Part IV
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"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face ... we must do that which we think we cannot." --Eleanor Roosevelt
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Fall of 1775
After the defeat at Bunker Hill the colonists sent what was called the Olive Branch Petition declaring their loyalty to King George III. They sent it in hopes that the King would see that they did want to be apart of the British empire, but they wanted their rights as well. There was much hope that the King would accept it, but there was also a lingering hope that maybe they could become their own nation. Only time would be able to tell if they were going to make it.
Unfortunately King George III in four months after the petition was sent rejected the colonists proposal. Not only did he reject the petition but he also called the colonists rebels. Not sure of what exactly it meant other than it was not good news the colonists prepared for war. With their own congress they sent commissioners to the Indians in hope of make treaties with them. For everyone knew that they could not fight the Indians and the British too, but if they could get treaties with the Indians than perhaps they would have a chance of actually winning.
It was during this time of uncertainty that Evelyn Carnahan O' Connell found out she had more to worry about than just her husband going off to war, she was pregnant. Of course on the day she found, Dec. 22, Rick was in the middle of getting America it's own Navy. And on that particular day had just named Esek Hopkins commodore of this fledgling navy. Evie and Rick were still in Philadelphia and after hearing that Jonathan was in the fight at Bunker Hill had him sent to Philadelphia
"Um, Rick, I need to talk to you." Evie said as she came into the study. Her uncle, Oliver, had given up his study for Rick so that he could work. Rick had given command of the Committee of Safety to his dear friend, Gabriel Scott. He was now working on the Navy problem with Jonathan's help since Jonathan up until a year ago had been sailing on one and Rick's father was one in the British Navy and passed on his knowledge to Rick. "Yes?" he asked absent-mindedly. "I think you need to sit down." she said and walked over to him pushing him down in his chair. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to sit on top of his lap, "What is it?" he asked. He started to kiss behind her ear and suckling her earlobe. Evie who for a few seconds forgot what she was going to say quickly remembered this is what got her in this situation in the first place.
"Rick, I have something important to tell you." she pleaded. He stopped hearing the seriousness in her voice, "What is it Evie?" he asked. "Rick, well... um... it seems... that well... you see..." she just couldn't bring herself to tell him. "Evie, let it out, I have work to do and I can't sit here and play games with you." he said. She jumped right off of his lap angry. "Games is it? Well let me tell you something Richard O' Connell you and I are going to have a child. And if you do not have time for me and this baby than we will leave YOU in peace!" she exclaimed and stomped off, only to have a very strong pair of arms pull her back. "We are what?" he asked, not sure if he got the word 'child' right.
She squirmed for a moment on his lap, "Rick, we're going to have a child." she whispered. "That is what I thought you said the first time I asked you." he said. She started to get upset, it wasn't like they had planned for one, but it was only common sense that she should be having children. "Well I am sorry, if this is an incontinence for you, but you should have known that as much time as we spend together this was going to happen." He kissed her. He moved his lips over hers and his tongue darted out seeking entrance and she let him in. He held her tight against him and continued to kiss her. He didn't know exactly what he felt, but being inconvienced wasn't want of them.
Their passion grew and before long all clothes had been shed and they made love in the study. "I love you." he whispered into her ear. "I love you too." she whispered back. "And about our child, I do not feel inconvienced, I feel elated and excited. A little scared, but I've got a feeling you will snap me out of it very quickly." "Oh Rick, I'm so happy you feel that way. I was worried, what with what is going on, but I'm just...thank-you." she said and wrapped her body around his. She loosened her grip when she realized that she was without apparel in the middle of an unlocked study.
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Dec. 26, 1775
I am to be an Uncle. I can not believe it. My baby sister has gotten herself with child and I will now be an Uncle. I feel overjoyed. Of course it is with much effort on my part to put the image of my brother-in-law and sister together in the study out of my mind. I thought I had heard crying you see, and well it was crying, but it was more of a pleasurable nature. I quickly shut the door before anyone knew I was there, but some images are forever imprinted onto your mind, much like a vivid oil painting. If I were but a child I would be sitting here laughing, but I am no longer a child, still it was funny...
Enough of that, my sister has finally found a man worth his salt and I am glad that he is now in our family. For I have just received word that Ira Tep has taken command in the British Army. He is not leading with General William Howe, but he is under his leadership which should be worrying us all. Also in our six month absence Angelica and Ira have announced their engagement. On one side I am glad that they are getting married because that makes Angelica unable to receive any of our father's money, but on the other side, I feel that is a most unholy union. I do not want to tell Evie of the news, but she will hear it eventually and so I need to tell her.
I will leave with a happy tone, for I have an uneasy feeling that there will not be much more of those. We are going to war, it is just a matter of time.
Signed, Jonathan Carnahan (Me)
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July 2, 1776
Philadelphia, PA (Second Continental Congress)
Evelyn was now in her ninth month and not allowed of the house. It was only with great effort that she had gotten Rick to let her walk around the house and that was confined to the second story. Both Jonathan and Rick had left early that morning. The Declaration of Independence had been written and today was the time to vote for approval. It had all been very exciting to hear it from Rick, even Jonathan was excited about it.
Rick and Jonathan had both been there when Richard Henry Lee in a final statement of resolution, "Are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." There was much clapping and shouting of agreement and they had given one of the most brilliant men among them the charge of writing the declaration, Thomas Jefferson. He had finished and now they were to vote. There were still some states that did not want to break away and everyone could see that this was a line that was being drawn in their fledgling nation, but if they were to have the rights they so gallantly worked for the only way to get it was to fight. To become independent and to fight the enemy, their own countrymen, the British Crown. The voting had taken place and now the verdict was in, "Gentlemen we are now independent. We shall be signing the declaration in two days. Please be here."
Evie paced her bedroom and settled down with the pamphlet that Rick had gotten her. It was written by Thomas Paine, called "Common Sense". It was a moving and rational. It was simple, direct, and cried out against the unjust ruling of King George the III and his form of government. Every time she read it, Evie felt a sense of pride that only comes from having pride in one's country. We are not all same, nor do we believe the same, but if you try and attack us we will kick your ass!
Two days later, Evie knew what kicking ass was really all about. The child that her and Rick had created had not only been kicking her, but now it was coming out of her. Rick had come home excited for they had signed, John Hancock of course was the first, but the fact was it was being sent for everyone to see. As soon as he saw her though he knew that something wasn't right. He sent Jonathan for the doctor and now they were in the study listening to the woman they love more than anything scream.
The baby was big and Evie was small. It was just that simple. She cried out in pain feeling the contractions building. She did have a midwife, but neither her nor the doctor were helping right now. She wanted Rick, but they would let him in and she was starting to feel faint. "Mrs. O' Connell you are going to have start pushing. You have no choice. Now PUSH!"
"ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" was all Rick and Jonathan heard and it made Rick sick to hear it. "Here, have a drink." Jonathan said giving him liberal drink of brandy. Rick gulped it down, not even knowing what it was until it hit his throat, "Ugh! Why did you give me brandy?" he demanded. "You need it partner. Our Evie is up their giving birth and we are both going to need it when she is done." he explained.
It took several more hours, but finally in the wee hours of the night, the midwife, Rebecca, came down, "You have a beautiful healthy son, Mr. O' Connell." she said. "And Evie? How is she?" he asked. "She is doing fine. You may go and see them now." Rick took the steps two at a time and burst into the room where the doctor was just finishing with Evie. "Thank-you doctor." he said. "Be careful son. She has had it rough and she is going to need her strength for the coming days." he said patting his shoulder. Rick nodded his head and went to sit next to Evie. She was holding Alex on her side and was lightly dosing. Alex was small, with no hair, but he had all his parts and looked healthy and that was all that Rick cared about.
"Rick?" she asked. "It's me. We have a son Mrs. O' Connell." "We do, do you want to name him?" she asked. "No, it is all up to you." he smiled. "I like Alexander after my father and Jonathan after my brother." "Alexander Jonathan O' Connell, welcome to the world." he said. Just then Alexander opened his eyes and let out a scream that scared everyone. "Rebecca showed me how to do this." Evie said as she picked her son up and fed him for the first time.
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"Uncle! Uncle!" Evie scream.... Alex was missing.
End of Part IV