I have a few more chapters written for this story, i like to be ahead of myself when i write stories. Going to go and write some more tonight. I'm so glad people are enjoying it. Here's is the longest chapter yet...let me know what you think!
After finishing their food, Wyatt had decided to sit with Alex and talk around the fire. They were sat there for ages in conversation.
The Empress had stayed in her lavish tent, it was huge. The carriage had a lot of goods in the back with previsions. Obviously her tent was the first up so she could rest. Her ladies in waiting brought her food to her and she wasn't seen again for the rest of the evening. However every time Euphemie appeared, Alex was watching her. Offering to help her whenever he could. With each encounter Euphemie shyly nodded and now and again Lucy heard 'Merci' and the odd word in English. But it was very broken. She wanted to know when they passed away from Wyatt, in those years of marriage she had to have learnt English or he learnt French for them to communicate.
"Why you in a daze girl?" Rufus questioned taking another sip from the stew that had been made.
She looked to Rufus, "Just thinking about all of this. Their life," she motioned over to Alex who was pouring water into a jug for Euphemie, "little do they know the journey they are about to go on" she whispered.
"Certainly is a different trip for us. He's fully invested" Rufus stated nodding over at Wyatt who was in deep conversation with Alex. She smiled. He looked really happy.
"Wouldn't you be? God if i could go back as meet my 2 times great grandfather who fought in the Civil War or my 5 times great grandfather who travelled over from Ireland to New York. Their stories are our stories" Lucy stated, wishing she imagine what life was like for them.
Rufus understood, "I wanna go back to the moment my 3 times great grandfather was given his freedom. Watching the moment he was no longer owned by a white man" he shook his head, "so yeah i get it" he agreed. As soon as she had known a time machine existed. Those moments had crossed her mind. Was it possible? No because their family history was not something that would be part of the job. Until Flynn had chosen to go back to this time and potentially destroy Wyatt's.
They were taken out of their thoughts by Wood standing, "Night all. We have an early start in the morning. Better get some sleep"
That was obviously a hint for them all to retreat to their tents. Alex and Wyatt shook hands again and parted ways. As he approached them a beaming smile was etched on his face.
"Dude you look like the cat who got the cream" Rufus commented.
"Rufus you have no idea what this guy is like and the life he's already had," Wyatt stated in awe while taking a seat next to Lucy, "you know i told you he won that Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions in the Zulu War?" both nodded in response, "currently he doesn't have it. He doesn't get given it until 2 years time. But Sir Evelyn Wood has requested he gets the Victoria Cross"
Lucy's mouth dropped open, it is still to this day, the highest award in the United Kingdom honours system. That was unbelievable, "But he doesn't get it"
Wyatt shakes his head in agreement, "I've heard of Marshals like Wood putting forward names of those that have fought gallantly and bravely in war, for Victoria Cross's but they get rejected because too many were given out...that's the only thing i can think of. So he gets the next one down, the DCM"
Rufus let out a whistle in amazement, "Man what would have happened if he did receive the V.C? I wonder if his life would have been different"
"I wonder if i would even be here" Wyatt stated honestly, "so i'm kinda glad he didn't. Who knows what it might have changed" he had a point. Things had to stay as they were. But that would have been incredible.
Wyatt cleared his throat, "I spoke to Wood earlier as well," he placed his hands together and shook his head in amazement, "he called Alex the bravest man in the British Army"
"Seriously who is this guy?" Rufus asked. Shocked at all the amazing things they were finding out.
"Apparently my ancestor" Wyatt responded simply, but with a proud smile.
Rufus placed his bowl down by the fire, ready to be cleaned in the morning, "I'm gonna get some sleep," he looked to the two tents next to each other. He had his own, but Wyatt and Lucy on the otherhand..."goodnight Mr and Mrs Logan" he chuckled. Clearly amused at the fact as 'man and wife' they had to share a tent.
There was an awkward moment, they were all alone by the fire and now they would have to share the same small space sleeping. They didn't sleep in Bonnie and Clyde's cabin, they only talked. She was unsure on how this would go.
"I'm going to need you to help me again," she stated, breaking the silence, "with my corset"
Wyatt nodded and smirked, "Glad you swallowed your pride and actually asked me this time without a fight"
"Yeah well," she slowly stood up and he followed, "i'm starting to learn to ask when i know i need help" she admitted to him.
A low chuckle came from him and they walked over to their tent.
"Do you need water?" Wyatt asked from behind her.
She turned, "Yes, thank you" she countered, "i would love some water"
Wyatt nodded and headed to the tent that held the supplies. A rustle came from the other tent next to theirs and Euphemie appeared and smiled at Lucy.
"Are you ok?" Lucy asked in French, surprising Euphemie and she made her way over to her.
"You speak French?" Euphemie wondered with a surprise.
Lucy nodded, "I spent time learning my nursing in France. Had to pick it up if i was going to survive" she returned with a chuckle.
"You should have said. We could have spoken in the carriage. Renie is nice, but she was only picked for the trip a few days before we left. I get the sense she doesn't like me much, especially as Private Walkinshaw-" she trailed off, not finishing her sentence.
"Alex?" Lucy ventured, wanting to see what she would be able to find out.
Euphemie shyly nodded, "Isn't he handsome?" she gushed. Looking like an excited school girl.
"I'm personally spoken for. But yes he is" Lucy returned, remembering the role she had as Wyatt's wife.
"Of course. And i can say your husband is very handsome also" Euphemie replied, "they appear very similar. Isn't it odd? Maybe its something to do with their training" she wondered.
"Yes. Maybe" Lucy replied. The glaring similarities were clear to her. Because they shared a genetic link. But it was amazing that someone else had also picked up on it. Especially Wyatt's other ancestor, "well now you know i speak French, please let us talk more on this trip. I would love to hear more about you Euphemie"
"Please call me Emie," she told her with a smile, but it was a sad one, "my parents used to call me that"
"Used too?" Lucy enquired, but didnt want to push. Whoever these people were, they were Wyatt's 5 times great grandparents.
"They passed 9 years ago. My Aunt raised myself and my 3 siblings. They died a few months from each other. Of the same illness. We were sent away for safety. I ended up working in the kitchen's in the palace and managed to gain favour with the Empress. So much in fact that i became one of her ladies in waiting...i might not even be here with her if they hadn't of passed...isn't that strange?" Euphemie asked her with a look of sorrow on her face.
"It's certainly crazy how life can be sometimes" Lucy agreed, she certainly knew that feeling, "but i am very sorry for your loss"
"Thank you. It was 9 years go," Euphemie stated, "i appreciate it, but you don't need-"
"-no matter how many years pass. It's still a loss" Lucy told her, moving out her hand and placing it on top of hers.
Eupehmie gave her a soft and thankful smile, "Your a very sweet person Lucy. I can see how you would make a wonderful nurse"
Lucy just smiled. If only she knew. Footsteps came beside them and Wyatt appeared with the jug of water. He nodded to Euphemie and she curtsied.
"Speak to you on the journey tomorrow?" Euphemie asked and out of the corner of her eye she noted Wyatt's surprise at their interaction.
"Yes of course" Lucy replied in French, "good night Emie"
"Goodnight Lucy" Emie replied and walked past Wyatt, "bonne nuit Monsuier Logan"
"Bonne nuit Mademoiselle Rottreau" Wyatt replied, repeating goodnight in French to her. The only words along with 'merci' and 'bonjour' she was sure he knew. His eyes grew wider as she disappeared to where the 'bathroom' would be, "Emie?" he questioned.
Lucy shrugged and opened their tent, "We talked for a bit, she told me she could call her Emie," she explained, "your not the only one that can talk to an ancestor. Especially as i speak one of the ancestors languages" she smirked.
There was enough room for them to stand, but the width of the tent wasnt big. Wyatt placed the jug down on a small crate and faced her, "What did you find out?" he asked and motioned for her to turn round so he could undo her corset.
"Your 5 times great grandparents died months apart from each other 9 years ago. She was raised by her Aunt and ended up working for the Empress" Lucy explained as she felt the tug of the string coming lose.
"Life works in mysterious ways," Wyatt commented with a sadness to his voice, "circumstance and choices. It's what we're faced with that decide the rest of our lives"
Lucy took it in. They choices they made now, could effect their whole future and their descendants. She now understood so much, how that moment with the Hindenburg and changed her future, without her sister. One moment in time is all it takes. They risked every day, the possibility of their lives changing by jumping. They didn't know what they could return home to. Life was so fragile.
"Done" Wyatt spoke, bringing her out of her daze and sat himself down on what was a 1880s version of a sleeping bag.
She felt very cold and very exposed, "Mind turning round?" she asked him.
He gave her a look, "A Man cant see his wife undress?" he questioned her with a smirk. Trying to tease her.
"Nice try" she smiled back, nodding for him to look in the other direction, he obliged by turning his head away and grabbing a book they picked up at the docks. He was still a gentlemen even though he was clearly flirting with her. She quickly let the dress drop and grabbed the white gown in the bag and placed if over her head. She turned round as Wyatt's head went back to his book. He had looked. She couldn't help but smile to herself, she cleared her throat, "thanks"
"Anytime" he responded as she crawled next to him and got under the cover of the sleeping bag. He stood up and took off his belt, military jacket and trousers. Leaving him with the Long Johns underneath. She couldn't help but giggle, he turned sharply and glared at her, "what?"
"Mm nothing" she shook her head at him, trying to stifle another laugh.
"Its the long johns isn't it?" he questioned, turning round with his hands on his hips.
She opened her mouth to speak as he started to pose like a model, various different poses and she let out a loud cackling laugh, he quickly moved on top of her and placed his hand over her mouth as he smiled and tried not to laugh himself, "Shh!" she couldn't help it and snorted into his hand, in turn made him laugh louder than he should have. All of his weight was on one hand, so he removed the one over her mouth and made a 'shh' sound with it for her to be quiet as he sat back in front of her. He closed his mouth together tightly, trying not to laugh.
But she couldn't hold it in again and let out a cackle that must have been heard by the whole camp. He moved again and placed his hand over her mouth with laughing, but he managed to do it quietly, "Lucy shh!" he spoke in a hushed tone.
She was finding it hard to breathe she was laughing so much, she just kept picturing the poses he made and it started her off again. She inhaled deeply and tried to get passed it. But it didn't work, if anything it made it worse and she found it funnier trying to be serious.
"Your gonna wake everyone up!" Wyatt hushed with a smile, laughing when she was laughing. She started to shake and realised through all the laughing how cold she really was. She finally managed to stop and inhale deeply. She closed her eyes and felt a hand on bare arm and quickly opened her eyes, "Lucy your freezing" his tone was now serious and he moved underneath the sleeping bag and got in with her, "here come closer" he told her.
Going from hysterically laughing to this was a big turn she wasn't expecting. She certainly wasn't laughing now, "No its ok, i'll warm up soon enough" she told him, "but thank you"
"Lucy you'll warm up quicker if you just come here" he told her with assertion. She could tell he was getting frustrated and just wanted her to follow 'his orders'. So for once she just complied...but it was only because she was freezing.
She got closer to him and nuzzled herself under his chin as he wrapped his arms around her. Straight away she felt his warmth and felt comfortable. She felt his heart beating and swear it was beating faster. But so was hers, but she hoped he wouldn't notice that.
"Better?" he asked softly, his voice echoing in the empty tent.
It felt natural and safe. She always felt that with him. But right now it wasn't feeling scary. It was feeling right. She nodded against him as he squeezed her tighter, "Yeah," she agreed, feeling comfortable in his embrace, "this is better"