Chapter 8

"James, I've seen you with my daughter these past few days, as her father I want to say no to any man who wants take my daughter away from me again but also as her father, I know how upset I would be for her to be alone and worse not taken care of..."

At this, James could feel his hands tremble with fear, becoming more afraid of what Samuel would say next every second he held it off when a firm hand landed on his shoulder. However, his fears immediately vanished once he saw the man who now looked to him, a smile on his lips, tears trickling from his eyes.

"Allow me to be the first to welcome you to our family though I know it's not official until you're married. I would like no one else besides you to be my son in law, not after everything my daughter and Dr. Franklin have said about you." Samuel whispered as he gave James a quick hug "I care not who my daughter marries as long as she's happy, loved and cared for which I know with you, she will."

"Th-Thank you, sir but what about..."

"Elizabeth?" Samuel questioned "I assure you she only wants the same as I, you two are not bound by society, the only crime you two share is that of being in love, something I believe we all commit at some point." he replied with a playful wink.

Feeling better, now he'd been given permission to marry the one person he loved, James sighed, knowing there were a couple things he needed to say "Sir, I'm sure you both wanted better for your daughter but our wedding... with your permission... we both want it to be in Philadelphia... I may have never called him that... because he's not but... Dr. Franklin hasn't been well since.. well months... he can't travel and we're both... we've been gone long enough as it is."

"I understand, Sarah already told me there's a young apprentice staying with him but I say it should be in Philadelphia... near your friends." Samuel agreed.

"Friends?" James whispered "We have friends throughout the colonies, General Washington, the Adams family, friends we've made throughout the war as journalists. I do feel Philadelphia is my home but my reason alone... is the only father figure I've ever had."

That night, James felt what seemed to be incurable flutters in his stomach as he struggled to keep his secret hidden as he and Samuel walked to the back porch, both men anxious to surprise the women they loved with their plan. As he stepped onto the porch, James felt a pang of homesickness, this being an event in his life he wished the one man he had to call family would witness, now, watching as Samuel stood beside Elizabeth, a hand resting on her shoulder, while he looked to Sarah, almost overcome by the various emotions that hit him all at once as he looked into her confused eyes.

"James?" she whispered, slightly concerned, seeing the color suddenly drained from his face, his breathing clearly ragged as he knelt on one knee, her hands in his.

"Sarah," he gasped, hating how his voice sounded at the moment, merely barely intelligible whispers instead of how strong and confident he usually was "I feel you know me better than almost anyone, you what I have... don't have...to offer you, the only thing I'm certain of is... that I can give you is a life where you are loved and cherished, as our children, whether they be by birth or otherwise,... will you marry me?"

"James," she whispered, gently laying a hand on his cheek, secretly alarmed by how warm he felt "I would like nothing else than to be your wife."

His throat now as dry as he'd remembered, James could only kiss the hand he held,much to his embarrassment.

"Father, please help him." Sarah gasped just as James fainted, clearly from his overwhelming emotions.

"James?" Sarah whispered as she held his hand, watching him lie on one of the sitting room couches "I just want you to wake up."

Though she had to wait, James's eyes soon fluttered open "Sarah... sorry." he whispered, his voice clearly stronger though he still felt slightly weak and confused.

"James, no, you have nothing to apologize for, you asked me to marry you, we're engaged." she whispered, gently brushing her fingers across his forehead.

"I have no engagement ring for you, nothing I ever give you will be fancy."

"James, you gave me something much more meaningful than an engagement ring." she whispered laying a hand on his cheek, the other on what had been her most cherished possession since she first came to Philadelphia in '74 but that maters little. I know Mother is the reason you're worried but don't be, Father loves you."

"Sarah, I was nervous because of your mother... but also... I wish Dr. Franklin has been here to witness... well least I didn't make a fool of myself in front of him."

Giving him a caring smile, Sarah replied "When we get back to Philadelphia surprise me one night but don't wait, call me selfish James but I want our wedding in July."

Slowly sitting up James grinned "Suppose a bride is allowed to be a little selfish besides I agree. I'd love nothing more than to start our life near the time America did her's and now I'm selfish... I want Dr. Franklin there."

"Something we have in common?" Sarah asked teasingly.

Back in Philadelphia, James sighed as he, Sarah and Ben ate in silence.

"Any news from New York?" Ben asked, looking to each of his apprentices with slightly stern but kind eyes.

"Like here they're working on their individual state affairs." Sarah replied as James stood, his hands on the table, his eyes serious.

"Dr. Franklin, while we were in New York something happened, something mind altering."

Looking to his apprentice, Ben gave James a look of confusion and worry "Nothing catastrophic I hope." he whispered.

"Just the opposite sir." James whispered, leaving the elderly man in a state of shock as he once again knelt, Sarah's hand in his.

"James?" Sarah whispered as she looked into his eyes.

"Would you care to begin a new chapter with me just as this country has, would you marry me?"

This having been as emotional for her the second time as the first, Sarah merely nodded.

"Well, it certainly has taken you two much longer than I would've imagined but do Sarah's parents know?" Ben questioned, an almost giddy smile on his face.

"I have Samuel's complete approval." James smiled, gently wrapping an arm around Sarah."

"And that James, is why I convinced Elizabeth to let her come here. I pictured you two in this moment even then... suppose my imagination is a bit wild."

"As usual you were right." James stated as Sarah wrapped both arms around the man they both saw as a father figure "Sarah and I did become friends... You need me to help you upstairs?"

With a sigh Ben nodded "I can do it myself but I feel better with your assistance... Now if I can just make it to your wedding."

"What would you say if we had it under the mulberry tree?" James asked, this earning him another confused look from Ben.

"I would've thought the wedding would be in New York?"

"We don't want a big wedding and Philadelphia is where our friendship started. We want to start our next chapter in Philadelphia... with you."

"I'm thrilled but there's one request I have after the wedding. I have a friend in New York who will be awaiting you for six months. I know you don't want to leave me alone with Henry but I think it will be good for you both to have some experience away from the Gazette."

"Are you sure?" James questioned, his voice barely more than a whisper "You can't let the Gazette... or your health fail... because of me."

Waving James's concerns aside Ben sighed "If I truly need you I'll send word but I think this is something you need."

At this, James and Sarah looked to one another both had much to discuss.

"The next month I walked your mother to the altar and they were married by a good friend of theirs Mr. John Adams and quote Poor Richard he did, much to the amusement of Dr. Franklin."

"I met Mr. Adams and his wife not long ago but did Grandpa Ben make it to their wedding?" Sally asked, her eyes filled with worry as she looked to Samuel.

"Watched the whole ceremony from the house, a little disappointed he wasn't able to join us outside but... just wasn't a good day for him physically though he did get a dance with your mother that night while they shared a small celebration."

"I'm glad I guess."

"Sleep well, Sally... don't read too late." Samuel whispered as he walked towards the door, knowing he wouldn't see most of his family until morning.

Meanwhile, in his laboratory Ben sighed as he looked over some papers, the sound of footsteps a welcome distraction as James set down a glass of water for him.

"James..." Ben whispered as he handed a piece of paper to him, the look in his eyes more fatherly than usual "I have a friend coming by the end of the week to finalize this but I wanted to discuss it with you first, make sure it's acceptable."

Not quite grasping the reality of what he was being told, James slowly began to read.

I, Benjamin Franklin hereby leave to James and Sarah Hiller my estates, my fortune and the Pennsylvania Gazette. I have but two requests, the first being that a fourth of it goes to my friends at the Philosophical Society so they may continue learning, another fourth, with James in mind, I ask you to continue my promise to support the local orphanage, the rest I trust you two will do great things with, a gift I hope you will achieve your dream of helping another young one off the streets and give them a family.

"I don't know what to say." James finally whispered "I don't think I'd change a thing."

Taking this in Ben smiled "I realize this seems a bit sudden and uncomfortable but seeing to your new family I thought we'd better discuss it now before my mind begins to fail me or I loose the chance to assure that I can, to the best of my ability, make your hopes and dreams come true."

"You did that and more. I can never thank you enough for everything you've done." James replied with a slightly solemn nod.

"But it wouldn't have done to leave you in the streets. I only wish I could've done more."

"You couldn't have... now I only want you to be cared for James whispered as both men hugged one another.