"Well, Mrs. Monroe, are you ready to gear up for our trip?"
"As much as I hate to leave this bed, yeah. Let's get it done."
They went down to the hotel dining room for breakfast, stopping first at the reception desk to see if the pictures were there. They were there waiting as Frank had promised. There were four prints in a large envelope, and a package wrapped in brown paper. They brought the package to their table and opened it. Bass leaned into Charlie with his arm around her shoulders as they gazed at their picture. Frank one of the pictures in a frame.
"Bass, this is so great! I love it!"
He kissed her temple, "It's going to be incredible on a wall in our new place. This is really something special. Not many people have access to this sort of thing anymore."
"Frank has been amazing," Charlie remarks. "I have to say that I'm a bit surprised."
Bass snorted, "Huh, not nearly as surprised as I am."
Their waitress approached the table and noticed the framed wedding photo on the table. "You both look so happy; that's a beautiful photo. Congratulations."
"Thank you," they both said.
"Now, what can I get you two?"
After breakfast, their first stop was the city stables, where their horses were being boarded. At the stables tack shop, Bass purchased the packs that the mule would carry. He also bought three leather hobbles, a bag of feed grain to supplement grazing, and three nose feed bags. He added a leather repair kit should any of the tack need repairing.
They left the stables and hit the shops, purchasing everything else they would need for a long trip. They bought lengths of rope and a couple of pails, travel cookware, blankets, and Bass found a couple of sleeping bags. He was even fortunate to find a tarpaulin to cover their packs during the inevitable rainstorms.
For food, there was flour, oats, sugar, coffee, and jam. Onions, apples, potatoes and carrots, salt and spices, a can of lard. A couple of loaves of bread rounded out their foodstuffs.
Bass found hoodies for them both while Charlie bought another pair of jeans, a tank, and a long sleeve flannel; even though the days were getting warmer, the nights could still be cool. After shopping, they brought all their purchases back to the stable and packed up.
Finished packing, they went to Frank's office and picked up the requisition for the mule from Frank's secretary. Frank wasn't available, so they left a note for him thanking him for everything he had done, the wedding picture, and the mule. After leaving the Capitol Building, grabbing their horses they headed out to the Ranger's stables with Frank's requisition.
There were five mules in the stable, and the young stable hand recommended a large female, chocolate with a white nose that led to a blaze between her eyes. She was docile and had shown good endurance. Charlie fell in love and named her Lilly. Thanking him, they led Lilly back to the city stables.
That night over dinner, they went over everything and determined that they were ready. In the morning, they would leave for Duncan's camp. Once at the camp they'll gather the rest of their things and spend one last night with the Clan before heading out.
Getting up just after sunrise, they checked out of the hotel, had some breakfast, and headed to the stables. Bass paid the stable hand; they saddled up, tethered Lilly to Bass' horse, and were northward bound for Duncan's camp. Needing to take their time with Lilly fully loaded the trip back would take an extra day. There was no hurry.
It was late afternoon on the third day when they rode into Duncan's camp. Duncan's scout had let her know that they were coming in, and she was waiting for them. Bass and Charlie dismounted and walked their horses into camp with Lilly trailing behind.
"Well, welcome back!" Duncan greets them with a friendly hug. She ordered two of her guys to bring their horses and mule to the Clan's coral.
"So, have your plans changed? I know that you were planning on heading west."
"That's still the plan," Bass says. "For now, the plan is Southwest Oklahoma Territory; at least to start."
"You do know that, of course, you can stay with the Clan as long as you like."
"Thank you, Duncan, but we're anxious to get going. Gonna look for a quiet place to settle," Bass says. "What about you? Are you going to be heading to the land that Texas gave you?"
"We're going to start packing up. Takes us a week to get organized. Do you need a tent? You can take yours if you want it."
"Thanks, I think that we will."
Bass and Charlie retired to their tent for a nap before having dinner with Duncan. After dinner, they settled around the cookfire, talked about the wedding and their plans, and showed off their pictures to Duncan.
"That's a great picture. So, you're leaving in the morning," Duncan said.
"Yup, first thing. We'll be going over to Miles' camp to say our goodbyes, then heading out."
May 1st:
The day started out with a perfect blue, almost cloudless sky, not too warm, perfect traveling weather. Bass and Charlie had coffee and breakfast with Duncan and Bass' bodyguards Eli and Richard, along with Pete, Marcus. The Clansmen that were with Charlie would be returning to Duncan. There were eight now, two were lost in battle.
Duncan had a couple of the men take the tent down, pack it up for them and bring it to the coral to be added to Lilly's load. The tent was a four-man nylon camping tent and wouldn't add a lot of extra weight. With the horses saddled up and Lilly all set to go, they walked through the camp, saying goodbye to their Clan family. They were well-liked. News of their marriage had spread through the camp, and everyone came out to see them off, many with wedding gifts of items made by the Clan. There were some foodstuffs, and a few gave bottles of whiskey, handshakes, and hugs.
Bass went up to Eli and Richard. "Thanks for looking out for my ass," he said, shaking their hands.
"No problem, except when I had to see your ass," Eli joked.
After making the rounds, they stopped by Duncan's tent for a final goodbye. She was sitting in a camp chair near her fire, waiting for them. Charlie approached her, "Duncan, thank you for everything. For welcoming us and giving us a place to stay… and for protecting Bass."
"No thanks are necessary; we're sisters." Duncan reached out her hand, and they clasped palms. "Congratulations on your wedding. You two belong together."
Bass steps forward and shakes her hand and they share a hug. "Thank you, Duncan. It's been good. We make a good team."
"That we do, Sebastian. Take these," she hands them each a colorful sash. "Hang them from your saddle. They signify that you are part of my Clan and therefore untouchable if you should run into any clans, or if you choose to cross the Plains Nations, you'll have safe passage. Safe journey."
Their farewells said, Charlie and Bass mounted up and headed to the Matheson camp to say goodbye as well.
Charlie's stomach was in knots, and she was not looking forward to the inevitable confrontation with Rachel. Bass rode in close and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. "It'll be okay. I know this is hard."
"It's okay, Bass. Really, it's on her; I just don't want to hear it anymore. I've done all that I can to make amends. She wants you gone; well, she's getting her wish. We're gone."
Bass snorted, "I'm fairly sure that she wanted me more than just gone."
Miles was preparing to break up camp. With the war over, Gene, Aaron, and Priscilla were heading back to Willoughby. Miles and Rachel would be off to Austin and Miles' new position with the Rangers.
Charlie and Bass reached the Matheson camp a half-hour after leaving Duncan. Miles spotted them riding in and went to meet them. They dismounted.
"Miles," Charlie said with a hug as she teared up.
"So… this is it, Kid. We've come a long way since you rescued me from myself in Chicago."
"We have. You taught me so much. You mean a lot to me, Miles. I'm going to miss you."
"You're sure about this, kid? Charlie, you don't have to go. Come to Austin. Your mother will come around."
Bass huffed, "Yeah, not happening, Miles."
"Seriously, Miles? What part of married don't you get, Miles? You should know her better than that. She won't come around, and so Bass can't stay. Bass is my husband; we stay together or go together whether she likes it or not. That's not going to change.
Miles, I love you, but you're not the same as when I met you in Chicago. I lost you when you found my mother, and now it's all about what she wants.
She left me when I was eight years old, and she thinks that we can just pick up where she left off. Like nothing has changed after all that we've been through. She still doesn't see me as an adult and my own person. I'm not a kid anymore…I had to grow up fast. I've already done more than most people do in a lifetime."
Bass, standing close and is proud of her for speaking her mind. But then that's Charlie.
"You'll take care of her," Miles said.
"You know I will, Miles," Bass replied. "Miles, we've been a long way together, our whole lives. I had hoped that we could be friends again, that all that we've been through would mean something, but you can't seem to forgive me. I'm trying, Miles; I don't know what more that I can do. I forgive you for leaving me."
Miles had no response. "You will be saying goodbye to your mom?" Miles asks Charlie.
"I'm going to try."
Miles hung back with Bass as Charlie approached Rachel. She was standing next to the medical tent with Gene, decidedly ignoring them, keeping her back turned.
Charlie walks up to her. "Mom, aren't you even going to say goodbye?"
Now Rachel turns and faces her daughter, scowling. "I don't have a daughter. She's left me for a monster. He's taken away my children."
"Really, Mom, that's a bit dramatic, and it's getting old."
"How can you turn your back on your family, Charlie, your brother, your father, for that vile excuse of a human being."
"Come on, Mom, he's a product of the mess that you and Dad made. He wasn't always like that, and you know it. You call him a monster when you killed countless millions with your little machines."
At that moment, Rachel notices Charlie's wedding rings, and she grabs her hand. "What the hell is this?" Slapping Charlie hard across the face.
Bass had been watching the exchange with Miles and saw red. He was about to charge over, but Miles put a hand on his arm. "Leave it, Bass. Charlie can handle herself." He would be having words with Rachel.
Bass's blue eyes were shooting steel fury. He was so done with Rachel's bullshit. (If she touches her again…)
Charlie was rigid with anger. "That one was free, don't EVER hit me again!" spinning on her heel, she walked away from Rachel and over to Aaron.
Aaron had seen what happened with Rachel and was shaking his head as Charlie walked over to him. "Goodbye, Charlie. It's been an adventure. Can't say that I'm happy about your life choice, but it's yours to make. I just want you to be happy. You deserve it. You are happy?"
"Of course, Aaron, so incredibly happy, but I'm not happy with the way we're being treated because we love each other. He's not the same since The Tower. You all refuse to see it, refuse to give him a chance, refuse to accept that Bass is trying and that he's changed. He treats me well, like I'm the stars and the moon. Who could ask for more?
You know the story by now. Miles was right alongside him for much of what happened with the Republic… The Butcher of Baltimore…but it's all good; all is forgiven. Bass is a good man, Aaron; he's had so much loss and pain in his life, he lost his way. How can any of us say how we would react to that much loss. Who knows, if he had more support, things would probably have turned out differently.
Gotta go. I love you, Aaron, you are very special to me, and I hope I see you again."
"I love you too. Take care of yourself."
"We'll take care of each other."
Cynthia gave Charlie a hug, "Congratulations, Charlie. I wish you both the best."
"Thank you, Cynthia, and thank you for your support."
Gene had been standing quietly by watching everything from his spot near the medical tent. He wasn't happy with Rachel, but he could understand her disappointment and anger with Charlie's choice. Her behavior, however, was uncalled for. He, too, wasn't pleased with Monroe, but he wasn't about to lose his granddaughter because of it.
"Charlie," Gene called to her.
"Grandpa… are you going to tell me about the big mistake I'm making too? If you are, save it, I don't want to hear it. Like it or not, we're married, he is my husband, and that is not going to change."
"No more lectures, Charlie. I heard all that you said to Aaron and your mom, and you're right; we cut Miles all kinds of slack. I won't say that I'm thrilled about you and Monroe cause I'm not. Do I wish that you settled down here? Yes, of course."
"I'm sorry, Grandpa, I wouldn't be happy in Willoughby. What did you all expect? Did you expect me to settle down with some local? It would ever work. I've seen too much, done too much. Grandpa, I love him; he loves me. You know that we would stay if it were possible, but it's not."
"I know, Pumpkin; I get it. Take care of yourself. I'll be thinking about you. Love you, honey."
"I love you too, Grandpa," hugging Gene, then turning back to Bass and Miles.
Charlie hugged Miles one last time.
"All set?" she asks Bass as she tries to hold back her tears.
Pulling her close and kissing her temple, "If you are."
They mounted up and turned towards the trail, "Goodbye, Miles," Charlie called out. "We'll try and send word when we get settled."
"Hey! You two! Keep your stupid to a minimum!"
Charlie raises a hand in response.
Miles turned back to camp and went over to Rachel.
"I suppose they're gone," she says.
"That was uncalled for, Rachel."
"Did you know?"
He knew exactly what she was talking about. "I knew… I was there. I'm not saying that I'm happy about it, but it's her choice. She's an adult, like it or not, and you would rather lose her than accept that."
Rachel didn't talk to him for two days.