(Back to Mary's POV)
Over three weeks had passed, and it was now the day William was supposed to leave for London, England. Not wanting to spend the night in town the night before he was supposed to leave, William decided to leave in the ungodly hours of the morning to town, where Bordon and Cornwallis were already waiting to meet him.
"Is everything packed?" I asked William, who was already dressed in a pressed and new uniform.
"Yes, and Charlotte is here to watch the twins." He replied. "Are Braden and Brielle ready?"
"Yes."
"Then we'd best be going."
With that, William, Braden, Brielle, and I went outside, where Thomas, Edward, and Cristabel sat waiting in a carriage. Edward stepped out and helped William with his things, while Thomas helped the children and I into the carriage. Then William went into the stables and came riding out on Belial, who looked less than thrilled to be leaving his home; he kept prancing about and even reared on his hind legs, but William quickly reined him in, whispering harshly in his ear.
"Is he alright Will?" Edward asked.
"He's fine. He just doesn't want to leave, and is being stubborn about it. So, we can go."
"Alright, let's go."
Edward, Thomas, Cristabel, Braden, Brielle and I made the several hour trip to town in the carriage, while William rode beside us on Belial, who still seemed ruffled about leaving home. We arrived at the docks at seven in the morning and right away, noticed the captain and in the lord general waiting at one of the docks. William reined Belial to a halt next to the carriage and dismounted to meet Cornwallis and Bordon, and then returned to help his brothers load his things onto the ship. Twenty minutes later, after everything, including Belial, had been loaded, William came back to say his good-byes.
"Papa, don't leave!" Brielle said beginning to cry. "Please, don't leave."
Brielle clung to her father.
"I'm sorry angel." Said William, wrapping his arms around her as she buried her face in his chest.
"No Papa, you can't go!" Cried Brielle hysterically.
"Angel, I must go." Said William holding her tightly to him. "But I'll be back. That's a promise. I love you."
With that, he gave Brielle a kiss and then turned to Braden, who had begun to tear up.
"Father, when will you return?"
William hesitated and then replied, "I don't know exactly, Braden. But not for a while. In the meantime, do well in your lessons, help out with the chores around the house, and obey your mother."
"I will." Said Braden, taking out one of his toy soldiers, and handing it to his father. "Take this with you, Father."
"Thank you, Braden. I love you."
"I love you too, Father."
William bent down and embraced Braden tightly, kissing his cheek, and then turned to me, taking my hand and guiding me away from the rest of the group. Once we were a good distance away, William turned to face me, gazing at me with forlorn eyes, and the composure I had hoped to keep contained began to unravel, as tears began forming in my eyes.
"So, this is it…"
"Mary…"
William began to get choked up.
"Please. Don't make this any harder…"
"Just return safely to me in one piece."
William held me to him, his hold especially tight as he bent his head down and kissed me desperately, as if afraid of letting me go.
"I love you." He whispered, and then slowly pulled away from me, nearly disappearing into the crowd of people as he made his way to the ship.
I watched William's retreating back as he made his way up to the ship and then stood on the deck, watching me as the ship began to pull out of the harbour.
"I love you."
w
