Chapter Twelve
Viola felt much better after her conversation with Miranda and Maria Victoria.
"My daughter, I cannot be happier for James to find his true love; it is a gift from God. Maria Victoria, go get some cool water for Viola. She is a bit peeked."
"Thank you. The heat and the corset and the news are a bit much."
"James has land already; Nicholas has taken care of that for all of the children. But until he decides, I would be so happy for my nino to be in our home. Your home. Victoria Barkley did that for me. Not a word untoward but brought me into the fold. All her son's wives were welcomed in no matter the circumstances. Life is not easy but family is what gets you through it. I came back to the valley and she never spoke an ill word of my circumstances."
"I have always wanted to be a mother. Just—" she teared up again.
Maria Victoria stood at the door with the water and cool cloth. She heard her mother speak to Viola quietly, " I never thought about being a mother but the moment my Maria Victoria was to be, I was overjoyed. I did not tell Nicholas right away. When he found out, he became a protective grizzly bear over me and the baby. James will be the same way. He already is and will face down anyone who says a word. Nick did. People will talk. Small people always do. But Barkley's are large. They are bears; they are warriors. I may have had my claws out a few times or so," she winked.
"I am already praying for this baby, I promise. I hope God hears. " Viola whispered.
"He hears abuelitas, too. I prayed that Maria Victoria would look like me and Nicholas. But be wiser than us. And look what happened—-she is the spitting image of us but very, very wise."
"Mother Miranda, would it be wrong to pray the baby looks like my family? I know that may sound selfish but—-"
"Not selfish. I will implore Mother Mary for the same."
"Thank you even if I am Episcopalian, she will listen?"
"Si. She has a mother's heart."
Viola smiled for the first time.
"When Mother Victoria put Maria Victoria into my arms, I found my purpose and Nicholas Barkley's."
"Thank you, Madre—-for everything."
Maria Victoria repeated the same words in her head.
—-&—-
Viola and James came to the birthday party for Jane and Victoria. Nick had taken his mother aside privately and told her about the situation. She was filled with pride for what James was willing to do. She in turn told Jane.
"Poor child. And Nate. How's Jarrod going to keep him from killing the boy?"
"He won't according to Nick since it would expose his daughter and grandchild to more nefarious talk. So sad but babies are a blessing. Talk will settle down once the baby is here. Always does."
"And Victoria, if we are going to add a wedding to this week. I am going to need several more naps."
"Me too. At least, all we have to do is be the matriarchs. And pull out some jewelry we haven't worn in awhile."
Jane laughed, "I have Bill's pearls that will work just fine. Why don't you wear yours too? Sisters and all."
—-&—-
The family finished their meal and a large double birthday cake was brought out with one candle on each side. Jane grabbed Victoria's hand and quickly blew out both candles before her older sister had a chance.
The room erupted in laughter at the competitive sisters.
The family sang loudly as they wished the two sisters, Happy Birthday. The ladies smiled and thanked the family profusely. Jarrod led a toast and he noticed Nate come into the back door. He nodded.
Jarrod caught Nick's eye; Nick in turn nodded to his mother.
Victoria cleared her throat and called James to come to the front. He stood up and straightened his vest. He gallantly took Viola's hand and brought her to his grandmother's side.
"This year, I have been given another special gift. Sweet Viola Springer has consented to become James's wife. I couldn't be happier. Just in time for the family portrait; I am so excited to host another wedding at the house, in my rose garden this week. With everyone home and Viola's sister and family arriving in the morning—no time like the present. It isn't as if Viola hasn't been the apple of James eye since primer days."
The family led by the oldest started applause around the room; James kissed Viola on the cheek.
Elize and Melly squeezed hands; Miranda had told them along with Audra before the party. They all would help Viola plan a wedding since her mother died when she was a toddler.
Congratulations and hugs went around the room. Jon and Alexander stood protectively around James and Viola, just in case of any unthinking comments.
Victoria teared up watching her grandsons rally around young James. It reminded her of so many times her boys had done the same for each other. They might fight and argue with each other but no one could come between them. She reminisced a tussle between Alexander and James—-a favorite vase was broken. Jon supplemented his brother's money to replace her vase. Her eyes misted over with the memories and she stared off. Her grandchildren melded into her sons and the memories blurred. She was content to rest in them.
Miranda walked over to her sisters-in-law, "I told Viola there was nothing in the world better than being a Barkley. I know she is only sixteen but James has his father's blood. He will be strong enough for both of them. And we have learned from the lovely lady herself how to take care of each other—thinking back, she was so strong and loving and accepting of us."
Melly and Elize agreed.
—&—
Melly and Heath settled into their cozy home. He banked the fire and dressed down to his union suit and pajama bottoms. "Just in case somebody needs me." he grinned.
Grandchildren were tucked into beds and all were sound asleep as their parents stayed at the dance in town. Melly changed into her long robe and gown.
"We will take the little ones. Don't stay out too late. Seriously enjoy yourselves. The days are long but the years run swift" She had told her children with a wink and a smile, "You know me and yore Pa. We are homebodies."
Heath watched his wife brush out her long curls with the familiarity of their years; he never lost his desire for still saw the unruly curls of strawberry blonde and the brush of freckles on her nose. He never saw the darkened locks with gray and the sunspots with a few wrinkles even when she pointed them out. The grays were always wiry and she smoothed them down when she passed a mirror or took off her apron.
"Don't see anything but my Melly."
"Heath, I left a light on for our little bit. She seemed a bit scared of the dark but she was asleep before I left the den. Just in case."
He winked, "Just in case."
"Heath, I feel so much for sweet Viola. And pride for James. I know the talk will be bad but worse if the truth got out. They will weather it—-they will be Barkleys. Miranda and Elize got to talking tonight. We came to the family with nothing and your Mother never once made us feel less. That is a precious gift. I hope I have given the same to our children."
"Oh, Melly. You have. You have never looked down on anyone as long as you have lived. I still smile thinking about me bringing ya home from the mine: three days from us being married in that yellow floweredy dress we bought in Rimfire. Those wildflowers that made ya sneeze and the Justice of the peace with rum on his breath from Stockton. And yet, we was happy and still are all these years later." as he kissed her and stretched out on the bed.
"I still have that dress. Sometimes when life gets a bit hard, I go and look at it in the closet. Reminds me—I can see your eyes when I walked out in it— in that tiny little store. "Melly, ain't never seen you out of britches. You are a sight to see for these eyes." and you kissed me in front of the storekeeper and he whooped as loud as Nick."
"Yep, he did. But not as loud as my heart thumped."
She shyly smiled after all the years. "First time I ever felt pretty and you have spent the rest of your life doing that same thing. Every time still—-when I buy a new dress, I wonder if you will like it. And you always notice."
"Yep, when I told James I proposed to you half-dead in a mine shaft, the boys couldn't believe it."
"Yes, the loss of blood will make ya do some crazy things."
He pulled her over to his side of the bed.
"I will show you some crazy—-Seriously Melly. I knew from the first walk I had with that old dog, you was meant for me."
"That sweet old dog. He saved our lives. His barking led the searchers to the abandoned shaft. No one would have known that the collapsed air shaft was there with all the brush—Three days in a row, he brought them back, running and scratching and howling. Mr Glover said that dog never acted that way his whole life. Nor did again."
Heath kissed her ear and nibbled.
"Honey, the grandchildren are two doors down."
"They's exhausted. And the door is locked. I will listen real good as I take to loving you, Melly. Just like the time we thought we were dying I know but I didn't want to leave the earth without making you my wife... You are part of me Melly—Just like now—- and I made an honest woman of ya, the day we bought that yellow dress."
She smiled and kissed his lips, "I remember, my love."
