Wow, I'm still on a role.
It was near Christmas time, and the crew of the Indy was getting shore leave in England, which meant a visit to family. Horatio was writing his mother to tell her he was staying for the holidays
Dearest Mother,
I hope this letter finds you well. I will be able to make it for Christmas this year. I am going to bring three friends if that is alright, mother. I also have a surprise announcement mother. When I come I will tell the whole family.
Fondest regards
Horatio
He read over the letter a final time. He family knew that he was a lieutenant. He was excited. He was bringing Archie and Remy as well as Mariette. Archie had no family to speak of, and Remy would have had to stay on the ship otherwise. Besides, he would be family soon enough. He would have to make sure Remy didn't wear his French captain's clothes. They were tolerated on the ship, but they wouldn't be in public.
His mother sent a letter in reply
Dearest Horatio,
Of course you may bring some friends. We have plenty of room. A few of you might have to double up (Horatio smiled at this) but I hope that will be acceptable.
All the family's love
Mother
His family lived in Scarsdale, but the only way to get there was by boat. They all got on a boat inland. Both Remy and Archie stayed near Horatio. Mariette stayed close anyway.
When it was time for them to get off, Horatio gathered his and Mariette's things and began to walk down the plank. The four laughed at those who were getting sick from the river trip. They then took a carriage to his parents house. All the way there, Archie and Remy were making faces at the way Horatio and Mariette were looking at each other. The two young lovers didn't even notice, which made it all the more fun.
When they finally got to his parents front gate, it was about four o' clock. Horatio opened the gate and led the way through. He knocked on the door. No one answered. It was starting to get cold. it wasn't as cold as it could get on the ship, but still. He eventually tried the handle. He found it open. With nervous apprehension, he walked quickly through the door. Suddenly there were people jumping out from behind furniture yelling "surprise!" Horatio stumbled backwards then smiled at all the people who had come to greet them. Even the women in their starched petticoats had crouched down to surprise him.
Archie felt slightly jealous of all the people who loved Horatio. But then he thought that his own family would love him as much, if they were alive.
Then his family realized that there was a young woman present. His mother rushed over to greet her. Then she turned her attention to Horatio.
"Now Horatio, darling, there are many young women who wish to meet you this season. Yes I know that you are probably to busy for a wife" she said when Horatio tried to protest. "But there are so many nice women around-"
"Mother! I don't mean to be rude, but I would prefer if you told me before you set up such things."
His mother stared at him. Horatio took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Mother I would like to introduce my fiancé, Mariette." his mother stared open mouthed. Then she closed it, and beamed while he introduced Archie and Remy. She was so proud that he had taken the initiative to find a wife. She then realized that she would have to rearrange the seating. As oldest son, and married, he sat at the right of his father again, a seat that had been occupied by his brother-in-law Robert.
His father was thinking along the same lines. He was happy that his son had found a young woman. Now he had to watch her to make sure that she actually did care for him, not just the prestige of being an officer's wife. But as they sat down for dinner, he saw how grateful she looked when he held out the chair for her, and how they watched the other out of the corner of their eye. The slight smile each had on. He knew they cared for each other.