After supper and the younger children had been placed in bed, Gabriel sat in an easy chair reading a book, Thomas laid stretched out on the floor, placing his soldiers in order, Hannah in turn sat on the rocking chair sewing. When Benjamin walked in the room, the three looked up at him, the eyes of Gabriel and Thomas pleading with him to open the letters, the eyes of Hannah looking at him with knowing. He sighed and walked into his office, his hand rested over the letters, then his blue eyes traveled to the expectant gazes of his sons and he moved away from them. Gabriel sighed and looked to Thomas. Thomas looked at Hannah who shrugged and sighed. Benjamin walked towards the window and looked back at them with a sigh. "So what came in the mail?" He asked with resignation. Gabriel sprang from his chair, his book tossed to the ground as he ran across the wooden floor in a hurry. Thomas leaped from the floor, taking care not to step on his soldiers. Hannah stood up delicately and placed her sewing on her chair carefully and began to walk slowly with precision to the office. But Thomas grabbed her arm and ran with her to the office, ruining her chance of showing her budding lady-like ways.
Thomas grabbed a paper out of the mail, a newsletter about the war and held it out so that Hannah could see as well. The two of them sat huddled over the paper while Gabriel looked at another newsletter. Benjamin sat still in his chair, his eyes gazing with slight apprehension at the letter in front of him, the red ribbon signifying the contents' importance. "Father, Peter Cuppin enlisted in the Contintentals." Gabriel said haltingly, pleadingly. Thomas and Hannah looked up suddenly, their eyes traveling from Gabriel's pleading face, to Benjamin's passive one. Benjamin did nothing, but his eyes flicked to Gabriel's face, then back to his letter. Gabriel threw up his hands. "He's seventeen, a year younger than I." Benjamin did nothing, but his gaze was kept to his letter. Gabriel sighed and his gaze went back to the newsletter.
Thomas looked at Gabriel with knowing sympathy. Hannah touched Gabriel's arm in understanding. She knew Peter Cuppin. He was a good friend of Gabriel's and ever since the talk of war had started, the two had always planned to enlist together. "Well the Assenbly's been convened so we're going to," Benjamin started. "Charlestown!" Thomas yelled. Hannah grinned. "Charlestown." Benjamin finished with a smile. "We're goin' to Charlestown?" Thomas repeated excitedly. Benjamin nodded. "That's right. We leave in the morning." A sudden sound of yelling came to the group's ears and Benjamin stood up and went to the door. Standing there was an elderly black man, his hat in his hands. "Hello Massa Martin." He said shyly. Benjamin smiled invitingly and Hannah came up behind him. "You've come for Hannah I assume Peter." Benjamin said. Peter shook his head with a smile. "No sah. Massa an' Missus Ross had ta go ta Charlestown for a meetin' an' dey knew dat you'd gotten da letta an' knew you'd be goin' temorra. Dey left dis evenin' an' wanted ta know if Hannah could spend the evenin' with Miss Margaret, seein' as she's so fond of her. An' den ya could bring the Missus to Charlestown an' meet the Massa an' Missus." Peter said.
Benjamin turned to Hannah. Hannah nodded and pleaded with her eyes. Benjamin laughed and pointed up the stairs. Hannah grinned and ran up the stairs whispering her friend's name. Peter grinned and handed a bag to Benjamin. "The Missis' things. She'd be mad as a hornet if she didn't have her things." Benjamin smiled and patted Peter on the back. "You're a good man Peter. Come in for some coffee?" Peter shook his head and began to walk away. "No sah. But thanks anyway. I's 'preciate it." He said with a smile as he walked down the road. "Oh Father! Thank you for letting Hannah stay with us!" Margaret said rushing down the stairs and clasping her arms around her father in a huge embrace. "You're welcome!" Benjamin said, clasping her to him. "Goodness Meg, have you no decency?" Gabriel started, winking at Thomas. Thomas grinned and took up the comment. "Yes of course! Coming down here in your nightgown. It's scandelous." He said with a grin. Margaret stuck her tongue out at them and kissed Benjamin's face swiftly and dashed up the stairs once more. "Oh! Hannah says goodnight." Margaret said, leaning over the stairwell. "Well at least she has some decency!" Gabriel called up, much to Thomas and Benjamin's amusement.
The next morning saw the Martin's and Hannah in the carriages on the way to Charlestown. The younger children slept for the first part of the morning on the way to the city. Thomas and Hannah talked throughout the trip, Thomas making a special effort not to talk about the war that was looming on the horizon. But all talking ceased when they pulled into Charlestown. Excited eyes gazed upon the huge wharf and the ships resting in it. They gazed upon the large houses and busy streets before they finally came to one of the larger houses in Charlestown. When the family walked up to the door, the door opened and a young woman stepped out excitedly, her blonde curls falling over her shoulders and her face flushed with expectation.
"Aunt Charlotte!" The younger children cried out, enfolding her in their grasps. Thomas, Gabriel, Hannah, and Benjamin stayed out of the way, watching with smiling eyes. "Hello children! My goodness how you've grown! They're huge. What have you been feeding them?" She asked, directing her shining eyes on Benjamin. Benjamin smiled pleasantly and put his hand on William's shoulder. "Only good stock. On their Mother's side of course." He said, his smile making Charlotte turn red with appreciation. "Thank you." She said softly, her eyes twinkling. "Oh Charlotte, you remember Hannah Ross don't you?" Benjamin asked, drawing Hannah nearer to Charlotte so she could see her. "Why yes, I do. We met at your father's home during one of his campaigns. It's a pleasure to meet you again Hannah." Charlotte said with a friendly smile.
Hannah smiled and nodded. "Thank you. I do remember you Miss Charlotte." She said gratefully. "Well why don't you come in the house? I have something for you." Charlotte said turning to the children. "Presents?!" They cried out, and at Charlotte's nod, the lot of them ran into the house excitedly. Benjamin turned to the three of them. "Why don't you keep an eye on those heathens?" He said pointing towards the door where the children had so hastily departed. Hannah began to make her ladylike approach towards the door before Thomas grabbed her arm and the two ran in, Gabriel quickly on their heels, admonishing them, though he ran as well, knocking Benjamin into Charlotte.
That evening was a wonderful change for the Martins. They all sat around the table with Charlotte and discussed the events taking place in Charlestown. Thomas and Gabriel listened with attentive ears but Benjamin's eyes couldn't stay away from Charlotte, the only one not listening. Gabriel obtained permission to go walking about the people gathered in the streets expressing their desire for rebellion against King George. Hannah and Thomas stayed inside with the younger children looking out from the balcony at the festivities. After a while Benjamin approached Charlotte who was standing on the balcony with Thomas and Hannah, the only two left, the others having gone to bed long ago. "Would you care to walk with me?" He asked gently. Charlotte smiled and nodded, fetching a shawl and placing it around her shoulders. "We'll be back." She said to Thomas, who smiled and nodded, immediately chattering to Hannah.
Charlotte smiled and took Benjamin's arm as they walked throughout the busy streets. "She's grown up quite a bit since I saw her last." Charlotte murmured. Benjamin nodded. "Yes, she grows more every time I see her I think. We haven't seen her for many months. She's been with her family. It seemed like she blossomed from a little girl running about with Thomas and Gabriel complaining about her skirts to a young mannerly woman. How is that possible? Especially with girls, they always seem to grow quicker." Benjamin said, glancing at Charlotte. She smiled. "I don't know Benjamin. I really don't. Does she know yet? About you?" Benjamin sighed and shook his head. "No. She doesn't. Her father, won't tell her. Not yet. You know how Joseph is." He said with a sigh. "You found her in the woods didn't you?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes. She was abandoned. Found her mother not far away. She had shot herself. Couldn't have been much older than Gabriel is now." Benjamin said, his face turning down. "Thank goodness you were there." Charlotte replied. "Yes. You should have seen Elizabeth's face when I brought a little baby home. She was shocked. She had just had Thomas you know, and Gabriel was such a handful. Well you know how she was." Benjamin said, turning to Charlotte. She nodded and smiled in remembrance. "Yes. That must have come as quite a shock. And then you Hannah to the Ross'? Why was that?" Charlotte asked, brushing a curl away from her face. "Well, they had just lost a child. A little girl as well. I told them what happened. But they didn't care. Joseph was uneasy at first, but Gabby didn't care. She wanted her so badly. So they named her what they would have named their other little girl, Hannah. They were very kind. They made sure that she would always have memories of me and the children. Very kind. She's practically grown up with the children. It's sad, but yet, I still wish they'd tell her the truth."
"Why don't they?" Charlotte asked. Benjamin scoffed. "Gabby and Joseph have this fool idea in their head that if they tell her, she'll think that I'm more of family to her since I found her and she'll want to leave them. It's insane I tell you. That girl loves me and the children, but she wouldn't do a thing like that." Benjamin said angrily. "No she wouldn't. Especially not with her love for them. No matter what comes up they will always be her parents." Charlotte reassured him.
Benjamin nodded. "I still remember when she was a little girl. She was such a tomboy. Hated her skirts, loved playing with the boys rather than Meg. She and the boys are practically kin. It was so humorous. Gabriel was so protective of her when she was younger. Once when she and Thomas were playing in a mud hole, Thomas threw mud in her face, just to get her to notice him. She tried not to cry, but in the end a few tears came out and Gabriel just happened to see what had gone on. He couldn't have been more than, oh, ten. He came and brought a stick and wore Thomas out so badly, then he brought him to me." Benjamin laughed.
"Poor Thomas was trying his best not to cry. Gabriel was standing straight and tall, thinking he'd done the right thing. And Hannah, Hannah was a mixture of pity for Thomas and pride for Gabriel. I remember she said to me, 'Mr. Martin! Gabriel took a stick an' wore Thomas out 'cause he threw mud on me, but I'm alright now!' The three of them always had a knack of getting into trouble." Benjamin said with a smile. "Benjamin, they look familiar. Do they remind you of someone?" Charlotte asked, her gaze turning to the balcony where Thomas and Hannah were standing closely talking. Benjamin followed her gaze. "Who them? No, no one comes to mind." He said, his face blank.
Charlotte smiled. "Well it seems to me that it is a reliving of a picture of a pretty young girl named Elizabeth and a handsome young man named Benjamin. You remember, the night of the dance. Yours and Elizabeth's first dance I must say." Charlotte said with a smile. Benjamin's face reddened and his eyes gained a faraway look all to familiar to Charlotte. "Yes. The first dance. I remember I thought she was beautiful. Said it too. Told her straight to her face and she told me that I shouldn't take such liberties with words. Especially since we'd only first met. But she was pleased. I knew she was." Benjamin said knowingly, stealing another glance at the two. Charlotte dropped her head with a sad smile. "Yes, I remember I was so envious when she came back and told me all about the boy Benjamin Martin who danced almost every dance with her and spoke to her like no other boy had before. I was very jealous." She said.
"You? Jealous? I don't belive it." Benjamin said with a smile. "Oh I was. Very. That's who they remind me of though Benjamin." She said. "Oh them? No. They're too young." Benjamin said, waving his hand, but his eyes held a shadow of doubt. "Youth does not stop love. In fact often it brings it quicker." Charlotte said sensibly. "No. They've known each other since they were children. They couldn't possibly even be thinking of love." Benjamin insisted. "They aren't children anymore Benjamin. Look at them. Look at your son. Is that look in his eyes the look of childish affection? No it isn't. Hannah is growing up and Thomas can see it. Thomas is growing up and Hannah can see it. Often children tend to see change more than we can. They see it, and they sense the change and welcome it." Charlotte said, her eyes shining.
"Well I don't welcome it. They are too young." Benjamin said stubbornly. "Well I know that your son will protest if you never let him see her again. He is very much like his father you know." Charlotte said with a smile. "If the truth were known, he is more like his mother." Benjamin insisted. "His father is evident. And that is all I shall say more on this subject. You can't hold onto them forever Benjamin." She said softly. "I know." He said after a long pause. "I know."
Thomas grabbed a paper out of the mail, a newsletter about the war and held it out so that Hannah could see as well. The two of them sat huddled over the paper while Gabriel looked at another newsletter. Benjamin sat still in his chair, his eyes gazing with slight apprehension at the letter in front of him, the red ribbon signifying the contents' importance. "Father, Peter Cuppin enlisted in the Contintentals." Gabriel said haltingly, pleadingly. Thomas and Hannah looked up suddenly, their eyes traveling from Gabriel's pleading face, to Benjamin's passive one. Benjamin did nothing, but his eyes flicked to Gabriel's face, then back to his letter. Gabriel threw up his hands. "He's seventeen, a year younger than I." Benjamin did nothing, but his gaze was kept to his letter. Gabriel sighed and his gaze went back to the newsletter.
Thomas looked at Gabriel with knowing sympathy. Hannah touched Gabriel's arm in understanding. She knew Peter Cuppin. He was a good friend of Gabriel's and ever since the talk of war had started, the two had always planned to enlist together. "Well the Assenbly's been convened so we're going to," Benjamin started. "Charlestown!" Thomas yelled. Hannah grinned. "Charlestown." Benjamin finished with a smile. "We're goin' to Charlestown?" Thomas repeated excitedly. Benjamin nodded. "That's right. We leave in the morning." A sudden sound of yelling came to the group's ears and Benjamin stood up and went to the door. Standing there was an elderly black man, his hat in his hands. "Hello Massa Martin." He said shyly. Benjamin smiled invitingly and Hannah came up behind him. "You've come for Hannah I assume Peter." Benjamin said. Peter shook his head with a smile. "No sah. Massa an' Missus Ross had ta go ta Charlestown for a meetin' an' dey knew dat you'd gotten da letta an' knew you'd be goin' temorra. Dey left dis evenin' an' wanted ta know if Hannah could spend the evenin' with Miss Margaret, seein' as she's so fond of her. An' den ya could bring the Missus to Charlestown an' meet the Massa an' Missus." Peter said.
Benjamin turned to Hannah. Hannah nodded and pleaded with her eyes. Benjamin laughed and pointed up the stairs. Hannah grinned and ran up the stairs whispering her friend's name. Peter grinned and handed a bag to Benjamin. "The Missis' things. She'd be mad as a hornet if she didn't have her things." Benjamin smiled and patted Peter on the back. "You're a good man Peter. Come in for some coffee?" Peter shook his head and began to walk away. "No sah. But thanks anyway. I's 'preciate it." He said with a smile as he walked down the road. "Oh Father! Thank you for letting Hannah stay with us!" Margaret said rushing down the stairs and clasping her arms around her father in a huge embrace. "You're welcome!" Benjamin said, clasping her to him. "Goodness Meg, have you no decency?" Gabriel started, winking at Thomas. Thomas grinned and took up the comment. "Yes of course! Coming down here in your nightgown. It's scandelous." He said with a grin. Margaret stuck her tongue out at them and kissed Benjamin's face swiftly and dashed up the stairs once more. "Oh! Hannah says goodnight." Margaret said, leaning over the stairwell. "Well at least she has some decency!" Gabriel called up, much to Thomas and Benjamin's amusement.
The next morning saw the Martin's and Hannah in the carriages on the way to Charlestown. The younger children slept for the first part of the morning on the way to the city. Thomas and Hannah talked throughout the trip, Thomas making a special effort not to talk about the war that was looming on the horizon. But all talking ceased when they pulled into Charlestown. Excited eyes gazed upon the huge wharf and the ships resting in it. They gazed upon the large houses and busy streets before they finally came to one of the larger houses in Charlestown. When the family walked up to the door, the door opened and a young woman stepped out excitedly, her blonde curls falling over her shoulders and her face flushed with expectation.
"Aunt Charlotte!" The younger children cried out, enfolding her in their grasps. Thomas, Gabriel, Hannah, and Benjamin stayed out of the way, watching with smiling eyes. "Hello children! My goodness how you've grown! They're huge. What have you been feeding them?" She asked, directing her shining eyes on Benjamin. Benjamin smiled pleasantly and put his hand on William's shoulder. "Only good stock. On their Mother's side of course." He said, his smile making Charlotte turn red with appreciation. "Thank you." She said softly, her eyes twinkling. "Oh Charlotte, you remember Hannah Ross don't you?" Benjamin asked, drawing Hannah nearer to Charlotte so she could see her. "Why yes, I do. We met at your father's home during one of his campaigns. It's a pleasure to meet you again Hannah." Charlotte said with a friendly smile.
Hannah smiled and nodded. "Thank you. I do remember you Miss Charlotte." She said gratefully. "Well why don't you come in the house? I have something for you." Charlotte said turning to the children. "Presents?!" They cried out, and at Charlotte's nod, the lot of them ran into the house excitedly. Benjamin turned to the three of them. "Why don't you keep an eye on those heathens?" He said pointing towards the door where the children had so hastily departed. Hannah began to make her ladylike approach towards the door before Thomas grabbed her arm and the two ran in, Gabriel quickly on their heels, admonishing them, though he ran as well, knocking Benjamin into Charlotte.
That evening was a wonderful change for the Martins. They all sat around the table with Charlotte and discussed the events taking place in Charlestown. Thomas and Gabriel listened with attentive ears but Benjamin's eyes couldn't stay away from Charlotte, the only one not listening. Gabriel obtained permission to go walking about the people gathered in the streets expressing their desire for rebellion against King George. Hannah and Thomas stayed inside with the younger children looking out from the balcony at the festivities. After a while Benjamin approached Charlotte who was standing on the balcony with Thomas and Hannah, the only two left, the others having gone to bed long ago. "Would you care to walk with me?" He asked gently. Charlotte smiled and nodded, fetching a shawl and placing it around her shoulders. "We'll be back." She said to Thomas, who smiled and nodded, immediately chattering to Hannah.
Charlotte smiled and took Benjamin's arm as they walked throughout the busy streets. "She's grown up quite a bit since I saw her last." Charlotte murmured. Benjamin nodded. "Yes, she grows more every time I see her I think. We haven't seen her for many months. She's been with her family. It seemed like she blossomed from a little girl running about with Thomas and Gabriel complaining about her skirts to a young mannerly woman. How is that possible? Especially with girls, they always seem to grow quicker." Benjamin said, glancing at Charlotte. She smiled. "I don't know Benjamin. I really don't. Does she know yet? About you?" Benjamin sighed and shook his head. "No. She doesn't. Her father, won't tell her. Not yet. You know how Joseph is." He said with a sigh. "You found her in the woods didn't you?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes. She was abandoned. Found her mother not far away. She had shot herself. Couldn't have been much older than Gabriel is now." Benjamin said, his face turning down. "Thank goodness you were there." Charlotte replied. "Yes. You should have seen Elizabeth's face when I brought a little baby home. She was shocked. She had just had Thomas you know, and Gabriel was such a handful. Well you know how she was." Benjamin said, turning to Charlotte. She nodded and smiled in remembrance. "Yes. That must have come as quite a shock. And then you Hannah to the Ross'? Why was that?" Charlotte asked, brushing a curl away from her face. "Well, they had just lost a child. A little girl as well. I told them what happened. But they didn't care. Joseph was uneasy at first, but Gabby didn't care. She wanted her so badly. So they named her what they would have named their other little girl, Hannah. They were very kind. They made sure that she would always have memories of me and the children. Very kind. She's practically grown up with the children. It's sad, but yet, I still wish they'd tell her the truth."
"Why don't they?" Charlotte asked. Benjamin scoffed. "Gabby and Joseph have this fool idea in their head that if they tell her, she'll think that I'm more of family to her since I found her and she'll want to leave them. It's insane I tell you. That girl loves me and the children, but she wouldn't do a thing like that." Benjamin said angrily. "No she wouldn't. Especially not with her love for them. No matter what comes up they will always be her parents." Charlotte reassured him.
Benjamin nodded. "I still remember when she was a little girl. She was such a tomboy. Hated her skirts, loved playing with the boys rather than Meg. She and the boys are practically kin. It was so humorous. Gabriel was so protective of her when she was younger. Once when she and Thomas were playing in a mud hole, Thomas threw mud in her face, just to get her to notice him. She tried not to cry, but in the end a few tears came out and Gabriel just happened to see what had gone on. He couldn't have been more than, oh, ten. He came and brought a stick and wore Thomas out so badly, then he brought him to me." Benjamin laughed.
"Poor Thomas was trying his best not to cry. Gabriel was standing straight and tall, thinking he'd done the right thing. And Hannah, Hannah was a mixture of pity for Thomas and pride for Gabriel. I remember she said to me, 'Mr. Martin! Gabriel took a stick an' wore Thomas out 'cause he threw mud on me, but I'm alright now!' The three of them always had a knack of getting into trouble." Benjamin said with a smile. "Benjamin, they look familiar. Do they remind you of someone?" Charlotte asked, her gaze turning to the balcony where Thomas and Hannah were standing closely talking. Benjamin followed her gaze. "Who them? No, no one comes to mind." He said, his face blank.
Charlotte smiled. "Well it seems to me that it is a reliving of a picture of a pretty young girl named Elizabeth and a handsome young man named Benjamin. You remember, the night of the dance. Yours and Elizabeth's first dance I must say." Charlotte said with a smile. Benjamin's face reddened and his eyes gained a faraway look all to familiar to Charlotte. "Yes. The first dance. I remember I thought she was beautiful. Said it too. Told her straight to her face and she told me that I shouldn't take such liberties with words. Especially since we'd only first met. But she was pleased. I knew she was." Benjamin said knowingly, stealing another glance at the two. Charlotte dropped her head with a sad smile. "Yes, I remember I was so envious when she came back and told me all about the boy Benjamin Martin who danced almost every dance with her and spoke to her like no other boy had before. I was very jealous." She said.
"You? Jealous? I don't belive it." Benjamin said with a smile. "Oh I was. Very. That's who they remind me of though Benjamin." She said. "Oh them? No. They're too young." Benjamin said, waving his hand, but his eyes held a shadow of doubt. "Youth does not stop love. In fact often it brings it quicker." Charlotte said sensibly. "No. They've known each other since they were children. They couldn't possibly even be thinking of love." Benjamin insisted. "They aren't children anymore Benjamin. Look at them. Look at your son. Is that look in his eyes the look of childish affection? No it isn't. Hannah is growing up and Thomas can see it. Thomas is growing up and Hannah can see it. Often children tend to see change more than we can. They see it, and they sense the change and welcome it." Charlotte said, her eyes shining.
"Well I don't welcome it. They are too young." Benjamin said stubbornly. "Well I know that your son will protest if you never let him see her again. He is very much like his father you know." Charlotte said with a smile. "If the truth were known, he is more like his mother." Benjamin insisted. "His father is evident. And that is all I shall say more on this subject. You can't hold onto them forever Benjamin." She said softly. "I know." He said after a long pause. "I know."