(Back to Mary's POV)

At half past seven William woke me up and handed me a tray of food.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He replied, giving me a tender kiss.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better than I was this morning."

William chuckled softly.

"I hope so." He said, and then suddenly fell quiet.

"William are you alright?"

Wordlessly, he pulled out a letter and handed it to me and I quickly read over it. It was a letter of invitation back to active military duty.

"William…"

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet; Bordon received one as well."

"Where would you go?"

"We have soldier's stationed here in New Brunswick, though they aren't doing very much; just patrolling the borders. If I accept, I'll try as hard as I can to stay close to home. If I'm not able to work close to home, we may end up back in London or possibly, India."

"William, you can't be serious..."

"Mary I haven't made any decisions, but I have to send a reply within two weeks in order for the letter to reach Cornwallis in time. I understand that we're settled, and I understand that we have two children and the possibility of twins on the way. I also understand that I promised myself that I wouldn't put my family through any more stress from war after I finished fighting in the colonies. But…"

"But what, William?"

"In my entire military career, from the time I was barely twenty and just completing training, to when the Insurrection was over, I never failed to heed the call of duty, to take up arms for the Crown."

"William, you're not failing anyone if you choose not to. That's why they made it optional. You've served your time."

"I know it's optional. But a part of me feels as if I have to go because of loyalty."

"What of the captain?"

"He hasn't decided. But if we both go, he would still be under my command. It wouldn't be as dangerous if we stayed in New Brunswick; we're not fighting a war."

"And if you transferred to London or India, what then?"

"London wouldn't be too bad, I'd be doing little more than sitting in an office filing reports and other paperwork, along with some patrolling and drilling new recruits. However, if I get transferred to India, there's no way of telling what would happen to me. But one thing is certain; I would not send for you if I went to India, for I don't like the conditions there for raising a family."

"William please! Not now!" I cried.

"Darling nothing will happen now. I haven't even made my decision, and if I do choose to go, then I'll only go on the condition that I begin after you give birth, and that someone else will have to fill in for me until then."

"No…"

"Mary"

"No William! You're not going!" I said, setting the tray aside.

William grabbed my shoulders firmly, forcing me down in the bed.

"Mary calm yourself! Nothing has been decided! And until then, I don't want you getting worked up; it's not good for you!"

"Then why did you choose to tell me now!"

"I apologise, I shouldn't have told you until tomorrow, but I thought you could handle it. Mary, I didn't mean to upset you." William replied stroking my right cheek.

"I know…"

Tears stung my eyes as I began crying softly.

"Mary…"

William bent over me, cradling my head in his hands.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I'm just scared."

"I know you are. I know military life wasn't easy for you. The last thing I want to do to you is cause you more stress."

William pulled me up into a sitting position on the bed and wrapped his arms around me.

"Everything will turn out all right." He whispered in my ear. "There's no need to fret."