*Author's Note*
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3 Birthdays & A Death
Nova POV:
Today was Anna's 4th birthday and we were having a little party for her. Everyone in the settlement gathered outside in the cool, but crisp fall weather, to socialize. Uncle Jim, Lias, Cap, and Anse had brought tables and chairs outside so that everyone could sit down and et while all the chil'ren played. Of course, when they got hungry, they sat down an' got a bite t'et too, but they were mostly usin' their energy to play. All of the women made a dish while I made the cake. Vera, my best friend for over a year now, had made a large order of cinnamon skillet apples for the party. A dish that everyone seemed to be gobblin' up.
Balancin' her near year old daughter on her hip, Vera came over to my table with a plate of food. She set down her plate and took a seat next to me while remarkin' with a smile, "Gosh, you're expectin' any day now ain't ya."
"Yes." I smiled back 'fore addin' in, "And since I'm so big and miserable as of lately I can't wait to pop these boys out."
Vera nodded her dark hair covered head slightly in the direction my husband was in while sayin', "Cap seems excited for the impendin' birth."
"Oh, he is." I smiled, sipping on some tea. Drifting my attention to Cap, who was talkin' with Uncle Jim and Cotton, I told Vera, "He's a good father, us havin' more babies is a blessin'."
"I remember when Bridie was born. My Tom was so overjoyed, he nearly cried when holdin' her for the first time."
"Her first birthday's in a few weeks. Are ya ready for that?" I asked, knowin' that my best friend would most likely have a bitter sweet time wit' her daughter's birthday since it also meant that her husband'll be dead for just 'bout a year too.
"Yes and no." Vera revealed in a small huff of a sigh. Slightly bouncing her baby in her lap, she sadly remarked, "Tom should be her for her birthday, not buried in the ground down the hills."
I agreed with her 'bout that, he should be here an' not in the sky as a star. Skunk Hair, once I actually got to know him, was in my opinion a good man. He was a good friend to Cap and, in the short time I knew him, to me. What happened to him was a shame, no call for it, and is all Ole Rand'l an' Perry Cline's fault.
Noddin', I patted Vera's hand and gave her a small thinly lined smile that was full of empathy. "I know, but he'll be here for Bridie's birthday in spirit. He'll be shinnin' down as a star, prolly brighter on her birthday night."
"I know an' that's a small bit of comfort t'me, but it still ain't how it should be." Vera told me in a heavy laced tone, spearin' some baked apples wit' her fork.
'Fore takin' a sip of my tea, I told my best friend, "Well, you've got me an' Cap long wit' the entire Hatfield clan t'help ya out wit' raisin' up Briddie."
Vera just nodded her head, silently lettin' me know that she was glad that everyone was there t'help her.
I'm so thankful that the Hatfield clan are so close an' tight knit, it's good for Anna to have a strong family foundation and feel loved and accepted. Sad to say, I don't think the McCoy clan was ever a good fit for me an' my daughter. Their hateful, bitter, and judgmental ways weren't good for neither me nor Anna. The McCoys don't go out of their way to help their own, unlike that Hatfields. Anse an' Levicy made sure that all the women of the fallen or captured members of the family, either blood tied or tied by work or friendship, had a place up here in the settlement. No matter what, everyone will rally 'round everyone an' take care of 'em.
Cap POV:
A few days after Anna's birthday, Nova woke me up in the wee hours of the mornin' with birthin' pains. I sent for Doc while ma stayed by my wife's side t'keep an eye on her labor progress. I took Anna with me out on the porch since men and chil'ren ain't allowed in the house when it's birthin' time. It took a few hours for Doc to arrive, but when he did, he just rushed into my house to help my wife birth the twins.
Hell, I've lost track of how many hours Doc's been in with my wife for. All I know is that night has fallen; I'm sittin' on my porch next to pa and Uncle Jim while Anna's sittin' on the ground playin' with Spot an' Mr. Howles. None of us men were sayin' a word, just sittin' in silence as we awaited the cries of newborn babes. Labor was long and intense for a woman, but the waitin' was nerve-rackin' for the man. So many things could go wrong in the birthin' bed, 'specially with twins. I hoped everythin' went smoothly for Nova and our boys, Wilson and Wyatt.
Suddenly a loud scream pierced the air followed by the high-pitched cry of a baby. Oh, thank god Wilson was born with a healthy set of lungs. I sat perched in my chair, my pa and uncle starin' holes into me, as I awaited impatiently for the birth of Wyatt. Anna was pettin' the dogs while lookin' at the door of the cabin, most likely wonderin' when she'd be able to go inside and meet her brothers. A couple minutes later I heard my wife's loud scream echo from the cabin followed by the high-pitched cry of our son, Wyatt.
A proud smile crossed my face as Uncle Jim grinned and passed me his flask while sayin', "Take a drink, pappy."
I took the flask from his large calloused hand and took a large swig from it while pa nodded at me, a proud look on his face. Pullin' his pipe from the corner of his mouth, he told me, "The waitin's worth it when your wife puts your babe into your arms an' ya look at 'em for the first time."
The cabin door opened and out walked Doc, his bag in his hands. I stood up as he came to a stop in front of me. "How're they?" I asked, just wantin' to hear that everything was okay.
With a small smile, Doc told me. "Nova's tired, but she's as fit as a fiddle. Your newborn sons are healthy, already favor ya too wit' the blonde hair." Pointin' at my daughter and then to the door he said, "Ya can take the girl inside to see her mother an' brothers."
The door opened and out walked my ma, a large smile on her face. "She's askin' for ya an' Anna, Cap." Ma told me as Doc walked away and towards one of the guards, no doubt to be guided back to his house safely.
Nova POV:
Levicy had just left to go get Cap and Anna for me. I was restin' in bed, leanin' on the pillows propped up 'gainst the headboard, while cradlin' my twin boys in my arms. I already nursed them so they were just restin', content with bein' held. I was cooin' at my newborn twins whenever my bedroom door opened with a squeak. Cap walked thru the threshold with Anna on his hip. "How's mama an' our boys?" He asked, a smile splittin' his rugged face in half, as he walked over to the bed.
"We're good." I replied with a smile as Cap sat down on the bed near my side with Anna on his lap.
Lookin' at her baby brothers Anna said, "They're tiny, mama."
"I know, sweetheart, but all babies are." I smiled at her as Cap just let out a small chuckle in response to her innocent observation.
Lookin' at Anna, Cap asked her, "Ya wanna ask mama their names?"
She nodded her head, her copper tangles bouncin' all 'round her shoulder, 'fore askin', "What're their names, mama?"
Tiltin' my head to the baby in my left arm I said, "This one's Wilson." Tilting my head to the baby in my right arm I added, "And this one's Wyatt."
"Ya want me t'help ya hold one of 'em?" Cap asked Anna, lookin' at her with a soft fatherly smile.
Noddin', Anna told her pa, "I wanna hold Wilson."
"A'ight." My husband nodded, his shaggy blonde hair goin' every which way. With a smile I held our son out to him, which just caused Cap to take our baby with precise movements. "Stretch your arms out so I can show ya how t'hold him." Cap told Anna, causin' her to quickly obey him. Placin' Wilson in her arms he told her, "Support his head with one arm that wraps round 'im and hold him, but not too tight, with the other."
"Like this?" Anna asked as she held her brother, mimickin' the way she was watchin' me hold Wyatt.
"Yea, sweetie, just like that." I nodded with a smile.
Cap looked at Anna holdin' Wilson and then up at me with Wyatt dozin' off in my arms, a large proud smile on his face. Seein' my husband so happy to be a father, includin' our daughter effortlessly in the moments we were sharin' with our newborn twin boys, warmed my heart. I knew deep down in my soul that Cap, who I called Will when the time arose for it, was who I was meant to be with and raise a family with. He was such a good father an' husband; I knew that no matter what hardships came at us that he'd take care of us an' protect us the best he could. I felt that I finally had a real complete an' lovin' family environment for my daughter, despite also bein' on the run. A home is a place wit' warmth and love, not a location. Cap was the reason my chil'ren had a home, he was the man that helped me provide the warmth and love needed to raise a family.
Moses POV:
I was leanin' on the porch post of the saloon, my new home since I was now rentin' a room upstairs next to Bad Frank's, sippin' on a cup of coffee whenever I saw Aunt Betty drivin' her buggy into town faster than a bat outta hell. I noticed as she came to an abrupt stop in front of Doc's office that Roseanna was in the passenger's side of the buggy with lil Sarah Elizabeth held tightly in her arms. The girl was just shy of a year, bein' that her birthday was sometime next month, an' she was known t'be a sickly girl so I figured the baby was sick 'gain.
Since I was curious 'bout what was goin' on with Roseanna's girl, I kicked myself off of the porch post I was leanin' on and went inside of the saloon. I went over to the bar and set my cup down while tellin' my boss, who was leanin' 'gainst said bar, "Roseanna McCoy an' my Aunt Betty just rush into Doc's. I'm gonna go see what's goin' on."
Bad Frank nodded, took a long sip of his coffee, and told me, "Just make sure ya come back right after, we might get a tip t'work off of t'day."
"Sure thing, boss." I nodded 'fore pivotin' on my boot heels and walkin' to the door.
Quickly, I made my way down the saloon porch and went over to Doc's office down the road. As soon as I walked inside, I was met with Roseanna crumbled on the floor cryin' while Aunt Betty tried to soothe her and get her t'stand up. Doc was nowhere to be seen, but by the cries of the sick baby I assumed he was in an examinin' room tendin' to her.
Bendin' down next to the women I asked, "What's wrong?"
Roseanna looked at me with red puffy eyes and tears rollin' down her cheeks. Her bottom lip quivered as she told me in a long-cluttered rush of breath, "Doc's tryin' to break Sarah Elizabeth's fever cause she's burnin' up too hot an' gotten worse then she'd been last night." Tears brimmed her eyes as she let out a half sob of, "But he says he thinks it might be too late cause it looks like scarlet fever."
Oh no, Roseanna's baby was dyin' of the same thing my sister's son Tol died of. Hell, scarlet fever was rapid in fall and spring, due to the funny weather changes, an' was deadly. The Tug weren't in an epidemic like a year 'go, but I reckon Sarah Elizabeth was just unlucky 'nough to catch a chill an' get it.
"Can ya go fetch Perry Cline?" Aunt Betty asked, a sad look in her eyes as she quickly added, "I'm afraid we might need him t'help us."
"Yea, I'll go get 'im." I told the old hag 'fore standin' to my feet and leavin' the doctor's office.
I quickly made my way 'cross the street and down it to my uncle's office. Whenever I rushed inside, I was met with the sight of Ole Rand'l sittin' on the couch, suckin' down a flask for his breakfast, while Uncle Perry was goin' over some papers at his desk. Upon hearin' the door chime, my uncle looked up and asked me, "Has Mr. Phillips gotten any leads yet?"
"No." I shook my head. My tone was flat an' heavy as I told my uncle, "I was sent to fetch ya by Aunt Betty. Her and Roseanna's at Doc's office, seems like Sarah Elizabeth's dyin' on scarlett fever."
"Christ…" Tumbled off of Uncle Perry's lips as he jumped up from his desk. Lookin' at Ole Rand'l, he said, "We gotta get to Doc's."
"Ya go on 'head, I'll follow 'hind ya." The ole drunk waved off my uncle, who just rolled his eyes 'fore rushin' over to the door.
I shook my head at Rand'l in disgust 'fore followin' Uncle Perry out of the office and walkin' with him over to Doc's. Once we walked inside of the office, we were met with the sight of Roseanna pacin' the room with her lifeless baby cradled 'gainst her chest as heart wrenchin' cries fell from her lips. Doc was standin' next to Aunt Betty with a sad look on his face.
Uncle Perry quickly rushed over to Roseanna's aide. "I'll take care of all cost of the funeral." He told her, his slick voice goin' soft. Roseanna just nodded, lookin' at my uncle with tear filled eyes. "Come, I'll help ya take her to Mr. Goodpasture's, then you'll stay with me for a bit."
"Okay." The heartbroken meek blonde muttered above a whisper.
Uncle Perry wrapped an arm 'round Roseanna and escorted her out of Doc's. Aunt Betty just nodded at Doc and told him, "Thank you for tryin' to help that poor lil girl.", 'fore leavin' the office.
I was just gettin' ready to leave, but froze in my tracks whenever I heard Doc's drawlin' smoke laden tone tell me, "Your sister birthed her twins last night."
Lookin' at him I asked, "What'd she have?"
"Boys, named 'em Wilson an' Wyatt." That's good, she's got boys to replace the ones she lost. Too bad she gained babies and Roseanna lost one tho.
"Tell her I sent my regards; that I'm rentin' a room at the saloon now too, next time ya check up on her." I told the man, earnin' me a nod, 'fore walkin' out of his office.
I made my way down the street and over to the saloon. As soon as I walked inside, Bad Frank looked at me from his spot at the bar. "What's wrong?" He asked in his sharp drawlin' tongue as I went over to the bar.
Leanin' 'gainst the bar I shook my head an' sighed, "Roseanna McCoy's girl died, shy of a year, of scarlet fever." My voice was flat as I added in, "My Uncle Perry's handlin' the funeral details, lettin' Roseanna stay wit' him too."
"Losin' a babe's hard." Bad Frank's voice hung heavily in the air, his beady eyes a bit glassy as he looked into his coffee cup.
"Speakin' from experience." I stated, not asked, with a slightly arched brow since that's the impression I got from his tone of voice.
Bad Frank nodded and took a long sip of his strong brewed coffee 'fore revealin' "Got an ex-wife out west. We had'a boy, Frank Junior, but he died suddenly when sleepin' in his cradle." Oh, that's sad. I didn't even know that babies could just stop breathin' when sleepin'. Hell, talk 'bout scary. Lookin' at me he said, "Junior'd be 'bout your age, maybe year or so younger, if he'd lived." No wonder this guy don't mind me bein' his partner and personal deputy, I'm like a pseudo son or somethin' to him. Shit, that makes my job even harder now since I'm double crossin' the man by spyin' for my sister an' Hatfield kin.
"Hey, why's the air in here so still an' dead feelin'?" I heard Nancy's shrill rasp of a voice ask over the sound of her heeled boots clankin' on the floor as she made her way over to the bar. Uh, why's she even here for, ain't it a bit too early for a trip to Pikeville's Saloon?
'Fore I could say a word, Bad Frank told her, "Your cousin, Roseanna, lost her girl to the fever." Pointin' at me he added, "He just told me 'bout it after takin' Mr. Cline t'Doc's to be wit' her and your Aunt Betty."
Damn, Bad Frank could turn tables and change the settin' in a place wit' the snap of a finger. Puttin' the heavy mood on me instead of admittin' he was affected by the news of the baby girl's death cause it drew out bad memories to the surface of his mind was a smart way to avoid talkin' 'bout his past t'his lady love. How the hell he can turn his emotions on and off so fast, I don't know. Reckon I better take a page outta his book an' bury my own emotions, not lettin' anythin' show, if I wanna survive my spot bein' torn 'tween sides in this godforsaken feud.
Cap POV:
Nova and the twins were sleepin' while Anna was outside with Josiah. They were playin' with the dog, Spot, while I sat at the table watchin' them from the front room window. I was smokin' a cigar whenever I watched Johnse trot up on his horse. The kids waved at him, but the way he listlessly waved back told me that somethin' was off wit' him. I watched him walk pass my window, after hitchin' his horse up in the stable, an' over to my door. He knocked 'fore openin' the door an' poppin' his head in. "Can I come in?" Johnse asked, a forlorn look on his usually cheerful face.
"Yea, come in." I nodded, causin' my brother to enter my cabin.
After shuttin' the door, my brother took off his hat and made his way over to the table. Clutchin' that light brown floppy hat of his with a white knuckled grip, Johnse sat down next to me at the table. I just eyed him up curiously, wonderin' what had him so shook up. My brother let out a shaky breath 'fore tellin' me, "Me an' Roseanna's baby girl, lil Sarah Elizabeth, died early this mornin'." His voice trembled as he admitted, "I went t'Pikeville to see her and Roseanna wouldn't even look at me when I was enterin' the undertakers as she was leavin' with her Aunt Betty." Tears brimmed his eyes as he added in, "Aunt Betty walked wit' her to the lawyer, Perry Cline's house."
I felt bad for my big brother, I really did, but I also felt the whole situation was fucked up. I wasn't stupid, I knew he most likely found out 'bout the baby's death from his wife an' that in my opinion was a bit sick. If ya ask me most of the McCoys had a screw loose an' were titched in the head. I didn't think Nancy McCoy should've said a word to my brother, should've let him find out in due time from gossip. Sam's Hill, my brother put his safety in danger to go to Pikeville to see a dead baby he never officially claimed or had anythin' t'do with. Damn, that ain't right.
I let a large waft of smoke billow out of my nose and mouth. I tipped my cigar ashes into the glass tray on the table while sighin', "Johns, I don't think it was a good idea t'go down there. It's dangerous, ya could've gotten yourself caught an' jailed."
"Cap, nothin' happen." I just shook my head at my brother, bringin' my cigar up to my mouth and takin' a drag off it. "I had'a see her, she's my baby even tho she's no longer livin'."
"Hell, Johnse, ya know how stupid ya sound? Now that the girl's dead ya care an' got the stones t'claim her, but 'fore ya didn't."
"Don't judge me, Cap." Johnse whined, causin' me to roll my eyes at him. I wasn't judgin' him, I was just statin' a hard truth that he didn't want to hear. "You carried on wit' a married woman, one who was Tolbert's wife." Johnse threw into my face, his crystal blue eyes borin' holes into my head.
"Ya don't know the entire story 'tween me an' Nova." I told my brother in a low and deep tone, narrowin' my eyes at him as I smoked my cigar. I didn't need to clarify what happened with me and my wife, didn't need to justify our affair to my brother or anybody for that matter. I knew the reason we got together and that's all that matters. My personal life ain't nobody's business, but mine and my wife's. "I don't pry into your life when it comes t'your wife, give me the same respect."
"Nothin' to pry into, Nancy's good to me. Cares 'bout my hard times." Yea, I bet she cares. Cares so much that's why she's seein' Bad Frank, the man that wants Johnse dead or jailed, on the side. Upon seein' my skeptical look, Johnse sighed, "Ya don't believe she has my best interest at heart, do ya?"
Lettin' out a lungful of smoke, I countered his question with one of my own. "Johns, she told ya 'bout Roseanna's baby, didn't she?"
"Yes, she did." Johns nodded, confirmin' what I already knew deep in my gut.
"Yea…" I trailed off, givin' my brother a raised brow, as I tipped some ashes into my ashtray. Before stickin' my cigar back into my mouth I honestly, but bluntly, told Johnse, "That's not lookin' out for ya, that's hurtin' ya in a sick way."
"No, it ain't." Johnse snapped, his voice soundin' very insulted. Trying to make me understand his point of view, which was useless since I'd never agree with how he felt, he said, "She told me so I would know an' wouldn't be shocked hearin' 'bout it months from now." I just shook my head at him, silently lettin' him know that I didn't believe he fell for the sweet bullshit his wife fed him. I knew firsthand from my own wife what kind of woman my brother married. Nova told me Nancy was a shrewd woman that hated Hatfields; somebody like that ain't tellin' Johnse bad news for his benefit, but for her own. Johnse, not likin' that I wasn't playin' into his pity party, stood up from the table and stormed over to the door. He walked out of it, slammin' it shut too behind him.
I heard the wailin' sounds of my newborn sons cryin', most likely bein' startled 'wake from hearin' Johnse slam the door. I let out a sigh and snubbed my cigar out in the tray 'fore risin' from the table and goin' over to the door. I opened up the door and told the chil'ren playin' in eye sight, "Anna, Josiah, come inside wit' the dog. Babies are up an' I gotta help your ma."
"Okay." Anna nodded while Josiah just silently nodded his head too.
In less then a minute Anna, Josiah walked by me and into the house with Spot followin' 'hind them. As I closed the door the chil'ren settled on the end of the stairs with the dog. I went over to my bedroom door, but stopped as soon as my hand touched the doorknob. Lookin' at the kids, I told 'em, "If ya need anythin' just holler. Me or ma'll come out an' help ya'll."
"Okay, pa." Anna nodded while at the same time Josiah simply nodded his response of, "Okay, Cap."
Nova POV:
I woke up to the sound of a door slammin' and my twins cryin'. I didn't know who slammed the door, but I could wring their neck right now. I knew it wasn't Cap that slammed the door, he's been very careful with doors and light footed since the babies come hours 'go and I knew he was also makin' sure that Anna was quiet too, so whoever slammed the door had to be a visitor. Perhaps they were upset that they couldn't visit with the babies cause we were restin'? Who knows…
I picked Wilson up out of his craddle, changed his diaper, and placed him on the bed 'fore repeatin' my actions with Wyatt. I had just finished changin' Wyatt and was puttin' his tiny pants back on over his diaper whenever my bedroom door opened. Lookin' up I watched my husband walk into the room with a tight, but slightly cracked, look on his face. "What is it?" I asked him, ticklin' my boys' chests as they laid in the bed in front of me, as Cap made his way to my side.
Sittin' down next to me on the bed, Cap's lips went into a thin line as he heavily said in his deep rollin' timbre, "Johns was just here, said Nancy told him that his an' Roseanna's baby girl died this mornin' of the fever."
"Poor Roseanna." Fell from my lips in a low flowin' quick sigh. "She's so meek an' kind hearted, I fear this tragedy, paired with the heartbreakin' reality that Johnse took Nancy as his wife, will break her spirit an' destroy her." I honestly told my husband as he picked up Wilson while I picked up Wyatt to coddle and hold.
While holdin' Wilson to his chest an' gently rubbin' his back, Cap asked me, "How'd ya do it, not break after losin' a baby t'fever?"
"I had Anna to pour my energy an' hopes into." I told Cap as I looked at Wyatt, gently rockin' him in my arms. Lookin' up at my husband, my cornflower blues meetin' his lone icy eye and it's milky twin, I revealed, "And I had you t'lean on. Your affections, showin' that ya cared 'bout me, kept me from feelin' alone an' unloved."
Cap just nodded his head, givin' me a small smile that upturned the corner of his mustache covered upper lip. "I think deep down I always loved ya, but never realized it til we got prices put on our heads."
"Despite your hard an' cold demeanor, you're an easy man t'love, Will." I told my husband, a soft smile tintin' my rose hued lips.
My husband just nodded 'fore revealin', "I asked t'court ya that day I walked ya home from Adam's, but Perry Cline turned me 'way."
Oh my god, I was the one he wanted to court, but couldn't. "So, ya made our house for me then?" I asked, mainly cause I wanted him to admit that he did.
"Yep." Popped my husband's tongue. Lookin' 'tween me an' our newborn sons that we were holdin', Will softly smiled, "But guess everythin' worked out for us after all since we're married, got a beautiful daughter, an' a pair of handsome newborn sons."
I just nodded, a soft smile of my own spreadin' over my face. Even tho we were hidin' out from Bad Frank and his deputized posse, Will was right 'bout everythin' workin' out with us. Even tho what could've been 'tween us was halted when we were younger, we still managed t'get together, fall in love, and have a family.
I was truly thankful for my twin boys, my sweet lil girl, and my husband, who underneath his impossin' exterior was a good an' lovin' man.
AN:
Next up will be a time jump and a Moses POV. Hope ya'll liked this chapter.
