*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.

Tea & Afternoon Talks

Shaw POV:

I was sitting in my chair, sipping on a drink and reading a book, while my wife was sweeping up the kitchen. Our kids were playing on the floor with their toys. Well the older ones were playing with toys, but Endor was just sitting by the dog; petting him. I was keeping an eye on them, drifting my gaze from my book and over to my kids in between paragraphs.

Like most days, my brother was at the livery and my sister was doing chores. Hell, Mary did all of her chores with an attitude. It was one of those 'this isn't fair, how dare I have so many chores' bratty attitudes. I swear, I've just about had it with my sister. Even tho she was 11-years-old, she was acting way too sassy for my liking. At least she was outback churning butter so I didn't have to deal with her pouting and acting like a brat at the moment.

I had just turned the page in my book whenever a knock sounded at the door. Putting both my drink and my book down, I told my wife, "I'll get it, babe. Just keep sweeping up the kitchen."

"Okay, honey." Jessa nodded, not skipping a beat at sweeping the floor.

It only took me a few moments to cross the main room and answer the door. Low and behold, standing on the other side of my front door was Roseanna. She was alone so I figured that she left her kid at home with Johnse. Reckon she didn't want to tote a frail and small 8-month-old baby all the way over to my house. Although, her even showing up rattled me and wracked my brain. "Roseanna, here to see my wife?" I asked her since that's the only reason she'd show up here, even tho for a while now she's been keeping Jessa at arm's length.

"Yes." She nodded. "I came by t'visit ov'r tea." She clarified with a smile.

I stepped aside, letting Roseanna inside of the house, while looking over my shoulder and telling Jessa, "Roseanna's here for afternoon tea."

Jessa paused in her sweeping only to look towards the door. A taken aback look crossed her face before she smiled and told Roseanna, "Hi, Roseanna. It's so nice to see you."

"I'll take the kids outside so you girls can talk." I announced as Roseanna made her way into the kitchen while my wife abandoned her sweeping in order to prepare the tea kettle.

Jessa POV:

I knew why my husband was taking the kids outside and it wasn't to let me and Roseanna talk. It was cause he felt uneasy being around Roseanna since she blamed him for her brother's death. Hell, he knew that Roseanna struggled with the fact that I was married to Tolbert's killer.

"Okay." I simply told Shaw, watching him collected our children and the family dog, while placing the tea kettle onto the stove.

It didn't take long for Shaw to usher the kids and Chewie outside. In fact, right as he was shutting the door behind him, I was placing a small platter of cookies on the table and taking a seat across from Roseanna.

"You weren't at Bridie's party the other day." Roseanna told me, most likely as a way to break the ice between us. Giving me a soft smile, she added, "I was hopin' to see you there. It was such a nice party."

"Yea, well, given everything that happen between Shaw and Mary on the 4th of July we weren't invited." I honestly explained to my friend so that she'd know why we weren't at the party. It wasn't that we didn't want to go, but couldn't go.

A crestfallen look appeared on Roseanna's face. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that." I just nodded, causing my friend to tell me, "Perhaps ya'll will get invited to Captain W.'s birthday party next month."

"Perhaps." I politely nodded, a thin smile on my face, even tho I doubted that we'd get invited to the party next month. Shaw just isn't somebody that's well liked in his family, something I've learned over the short period of time I've been married to him. He seems to disappoint or embarrass thee Hatfields too much. Sadly, the only family member to stick by him and help him no matter what's Uncle Jim.

"I've missed our visits and our friendship, Jessa." Roseanna admitted to me with a sad look on her face as she took a lemon cookie from the platter on the table between us.

"I've missed them too, Roseanna." I replied to my friend with a sad smile ghosting my lips. "I always valued your friendship ever since we created it. Not having you around to talk to is very hard." I honestly added in as the tea kettle began to whistle.

"I know, Jessa, but it seems that Tolbert's death's just been a bit hard on our friendship." Roseanna told me as I got up from the table and went over to the stove to grab the kettle. As I placed the kettle on the counter and grabbed some cups from the cabinet, I heard her press on with, "It's just hard for me knowin' that your husband gone done murdered my brother in cold blood cause of the baby ya had wit' 'im an' that you don't even condemn him for killin' the father of your son, but just keep supportin' him."

Fixing up our tea cups, I told her in a flat tone, "Roseanna, Tolbert's death was hard on me and I don't condone what Shaw did, but I can't turn my back on my husband either."

"I know you love Shaw, but wit' how ya kept givin' my brother hope and consortin' wit' him ya must've felt somethin' for him too." She told me in a slight lecturing tone as I brought our tea over to the table. "Just how can you keep supportin' Shaw when he killed Tolbert, Endor's poppy an' a man ya once felt somethin' for?" Roseanna asked me, her blue eyes dull and full of questions, as she took her cup while I sat down across from her.

"It's too complicated, Rosie." I told her since I knew she'd never be able to understand why I seemed so attached to Shaw. It was as if we were linked together by fate and time. As if we knew we needed each other to survive the feud; one that we knew key details to. I took a long sip of my tea and told my friend, "I truly did care for your brother; even loved him in a way once too, but Shaw's the one that's my other half. Despite what he did to Tolbert, I can't turn my back on him."

"What Shaw did hurt me, but you stickin' up for him hurts too." Roseanna told me in a tone that was weak and full of shaky emotions. On the verge of tears, she whimpered, "Tolbert, even tho he was a hothead, didn't deserve to be murdered."

"I know, Roseanna." I sighed, taking a sip of my tea. My poker face was cracking as I revealed, "I know and for the longest time I blamed myself for playin' a part in his death." I took a deep breath to compose myself before going on to say, "If it wasn't for a heart to heart that I had with Shaw, I'd still be swallowed alive with guilt. My husband assured me that the blame is his and his alone, something that has truly helped me move past any guilt I might've felt about Tolbert's death."

Roseanna gave me a sad smile while telling me, "I know it wasn't your fault, but Shaw's. I'd just wish that you'd make him take responsibility for his crime."

I placed my tea cup down and took a lemon cook from the platter while telling my friend, "Roseanna, Shaw will never turn himself into the Pikeville Sherriff for your brother's murder." I took a bite out of my cookie before adding in, "You need to learn to accept that he got away with murder and just be polite to him otherwise I'm afraid our visits will go back to being very few and seldom."

"I'll bite my tongue, but only for the sake of our friendship." Roseanna informed me with a hollow look in her blue eyes. "Me and Johnse'd like to invite ya'll over for dinner t'morra nite as a way to mend our friendships."

"Thanks for the invite. I'm sure we'll make it, Rosie."

Shaw POV:

I was rocking on the porch, watching Silas and Lydia playing with Chewie while I held Endor on my lap. Roseanna was still inside havin' tea with Jessa, so I was stuck outside with the kids. Endor played a little bit with his siblings, but then he got tired of them and crawled over to the porch. I actually had to walk down the porch steps and scoop up Endor so that he wouldn't get lost crawlin'. So, that's more or less how I ended up with Endor on my lap as I rocked on my porch. I didn't mind havin' him on my lap tho, just more bondin' time for us.

"Shaw, see you're watchin' the youngin's while Jessa's got company." Uncle Jim told me, tiltin' his head towards the wagon parked in front of my house, as he rode up the path that led up to my house.

"Yea, well, Roseanna's over for afternoon tea so my presence wasn't wanted." I told my uncle in a blunt tone that held a slightly dry chuckle in it as he directed his horse to the hitch-post.

"Ah…Reckon she wouldn't wanna have tea wit'cha since ya killed her no good shit turd chaffin' McCoy brother." Uncle Jim chuckled as he dismounted his horse and tied it up to the post. "How's the lil feller doin'?" He asked, pointing to Endor as he walked up the porch.

"He's doin' good." I informed Uncle Jim as he took a seat in the open rocker next to me.

"Well, ya didn't miss much at that party the other day." My uncle told me as his dog padded up the porch steps and walked over to him, laying down at his feet.

"Reckon not, Jim. Been to one birthday party been to them all." I dryly remarked as my son tried to stand up on my lap, causing me to grab a hold of him and keep him balanced.

"Ya should've showed up. It would've made things interestin'." The crochety mountain man chuckled as he rocked in his chair.

"Nah, Jim." I shook my head. "You know I ain't the type to show up somewhere uninvited." I honestly told him as my son tried to climb up me. Well, looks like Endor's at the stage where he wants to use me as a jungle gym.

"No, you ain't." He agreed with me. Pulling his flask out of his pocket, he said, "You know the family's still embarrassed and shamed by ya backhandin' that sister of yours." Uncle Jim took a quick pull of his flask before telling me, "But I ain't embarrassed or ashamed by it." Tippin' his flask at me, he went on to say, "In fact I'm glad ya smacked some sense into her since she was openly consortin' with a McCoy."

I nodded, lettin' my uncle know that I appreciated his support. "Mary's acquired a piss-poor attitude since befriendin' Billy McCoy. I've given her tons of chores to teach her some respect, but I doubt it's workin'." I told my uncle while watching my older kids playing with their dog and lettin' my youngest jump on my lap.

"If she don't wanna listen just send her off to my mama." My crochety uncle suggested in between sipping on his flask. Suddenly, a smirk appeared on his face as he loudly remarked matter-of-factly, "Hell, if anyone can get the girl to change her attitude it's Granny Delize."

A smirk of my own appeared on my face as I assured my favorite uncle (well, actually family member), "Oh, I already told her that next time she does something stupid I'm taking her to Granny Delize's."

"You make sure ya do it if she gets out of line." He told me with a nod before knockin' back his flask.

"Belive me, Uncle Jim, next time she misbehaves she's off to Tazewell." And I meant it too. My uncle just nodded, agreeing with my statement. Endor tugged at my hair, yanking my head forwards a bit. I pried my son's chubby hand off of my hair and set him down on my lap while telling Uncle Jim, "I can't have her bein' a brat, not when I'm tryin' to raise my own kids up to be respectful."

"So, where's the lil brat right now anyhow?"

Hitchin' my thumb over my shoulder, I answered my uncle with, "Out back churnin' butter."

"Oh, reckon she's mutterin' curses on ya under her breath." Uncle Jim loudly chuckled, his belly jiggling like jelly.

"Reckon so, but I don't give a shit." And I really didn't. I had to enforce rules and chores on my sister; if she didn't like it then too bad. As her brother and guardian, it was my responsibility to raise Mary how I see fit. "Also, I've been makin' her get a head start on next year's schoolin' too so she's a half grade ahead of the others her age."

"'Tween chores and schoolin' she shouldn't have time t'be consortin' with McCoys an' learnin' their godawful ways." I hope my uncle was right. I really do.

Sully POV:

Since it was summer and school was out, I was spending most of my days at home reading books and the Logan Banner, the county newspaper. I also took some time out of my days to plan some lessons for Mary since Shaw was making her do school work this summer. I wasn't too thrilled that he was making the girl go year-round with her home schooling, but there was nothing I could do about it.

This afternoon I was sitting in my chair, reading a copy of the Logan Banner and having a cup of coffee. I had the house all to myself, like usual, except today my uncle was out visiting my son instead of working at the lumber mill. I knew how close they were so I figured he'd be at his place for a while. Honestly, I didn't understand how Shaw could open up to Uncle Jim, latch onto him even, while he snapped at me and pushed me away. I was his dad; he should be getting close to me instead of our crochety uncle.

"Ya know that boy of yours is awfully close to sending his sister to Granny Delize's." Uncle Jim told me as soon as he walked thru the front door. Of course, he has to tell me this as soon as he walks inside of the house instead of waiting until he's seated in the main room like a normal person. Yet again, Uncle Jim's never been normal or well mannered.

Looking up from the paper I was reading, I asked, "Why? What happened?"

"She's bein' sassy despite havin' more chores loaded on her." He answered me while walking over to the arm chair next to mine and taking a seat. "Shaw's tired of Mary's disrespect's what it is." He added in while pattin' Mr. Howles on the head, letting the dog know that he was a good boy for sitting by his chair.

"So, he's losing control over her is what you're saying, Jim?" I asked, folding my paper up and placing it onto the side table by my chair.

"He ain't losin' control, the girl's just gotten a bad attitude from that McCoy she's been friendly wit' an' your boy ain't havin' it. Either she changes or he's takin' her to Tazewell."

"Poor girl, she'd never handle living in Tazewell with Granny Delize." I said sympathetically, shaking my head at the thought of Mary living with my hardened grandmother. Granny Delize'll make Mary a nervous wreck if she had to live with her, that's how hard and mean she is.

"Then she better start listenin' to Shaw or that's where she's gonna be livin'." Uncle Jim said without an ounce of sympathy in his gruff tone.

"Maybe Shaw should let Jessa handle Mary. She might listen to a woman, one that's a motherly figure to her, better then to him." I suggested, hoping that Uncle Jim might agree with my idea and pass it along to my son.

"Sully, if she's sassin' Shaw she's sassin' his wife too. That's just how disrespect works in a home."

"Ever since Shaw shot Tolbert he's changed. He's lost his grip on his wits, on his family, on life in general."

"I don't think that. I think he's handlin' things just fine." Uncle Jim shrugged, picking up my cup of coffee from the table between us and taking a large sip of it.

"You would." I dryly quipped, rolling my eyes as I grabbed my paper off of the side table. Without a word, I flicked it open and turned to the page I was reading before my uncle came home.

Abel POV:

It was hot this summer afternoon as I worked in my uncle-in-law's tobacco fields. I didn't really like picking and pruning tobacco leaves, but I was grateful for the work. If it wasn't for Randall givin' me work I don't know how I'd be able to support Nancy and Harmony. I think that's the main reason why he gives me work in his fields, for the sake of his niece and great-niece's welfare.

The sun was beating down on my bare skin, makin' it burn, while sweat rolled down my back as I picked some leaves from a plant. I was workin' with Pharmer today, who seemed changed ever since his brother's death last winter.

"How's Harmony doin'?" Pharmer asked me as we walked over to a large wheel barrow, tobacco leaves in our hands.

"She's doing good." I answered my chubby cousin-in-law. "Only 4 more months til her birthday." I proudly told him as we placed the leaves into the large wheel barrow full of them.

"Talk to poppy, see if he'll let ya'll have her party here." Pharmer told me as we walked away from the barrow, heading over to some tobacco plants that needed picked. I think he suggested talking to Randall about a party cause I lived in a one-room cabin, something not suitable for a proper party. The McCoy cabin was large; would be able to hold plenty of party guests. Pharmer had good intentions, that much was clear.

"I'll talk to him, but I doubt it'll do any good." I told him as we walked thru a row of picked plants on our way towards the rows that still needed picked. "You know that Randall's been payin' more attention to the bottle then to anything else ever since your brother died."

"I know, Abel." Pharmer sighed as we stopped at a row that needed picked. "Truth is our family ain't been the same since Tolbert done gone been murdered." As we started to pick leaves, he explained, "Even tho Tolbert was crazy, mean, an' hot tempered he seemed t'keep us all t'gether." I just nodded and picked the leaves, causing Pharmer to continue on with, "He was my best friend, not just my brother, an' he was mama's fav'rite. Poppy was the only one that could talk an' tame him down." As we moved over to the next plants, he finished his explanation with, "Tolbert was always there for us, lettin' us help him sell shine an' such. He was a good brother an' his loss hit the family hard."

"I understand how you feel, Pharmer." I empathetically told my cousin-in-law. "Even tho my sister's alive, she might as well be dead since she's lost to me. Allie deciding not to divorce Cap, but to stay with him after he left Devil Anse lock her up in a barn like some animal hurts. It hurts even more that she's cut all tied with me, pickin' her husband over her own blood." I ranted, my voice shaking with a million emotions, as I picked tobacco leaves off of numerous plants.

"After we're done, wanna get a drink? I think we could use one."

"Yea." I nodded before standing up and heading over to the wheel barrow to drop off my tobacco leaves.

AN:

Next up is the dinner between Johnse's family and Shaw's family. Also, some other things will happen too. Well, looks like Abel and Pharmer are friends now.