Chapter 14:
"Oh no Pocahontas, let me do that for you," Alice insisted as the Indian princess began to fold the recently washed laundry.
"Alice, I'm alright," Pocahontas quietly replied as she forced a smile to come upon her lips. For the past three weeks, John's mother and sisters had waited on Pocahontas and had for filled all of her needs. This practice was not done in the native's village, and Pocahontas was past the point of feeling smothered. She honestly wasn't keen on being taken care of like a small child; although she was of high ranking, all her life she had pulled her weight around the village. With her time of delivery drawing ever closer, she didn't know how much more she could take with out going absolutely mad. The one good thing that had come out of her confinement was the fact that she was never alone; John, his mother, or one of his sisters was always with her.
The bright London day was no exception; and when Alice, Jane, and Anne had gone out to the marketplace in town, John had quickly strolled up to Pocahontas as she sat in the Smith's parlor.
"If we hurry we can make it home before they get back," John said as he lightly kissed her cheek.
"I can't go anywhere," Pocahontas replied, "I have to stay indoors until our child is born."
John knelt in front of his very pregnant wife lifting her delicate chin in the palm of his hand, "I think, no I know you've had enough of this confinement."
"Am I being that obvious?"
"I know you my love," John answered as he stroked her chin, "What do you say to a walk in the English countryside?"
"I get to walk?"
John laughed at her question as he kissed her, "I'll do you one better; you can run."
"Do not get my hopes up," she chuckled as with the help of her husband she stood to her feet and walked upstairs to change.
Five minutes later, Pocahontas and John exited out of the drive and began to walk through out the Smith's yard, the couple taking a moment to visit the stable and pet the three horses that were kept there. The Virginia native smiled, feeling free as she walked through out the yard holding onto her lover's arm. They walked in silence, as Pocahontas gazed at all that she saw around her. More and more trees were coming in to view, and the sun began to disappear and only shown down from the leaves above.
"I want to take you to a place," John interrupted the silence, "A place that I've never taken anyone."
"Why do you wish to take me?"
Pocahontas inquired, feeling honored at her husband's willingness to take her to his special spot;
"You deserve it," he said as she laughed and the couple continued there walk, Pocahontas lifting the skirts of her dress as she stepped over a log in her path. Although the smell was very different from back home, Pocahontas was elated to inhale the freshness of the outdoors instead of the stuffiness that the indoors often brought. Blue sky filtered through the green leaves from above, and a soft carpeting of foliage lay on the even softer ground. Pocahontas sighed as she thought back to her homeland, the leaves were falling from the trees, perhaps the first frost had already come, and little patches of ice had formed in the mighty river overnight; only to melt by the sun that next day. Pocahontas's thoughts were broken as John had stopped and had shifted a pack that he had slung over his shoulders.
"Can I carry something?"
Pocahontas inquired as John gently put the pack down onto the ground, "Only if you want to carry something."
"Of course I do," Pocahontas answered as John bent and retrieved the wrapped parcel from inside the bag and handed it to his wife.
"What is this?"
"Just keep walking darling," John replied as he picked up his pack and they continued their afternoon stroll in the English forest.
"This looks like a good spot," John said as he sat the pack down on the ground, about a half an hour walk away from the Smith's home.
"A good spot for what?"
Pocahontas inquired, gazing up at her husband as he sat down on the earth and began to withdraw the items that he had placed in the sack before they had left. Carefully, the native woman knelt as she helped her husband unload the things that he had brought for there picnic.
"I thought," John began as he helped his wife get seated more comfortably on the ground, "That we could have our lunch here and then finish our walk, are you sure you're up for that?"
"Yes," Pocahontas replied as she smiled, gazing at her love as he handed her a sandwich.
"It was left over from last night's dinner," he answered Pocahontas's questioning look, "If I had started making anything new my mother would have gotten suspicious."
"Why would she feel that way?"
"It's not acceptable for a man to do the tasks of a woman," John replied as the native woman nodded and they began to eat the lunch that John had secretly prepared. As they began to consume the meal of cold sandwiches, boiled eggs and some bake goods that John had purchased from town earlier that morning; the lovers talked as if they were sitting at the riverbank in Pocahontas's homeland, the princess feeling more relaxed and carefree since her arrival in her husband's unusual world. Before any of them would have liked, the dining experience was ended and the garbage was stuffed back in to the pack thus completing the cleanup. The couple sat in silence for a time, until it was broken by a sigh from Pocahontas as she stretched her legs in front of her.
"Is something wrong?"
John inquired as he sat closer to her, placing an arm about her shoulders as she leaned her head against his chest, "No John, for once in a long time I feel just fine."
"That's good," John commented as he rested his hand on her swollen middle, "Our child is alright?"
Before the native princess could open her mouth to respond, John felt a strong kick against the flat surface of his hand;
"I'll take that as a yes," John said as Pocahontas giggled and the couple kissed in the afternoon sunlight that was streaming through the trees overhead.
"We should get going," John whispered as there kiss ended, "I'd like to show you my spot that is if you are feeling up to it."
"Yes John," Pocahontas said as with help from her husband she hoisted herself off the soft ground beneath her in order to stand on her own. However as she briefly looked down, she inquired to her husband about the small box that still had lain beside her during their lunch.
"What is it?"
Pocahontas asked again as John bent to retrieve the package;
"Don't worry about it," John replied as he winked and put the box in to his pocket.
"John," the native woman began to protest as John took her arm and they began to walk once more, "What is in it?"
John didn't answer as he stopped to gather the pack and place the much lighter bag upon his shoulders as the pair made there way through the wooded area that John knew so well. They past tall trees with leaves that floated to the ground with only a gentle breath of the wind and with branches that spread out in different directions.
"I never would have thought England could have so much nature," Pocahontas commented as she gazed around her.
"Oh yes," John replied as the couple continued their walk. The soft singing of the different English birds drifted through the air as Pocahontas concentrated on the beautiful sound that the animals made. She barely noticed when John helped her over some rocks in their path, smiling up at her husband as for that brief moment she allowed nature and its beauty of sight, smell and sound wrap her in its embrace. It wasn't until she felt the warm sun on her face that she stopped and turned her face towards her husband's, "Is this clearing your spot?"
"Almost," he replied as he guided her around some boulders in the way and then after a few feet stopped walking.
"There it is," he said, and Pocahontas followed his gaze. Not more than twenty feet in front of them, was a steep hillside. On closer inspection, Pocahontas saw rocks that looked like stairs leading up the hill. As the native woman craned her neck in order to get a better look, she could just see the entrance to a small cavern at the top of the hill.
"Come now," John said as he slightly moved her behind him and the couple began to walk up the rocklike stairs.
"Did you build this?"
"No," John replied, "This is all natural; before I left however I cleaned it up, I took out all the loose bits and such."
"Oh my," Pocahontas said as she sat upon the last step at the top, her legs dangling over the side while John crouched in the cave. It was a small cavern, only the very back of it was in shadow; otherwise the sun shown straight in the cave.
"We can both sit on that step together," John softly said as Pocahontas shifted over to allow him more room upon the top step. The warm autumn sunlight bathed their faces as the husband and wife relaxed in its warmth.
"It's ashame it is not a clear day," John commented as he placed an arm around Pocahontas's shoulders.
"Why is that?"
Pocahontas inquired, leaning her head against his chest;
"On a clear day you can see the ocean," he replied as the woman beside him smiled.
"Oh my love," Pocahontas's grin grew wider, "I am just happy to be here with you, to be outdoors with you."
The lovers sat in a comfortable silence, until John shifted Pocahontas's form so that she sat up in order that he could be able to reach in to his pocket and bring out the box.
"I want to give you something," John said as he gazed in to her dark orbs, "It is something that I bought for you and you alone."
John opened the small box and lifted out a silver bracelet that had beautiful purls that caught the sunlight in their sparkle. Pocahontas's eyes filled with happy tears as he tentatively wrapped the bracelet around her wrist and fastened the clasp.
"Oh John," Pocahontas breathed twirling the bracelet around her wrist, "This is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen."
The native woman threw her arms around John's neck, her lips making soft contact at first before the kiss became more passionate. Pocahontas moved closer towards her husband, her hands getting lost in his golden hair. John cupped her face in his hand, tilting her head upwards so that his lips could softly trace her neck, or at least the part of her neck that was not covered by her dress.
"I've always liked your native clothing," John whispered as Pocahontas gasped at the breath that was on her skin. It was Pocahontas's turn to guide John's lips to her own; the couple's breathing increasing with every kiss and touch.
"We should stop," Pocahontas whispered after a few more deep passionate kisses.
"This would be easier in your native dress," John said as Pocahontas laughed.
"This would be easier if I were not with child and sitting outdoors on a ledge," the native princess replied as John sighed and held her against him.
"Perhaps," John began as Pocahontas placed a finger to his lips.
"Perhaps we should be heading back," she began, "It looks like the sun will be setting in a few hours."
John tucked a strand of ebony hair behind his wife's ear before lightly kissing her lips once more, "Yes, I suppose you're right."
The couple stood as Pocahontas took one step down and they both adjusted their clothing before gathering the pack and setting forth towards John's house. Much of the walk was spent in silence, Pocahontas enjoying her last moments of freedom before having to go back indoors for who knew how long. As they neared the Smith's yard, John secured his grip on Pocahontas's hand. On the porch of the small English house, stood George Smith. It was Pocahontas that inched closer to her husband as the figure of the elder Smith got closer and became more visible.
"Good afternoon father," John politely said as the young couple neared the porch and stood on the bottom step.
"What is she doing out? You know what your mother said."
"She is my wife," John calmly replied, "We can do whatever we like."
"How are you Mr. Smith?"
Pocahontas asked as those green eyes of the older man fixed upon her form, "I'm not bad my dear, I'm very well."
The native princess hated his voice, his tone, and the way his eyes seemed to be scrutinizing her.
"We better go in," John said and Pocahontas nodded as they past George who was standing on the porch, none of them seeing him turn his head to stare after the native princess.
Ten minutes later, Pocahontas and John sat upon the sofa in the family parlor;
"I very much enjoyed this afternoon," Pocahontas said as she yawned and moved closer to her husband.
"I did as well," John replied, "Would you like to retire early and finish our discussion that we were having on that ledge?"
"John," Pocahontas gasped, "Do you have no shame? I'm a woman that is expecting at any moment."
John smiled as he stole a quick kiss, "I'm sorry my love, do you forgive me?"
Pocahontas gave a mock sigh, "Perhaps, where are your mother and sisters?"
"I assume they are still at the market," John replied as he leaned back against the pillows on the sofa.
"I don't want to upset your mother; after all it was her idea for me to be in confinement," Pocahontas said as John squeezed her hand.
"She won't find out," John replied, "I'm sure she won't."
"John," Pocahontas began, "Your father saw us come home; will he not tell her?"
"He'll forget it," Pocahontas's husband answered as he stood and crossed the room towards the small bookshelf in the corner of the parlor, "Would you like to practice your reading and writing?"
For the past three weeks, John and his sister Anne had been teaching the native woman how to read and write. Pocahontas looked forward to each lesson of everyday and today was no different.
"Yes John," she answered as he brought the book over with a few sheets of paper and a quill pen with a bowl of ink.
"Now," John started by placing the book down on his knees while handing Pocahontas a sheet of paper, "Watch me and see if you can copy what I write."
The couple practiced until they heard the front door close and saw Jane's face in the doorway of the sitting room;
"Anne says you are getting good at that," Jane said as she walked in to the room and sat down on a chair that sat across from John and Pocahontas.
"Anne is right," John said, "She's picking up the letters much faster then she was picking up the numbers."
"I can write my name now, as well as make out more complex words," Pocahontas proudly said as Anne joined the three already in the room.
"May I see that Pocahontas?"
The native woman held up the paper with her neat but rather large written script printed on it.
"I think we need to work on your writing skills," Anne commented after studying her work, "In order to make your letters smaller."
"Go easy on her," Jane laughed, "You don't want to push the poor woman over the edge, now do you?"
"However," Anne continued, "Your reading is getting wonderful; I would have never thought that a person like you would be able to pick up reading so quickly."
"Anne," Jane snapped, "You talk to her as if she were one of your pupils. Also, just because she is a," Jane stopped to search for the correct word, "Person from a different place does not mean that you have to speak to her as such."
"I'm sorry," Anne lowered her head, "It's just I've always wanted to be a teacher and there aren't any schools around here that will let me teach in them."
"The only good thing our father did was teaching us how to read and write," Jane said crossly.
"Jane!"
Anne gasped at her sister's words, "You should be grateful that he is allowing you to choose your own husband."
"I do not care," Jane exclaimed, "You know how he treats mother and us, he's a horrid man that…"
"You have something to say Jane?"
This loud exclamation fell from George's lips as he slammed the front door and made a sharp left turn in to the sitting room. No one in the parlor spoke as George stood in the doorway.
"Go on Jane," George threatened, "After you finish what you are going to say about me perhaps tomorrow I will invite Charles over for you to spend some of your time with."
"Father I do not wish to marry him," Jane quietly said, her voice quickly losing the fire that it had once possessed.
"I am getting tired of you turning down every man that comes to call on you," George firmly said, "If you don't make a decision soon I will make it for you. Now, what was it that you were saying Jane?"
Chills went down Pocahontas's spine as the man spoke his daughter's name with such fury that she thought she had saw the oldest of the Smith's daughters flinch.
"Nothing father," Jane quietly replied as she hung her head.
"Good," came George's short reply as he briskly left the room.
"I'm going to help mom fix dinner," Jane said as she stood up and walked out of the room. After sending Pocahontas an apologetic look, Anne got up and followed her sister.
"At least he didn't slap her," John said after the two girls were gone.
"I know," Pocahontas said, "but to speak to her like that."
"Your father never spoke to you like that?"
"A couple times yes," Pocahontas began, "But never over something like that."
Their conversation was cut off when they heard Alice's voice calling them from the kitchen area. Standing up, John took his wife's hand and they joined the family for dinner, Pocahontas seeing out the window that the sun had set long ago.
It was late in the night, long after everyone in the household had gone to bed when Pocahontas woke up. She didn't know what had awakened her, only that it was something dealing with the unborn child. Sitting up in bed, Pocahontas felt it again.
"The baby," Pocahontas whispered as she clenched her teeth against another contraction and after a few minutes another.
As she laid back down in the warmth of the bed, she knew that with in a few hours the child would be here.
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A/N: Hi all!
Wow, a nice long chapter for you all; I'm so sorry that you had to wait 4 months to get it! The next one will come sooner; I promise that!
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Also a note about my Life After Love Pocahontas story: I will be updating it; I always finish what I start.
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