Chapter 3: Living the Dream

August 8, 1816…

"Jesse! Miles! Come in and see the baby!"

The two men rushed into the room, Miles sweating profusely, Jesse jumping up and down, neither unable to control their emotions well. Margaret was lying on the bed, dripping sweat, and holding a bundle that was hardly the size of her chest.

"What is it, darling?" Miles knelt by her side, brushing aside the blanket to get a good look at the child's face.

"It's a boy, Miles." Mae touched his shoulder, and they shared a smile that lasted but a moment before he turned his attention back to his baby.

"I was hoping to name him after my father. Thomas Tuck. What do you think, dear?" Margaret reached for her husband's hand, and he grasped it tight.

"It's an honorable name, and I hope that our son is as upright and honest a man as your father was, Meg." He planted a kiss on her cheek, before asking, "May I?..." Margaret handed him the child in response, and Jesse saw a look sweep over his brother's face he had never seen before. It was an odd mixture of pride and complete overwhelming awe. As though Miles couldn't believe he had helped make this…being. This living thing was his.

"Do you want to hold your nephew, Jesse?" Angus beckoned him to come over, and Jesse came, though he was nervous to hold a baby for the first time. Nestled in his arms, Thomas was so warm and soft, barely making a sound, at least compared to when he first entered the world.

"I wouldn't mind having a child if they were always like this," he chuckled. His family laughed as he continued to gaze at the face of his newest partner in crime. "I have so many things to teach you, Thomas," he whispered, thinking of all the places they'd go.

"How is your nephew, Jesse?" Patience called as she skipped up to the front porch of the family cabin.

"Small," he laughed, and held out his hand to help her up the stairs, which she firmly refused.

"I'm not weak, sir," she replied haughtily, yet Jesse could sense a smile forming behind her pretty pout. Settling herself into a wicker chair, she looked around expectantly. "

Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Well, what's the surprise? You told me you were going to show me something today, and I've been waiting in anticipation all week. What is it?" Jesse held back a laugh as Patience wriggled in her chair with excitement.

"It's not here; come on, let me show you."

Patience did not need to be told twice. Before Jesse was off the porch, the girl was running down the worn path through the woods, calling back to him to catch up before he got left behind.

Patience had never seen a clearing so calm and peaceful in her life. The sun filtered through the leaves of the ash and oak trees and sprinkled its rays on the ground below. A bubbling stream wound its way lazily through the woods, barely moving, yet somehow making it to its destination all the same. Daffodils, daisies, and plants she had never seen before were growing all around, near tree trunks, by the bank of the river. Butterflies fluttered by, stopping now and again to visit a plant for a few moments before moving on.

"Jesse," she breathed, clasping his hand, "how long have you known about this place?"

Jesse squeezed the hand she had inserted in his. "This is the first place we camped in New Hampshire when we moved here. Before we knew about Treegap. Before I knew about you." He looked down at the tan face which was gazing out on the landscape he had sought shelter in many a day when the world was overwhelming him and he just needed quiet time alone with his thoughts. "Come on, let me show you the tree."

"What tree?"

"This tree—" He led her to the ash tree where, years before, he had carved a "T" in the trunk. There it was, the same as the day he had left it, clear cut and new.

"It's so beautiful; it's as though an elf passed through this place." Patience ran her finger down the stem of the "T," so tenderly it was as though she was afraid she'd ruin it with her touch.

"Who knows, maybe one did." Jesse shrugged, then lit up. "Come on, there's one more place I want to show you."

Running ahead, he led her to another clearing. In the middle of the mowed field was a silo, which Jesse deftly began to climb. Patience was a little more hesitant.

"Is this legal, Jesse? I mean, who owns this silo?" She fidgeted nervously, not wanting to get in trouble, but also not wanting to miss a good time.

"It's Ol' Man Fisher's silo; he only comes here if something is broken or if he's filling it up—we're safe. Come on!" He held out his hand to help her up, and this time Patience grasped it and joined him on the ladder. Together, they climbed to the top of the silo and took in the view.

"Out of all the places in Treegap, this has the best view," Jesse sighed. The sunset was breathtaking—reds, pinks, and browns mixed together in a cacophony of colors that accented the treeline perfectly.

"Jesse, I can't believe I've never been here before."

"Patience, I can show you so much more, if you want."

"Jesse, are you proposing to me? On top of a silo?"

Jesse's face burned, and he went speechless for a few moments.

"Because if you are, I'm going to have to refuse."

The burning in his face left as quickly as it came. "N-no?"

Patience grinned sheepishly, before quietly whispering a short, "Yes, Jesse. No."

Jesse couldn't help but grin out of sheer relief. "Good, Patience, cause you see, I wasn't proposing. Not in the slightest."

"You weren't?" Confusion was written plainly on the girl's face, so Jesse quickly explained:

"You see, I don't want to marry you. I don't really want to marry anyone, really. I see you as a sister, what with Miles' marrying Margaret and all, but I do enjoy your company. And my dreams to travel the world haven't changed. I want to see things that people only hear about or read about in books. The pyramids, the Rio Grande, the – the – world! But I know most girls don't want that. So how bout we see the world, as friends? Then you can settle down whenever you want. We'll have so many adventures, Patience, you and me. What d'ya say?"

He knelt down on one knee, the two of them on top of the old silo, the sun sinking in the horizon, slowly at first, then ever so slightly picking up speed.

"Oh, Jesse—" Patience looked at her hands, clasped in his own, "I – I –"

"Yes?"

"Of course, I will!" Patience let out a squeal as Jesse picked her up in a massive hug. "Let me down! We'll fall!" But she couldn't stop smiling as they left the magical spot in the middle of the woods to go back home and begin making plans.