Chapter 12

Chris and Merilee put the finishing touches on the packages they were taking to Seattle with them. Mark and Benjamin had loaded up the wagon and were ready to leave. Merilee's son and daughter in law would stay at the house until they returned. Benjamin, and Anna were very excited, they wanted to visit their relatives in Seattle and instead of taking the cedar canoes over to Seattle, they would be hopping on the Mosquito Fleet to travel to Seattle. It would take several hours and the boys especially were very happy to be able to see whales. Merilee's youngest child as well as Jake and LIsabeth's baby were ready as well.

Meeting the Mosquito Fleet at the dock in Friday Harbor, the family gathered up their belongings and were ready to head over to Seattle. Chris remembered when he first traveled on a ship, it was a 'clipper' ship and Mr. Hiram was the captain. He had felt very lucky to travel with him and to be with his grandfather for part of the voyage. He had been gone for 18 months and when he returned he was the proud uncle of Jake and Melanie Rose, Candy and Jeremy's children.

Once the boat was on its way, he regaled his children with stories of the high seas.

"Well, Bucko," Chris said to Ben, Mark, Annie and the others: "When I was sailing with your great grandfather Benjamin Pruitt and Mr. Silas Hiram, I saw many things. Strange things too! I saw Mermaids and fish that were as big as sea serpents..."

Merilee was busy with the baby so she was not really paying attention to Chris. Lisabeth, Jake's wife, was slightly scared of the stories and asked if they were true.

Jake explained: "No Lisabeth, these are tales such as those told by our people but unlike your people they are not about our ancestors. These are stories that fishermen made up to explain different kinds of fish."

Lisabeth looked at Merilee and wondered about this world she had married into. It was still strange the customs and culture of these white people. Her people, the people of the whales would never tell stories unless there was a meaning to them from their ancestors.

The boat ride was uneventful. They landed in Seattle and made straight for Jeremy and Candy's home. Candy heard a lot of commotion from the kitchen and went out to see what was happening outside. When she saw Chris, she put the dish towel down and ran right out to give Chris a big hug and then Merilee and the children. She stopped and looked at Jake, He had been gone almost a whole year. She was a little surprised with his choice of wife, but looking at Chris, she knew where that side of him came from.

Melanie had also come back and was going to stay in Seattle opening a school for children who had learning difficulties. Along with Molly they would help the students who were deaf, or blind as well as some physical disabilities or learning disabilities as needed.

The little family had grown. Candy was so happy to see her great nieces and nephews as well as her son and daughter in law. She was almost crying with every grandchild and great niece or nephew she met. Jake said that his mom could cry 'at the drop of a hat" which got everyone including his mother laughing.

Chris and Jeremy took their leave of the little reunion and went to Jason's house. On the way Jeremy explained that Jason had a caretaker at this time,since the fire had really hurt him. They were met by Jonathan and a lady called Rose.

"It is so good to meet you, Christopher, I have heard so much from your nephews and nieces and sister. I am Rose Smith. I am a nurse and have been taking care of your Uncle Jason for some time now." Rose said kindly. "Please sit, I will bring Jason in. He is...well, I will let you see and hear about his progress.

She left the room. Jonathan explained that he and their uncles had built an extra room off of Jason's room so that Rose would be able to care for Jason during the night. They still had Candy and Biddie and some others who helped but night time was the hardest because everyone had children and husbands. Also, Rose was an excellent nurse with a specialty in burns. She had worked under Clara Barton during the war.

Jason came in with Rose beside him. He had a cane and was walking better than he had in the past few months.

"Hello, family!" Jason said as he surveyed the room. He walked to the big leather chair and sat down. He motioned for Rose to sit next to him on the arm of the chair and took her hand.

"I suppose I have a lot of explaining to do so I will get right to the point, I am going to marry Rose. She has cared for me for the past couple of years and I have delighted in her company. The rest of the family knows this Christopher but I asked them to let me tell you myself."

Chris nodded his head and thanked Jason for telling him but he did have a question:

"Jason, Miss Smith, may I ask a rather biased question?"

Jason looked at Rose and she looked at him. He said: "Okay, ask away!"

Chris took his pipe out and the bag of tobacco as if to start smoking. "So,Miss Rose,..." he said, deliberately pointing his pipe at her. "...please do not be offended but I am curious as to why my uncle and you have decided to get married?"

Rose looked at Jason he nodded for her to speak:

"Christopher, I wanted to wait until the whole family was gathered. Since most of the family had heard about me and had given their blessing, I wanted to get yours as well."

Chris looked at her and thought for awhile, then he said:

"MIss Rose, I have heard many things about you, mostly good things from Candy and some from Lottie. I value and trust their judgement and since those two would be the ones to convince, I am satisfied and feel that you would be a great addition to our family!" He went over and gave her a hug, (with Jason's permission of course!) Welcome,Rose, When is the wedding?"

"Ah, now Christopher, that is up to the timing of everything. It seems that Biddie needs to set up the event, and have everyone here. So, when Biddie is ready, we are ready!" Jason looked at Rose and smiled, she leaned down to kiss him.

Aaron was settling down with Sarah, when Elizabeth knocked on the door.

"Come in!" he and Sarah said together and smiled.

"Uncle Aaron, I want to ask if it would be okay for Jonathan to take me on a picnic tomorrow?"

"Did he ask you?"

"Not yet, but since we are engaged, I thought it would be nice to pack a lunch and go out to the forest for a little picnic and stroll. "

Aaron thought about it. Sarah said: "Elizabeth, are you trying to hurry your young man?"

Elizabeth looked shyly at Sarah, then Sarah said:

"Aaron, I am going downstairs to make Elizabeth and myself some tea. This seems like a good time for 'girl talk'! "

Aaron looked at Sarah, "Okay, but don't be long!" he smiled at her. Indeed, she was good for him. He seemed to smile more and relax a bit more as well. Especially around other people.

"Elizabeth, go downstairs and put the pot on. I will be down in a minute.

"Yes, of course!" Elizabeth said with a smile. She seemed to be a bit like her mother Julie, who would always find a way to talk to her and help her figure out things. She gladly went downstairs.