Chapter 2: Annual Two: January
1/10
DG,
I'm sorry. This letter's finding you about two weeks too late for it to be a proper apology, but it's the best I've got. I'm even going to send it by letter glass, as soon as the kids are up.
It was never my intention to disappear on you. I thought for sure the kids would tell you that I wasn't going to be able to come, but that's my own fault too.
I can't remember now if I told you, but I've had a couple of offers on the old cabin. Or maybe Jeb mentioned it. Anyway, Jeb and I have been talking about it. It's his home more than it is mine even if the property's in my name. It wouldn't feel right just giving it to anyone. Especially with Adora still there.
We'd finally settled on this young couple. They can't be any older than Jeb and Ami but it's hard to remember that. Even sitting down talking about them with Jeb, we talk about them like they're kids fresh from their folks' houses. Not because they're so fresh faced and naïve. They seem fragile. You can look at them and tell the Sorceress' reign was real hard on them. They want some place out of the way and far off the beaten path, and don't seem to mind the hardship of it. Gotta admit, the cabin's pretty far out without being completely away from civilization. They'll have to really want to make the trip though.
That happened the last weekend in November. Carl and Leanne showed up at the house two weeks later while Jeb and Ami were in town. They'd just found out Leanne's pregnant and they wanted to move into the cabin sooner than planned. Trying to beat the deep winter snow. I knew Jeb wouldn't mind, so I told them okay. When I asked them if they were riding off to meet family and they started hedging, I offered to help get them settled. 'Sides, I'd wanted to square myself with Adora before they moved in anyway. Seemed like the perfect chance. And those two...they needed someone to support them. I almost wish me and Jeb had tried to convince them to take one of the properties out here. I know those kids want to be left alone, and I'm hardly one to talk, but I don't think they need to be so far off by themselves. Specially not with a baby coming. But they're not my kids. Maybe after they've had some time to heal. Who knows.
Anyway, Carl and Leanne were ready to be off the minute I said okay. I couldn't just let'em go. So I threw a pack together, wrote a quick note to Jeb and Ami, and left it by the letter glass.
Which is how you ended up not getting word, I think. I haven't talked to the kids yet to know for sure. It's about 3 in the morning near as I can figure and all the lights are out at their place. Your letters were on the porch, in the box. Near as I can figure, Jeb and Ami saw my note to them by the glass and figured I'd sent you a message that way. Course I'd only put the note there to make sure they saw it. I was counting on them relaying the news for me. I hope they told you. But the last letter here dates from Dec 16.
You could have asked them what happened to me, Kid. They would have told you.
You know, it was strange going back to the cabin after being gone from it for almost 3 years. And to help someone else move in and make it their own. It's a little strange coming back here, too, after being gone for so long. It'll be nice to see the kids again. Amalie wasn't showing too much when I left, but I'm guessing it's a different story by now. Jeb, I imagine, is much the same. I bet you've changed a lot in the year since I've seen you. You're growing up on me, Kid. You all are.
Right about here's where I'd normally end a letter that'd got so maudlin. Save face. But I figure you deserve better than that considering what all I put you through even if I didn't mean to do it. I mean it, DG. If I'd known what was going to happen I would have sent a letter from the cabin. Mail out there is even slower than from here, but you'd have got it before Christmas.
I didn't mean to hurt you, DG. I never have.
-Wyatt Cain
1/11
DG,
Blame Amalie and Jeb for your letter getting delayed. I stopped by to let them know that I had made it back home and to send your letter, and got attacked. Ami means as much to me as Jeb does, but the girl can talk you into the ground once she gets going. And as she reminded me it's been a month. She probably wouldn't appreciate it if I said so, but pregnancy looks good on her. Looks good on Jeb, too. I'm proud of him. Of them. It still hasn't quite sunk in that I'm going to be a grandpa.
So I hear tell your friend Jayson with a Y was in Finaqua for the Christmas Ball. And that he laid a guy out on your behalf? He sounds like a decent sort. What happened to the pistol in your purse? And I take it this year's ball was less family-oriented than last year's?
Give my regards to your parents, both sets, Princess Azkadellia, and Ambrose. I missed Raw passing through these parts. As I imagine you'll see him next, give him my regards as well.
I hope these letters find you well. I hope you can forgive me.
-Cain
Author's Note: It's been a disgustingly long time, I know. All my fault. The original idea was to post whole "annuals" on and individual sections to livejournal. Unfortunately, even my lj updates were distinctly lacking. So with that thought, I'm putting this story on the same update "schedule" as my lj. It will take me a couple of weeks to catch you guys up, and then we're all set. I'm not promising to have chapters sooner, (the muse honestly died on this one for a while) just that you won't have to wait years between updates.