Decision
By Simply Shelby
"Why not now?"
"We're in the middle of a war, Sarah; in case you hadn't noticed!"
Sarah Phillips glared angrily at the young man sitting in one of the kitchen chairs. Stirring the broth a bit harder that she probably should have, she sighed, "And what difference does that make? It doesn't change anything, does it?"
Gritting his teeth, James Hiller replied carefully, "No, Sarah,"
"Is it money? James, if it is, I could-"
The blonde-haired young man interrupted, "Hardly, Sarah,"
The wooden spoon made contact with the stone surrounding the fireplace. "You're not going to tell me about that, either, are you?"
He shook his head, "Sarah, I can't. I've told you that."
"The time is no excuse and money's obviously not a problem…" her voice trailed off, "Do- do you not want to- to marry me? Is that it?"
"Sarah," James reprimanded sharply.
Another sigh escaped her lips, "Forgive me, I lost my temper."
Since the night, or early morning rather, he had brushed his lips across hers, they'd found a reason to pursue some sort of relationship, more intimate than that of friends. And though it had been rather rocky, as any relationship is, they found themselves falling in love. It had been about six months since that kiss occurred and Sarah had thought they were ready for the next step. Apparently, she had thought wrong.
She felt lithe arms wrap around her waist and she leaned back into him. They were the only two in the house until later that night. Sarah had taken advantage by bringing up this conversation, whereas James tried to comfort and placate her. They'd been arguing for hours and Sarah was well beyond tired. She closed her eyes.
Smiling tenderly, James swept her up into his arms, sat back down in his chair, and deposited her in his lap. She squealed in surprise, then relaxed into him. She tucked her head in the crook of his neck and he rested his chin atop her head. They sat in silence for awhile without stirring.
After awhile, James said softly. "You want to know the facts, Sarah?" She nodded without opening her eyes. "Alright," he kissed her forehead, "Pay attention, then." Her eyes fluttered open in response and closed again. "The truth is, Sarah, I would marry you in a heartbeat; if not for a few things stopping me. The first being that we are in the middle of the war, Sarah. And despite what you say against the subject, marrying in the middle of one isn't exactly good common sense."
"There's more, James. The circumstance isn't the only thing stopping you." The redhead murmured.
"Correct." James took a deep breath. "The money, then; you wonder where I get it. Well, Sarah, I'm a journalist- which is a really easy occupation to use to get different kinds of information. The type of information someone is willing to pay for, I suppose."
She looked up at him, aghast. "James!"
He stared right back at her, "What? It's not like I'm some Tory spy."
She cuffed him lightly across the cheek. "That's where you've been running off to without me. I'd wondered."
"Well, now you know."
"That's still no reason to- to not marry, James. Dangerous times just call for safer measures. Besides, what if you die before the war's over."
"Exactly," his voice was less than a whisper. "I'd hate to leave you behind with nothing."
She sat up fully now, "You wouldn't!" she protested. "At the very least, I'd have happy memories. I'd know that we'd had some time together as a… family."
James froze. His eyes slipped closed. He'd never thought about it that way before. A family… his family… their family? "There- there are rooms next door; for let, I mean." He admitted softly. "They're rather nice and not too expensive, close to the print shop, and… and…" He stopped stuttering and looked into Sarah's bright green eyes. "And if we were to get married, it would be the perfect place."
She smiled wide and brushed a kiss across his rugged cheek. "Does this mean..."
"Give me time to plan, Sarah! I've got to get a ring, contact your father- who is going to be nothing short of difficult to ask- plan the night, get a Reverend, get the rooms, talk to Dr. Franklin…" he looked up at her, "A wedding's awfully difficult, these days, isn't it?"
Laughing, Sarah gave him another kiss and stood back up, smiling all the while. She picked up the spoon from inside the pot and began stirring, jauntily, whistling a gay tune.
But, perhaps, worth it? James thought to himself. Seeing Sarah in such high spirits, he corrected himself.
Definitely worth it.
