CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

~ the descent into darkness ~

Meryl felt a tension in the air as she sat at her usual favorite spot at the bay window overlooking the street below. The summer sun was not as strong as usual; it was also unusually overcast for this season. The humidity had risen as well as it was common for August, which was nothing new to a New Yorker such as Meryl. She knew the East coast, especially near New York city's sweltering humidity. Yet this humidity maybe due to the lack of pollution wasn't as painful to bear. Her baby bump began to show more and her breasts had grown a little. It was August, an entire month had passed since she found out she was pregnant. The morning sickness was still there, not as bad as few weeks ago but she still had bouts of it here and there and at the most unexpected times. Sometimes the smell in the food or something in the air would destroy her appetite in an instant. She had lost a few pounds due to all the vomiting but now bit by bit she was gaining some weight.

Alexander was out and about every single day, running out of the house looking tense and distracted but never forgetting to charm her with his smile and kiss her before he left for the day. She didn't know why he was so tense and distracted, but from what she could tell as she lived in the 18th century she found out that she was she was clearly in the disadvantage as a woman. She was omitted from any political discussion. She either had to eavesdrop or go through Alexander's correspondence, newspapers and business ledgers on his desk to figure out what was happening. She convincingly played the oblivious and happy housewife but she felt Alexander's burden and that of the colonies.

There was an evident mounting unrest in Boston, especially over the few months. Bostonians were growing tired from the heavy taxing and the British control in general. Alexander had to relegate most of his business down in New York, as there still was some stability there. Boston was a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark. Meryl was the only person in the colonies and in the world to know that exactly April 1775 next year the American revolution was going to start with the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

The "Intolerable Acts" (coined by the people who hated the Brits) were essentially instituted to tighten the grip on the North American colonies. The British were running out of money and possibly growing weary with running such an expansive empire overseas. Two Acts (regulations) were installed to not only over tax the North American colonies but to keep control over the continuously antagonizing colonies. The latest two regulation was the Massachusetts Government Act on May 20th 1774 that cemented the control of the British over the Massachusetts government to the point where any form of assembly discussing about the country's politics had to be approved by the British crown (at this point the Crown accused any one of treason at the slightest critique). The second regulation was the "Quartering Act" of June 2nd 1774 that had been implemented in 1765 but now was implemented again more as an enforcement. Any form of settlement and towns had to provide provisions and housing to the British soldiers stationed in the 13 North American colonies.

Meryl wished that her teachers throughout her school life had emphasized the colonists dread of a war on their own soil against a powerful enemy. She wished also that she was told of the population divide caused by their contrasting political allegiance, fueled in part by the extreme wealth distribution. The tension in the air was like a cloud hanging over politicians and anyone knowledgeable about the reality in the colonies. Meryl did not sleep well because she was afraid, afraid that one day the door would be kicked down and she would get murdered in her bed. Of course, she can defend herself but now she had to be more careful for the baby's sake.

As for Alexander, he was not doing well. In fact, the ships he invested in were regularly and incessantly raided by the rebels and anyone who hated the Brits with a passion. It seemed that the ship had to be supporting the patriot cause (including the investors and clients expecting the cargo!) to ensure the safe passage. Meryl thought about what Captain Faulkner does. He mingled with people like that which made Meryl rethink his morals and intentions. Privateering was a risky business but worth all the money apparently. Alexander was losing tea and money towards rebels that not only destroyed the tea but also destroyed the ships to the point that they either sunk down in flames or were so damaged that it would take months to repair. And these repairs combined with his investors growing less confident with their spending and his clients never receiving their promised cargo of goods… He was sinking in overwhelming debt that was beginning to affect him. He became more snappy and short tempered with the domestics, not tolerating the slightest mistakes, like the afternoon tea not being served to him on time when before he would be happy with it just showing up. He tries to keep a happy face but Meryl sees through his weary green eyes the worry and frustration with his now risky business venture.

Meryl took a breath, reached for the bell and rung it. Within a few minutes, Julia tottered in with a smile and curtsied.

"You called ma'am?"

"I want to go out for a walk. Can you help me get dressed?"

Julia nodded and walked over to Meryl's side to help her up.

Sudden light headedness and vertigo made her momentarily lose her footing and Julia quickly supported her hoisting her back to her feet.

"Are you certain, ma'am? You look pale. We can always open the window…"

"Julia I need fresh air, cracking the window open won't cut it. Besides I've been stuck inside for God knows how long, because of Alexander's overprotective behavior."

"He is concerned for your health and safety, ma'am."

"I know that, but there is a difference between being concerned and being paranoid. And honestly, I am dying to get some actual sun on my skin."

Julia didn't object of course as a domestic and simply complied. She followed Meryl up to her bedroom and helped her get changed into her daywear.

When both were fully dressed and standing at the entrance, Edith approached them with a cautionary look on her face.

"Madam, I believe you should reconsider your walk."

"Why Edith?" Meryl sighed.

Edith walked closer, even rested a hand on Meryl's hand. Her stark brown eyes that were usually very authoritarian were worried this time.

"Something doesn't feel right."

Meryl titled her head with confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, something is amiss in Boston." She said as she grasped the cross pendant on her neck. "Please, stay for the sake of the child."

Meryl watched the heightened concern in Edith. It was very unlike her. She was the most composed and wise person that she had ever known, even Ingrid was more impulsive and youthful than her.

"I am more careful than ever Edith, but I must get out of this house otherwise I will go crazy." She said as she held Edith's coarse hands. "At the slightest sign of trouble, I promise you we will come back."

Edith was reluctant to let her go but Meryl was the mistress after all.

They stepped out and Meryl took a deep breath, dirt, broiled meats, scented perfumes and human sweat mingled in the heavy humid air. She stepped out with a parasol in hand even though she wore a hat. Julia hooked her arm around Meryl's as a safety precaution and they started walking in no particular direction.

"We won't get off this ship and we won't give ye a shred of our cargo, you filthy loyalist!" shouted the head sailor of a crew down to the dock below where the fuming port master and other individuals stood.

"Fetch the guards and Master Leighton at once!" barked the Port master at a squeamish individual who darted back to the harbor to get reinforcement.

"Where is captain Smith?" demanded the Port master.

"Tied like a hog in his cabin!" shouted one of the rowdy sailors which was hushed down by the head of the crew.

"Release captain Smith, at once!"

"Or what? You'll shake your fat gut at us?"

The Port master clenched his teeth.

"If you do not comply, we will use force!"

"We aren't afeared of your fat fingers!"

"Drop the ramp AT ONCE! Or we will sink this ship!"

The sailors on board broke out in uproarious laughter and jeers, making the Port master grow redder and redder with anger.

Alexander and a trail of red coats jogged after him.

"What is the matter?" Alexander demanded.

The port master turned to him with a red face, ready to burst.

"Have these insolent lowlifes comply with protocol otherwise we will shoot them!" the port master growled and walked off.

The crew mocked and jeered as the port master left.

"Yeah, fat swine you better roll back to your stable."

Alexander took a deep breath.

"Steven! I know you are there! Drop the ramp at once!" Alexander called out in a firm voice as he approached the side of the ship.

The head of the crew appeared at the side of the ship looking down to Alexander.

"Until we are properly compensated, we won't get off this ship!"

"That will only happen once the cargo is safely delivered on land, Steven and you know that!"

"We don't have any beef with you, Master Leighton, it is these gentlemen behind you!" another sailor shouted.

Alexander looked to the gentlemen who were his investors and clients expecting the cargo.

"How can I feed me family with this wage!" shouted another sailor, peering over the edge and glaring at the investors. "Look at you growing fatter with me money!"

"Steven, control your men!" called out Alexander in anxiety but old man Steven shook his head and backed away.

"I cannot control them any longer until we are properly compensated!"

Alexander looked back at his investors, watching them grow angrier as more insults were thrown at them by the sailors. His anxiety grew tenfold when he saw that the commotion was garnering the town dwellers and dock hands attention.

"Steven! Do something! You will all lose your job or worse!" Alexander shouted in vain, his voice dying out among the hurls of insults thrown at the investors.

A substantial crowd had gathered. Alexander's eyes helplessly darted between the angry sailors, fuming investors and now the tense crowd.

"There's a protest in the harbor!" Shouted a fierce young man, gesticulating his arm in the direction of the harbor. "Down with the loyalist pigs!"

Meryl froze in shock as she saw the excited and passionate individual shout.

Julia immediately tugged at Meryl's arm.

"We must leave."

"But Alex is at the harbor…"

"He's a man, he can take care of himself." Julia stated which made Meryl yank her arm from her grip and glare at her. "He is my husband! And damn to hell I will not be a widow!"

She waved and called at the individual.

"What's happening?"

"There's a protest-

-I know that! Who's involved? What is it about?" interrupted Meryl curtly.

"The sailors from the ship Maria are demanding fair pay, ma'am."

"Is Alexander Leighton involved?" she demanded with impatience.

"He was called to handle the matter."

Meryl's eyes widened in fear and she took off in the direction of the harbor ignoring the warnings from the individual telling her that armed red coats were called.

The port master hobbled back to the dock with more red coats carrying a ramp.

"I will not take this insolence further! Cease or we will board by force!" he shouted to the ship.

"Steven, please comply!" Alexander begged but again the jeers of the ship crew drowned out his voice.

The red coats walked over to the ship side and raised the ramp and eased it down, but the ship crew jumped in and pushed the ramp away causing it to slide down almost into the water. The red coats stumbled back and pushed hard against the shoving sailors on the ship.

"I demand you to stop it right now before it becomes a bloodshed!" shouted Alexander again, pleading that they would stop.

"Not until we get fair pay!" shouted the one that was the most vocal and who had a young family.

The crowd around the ship began to show their support with the young father by murmuring in agreement.

Alexander stared helplessly at the situation until one of his investors appeared at his side with the port master. The old tight lipped William Stuyvesant descendant of one of the oldest Dutch families in New York known for his ruthlessness and stinginess, stood beside Alexander without looking at him

"I will arrange fairer wage if you lower your ramp!" he barked in haughty tone, shamelessly displaying his superiority to all beings.

"That's what they all say!" the young father argued. "I know yer kind, the moment we lower the ramp we will be shot or even hanged for treason!"

The ship mates cheered in unison.

Stuyvesant eyed Alexander from the corner of his eyes.

"This is becoming more and more troublesome, Master Leighton." He spoke with a raised nose and tight lips "If you cannot wrestle control from these men not only will I pull out my investment but I cannot ensure the protection of these insolent lowlifes."

Alexander clenched his jaw.

"These insolent lowlifes have dutifully transported all the cargoes as you ordered for years while silently watching their wages grow meager!" Alexander retorted in bitterness. "If you had not decided to lower your investment and infected others with your poisonous insecurity, none of this would have happened!"

Stuyvesant at first widened his eyes but then narrowed them with a glare.

"How dare you! The - the ingratitude?! Your father would never treat me this way!"

"I am his son but not him! I am an entrepreneur and not His Majesty's adviser. Now if you excuse me." Rebuffed Alexander and walked passed Stuyvesant.

He took off his jacket, placed it on the nearest cargo and leaped on the ship, gripping some of the jutted beams.

Meryl entered the harbor and saw the crowd gathered at one of the docks. Her heart hammered with fear for Alexander's safety. She made her way, snaking through the crowd that had gathered on the docks until she stumbled into the red coat barricade that blocked the passage to the ship Maria.

"Get back missus!"

Meryl saw Alexander climbing on the sides of the ship and hoisting himself onto the ship.

"Let me through! I am Alexander Leighton's wife!"

"Yeah? Then I am his son." The militia man jeered and shoved her with his rifle, she stumbled backward falling against a protesting individual. He cushioned her fall and even helped her back up.

"This is no place for a woman!"

"My husband is on that ship!" she cried out as she looked out helplessly to the ship.

"Men, I implore you! Please lower the ramp." Alexander said with his hand raised, seeing the flintlocks and swords pointing in his direction. "Blood shed can be avoided through negotiation."

"Master Leighton, you 'ave been fair to us, but this is cannot go on!" the young father responded passionately, even his eyes were misty. "I 'ave little ones that need food, my youngest is sick!"

Alexander approached them slowly with his hands still raised.

"I can help you Tom, I can provide money if that-

-I do not need charity, Master!" interrupted Tom angrily. "I want fair payment, not only for meself but for the crew! We all have mouths to feed!"

"By getting yourself killed you will kill your family as well, is that want you want?" Alexander argued back, his voice vibrating with emotions as he stared at each armed sailor. "If you die Tom, so will your youngest one and the rest of your family! This is the wrong time and place to rebel! I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to ensure your employment and safety, but I need all of your cooperation!"

"They are not like you, Master Leighton!" Tom spoke out, indicating to the investors and red coats below. "They don't care about us or our families-"

-They don't but I do!" yelled Alexander. "A family well fed will ensure loyal employees! I've been draining my own savings to prevent your wages from decreasing! And by climbing onto this ship I am showing you my loyalty to this ship and its crew! All of you, Tom and Steven should have come to me – your behavior is doing more irreparable damage than any good!"

The crew began to lower their weapons when reason governed their senses, however the loud thud of the ramp hitting the edge of the ship followed by the invasion of the red coats caused the ship crew to raise their pistols and swords frantically.

Red coats pulled Alexander back behind a wall of red coats. The port master and Stuyvesant arrived behind him.

"Well done, distracting them Master Leighton." Stuyvesant said which made Alexander turn his head in shock.

"YOU TRAITOR, YOU FILTHY LIAR!" Tom bellowed as he stormed with a dagger drawn.

The red coats smacked him across the face with their rifle causing him to fall to the ground.

"Tom! It's not true!" Alexander protested, but saw the damage had been done and that there was no turning back.

The red coats held Tom and cornered the ship crew with their rifles raised.

"We trusted you!"

Alexander heard their cries of injustice and tried to defend himself but their despair countered all his attempts to justify himself.

"Any resistance will have you shot." The port master stated to the ship crew. "And your punishment will be delivered accordingly."

"I will suspend all of you from your employment." Stuyvesant declared with smug expression that immediately ignited an explosion of anger from the ship crew.

Even Alexander turned around towards Stuyvesant with disgust and anger in his face. However, Alexander suddenly was yanked back and he felt a cold blade against his pulsing neck.

"Unhand my men!" shouted Tom as he pressed the blade against Alexander's neck, holding Alexander and moving around to make the red coats retreat back to Stuyvesant's side. "I will cut his throat, if you don't move yer men!"

Alexander was paralyzed not only by fear but disbelief.

"Lower your blade!" warned the port master.

"Not until you get off this ship!" yelled Tom, the blade rubbing Alexander's pulsing neck.

"Do as he says!" shouted Alexander in a voice that was adamant and mixed with fear.

There was a pause where the port master and Stuyvesant stood there, mulling over the situation but as they were about to voice their decision a loud commotion from the ramp interrupted them.

"Come back here you scheming wench!"

Meryl leaped onto the ship with two patrol red coats right behind her. They grasped her by the shoulder roughly.

"Meryl?!" called out Alexander in utter shock and then he directed his passion towards the soldiers. "Let go of my wife this instant!"

The port master and Stuyvesant looked aghast at Meryl. Her eyes were wide and her heart almost gave out seeing Alexander in that situation.

"Mistress Leighton, go back home it is too dangerous!" Stuyvesant admonished her but she stood her ground.

"You will let go of my husband." She declared in a firm but steady voice, walking very slowly towards Tom.

"Mistress Leighton! Step back, this is no place for a woman!" The port master said in a pleading voice.

"You are wrong! I am at the right place." She looked at the port master with determined look in her eyes then she shifted her unwavering eyes to Tom. "Unhand him, he is my husband, my lover, my provider…and the father to our unborn child."

Tom was visibly taken aback as his grip slackened a bit. Meryl took another step forward. Everybody on the ship was stunned not only by the news but by Meryl's brazen confidence.

"I heard a lot about you Tom." Meryl began and she stopped close enough that Tom was growing fidgety with the blade, "You're a father of three and your wife is expecting another one, while the youngest one is ill. For one minute, place yourself in your wife's shoes, do you think she would agree with this foolishness?"

A brief pause fell on the ship. All men including Alexander were truly stunned by Meryl's fearlessness.

"What will you achieve by holding him hostage, hmm? Where will you go? They will track you down and maybe even take your family hostage – this situation will be reversed in no time, so I suggest that you let him go and that everyone including the soldiers lower your arms."

She heard a snort from Stuyvesant but she ignored him.

Meryl had managed to get so close that she was within reach of Tom and Alexander.

"Meryl… Leave." Alexander managed to utter in a quiet voice that reflected his fear.

Then a smug laugh erupted from Stuyvesant's mouth.

"You are as mad as your husband."

Meryl glared at Stuyvesant but offered him a cocky smile.

"Well, unlike your sorry ass and my lovely husband's, I tackle the root of the problem." She suddenly slammed down hard on the bend of Tom's elbow, hitting him in a weak point and causing him to drop the knife.

Then the moment Alexander sunk to the ground and Tom's face wasn't obstructed she delivered an upper cut that caused him to stagger backwards. Meryl swept over to her husband, hoisting him up quickly and yanking him hard after her.

"Get up and run!" she yelled.

As they were out of range the port master yelled "Fire!".

Screams, yells and shots rang through the air. Meryl and Alexander ducked as they ran down the ramp while more red coats stormed onto the ship.

"Meryl I have to go back! I must!" he cried and stopped in his steps, making her stumble and she turned around delivering him a hard slap in the face.

"Shut the fuck up! I intend to bring you back home alive, even if I have to knock you out and drag your unconscious body back home!" she yanked him harder.

He stared at her, shocked by her slap and her words. Another shot rang that shook the air and he ducked reflexively. Meryl yanked him one more time and he followed her.

They fought through the chaos of the crowd. Then Alexander came back to his senses and together they fought through the panicked crowd. They ran and ran until Meryl stopped and leaned against the wall, hyperventilating.

Vertigo seized her and she stumbled until she fell on her knees. The color vanished from her face, something felt very off inside her and then she looked down. She backed away and saw the pool of blood. Her breathing came out in short panic bursts and she grappled for Alexander.

"Alex, the baby! I am bleeding! The baby!" she cried, tears pouring from her frightened eyes and her limbs shaking and going weaker by the seconds.

"What?!"

Meryl heaved panic sobs that made her weaker and she tried to hold onto him, but her strength was failing fast.

"Please save my baby, Alex, plea…"

A heavy weight enveloped her from the top of her head, the more she panicked the more the pressure went to her lungs and head until she was suddenly engulfed by the numbness and blackness of unconsciousness.

"Meryl…MERYL!" Alexander exclaimed frantically, he scooped her into his arms and violently pushed himself through the crowd yelling in anger "Out of my way!"

He ran holding her in his arms while his frantic whispers under his panting breaths begged to God not to take her away from him. His defiant green eyes swam in tears as they glanced from time to time on Meryl's deathly pale face.

"Master Leighton!" called out Julia who appeared at his side and she gasped in terror at the sight of Meryl and the blood.

"CALL DOCTOR STEIN IMMEDIATELY!" he shouted at her with an intensity that startled her into tears and send her running away to get the doctor.

He barged into the house with a kick, making Edith scream at first out fear but then out of worry at the sight of Meryl and Alexander.

Alexander stood in the hallway with his body shaking and breathing hard. His temples covered in a sheen of sweat with his auburn locks plastered against his forehead. His defiant green eyes suddenly crumbled revealing a panicked, afraid and vulnerable man, ready to collapse.

"Please, save her, Edith!" he pleaded with his cracked and trembling voice.

Edith wasted not a single second and immediately ushered him to their bedroom upstairs while she ran down getting towels, clothes, a bucket and other materials.

No sooner, Dr. Stein ran in with a distraught Julia right behind him.

Meryl was laid out on her bed, all blankets were removed except pillows that supported her head. Alexander had helped Edith peel off some of Meryl's clothes but when he saw the amount of blood staining her under dress he almost passed out and lost all sensation in his legs. The Doctor was quick to grab Alexander.

"Master, I ask you to wait in your study. Edith! Give me a hand! Julia accompany the Master to his study and come back to assist us!" the Doctor instructed in a stern tone.

Alexander was unwilling to leave. His shaken body attempted to put up a fight but Julia dragged him out with ease. She led him to his study, plopped him down on the sofa and left the room in a haste.

Silence fell.

Alexander sat there in a daze and then his feelings overwhelmed him. He sunk his face in his hands, heavy sobs broke out of his unwilling body.

"Please… don't take her from me…!"

A persistent sun beam poked through the thin white curtains. A fresh but warm breeze made the curtain flap, allowing the sun light to cover a great surface of Meryl's sleeping face.

She sighed and attempted to toss in her bed, but couldn't since she felt a strange weight at her bedside. Her eyes slowly opened and she blinked a few times then she turned her body and saw a head full of Auburn hair sleeping on the edge of her bed.

Alexander sat on a chair with his head resting on the bed. She heard Alexander's rhythmic and calm breathing.

Her body felt unnaturally heavy. It took a lot of effort to raise her left hand and place it on Alexander's head. She ran her fingers through his locks, enjoying the warmth that emanated from his head. She exhaled with a sense of peace. Her fingers found their way to the stubble of his jaw line and she marveled at the coarse texture while also slowly realizing that he hadn't shaved maybe in a day or two.

His breathing changed and he stirred. He groaned and then yawned. He then raised his head meeting Meryl's calm grey eyes.

It took him a moment to register. He blinked a few times and then gasped.

"Meryl!" His voice was soft and a little hoarse.

Without warning he engulfed in a tight hug and he pulled back to shower kisses all over her face.

"Thank God you are alive!" he breathed with trembling voice that still was raw.

He held her so tightly like a lock with his face nestled in crook of her shoulder, unwilling to let her go.

Meryl barely had any strength to refuse him. She welcomed his comforting and passionate embrace.

After a several minutes in his embrace, he pulled back revealing his misty and agonized green eyes. Meryl's heart lurched, moved by his genuine emotions. Her hand traced the stubble on his cheeks.

"You haven't shaved in a while…" she spoke with an unusually soft voice.

Alexander placed his hand on hers that was on his cheek, held it closely to his skin while his green eyes were now brimming with tears. His chest rose in a slow steady rhythm as if he was attempting to control his emotions. He kept his mouth shut, to stem the flow of emotions that was trying to spill out of him. He took a deep breath.

"If you had died… my heart would have ceased-

He interrupted himself and cleared his throat, feeling that lump get in the way of his vocal cords. He hastily wiped away a tear from his cheek while his eyes flickered to the side with unease.

Meryl grasped his face so that he looked at her.

"Lay beside me." She instructed him.

He froze, unsure what to do and even questioning if it was appropriate.

Then her eyes too grew misty and she looked at him pleadingly. He quickly complied when he saw her vulnerable eyes. He gently moved her body to make space for him and lay beside her face-to-face with his arms around her.

Another moment of silence fell.

The tears began to well up in her eyes when she thought about the blood as she buried her face in his chest.

"We…" she cleared her throat but a sob escaped her mouth "Is-Is the baby-"

Alexander's muffled sob and tightened embrace around her caused her to burst into a heart wrenching wail that made her body quake, her heart tear and her head ache with a pain squeezed the life out of her!

He held her sobbing and shaking frame, the tears streaming down his cheeks while his pained green eyes intently stared through the window to the clear morning blue sky.