Chapter 25: Always and Forever
"If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you
When mountains crumble to the sea
There will still be you and me
Kind woman, I give you my all
Kind woman, nothing more
Little drops of rain whisper of the pain
Tears of loves lost in the days gone by
My love is strong
With you there is no wrong
Together we shall go until we die, my, my, my
An inspiration is what you are to me
Inspiration - look, see
And so today, my world, it smiles
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles
And thanks to you it will be done
For you to me are the only one
Alright, yeah
Happiness, no more be sad
Happiness - I'm glad
If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you
When mountains crumble to the sea
There will stand you and me"
"Thank You" - Led Zeppelin
(For Martin and Pru)
"MARTIN!"
Martin had just pulled the ax back over his head preparing to split the neatly placed log he had balanced on the chopping stump when the familiar sound of his beloved's voice filtered into his ears, each sing song syllable gently caressing his senses. The sweet sound begged at him to look its way. Slowly and filled with doubt, should his ears be deceiving him, he raised his head from its downcast position. The sun's bright rays immediately blinded him as it pierced his weary eyes. Martin peered off into the glade. His eyes fell into snake like slits as he squinted them against the blazing light. Now desperate to bring into focus the blur that was racing towards him.
"MARTIN!"
Martin could feel his chest tighten. His breath hitched in his throat and the ax fell from his grasp, landing in the grass behind him. This was no dream. Not a fantasy he had conjured up in his head. She was here. Pru was here and sprinting through the glade towards him. "Pru!" He shouted as his feet quickly thrust his body forward. "Pru!"
Pru catapulted her body towards him. Her legs leaving the ground and wrapping themselves around Martin's trim waist. She encircled his neck with her arms and buried her face in his golden hair. His musky scent permeated her nose, forcing her eyes to shut and her lips to part as his smell instantly brought her back to the feel of him naked in her arms. "My love…," she whispered into his ear, the tip of her nose nuzzling against his skin. "I am home."
Martin felt his world move in slow motion. She was here, wrapped around his body like the quilt his mother would cover him with when he was ill. He stretched his left arm along her back, squeezing her tightly to him. While he braced her bottom with his right. She was here. He dipped his head down, pressing his sweat covered forehead into her shoulder as his glassy eyes fell closed. Tears began gliding along their swollen rims as his joy could no longer be contained. He lowered his head to the nape of her neck as her words resonated through every cell in his body. "'I am home.'" He would have never thought that those would be the most amazing three words he would ever here. Though here he was, repeating them over and over again in his mind. I am home. I am home. I am home.
"Martin…"
"I love you," Martin breathed, cutting off her words and turning his face deeper into her neck. His lips feathering light kisses along her skin until finally his mouth sought hers.
Pru's breath hitched when his lips fell upon hers. Months of painstaking agony washed away as his sweet cinnamon taste filled her. I am home. She clutched tighter to his body, nestling herself in his flesh. It was not until every single part of her body was pressed up against him that she was reminded of the small, round bump that resided just below her belly button. Her lips instantly drew into a wide smile as she thought of their child that grew inside her. He needed to know and now before even one more moment passed. Slowly, she pulled head away from him, taking a pause to stare into his forest eyes as she did. Beautiful eyes. Then carefully she lowered her legs to the ground and pulled herself slightly away from him. The quizzical expression on Martin's face forced a nervous giggle to slip from her lips.
"Pru?" He questioned.
"Martin…," she whispered into his face. "I…I…"
"I…I…?" Martin casually teased her as he dipped his head downward, touching their foreheads together. His left eyebrow arched up towards the sky in curiosity.
Pru gazed up at him. Her translucent eyes twinkled as she reached behind her back, gripping his palms in hers and slowly gliding them around her curvy hips to the small mound that was now her belly. She held his confused stare, waiting patiently with her palms atop his. When finally the realization crept across his face and his jaw dropped open.
"Pru?" He quietly questioned. His voice hoarse with emotion.
Pru's lips curled into a soft knowing grin. "I have your child inside me," she breathed as she caressed the top of his palms with her thumbs.
Martin looked back and forth between Pru's eyes and her belly. His quivering fingers felt their way around the small bump that was her lower abdomen. Lightly, he rubbed his thumbs along her stomach. "You have my baby inside you." It was a statement, not a question. Though regardless, Pru excitedly nodded her head up and down. Martin stared, mouth gaping at her silent confirmation. He could see nothing right then. Not the trees, not the sky, not the grass beneath his feet. Only her. Only the woman he loved as she stood before him with their child inside her. Their child. Then slowly, he fell to his kneels and rested his head atop her rounded belly. Wild images of their life together blurring together in front of his eyes and in the process creating the most beautiful spectacle of light. An all encompassing happiness swept over him, as a wide grin spread across his face. The grandness of his life hitting him all at once. Then, with his head nuzzled tenderly against Pru's belly, he quietly embraced it all. All of it. Her return to him. His impending fatherhood. The life they would lead on the farm with their child. All of it. Long moments passed until he felt the sweet sensation of his hair being tugged. The fabulous feeling bringing him back to the here and now. He leaned his head backwards, eyes raised up to Pru and said, "Always."
Pru's eyes twinkled in the bright sunlight as a similar grin danced across her face. Always. The simple word needed no further explanation. She was his and he was hers as they embarked on, what was certain to be, a beautiful life together and so softly whispered back, "And forever."
Martin leapt from his feet, gripping tightly to Pru's bottom, bringing her with him into the air with him and began spinning her in wild circles around the glade. Until they were both too dizzy to continue and he gently lowered her to her feet. He pulled her tightly against him and for the first time, peered past her towards the edge of the glade where Nathaniel, Uncas and Chingachgook all stood just past the tree line. Where father's and lover's eyes locked almost instantly. Chingachgook's deep brown eyes seared through him like hot coals atop moss. The imposing stare reminding him of the night his world fell hopelessly apart. Then, just as he began to feel his body tighten up, Chingachgook raised his right hand and placed it over his heart, bowing his head slightly as he did so. Martin sighed in relief as he realized that Chingachgook had just silently given him permission to be with his daughter, from now until forever. His lips parted and slowly Martin mouthed the words "Thank you," before he buried his face in Pru's neck, inhaling her scent over and over again. Finally, she was home.
Chingachgook tilted his head back towards the heavens, watching as several birds flew effortlessly over top them. I did it Kima. He silently spoke to himself. I have made my wrongs right. I have mended my torn bonds with my children. I have brought Pru back to Martin and child to father. I have taken Nathaniel from his sorrow and I am finally able to see Uncas as he is. No longer my young son or Nathaniel and Pru's little brother, but as the man and equal he has become. I promise you wife, that I will not lose my way again. I promise. He glanced back at Pru and Martin, their arms still wrapped tightly around eacc other. Then shifted his attention away from the young lovers and over towards his sons. Uncas was peering out at Martin and Pru. A wide smile plastered across his face, clearly satisfied with his sister and Martin's reunion. His care and concern for her was only challenged by that of his older brother. Chingachgook shifted his gaze past Uncas, his eyes immediately meeting Nathaniel's knowing stare. Father and son locked for a moment in each other's silent thoughts. Until Nathaniel, bold as he is, said, "We have all been gifted to you by the Great Spirit. Just remember Nooch, that you have been gifted to us as well." And his lips curled up into a wry smile as he quickly moved ahead, grasping Uncas by the shoulder and pulling him forward with him.
"Your son is a wise young man, my friend."
Chingachgook whirled around at the familiar voice. He stood paralyzed for a moment as the sight of Sampson brought back dozens of horrid memories, all of which he was to blame for. "Sampson…," Chingachgook began but was promptly cut off by a wave of Sampson's hand.
"There is no need to revisit that which is over. You are my dearest friend and I care for you now the same as I cared for you then," And Sampson laid his waving hand upon Chingachgook's shoulder and turned his body back towards the cabin. "Now I think a proper meal is in order to celebrate your return. Of course…," Sampson said with a playful gleam in his eye. "…you will be the one cooking it!"
Chingachgook's lips sprouted into a rare and blazing grin as he said, "I would have it no other way my friend." And the two patriarchs of their family strode easily back towards the cabin as if no unpleasantness had ever crossed between them.
"I can't believe how much she ate," Uncas suddenly blurted out from his cross legged position on the floor, where he sat with his back resting up against the cabin wall. "She ate all of her plate and half of Martin's as well," he continued in disbelief. His youthful comment spurred a soft echo of laughter throughout the dimly lit cabin.
Supper had come and gone with the sun. And after the kitchen had been cleaned, the entire family, along with Jack, had retired to the common room. Chingachgook and Sampson occupied the two soft chairs in their usual spots with Chingachgook closest to the fire and Sampson closest to his precious books that lined the old wall shelves. Jack had decided on a seat beside Uncas, while Nathaniel, Martin and Pru all sat upon the long sofa. Nathaniel closest to the fire, losing himself the flicker of orange and yellow flames as they snaked themselves around the helpless wood inside the hearth. Martin sat at the opposite end, his left arm rested on the shoulder of the sofa. While his right held Pru comfortingly against his chest as she purred soft snores from lips. The rest of her body laid curled up in the space between them. Except for her toes, which she had nudged under Nathaniel's thigh for warmth before she dozed off.
"Ahhh…," Sampson drawled. "Her exaggerated appetite is only the beginning of how Pru's pregnancy will temporarily change her." He paused, widening his eyes at all four boys. "She will also grow easily tired and most likely suffer aches and pains in her body where there have never been any before. And her mood may very well shift from happy, to sad, to down right venomous and this may happen rather quickly and all at once. Though you boys will not have to worry so much as she will take almost all of it out on Martin, since he is responsible for putting that baby in her belly," he finished with a light grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes.
Martin raised both his eyebrows and proudly stated, "And I shall happily embrace all of it."
"Of that, my son, I have no doubt at all."
"Martin…," Chingachgook's soft voice suddenly broke the silence and forced everyone's head to turn towards him. "I am eternally sorry for separating you from each other. It was madness. Complete madness and utter selfishness on my part to do so." His eyes drifted from Martin to Pru's sleeping form. Her little mouth hung agape, a glistening trail of saliva spilling from the corner of her mouth onto Martin's dark blue shirt. He watched silently for a moment as the wet spot crept its way further across the fabric. Smiling to himself, as not a moment did Martin seem even the least bit put off by her drooling across his chest. He shifted his eyes back towards Martin and continued, "It is not even so that you are the best match for my daughter. You are the only match for her. And I as her father are truly honored by your unconditional love for her. Thank you dear boy." He paused, sucking in soothing breath to fight his quacking nerves and finished with, "I hope one day you will be able to forgive me."
Martin grazed his thumb along the bare skin of Pru's forearm. The feel of her silly skin beneath his touch leveling his emotions and without even the slightest tone of resentment said, "You do not need to be forgiven for loving your daughter. As love…is never something that requires forgiveness. Though I want you to know that I promise to give her the best possible life. And be the best possible husband and father to her and our children."
"Children?" Uncas unconsciously blurted out. His cheeks instantly flushing when a small roar of laughter filled the cabin. "What'd I say?"
"Ha! One day you'll understand," Nathaniel snickered between tiny bouts of laughter.
"I'm not stupid brother! I only meant that already they were thinking on having more children!" Uncas gruffly snapped back at his brother.
Nathaniel rose both palms in mock defense and said between laughs, "Geez…I'm sorry…of course you understand! How dare I question your thirteen year old sensibilities. I mean, what with Pru and Martin to set the example!"
Martin's eyes went wide. He could not believe that Nathaniel was joking about his and Pru intimacies in front of their fathers and promptly hurled the book he had rested in his lap directly into Nathaniel's face, hitting smack across his forehead.
"Ow!" Nathaniel yelped.
"Just be lucky it was me throwing it and not Pru. Because I am certain she would not settle for one measly smack at your face."
"Hmmm?" Pru mumbled. The ruckus in the room jostling her from her peaceful slumber.
Martin relaxed his narrowed eyes and dipped his head low, brushing his lips lightly along her ear and whispered, "Are you ready for bed?"
Pru nodded her head against his chest.
"Shall I carry you or would you like to walk?" He asked as he dragged his thumb across lip, wiping away any excess drool that his shirt had not absorbed.
"Hmmm…," she softly murmured, "I'll walk." Her bright eyes glancing up at him beneath her long dark eyelashes.
"Alright," he said and slipped his body out from behind her and off of the sofa.
Pru rubbed her sleepiness with her knuckles as she made her way up into a seated position. She turned first to Nathaniel, leaning over and planting a kiss on his cheek. Before she took Martin outstretched hand and rose to her feet. She turned towards her father, who rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around her. The embrace was short, but powerful, as they both knew that this was the moment that she went from being his little girl to being Martin's young wife. Slowly, she stepped away. Their hands lingering for one moment more before the embrace is fully broken and Pru moves on to kiss Sampson and Uncas goodnight. Not wanting Jack to feel excluded, she gave him a little eye wink and blew him an air kiss. Then made her way to the bedroom, hand in hand with Martin.
Martin closed the door firmly behind him, his fingers immediately searching out the small lock at the top of the door. Though halted his pursuit when he remembered that this was different. They were not being sneaky or fearful of being caught. Their love was out in the open now and whatever would happen in this room, they no longer needed to hide it. Smiling, he dropped his arm away from the lock and turned around to face Pru. Who in a matter of moments had completely disrobed herself and stood before him utterly naked.
He blinked his eyes lazily as he took in the sight of her body, each delicious curve accentuated by the baby growing in her womb. His eyes continued to roam her, taking note of the fullness of her swollen breasts and how his father said her body would grow achy in places it never was before. Slowly, he shifted his eyes further down her long curvy form. Their path halted when they fell upon her slightly rounded belly. He stared at the tiny bump. Their child was there, safely nestled inside Pru's womb. Martin's lips curled slighly up as he lost himself again in a swarm of thoughts that raced through his mind. How big was their child right now? Is it a boy or a girl? What will they name it? Which bedroom will the baby have? Then just as swiftly as the good thoughts appeared so did the bad. Will Pru deliver safely? What if she doesn't? What if something happens to her or the baby?
"Martin?" Pru questioned as she crossed the room towards him. His once calm eyes had gone wide with worry and it had not taken her long to realize that his mind was being assaulted with thoughts about their baby. "Martin…look at me," she softly stated as she gripped his chin and drew his face closer towards her own.
Reluctantly, Martin shifted his eyes to meet Pru's. A small sense of panic still lingering against the brown streaks in his eyes. "I…What if…"
Pru pressed her fingertips to his lips. "Shhhh…," she whispered. "I am fine, the baby is fine and both of us will remain that way."
Martin sighed. Her words of reassurance like a prayer upon his ears. He tilted his head down, touching their foreheads together. He could feel her naked body against his, molding herself around him. And almost instantly his body harden from the contact. His pulse began to thump hard against his veins, while his heart fluttered wildly in his chest. So many long, hard months had passed without any contact from her that now his body was reacting too quickly for his mind to even catch up. He gasped when he felt her hands grazing along him. Her silky fingertips crept up under his shirt, seductively caressing his abdomen and waist line. Without realizing, he pushed his erection into her thigh and began rubbing himself against her. The barrier of his trousers became more and more bothersome with each thrust. "Pru…," he moaned into her ear. Though before he could continue, felt his shirt rise up over his shoulders and head freeing him to press skin against beautiful skin. Their bare chest touching. Her sweet erect nipples gliding along his flesh. He raked his hands through her hair as he pulled her lips to his. A hungry, desperate kiss ensued. Both doing their best to swallow the other whole. Martin moaned louder when he felt her palm grip his manhood. His body sagging deeper into her touch. "Pru…," he breathed through ragged breaths. He could feel her fingers fumble with the buttons of his trousers. Then not a moment later the cool air in the room tickled at his naked legs. He kicked his fallen trousers off the side and felt his body pushed down into a seated position on the bed. His head tilted up as Pru climbed into his lap. Both of her delicious thighs rested on either side of him. He gripped her waist, steadying her atop him, his thumbs laid lightly along her belly. The small mound pressing into him as she shifted closer towards him. And forcing the knowledge at him again that she was with child. His body went rigid and immediately he chided himself for letting his lust overcome all of his senses.
Pru could feel the tension in his body radiate into her own. She stilled atop him, before lowering her bottom onto his thighs. "What's wrong?" She whispered, her fingers lightly tracing the line of his jaw with concern.
He rubbed his thumbs l gently along her raised belly and softly murmured, "I don't want to hurt you or our baby."
Pru clutched onto either side of his cheeks and nestled her face against his. "Everything about this feels right. My body is craving you and if that is how I feel…how can anything be wrong with it," she breathed into his face before placing her lips to his.
Martin felt Pru's palms slid up into hair and her thin fingers twist into his shaggy strands. The following tug forces a soft moan to slip from his lips. And before he even had time to react, the warmth of her body was all around him. His eyes rolled back into his head, while his arms spread out wide across her back and bottom. Every sweet sway of her hips, forcing her hard nipples to glide across his sweat-cover chest in a teasing rhythmic fashion that begged at him to be suckled. Martin slid one hand from around her back, lightly cupping her fullness in his palm and bent his head downward. Pru arched backward, nudging her breast further into his face and gasped when she felt the warm wet feel of his tongue licking and sucking at her nipple. The rock of her hips shifted quickly from slow and sweet to nearly animalistic as she dug her nails into skin, desperate to hold onto him as she moved with vigor atop him. A rush of tingles shot along Martin's spine. The feel of her like this made his body so hard, he felt that any moment he might explode. Then, as desire coursed through him, quickly he scooped up her bottom in his arms and gently flipped Pru over onto her back, making certain to keep their physical connection as he did so.
Pru sighed as her back fell limp against the bed. Her long hair fanned out around her head like the bustle of a grand skirt. She gripped onto the flexed muscles in Martin's arms and let her legs fall wide against the quilt, opening herself up fully to him. Martin stared intently into her eyes as plunged himself deep inside her. The tip of his manhood caressing her innermost wall. "Ooooh…," she cooed as the erotic sensation quickly had her squirming beneath him.
A wide satisfied grin crept across Martin's lips. He loved seeing her like this, cheeks stained crimson, sweat covered and breathing heavy beneath him. Though more than anything he loved gazing into her eyes as they made love, knowing he was putting the reflecting twinkle there. He smiled down at her as small droplets of sweat dripped off his brow and collided with a soft splat along her breasts. His groin began to pulse, quickly he snaked his arm under her lower back, arching her pelvis even higher up towards him. His body quivered with desire as each new thrust threatened to unravel him. "Pru…," he breathed between gritted teeth. His eyes focused intently down at her. "Pru…"
Pru's arched her hips up against him, listening as he desperately gasped for air. Her stare locked on his own intense gaze.
"I love you…now until forever."
Pru reached up, gripping the back of his head and bringing his face close to hers. Lips almost touching and whispered, "I love you Martin…always."
Martin suddenly pinched his eyes tightly shut. Her body moved in ways against him that his mind could not even fathom. He could feel the tingling in his groin growing stronger and stronger with each hurried sway of her hips. Martin moaned loudly and without any care of who might hear as the feel of Pru's climax erupted all over him, blissfully catapulting him into his own sweet release. He peeled his eyes open, shocked by the intensity of his release and slowly collapsed onto his elbows, keeping his weight off her body and buried his face in her sweat covered neck. Where he promptly began feathering tiny kisses along her salty tasting skin.
"Hmmm…." Pru smiled widely as dragged her fingers delicately along his back. "…you know I love that," she murmured, turning her face into his.
"Of course I do….that's why I'm doing it." Martin smiled serenely and continued to kiss a line along her jaw until his lips connected with the prize he sought.
Pru giggled as his lips made their way across her skin. She sighed contentedly, while she tousled his shaggy blonde locks. These had been the moments she had missed the most. Their quiet moments of intimacy nestled within the darkness. It was the simplicity of merely lying together that made her heart blaze the brightest. His touch upon her skin. The way he looked into her eyes, with so much love and longing. She sighed as his mouth fell gently atop her own. The fullness of his lips pressing down upon her. The feel of how he gently massaged them together. So lovingly. So tender. So…perfect. Nothing in this life would ever compare to the way she felt right now in this moment. Because this was the moment she felt truly home. This was the moment she truly felt free. Free of all of it.
Martin yawned widely as he brought his left hand up towards his eyes and began rubbing vigorously against his sockets. He flattened his palm atop his face, silently cursing his internal alarm for waking him up just after the sunrise. Especially since he and Pru had spent the better part of the night shared between talking and making love. It was not until the wee hours of the night that Pru could no longer keep her eyes open and dozed off mid sentence. Martin draped his right arm back around her curled up form, wiggling his body into her curves a bit more. He grazed her abdomen with his fingertips, drawing small circles around her belly. He was going to be a father. A man responsible for the care and upbringing of a child. The care and upbringing. The thought suddenly whirled around in his mind like a tornado, vanishing all of the bliss from the previous night from his mind. He spread his palm flat against her belly, wondering if his earlier thoughts could have been true. Could him being inside Pru hurt their child? Pru did not seem to think so. Though as a wave of nervousness flooded over him, he knew there was only one thing that would either confirm his fears or put them at ease. Slowly, so as not to wake her, he slid himself away from Pru and off the bed. Grabbing his clothes from the previous night, he hurriedly dressed and closing the bedroom door behind him went in search of his father.
Martin meandered down the dark hallway and out into the common area of the cabin, instantly seeing the spin off all five heads as they lifted from their breakfast plates towards him.
"Morning," Uncas cheerfully said.
"Morning," Martin replied as he made his way towards the supper table.
"Pru?" Chingachgook questioned as he broke a small piece of biscuit in half and popped it into his mouth.
"She's still sleeping," Martin answered with a smile.
"I bet she is!" Nathaniel sniggered and then quickly followed it with, "Long night huh brother!"
Martin's eyes went from narrowed vengeful slits boring down upon Nathaniel to wide circles at the realization that if Nathaniel had heard them making love, Chingachgook most likely had as well. Cautiously, he shifted his eyes back to Chingachgook but saw that he had thankfully turned his head back towards his plate and continued quietly munching on his biscuit. A wave of relief washed over him as he now fully acknowledged Chingachgook's commitment to his and Pru's relationship. And while his inner self was exploding with happiness, he carefully decided not to rush over and embrace his new father. Thinking it best not to draw anymore attention to the situation then was necessary. Instead, he shifted his eyes back towards Nathaniel and scowled at him, silently imagining all the ways in which he could retaliate against him.
"Morning son," came Sampson's voice from the cabin doorway, a wooden bucket filled with milk dangling from his right palm.
"Morning Father." The sight of his father forsaken his plans to ruin Nathaniel's day and said, "Can I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course. Take this Nathaniel," he said, extending the bucket out towards Nathaniel, who silently popped up from his seat and took the bucket's handle from Sampson's grasp. "Shall we go outside?"
"Yes."
Martin followed his father out into the glade, a small ways away from the cabin. Thankfully out of ear shot of everyone inside. When they nearly reached the tree line, Sampson turned on his heel and patiently waited for his son to begin. Martin curled his bare toes into the earth, not certain how he wanted to start. This was a sensitive subject, that did not just involve himself and Martin very quickly found himself shifting from side to side in discomfort over it.
Sampson eyed him curiously, Martin's restlessness abundantly clear and so rested his palm on Martin's shoulder. "You are always free to say or ask anything of me."
Martin inhaled the cool morning air. Its briskness tickled his nostrils and invigorated his senses. And as he was certain this would not be the last time he came to his father with questions, decided to just come right out with it. "I need to know if making love to Pru will hurt her or the baby."
Sampson could not stop the small smile that filtered across his lips.
Martin furrowed his brows. "I am being completely serious, father."
"I am sorry son. I know you are. I am just proud of you for not only asking but for being concerned for your family." Sampson waited until Martin's face eased and continued, "No, son. Being physical with Pru will not harm her or the baby." He paused as he watched several stress lines dissolve along his son's furrowed brow. "I will say this though, as she swells with child, she will most definitely become increasingly uncomfortable. And as that happens, she may want to be physical less and less. And I would hate for you to think that it has to with anything other than her own physical discomfort that keeps her from wanting to be with you."
Martin stood quietly for a moment, processing his father's words. If Pru did not want to make love to him he certainly would not become angry or overwrought by it, with or without her being pregnant. After all, their love was not only defined by their physical connection. Though he appreciated his father's concern for his own mental state. However, it was the knowledge that him being inside her would incur no harm to her or their baby that truly set his heart at ease. He felt his shoulders sag in relief and his father's hand move to his cheek.
"You alright son?"
"Yes, father. Thank you."
"Any more questions?"
Martin laughed. "I am certain I will have dozens, but for now, no that's all I needed to know."
Alright then. "Sampson dropped his hand from Martin's cheek as father and son began to make their way back towards the cabin. When Sampson suddenly halted as a side thought came to his mind. "Son," he said, turning to face Martin. "Might I make one suggestion."
Martin raised his eyebrows high into his hairline in question. "Of course, father."
"Try to be a bit quieter."
Martin's cheek went crimson for a second time this morning as embarrassment swept across his face. It must have truly been bad if his father felt the need to say something to him. "Ohhhh…I'm sorry father. We didn't mean to…"
Sampson smiled and cut him off mid sentence saying, "We have been there son. Lost in passion. I just implore you to try and remember that you are still living in a home with both of your father's. Alright?"
"Alright," Martin answered with a nervous chuckle.
"Good then!" Sampson said, slapping his son on the back. "Now let's see to some breakfast!"
Sampson and Martin entered the cabin to see Pru standing by the head of the supper table, a half eaten jam covered biscuit in her right hand and small strip of meat in her left. Martin immediately went to her side, cupping her chin in his palm and tilting face up so he could kiss her.
"Morning," he whispered. His tongue glided along his lips after they parted to sweep away the small glob of blackberry jam that she left behind on the corner of his mouth.
"Morning!" She cheerfully exclaimed. Then made to pass Martin the rest of her biscuit when she felt a strange flutter inside her womb. "Ooooh…," she gasped, dropping both the biscuit and the meat to the floor and placing her palms against her belly.
"What is it? What's the matter?" Martin frantically questioned as he placed his palms atop her own. His head a fury of movement between Pru's face and his father's.
"I…I…I've never felt anything like this before." Quickly she slid her palms out from underneath Martin's, leaving his own flat against her belly. She stared, smiling widely up at him. "I wish you could feel it."
Nathaniel, who had been leaning against the back of the sofa, abruptly stood up. His sister's words stormed through his mind like a whiteout of snow that he could not seem to pass through. He had heard those words before. Seen that same goofy, excited face that Pru now wore before on Tanda as she sat nestled in his lap, just before the worst happened. His heart began to race and his hands quaked at his sides. He could feel tiny droplets of sweat form along his brow and under his arms as the scene replayed in his mind. Each passing second bringing the scene more and more into focus. He could feel his hands atop her belly, the soft curve of her abdomen beneath his fingers. "I wish you could feel it." She had said. "Feel what...my sweet girl?" He had questioned. Nathaniel's mind began to spin as bile rose in his belly. He had never felt like this before. So unhinged as he did at this moment. He pushed himself away from the sofa, desperately seeking any type of motion so he might avoid vomiting right then and there. "What…what are you saying?" He asked, striding towards them. "What…exactly…do you mean?"
Pru gulped. Her throat suddenly bone dry as she watched her brother crossover towards her. His pain stricken expression silently telling her that he had already put two and two together without needing it confirmed by her.
"Natty…," she shakily breathed.
Nathaniel's eyes widened at her frazzled tone. Why would she seem even the slightest bit nervous? Unless… "You knew!" He bellowed. Then watched as his little sister unconsciously took a single step backwards in retreat from him. He was so overwhelmed in that moment, that even while he watched Pru cower away from him, he did not fully register that he was actually scaring her and continued his resentful advance towards her. "How could you!" He hollered even louder. Two more steps and he would be directly in front of her. Only now he would not, because Martin had shielded nearly her entire body the moment he raised his voice.
"Natty…," Pru whimpered, through her now flowing tears. "Please… let me…"
Seeing Pru's falling tears made him aware of the fact that he too was weeping, almost uncontrollably. His unsteady emotions quickly going to war over what which win. Sadness or rage. And since sadness was too much for him to bear right now he consciously chose rage. "How could you not tell me? You're awful," he screamed. One more step until his chest would butt up against Martin's. "AWFUL!"
As that last syllable hung stagnant in the cabin air, Chingachgook leapt from his seat and wrapped his arms around his son's chest, gripping Nathaniel's back tightly against his chest and almost lifting him up off his feet. He spun them in a small circle and quickly shuffled him outside of the cabin. He could hear his father's voice in his ear. His father's soft drawl, no doubt, begging for him to be calm. But he was not listening. Not to his father. Not to Pru. Not to anyone. All he could hear right then was the rapid thud of his heart and the sound of his birth name on Tanda's sweet lips. Once free of the cabin walls, Nathaniel flung his body out of confines of his father's tight grasp, launching himself forward as he ran at a full sprint out into the forest. Completely unbeknownst to him, with Uncas following quickly at his heels.
Nathaniel tore through the forest like wildfire, smacking and kicking at anything and everything in his way. Until he had depleted all of his energy and collapsed onto his knees. He balled his fists and fell forward, punching at the earth as if she was the one responsible for his sweet Tanda's demise. "AHHHHHHHH!" He screamed into the open air, dispelling every the bit of rage from his body. "Why? Why, Great Spirit, did this have to happen? I lost both of them. Both of them. Why force me to suffer in such a way. WHY?" His body sagged forward as new tears sprang from his eyes. With his rage evaporated all that was left was his sadness and he let it consume him. Weeping uncontrollably and without concern of who might see him. His body convulsed heavily with each new sob, until he flinched at a gentle touch upon his shoulder. Without looking, Nathaniel reached his hand back and grabbed onto Uncas's palm, pulling him down beside him as he wrapped his arms around his little brother's shoulders and began sobbing into his brother's favorite green shirt.
"Why is this happening? How could she have not told me?"
Uncas reached his arms around Nathaniel's back and began rubbing his palms comfortingly along his spine. "Pru only ever does things out of honor or protection. To know the truth brother, you will have to ask her yourself."
"Tanda was with child…," Nathaniel sputtered out between sobs.
"I know," Uncas calmly whispered into his ear.
"I think she was trying to tell me, just before the attack on the village…and then…she was no longer able to."
The pain in his brother's usual jovial voice shot straight to Uncas's core. It was horrible for him having lost Tanda. And now with new revelation, he would have to grieve for his unborn child as well. Uncas could not even begin to imagine how painful this must be and, try as he might, could hardly find any words to soothe his brother's aching spirit. Instead, he wrapped his arms tighter around his brother and simply held him in his young arms. Uncas dipped his head down, laying it atop Nathaniel's and gently began to rock his brother back and forth over and over again until his wails became a whisper. Then finally, faded into silence. They stayed like that for a while, quiet, just listening to the forest stir around them. Until Nathaniel's hoarse voice quietly filled the air.
"I will never love again, Uncas. Never." His words laced with the devastation of knowing that he created a child through love. Pure, perfect and unconditional love. A love that he felt certain could never be replaced.
Uncas furrowed his brow in disbelief of his brother's words and quickly pulled Nathaniel's head up to face him, "Don't you ever say that again. I knew Tanda, same as you, and she would not want you to live your life without love. And you had better damn well honor her with a beautiful life, filled with wild children, a messy home and a wife intent on loving you despite your terrible disposition."
Nathaniel wiped the wetness from his cheeks. Uncas was right. Tanda would want him to live. Just has he would have wanted the same of her. All he could right then was hope that one day he could. He drew his arm across his nose, relieving his face completely of moister and, in true Nathaniel fashion, cracked the smallest of smiles and questioned his brother's chosen words, "Despite my terrible disposition?"
"Yea…even despite that."
"You certainly have a way with words little brother."
"Thank you. Now you need to have your own way with words."
"Yea…I suppose I do."
Nathaniel and Uncas crossed the tree line into the glade, both instantly spying Pru sitting cross legged with shoulders sagged forward amongst the slow dying grass. A dark blue knitted wool shawl wrapped tightly around her body to keep the biting chill off her sensitive skin. Her face was blotchy from crying and Nathaniel felt an immediate pang of regret knowing that it was because of him. As they approached closer towards her, she lifted her eyes up meeting Nathaniel's weary stare.
"I'll be inside," Uncas said as he continued past Pru towards the cabin, gently touching the top of her head as he went.
Nathaniel dropped down beside her, snatching her hand from her lap and placing it between both of his palms as he did so. "How did you find out?" He calmly asked.
Pru turned her head to face him. This was yet another way in which they were similar. Both of them, rather bluntly, got to the point. And since she could appreciate his candidness did not hesitate to answer. "I found Tanda in the nempike's wigwam searching for some herbs." She paused, remembering why exactly Tanda had been collecting said herbs and quickly decided not to tell him of Tanda's plan to abort the baby. He did not need anymore pain weighing him down or anymore hate in his heart and so shook the memory from her mind and continued with, "I figured it out based on what she had collected."
Nathaniel nodded his head in acceptance of this and continued, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tanda made me promise not to say anything to you before she had a chance to first. And then…she…she…died. And I knew from your reaction that you didn't know about the baby." Pru swiveled her body to face him and gripped onto their joined palms with her free hand. "I tried to tell you…so many times. But each time I was silenced by nature. The howl of a wolf or the loud crack of lightning. It was as if she was telling me to remain silent. And so I did. To honor my promise to her. Natty…," Pru helplessly trailed off.
Nathaniel squeezed tightly to her palms. Trying his best to reassure her that his outrage had dissipated. He closed his eyes, to the distant howl of a wolf charging through his memory. He did indeed remember at the small prayer service they had for Tanda, and how Pru was overwrought with grief. The way she had clutched at his shirt in desperation over something that was invading her mind, her thoughts pushing her nearly to hysterics. How when he asked her about it, her lips had part as though to speak, but was then interrupted by the howl of a wolf as its loud wail echoed through the glade. He hung his head low and said, "It was not fair of me to scream at you like that. And as much as I wish you hadn't…I understand why you kept it from me. I would have done the same. If it meant protecting you from further pain. I most definitely would have done the same."
"Oh Natty," Pru whimpered as she curled into his side. "I never wanted to hurt you. Never."
Nathaniel wrapped his arms tighter around her, drawing her body closer to his side. "Pru?"
"Hmmm?"
"What do you think my baby would have looked like?"
Pru smiled against his shoulder and said, "She would have had lighter skin…though not quite as light as you, with long raven hair that stretched all the way down to her bottom. Parted in the center, same as her mama. Her eyes would be a beautiful almond shape, slightly stretched out at the corners. Their color so blue they could be seen even in the blackness of night. And her lips would have had just the perfect amount of curve and fullness to throw off unsuspecting people to the quick witted tongue she also possessed."
"She?"
"Yes…she. That is how I picture the baby in my mind as a beautiful little girl."
Nathaniel closed his eyes, loosening a single tear to slip down his cheek.
She...
Author's Note: So, Nathaniel finally knows that he was going to be a father. I thought about several different ways in which he might find out, but settled on this one because it seemed the most natural. Pru would have never consciously told him about the baby, as she was determined to not just honor her promise to Tanda but also protect her brother from further pain. A reoccurring role if you read The Ties That Bind. And I was initially going to have Chingachgook go after him, but now that Uncas is maturing even more, I am going to be highlighting their brotherly bond more. This being the perfect place to start!
And of course, Sampson and his easy going nature would easily forgive Chingachgook for his actions! He never had any doubt that they would return, it was only a matter of when. And while it may not have been soon enough for our lovers, Pru and Martin are most definitely content to be in each others arms now and forever! Now you can see why Nathaniel busts Matto's chops in Bound Together, over thinking that Pru and Martin were the most passionate lovers on the farm! Those two went all night long and without any care of who was listening! Also why in The Ties That Bind, you see them make love a few times outside. Because they are trying to be considerate towards their families and don't want to have to restrain themselves vocally ;)
Now, you may notice, if you read the other stories in this saga, that certain lines or situations may be sometimes repeated. I will say this, that in a family, our way of talking and doing things trickles down. People in close knit relationships often say and repeat the words as their friends and family. Kids with their parents for instance. I just wanted to put it out there so you all didn't think I was just being overly repetitive!
On a side note, my schedule has gotten rather busy lately and I will be starting a new job very soon so I will most likely be posting on more of a bi-weekly schedule from now on. Unless, that is, I get on a crazy writing tear and run through a chapter in a whole night (which I have been known to do)!
Thank you to everyone who viewed/reviewed for your patience and commitment to this story! I am truly, as Colonel Munro would say, indebted to you! MohawkWoman, BrynnaRaven, BlueSaffire, AsterLaurel, ELY72, Hazel222, your support is amazing...THANK YOU!
Thanks for reading ;)
