Chapter 10

"Sarah…" James whispered as he put his leather satchel over his shoulder, hating the fact that he'd be gone despite the fact it would only be a couple days "I know it's for the paper but…"

"James, you'll only be at Independence Hall, Mother and Father will be here for Dr. Franklin and I." Sarah replied, hoping to reassure him.

"I know and it's still a couple weeks until the baby's here but I still wish it were me here doing everything for you, comforting you, easing your discomfort."

"James…" Sarah whispered, her eyes stern though what she said was out of love "I'll be fine, General Washington is waiting for you."

"You're so much stronger than I am." he whispered "Can I have one last kiss before I go?"

"What would you say about Deborah Anne?" Sarah asked before quickly cutting off anything James would say as she pecked his lips.

"For a daughter?" James questioned, Sarah's suggestion having caught him off guard.

Smiling, Sarah nodded "Yes, now please, go get our story, let us know who all is currently in congress."

"We'll see what I'm allowed to say." James chuckled.

Watching a few minutes later as James rode off on his horse, Sarah smiled, her father behind her, his hand on her shoulder.

"He'll be back before you know it." Samuel whispered in his daughter's ear, gently wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her cheek.

"I know he will, Father I just… don't want him leaving my side… I just want him to share every moment with me." Sarah whispered, blushing as she hugged herself, the fact evident how much she already loved the little one that would soon join them, as well as the fact she wanted her and James's little eaglet to have no doubt that many people loved and cared for it.

"I understand, your mother was the same way but your relationship with James is so different. He's lucky to have you by his side most everyday."

"I suppose we're both lucky in that way… as well as Sally."

Sam nodded his agreement "Let's go see what your mother and Dr. Franklin are up to." he chuckled with a wink.

Once at Independence Hall, James smiled, already seeing a few carriages but of course it was still early and he knew others would be joining them throughout the day. Taking his horse to the stables, James's mind wandered, to Sarah but also he wondered what the delegates would have to say to him over the next couple days.

As he walked down the brick walkway, still lost in his thoughts James was startled, hearing his name he looked around, a smile on his lips once he saw who had called him.

"James, Abigail got a letter from Sarah last week… but I assume everything is alright with you two and Sally, I hope Dr. Franklin is well, I wish he were able to help us with this as well but of course I realize that's probably only going to happen between him and Washington."

"Mr. Adams, I'm so glad you're here. Sarah and Sally are good, Dr. Franklin… he's as well as can be expected, he spends his days helping in what little ways he can but his favorite part of the day is reading to Sally and recounting the past… he's every bit as excited as we are."

"I imagine." John chuckled "Now, let me show you to the rooms, Washington and I are already here as are the other men from Pennsylvania but as you know the others will be here soon enough."

3 days later

"I'm afraid James has to stay at Independence Hall one more day." Samuel whispered as he knelt at his daughter's side, gently rubbing her legs, something he knew she wished James were doing instead.

"It's not the first time Father he just wants to make sure he has the full story so I understand." Sarah replied a smile on her lips despite the sadness in her voice wishing she already had James back to ease the nervousness she felt.

"I know you just want this baby to already be here… so do I but I also… I want both you and this baby to be alright if you understand."

"I do… I'm just worried I'll fear him leaving even more once the baby is here." Sarah admitted, something that almost sounded selfish to her though she was sure James felt the same way.

"Your mother felt the same way." Samuel assured his daughter "It's not selfish, only your natural desire for him to see everything the baby does."

"You're right." Sarah agreed as Samuel helped her stand up but she could only take a few steps before she gasped, hand on top of her stomach as she struggled to keep from crying out in pain.

At his daughter's word Samuel had rushed out to the barn, his mind now currently racing as his horse galloped towards Independence Hall. He hated to pull James away from what he was doing but what the men of Congress thought he didn't care, only that his daughter and son in law were together.

Finally tying his horse to one of the posts outside, Samuel rushed inside, his eyes quickly scanning the room until they landed on James who was already rushing towards him.

"James, everything alright?" Washington asked, the fact he cared for the young journalist evident.

"Forgive me, General but my daughter needs him back at the printshop… before he becomes a father."

"Understood, I'll come by there in a couple days, make sure he has the information he needs."

"Thank you, General." James stuttered before following Samuel outside.

"It's a boy." Samuel proudly announced, his eyes full of love as he looked into his grandson's blue eyes before handing him to his mother "So, what did you two decide is his name?" he asked while sure he already knew their answer.

"Benjamin Samuel Hiller." James replied as he gently brushed some loose strands of hair from Sarah's face "I can't wait until Sally and Dr. Franklin see him tomorrow."

"James… what's wrong?" Sarah asked as her husband's face fell despite his obvious joy over their son.

"Just my mind going to my parents again… was my mother as happy to learn about me as you were Benny? Did my father feel the same way I do now seeing Benny for the first time? You've been talking to your parents for months… I'll never know." James whispered as he gently laid a hand on Benny's back, his son's red hair still sticking out in different directions.

"I have no right to tell you it doesn't matter and I won't but… though I know you probably never will I wish you could move past the pain you feel at having never known them, only because I know how painful it is for you… I just want you to enjoy now… our son."

"Don't worry." James whispered as he kissed Sarah's forehead "I'm more happy right now than I've ever been. Now, I want you to at least rest, I'm not sure how much sleep any of us are going to get."

Smiling at one another, Samuel and Elizabeth watched the two new parents, secretly wishing they would go to sleep themselves though they both remembered they had been too excited themselves when their daughter was born.

Next morning after getting some periods of sleep, James woke early, smiling as he looked down at Sarah knowing she needed sleep more than he did. He sat on the edge of the bed a few minutes before hearing a small cry.

Glancing at Sarah, glad she was still asleep, he rushed over to the crib and lifted his swaddled son into his arms before settling into the rocking chair, happy that his son only wanted affection.

"Benny." James whispered, blowing on his hand to warm it before gently brushing his fingers over his son's face, ears and the fingers that poked out from under the blanket. He sat for some time in silence, aside from his own quiet singing when he heard a voice.

"Already trying to make a patriot of our son?" Sarah asked as she walked over, laying her hands on James's shoulders.

"I didn't know I was." James whispered as he looked up to her, a knowing grin on his lips.

"James Hiller, you are the only father I know who will sing Yankee Doodle to a newborn."

"But look, Sarah "James insisted "And there was General Washington upon his mighty stallion, giving orders to his men, there must've been a million."

"I guess he's heard that more than I realized." Sarah sighed, having to admit Benny had clearly reacted to that one line but she was also secretly proud to find this out about her son as she gently lifted him from James's arms "I think it's time for him to eat, surprised he slept as long as he did but I'm glad."

"So am I." James agreed as he kissed her forehead all the while helping her settle into the rocking chair "I'm going to get breakfast started and get Sally up. I'll send your mother but I'll be back with breakfast and we'll eat together."

"James, I imagine you wish you could do more but what you did last night, what you're doing this morning, bringing Benny to me, taking care of Sally, taking over the cooking… I appreciate it so much James, I appreciate it as your friend and wife."

"I know you do Sarah, just as I appreciate you working beside me everyday, moving back to Philadelphia with me… helping me look out for Dr. Franklin… I know I can depend on you once…"

"James," Sarah whispered, her hand on his cheek "I'm not looking forward to that anymore than you but we will be there for one another, I'll be there for you and for Sally. Now please go get her up and get us breakfast."

"Of course."

"You named him after Grandpa Ben and Grandpa Sam?" Sally asked with a smile knowing how much an impact both these men had made on both her parents.

"Sure did." James replied with a smile handing his daughter a bowl before heading upstairs with a tray with breakfast for the others.

Once at the top of the stairs, he was met by a smiling Samuel who gladly took the tray.

"How's Sally?" Samuel asked with a smile.

"She's anxious to meet Benny… I just wish they had more time with Dr. Franklin… I don't guess what little time Benny will have will matter but after these past months seeing him with Sally… I'm just glad we'll all be together when…"

"James…" Samuel sighed as he took two bowls from the tray "think about what's happening now, I'll take this to Dr. Franklin, Sarah's waiting for you."

Nodding, James smiled as he walked into his and Sarah's room, his heart swelling with pride as he set the tray down on the table between the two chairs where Sarah and Elizabeth sat, Benny now cradled in Elizabeth's arms as Sarah sat, her eyes closed, obviously already exhausted.

"James?" Sarah mumbled as she looked up, having heard his footsteps.

Laying a hand on her cheek he smiled "I got your breakfast if you think you can eat before you go back to sleep?"

"Do what you can." Elizabeth whispered encouragingly, watching while James held a bowl for her daughter.

Interesting fact Ben's real daughter (Sarah Franklin Bache) her first born was a son named Benjamin Franklin Bache or Benny. I liked his nickname and was pretty settled on Benny but Benji seems like it could've been a good one but just my opinion not as good as Benny.

What do y'all think about James and Sarah's son's name any names y'all think they might possibly have named their son or daughter?