Mother had stayed in Georgia for nearly three months returning just in time for his sixth birthday. Yet again, Ezra had been hopeful that things would soon change, and they had, but not the way he had wanted them to. Mother hadn't seemed quite as brokenhearted when she returned as she had when she'd left but Ezra had started to notice that she was becoming distant. They had still done all the things they had before, but Maude's heart didn't seem to be in it. And so often her mind seemed to be somewhere else.

Those months had been just as confusing for Ezra as the ones following his father's death. He had constantly tried to cheer Maude but his childish attempts had a little, if any, effect on his mother. Then shortly after New Year's Mother had announced she was returning to Georgia, again without him. She had offered even less information concerning that trip than she had the previous one, and Ezra had found himself left to try and sort out a very confusing situation on his own.

Maude had stayed gone nearly six months that time, and when she returned it had been with the news she was soon to be married.

"Ezra, please eat."

Ezra turned toward his aunt. "I can't. I want to see Mama." Two weeks ago a letter had arrived from Mama saying she was coming home. She was supposed to arrive this week and Ezra had been anxiously waiting for her for the past two days. He'd had a hard time focusing on most anything except Mama's pending arrival and he was only eating lunch now because Lola was making him.

"Sweetie, she won't arrive any faster by you not eating. So eat."

Ezra took a few more begrudging bites, glancing at the dining room door after every one. He hoped Mama would get here today. Edward soon began to talk about something else with Lola and the moment his aunt's attention was elsewhere Ezra dropped his fork and took to staring at the door.

"Ezra." Ezra jerked his head around at his uncle's voice. Edward made a motion towards Ezra's plate but anything he'd planned to say was cut off by a knock on the door.

Addy stepped in. "Mr. Edward, there's a carriage comin' up." She informed them, smiling when she heard Ezra gasp.

Edward nodded to the maid. "Thank you, Addy." He then looked to Ezra who was gazing at him eagerly. "Go on."

Ezra needed no farther encouragement. Jumping from his chair he ran to the front porch and bounced excitedly on the balls of his feet until the carriage came to a stop. As soon as the driver helped Mama down Ezra rushed over, throwing his arms around her. It had been too long since New Year's and he had missed her terribly.

Kneeling down Mama squeezed him tightly and gave him a kiss. "I've missed you sweetheart. Let me look at you." Ezra stepped back but it wasn't long before Mama wrapped him in another hug. "Oh, you've gotten so big. I can't believe how grown up you look."

"I can mount Dutch all by myself now." Ezra told her with a grin.

"Can you?"

"Well, kind of. Can…" Ezra paused, giving Mama another look. "Your dress is red!" He exclaimed. He hadn't seen Mama wear anything but black since Daddy had died.

Mama chuckled. "Yes it is. I don't have to wear black anymore."

Ezra nodded his approval. He had never liked the black anyway. He always thought it made her look extra sad. "Good. Red is prettier." With the issue of clothing settled Ezra went back to what he'd been thinking earlier. "Can we go for a ride? Or play poker?" He asked expectedly. Uncle Edward took him for rides sometimes and every once in a while he would find someone to play poker with him but neither of them happened as often as Ezra would have liked and having someone else wasn't the same as having Mama do them.

Mama smiled slightly. "Ezra." She stared at her hands for a moment after she stood back up. When she lifted her eyes again a genuine smile came to her face. "Edward!"

Ezra looked back and found that his uncle had joined them. He came over and kissed Mama on the cheek before addressing Ezra. "Ez, I think we'd better wait till tomorrow before you start the activities. Your mama's had a long trip. She probably needs to rest some before she tries to keep up with you."

"I think that would be best." Mama agreed. Ezra scowled. "We'll go for a ride first thing tomorrow. I want to see everything you've learned since I've been gone but it has been a tiring trip." Mama turned back to Edward. " I think I'll stay in my room this evening. Ezra too. If he'd care to, that is." She held out her hand. "Would you care to join me for dinner tonight, Master Standish?"

Ezra took her hand with a grin. "Can I sleep with you tonight, too?"

"Yes, you may."

By the time he and Mama finished their ride the next day Ezra was sure that the past day was the best one he'd had in well over a year. Ever since Mama had come home she had let Ezra do most of the talking and had eagerly filled her in with as many details as he could remember about the last six months including much talk about Dutch and how much he could read now. Best of all, Mama seemed really happy again, happier than she'd been in over a year. Ezra hadn't liked her being gone but if it had made her happy again he supposed it was worth it.

Ezra's good mood lasted until just after lunch when he and Mama went back up to her room. Ezra had already jumped up on the bed and was ready to start chattering away again when Mama came and set down next to him. "Ezra, I have something very important I need to discuss with you."

"What?" Ezra didn't like the way that sounded at all and he was suddenly afraid Mama was going to tell him she was leaving again.

"While I was in Georgia, I met someone. His name is Howard Mercer and he has asked me marry him. I've accepted."

Ezra was quiet for several moments. "You're getting married?"

"Yes, darlin' I am."

"Does that mean you're leaving again?" Ezra asked softly, on the verge of tears. He didn't want to have to spend any more time without her.

Mama nodded. "It means I'll be going back to Georgia, yes, but this time you'll be coming with me."

Ezra perked up some. "I get to come with you?"

"Yes."

"How long will we be gone?"

"That's want I wanted to discuss, darlin'. We'll be moving to Georgia, permanently."

Ezra shifted uncomfortably. "But…that means we have to leave here."

Mama nodded and Ezra shook his head. "No! I don't want to leave!"

"Ezra..."

"We can't leave!"

"Ezra, listen to me. This is what's best for us."

"I don't want to go."

"I know you don't. But you have to trust me."

Ezra watched the landscape roll by until he became bored. Georgia wasn't so different from Alabama and it hadn't taken long for him to lose his interest in staring out the train window. Even that fact he was on a train for the first time in his life hadn't kept him occupied very long. Having nothing else to do Ezra began to kick his feet back and forth, an activity he continued until Mama put a hand on his knee. Glancing up at her she gave a small shake of her head. Ezra stilled his feet and leaned back in the seat with a sigh. "Why couldn't Dutch come with us?" He asked, not for the first time. He'd wanted to be with Mama but he hadn't realized before that being with her would mean he'd have to leave everything else he loved, including his horse.

Mama smiled. "I know you miss him, darlin', but it's better if he stay back in Alabama for now. Perhaps later we can arrange to have him brought over."

"Why do we have to go to Georgia anyway?" Ezra grumbled. He had protested plenty in the days leading up to there departure and none of it had done any good. They had still left. And left everyone and everything else behind.

"Because I'm marrying Howard and Georgia is where he lives. We can't live in Athens when my husband is in Rome." Ezra made a face. "You didn't want to leave New Orleans either, remember?"

Ezra didn't remember much about New Orleans but he didn't think was the same thing at all. "Why do you have to get married? If you didn't get married we could stay at home."

"Rome will be our new home, Ezra. Georgia won't be so bad, darlin', you'll get used to things there. And once you do I'm sure there will be plenty of things you'll like about Rome."

Ezra took to staring out the window again. This was't the first time those words had been spoken either, but Ezra didn't believe them anymore now than he had before.

A carriage was waiting for them when they arrived at the depot and when it pulled up in front of the main house of Blackwood plantation, Ezra jumped down cautiously. He'd seen the cotton as they'd drove in and the horses in the fields, just like at home, and the house had the same white columns out front. For the most part, Blackwood looked much the same as Camden Oaks, but for some reason, Ezra felt he didn't like the place.

As Ezra stood studying the place two men came out of the house. One was a lanky, black man who started helping the driver unload all their luggage, the other was a white man, tall, broad-shouldered, and imposing. The white man smiled as soon as he saw Mama, a smile Ezra didn't like.

"Maude." The man went over to Mama and roughly pulled her next to him, kissing her cheek. "It's good to have you back." His voice was low and Ezra thought it sounded a little like a growl.

Mama smiled tightly as she eased back from him. "Howard, I'd like you to meet my son." The man's eyes seemed to cloud some and Ezra swallowed hard. He didn't like that look either.

Mama motioned for him and Ezra reluctantly went to her. "Ezra," She said putting her hands on his shoulders and turning him so he was facing the man. "This is Howard Mercer, the man I'm marrying. Howard, my son Ezra."

"How do you do, Mr. Mercer? It's a pleasure to meet you." Ezra didn't want to say it. It wasn't a pleasure. He didn't like this place and he didn't think he cared too much for Mr. Mercer either. But Mama also told him to act like a gentleman and that's what a gentleman would say, so even though he didn't mean it, he said it.

That smile came to Mr. Mercer face again. He finally chuckled and reached out to ruffle Ezra hair. "Charming. You must be very proud of him, Maude."

Ezra felt that uneasy feeling again and he would have stepped back if Mama hadn't been standing behind him.

"You should get settled in as soon as possible." Mr. Mercer continued. He throw the black man who had exited the house with him a look. "Moses!" He barked. "Get those bags inside!" Giving another one of those smiles, Mr. Mercer stalked back into house.

The second Mr. Mercer was gone Ezra spun around and started his protests. "I want to go home!"

Mama sighed. "This is home now, sweetheart."

Ezra shook his head. "No it's not. I want to go back to Athens. I want to back to Edward's."

"Ezra, I know this is difficult but you will get used to it. In no time at all you'll start to like it here. Now come along, let's try to get settled."

Ezra glanced uncertainly at the house. He didn't like it and he didn't think he ever would, but if Mama wanted it he would try. But only because Mama wanted it.

A/N: So, it's been awhile...sorry. Hope it was worth the wait. Thanks for reading!