March 2034:
Charlie was lying in bed, thinking she might be pregnant. Her period was two weeks late, and she was never late. She had been somewhat nauseous too. (I need to talk to Maddie.) It was clinic day in town; she could speak with Maddie then.
"Well, my dear, you and Bass are about to become parents. This is welcome news, I hope."
Charlie was tearing, "Yes, very welcome. I don't want to tell Bass right away, though. How far along am I?"
"I would say about three weeks. Without the equipment that we used to have, it's a bit harder to tell. Can you pinpoint an event?"
Charlie laughed, "No, we're…ahh…pretty active."
Maddie laughed.
April 25th
Bass and Charlie are celebrating their third anniversary. Bass had wanted to take Charlie to dinner in town, but she's not feeling well. "Are you sure you're okay?" Bass asks her, concerned.
"I'll be fine. My stomach's a bit off. Something I ate, maybe. I just don't feel up to the ride into town."
"I don't know, Babe, we pretty much eat all of the same things. Do you think that maybe you got a stomach thing from the clinic? I heard Maddie say that something was going around that the kids are getting."
"I suppose it's possible…." Charlie knows exactly what is going around, and it's not catchy.
Bass made a light supper of scrambled eggs. He insisted that Charlie rest on the couch while he sorted out the kitchen. After cleaning up, Bass stoked the fire and brought Charlie a cup of tea. He sat next to her and handed her gift to her.
"Happy anniversary, Babe," kissing her cheek. "Thank you for marrying me. You've made me incredibly happy. I love you."
She smiled and leaned over to kiss him. Then she opened her gift. It was an amazing handmade cuff-style bracelet made of turquoise beads. There was a round carved medallion of a heart with a turquoise inlay.
"Oh, Bass. This is beautiful! So different! Wherever did you find it?"
"A couple of weeks ago, when I was in town, there was a Cherokee woman who came through selling some of the craftwork from the tribe. She told me that for the Native American People, turquoise was said to bring wisdom, tranquillity, protection, good fortune, and hope to the person wearing it."
"It's perfect. Here, help me put it on," then she got up from the couch. "I'm going to get your gift."
Maddie helped Charlie with a special gift for her reveal. Charlie wanted to wait for their anniversary to tell Bass about the baby. Coming back into the living room, she handed him a small package wrapped in a square of calico and tied with some twine. She was so excited for him to open it.
Bass untied the twine, unfolded the cloth wrapper, and sat stunned as he lifted to tiny knit booties, one pink and one blue. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times.
"Bass, Luv, you look like one of your fish," she laughed.
"Are you? Are we?"
"Pregnant? We are. We're having a baby."
Bass grabbed her to him, kissed her, and held her tight. "Oh my God! A baby…a baby! Are you feeling okay? Can I get you anything?"
"Bass, Babe, I'm feeling fine, just a little upset stomach now and again. I'm no different than I was five minutes ago," chuckling.
He kissed her again. "Charlie, I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"How far along? When are you due?"
"Maddie thinks I'm six or eight weeks, so…around mid-November.
"Wow…I…just wow!"
They snuggled and watched the fire while talking about baby plans. Charlie kept admiring her bracelet; she couldn't wait for Maddie to see it.
Late August:
President Miles Matheson was sitting in his office, still trying to process the fact that he was now President of Texas even though it had been over a year. Frank Blanchard had died suddenly of an apparent heart attack. As fate would have it six months before Franks death, a family emergency caused the Vice President to resign so he could return east to Kentucky. Miles was next in the order of succession and therefore became Vice President. Then Frank had the nerve to die and leave him as President.
He had just finished meeting with his leading general of the Rangers. He poured himself a whiskey and was looking out over the capitol mall when his secretary knocked on the door.
"Come in, Jean."
"You have an important message from Willoughby, Sir."
(What now…) "Go ahead."
"Rachel Matheson requests that you visit. She says it's urgent, and it's of dire importance. The message says that she is dying, Sir."
Miles stares at his secretary. "Mr. President?"
"Sorry Jean, ahh, summon the captain of the guard. Looks like we're going on a trip."
When Rachel realized that she wasn't going to recover without dialysis or a kidney transplant, and well, that ship had long sailed, she sent for Miles. It was time to tell him the truth about Charlie.
Two days before she died, Rachel confessed to Miles that he was actually Charlie's father. He was stunned and angry, and yet he had had his suspicions about Charlie for some time. Now Rachel just confirmed it.
He regretted even more how Charlie had left. After Rachel's death, Miles returned to Austin. Grieving and at the same time furious with Rachel, and he was determined to find Charlie.
Five days after Rachel's funeral, Miles returned to Austin. Upon his return, the first thing that he did was to order every Ranger garrison in Northwest Texas and Oklahoma to check every town and outpost for Sebastian Monroe and Charlie Matheson Monroe. He hoped that Bass had stuck to their plan of settling in Oklahoma and didn't travel any further than that.
The expansion of the train service allowed Miles' Presidential order to reach the garrison in Durant, which was ten miles from Granby in just twelve hours. The order was a priority and was to be carried out by a ranking officer.
Captain Greg Stevens and two young Rangers start riding out to the towns in their patrol district. A week later, they arrived in Granby and looked up the Sheriff.
Malcolm McElroy was going over his deputy's reports when the door opened, and Captain Stevens walked in.
"Not every day we get a visit from the Rangers," Malcolm says, standing and offering his hand. "Malcolm McElroy, Sheriff. What can I do for you, Captain?"
"I have an order from President Matheson. We're trying to locate Sebastian Monroe and Charlotte Matheson Monroe."
"What do you want with Monroe? I thought he was pardoned."
"Oh, he is. President Matheson is looking for his daughter, Charlotte Matheson. He wants her to return to Austin."
"Really…Well… The Monroe's have a place off of the old County Road a couple of miles outside of town."
"Could you take us, please?"
"Yeah, I'll get my horse from the livery. I have to locate my deputy and let him know that I'll be out of town for a while. Give me fifteen, twenty minutes. I'll meet you here."
Bass was repairing a leak on the roof of the chicken coop when Tucker started to bark his fool head off. Four riders came into the yard. He looked down at the sheriff and three Rangers. (What fresh hell is this now?) as he climbed down from the roof.
"Captain… Malcolm," he greets. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"Mr. Monroe, General," Bass cringes every time someone calls him that. "Sir, I have an order from President Matheson for you and Ms. Matheson…."
Bass interrupts, "Monroe, Mrs. Monroe."
"Yes, pardon, President Matheson requests that you and Mrs. Monroe return to Austin."
"Wait…President who? President Matheson?…Huh…Isn't that just the cat's ass. Well, you can give President Dickhead a message for me. Stuff it. I can't just up and leave." Bass gestures indicating his farm.
"He said that you might say that. He also said to tell you that your pardon can always be revoked."
"Yeah, he would, the asshole. Mrs. Monroe won't be going anywhere."
The captain was getting miffed at Bass. Bass can bring that out in people at times. "Sir, show some respect for your President!"
"Clearly, you don't know our history."
"I would like to have a word with…Ms. Ahh…Mrs. Monroe, now!" the captain growled, having had enough of Bass' attitude.
"Wait, thought that I was a General, Captain. That's what you said, isn't it? Where's your respect? Mrs. Monroe is not available; she's resting," Bass said curtly. He's been trying hard to not dwell on what happened to Shelly, but he's still very protective of her.
Charlie had heard voices and especially Bass, who sounded angry. Going to the Back door, she sees Bass with some Rangers and the Sheriff. She doesn't like how this looks.
"What the hell is this?" she says as she makes her way into the yard and over to Bass and the men on horseback.
"Ms. Matheson…ahh…Monroe," he corrected himself, glancing at Bass. (Why is that so hard?) Bass thinks. "We've been sent by President Matheson to escort you back to Austin."
"Huh… President Matheson? Yeah, as you can see, that's not happening. Our baby will be born here, in our home, not in Austin and not on a frik'n train!"
Bass grins, (That's my girl.)
Stevens can see that making the Monroe's leave their home was going to be a problem. "My apologies Ma'am. I'll send word to the President that travel at this time isn't possible."
"Yeah, you do that," Bass is still grumbling and under his breath (ya think. How dare Miles pull this shit after the way we were treated…well, I was treated.) "I'm glad that you can see that this won't happen."
"General," the captain salutes, tips his hat, and leaves with his Rangers to get the message to the courier for delivery to Austin.
"God, I hate that 'general' shit," Bass says to no one.
"Bass, Charlie, I'm sorry about that," Malcolm says.
"S'ok, Malcolm. Not like you had much of a choice," slapping the man on his back.
"What's with you and Matheson? Charlie is a Matheson?"
"It's a long story; we go back a long way. Miles is Charlie's uncle."
"You really didn't know that he was President? Jeez, Bass…"
"Malcolm, I stopped paying attention to politics. Fact is, I could care less. Just want to be left alone."
"Huh, I get 'cha there. Well, I best catch up to those fellas. See ya, Bass, Charlie," Malcolm took off after the Rangers.
Bass pulls Charlie close. "Are you okay?"
"I can't believe that he'd pull that."
"What, send those guys out here with a threat? That's so, Miles. Horse's ass threatened to revoke my pardon."
"Damn him. I still love him, and I miss him, but he's not taking you away from me. We'll leave again if we have to." Then she chuckled, "we could go to Cali."
"Sweetheart, you aren't going anywhere. Not gonna risk you or the baby. He's a dick, but he'll understand when he gets the message."
Austin eight days after the Presidential order to locate Charlie… the First week of September:
"Mr. President," the Ranger captain greeted him.
"You have news?"
"I do. We found them, Sir, in a town called Granby, Oklahoma territory."
"AND? Where are they? Are they on their way?"
"No, Sir. Mrs. Monroe…" Miles stiffened; he still had a problem hearing her referred to as 'Mrs. Monroe.'. "isn't able to travel at this time, Sir."
"What's wrong? Is she ill?"
"No, Sir, she's pregnant…very pregnant, Sir."
That SOB, he mutters. Then he sits behind his desk, "That's all, Captain. Thank you. I'll message Col. Jacobs you are to have a two-day leave."
"Thank you, Sir."
(Well, if Muhammad won't go to the mountain, the mountain will go to Muhammad.)
"Jean!" he bellows for his secretary.
"Yes, Mr. President?"
"Get the VP for me, please."
"Right away, Sir."
Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come!"
"You needed to see me, Miles?" James Greer asked.
"Have a seat." Miles went to his sideboard and poured them each a drink. Passed one to the Vice President, then sat behind his desk.
"I'm going out of town for a spell, not sure how long. You'll be taking over while I'm gone. Nothing is pressing on the books at the moment. Jean can get you up to speed on my calendar. Is there anything pressing going on with you?"
"No, not really, a couple of speeches, The Farmers Co-op, and the Ranger Academy."
"Any problems there?"
"Shouldn't be. Unless something comes up, I should be able to keep those engagements."
"Good. I'm traveling to Granby, Oklahoma Territory, to see my daughter. She's not able to travel. It seems she's about to have a baby."
"Congrats, grandpa." Greer laughs at the look that Miles gives him. "I wasn't aware that you had a daughter."
"Yeah, neither was I. Rachel told me two days before she died. Anyway, always thought that she was my niece. That's what I was led to believe."
"Why Oklahoma? What's she doing there?"
"She and her mother had a falling out…irreconcilable differences over her choice of husband."
"That bad?"
"Sebastian Monroe."
"Oh."
"I'll be on the morning train to Durant, Oklahoma, then on to Granby. If you need me, send word to the Garrison in Durant. Depending on how things go, I may stay for a couple of days."
"No, problem, Miles. I hope everything works out."
"Yeah. This is going to be interesting."
"Lauren going with you?" Miles had been seeing a young woman for a little over six months.
"Not this trip. I don't want to throw too much at Charlie…her mother dying, me being her father…."
"Does Lauren know about Charlie?"
"Yeah, I told her."
Miles had word sent ahead to the garrison in Durant as to his travel plans. Captain Stevens, in turn, notified Sheriff McElroy of the President's impending visit.
September 6:
Miles and his security team boarded the train at 7:45 for an 8:00 departure. A car had been reserved for him festooned in the Texas flag and appointed befitting of the president. It would take twelve hours for them to reach Durant, arriving at approximately 8:00 pm. Miles' security team arranged for several rooms in Durant for the night. They would go onto Granby the following day.
McElroy and notified the town council of the impending presidential visit. They immediately had the town decked out in flags and banners. As Miles' procession moved through Granby, the streets lined with well-wishers. Miles may have hated being President, but he was well-liked.
"Captain, how far to Monroe's place?" Miles asked.
"An hour, Sir."
They rode slowly through town, with Miles acknowledging those that came out to greet him.
An hour later, Miles reaches the 'Double M'. They stop at the gate to the lane, and Miles chuckles at Bass' choice for the name of his farm. Captain Stevens ordered that the gate be closed, and a two-man guard was put in place. Then the caravan moved on down the lane.
It was warm for mid - September. The sky was a clear azure blue with not a cloud to be seen. There was just the slightest breeze ruffling the colorful leaves.
Charlie was hanging the sheets she had just washed on the clothesline and watching Bass as he split firewood. He had removed his shirt, and Charlie was admiring her husband. The work of the farm keeping him fit and trim.
The last sheet hung; she went over to see him. Bass saw her approach, stopped, and dropped the maul. "Hey, momma, what's up?"
"Can't a woman just go to her husband for no reason? Well, other than this…." Charlie threw her arms around his neck and kissed him like it was the last time. She broke the kiss, grabbed Bass' hand, and pulled him toward the barn.
Bass is laughing. "What's this now?"
"Really? I have to tell you? Blame it on the pregs hormones."
"Hey, not complaining."
"Later, as they walked out of the barn, Bass picking straw from Charlie's hair, and Tucker barking, as six Texas Rangers rode into the yard, followed by a lone rider, then eight more men on horseback. Two full wagons arrived behind them.
"Shit, we're being invaded." Bass quips and places an arm around Charlie. Then he recognizes Miles sitting atop a handsome stallion, looking very presidential. Jesus Christ…would you look at this," Bass says sarcastically. "Reminds me of the days of the Republic." Charlie knocks him in the ribs.
Miles rode forward, stopped in front of them, dismounted, and handed the reins off to his steward. "Charlie…" he choked out and pulled her into an embrace. Then he held her at arm's length. "Wow! Look at you! Looks like it'll be soon now."
"Miles! I don't believe you're here! Around two months, November."
"Bass," and he extends his hand. "Miles…."
There was a moment of awkward silence then Miles asked where his entourage could set up camp.
Bass came out of his stupor, "They can use the horse pasture. They'll have to watch out for horse manure."
"They'll manage."
Bass showed the captain where they could go, and other than Miles' personal guard, the others went to set up camp.
"Alright, Miles, what's so God damned important that you needed to threaten my pardon, upset Charlie, and that you needed to travel out here?"
"Let's take a walk. Charlie, I'm sorry, can you excuse us for a bit? I need a word with this moron," Miles said.
Bass isn't liking where this is going.
"I'll be in the house. Maddie and Warren will be here soon, and I need to check on the ham."
"'kay, Babe," kissing her quick. "We'll be right back."
Bass led Miles toward the animal pens with Miles' security detail and Tucker right behind. "I'd forgotten what it was like having to walk around with a goon squad." Bass quips.
Bass purposefully walked him right to the pig's pen just to mess with him. Miles wrinkled his nose, "really, Bass?"
"I thought you might want to meet Lu Lu Belle, pointing to a large sow. She'll be having her piglets next month."
"You named your pig Lu Lu Belle?"
"Charlie did. She's sweet."
"Bass, can we get away from here. How can you stand the smell."
"Easy, smells like bacon, ham, pork roast, and money. Alright, Miles, spill it?" Bass said, now leading him to the barn.
"Rachel is dead."
"I'm sorry for you, Miles, sorry for Charlie, but I'm not sorry that she's gone."
"Yeah, I know. Can't blame you. The sad thing is, I'm not really that broken up either. In fact, I'm kind of relieved. But there's something else. When Rachel was dying, she called me to Willoughby. Bass… she told me that Charlie is mine. She's my daughter."
"Jeez, Miles, no shit. Honestly, though, after I met Charlie, as an adult, I mean, I kind of suspected it. Actually, when you heard the news when we were in Afghanistan, I did the math."
Walking through the barn, Miles stops next to one of the stalls. "You still have Chamberlain."
"Yeah, and Mazy too. We added two draft horses for farm work and to pull the wagon, Tom and Jerry."
Miles laughed.
"We should get back; Charlie is already wondering what's going on."
Charlie hears them in the yard and comes back outside. "Got the man talk all over with?"
Bass gives her a kiss, and Miles cringes. He can't seem to help himself. "Get over it, Miles. I'm not going to stop showing my wife affection because you're here and you don't approve. We've been married for three and a half years now. Get over it."
"Sorry, reflex reaction. I'm trying."
"Miles, we're expecting our friends for dinner, and since there aren't any phones, we have no way to cancel," Bass tells him.
"I wouldn't want you to. I'll have someone ride up to the gate to tell the guards that they are expected. What did you say their name was?"
"Thompson, Maddie and Warren," Bass replied.
It was so pleasant outside that Charlie decided to have their weekly dinner with Warren and Maddie on the porch, and she had the table all ready.
The Rangers had closed the gate to the lane and posted two men. They had been told to expect the Thompsons. Warren pulled up to the gate, surprised at this development.
One of the Rangers stepped out, "State your name and your business, please."
Warren looked at Maddie and shrugged. "Warren and Maddie Thompson. Ahh, we have a dinner engagement with the Monroe's. What's going on?" Warren asks.
"Is everything alright?" Maddie asked.
"Yes, Ma'am. An important house guest that requires extra security. I'm going to have to ask you both to step down. I need to check for weapons."
"You're kidding me," Warren groused. "Of course, I'm armed. You can't be too careful when you're this far out from town."
Maddie and Warren climbed down. They were checked for weapons, and the wagon searched.
"Sir, if you would leave your guns here, we'll give them back to you when you leave."
Warren shrugged and handed over his sidearm and shotgun.
The gate was swung open, and the Thompson's passed through. "Can't wait to see who's here that would be that important to be causing that kind of nonsense," Warren comments. It only gets better as they approach when two more Rangers are standing guard at the end of the lane.
Bass and Charlie heard their friend's wagon and went to meet them.
"Hey, guys, what's going on? It's like Fort Knox," Warren says. Maddie climbs down and goes over to Charlie for a hug.
"Bring the wagon up, then I'll introduce you to our unexpected guest," Bass tells him.
Warren brought the wagon to the barn, and Bass helped him unhitch the horses and turn them out in the back paddock.
Looking over at the pasture, Warren was stunned to see the mini cavalry camp.
"Bass?"
"Yeah, tell me about it. We've been invaded. Charlie's uncle showed up for a visit."
"Uncle with an army?"
Bass laughed. "Come on, I'll introduce you."
Charlie, Miles, and Maddie were sitting on the lawn chairs that were grouped near the lake. Miles stood as they approached.
"Warren, meet Miles Matheson, Charlie's uncle," he glanced at Miles, "and President of Texas."
Warren was momentarily speechless. "Mr. President…"
"Just Miles is fine."
"Miles, this is Warren Thompson. Our good friend. I'm assuming that you've met Maddie."
"Yes. She was telling me that you have the farm next to theirs."
The ham was delicious, and Maddie had brought apple crumble for dessert. Miles was enjoying their easy company. They were regaling him with some of the funnier stories of Bass learning about farming.
As the sun started to set, Maddie and Warren said goodbye. "It was really nice to meet you, Mr. President, Miles."
"And you and thank you for looking after these two idiots."
"Hey! Who are you calling an idiot?" Charlie retorts. "Bass, maybe," she snickers.
They wave as their friends head up the lane.
"Miles, I have to feed and water."
"I'll go and check in with the boys."
Charlie went into the house after Maddie and Warren left. When Bass and Miles return to the cabin, Charlie is lighting the fireplace.
"I would have done that, Babe," going over to her.
"I know; I'm pregnant, not an invalid."
Bass smiles, "Yeah, you know I can't help myself. Miles…coffee?"
"Coffee?, who are you, and what have you done with Bass?"
Bass grinned, "Yeah, I'm not drinking as much, gets me into trouble."
"Well, then, Coffee."
"Baby, would you like some tea?"
"That's great, thanks."
Miles shakes his head in wonder at the easy domesticity, something he never had with Rachel.
They are sitting in somewhat awkward silence as they wait for Bass to bring the drinks.
Bass returns and hands Miles his coffee. He takes a sip and smiles. Bass has added a little sump'n sump'n.
Charlie has waited long enough. She knows that something is going on. First, Miles shows up after summoning them to Austin. Then he and Bass disappear for a chat.
"Okay, spill it. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but suddenly it was necessary to see me. It's been over three years, Miles. What gives."
"I know, and I'm sorry for that and for how we left things. I'm sorry that I let your mother pull me into her hate."
Miles sits in the chair across from Charlie, and Bass takes a seat on the couch next to her. Tucker is curled up on his rug in front of the fireplace. He thumps his tail as Bass comes into the room.
"And I'm sorry that I was such a dick about you and this moron. The whole age thing, his past…our past. It just didn't seem right. I was wrong; I can see that now."
"Okay…thank you for that."
"Umm, I have some bad news. Charlie…ahh…" taking a deep breath and letting it out, "your mom died. Kidney failure, Gene thinks."
"Mom's dead?" Bass picks up her hand and starts rubbing circles. "When?"
"About a month ago."
"I'm just hearing this now?"
"I'm sorry, Charlie. You weren't exactly easy to find, and I didn't want to tell you in a message. That's one of the reasons that I wanted you to come to Austin.
She had returned to Willoughby after we split."
"You split?"
"About a year and a half ago. When she knew that she was dying, she sent for me. I was with her in Willoughby when she died. I helped Gene with arrangements, and as soon as I got back to Austin, I set out to find you.
Charlie, there's more. Before she died… the reason she sent for me…she…she…."
"She what?"
"I'm your father," Miles blurted out. "She told me that I was your father."
Charlie's hand went to her face. She got up and left the room through the front door. Miles went to follow.
"I'll go," Bass said. "This is a lot."
Miles nodded, his eyes wet as he damned Rachel.
The full harvest moon was shining over the calm water of the lake. The loons were calling, and usually, Charlie would be feeling relaxed and peaceful. But she didn't hear them.
Bass went to her and wrapped her in his arms.
"Bass, how could she do that? How could she live that lie? Lying to Ben, lying to Miles… lying to me."
"I'm sorry, Charlie. I'm probably not the one to be answering that question. You know how I felt about her. I never liked what she and Miles were doing to Ben. Ben was a friend.
I'm sorry for you, you lost your mom, but I'm not sorry that she's gone. She caused so much hurt. She saved my life, and for that, I am thankful, but then she made that life hell."
"I know, Bass. I get it. How am I to forgive her for this one?"
"Honestly, Babe, I don't know. Are you ready to go back inside?"
Charlie wiped her eyes. "Yeah, just hold me for a minute more." Bass pulled her close, kissed her temple, and held her close against his chest.
Miles had been watching through the big picture window. He, too, is still trying to wrap his head around everything, including a pregnant Charlie.
Charlie and Bass walked back into the house. Miles went to her and pulled her into an embrace. She hugged him back.
"So…do I call you 'dad' now?" she teased.
"Ugg… too weird. Let's just stick with Miles. Though you should probably drop the 'uncle'.
Charlie managed to chuckle.
They sat quietly for a few minutes; there wasn't much left to say. Then Bass broke the ice.
"So, brother," using the nickname for the first time in years. "How in fuck did you, of all people, end up President?"
Miles laughed. "You know that Blanchard made me General with the Rangers. He ended up adding what would have been your responsibilities to mine. Well, a year and a half later, Blanchard's VP resigned, family issues back east. Blanchard named me VP. Eight months after that, the son of a bitch drops from a heart attack. That left me.
This house is fantastic. You two step in some shit?"
"We did," Bass answers. "We had said that once we reached Oklahoma and we were a hundred miles or so from Oklahoma City, that we would start checking out towns to settle in."
"We came into town," Charlie continues, "and it just felt right. The people were kind and friendly. The town itself was well cared for, so we decided to check it out and talk to some people. Spend a day or two. We wandered the shops, had dinner and checked into the inn."
"I went to the local barber to try and get some feeling for what goes on. You know how barbers like to talk. He gave a good haircut too; that was reason enough right there," Bass chuckled.
"After Bass' haircut, we spent the day hanging around, getting the feel. We spent another night. We compared notes and decided to seek out the sheriff."
"Charlie and I talked. I didn't want to have to stay 'Jimmy King'. If we were to have kids, I want them to be Monroe's. So, I was upfront with the Sheriff. No problems there once I showed him my pardon…."
"We had had trouble in one town," Charlie adds. "That's a whole n'other story."
Bass continues, "so, we asked about available properties that we were looking for a farm, and he pointed us to here.
The previous owners had this place built before the blackout and lived here until around six years ago. The kids had all moved on, and then his wife died. He left the house to go and live with his daughter. No one had paid the taxes on it. It was deemed abandoned, and the town took it. We were able to get it by paying up the back taxes," Bass explained.
"It seems as though when the owner left, he thought that he might be coming back at some point," Charlie picked up the story. "The house was closed up neat as a pin. Everything was here. The kitchen was fully stocked, there were linens for the baths and beds. All the furniture was dust-covered. All in perfect condition."
"How come no one else picked it up before you?" Miles asked.
"McElroy, the sheriff, explained that because they are a small town and a fair distance from the city, they get very few people passing through that want to stay. That and no one wanted to pay three years back taxes. So, it became ours."
"That's amazing. What's more amazing is Bass a farmer." Miles quips. "I thought that you were just throwing it out there when you told that to Blanchard. I never expected that you actually would."
"It's a good life, Miles. I've never been happier. That couple you met, Warren and Maddie Thompson, met them the second day we were here. They were so welcoming. Helped us to get established and taught us what we didn't know. Which was a lot."
"Where did the 'Double M' come from? Kind of reminiscent of the Republic."
"Not at all, can't help that our names begin with 'M'. I wanted the farm to have a name. Actually, it was Charlie that came up with it; M_M…Monroe & Matheson. I designed the logo."
Bass startled, seeing movement outside the window, and reached for the weapon that wasn't there.
Miles noticed. "Old habits die hard. Relax, it's just the changing of the guard. You remember what that was like."
Bass shook his head and laughed. "I got a bit of a refresher when you had a two-man shadow all day."
Charlie shifted, then grinned. "Would you like to feel your grandchild?" she asked Miles. "Come, sit here."
Miles was a bit uncomfortable but went and sat next to her. Charlie took his large hand and placed it on her swollen belly. The baby cooperated and gave a healthy kick. Miles flinched, then smiled broadly. "That's really something. Does it hurt?"
Charlie smiled, "No, it just feels strange."
Bass was returning from the kitchen, and he noticed that Charlie looked tired. He kissed her head. "Would you like me to heat some water for you?"
"That would be great, hon."
Miles pulled a face, "Pet names? I think I might be sick." Bass and Charlie both laughed.
"So, Miles, I assume you're staying?" Bass teases.
"If you don't mind. I can always sleep in the field with the guys, like old times."
"Yeah, right. The guest room is straight down the hall. The bath is there on the left. There's a five-gal pail of water in there for gravity flush. Make yourself at home. Feel free to heat up water for the bath if you like."
Charlie's water was warm, and Bass carried it to the upstairs bathroom. She gave Miles a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight. Bass kissed her and told her that he would be up in a little while.
"Going to stay up with Miles for a while?"
"Yeah, we got some catching up to do," he kissed her goodnight.
After Charlie was upstairs, Bass retrieved his bottle of whiskey from the kitchen. He grabbed two glasses and went back to the living room to join Miles. He poured them each two fingers and sat on the couch across from his friend.
"Now, that's the Bass I knew," He smiled to be sipping whiskey with his oldest friend, his brother, again.
"Seriously, I don't drink much anymore, especially now that Charlie can't join me."
The two men sat quietly watching the flames, then Miles spoke.
"I'm sorry, Bass. I'm sorry. I never should have left you. I let myself be swayed by other voices. (Nora…) You were spiraling, and you knew it. I should have helped you, supported you, reeled you in."
"I had lost everyone, Miles. You knew that. Then the bombing on your birthday, I thought that I had lost you. I couldn't bear it. But then I lost you anyway. You were all I had left, and you left me too. The black hole just got deeper and blacker."
"I know…you never wanted the Republic, I did, I forgot that. Nora made me forget that."
"That was all bad enough, but then I find out you hid my kid from me. The only family that I had left."
"I should have never done that."
"Ya think?"
"I should have said no to Emma, insisted that she return to Philly with me. Even if you two weren't together, you would have had Connor."
Bass sighed, stood and walked to the window and looked out into the moonlit night, and with his back still turned, "Miles, you put a gun to my head. Then you pointed a gun at me three more times after that. You tried to kill me in the tower. 'Brothers'…didn't seem to mean anything to you anymore."
"Bass, ask me why I never pulled the trigger. We're brothers, always will be."
Bass wiped a tear; he's wanted his brother back since that night in Philly. He turned back to face Miles. "Brothers." They hugged.
"I thought a lot after you and Charlie left. I was angry at first, but then I realized she…we…chased you away. I let Rachel get in the way of us being able to patch things up. She called you toxic. She was just as bad, worse even, holding onto all that hate. Most of it misplaced.
We were fighting a lot, and I missed Charlie, and to my surprise, I missed you too. A year after you guys left, I left her."
"I'm sorry for you, I guess. I know that you loved her."
"Yeah, I did, but then everything changed. Rachel… she was mean and self-absorbed and self-righteous. And her hate, day in and day out. Always the same. She would go on and on about you taking away Charlie, her only child left."
"So, anyone new, or are you a bachelor president?"
"I met this woman, Lauren. She's a few years younger, in her thirties. She's Rachel's opposite. She's honest and forthcoming, sweet, and kind. Never a harsh word. She has a four-year-old son, Zack."
"Think you'll marry?"
"Been thinking about it. I never thought that I would…get married, that is. But, yeah, probably. Maybe give your kid an uncle or whatever."
Charlie had gotten up to pee and peered over the landing's railing at her two special men talking in the living room. Her…God…her father, and his brother, her husband. Smiling, she returned to bed.
Bass laughed. They talked and drank for another hour, then Bass announced that he needed to get to bed. He had to be up early for morning chores. "The one thing about the farm… the work never stops."
Miles laughed. "Look at you, Farmer Brown."
"Make yourself at home. Leave your window cracked; you'll hear the loons out on the lake. They're pretty special, peaceful."
"Thanks, Bass."
Bass went upstairs, slipped out of his clothes, washed, then slid into bed next to Charlie. He snuggled up close and laid his hand over her tummy. She stirred.
"You and Miles seemed to have worked some stuff out."
Bass chuckled to himself… (I should have known that she would be awake.)
"How are you doing with everything?" Bass asks her.
"It feels strange, but also right, ya know. It seems like you and Miles are going to be okay."
"Yeah, it seems so. Goodnight, Babe, love you," and he kisses her.
"Love you more."
"Not possible," he kisses her again and then kisses her tummy, saying goodnight to his baby.
Just before dawn, as the sun was thinking about making its way above the horizon, Batman the rooster started in with his morning revelry. Reminded him of his days in the Marines. Bass peeled his eyes open and groaned. (I hadn't drunk all that much, but it's had been a while) It hit him harder than he expected. He padded into the bathroom, did what he needed, then returned to the bedroom to dress.
"Bass?"
"Yeah, Babe…work calls. Go back to sleep, Luv."
"Hummm…okay," and with a bit of difficulty, she turned to her other side.