alabarch and Everett Rosenthal. he was raised by his mother and didn't meet his father until he was a teenager. He grew close with his half-sisters, especially Violet. He married Meera Malhotra and the two had two children. Byron fought in the Great War and met his daughter upon his return home. He died peacefully alongside his love Meera.

Meera was the daughter of Priya and Ervin Alabarch. She became close friends with Violet Rosenthal when Byron enlisted and the two stayed close their whole lives.

The pair are survived by their children, Lewis and Pamela, grandsons Patrick and Leroy, Byron's four sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

They are preceded in death by both sets of parents, and brother in laws Joseph and Roger.

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Dear cousins,

I regret to write that my mother and father have both passed on. It was peaceful, and they went together. We buried them back in Brindelton, by my grandmother.

In happier news, Pammy has gotten married to a local business owner, Albert O'Connell. She is quite happy it seems.

Adaline and I have been blessed with another son, Leroy Lewis. He and Patrick get on well, thankfully.

Sending love, Lewis

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Roger Calloway's funeral was attended by most of his extended family. He is buried in the Windenburg cemetery, next to his brother Edward, and his parents, Victoria and Theodore.

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The Calloways celebrated Harvestfest with the Alabarchs at their house. Violet reminisced to her children about her time living there as a young adult. How she met Roger, how she found Juniper, stories from her patients during the war.

Elodie and Charlie listened intently, as their mother often didn't talk about her younger years.

Uncle Byron shared stories of when he first met his sisters and how strange it was to find a new family.

The family sat around the fire listening to each other, having a new appreciation for each other and their hardships.

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Family photos from Mr. and Mrs. Alabarch’s wedding.

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One chilly winter morning Roger came rushing into the house. He couldn’t believe what he was reading.

He handed Violet a newspaper with the happy news: GERMANY SURRENDERS: WAR IS OVER

Byron returned home for good a few days after and met his little daughter for the first time.

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Spring had arrived in Windenburg, and the family had a beach day.

Lewis and Charlie built a sandcastle and Pamela and Elodie promptly smashed it. The children ran around laughing and the parents enjoyed lounging.

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When Byron had to leave again, he was even more distraught than the first time. Now his death would not only leave Meera a widow, but Lewis fatherless.

He spoke to Roger in private soon before his departure, and made him promise to take care of Lewis if anything were to happen to him. 

Goodbyes were had, and Violet comforted Meera.

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Byron surprised his family with a 5-day leave in early 1916.

He was overjoyed to see his dear wife and finally meet his young son. Lewis quickly warmed to his father and became attached.

Violet was happy to see her brother alive and unharmed, and was excited to introduce him to Roger. The two men got along well and bonded over experiences in the war.

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My dearest Meera,

I know you worry for me, but rest assured I am doing everything I can to get back to you and our little one. I cannot describe the joy I felt when you wrote of your pregnancy.

I told every soldier around me that I was to be a father! The names you told me are lovely, and I adore both of your suggestions. Choose whatever name you feel fits our little one the best, and know I am awaiting the day I shall meet them. I am glad that Violet is accompanying you during this time, do not tell my other sisters but I have always adored my Violet the most. I know her training as a nurse will assist in the birth but I implore you to also hire a midwife, whatever the cost. 

Stay safe my love, I hope to return soon and hold you again in my arms.

Yours always,

Byron

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The day came for enlistees to leave.

Meera stayed strong when Byron left, but broke down in the front garden. She had discovered she was pregnant the day Byron enlisted, and hadn’t had the heart to tell him.

Martha and Peter married in a quick ceremony with only their parents. He left the day after with Wayne, sending Augusta into a panic. She and Martha comforted each other all night.

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Dear Sister,

We all miss you dearly back home. Mother and Father still give you a set at the table for dinner, you’d think you were dead! 

Byron’s friend Meera has been coming to dinner recently, which I find suspicious but Byron gets all red when I ask about her.

After dinner when she was leaving one night, I saw the two of them share a kiss!

Lady is getting quite old, it makes me sad but I think it’s really affecting Hazel. She tries to play with her but Lady just sits on the couch and stares.

Visit soon Sissy, we all miss you.

Love, Sadie

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Byron and Meera got married in a small ceremony in mid spring of 1910.

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After Meera received the letter from Byron she was walking on air. Violet was resting and she and little Juniper were relaxing together. 

Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her lower stomach. From what Violet had told her to prepare her for the birth, Meera seemed to be in labor.

Calling out to Violet in pain, she began to make her way upstairs.

Her nursing instincts kicking in, Violet immediately knew what to do. She called for Flora, who was a midwife before the war, and the two assisted Meera in giving birth to a beautiful baby boy, Lewis Ervin Alabarch.

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Winterfest was always a big deal in the Rosenthal household. 

Everett took Byron out to chop down a tree, and Hazel and Violet helped Rowena to prepare the food.

Continuing the tradition started by Phillipa, Everett read The Night Before Christmas to his children.

As their children decorated the tree and opened their presents, Everett and Rowena couldn’t help but feel completely at peace. Even as the years had gone by, they still were still just a crazy about each other as when they were teenagers.