*Author's Note*

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Hidden Hills Settlement

Nova POV:

It was mid-mornin', I was cleanin' up from breakfast, and I was exhausted. Last night was very tumultuous, havin' to abandon our house mid-dinner and make a hasty trip to the hidden settlement high up in the hills that Jim Vance and his nephews had set up in case of an emergency. Thankfully Anna was able to go to sleep once we reached our new home, but that wasn't the case for me and Cap. We were up all night fixin' up our new house, that was built into the slate mountainside, in order for it to feel like a warm home for our daughter. Havin' to flee, run and hide, wasn't a light thing, but we didn't want Anna to realize somethin' was wrong. We wanted her to have a sense of home even tho we were cooped up deep in the hills, so far 'way from civilization, in order to keep our hides safe.

Cap was sittin' at the table smokin' while Anna was at the table playin' with her china doll. Anna, my precious first baby, had no idea why we were in a rustic mountain cabin furnished with beds in the bedrooms and a table and chairs since the cabin was small with only a kitchen instead of having a living room too. I was thankful that she was content to just sit at the table with her prized doll, the one she got not that long 'go for Christmas. My husband tho was disturbed, I could tell by how stiff his shoulders were and how his hand shook slightly as he tipped cigarette ashes into the glass tray settin' on the table. I hated seein' Cap like this, so burdened and stewin' on things he had no control of.

While I was washin' out a skillet at the sink a knock sounded at the wooden door. Turning from the sink I told my family, "I'll get it."

Cap just nodded, takin' a long drag off his smoke, while Anna continued to play with her doll, makin' it dance 'round on the table. I just made my way over to the door and opened it, only to reveal little bronze-haired Josiah Vance shyly standing in front of me on the small makeshift front porch. "Can Anna come out an' play?"

"Of course, she can." I smiled at the boy, who in turn smiled back. Turnin' around slightly I called out, "Anna, sweetie, Josiah's here t'play."

"Leave your doll on the table and go play wit' your friend." Cap told our daughter, pointin' his cigarette at the table in the he wanted her to set down her doll at.

"Okay, pa." Anna simply said before puttin' her doll on the table and going over to where I was at with Josiah at the open doorway.

"Stay in front of the house where we can see ya'll from the window." I told the chil'ren, earnin' me simple nods, as I watched them go off to play.

I shut the door and went back over to the sink to finish up the breakfast pans and dishes. I went back to scrubbin' the skillet, occasionally turning my head to look out the window and check on Anna and Josiah, who looked to be playin' a game of marbles.

"They're fine, Nova. Don't worry, I've got my eye on them." Cap spoke up, his deep timbre breakin' the silence in the room we were in.

"You know me so well." I dried off the skillet, placin' it on the counter before goin' back to the sink to wash the dishes in it. Lookin' at my husband from over my shoulder I sighed, "And I know you too. You're broodin'."

"Can't help it. After last night…" Cap dragged on his cigarette, smoke floatin' out of his mouth and nose.

Abandonin' my spot at the sink, I made my way over to my husband's side. I sat next to him, turnin' his face with a gentle touch so he'd look at me instead of just starin' out the window. "Don't let it et ya up. We got away, we're safe."

Shakin' his shaggy blonde head, Cap sighed, "I know, sweetlin', but I just can't help thinkin' that if Mariah didn't tell Doc what was happenin' an' if he didn't go to pa's t'warn him that we'd be locked up right now."

"Don't do that, Will. Don't think 'bout the what ifs." I begged him, hatin' that he had his mind reelin' over things that never happened, but could've in another reality. Grabbing his hand and squeezin' It, I softly told him, "Just focus on the fact that we're safe and our boys'll be born in a few months to free parents."

"Wilson and Wyatt." My husband let out, resultin' in me raisin' a thin auburn brow at him. "Wilson'll be a good nickname for William Anderson the third and Wyatt's a good name for his brother." Cap explained 'fore takin' a drag off his smoke. Tippin' his ashes into the tray he simply said, "Wyatt Anse."

Pattin' my husband on the shoulder before risin' from the table, I softly smiled, "I like those names. They're good strong ones, fittin' for our boys."


Moses POV:

Senator Billings left, but not before slippin' a note to me with his contact information. It seemed that he was still adamant 'bout helpin' me keep my sister out of the gallows. Billy had wanted to go see Mariah so I volunteered to go with him, said it'd be easier if we told both her and Sarah that the main Hatfields we were after got 'way. He agreed, which is why we're currently on our way to the Wolford sisters' house. I basically lied to his face since I just wanted to find out if Mariah was the reason the Hatfields and my sister got away.

"So, what's goin' on wit'cha and Mariah?" I asked Billy, tiltin' my head slightly at him, as the sounds of twigs bein' stepped on by horse hooves echoed into the air.

A face splittin' grin took over the auburn's face as he revealed, "We're good friends, but I talked t'her sister an' she 'greed to let me start courtin' her once she turns 14 in a few months."

Jesus Christ, so soon?! Damn, poor girl. Raisin' a brow at my childhood best friend, I asked, "Um, don't ya think ya'll are a bit young for courtin'?"

"Not really. I mean I don't plan on gettin' married til she's 16 at least."

That only gives Mariah a couple more years of freedom 'fore she's chained to Billy's side forever. She's goin' to be crushed once she's stuck with Billy too since she's so close to Robert E. How she's dealing with that I can only imagine and I don't think it's good either.

"Oh, well I don't plan on seriously courtin' anybody til I'm at least 20." I honestly told my starstruck friend, lettin' him know that I didn't think like he did when it came to relationships an' settlin' down.

Billy shook his head at me and sighed, "Mo, I hope not cause if so you're gonna be real lonely."

"I'm Bad Frank's partner an' personal deputy, so I'll be too busy doin' lawman work t'worry bout a serious girl." I reminded him. Hell, just cause I'm not itchin' to be tied down as soon as I'm of age don't mean I'm gonna be alone.

Givin' me a pointed look, he scoffed, "But not too busy t'have some whores."

I chuckled, shakin' my head at my auburn-haired friend as we reached the end pathway to Mariah and Sarah's cabin. A slight smirk took up his face as he let out a small chuckle of his own as we rode up the path to the small cabin. Silently we rode up to the hitchin' post, dismounted, and tied up our horses.

We walked side by side up the porch and to the door. Billy took it upon himself to knock on the door while I just leaned against one of the door jams, lazily pickin' at dirt underneath my finger nails.

"Oh, hello." Mariah muttered out, her eyes slightly wide, after openin' up the door.

"Mariah, I just had'a see ya." Billy told the object of his affections, pullin' her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry, but we didn't catch 'em all." He apologized to Mariah as he pulled away from her slight, endin' their hug.

"Oh…" Mariah trailed off in a lingerin' whoosh.

"We managed to get a few people tho." I informed Mariah, causin' her to just nodded her head and take a few steps back from Billy.

Mariah moved aside and gestured to the inside of the house. "Come in. My sister's restin', but she'll wanna hear the news."

Billy walked right by her and into the house. He was makin' his way towards the master bedroom of the house, to talk to Sarah, as I walked the the threshold. Instead of walkin' deeper into the room I stood by Mariah and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, Robert E. and his family's safe. My sister's too."

I went to walk deeper into the house, but was stopped by Mariah's hand holdin' my upper arm. I looked at her only for the girl to whisper, "I had Doc go warn 'em after he checked up on my sister."

Wow, so I was right, Mariah was responsible for the warnin'. "Don't do no more warnin's like that 'gain. They already suspect a woman tipped 'em off, if ya get caught it'll be ugly." I whisper hissed at Mariah, as she shut the front door.

"Doc can get notes to them and he won't tell neither. Talk t'him, have him send word to your sister." Mariah hissed back at me, a snap in her voice, 'fore stormin' by me and to her sister's room.

Damn, shit's gettin' messy and I gotta make sure that I don't just watch my back, but Mariah's too. How the hell did I get so deep in this shit? I just let out a sigh 'fore joinin' everyone in Sarah's room, where everyone else at breakin' the news of the partially failed raid.


*One Month Later*

Cap POV:

I was ridin' 'cross the green open field towards the hidden settlement after makin' a much-needed supply run. I was in a hurry to get back cause my contact, the mailman that was helpin' us smuggle our things, told me that he heard Governor Wilson was meetin' with pa. Holy hell, I knew my wife would be at the meetin', considerin' all the law knowledge she had, 'long wit' Uncle Wall and I didn't wanna miss it.

I took my hat off and used it to smack my horse with, urgin' Badger to gallop faster since the settlement was up 'head. Once I reached the small path and opening that led to the hide-out I pulled on Badger's reigns, makin' him slow into a trot. I rode over to the stables, where Uncle Jim and Lias were crowded 'round talkin'. After dismountin' I placed my horse into the stable and joined my uncles. "Got our Winchesters and ammo." I told them, earnin' me nods.

"McCoy's waitin' on 'em push pulls, never thought t'check the mail wagon." Lias chuckled slightly, nudgin' Jim's arm with his elbow.

"Yea." Jim nodded with a smirk on his face.

I looked over my shoulder at my pa's house 'fore lookin' at my uncle's and askin', "Is it true, Governor Wilson's here?"

Jim shook his head 'fore tellin' me, "No, but next best thing. He sent his boy John B. Floyd." Uncle Jim patted my back 'fore walkin' 'away from the stable an' headin' to pa's cabin.

"Anna's off playin' wit' Josiah. His older brother and your sister's keepin' an eye on 'em." Lias informed me 'fore slightly nudgin' me in the direction that Jim took off in.

Nova POV:

I was sittin' at the table sandwiched 'tween Anse an' Wall while John B. Floyd, a government official that knew my father-in-law pretty well, sat across from us. The man was a clean-cut brunette that looked to be enterin' middle-age. If I wasn't told that he worked for Governor Wilson I'd have never guessed since he doesn't look like the politician type, he dressed simple and seemed down to earth. "Anse, you have Governor Wilson's full support on this situation."

"Skunk Hair Wallace, Lark Varney, French Ellis dead while Selkirk, Alex Messer, Charlie, Plyont Mahon, and half-dozen others been kidnapped." Wall's voice boomed deeply as his hard eyes stared down the man across from us as the door swung open. Jim Vance walked into the room, shut the door 'hind him, and walked over to the fireplace at the end of the small room.

"God knows how many others of our relations McCoy has buried in unmarked graves." Anse spat, his pipe danglin' in the corner of his mouth, as the door to the cabin opened up once more. Cap walked into the room, goin' over to where Uncle Jim was leanin' 'gainst the wall by the back fireplace.

The judge shook his head while telling John, "No out of state lawman has the authority to cross into another sovereign state t'abduct citizens, warrant or no damn warrant."

"Bad Frank shouldn't even be a lawman. He used to be an outlaw, robbin' banks and trains out west with the James brothers' gang." I spoke up, lettin' the governor's boy know that Phillips' badge ain't even legal, or at least shouldn't be. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my husband smirkin' at me, impressed by my outburst.

"Mr. Phillips has been pardoned by his governor." John B. Floyd informed us, his voice a bit sympathetic. "Governor Wilson has had heated exchnges over telegraph with Governor Buckner 'bout this situation."

"Hear that, Wall, Nova? Heated exchanges." Anse sarcastically scoffed, takin' a puff off his pipe. Wall just shrugged while I rolled my cornflower blue eyes. Telegram debates wasn't helpin' us out right now.

"I filed a petition for the writ of habis corpus as well as the release of your people with the Kentucky courts." John informed us, the look on his face portrayin' that he was proud of what he did.

My husband folded his arms over his chest, his black Stetson clad head shakin'. "Kentucky ain't gonna do nothin'." Cap blurted out, his deep rollin' timbre cacklin' like the burnin' flames in a fireplace.

"If Mr. Phillips and his posse were to cross over into West Virginia again they can be arrested and tried here." John B. revealed, trying to make it sound like Bad Frank would be in caustody soon. Hell, I knew that wasn't the case. He used to be an outlaw, he knew how not to get caught.

"By who?" Uncle Wall asked with a raised brow.

"Ah, hell, deputize us." Jim spoke up, takin' a step forward. Pointin' his hand into the general direction of Kentucky he added in a loud snappin' drawl, "We'll ride into Pikeville; end this shit right now."

Cap nodded as he stood by his uncle, showin' that he supported the idea of endin' the feud by becomin' a legal deputy. I got up from my seat and waddled my way over to stand by my husband's side. I gave him a small smile as I came to a stop by his side. Cap wrapped an arm 'round me, pullin' me into his side, while Devil Anse shot up from the table angrily.

Pullin' his pipe from his mouth and pointin' it at John B., Anse ordered, "Troopers at the border, John. Get me troopers at the border so when McCoy does this 'gain we stop his ass."

"Anse, that's an unrealistic request. It'd start up 'nother Civil War." John B. told Anse, lookin' up at him sympathetically.

"And what'd ya think we got on our hands here?" My father-in-law sarcastically asked the politician 'fore turnin' his back on him and starin' out the window.

Well, looks like this meetin's useless. John B.'s too wishy-washy while us Hatfield's are too blunt and bold.


A few hours later I was sittin' at the table inside of my house while Doc Rutherford checked on me. Cap was by my side, watchin' the middle-aged doctor press his hands on my belly. "The twins seem active today. Kickin' an awfully lot." Doc told me, removin' his hands from my large belly. "Any crampin' or shootin' pains?"

"No." I simply replied while my husband's eye drifted 'tween me and Doc.

"Good." Doc nodded 'fore goin' on to tell me, "Sometimes twins can come early, so if ya feel any signs or pain or crampin' rest right 'way to try an' keep an early labor at bay." Pointin' at my feet he asked, "Any swellin' of your feet or ankles?"

"No, not anymore then with my last pregnancies." I answered, kickin' one of my feet up to show him that it looked normal.

"Well, seems you're doin' a'ight then." Doc nodded, concludin' that my last term of the pregnancy was goin' just fine. "Here, this is from Moses." He said, pullin' a note from his pocket and passin' it over to my husband. "Read it once I'm gone." Doc instructed 'fore Cap could unfold the letter.

"Thanks for smugglin' this t'us, Doc." I gratefully told the man as he grabbed his bag off the table.

"I made an oath to only help and do no harm t'my patients." Doc said instead of replyin' with a simple you're welcome. "I'll be back in a few weeks." Doc told me 'fore walkin' over to the door and exitin' the cabin.

"What does it say?" I asked Cap as he quickly opened the letter from my brother.

Clearin' his throat, my husband read aloud,

"Sissy,

I don't know where ya are, but stay there if it's safe. This last month's been nothing, but arresting and hunting down people. It's hard and I hate it, but I got no other choice cause if not I'm afraid I'd get a bullet in my head. Uncle Perry's currently writing to newspapers to try and get the McCoys story about a fight for justice published. I advise the Hatfields to write to papers to do the same or everyone'll think you're guilty and the real culprits are innocent.

Everyone that's locked up in jail are being well fed and taken care of. That I've taken charge of. I won't let any harm come to them while I'm on duty watching them in the jail.

Don't under any circumstances tell Johnse more then he needs to know. I'm positive that his wife's having an affair with my boss. Yes, Nutty Nancy's having a romance with Bad Frank or at east that's how it's coming off to me every time I see them together.

Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, Nova.

Love your brother,

Moses"

Cap folded the letter back up and handed it over to me while sayin', "Burn it."

I just nodded shoved the letter into my apron pocket. I'd toss it into the pot belly stove later once I started cookin' dinner. Cap's shoulders were tense and I knew what he read and put a weight on his soul. With a silent sigh, my husband stood up. Lookin' at me he said, "I'm gonna talk t'pa 'bout that letter we got."

"Okay." I simply said while the door to our house opened, shinnin' a sliver of light into the room as Anna and Josiah stepped inside.

"We're thirsty, mama." She told me as an explanation for them walkin' inside.

Standin' up and smilin' at the chil'ren I told them, "Sit down and I'll get ya'll some milk."

"Have fun playin'?" Cap asked Anna and Josiah as they made their way to the table while I went over to the kitchen counters.

"Yea." Both of the chil'ren answered as I poured some milk into a pair of glasses.

Cap ruffled the chil'ren's hairs 'fore walkin' over to the door. As I appeared at the table he walked out of the cabin, mind set to go talk to Anse.

"Where's pa goin'?" Anna asked me as I set the milk glasses down in front of her and Josiah.

"Just to see pap-pap." I softly smiled 'fore goin' on to ask, "Are ya'll hungry? I can make ya'll some sandwiches."

"Yes, Mrs. Hatfield." Josiah nodded, holdin' his milk glass up to his lips, while Anna blurted out, "I wanna sandwich."

"Josiah, you can call me Nova." I smiled at the shy boy, who seemed nervous 'round me even tho he's been playin' with my daughter for a good month now.

"Okay." Josiah muttered out as I left the table and went over to the counter that I had some meat, cheese, and bread wrapped up at.


Cap POV:

Shaking my head, I tried to reason with my pa. "But, pa, Moses says Nancy's Bad Frank's whore. We can't trust Johnse with knowin' too much, he'll blab out secrets to her when drunk."

Pa gave me a stern look while tellin' me in his deep cool tone, "You heard your mama, boy. Johnse's apart of this family and as such he'll be involved in whatever we do."

Just cause mama has blind faith in my brother doesn't mean we all should. Damnit. Narrowin' my eyes I spat, "But his wife's warmin' Bad Frank's bed. It's too dangerous to let Johnse come 'round an' to tell him things."

"Your brother's no Judas, Cap. That brother-in-law of yours is mistook, he's confusin' one dark-haired woman for 'nother with Bad Frank." Ma told me a bit harshly from her spot at the table as she peeled potatoes for dinner.

Takin' a long puff off his pipe, pa sighed heavily, "Cap, I understand you're concerned, son, but I won't turn your brother 'way from this camp or from our family." I thought he was bein' a fool in listenin' t'ma over me 'bout Johnse, 'specially when I had evidence that his wife was a spy and fuckin' the outlaw turned lawman. Ma's love for her baby, her favorite child, was too unconditionally in my opinion. When it made pa turn his head on important matters, that's dangerous.

I didn't say a word, just nodded 'fore silently standin' up and walkin' over to the door. Swingin' the door open, I marched outside 'fore I could say somethin' to my pa that I'd later regret. I started to walk over to my house, that was on the other side of the stable near my folks' place, whenever I was stopped by Robert E. comin' up to me from the nearby rockface and foliage. "Cap, wait up." He called to me, clearly wantin' to talk.

"What is it, Robert E.?" I asked as he came to a stop next to me.

My brother had a sad look on his face as he revealed, "Doc gave me a letter from Mariah. Her sister's agreed to give her hand to Billy McCoy."

"What?" Fell out of my mouth in a puzzled snap.

"Mhm, as soon as she turns 16 in a couple of years, they'll be gettin' married, even tho she don't wanna."

Tiltin' my head slightly, I quirked a brow up and asked in a rumblin' snap, "Robert E., why're ya tellin' me this for?"

"Cause I like her an' want help seein' her, smugglin' notes to her." Robert E. told me, as if he was talkin' bout the weather or somethin' simple.

"That's too dangerous, I can't help ya do that."

"Why not?" My brother asked, soundin' like a spoiled child that didn't understand why he was bein' told no.

"You're only fuckin' 14-years-old, a damn boy still, and you think you're in love with some girl." I snapped at my brother, causin' him to narrow his eyes at me. Great, now he's mad. I felt bad for Robert E. and Mariah, their situation as a whole, but they were still kids. If they were of age, that'd be a different story. Oh hell… Letting out a long sigh, I told my brother, "Wait a few years til you're a man, then if ya still got feelin's for her I'll see what I can do in helpin' ya smuggle her up here if she feels the same 'bout ya."

Nodding, my brother simply said, "Okay."

I just patted my brother on the shoulder 'fore walkin' off to my house that was nearby. Goddamnit, now both me an' my wife's got boneheaded brother's doin' risky shit.


AN:

Hope you guys liked this chapter. It's official, the Hatfields are hiding up deep in the mountains. Next up are some fall birthdays and some other things.