Chapter 23: The Twelfth Month

The morning air was warmer than usual. The lush greenery of the forest sheltering them from the suns potent rays. Nathaniel and Uncas crossed swiftly through the forest. They quietly crept through the thick brush of the shadow covered woodland, crouching low beside a small rock formation. Nathaniel silently aimed his long rifle, eyes squinted forward towards his prey. A small stream of sweat sliding down from his brow, moistening his thick eye lashes. He kept his unflinching focus, his body perfectly still as he gently rested his finger on his rifle's trigger. The wind picked up rustling the leaves over top them, as if Mother Nature was warning the buck the only way she knew how. The animal twisted its head in the direction of the brothers, making eye contact for one fleeting moment before the shot echoed through the forest and into the side of the buck's soft flesh.

Nathaniel looked up from behind his long rifle, then back at his brother. Uncas lightly nodded his head and the two of them began making their trek downward towards the now deceased animal. They came to a halt just in front of him, crouched low to the earth and said a short prayer, honoring the buck's sacrifice. Nathaniel rolled his exhausted body from a crouched position backwards onto the ground, leaning his body against a thick tree trunk. He rested his head back and shut his eyes to the sound of birds bickering over head. Uncas sat crosslegged next to the buck, softly stroking its coarse fur and listened to the many inhabitants of the forest scurry gingerly around them.

Nathaniel opened his eyes, lifting them upward and began searching through the thick green of the overhanging forest, seeking out the brightness of the sun. Yet all he could find were a few thin strips of sunlight dusting atop the soft earth before him. He reached his hand out, dipping his fingers into the suns scorching rays. This day reminded him of so many from their youth. Where he and Uncas were able to do as they wished and disappear into the forest for hours on end, no one expecting them or worrying for their safety. Their lives had certainly changed, though it was a change that they had both wholly embraced.

Nathaniel's eyes strayed away from the streaming sunlight and over to the back of his brothers head. It had been a year almost to the day since they burst through the forest into the glade, Nathaniel and Chingachgook both carrying a seriously wounded Uncas around their shoulders with Cora and Alice following meekly behind them. It had been the first place they had thought to seek shelter, everywhere else seemed to pale in comparison to the security and comfort of the farm. They had patched Uncas up as best and quickly as was possible and made swiftly for the home of his sister. Nathaniel could still recall with perfect clarity the horrible expression on Prudence's face, upon seeing them in their tattered and bloodied state. She had embraced them instantly and without much questioning. Little did any of them know at the time that when they had crossed the tree line onto the farm a year ago, all of their lives would be altered forever.

If he had been told his future then, he would not have believed it. The man he was now belonged to a beautiful chestnut haired woman. A strong willed and resilient woman. Someone who was fiercely loyal and extremely protective of her family. The mother of his unborn child. A child he still could scarcely believe he had created. He was to be a father, responsible for a small defenseless life. The thought still sending a terrified chill down his spine. Nathaniel let his eyes fall shut as images of his future life played across his mind. He saw himself as a loving husband, a doting father and even a humbled farmer. All the while living along side his brother and sister. It was not a life he ever thought he would have, yet he found that he was happy and gratified in his choices. A peacefulness seemed to take hold of his restless spirit and Nathaniel had embraced it.

"Nathaniel?"

Nathaniel slowly lifted his eyelashes up reveling his bright blue eyes. The sound of his name breaking him from his reverie. "Yes?"

"Are you daydreaming brother?" Uncas tossed a thin stick in his brothers direction, hitting him just below his left shoulder blade.

Nathaniel snickered at his question, grabbing the stick and hurling it back at Uncas. "Just thinking how different our lives were only a year ago."

Uncas easily dodged the stick and nodded his head in understanding. He too had been struck with similar thoughts. He knew it was about this time last year that they had come to them in utter despair. This time last year that his life had changed forever. Uncas sat crosslegged in the forest now as a husband and father. Quite the contrast from who he was a year ago, having no desire to marry and start a family. Content to simply be a brother and son. He laughed silently to himself at the irony and tilted his head up towards the sky, allowing the sunlight to wash over his stoic features. He breathed in a long smooth inhale of air. The earthy smells of the forest penetrating his senses. Uncas shifted his body, positioning himself next to his brother. Sitting side by side, shoulder to shoulder, the two brothers lifted their heads back to face the mid day sun. Silently reveling in both the bittersweet pain and abundant happiness they had been graced with throughout the course of one simple year.

Seven weeks had passed since Iris made her ferocious entrance into the world and Prudence had nearly succumbed to the nothingness of death. Prudence stared out the open window of their bedroom, watching as the sun slowly began its accent higher into the vivid blue sky. She laid with her bare limbs resting languidly atop Martin's sweat covered body. The August heat keeping its promise to afford them no relief. Late summer's oppressive humidity leaving them to awaken morning after morning covered in a thin gloss of perspiration. She was dragging her thin fingers in small circles around his belly button, slowly tracing the small line of hair that ran down his belly to his groin. They had not been physical since before Iris was born and she was craving him. Prudence could feel the familiar tingling sensation beginning to grow within her belly as she gently massaged Martin's thigh, softly kneading his flesh in her fingers. She turned her head slightly, resting her nose and lips upon his slick chest and began softly kissing his salty skin.

She knew instantly the moment he stirred awake beneath her touch. The quiet rise and fall of his chest shifted as his breathing accelerated. Prudence could feel the touch of his large palm against her back. The feel of his skin connecting with hers. How he drew his thumb up and down the length of her spine, sending a series of shivers in its wake. Prudence wrapped her leg further around his hip, deepening her hold on him. She slowly slid her right arm upwards from his thigh and around his broad back, tucking her fingers between his skin and the bed beneath him. Prudence sneakily wiggled her left arm under the other side of his back and began shifting him atop her.

Martin let her pull his body on top of hers, resting himself between her spread thighs. He could feel her begging him with her body. The way she arched her hips into his, lightly rubbing herself against him. How she gripped the back of his thighs and bottom, guiding him closer to her. Martin slid his hands up under her shoulders, gently shifting her body towards him and began reacquainting himself with the taste of her skin. He rolled his tongue across every sensitive spot he knew from the waist up. Listening to her soft whimpers of desire.

Prudence tilted her head down, desperate to connect to his mouth. "Martin…" Martin lifted his head up, strands of dark blonde obscuring his vision. "Kiss me."

Martin smiled up at her through his unruly hair and gently brushed his lips against hers. His kiss deepening with every second that ticked by. He had released his hands from her shoulders and cupped both sides of her face in his palms. Martin wanted to drown himself in her, to feel her all around him. Though he knew he could not and so began slowly suspending his lips against hers. Bringing down the pace to a mere brush of their lips. He could feel Prudence surrender her grip on his thighs, shifting her hands up and around his neck.

She opened her eyes and gave him a rueful look from under her thick eyelashes. Martin lowered his naked body flush against hers, in a brief almost teasing manner. Before he slid off of her body, making himself comfortable on his side next to her. He propped himself up on his elbow and began tracing the small circular scar below her shoulder with his fingertips.

Prudence looked up into his eyes and said, "When?"

Martin continued to glide his fingers across her skin, further away from her scar lightly dragging his fingers across her collarbone. He leaned down laying a soft kiss on the nape of her neck, happy that her natural complexion had finally returned to her. "When your body is ready."

Prudence rolled her eyes at him. "My body is ready, could you not tell?" She said as she attempted to pull him closer into her, but found her efforts thwarted by his body's steadfast resolve to be unmovable.

Martin laughed, "Do you recall that first day that you were awake?" Prudence nodded her head yes, already knowing where he was going with this. "We talked for several hours after father came to get me. It was the first time that you allowed yourself to share your thoughts and unburden yourself of your pain over the past year." Prudence adverted her eyes from his, feeling them begin to well up at the memory of that night. Though it had been hard to hear, Sampson was right. She could no longer walk through life like nothing was wrong, like nothing had happened to her. She had convinced herself that after Jared left the cabin and she had screamed the truth at Nathaniel that she was freeing them both. Setting both of their tired souls on a new course. She had been wrong. While her rash decision to confess what had been done to her, had the desired effect on Nathaniel. She continued to sink into numbness. The pain and embarrassment she felt that night had overwhelmed her soul. When she had parted from Nathaniel's embrace and went to walk alone that night, Prudence had found herself curled up in a ball on the cold hard earth, silently sobbing. Hardly able to process the events of her life. How could something like this have happened to her, as child no less. How could Martin completely look past the scars on her back, the scars that told him every time he saw her naked what was taken from their first intimate encounter. Prudence had buried her head further into the freezing ground, begging for a reprieve from her past. When she heard the distant sound of twigs snapping she knew instantly that she was followed and quickly stood, shaking loose the dead leaves from her shawl as well as her overwrought emotions and choosing to put on as mask of contentment. She believed in that moment if her family could see her calm and fine, see that she had moved forward. Then so could they, especially Nathaniel and Martin. Prudence had confessed all of this to Martin that night. By the end, she had become so overwhelmed with emotion that she had sobbed into Martin's shirt, staining the shoulders with tears. All the while, his calm demeanor never wavered. He had sat behind her in the bed, his arms wrapped tightly around her body. Making certain that she knew he would always be right behind her.

She covered her face in embarrassment at the thought of it. Trying her best to hide from his intuitive eyes. Martin gently pulled her hands away from her face, wiping the few tears away that she had not been able to restrain. "You are allowed to cry, scream and to break things if you want to. Lord knows you have more than earned the right to shatter a glass." Prudence reached up with her palm, running her thin fingers through his thick hair and gently tugging them at the ends. Martin smiled down at her with wickedness in his eyes, she knew he loved having his hair tugged on. Martin pinched his eyes shut, taking a moment to compose himself before continuing, "That night you made me promise, that no matter how much we desired each other, that we would wait until your body was ready." Martin paused staring deep into her cerulean blue eyes. "Is your body ready?"

Prudence remember what Sampson had said to her about her body. That physically she had been through so much in the past year. If she continued to push herself, it would end in the worst way. She had made Martin promise that night to resist all of her advances until she knew she was truly well. Until she completely trusted the feelings of her body. Prudence stared dreamily into his forest colored eyes, lost for a moment in their beauty. She fluttered her eyes to break the spell and focus her attention on his question. She had promised herself to always be honest when it came to her feelings, no matter how hard it was for her. Prudence made to keep that promise and grievously answered, "No."

Martin nodded his head in understanding and said, "Don't think for a moment that I am not tempted my love. For there is no more alluring creature in this world than you." Martin narrowed his eyes at her and continued, "I want you for the rest of my life. I have no trouble waiting for you, however long that is. I love you."

The tears that Prudence had been holding onto so painstakingly, began to fall freely from her swollen eyes. Martin pulled her tighter to his chest, resting his head atop hers while she wept in his arms well into the mid morning hour.

Alice and Cora laid prone on their backs surrounded by the white and yellow daisies of the glade. Their knees were bent upwards, leaving their skirts to bunch up at their thighs and allowing the breeze to blow around their exposed legs. The air tickling the the long streams of sweat that dripped down from their bent knee caps and offering their bodies some much needed relief. The mid day sun was beating down upon them with a vengeance. Its golden rays reddening their skin with a soft burn.

Matto laid peacefully across Alice's chest, he's little body facing up towards the heavens. His chest rising and falling with each rhythmic breath she took. Alice had just finished nursing him, sticky milk still dripping from the corners of his tiny mouth. Alice looked up at the dark hair covered crown of his head. A thick mass of spiky ebony colored hair stinking straight up from all ends. Matto was three months old now, and just restless as ever. He craved the openness of nature, the way the elements enveloped him. The sensation of air drifting around his body, or the feel of warmth from the suns hot kiss. Matto laid wide eyed, his gaze focused upwards towards the sky. With his belly full and his soul caressed by the beauty of nature, his mood was utterly serene. Alice laughed to herself at how often she was outside these days, walking the length of the farm or laying amongst the flowers so her son could find peace. The further she reflected on nature, the deeper her brows furrowed. As she thought of what she would do when winter's icy kiss was upon them and the temperature was too cold to venture out of doors. Perhaps she would simply bundle herself up and risk the bitter weather. Alice could just see herself, strapped to snow shoes and covered in winter furs trudging back and forth across the mounds of fresh power covering the frozen earth. The thought sending a chill down her spine. Then just as quickly laughed to herself as she thought that she would most definitely avoid the elements, instead sneaking sweet little Iris into his cradle, as that always seemed to soothed him. Poor little girl hardly knew the feel of her own bed as she was often placed by everyone in the cabin next to him. Alice smiled widely at the thought of how unpredictably wonderful her life had become.

"What are you laughing at sister?" Cora rolled her head away from the brilliant sun and towards Alice.

"I think I am the happiest I have ever been in my life." Alice stroked Matto's little arms with both of her hands, massaging his baby soft skin and listening to him coo in response to her gentle touch. With a satisfied twinkle in her eye, Alice turned her head to the side facing her sister. Her nose almost bumping into Coras'. "I have a beautiful husband. The kindest most gentle man this world has to offer. A man willing to sacrifice his very life for my safety or the safety of his family." Alice took a deep breath thinking back to the moment she watched Magua's knife slice into his soft flesh, cutting through it as easily as soft butter. The fear that had coursed through her veins in that moment had been paralyzing. She could neither move nor speak, as she watched as Magua continued to cut through his perfect body. Even when the sounds of gunfire began firing all around her, the fear held her firmly to the stone beneath her feet. It was not until she saw his body fall to the ground and the light in his eyes began to fade was she able to walk through the musket smoke that surrounded her, without hindrance or concern for her own safety and over to his limp body. When she knelt beside him cradling his head in her palms, she thought he was dead. His eyes had shut to this world, an almost serene expression resting on his face. Alice felt her heart plummet into her stomach, landing with a thud in the lowest part of herself. A painful calm overtook her senses and she turned her head away from him towards the edge of the rocky cliff. Silent tears slipping down from her blues eyes and onto the soft skin of his features. She bent down whispering her final words into his ear, words meant only for him to hear. As she had decided her own fate. Alice gently placed his head back down upon the rocky terrain and began inching herself away from him. All while staring off into the distant sky beyond the cliffs edge. Just as she made her way to stand, Alice had felt a light pull on her dress. She peered down to see his slight grip upon her frock, beckoning her down to him. Alice could hardly believe her eyes as she feel instantly down to her knees and curled herself around his upper body, her tears falling uncontrollably then as the shock overwhelmed her. A moment longer and she would have been flying through the sky, desperate to find him in the heavens above. Alice pinched her eyes shut and bit her lower lip at the memory, determined to hold back her tears. She began taking a few deep breath to help regain her bearings before continuing, "He has given me this wild little man in my arms, gracing me with the gift of motherhood. As well as this majestic home, surrounded by all the vibrant colors of nature." Alice looked around her. Her blue eyes shifting between the sun, the trees, the flowers in the glade. "Sister have you ever seen anything more glorious in all your life?"

Cora beamed at her little sister's contentment. She was moved by her declaration of love for her husband and family. So much so, she reached out and caressed the delicate skin on her cheek. Just as she had when Alice was a small child, still fascinated by the birds in the trees. "No, I have not. We have been blessed with a remarkable life. A life we would never have had, had we not been attacked on The George Road almost a year ago this very day." Cora clutched onto her now swollen belly and rolled gently onto her side, propping her head up with her arm. "Sometimes I sit on my porch, staring off into setting sun through the forest's thick trees, daydreaming of what our lives might have been like." She looked seriously into Alice's blue eyes, as her thoughts turned into words and continued, " How we would have somehow ended up back in England. Married no doubt to some young men that father deemed an appropriate match. Looking the other way as they had affair after affair, while playing the dutiful wife and hostess to their many whims and parties. Feeling as the years went by, ever changed and jaded by our circumstances." Cora dragged her hand across Matto's tiny head, her fingers running through his full mane of midnight black hair. Thinking of what her own child would look like. Would it have her brown eyes or Nathaniel's blue ones. How its skin would be the color of milk, not the honeyed tone of Matto's. Cora smiled to herself and dragged her eyes away from her sweet nephew and back towards Alice. "Though instead, we are in love. We will bare our loves beautiful children and raise our little babes within this beautiful landscape." Cora extended her arm showing off the farm. "They will grow up protected by their family, unconditionally loved and happy. They will want for nothing in this life." Cora gently caressed the side of Alice's face and finished with, "And most importantly, we will share this life together sister."

Alices smiled warmly back into Cora's dark brown eyes, images of their children running and playing together dancing through her mind. She leaned over, placing a small tender kiss on her sister's cheek and said, "Together."

Day began passing into night, elevating some of the sweltering heat. They had decided to wait for supper until after the sun began its evening decent, slowly falling behind the forest tree line. Nathaniel, Uncas and Martin had set out two large wooden tables, connecting them at the ends and making one extremely large table. A table long enough to accommodate their growing family. Once the tables were set properly, the three men brought several benches for sitting. Even though the table within the cabin was still large enough to seat the entire family, they knew that soon enough it wold not be and there was something charming about them all eating outside amongst the fresh forest air. The sky above them was still illustrated with orange, pink and purple. All colored against an ever deepening blue canvas. Thick white candles had been placed throughout the table, offering bits of light as the sun slowly began to fail them. Their wax sliding down the side, creating a pool of white beneath them and further securing them into the wooden table.

The family sat around the table, passing food as well as babies in and out of each others palms. The conversation flowing naturally between them, sharing stories from the past and hopes for the future. There was an air of satisfaction encompassing them on this particular night. It could been seen with every small glance, every kiss on the cheek or gentle touch of the hand. In this moment, on this night, they felt a true sense of togetherness. A camaraderie that would never be broken, only strengthening in the years to come.

When the children had finished eating, they were given leave to run around the glade and play. Lydia had begged to be given one of her brothers swords, as she was tired of being the damsel in distress and yearned to feel the adrenaline of a fighter. Elijah happily surrendered his sword to her and began showing her how to thrust and jab the wooden toy. While Ash pretended to come at her with vigor.

Prudence stared from her seat at the table, watching her children's merriment in the glade and lost in thought at how differently this day may have been. She was neither smiling nor frowning at the thought, her features merely quiet while reminiscing on the past. Until, Uncas gently poked her in the arm with his elbow, diverting her attention from the children to him.

Uncas leaned down and whispered onto her ear, "What are you thinking?"

Prudence glanced up at him, smiling widely and said, "I am happy."

Uncas's brow furrowed in question and responded with, "That was not the face of a happy woman."

Prudence still smiling up at him, wrapped her arm around his back and said, "That was the face of a woman who realized everything she could have lost. My children, my husband, my family...my brothers." And she pinched the small amount of flabby skin that had scrunched up at his bent waist in jest. Uncas flinched and swatted her hand away from side. Prudence howled in laughter at his snide and slapped him hard across his shoulder. Drawing the attention of the rest of the family.

Nathaniel stared at the two of them laughing with each other and tossed a biscuit in their direction. Taking both off them off guard, the biscuit landed perfectly against Uncas's chest. Its flour dusted bottom leaving a white dusty powder against his dark blue shirt. Uncas's eyebrows reached far up into his hair line as he silently questioned his brothers action.

"What are you two laughing about?", Nathaniel queried.

"Nothing." They both answered in unison.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes at them and said, "Nothing…always nothing. Fine! We can just add this to the list of secrets you two have kept from me over the years."

Prudence burst out laughing. "Sensitive are we brother!"

Uncas turned towards Prudence, his eyes shifting between her and Nathaniel and asked, "Should we tell him?"

Prudence narrowed her eyes at Nathaniel and answered, "No!" And before Nathaniel had anytime to react, Prudence hurled that biscuit through the air landing it smack against Nathaniel's cheek.

Nathaniel was momentarily stunned and silently annoyed that she had bested his reflexes. He reached down and grabbed from his plate his almost fully eaten cob of corn and gently flung it in her direction. Prudence quickly ducked, though she did not have to as Martin reached out his hand blocking the corn from hitting her and inadvertently redirecting it towards Cora. Where it landed in a clank against her plate, splashing some of the juices from her meat up onto her dress and chest. Cora went wide eyed as she examined the state of her clothes. Her hands raised in bewilderment. Martin began stumbling out an apology as Cora quickly hurled a half eaten softened potato in his direction. He dodged it with the back of his palm, once again sending it flying in another direction and right into the cheek of his father.

Sampson lobbed his head backwards as the potato connected with his face. Martin smiled sheepishly and quickly reached over to wipe away the starchy residue from his skin. Though before Sampson could even utter a chiding word, Nathaniel, Uncas, Prudence, and Cora had all begun launching the meager remains of food from their plates across the table at each other. Martin quickly turned his attention back to the group, after another potato connected with the back of his head. He gabbed a handful of scraps and pelted them in Nathaniel's direction.

Alice's eyes went wide to the scene before her. She slid quickly from her seat, cradling little Matto to her chest and crouched down low behind Uncas's back. Using his broad back as a shield against the flying food. Sampson watched as she scurried away and quickly took his own leave from the table. He walked over to where Elijah, Ash and Lydia stood in the glade staring, with shocked expressions on their faces, as they watched the adults cover themselves in leftover food. Sampson sat down, pulling the children down with him and gently placing Lydia in his lap. He wrapped an arm around both the boys. He laughed inwardly to himself, as he watched Prudence and Martin happily smash food into each others face. With his heart warmed at the sight, he tapped the boys shoulders and said, "Ah, supper and a bit of entertainment!"

Chingachgook, who was holding Iris, gently shifted her under his shirt. Protecting her from any wrongfully thrown food in their direction and swiftly moved from the table to a nearby tree. He watched as his adult children threw even the smallest amount of food morsels at each other. He could not help thinking what an utter waste of food it was. Though watching them as they smiled, playfully trying their hardest to best each other, he was struck with a great calm within his soul. A calm he had not felt in many years.

Chingachgook had suffered much in his life. From the devastation of his people, to the unforgiving pain of his beautiful wife's death. Then to almost lose his blood son and adopted daughter this past year alone. The pain had certainly been vast, reaching and tearing at every part of his soul. Fate he knew had been testing him much of his life, seeing what he could endure, and he had endured, all of it. Though now, watching his adult children laughing and acting like utter fools, the sight of them brought him an overwhelming feeling of complete happiness. He nestled his body further into the tree that he had taken shelter under and tilted his head up to the sky. Chingachgook held tighter to Iris beneath his shirt, her little head peaking out of his collar and together they watched as the warm colors of the sky began to darken into twilight. He smiled to himself, his ears filled with the sounds of cheerful laughter and whispered a prayer of thanks to The Great Spirit for all the joys he had been given in his life.

Author's Note: I realized I never actually addressed the naming of little Iris. I didn't really want to make a grand thing of it. That being said, Prudence and Martin named her Iris in honor of both Uncas and Alice. Who both played an important role in taking care of Iris at her birth, as well as both referencing her as rainbow :)

This was really a chapter on reflection, having had a full year pass since all of their lives collided together on the farm.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed MohawkWoman, BrynnaRaven, ELY72, AsterLaurel, BlueSaffire, your support really is AMAZING and I am truly thankful for it! It really does keep me moving along!

Thanks for reading :)