Sorry about the last chapter. My computer was being fixed so I was trying to post from my iPod except every time I had it ready to go I'd lose internet connection or it would die or something, so I finally just posted it before something else happened. After that I just got really lazy and couldn't make myself write for some reason. (If I don't post in a long time, feel free to message me or something telling me to get off my lazy butt and write.) Anyway...moving on...
MinnieG-Well thank you! I'm flattered (as always) that you like my writing so much. I'm sure one day you'll find a writer that's better than me, but I'll take what I can get and be glad you like my writing until that day comes. It's nice to hear how much you like my writing. Yeah, in the last chapter I wasn't really sure how to make it work because I've never been married or pregnant. I hear it's a painful experience but worth it afterwards. I wasn't really sure how people in that time would find out they're pregnant so I just went with what I learned in health class. (I also didn't know how doctors would tell people that, so I just used what I read in books. The Amish people say they're "in the family way" so I thought it would fit.)
Ealasaid Una-Yes, Ally is Race's wife. (For the sake of these one-shots because they jump around so much we can say love interest, but in that chapter it was his wife.) I actually wrote a story about them already called A Flute Player's story. (I started these one-shots around the same time but finished the other one before.) I'm planning to write some one-shots with them. If you have ideas, please let me know. I'll be glad to see what I can do. Thanks so much for taking time to read and review! I'm glad you liked the chapter.
"Mama, I'm hot," Laura Mae complained one hot day in the summer of 1885. She dropped to the ground in the middle of the kitchen. "Nobody wants to play because it's too hot to do anything and I'm bored."
"How would you like to see the ocean?" Beth Martin asked, stepping over her daughter. "We can make a picnic and eat it on the sand."
Laura's eyes lit up and she jumped up and started dancing around in excitement. "Can Benjy come too?"
Beth laughed as she gathered things together for the picnic. "Yes, of course he can. In fact, why don't you go right now and ask Auntie Lanna if the whole family wants to go."
Laura took off like a shot, running upstairs yelling for her cousin. "Benjy! Benjy! Guess what? Benjy!" She skidded to a stop outside his door and put a hand up to knock. Before she could, the door swung open to reveal Benjy.
"Laura!" Benjy giggled, inviting her in. "Mama was going to send me to fetch you."
Laura giggled too, bouncing around. "We're going to the ocean! Mama said!"
"The ocean? Really truly?"
"Really truly! Mama said she'll make a picnic and that everyone can come. Even your mama and papa."
"Even my brothers?" Benjy made a face.
"Mama said everyone. But tell your brothers not to splash us or throw us in like they always say they will."
Just then Benjy's mother came past carrying a basket of laundry. "Hello Laura Mae. Benjy's brothers aren't feeling well today, but Benjy would love to come."
"Thank you, Mama!" Benjy gave his mother a hug and ran out the door with Laura.
Beth watched as her daughter ran by the water with her cousin. They were splashing each other with water and jumping over the waves rolling softly onto shore. A gentle ocean breeze blew wisps of hair off her face and she smiled to herself.
"It's nice to see them playing together," Beth said as her husband David came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. "But I sometimes worry about them."
"Worry? You're too pretty to worry," David joked, rubbing his bearded chin against her cheek. "They're a couple of cousins that happen to be best friends."
"That's what has me worried." Beth turned to face her husband. "I'm worried that Laura Mae doesn't spend enough time with girls. What will happen to them when they get older? If Laura has no friends that are girls…"
"Beth, they're only five. They have plenty of time to find other friends. Besides, what about Laura's friend Maura? Laura spends almost as much time there as she does with Benjy." Beth sighed, knowing her husband was right. "Now, how about those sandwiches? I'm starving and I'm sure those kids are by now, too."
"Let's build a sand castle!" Benjy suggested to Laura. He had spent the last hour running in the water and was getting tired. Laura, who was feeling much cooler by now, agreed, thinking it would be nice to have a rest from the water. She plopped down in the sand next to her cousin and began digging a hole.
"Let's build a nice big one, with a moat and everything! We can make a whole village. This will be the well."
Benjy started gathering the sand Laura was leaving in a pile and began forming a mound of sand. "Okay. Then this is where the castle will be."
"No! That's too close to the village. Castles are always far away from the village."
"No they're not!"
"Are too!"
"Are not!"
"Are too!"
"Are not! You always get to decide where things go."
"No I don't!" Laura stood up and walked away in a huff. Benjy looked at the pile of sand and threw a clump into the water. He stood up and washed his hands in the water before walking to his aunt and uncle.
"Hello Benjy," his aunt greeted him. "Are you hungry?"
Benjy mumbled a thank you and sat down with his sandwich. He had finished two sandwiches and an apple by the time Laura came back. She sat down next to him and ate her own sandwich without speaking.
"Laura Mae!" Her father boomed, giving her a big hug. "Did I see you and Benjy building a sand castle before?"
"Yes, but we gave up." Laura explained about their little fight and David Martin listened closely, nodding his head.
"I see. Well, I think I know how we can fix this. Come with me." He led the cousins back down to the water. He showed them how to dribble wet sand off their fingers and pretty soon their other castle was forgotten.
"Laura, wake up. We're home." Laura sleepily opened her eyes to see her front door. Her father set her down gently and helped her stand on her feet again. "Go on with your mother. I'm going to walk Benjy home."
She looked over at her cousin, who looked asleep on her feet. Waving, she managed to mumble a good night before taking her mother's hand and falling into her warm bed. "Mama?"
"Yes, darling?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Taking us to the beach. It was the bestest day of my life."
Beth softly laughed as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "You're welcome, darling. Sleep tight. May angles watch over you always."
Laura smiled as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Again, so sorry for the long waits! I don't know why but I've just been so lazy lately. Plus some of the days I'm not feeling that lazy I've been busy. This month will be a bit crazy because I have a bunch of work stuff plus I'm moving home at the end of the month so I've gotta pack. I promise I'll try to keep writing though!
Please read and review? I love getting them and I can send junk food.