Uncas opens his eyes slowly at the sound of the door. The exhaustion seems to have gone if only a bit after the nap. As soon as he repairs on Alice's figure at the door, he smiles and tries to sit up by himself, but she quickly runs to him, leaving the bowl of soup she has brought with her in a nearby table, and helps him.
"How do you feel?" she asks a bit worried, checking his forehead searching for signs of fever. Fortunately, it seems to have totally vanished.
"Much better after sleeping for a while" Uncas says, feeling joy at having her with him again.
"You need to eat something. I've prepared you some soup" As Alice takes the bowl from the table and sits beside him on the bed, Uncas feels himself a bit uncomfortable wondering how he is going to eat the soup on the bed, with his right arm on a sling and only the left hand available.
"Don't worry, I'll help you" she reassures him as if she was reading his mind. As Uncas observes her filling the spoon, blowing softly to cool the soup down, and taking it to his mouth, he feels a spark of embarrassment at the thought of her having to feed him. But then, he looks at her face and she is smiling in a way that makes him understand that nothing between them could be shameful, and that she will be always there, willing to help him in any way. Finally, he smiles her back and parts his lips, letting her to feed him.
After a while, Uncas finishes the soup in a pleasant silence, full of smiles between them. When the bowl is empty, Alice places it on the table again and accommodates herself next to him on the bed.
"A new dress?" Uncas asks admiring her lovely figure in the pink gown.
"Yes, Cora bought it in the town to replace my ruined old one" And she was sure you were going to like it Alice thinks but doesn't say it out loud.
"You look beautiful" Uncas smiles, seeing her blushing with his compliment. It doesn't matter what they have been through together, she still blushes easily with him, the same as the day they met. He finds out it is something he adores about her.
"Did you like the soup?" The same as when they were at the fort, for some reason, Alice needs to know if he likes her food.
"It was delicious" he sincerely says and then he adds in a mischievous tone "Though I prefer the cake you baked that night at the fort. Remember you promised me another one".
Alice chuckles at that "I remember it, don't worry. I'll bake another cake as soon as you are better. By now, soup is the only food you can eat".
"I'm sure the wait will be worth it" Uncas says looking intensely at her. Alice remembers the moment when he congratulated her cake. It was the night they met each other and she can't believe it was only last week. They have lived so many things together since then that it seems they have known each other for a lifetime.
Slowly, her lips approach to his, slowly, meeting them halfway, and they kiss passionately. Parting her lips, she lets his tongue entering her mouth as she does the same with him, both of them exploring each other…until Alice hears a sound that makes her open her eyes and part away from him abruptly. Looking at the door, she repairs embarrassed on Chingachgook's figure looking at them, a smile on his face.
"I came to see you my son, but I see you have better company" The old Mohican says in a warm tone.
Uncas seems uncomfortable with the situation and Alice feels her cheeks flushing deeply in embarrassment. "It's better for me to go, I have to feed Tommy". Looking at the floor as she passes next to Chingachgook, she quickly leaves the room, giving the old Mohican a chance to spend some time alone with his son.
"How do you feel my son?" Chingachgook asks warmly, sitting on the bed.
"I'm fine, only a bit weak, that's all" Uncas reassures him, not wanting to tell him how really tired he feels.
Chingachgook, who is not the kind of man who likes to waste words, asks directly what he wants to know "Why did you do it?".
And Uncas, who does not like to waste words either, tells simply the truth "There was no other option".
"You could have wait for your brother and me. It was too risky" Chingachgook scolds him. In fact, he is not angry with his son but, as his father, he needs to remind him the danger of fighting alone against an entire war party.
"It could have been too late. They could have hurt her by the time we had reached them" Uncas simply says.
His father remains silent for a moment, before he speaks "I understand it my son. But I can't stop thinking that I almost lost you. And I blame myself…"
"It was not your fault father" Uncas cuts him off, feeling the pain in his father's voice. "I made my own decision and I don't regret it. You have always told me that a good man must follow his heart and that's what I did".
Chingachgook smiles slightly and Uncas can notice a spark of pride on his wrinkled face. "You are an honourable man, my son. I'm proud of you".
Uncas is touched by his father's kind words. "If I'm an honourable man it's thanks to you father. You are the best man I've ever know".
Chingachgook is not the kind of father who embraces his sons very often. Instead, he prefers to show his love towards them with words or simply being by their side whenever they need him. However, this time he leans and embrace his blood son. The fear of losing him was so horrible that somehow, he needs to make sure he is there with him. Then, he realizes there is something more he has to talk to him.
"She is a good woman" he says when they finally part away.
Uncas is taken by surprise by his father's words. "Yes, she is. But I thought you didn't approve our relationship because she is not one of us".
"You are right. I didn't approve it at first. My wish was for you to marry a Delaware woman and have children with her to continue the Mohican line". Chingachgook speaks "But above all, I only want for you to be happy with the woman you choose. And she is a good choice".
Uncas can't believe what he is hearing. He had been so afraid about his father being against their union that his words are a relief to him. Though he was willing to be with Alice against his father's wishes, the truth is that he values his blessing too much.
"Thank you father. Your words mean a lot to me".
Chingachgook smiles warmly. His son's happiness is much more important to him than tradition and he doubts Uncas can find a woman as good as the one he has chosen. "When you were unconscious, she barely left your side. She spent the nights awake, taking care of you".
"I know it. I noticed the dark circles under her eyes" Uncas is touched by the fact that she took care of him but, at the same time, he can't help feeling guilty for her not being able to sleep because of him. "And I think I even heard her talking to me once, when I was unconscious". For some reason since he woke up, he has a memory that comes to his mind, time after time: her voice speaking to him and he trying to answer but not being able to do it. He shakes his head "I'm not sure, it's probably my imagination"
"And her son, he is a good child" Chingachgook adds. "It will be good for him to have a father who help him to become an honourable man".
Uncas smiles touched, realizing that his father is not only approving his union with Alice, but also that he is going to adopt Tommy as his own son. He shouldn't be surprised, taking into account that his father adopted Nathaniel, though he was from a different race. The bonds in their little family were based on love, not on the colour of the skin, but still, his father had been always so stubborn about him having his own children and continuing the Mohican line, that he was afraid he didn't accept it. Once again, he proved the good father he is. Then, something comes to his mind. Something he consider his father needs to know.
"Father, I think you should know about something" he says very serious "When Nathaniel was arrested, Alice made a deal with Munro. He told her that if she married Tommy's father he would release Nathaniel. And she accepted" Seeing his father's confused expression, he continues "Don't you understand father? At first, she thought her father wanted to fix things between them but he was only thinking on his own desires. Still, she was willing to sacrifice herself and marry an awful man in order to save my brother".
"Was she…was she willing to condemn herself to a miserable life… in order to save my son?" Chingachgook's voice fills with emotion and he is barely able to speak.
"Yes father. The goodness in her…I've never seen it in anyone else" Uncas says solemnly.
Thoughtful, Chingachgook stares at the wall, thinking about what he has just heard.
"Can I come in?" Cora opens the door of Uncas' bedroom slowly. He nods and adjusts his position on the bed. Chingachgook left a while ago, leaving him on his own, thinking about how his life has change in less than two weeks.
"I need to change your bandages. Alice wanted to do it herself but she is taken Tommy for a short walk around the cabin. Fresh air will be good for both of them." Cora explains with a smile as she begins working on the bandages.
"Cora I would like to talk to you about something…" Uncas is not sure how to start with the conversation but he knows he must do it. As Alice's older sister, he finds the duty to explain her about his good intentions towards Alice. It's not that they need their blessing. After all, Alice is already a grown woman who can make her own decisions, but he finds it more proper this way. It's common for a man to talk to his woman's father before their union but, given the fact that Munro is dead (though, even if he was alive, it wouldn't be a good idea), Cora is the closest member of her family.
"Of course Uncas" Cora says looking at him. Uncas takes a deep breath.
"I want you to know that my intentions towards your sister are pure" he begins a bit nervous. Aware that he is not very good with words, the fact that he has hardly spoken to Cora since they met doesn't help at all. "I love her and I want to take care of her and Tommy".
Cora is about to speak but Uncas keeps talking. It seems he doesn't want to stop in fear of not being able to keep on later. "She is an amazing woman and such a good mother…I can't believe she has chosen me. But I'll do my best to make her happy and she will lack for nothing with me".
Uncas finally stops and Cora smiles warmly, seeing the love and affection the young Mohican feels for her little sister. "Uncas I know you are an honourable person and I can't think on a better man for Alice. Your brave actions have shown what you are willing to sacrifice in order to protect her".
"I would do it again" Uncas automatically says, that answer coming out of his lips every time someone tells him about the risk he took on the cliffs. "So…do you approve our relationship?".
"Of course. My sister made a mistake in the past setting her eyes on that rat of George. I'm glad she finally has found the man she deserves". Cora says warmly, finishing with the bandages.
Emotion invades Uncas as he realizes Cora is giving them her blessing but then, a question comes to his mind and he knows he has to ask. Though Cora has proved to be an open-minded woman, there are things that people don't usually approve so easily "Don't you care that she is white and I'm not?"
"I don't care at all" Cora says solemnly, without even think about it. "Love is not about the colour of the skin. And you both will always have my whole support against anyone who dare to bother you because of that".
A big smile spreads over Uncas' face. "You are an amazing person Cora". Then he adds in a mock tone. "I can't understand how an idiot like my brother has caught your attention".
Cora chuckles hearing that. "I can't understand it either".
"When I recover, I would like to ask Alice for marriage. You know we can't register it formally, but we can have at least a little ceremony in the Delaware tradition…"
"I'm sure it will be a beautiful ceremony. It will be enough for her" Cora reassures him, noticing that maybe he is a bit worried about the fact that Alice doesn't have a Christian wedding. "I'm really happy for you being together".
"Thank you Cora. I promise I'll be a good husband to her and a good father to Tommy" Uncas says looking directly at her eyes.
Cora looks back at him, knowing that she can trust in the young Mohican. Her sister and nephew will be in good hands with him. "I'm sure of it".
Alice is sitting on the stairs of the porch with Tommy on her arms, enjoying the beautiful view of the landscape in front of her. After informing her that she had already given her blessing to Uncas, Cora left with Nathaniel for a short walk. Chingachgook is working on the orchard behind the cabin and Uncas is sleeping peacefully inside. He is still very weak and needs to rest as much as possible.
A noise startles Alice who was lost in her thoughts. "Sorry, I didn't want to scare you" Chingachgook says sitting next to them.
Alice smiles slightly, a bit uncomfortable after the moment when the old Mohican found her kissing his son.
They remain silent by a while, enjoying the calmness around them, and then Chingachgook finally speaks "I approve".
Alice can't believe what she is hearing and looks at the Mohican, trying to say something but no words comes to her.
"My son couldn't have chosen a better woman" Chingachgook says solemnly "And I couldn't have had a better daughter in law".
"But…but I thought…I thought you wanted for him to marry a Delaware woman…" Alice stutters, but at least manages to find the words to speak.
"That was true in the past. Now, I doubt any of those women were willing to sacrifice what you were going to give in order to protect my son's heart".
Alice looks totally confused at Chingachgook words, so he proceeds to explain her "Uncas told me about what you were willing to do in order to save Nathaniel".
"I couldn't bear the thought of him losing his brother…or Cora losing the man she loves…or you losing your son" Alice says, words coming from her lips easily this time.
"Thank you" Chingachgook says solemnly "It was so painful for me the arrest of my white son…and then, my blood son was about to die…" the Mohican's voice breaks, clearly affected by how near he had been of losing both of his beloved sons.
Alice can't bear the vision of the elder Mohican suffering anymore. "They are safe now. Nathaniel is free again and Uncas has survived and he is going to fully recover. There is nothing for you to worry now, sir" she comforts him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Call me Chingachgook" the Mohican says warmly, feeling better after hearing her words of comfort "Or father…if you prefer".
Emotion invades Alice. He truly wants for me to become part of his family. Noticing her lacking of words, Chingachgook adds. "I know you have a father, who is on the stars now, but you still can have another one here with you…if you want".
Tears finally begin rolling down Alice's cheeks at the memory of her dead father and the fact that the Mohican is willing to be like another father to her. "You know…my father was not very kind to me…"
"Fathers, we sometimes make mistakes. He didn't act as a good father should act, but I'm sure in the deep of his heart he loved you, and maybe at the end he regretted his behaviour".
Alice notices as every time the elder Mohican speaks, his kind and wise words make her feel better and he is like the fatherly figure she would have needed over the past year. Also, she admires the way he is able to speak in good terms about the man who arrested his son, not to mention that he was one of those who brought pain to his land. He is one of the best men I've ever known, along with his sons.
"Thank you…papa" Alice says, using the word she used to call her father and Chingachgook smiles at that. His sons never used that word to call him but he finds out he likes it. Then, his eyes repair on little Tommy, who is looking intently at him.
"Hello, little one. How are you today?" he tickles the baby's neck and he responds giggling happily. Smiling, Chingachgook looks at Alice "Can I hold him?".
"Of course, it seems he likes you" Alice places Tommy carefully in the Mohican's arms and observes the beautiful vision of them together.
As soon as he holds the baby in his arms, a memory comes to Chingachgook's mind. A memory of him, much younger, holding Uncas when he was from Tommy's age. Finally, after so much time, he has other baby on his arms. One who, despite of not being of his blood, Uncas has decided to raise him as his own son, just as he did once with Nathaniel.
"Uncas and me…we'll have more children…who will have Mohican blood" Alice says timidly, trying to reassure him about the survival of his tribe.
Chingachgook, who can't take his eyes off Tommy, caresses his little face sweetly as the baby keeps giggling. "I'm sure of it. But don't we think about tomorrow. Today, I already have my first grandson".