(Still from William's POV)
Later, after both Mary and Braden had been cleaned up and the sheets changed, and Braden was fed, only then could I rest.
I sat down on the edge of the four-poster and stared at Braden, who was sound asleep in his cradle after being fed. I couldn't help but marvel at him as he slept; he was so calm it was almost unnatural to me; being in the military, the other soldiers and I were taught to combat sleep, so really, sleep was never very calm for me.
My gaze shifted to Mary, who was also sleeping soundly on the four-poster.
As if sensing my eyes on her, her eyes opened and she gave me a small smile.
"I must have looked a mess not long ago." She said.
I smiled and kissed her tenderly on the lips.
"No. I've never seen you look more beautiful."
Part 2. A long Name(Back to Mary's POV)
After everyone had had a chance to rest and Braden had been fed again, Capt. Bordon came to our quarters.
"I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but I just wanted to congratulate you; the colonel told me that it's a boy."
William, who was sitting next to me on the four-poster holding Braden smiled at Bordon and then looked down and cooed softly to Braden; Braden reached up and wrapped a tiny hand around his father's left index finger.
"May I see him?" Asked the captain.
"Of course you may." I replied.
William handed Braden to the captain; Braden stared at him silently, as if trying to figure out who the captain was.
"Well Colonel, he's certainly your son; he has your eyes and your face; but he has his mother's ebony hair."
William nodded.
"Though, I must say Colonel, he's better looking than you." Said Bordon teasingly. "He must get it from his mother."
"Who are you to talk about looks? You're still single." Replied William in mock anger.
"Well she obviously didn't pick you for your looks!"
"Well she obviously didn't pick you at all!" William finished.
Bordon tried to look defeated, but ended up laughing.
"So, what is his name?"
"Braden." Replied William.
"Braden…"
"Braden William Aric London Adair." I finished for the captain.
"And I thought the colonel's name was long."
"Just two names difference." Replied William.
"Well thankfully I won't be the one using his full name when he gets into trouble." Said Bordon.
William and I laughed and even Braden, who was still in "Uncle Bordon's" arms, made gurgling noises.
"So, when do you plan on introducing Braden to the rest of the men?" Asked Bordon.
"I'm not exactly sure, but definitely not today; both Mary and Braden need their rest; I'll leave it up to my wife to decide. However, we both agreed that if Cornwallis wishes to see him sooner than what is decided, that's fine."
"Well of course; he's your superior."
"Exactly. However, I want to give my wife and son at least a few days away from the men."
"That is certainly understandable." Replied Bordon nodding. "He is cute though; it's going to be hard to keep people away from him."
I smiled.
Braden gurgled and then spit up on the captain's waistcoat. Bordon looked at William and I and then laughed helplessly. William handed Bordon a cloth to wipe himself off with.
"Well I'd best be going; I'll see you three later." Said the Captain.
Bordon handed Braden back to William and left the room.
Part 3. No Need to Be AshamedSeveral days later after supper, Cornwallis was allowed to see Braden.
"Well, there's certainly no doubt who his father is." Said the lord general as he held Braden. "Col. Tavington must be very proud."
"Indeed." I replied, and glanced over at William, who was standing by the window in the middle of the outer wall of our quarters; he nodded and gave Cornwallis a small smile.
"And you Lady Tavington, how are you feeling?"
"Quite sore and fatigued, but quite elated and relieved as well."
Cornwallis smiled.
"Well, I hate to cut this visit short, but I really must be going, as I have paperwork to attend to. Congratulations to you all and good evening as well."
After Cornwallis left, I fed Braden and then William held him until he had fallen asleep. Then, he carefully laid Braden on the four-poster, covering him carefully with the blanket from his cradle; then William went and sat down in the armchair.
"Come sit with me Mary." Said William.
I walked over to William and he pulled me gently into his lap.
"Words cannot explain how proud I am of you, or how much I love you. You're a wonderful mother, and you have given so much to this family. I can only hope to be half the parent, partner, and person you are." Said William softly, kissing my cheek.
"You are, William, and so much more. I love you more than you will ever know and there is no one other than you whom I would choose to marry, let alone, bear children with." I replied. "You are my partner for life and the father of my son. I would have it no other way."
William smiled.
"Thank you, my love." He said running his fingers through my hair. "It's just that…Mary, I literally kill for a living. More so than many of the other men on the battlefield. I don't want my son to grow up thinking his father to be a cold-blooded murderer."
"William, there are other men out on the battlefield and just as you, they also kill for a living, but their families love them no less because of it."
William nodded and said, "I understand that but...I don't know Mary, part of me almost enjoys it, the other part just wants to get this damn war over with."
"Shouldn't those feelings be normal for a man of your circumstances?" I asked.
"Yes but I am still to be slightly ashamed of enjoying killing people."
"William, I believe what you enjoy is overtaking your foe; it's not really the aspect of killing that you draw pleasure from; this is understandable; do you not think that others feel this way as well?"
"I suppose they do." Replied William. "I'm sorry to trouble you with this."
"You needn't be." I replied. "I was content to discuss it with you."