10
"After all these years, you finally show your face again? You think you can simply waltz in here, charm my entire family, and suddenly all is well?" Richard wasn't thrilled.
"Richard-and Francis. I must have sent hundreds of letters to you throughout the years. I have not received one response. I apologize for the many wasted years. But I'm grateful that I have finally returned, when I otherwise thought you'd want nothing to do with me anymore."
"You sent letters?" Richard paused, then rekindled his anger. "What makes you think I want anything to do with you now?"
"You'd rather me be dead?"
"You've been dead to me and the rest of us for years."
"Now, Richard-"
"Francis-I am speaking. And who is this woman accompanying you?"
"This is my wife, Pocahontas."
"Your wife? What church were you married in?"
"We weren't married in a church," he replied to Richard. "We went before the Justice of the Peace."
"Not even a proper wedding?! Is she even a Christian?"
"I am not," she answered Richard.
"Richard, why- ."
"Francis, quiet please. You brought a heathen into my house-"
"I am not a heathen!" She shouted.
"Heathen?" John retorted. "She has more etiquette than some of the most 'civilized' people I've known."
"Richard!"
"I said quiet Francis!"
"Fine. 'Tis perfectly clear we're not welcome. I think 'tis best we leave." John began storming off.
"Of course, do what you do best... ," replied Richard smugly.
Pocahontas walked up to him. "If you do not want me here, I will certainly not wear out my welcome, but I refuse to be insulted. I am no less civilized and far more forgiving than you. I may not know your God, although I desire to; yet I can't imagine your God being pleased by this. I will not spoil the rest of your evening." She turned to leave.
"Now wait a moment-".
"Francis!"
"Richard, that's quite enough!" Francis surprised them all by raising his voice. "'Tis my property also, Richard-remember the will... ." Now, he spoke regularly. "I know 'tis been many years, but perhaps we've all held grudges for far too long. Speaking as another owner of this home, you're welcome to stay for supper."
"Yes, please stay." Elizabeth came down the stairs. "The children love having you here, and it would mean so much to them if you could stay." She turned to Richard. "I believe Richie should visit John if he remains on his best behavior."
"Elizabeth-"
"Now Richard," she reasoned. "I gave him a lashing for it. That's punishment enough. He already apologized. He ought to know his uncle and aunt. Do you wish to break his heart?"
Richard, feeling outnumbered, took a moment to calm down before speaking. "Alright, you're welcome to stay," as he patted his hand on his brother's shoulder, out of politeness. He whispered to Elizabeth. "I'll speak to Richie, shortly." -
Soon, they heard a knock at the door.
"That must be Charles," Alice mused. "Richard and Francis invited him over."
"Who's Charles?" John asked curiously.
"Alice's beau." Annie made a disgusted face.
"You don't care for him?" Asked John.
Annie shook her head. "I think he's rather boring."
"Father and Uncle Francis think he's wonderful, because he has money." Richie seemed less than enthused.
"Now Richie," Richard scolded him. Then he turned to John. "Charles Birmingham is an accomplished barrister or lawyer. He comes from a family of barristers who studied law at Oxford for generations."
"Good evening all." A distinguished dark haired gentleman walked in with Francis. He kissed Alice and sat beside her. "Oh, I see we have a few more faces."
Alice introduced them. "This is my brother, John."
"You're John Smith, the Captain?"
"Aye, Aye."
"I heard so many amazing stories about you, though I never realized you were also one of Alice's brothers."
"Yes, unfortunately, I'm the black sheep of the family." He looked directly at Richard, who rolled his eyes.
"And," Alice continued. "This is Pocahontas, my sister-in-law," who held Mattie in her lap.
"Pocahontas, that's quite an unusual name," he mused. "Never thought the man who kidnapped Indians would marry one."
"Ahem." Alice and a few others cleared their throat.
Charles, realizing his opinion wasn't well received, quickly changed the subject. "This roast chicken is delightful."
"I've been wanting to know, what's it like in Virginia. 'Tis anything like here?" Alice turned her attention to Pocahontas, wanting her to feel welcome.
"Well, there are many trees, probably as high as some buildings in London. We don't have as much open land, as 'tis mostly wooded. There are rivers, lakes, ponds, and mountaintops."
"That sounds lovely," Elizabeth chimed in.
"I'd like to visit Virginia someday, to see the world and new people." Alice began to daydream.
Charles soon interrupted her thoughts. "But what's wrong with England? You have London, you have farms, beautiful countryside... ."
"Oh, 'tis all wonderful, really. But it would be nice to venture out every so often."
Now it was Margaret's turn to speak up. "John, Pocahontas, you've never told us how you two actually met."
"Yes, I'm curious about that myself," chimed in Elizabeth.
"Actually, I saw John first. I noticed these strange men approaching our land, and I wanted to investigate. I spotted John coming out of a boat, and... ."
"...And what?" Alice was eagerly listening. "Well, I'd rather not tell what I was truly thinking at the dinner table." The ladies laughed. "But you could say I was a secret admirer of sorts, and followed him along."
"Well, John," Francis spoke. "We all should hear your side of the story."
"I remember that." He whispered to her. "You were hiding in those bushes!" He continued. "I washed up at a waterfall. After all, I haven't seen clean water in four months." Now everyone laughed. "I noticed a reflection in the water. Not knowing what I was in for, I hid. When I noticed someone coming, I aimed. But when the mist cleared, I saw her and didn't know what to think. I noticed she looked scared, and put my gun down; but as I approached, she ran away, forcing me to chase her down the river."
"I didn't expect you to run so quickly, especially with armor on." Laughter ensued.
"Well, if you hadn't run away, I wouldn't have needed to."
"Well, if you hadn't frightened me, I wouldn't have ran."
"What could I expect, for all I knew, you could've been that warrior, Kocoum." More laughing.
"Who's Kocoum?" Now Richard was interested.
"My former betrothed until John appeared. After he chased after me, he convinced me to take his hand, and ever since then, it changed my life forever." The ladies awed in unison.
"Changed your life forever? It changed my life forever, also."
"But how did you get past the language barrier?" Charles had to inquire.
"What difference does it make, Charles?" Alice wished he hadn't interrupted. "They clearly mastered it after some time."
"'Twas I thought a valid question," Richard defended him.
"'Tis difficult to explain, but somehow, I listened to the words he was saying, and it came to me."
"Interesting. A new language often takes months to learn... ." Charles droned on.
Pocahontas turned her direction to her sister-in-laws. "Now I'd like to hear your stories."
The rest of supper turned out fairly well. Richard was quiet through most of it, Charles talked a great deal while hardly anyone listened. Pocahontas, on the other hand felt as if she belonged. And John was pleased to reunite with his family. -
And so, after a long night of catching up, Richie and Annie, rode home with John and Pocahontas for the night. Richie and Annie, played with Meeko, Percy, and Flit, until late evening. John pretended to be a pirate and chased the children around the meadow playfully. As fast as they were, he was still more than capable of keeping up with them.
Pocahontas began thinking about how much their lives had already changed, and would continue to change. 'Tis the right time...I'm quite sure now: I'm ready. Is he?
As it grew dark, she called to them. "Richie, Annie, Mehci kawis-Now go to sleep."
"But Auntie Po we're not tired," Richie argued.
"I could sing you two a song," Pocahontas offered.
"Please do," Annie pleaded.
"Steady as the beating drum... ."
Pretty soon, the children were fast asleep. John tucked them both into their beds and kissed then goodnight. He refurnished Alice's room for Annie and his brother's room for Richie.-
"You have a very interesting family, John. How come you never tried to reconnect with them before, besides the letters?" She settled into the bed.
"I suppose I was afraid-imagine, me afraid of my own family-thinking they would want nothing of me, as Richard."
"He does, he's simply to proud to admit it. He must feel like he must always be the responsible one... ."
"Yes, 'twas always like Richard. Even as children, he wanted to act older than me. Of course I'd fight with him. Francis was always the quiet one... . And Alice was the one we all protected... .I've never heard Francis speak out against Richard. He's certainly changed."
"I like your family. Even Richard seems fine at times. Alice seems the most like you-very free spirited."
"Alice and I were my mother's favorites. My parents loved all of us, but we were most like my mother, while Richard and Francis were more like my father. My mother encouraged my seafaring adventures while my father wanted me to tend to the farm, or do something he considered useful." He paused for a moment, and changed the subject. "If we have kids, I hope we have a son and a daughter. Richie and Annie make me consider what it would be like to be a father."
He had considered it. "You will be a father."
"Does this mean...?" She nodded. That explains the excess food consumption."That's wonderful news! We'll tell the rest of them the next time we meet...and we should plan to visit your father."
"Yes. I feel as if he's missing so much. Do you think he received the letter?"
"We'll soon find out."
As pleased as John was, fears consumed his mind. This was indeed exciting, yet overwhelming. Admittedly, having a family wasn't even on his mind until she came around... .That time for him to set out to sea was fast approaching. How could he leave her now, especially knowing this? He hadn't even told her yet. Better not to tell her now, either, as it would surely break her heart. But no, there was no bowing out. I would have to leave and tell her soon. Could I...? 'Twas worth the risk? There has to be a way... .