*Author's Note*

Thanks for all of the follows, faves, and reviews.

Sorry this took so long to get out. Every time I went to write I ended up writing for Transcending Time and then I ended up making a Breakfast Club story (When Love & Hate Collide) too. My OC Gertie in WLHC just happens to be descended from Nova and Cap. LOL, nice huh.

Anyways, I'll stop my note and let ya'll read this new chapter.


4th Of July, 1885

Nova POV:

With the end of spring came the hot summer months. The first month of summer, June, seemed to fly by fast. Now it was July and I was due any day now. I was hot, cranky, round, and swollen, but I wouldn't have it any other way since the ultimate result would be a precious newborn baby in my arms. Today was actually the 4th of July, but everyone up in the hidden hills settlement hasn't been to a real celebration for the holiday in years. Instead, we just did a large potluck picnic to make up for the lack of being at the festival down the hills in the Tug River Valley. The men in the settlement didn't just set up tables and a buffet, but they also set up homemade game booths for the children such as ring toss, bottle toss, and cornhole. Even tho we were stuck up in our own lil world, hidden away for safety reasons, the kids were still able to enjoy the summer holiday of Independence Day to some degree.

Since I was in the end term of my pregnancy, I was sittin' at a table, trying to rest. Vera was keepin' me company while she ate a strawberry tart. "Good lordy, this humid heat must be botherin' ya somethin' awful in your condition."

"Yes, it is." I nodded taking a sip of my sweet tea.

"You know I'm so touched that ya'll have decided to honor my Tom by namin' this new baby after him." My best friend revealed to me with a broad genuine smile on her lovely face.

"I'm glad it means a lot to you." I told Vera, a soft smile on my face. "Skunk Hair was Cap's best friend 'long with bein' a good friend to me and we couldn't think of a better man to honor by namin' our third son after."

Turnin' her attention to watch Cap and Lias help Bridie, Wilson, and Wyatt play a game of cornhole, Vera sighed out honestly, "I'll only have the one child. My Tom was my soulmate and I just can't bring myself to take up wit' somebody else, even tho it's been years since he's done been murdered."

"I understand completely." I nodded before admittin', "If, god forbid, Cap was killed I wouldn't remarry. He's it for me."

Vera didn't say a word, just nodded her head at me while giving me an understanding look. I meant what I told her, if I was ever widowed again, I'd be devastated and wouldn't go lookin' for a third husband. Cap was my world and I couldn't ever see myself lovin' anyone, but him. I wonder if Robert E. and Mariah feel that way, if that's why he's planning on snatchin' her away from Billy and sneaking her up here to the hidden hills settlement?

I was shaken out of my mental musings by the giggles and laughs of the chil'ren playing with Cap and Lias. I smiled widely as I watched my husband help Wilson toss the beanbag at the cornhole board. The bag didn't go into the targeted hole, but my son didn't seem to upset. Instead, he eagerly shoved his twin Wyatt at their dad so that he could have his turn. Briddie just stood by patiently with Lias, who looked a bit winded from the first game they played.

Giving me a sincere look, Vera told me, "I'm so grateful for everyone's help. I don't know I could've done it alone with her."

I just gave her a soft smile. "Ya'll are family."

Hatfields always took care of family; friends too. No matter what the cost, anyone considered family would be helped. Even if it meant putting one's neck out, Hatfield family always got helped and taken care of.


Moses POV:

It was 4th of July and like every year since I've lived in the Tug River Valley there was a big festival bein' held in honor of the summer holiday. My uncle was trying to cheer up Roseanna, who was still doom and gloom even tho her daughter died a couple years back and not yesterday, while Ole Rand'l was spendin' his time at the whiskey booth. Aunt Sally was bein' fawned over by Jim, who's wife was left to fend for their children on her own. Alifair was keeping an eye on her siblings while Calvin played dotin' daddy to Bayrd, buyin' him sweet treats and playin' games with him. Billy was with Mariah, but he clearly had blinders on cause he thought they were happy and in love while she looked like she wanted to be anywhere, but here with him at the moment.

Me, well I was hangin' 'round with my boss, Bad Frank, at one of the many tables. Our lackey, Ransom, was at the jail watching the prisoners. I kinda feel bad for them, they're gonna starve today with him on guard duty.

"Ya think any of the Hatfields are gonna be foolish 'nough to come down 'ere for the holiday celebration?" Bad Frank asked 'fore pickin' up his ale tankard and takin' a large swig of it.

"I dunno." I shrugged, pickin' up my tankard of ale off the table.

Placin' his tankard back on the table, my weasel like boss chuckled, "Hope so, I'd like some excitement t'day."

"You would." I shook my head, a small sarcastic smile ghostin' on my lips, 'fore I took another drink of my ale.

"I think we better keep an eye on her." Bad Frank remarked while pointing a finger at Mariah, who was still lockin' arms with Billy and strollin' 'round the grounds with him.

"Why?" I raised a brow, settin' my ale down a bit harder then I meant too.

"She don't look too happy with him even tho they're engaged. Call it a hunch, but I think there's somethin' up with her." Shit, he would be good at readin' people.

"Mariah and Billy's been t'gether since we were kids. There's nothin' up with her." I stated in a firm and confident tone, even tho my confidence was faker then a whore's painted face. "Hell, maybe the heat's botherin' her today or somethin'?" I suggested with a shrug.

"Hmm…maybe…" Bad Frank drawled out heavy, the look in his beady eyes showin' that he wasn't too sure he believed me.

Damnit, Mariah needs to do a better actin' job when it comes t'her and Billy or everyone's gonna figure out she's ready to bolt as soon as Robert E. snaps his fingers. Knowin' I needed to get Bad Frank's attention off of Mariah, I changed the atmosphere in the air by askin', "How're you and Nancy doin'?"

"Oh, we're doin' good." Bad Frank smirked 'fore goin' on to boast, "She's sure she can get more secrets out of Johnse."

I just nodded and picked up my ale. I was gonna need t'drink in order to listen to Bad Frank brag 'bout Nutty Nancy's backstabbin' and schemes. Eh, at least I'll be able to send my sister a good warnin' letter full of whatever my boss tells me.


Nova POV:

I woke up in the middle of the night whenever my water broke; Cap shot out of bed immediately upon feelin' a wetness. Realizin' that my birthin' time had come, he gathered our chil'ren an' brought them to his folks' place 'fore sendin' his ma over to help me 'long wit' sendin' for Doc. Hell, that was hours ago and Doc still wasn't here. Hell, livin' so far up in the hills was hard when the doctor was needed since it took so long for him to make the trip up. At least I had Levicy and Vera by my side, trying to keep my comfortable and checkin' on my dilation progress. With all of my birthin' experiences so far in my life, I must say that the ones as Mrs. Hatfield have been far better then mine as Mrs. McCoy. It just seemed that Levicy as well as Vera brought a peaceful and calming sense to the room in a time of pain and discomfort. To be truthfully blunt, Sally was a good helper, but I didn't trust that she could actually deliver my babies if the Doc didn't arrive in time. Levicy tho, well I had a strong trust and faith in her; believed wholeheartedly that she could manage with Vera's help to deliver my baby if the Doc didn't make it on time. Actually, Levicy had helped Doc a great deal when I had the twins so…

"You're not ready yet, but give or take an hour or so and you will be." Levicy told me after checkin' me under the sheet.

"Do you think Doc'll get here in time?" I curiously asked since right now I felt the answer was a big fat no. I was just wonderin' what Levicy thought on the matter tho.

Vera looked between me and Levicy, waiting for the latter's answer on slightly baited breath. Levicy took a seat on the edge of my bed and patted my hand that was resting by my side on the sheet while tellin' me, "I'm not sure, but don't worry I know how to deliver a baby without his help."

"I'm not worried, Levicy. I know you're perfectly capable to help me birth my baby." I honestly told my mother-in-law, earnin' me a soft smile from her.

About An Hour Later…

I felt painful bolts, much like lightin', shooting up and down my sides. I knew from my previous times in the birthin' bed that my time had come, that I needed to bear down and push out my baby. "Levicy, it's time." I told my mother-in-law right as the door to my bedroom flew open.

"I hope I'm not too late." Doc Rutherford remarked as he rushed into the room and tossed his bag onto the bedside table.

"No, but 'nother few minutes and ya would've been." Levicy bluntly told the doctor as she and Vera were helping me sit up into the position, I needed to be in so I could push out my son.

"Well, it's not like coming up here to tend to my patients is easy." Doc remarked as he took his spot at the bottom of the bed where he'd be able to catch the baby once I pushed it out.

"Oh god, it's time." I gritted in pain as another contraction hit me like an angry lightening bolt.

Vera started to gather the supplies needed to clean up and swaddle a newborn while levicy grabbed my hand and told me, "Squeeze hard and push."

I nodded and did what my mother-in-law told me to do. Over and over again I pushed, screamed, gritted my teeth, and tightly held onto Levicy's hand for strength. Once I heard my baby's first cry, I let her hand go and flopped back onto the bed.

"Ya got a healthy baby boy, Nova." Doc announced, causing me to smile and nod.

I was tired and sore, but overjoyed to have another son. Silently, Vera and Levicy cleaned me up and helped me prop by back against some pillows and the headboard. Once I was settled, Doc placed my newborn boy into my awaitin' arms.

"He looks so cute." Vera smiled, her eyes shining brightly as he looked at my baby. My baby that was named after her late husband and love of her life.

"He takes after his pa." Levicy mused with a ghost of a smile lining her lips.

"Let's go tell Cap he's a proud papa. I'm sure he'll want to see his wife and newborn son." Doc told the women 'fore usherin' them out of my bedroom.


I was tired and sweaty as I rested propped up against my bed's headboard with some pillows as I fed my son Tommy his first meal. Tommy, just like my other boys, looked just like Cap. The bedroom door opened with a squeak causing me to lift my head up only to see my husband walking inside the room with a proud fatherly smile stretching across his rugged face from ear to ear. "How's my Tommy boy?" Cap asked, his deep voice a tone softer then usual, as he made his way over to my bedside.

Looking between my husband and newborn son, I smiled, "Hungry, but good."

"Holly hell, he looks just like me too huh?" Cap asked, takin' a seat next to me on the bed and cranin' his neck slightly so that he'd be able to get a good look at Tommy's features.

"Yes." I nodded before going on to say teasingly, "I'm afraid that most, if not all, of our chil'ren'll look like you."

Tommy stopped his sucklin', decidin' that he had enough to et, and just laid his tiny head 'gainst my breast. Cap smiled warmly at the sight. As maneuvered my son in my arms and fixed up my shift, to cover my breast, my blonde shaggy haired husband made the deep rollin' quip of, "Oh, those poor things."

"Hush, you're a handsome man and you know it." I told Cap with a slight smile, lightly smacking him on the arm before positioning our newborn against my shoulder so that I could burp him.

"Well, I'm glad ya think so considerin' we have so many kids." Cap chuckled, winkin' at me 'fore a smug smirk appeared on his rugged face.

"You're fuckin' unbelievable." I shook my head playfully at my husband, a small smirk on my lips. Cap sure does have a way with words.

"I know I am." He told me as I lightly patted our son on the shoulder, burpin' him. "Ya wouldn't be wit' me if I weren't."

"No, s'pose not." I smiled as our newborn son let out a tiny belch. "Here, Tommy, say hi to your pa." I told the baby 'fore passin' him over to my husband.

Cap beamed proudly as he rocked our son in his arms. He looked down at the small bundle in his arms as his deep wavin' timbre spoke up into the silent humid air with, "Tommy, your namesake Skunk Hair's gonna be the brightest star twinklin' in the sky wit' pride for a while."

Cap's words touched my heart. He was already tellin' our son 'bout the man he was named after, our dearly depart friend who was like family, and he wasn't even an hour old yet. I knew in my heart that letting my husband name his son after his best friend 'Skunk Hair' Tom Wallace was the right thing to do. That it'd help my husband finally heal; close up the hole in his heart that the savage death of his best friend left.

Perhaps next time we can name our baby after my late father, Brenton. Well, the next baby won't be comin' anytime soon, but it's still a thought.


Moses POV:

I was slumped at a table sippin' on a cup of lukewarm coffee as the late mornin' sun shined brightly thru the front window of the saloon. I wasn't thrilled about bein' up since I was a bit hung over from a nite of drinkin' and messin' 'round wit' Ima, but I didn't have a choice since that damn smuggler of a mailman woke me up wit' a letter from Robert E. he got from Doc after the old man delivered my sister's baby. Luckily for me, Ima was already out of my room whenever the mailman came by so I was able to read my letter right away. Oh my god, to say that letter sent both dread and chills down my spine would be an understatement. The phrase 'Take Billy to the whorehouse tonight, it's time for me to get Mariah.' played over and over again on repeat in my head. Hell, I wasn't expectin' havin' to keep Billy occupied so soon. I mean the weddin' ain't set for a few more months down the road so…

Hell, I felt like I was carrying a weight on my shoulders. If I screwed up, then either Mariah, Robert E. or both of 'em could get hurt or killed. Damnit, I didn't want my friends to get hurt or caught so I had to make sure that I could keep Billy out long enough.

And speak of the devil, Billy walked right into the saloon with a very sober and cheerful look on his face. Hell, reckon he got a roll in with Mariah 'fore he left the house this mornin'. Hope he enjoyed it cause of tonight he'll either be using his hand or a whore.

"Hey, Mo." Billy greeted me as he appeared at my table.

"Billy." I simply greeted my friend with a nod, sipping on my coffee, as he took a seat next to me.

"Mariah sent me to town for a few supplies." Billy told me, supplying an answer to my unasked question of what're ya doin' here for?

"Ah." I nodded, settin' my mug on the table. "That's a good reason for abandonin' the fields."

"Reckon so." Billy cracked a smile. Hitchin' a thmb over his shoulder, he told me, "Squirrel's loadin' up the items on the list Mariah gave me." Restin' an elbow on the table he added, "He'll come get me when he's done so I can get on home."

"How 'bout we spend a night drinkin' and unwindin'? Bet you could use it with all the hard work you're doin' on the farm t'support ya, Mariah, Sarah, and Lil Jeffie with."

"I dunno, Moses. I don't like to go out much, I don't want Mariah to think I'm gonna end up like my cousin did."

I don't think she really gives a shit how he ends up considerin' she's runnin' off with Robert E. I placed a fake look of sympathy on my face as I arched a brow and asked, "Oh, you mean dead and not comin' home?"

"Yea." Billy sighed, his voice soundin' dull and morose, as his shoulders slumped a bit.

"I think it's safe for ya to spend the night here in the saloon drinkin' and playin' cards with me." I told my best friend in the most light hearted and convincing tone I could muster. Billy chewed on his bottom lip, a studious look appearing on his face. Ah, so he was thinkin' hard 'bout what I said. I knew I needed to close the sell, get him to buy my bullshit, so I told him as slyly as I could, "I'm always playin' cards with either Bad Frank or Ransom; I'd like a card game or two with my best friend. I don't want our friendship to fizzle out and die cause you're a family man now and I ain't."

"Okay, okay, I'll be by later t'nite to drink and play cards." My best friend gave in even tho his tone sounded like he'd rather et nails.

"Fore I could say a word Squirrel appeared in the doorway of the saloon. "Billy, wagon's all load up!"

"I gotta go, but I'll be back later." Billy told me, quickly standing and leaving our table.

"Ya better, buddy." I told Billy, picking up my cup and taking a sip off it, as I watched him make his way over to the door.

Shit, tonight I'm going to be betraying my best friend. I hope he never finds out the truth of what I'm gonna do tonight; why I'm entertainin' with him cards, shots of whiskey, and bullshit omments 'bout our lives.


AN:

I know this was kinda fillery, but the next chapter will have some angst and drama in it. Poor Moses, he's gonna have a hell of a night.