Times Are A Changing Chpt9
On his cot in the living area of Kathleen's cabin, Jason lay dreaming of his wedding to Kathleen. He felt a nuzzle against his neck as he awoke and believed it to be Kathleen waking him. He turned on his side still in the dark and reach his long arm to grab her only to realize that Nosey was showing him affection. He sat right up and scolded the dog "You ruined a beautiful dream, not to mention woke me up. When I marry your mistress, I may not let you sleep in the bedroom." It was still dark, but he could see the outline of Kathleen standing in the bedroom door. She softly inquired "Are you decent my very soon to be husband?" Jason reached for his clothes "This is the last time; you will need to ask me that question. Tonight, I will stay at the camp and tomorrow evening I promise you that I will be anything but decent." Kathleen giggled as she started to prepare the coffee for the start of day. Johnathan who was asleep on a cot in the corner of the room awakened and complained of his hunger. Kathleen went to her son and kissed his forehead. She advised him "I am going to prepare a big breakfast as we have lots happening today. She then approached Jason and put her arms around his waist and kissed his lips gently "My love in less than 48 hours that heat I feel radiating from you will be satisfied." Jason took her into his arms and passionately kissed her until Johnathan cleared his throat and said, "I am still here and still hungry."
By the time Josh got to town the previous night, Maggie had gone to sleep. She had a long day where she rose before sunrise so she could catch the magnificent colors of the water and the trees as the sun rose. Since his fiancé' was asleep, Josh opted to spread out on the cot in the backroom of Lottie's. Maggie snuck up on Josh as he slept. She admired his physique and beautiful face. She thought if she were to paint a portrait of the Archangel Michael, Josh would be a perfect model. She walked around the cot mesmerized by the work of art that her fiancé' was. Lottie entered asking "Do you to wish to have breakfast and coffee with Clancy and me. The coffee is already brewing and I am starting the eggs, bacon and potatoes now." Josh stirred and then open his beautiful blue eyes to see his vision, his beautiful Maggie. Maggie bent over in order to kiss Josh's far head and then lips, she added "I will leave you to get dressed and then meet us in the front. My mother heard that you had quite an interesting day yesterday in the camp. Clancy and she are hoping for all the juicy tidbits." Josh watched as she left the room, Josh felt as if she floated across the room rather than walk like an ordinary person. Maggie turned at the door and suggested "Josh, there is basin and water over there. You might want to wash up a bit. Nothing personal, you smell like a logger." After that statement, she escaped through the door quickly. After washing up, Josh joined them for some breakfast. Lottie anxiously inquired "What happened at the stagecoach?" Josh responded "I am surprise that you did not recognize your old friend, Widow Smith. Uncle Duncan invited her as his guest for the wedding." Lottie's eyes enlarged and she covered her mouth with her hand "Jason met the stagecoach with Aaron?" Josh added "Johnathan as well." Lottie shook her head" She would never." Josh smiled "Yes, she would. Jason said he was willing to deal with her until she implied, she had her sights set on Johnathan. I have never seen my brother in that state and never want to again." Clancy had enough "Alright you two, Maggie and I are at this table as well. Please explain." Josh explained the details of Jason's and Widow Smith's relationship. Maggie was disgusted and felt that she should have been tarred and feather, Clancy claimed "Many a boy became a man at the hands of an older woman." Lottie sat back "Jason's innocence was gone, and it was evident that was the saddest part. He seemed older; little did we know how much he was going to need that maturity going forward." Josh stood up" I have to get to work. Maggie, we are closing early after we deal with an employee issue. The family plans on visiting my parents and twin sisters' graves before the rehearsal. Would you care to join me?" Maggie laughed "You take me to the best places, of course I will be honored to visit your family, but I never heard of twin sisters." Josh sadly answered "They were born between Jason and me prematurely, they survived for a week. They don't really seem real to me."
Candy was busy getting Molly and Christopher ready for school. Molly was absolutely no problem; Christopher could have created the word procrastinator. Chris would have much preferred spending the day with the loggers. At the logging camp everyone had been so generous with their time and attention, they called him, junior logger. For his birthday, Jason gave his first hatchet with his name engraved and Josh gave him a red plaid flannel shirt. Chris's idea of heaven was a day spent with the Bolt brothers. Since moving here, there had been almost a constant flow of marriages or births in Seattle, Molly was overjoyed helping with celebrations in addition to assisting with April. Candy envisioned her as a party planner. Molly also now had her best friends the Hales but she found their crushes on Johnathan annoying. Candy was pleased that they had assimilated into the Seattle society so easily.
The coffee was brewing when Jeremy appeared from their bedroom, Candy smiled "Sweetheart have a seat while I finish preparing breakfast." Jeremy pulled her closer so that he may give her a kiss. Jeremy reminisced about breakfasts with his brothers "It is so nice not having someone inspect what you just prepared and ask what the hell is it. Josh loved ribbing me about my cooking skills. Jason would just stand there and smile." Jeremy took a bite of her pancakes and rolled his eyes "These are wonderful. I can't deny you can out cook me." Suddenly Candy's mood turned serious "I wanted to ask you about the twins since we are visiting them later. "Jeremy held his fork in the air "I don't know much since they were born and died a good six years before me and two years before Josh. I suppose if they had survived then Jason wouldn't have to talk to his six trees. He admitted later that he carved their names into the bark, Aaron is dying to figure out a way to taunt him once he returns from his honeymoon." Candy laughed "Jason is such a gregarious person, I often wondered how he didn't go mad all alone. I also have a difficult time imaging him conversing with the trees." Jeremy stood up and grabbed his wife for a kiss "I will be right home after we take care of some business with Swede and the Greeks. Things are not going to be the same at work." Candy took in a deep breath "I question telling you this with everything happening, but I am late 3 days and I am never late. Please don't tell anyone as I am not certain. Jeremy's face lit up and he lifted her into the air and said "We haven't been married a month yet. "Candy laughed "It only takes once and in the short time we have been married, we have done it quite a few more times than once. "Jeremy left for work whistling.
Aaron had risen earlier than usual as he planned on serving breakfast in bed to Jemma. Yesterday had been such a strange day. Originally, he had expected it to be humorous with the Widow Smith but when she turned her attention on Johnathan, it became disgusting. At the camp listening to Jason's history, it became enlightening. Today, should be an equally emotional day, the Bolts know how to celebrate a wedding, they start at the graveyard. Jemma stretched as she awoke to the smell of the coffee being delivered on the tray with eggs, sausage and toast. She yawned "This is going to be another busy day, thank God for Molly." At that moment, a small cry was heard from hungry April. Aaron lifted her gently and placed her in her mother's arms to be fed. Jemma mentioned "Biddie is coming here within the hour so we can start baking. A lot of wood is being burnt in Seattle preparing the food for this extravaganza. Josh said the Governor will be here and he has a major surprise for Kathleen and Jason. Plus, I must pack for San Francisco, this is really our honeymoon except we have a baby and staying with your sister. I bet that Kathleen and Jason will want to do more with us than you think." Aaron sighed "I intend to give you a real honeymoon once you can leave the baby. We won't be staying with my sister and Jason won't be in the same state."
Jason was beginning to wish he left the part about his friends the trees out of yesterday discussion. On the way to the see Telly, Jeremy pointed out the batch of six trees which were still standing despite the others surrounding it having been cut. Johnathan trying not to laugh asked if Jason would someday introduce him to his friends. Jason smiled as he said, "I will remember this treatment." Jason, Kathleen, Johnathan and Jeremy dismounted their horses at the Greek's encampment. Telly approached Jason in a very subdued manner, while Marina and Cassie were kissing and hugging everyone. Jason grabbed his ex-friends arm and pulled him aside, Jason started "My family is correct, holding this anger against you is not me. It is just too much work. However, you do anything purposefully to harm or endanger my son again, there will be no forgiveness. Understood?" Telly extended his hand which was met by Jason's hand, Telly added "Marina made me think how I would feel if someone treated Cassie the way I treated Johnathan. I would want to kill them." The two men smiled at each other then suddenly Telly grabbed Jason into a big hug. Jason straight face said, "I knew that was coming."
The two families discussed the wedding which everyone was now attending tomorrow. Kathleen told Marina and Telly how they daughter looked like a dream in the dress which was made for her. The men discussed the Bolts financing some Greeks for the future construction work. Telly was very interested. Finally, Jason said "We all need to discuss how we are treating our children who have yet to do anything wrong. We are punishing them for starting to grow up." He told the story of his father with whom he could discuss anything but opted not to tell him about sex. He discussed the story of Widow Smith who was happy to teach him about the physical aspects. Telly started to squirm and asked, "How do we stop them from doing what we did." Kathleen responded "We talk to them and make sure they understand what the ramifications can be. Our children are intelligent, and they want to go to college and have careers. Johnathan wishes to be a doctor and Cassie a nurse. We can't stop them short of locking them up. There is couple who already have 2 children under 5 who are having a baby any day. They will set a schedule to help the couple and see that babies and children are not all fun and games. Hopefully, they will get the message. In addition, they must be comfortable talking to us, we are pushing them away right now." Marina agreed but Telly was still concerned. Jason put his hand on his shoulder "Could your parents have stopped you and Marina short of tying you up and locking you in a room?" Telly jumped up and walked around the table "No!" Jason said "Telly, my friend, the best we can do is give them the tools to reason what is best for their hopes and dreams and trust in them. It is not going to be easy, but we really don't have a choice if we want them to come to us for help." Telly turned to his friend "You must be part Greek. You have wisdom of Aristotle." Jason laughed "Thank you but I made more than my share of mistakes. We need to get back as we are getting married tomorrow." The Bolt clan plus Cassie headed back for town. Telly started to get excited when Cassie shared the horse with Johnathan, but Jason held his hand up and said "Breath." As they rode away, Johnathan thanked his parents and promised to make them proud.