Okay this is another flashback chapter because I love writing their budding romance!
It wasn't until the Christmas holiday that Sara saw King again. The snow had been coming down in blankets every night and every morning Milo had to go to the schoolhouse to light the stove so Sara and the children would not freeze while they waited for the stove to heat up.
There were five students in Sara's class, a young girl, Rose who came with her older brother Milton, a young boy, Daniel who came with his older brother Edgar, and an older girl, Danielle. The older students sat in the back of the class and the two young kids sat in the front, working together out of their school books since not all of them could afford to buy new schoolbooks, which Sara didn't mind, she even used her old school books to help the older kids so their parents would not have to buy new books, and the kids were very good about sharing the books.
Each morning after trudging to the school house a mile away Sara would warm herself by the stove as she hung up her coat, scarf and hat. She wore thicker stockings and mittens that she had knit herself and she would hang them near the stove to dry off and warm up while she would go over the lesson plan for the day, and if need be, she would work on the gifts she was making.
For Father she had knit a new scarf made of thick blue yarn, for mother she had made a new apron. For Myrtle she had the dress she had made for her doll, and for Iris she made a dress for her doll as well, and for Shannon she had knit a new pair of mittens. With each gift she had painted a small watercolor of a winder scape, and for the children, her watercolors included Father Christmas.
For Milo and Caroline she had knit them each new mittens and the same for Elijah.
For Klaus she had knit him a new scarf in a beautiful green she had picked out and for King, a new scarf and mittens in a bright red.
On the day of their last class before the break, Sara was staring out the window nervously. It was only lunch time but the skies had grown dark and the wind was picking up something fierce. She looked at the class who seemed to be thinking the same thing. Even stoic Danielle looked concerned, making Sara clear her throat.
"When you've finished your meal, Milton, will you fetch some more wood from the pile?" she asked.
"Yes missus." He replied softly.
They finished their meals and Milton bundled up before opening the door, he stepped out into the snow and shut the door. A few moments later when he returned the door slammed open, he dropped the firewood in an attempt to close it, and Edgar jumped up, helping Milton get the door closed before the two of them picked up the firewood.
"Sorry Missus," Milton apologized. "It were the wind."
"Yes, of course it was." She nodded. "Do not apologize. Warm yourself before you sit down."
"Thank you Missus." He nodded to her as he stripped off his scarf, coat and gloves. He stood by the stove for a moment before he opened it and added a log to the fire. Being fifteen, he was one of the eldest students, and therefore could do such a thing without Sara worrying he would act foolishly and injure himself or others.
Sara went on with the lesson, the winds growing stronger, rattling the windows, making the door shake. Sara tried to ignore it, until she realized it wasn't the winds creating the sound against the door. She rushed over to it and threw the door open, the icy wind blowing against her face as the person outside was thrown into her, pressing her against the wall with his body. His entire body and face was covered by thick clothing and scarves, but the moment Sara saw his eyes she gasped as she tried shutting the door.
"Dr. Schultz!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Whatever are you doing here?" she asked.
"I've come to bring you home for Christmas." He replied as Milton rushed over and helped her close the door. "Ah, thank you young man."
"Yes sir." He replied as Sara started to unwrap Dr. Schultz's scarf from around his face.
"Did you walk here from my cousin's?"
"Of course not, the wind is blowing from East to West, so I left the horses behind the west wall of the building, they should be alright for a few moments." He looked around the classroom. "I seem to have found myself late to the lecture once again." He quipped and she smiled.
"Dr. Schultz, if you want to learn something, you simply must make better time." She replied and he smiled warmly at her as he unwrapped the scarf from his face and looked around at the children.
"Well, I think, it will be a squeeze, but, I think we shall all fit, with some arranging." He said decidedly.
"Fit?" she asked, looking at him.
"I would not expect these poor children to walk in the snow." He shook his head. "We had best see them home."
"Are your parents not coming to get you?" Sara asked as she looked at her students, she had assumed their parents would realize that it was simply too dangerous to let the children walk home and would come to collect their kids.
"Father has no sled." Rose spoke up, making Milton shush her.
"Is that true Milton?" Sara asked and he cleared his throat, his ears turning red.
"He had one Missus, but the floor of it rotted out." He explained softly.
"It's alright son," King told him.
"Well, all right, you heard Dr. Schultz," Sara told the kids. "Collect your things and your coats and we'll make it work," she said and they all began to wrap themselves up in their scarves, coats, wraps, muffs and mittens. Sara was helping the younger students get settled before someone touched her arm.
She turned around and looked at King who held her coat. She slipped her arms into it and he smiled down at her, buttoning the coat for her. "Good to see you, meine Leiber," he said softly and she smiled at him as she looked up at him.
"I missed you," she whispered and he smiled back. "Did you talk to my father?"
"Almost the moment I returned home," he told her and she smiled.
"What did he say?"
"Well, he allowed me to come retrieve you," he pointed out and she smiled even wider before she turned and got her scarf from the hook on the wall and wrapped it around herself, as well as the mittens. She turned to her desk and collected the small gifts her pupils had given her and she made sure they each had the gifts she had given them as well as whatever they needed before she looked at King who was looking around at the students.
"Is everyone ready?" Dr. Schultz asked and the students all nodded.
"I want everyone to take hands, that way none of us get lost." Sara told the students, each of them took hands, the two smaller students at the front, the older ones in the back. King led the students, he held little Rose's hand, and Sara followed behind, holding Edgar's hand. They got to the buggy and Sara looked at King with uncertainty. "Are you sure this will fit all of us?" she asked, raising her voice above the wind.
The buggy sleigh had a bench that was obviously made for two people, it had a large area for leg room, and two doors on either side, and no roof.
"It will be a squeeze, but it should work." He replied. "Okay, this will be a little uncomfortable, but we should all fit," he looked at the shivering students. "Miss Gallagher," he held his hand out, she stepped over to him and stepped into the sled. "Okay, what was your name dear?" he asked Rose.
"Rose." She replied.
"Well, Rose, you go sit with your teacher dear," he lifted her up and passed her to Sara who settled the young girl on her lap. Daniel was put in next to Sara, then King sat in the seat next to Sara, Daniel sitting between them. "Right, I think you three should be able to fit right along the front here." He pointed to the area on the floor. "It is not the most desirable of circumstances, I know, but it should do." He told them. After settling themselves on the floor, King and Sara made sure everyone was covered by the thick Buffalo skin robe before he shook the reins, the horses obeyed their master and they were soon at the first house, the home of Danielle.
"Miss Gallagher," Danielle's parents spoke to her. "Thank you for bringing her home."
"Thank Dr. Schultz, we are all very lucky he showed up." She replied.
After they dropped off all of the students, King took her the two miles now back to Milo's house. Milo rushed outside to meet them as King parked the horses on the other side of the house, where they were sheltered from the wind. King helped Sara down from the sled and the three of them rushed back into the house.
"You must be mad to travel in this storm!" Milo chastised the older man.
"The storm didn't hit until I was halfway here." King responded.
"And there is no extra room in the barn since part of it caved in." Milo told King who looked at the barn, seeing indeed that part of it had caved in. The cow and horses were being forced to make due with the thick canvas that Milo had covered the roof in until he was able to repair the barn, but all of the wood that had come crashing down was still inside of the barn because Milo had planned on cutting it at his leisure to burn.
"I understand Mr. Walsh." He stated before looking at Sara who had stepped out of the sleigh.
"Just let me get my bags, I'll be ready in a moment." She told him and he jumped out of the sleigh himself, catching her arm as she made to run towards the house.
"I wouldn't ask you to brave the storm with me." He told her quickly. "It is your choice, but I would understand if you decided to stay."
"Of course I'm going with you!" she insisted. "You can't have come all this way for nothing."
"It wouldn't be for nothing." He assured her. "Do not feel indebted."
"I don't." she replied. "But I am still coming with you." She looked to Milo and Caroline who nodded and Caroline pulled her into the house to help her pack her things for the trip back home.
"At least stay and warm up a little." Milo requested softly.
"I'm afraid I must ask that we be ready to go quickly," he looked at the house Sara had run into longingly but shook his head. "The horses." He explained to Milo who nodded and then went into the house and returned with a hot cup of coffee.
"Thank you," King said softly and Milo nodded as the dentist took a drink of the hot drink, the two of them stood on the porch and watched as the winds picked up and Milo sighed.
"By the time you bring her home, I'll have cleared out the barn," he promised. "Tell me you'll at least stay then."
"If that is an invitation, I'll happily accept it," he told Milo who nodded.
Inside the house Sara was packing her presents into a bag, and then took off her boots to put on her extra set of wool stockings. She put her boots back on and laced them carefully before she packed her nightgown, extra socks and a dress in her bag and then stood up while Caroline pushed a hot cup of coffee into her hands.
"Before you go, warm up a little," Caroline insisted and Sara nodded and drank the cup quickly, feeling the warmness heat up her mouth, her face and seemed to warm her up all over. "You must really love him if you're willing to brave that storm," she commented.
"I do." Sara replied before hugging her cousin in law.. "I will see you after the new year." she said to Sara who hugged her back. When she stepped out onto the porch Milo walked with them to the sleigh and King took her bag from her to store it under the bench while she said goodbye to Milo.
"Take care." Milo hugged her quickly before nodding to King. "Take care of her."
"Goes without saying." King replied before he took Sara's hand and helped her back into the sleigh. After getting her settled and made sure she was okay he checked on the horses, shook Milo's hand and then got into his seat. He cracked his reigns and the horses started to move, the icy wind whipping across their faces as he navigated towards town. "Are you doing alright?" he asked her periodically, to which she would always nod, but not speak, for fear of her teeth chattering too loudly.
Sara knew they were about halfway home when King suddenly stopped the horses. He jumped out of the sleigh and went to the horses, leaving Sara there confused for a moment before he came back. "The horses' hooves were covered in ice." He explained and she nodded as the horses started moving again. He looked down at her and looked back, before taking a double take. "Sara?" he questioned. "Sara, are you alright?" She nodded, trying to smile, but found her face to be practically numb from the cold.
He muttered something in German as he held the reins between his knees and pulled his gloves off, his hands were warm because of the rabbit lined gloves he was wearing, and he cupped her face, warming it up. "You should have stayed behind," he sighed as he looked at her. "I should have insisted, this storm is no place for a young woman like yourself, why didn't you say something?"
"Th-There was no-nothing to s-say." She spoke, her voice quivering as she shook, but leaned into his warm touch.
"Come here," he held his arm up and she instantly moved in closer to him, allowing him to engulf her in his arms, surrounding her with his warmth and the scent of pipe tobacco and leather, the scent she had grown to attribute with him.
Her breath would have been clearly visible had it not been for the strong winds, she shut her eyes as she clung to Dr. Schultz, shaking from the cold and the pure whiteness around them. Everything seemed so white, like they were stuck in a barrel of powdered sugar at the general store.
Sara shut her eyes, to hide them from the powdered sugar falling around them; she could feel herself stop shaking, she must have been feeling warmer, otherwise she would have been shaking more.
Sara could sense everything happening around her, she could hear the horses running and King's occasional muttering in both English and German, though none of the words seemed to make any sense to her.
King seemed to realize Sara was no longer shaking, or breathing the same as before, he looked down at her as he held the reins and swore to himself. "Sara," he called her name, but she didn't open her eyes. "Sara, you need to open your eyes, Sara, look at me." He ordered her and sighed when she opened her eyes a crack and looked up at him. "Sara, you need to stay awake."
"Why are you angry?" she muttered as he pulled her up, away from his warmth.
"I'm not angry mine lieber," he assured her. "But you cannot go to sleep."
"But I'm so tired." Her voice came out as only a whisper.
"I know, I know," he replied. "Talk to me, tell me about your classes."
"You mean the class you always seem to miss?" she asked and he chuckled.
"That's right, tell me about the class." He replied. She sighed before snuggling back into his side, talking about her class, he would comment on things, and if she grew too quiet for too long, he'd shake her, telling her to tell him more about the classes until finally they seemed to come upon a house.
Klaus came out from the house, fully expecting his brother to be alone, there was no way he would be mad enough to take Sara out into the storm, but when he got out there to get the horses inside he was horrified to see Sara curled up against his older brother.
"Are you mad?!" he gestured to her and King grimaced but nodded.
"I must be," he said and Klaus groaned before gesturing to the horses.
"I've got them, you take care of her!" he insisted as he started to unhitch the horses while King was picking Sara up and bringing her into the house.
"Bring some water!" King shouted at Klaus who ran the horses to the barn and let them loose inside the barn, they knew where they lived and they would be okay, before he turned and ran to the well.
Sara could feel herself moving, at first she didn't know where she was, before the white around her melted into the white decorations of her grandmother's house. It was the first time Sara had gone to a party, and everyone was dressed in white.
She looked around, enjoying the party, laughing as she saw her father spilling cider on himself. He looked over at her with an amused smile before her uncle Jonas grabbed her hands and spun her into a dance. The laughter and joviality of the crowd was contagious, making Sara throw back her head and laugh.
"Sara," Jonas spoke to her, his accent thick, and hard to understand from the amount he had been drinking, his cheeks were flushed and his face was half hidden behind his red whiskers, but she could tell he was smiling. "Sara, it's time to wake up."
"What?" she asked and he shook his head. "I'm not sleeping- I" she stepped back and looked down at herself. No longer was she wearing a beautiful white dress, she was now standing before the party, wearing only her chemise, bloomers and her corset, everyone was staring at her.
"Sara," Jonas stepped forward, but for some reason he didn't sound like her uncle Jonas. He looked like him, his bright red hair slicked back, and his bushy red beard covered his jovial round face, but he didn't sound like him, his accent was different, and yet, she knew it. She knew the voice. "Sara, you need to wake up Meine Lieber," the accent, it sounded almost like-
"King?" Sara opened her eyes as she heard a tearing sound. A pressure from around her middle was released and a moment later Sara was submerged in warmth. She gasped as her entire body was covered in warm water, like a shock to the system she felt pins and needles running through her entire body as warmer water was added to the tub she was in and she started to shake again as she looked around before her eyes settled on King who was kneeling next to the tub.
"Come here Meine Lieber," he sighed as he put his hand behind her neck and pulled her in, kissing her forehead before he rested his against her forehead. "I was a fool for bringing you," he whispered and she touched his arm as she shook her head, tears welling in her eyes from the shock to her system.
"No," she insisted. "I wanted to come,"
"I should have insisted you stay," his hand gripped the back of her hair and he sighed, as did she.
"Are you okay?" Sara looked away from King when she heard another voice and was surprised to see Klaus standing there before she really looked around- this was not her house and that realization made her realize something else.
"King- Get out!" she gasped as she covered her chest, her corset had been removed and she was sitting in the bath in her bloomers and chemise which were now extremely see though.
"It is nothing I haven't seen- I am a doctor," he laughed as he stood up and she scowled.
"You're a dentist," she replied and he threw his hands up as he walked to the door.
"I was worried about you- I could just come back and check-"
"Klaus, do not let him back in here!" Sara replied and Klaus shook his head at the two before he pulled his older brother out of the room. He turned and winked at Sara before closing the door and she sighed as she rested her head back on the edge of the tub with a sigh.
"Meine Leiber," King called through the door.
"What?" she asked, her voice sour, though she was smiling slightly, the adrenaline of the situation was making the whole situation somewhat amusing.
"I'm going to open the door and put your bag inside- you needn't worry, I won't look," he told her and she sighed before she nodded.
"Okay," she called through the door. "You can open the door."
He did just that and put the bag on the floor before closing the door and leaving Sara to sink into the warm water with a long sigh as she thawed out.
Okay, so for the record, if you ever have hypothermia, you do not want to submerge yourself in warm water, I know that, but in the 1840's, when this is taking place, they didn't know that, so do not do that.
DO leave me a review and let me know what you think though!