A/N: Has the temperature sharply dropped for any of you today? I've gone from t-shirt and cardigan weather to full on winter coat and boots weather...what's up with that global warming?
Aubrey: Elizabet's the ultimate 'Rose That Grew from Concrete'. If you don't know what that is, look it up :) It's great :)
HammyMC: How special you are :) I'm going to poke the fire and tell you that of your predictions, one is correct.
TheRanger'sDaughter: Scout's starting to realize how much work she has ahead of her. She's finally becoming more Hibernian and less Araluen.
RedRebel: Tammy's story is definitely a memorable one. Had the meeting with Elizabet not happened, she wouldn't still be alive.
Raider: Oh, not only did that happen but the next term (literally, next term) something happened that caused the doctors to prescribe me strong pain medication I hadn't had before. That stuff was STRONG! Literally. I went to bed on a Tuesday and the next thing I remember was waking up on Saturday with an empty prescription bottle. My not-so-nurturing family left me to do my own meds and I went through a 5 day supply in 4 days...not too bad, but definitely shouldn't have been doing that. It's a really good thing I don't have an addictive personality...that could have been bad...Anyway, no. I have not put people I know into THIS story. There's something original I'm working on a friend kept pestering me to write her in so I did...and now when we fight I tell her to be careful or I'll kill her off in the story ;-). I like using diverse characters. Everything presented may not be concentrated into so few families in real life, but they do exist.
Disclaimer: I am not John Flanagan.
Kane, William, Talia, and Will, and Liam arrived at Castle Araluen much slower than they would had they not picked up the newborn. Still, messengers reached the actual castle faster than they did and a small group had gathered to greet them. Pauline leaned slightly on her cane and held Russ's hand. Gabby was right next to them holding Anamaria's arm. Cassandra had her place next to Anamaria. Caitlyn and Carissa both rocked on their heels with anticipation, and Alyss stood wearing her white Courier uniform and that smile that won hearts.
It didn't take long for them to be attacked. Alyss and Carissa both threw their arms around Will. Will kissed Alyss and hugged Carissa tightly. Anamaria left Gabby standing alone to embrace William. She scowled when he blocked her.
"What is it?" she demanded. William opened up the sling so she could see the baby inside.
"He's a war orphan," he explained as Cassandra joined them. "He needs a family."
"Well, you are responsible for him since he was orphaned on your watch," Cassandra pointed out with a hopeful tone. Anamaria took the baby from the sling and cradled him close to her chest. He sneezed. Anamaria opened her mouth, but had trouble forming her words as William wrapped his arms around the two of them.
"We could take him to the orphanage," he whispered in her ear though obviously doing such a thing would cut him deeply.
"No!" Anamaria snapped a little too quickly. "No," she repeated in a softer tone. Tears filled her eyes. "Where his parents?"
"His mother was a slave. She went into labor during the attack and passed an hour after having him," William explained. "There was nothing we could do but make sure her son's taken care of."
A smile broke out on Anamaria's face though she was crying now. "We do that."
William kissed her forehead and the two stared at their son. It was Will who finally cleared his throat.
"I'm glad you two are taking him on, but he needs to be seen by a midwife or physician or…someone. He's just a few days old."
Gabby took a few steps in the direction of their voices. "Show him to me," she ordered. William took her outstretched hand and guided her to the baby's tiny foot. He kicked furiously when she closed her fingers around it. Gabby felt over the baby's body while Anamaria held him. "He's little," she said with a smile. "But he's strong. Once he's eating enough he'll grow quickly."
Anamaria lost control. She sobbed with happiness. William wiped away her tears with his thumbs though a few were coming out of his own eyes now. Gabby smiled and took a step back. She felt hands slide over her elbows and enclose her in an embrace from behind. Kane's lips pressed against her temple.
"How've you been?" he whispered in her ear.
"Ill, actually," Gabby replied in an equally soft whisper. "I've felt nauseous the past couple of weeks and smells have been especially irritating."
Kane's grip on her stiffened and his hand pressed against her face. Gabby fought the urge to grin as he determined she had no fever. He let the hand drop to her opposite shoulder. "It isn't serious, is it?" Kane asked.
"I think it is, actually."
Gabby heard Caitlyn and Liam snickering somewhere behind them. They'd barely gotten control of themselves when Talia began cracking herself. All three cut off sharply when she felt Kane's head turn in their direction. Gabby hadn't heard Talia or Caitlyn reveal anything, and Liam wasn't exactly dense. Kane wasn't either, but she knew he was too much of a gentleman. His eyes had probably been on her face if on her at all this entire time. She knew he stared at her a lot but once they were holding one another she knew his sight would be commanded by William and Anamaria and the new baby. Gabby wished she could put off her news in favor of theirs. Anamaria wept from uncontrollable happiness rather than depression. She really didn't want to take away from their moment but couldn't keep her own surprise from Kane much longer.
"What is it?" Kane demanded. He sounded serious. Gabby decided it was time to let him know before he carried her straight to Master Jonathan demanding a cure.
Gabby found each of his hands and guided them to her stomach. "You looked in the wrong place."
What Gabby would have given to be able to see Kane's face at that moment. It must have really been something because everyone around them started to laugh. Gabby just smiled and let Kane feel the slight growth that had come up the past few weeks. It still wasn't obvious, but it was obvious enough, especially for Kane. She could only giggle when his lips pressed against hers.
"Well, I think all this demands a celebration," Cassandra announced. "Horace and I will be hosting you all tonight at Jenny's restaurant."
Everyone cheered and rushed around the couples. Each wanted a turn to see William and Anamaria's son and congratulate Kane and Gabby. Liam, however, pulled Caitlyn away from all the commotion and led her to a bench. They both sat down. Liam hugged his youngest daughter tightly.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Caitlyn nodded.
"I've been staying with Daideo and Grandmother mostly," she told her father. "I moved in with Gabby the past couple of weeks. She needed some help."
Liam took a deep breath. "Kate, I'm going to leave for a while. You're old enough to choose if you'd rather come with me or stay here."
Caitlyn frowned. "What? But you've just gotten back."
Liam nodded. "I know. Gilan will find Mason a new mentor. I've got to go figure some things out. I don't know how long it will take."
"But Papa…" Caitlyn wasn't really sure where to go with that. She bit her lip. "You just got back," she repeated. She didn't know what she'd hoped for. Returning to their cabin in Redmont after two years being away didn't seem right…not without the promise of her mother also returning and that wasn't going to happen.
Liam hugged her again. "I know," he told her gently. "But I have to figure things out. I'll be going to Hibernia first. I need to see your sister. If you want to go stay with her while I'm away this time you may. You can do whatever you wish. If there's an apprenticeship you want to take, then take it. It's your life."
Caitlyn hugged him tightly. "What are you going to do though? Talia said the man who killed Mama is dead now. There's nobody for you to chase after."
"Oh Kate, there will always be people worth chasing after but that's not what I'm going to be doing. You're a smart girl. You've grown up so much. I'm so sorry you had to adjust to all this alone, but you've done it. I'm proud of you."
Caitlyn pulled away from her father. She had to turn her head. Looking at him felt too painful. She fought the tears in her eyes. She felt Liam's hand on her back.
"You don't have to make a choice right now," he told her gently. "I'm going to stick around and make sure all the loose ends are tied up before I leave. Just think about it, alright?"
Caitlyn stopped listening to him. Her attention was now farther down the walkway where a girl stood staring back at her. She wore a light green uniform…the Battalion uniform. Caitlyn had seen her mother wear the same one all her life.
"Do you know her?" Liam asked softly as the girl stared at them. Caitlyn realized her father, though involved in the mission she'd been thrown into, had no knowledge of the most recent developments. Though he'd been part of busting up the slave trade he had no idea a corrupt Battalion lady was involved.
Joy turned sharply to the right. Caitlyn could hear her footsteps running. She lunged to her feet and took off after her. Caitlyn felt her father on her heels. "What's going on?" he demanded.
"She's going towards the Courier offices."
"So?"
"Long story, but it's bad."
