Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews of the last chapter- they were much appreciated. I hope you'll enjoy this update.
Chapter 12
They held a town meeting the very next morning- nearly all of the farmer's had come in the night before and spent the night in town on the floors and benches of Town Hall.
They first wanted to pay respect to their fallen neighbor's- a list of thirty-one names was read and there was much weeping and many sad faces in the crowd. Next they prayed for the injured- a list even longer than the one of the fallen.
Andy and his deputy, along with a city council, had decided to impose a city wide lockdown- because of the increased danger and the wait for Ranger's to arrive both entrance's to the town were going to be locked and barricaded- no one allowed inside or out until the Ranger's arrived. The farming community was given twenty-four hours to gather their things and move into town; accommodations would be made for all. While a few thought this was too strict and said it reminded them of the Patriot's regime, most were comforted by it.
Security became a top priority and everyone was asked to contribute to either security detail or help with the wounded- while still others would provide constant watch over the town's children during daytime hours. Also a nightly curfew of 9 PM was imposed to keep people safe and secure while security monitored 'til morning.
After the meeting, Andy called Bass, Charlie, Miles and Nora aside and asked them to come to his office for discussion.
Once they were all gathered around his desk and sitting down he began. "As I'm sure you've noticed there were some things I left out of today's meeting; namely the fact that these clan's…take…babies- and that they know Charlie is pregnant. I wanted to ask you all how you think this should be handled before I proceed. My main concern right now is that Lara Mitchell has a right to know…her baby, Paige, may also be in great danger if she were to be found."
Bass was the first to speak, "I agree with you, Andy, that she should be informed- and news like that is not going to stay secret so maybe you should talk to her on your own and then hold another meeting to inform the town."
Charlie, Miles and Nora all nodded in agreement with this.
"However," Bass went on, "I don't know if we should include the fact that the clans now know Charlotte is pregnant; I think it could inadvertently put a target on her as people may feel it's because of her that we're in so much danger."
"Do you really think people would do that?" Andy asked.
"Anything's possible when people are panicked," Miles said, "The looting and near-rioting that happened after the lack of Ranger presence was announced was proof of that. Now everyone in the ravine yesterday may or may not have heard those men wailing but I doubt any of them know the reason why or could piece it together- there was just too much chaos and sheer panic for that. So I agree with Bass that the town should know about the infants in danger but no one outside of this room should know the rest. We were in danger the minute those beasts entered the ravine not just when they discovered Charlie was pregnant."
"I also think that an extra guard should be posted at both Lara's house and yours, Charlie, every night…at least until the ranger's get here," Nora added, "I'll be happy to do it myself."
Charlie smiled at her new friend. "I agree too," Charlie sighed, "with everything everyone has said- Alex Mayhew has a right to decide whether or not he wants his daughter staying with us because of this. Nowhere is safe now but our house…if they should find it…is especially dangerous."
"Good point," Andy nodded. "Okay, I'll go have a talk with Lara right now- I'll ask her not to say anything until we can hold another meeting as soon as possible. I wish I had thought all this through before the one we just had but…obviously, everything around here has been chaotic to say the least."
"There's one more thing," Miles said, worry lines apparent on his face, "People are naturally going to want to know how we found out about the babies…and more importantly, when we knew it….my point being, if they find out we knew before we left yesterday…well, there could be a huge backlash over it. Frankly, looking back now, you can't blame 'em…but there's no plausible explanation that I can think of for why we know it now but not then. Anyone got any bright ideas?"
"Oh God," breathed Charlie, "this just keeps getting worse doesn't it?" She paused for a long moment and then turned to Miles. "Not that I want to defer to my mom at a time like this, given her latest behavior, but before that…when she was okay…remember, Miles, she just wanted to do what's right?"
"Yea, I remember," Miles nodded.
"Yea, but her doing that led the Patriot's right to our hideout also, remember? That kid, Dillon, gave us up," Bass interjected.
"I know that," Charlie said, "But at the core of it, in a perfect world, she'd be right."
"Charlie…" Bass sighed.
"I know…this isn't a perfect world…but I just think if we lie about this half of them aren't going to believe us anyway…and they'll convince more that we knew. It's just going to cause even more problems in the long run. We'll be a town more divided then we will be if we're just honest with them from the start. We're in this together," she sighed, "this only proves it to them. I'm not saying they won't be angry at first…they will. But they'll trust us more in the long run than if we lie about it and they see right through it—they had enough of that with the Patriot's."
"She's right," Miles said, "and the fact that we went too yesterday, with Charlie pregnant, shows that we truly believed they were farther north than this. We need to keep this town united…it's the only way we'll beat these clan's."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Okay," Bass said, "But if any one of them tries to let their anger out on Charlie I will have a problem with that."
"We won't let that happen," Miles interjected, "no way." Bass nodded in thanks.
"Okay. We have to get back to the house," Bass said somberly as he stood from his chair, "Gene stayed there so as to be there when Emma woke up to give her the news about Rob."
Everyone looked down at the floor and said nothing, each sad for the loss of their friend.
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When they entered the house they could hear Emma weeping; Charlie and Bass both went to her and hugged her for long moments. She had dark circles beneath her eyes already and red streaks across her cheeks from tear stains. The children were both sitting on the couch, blank looks upon their faces, still in shock.
Gene left for the town hall to see the rest of the wounded. Bass made some tea for all of them and then took the kids for a walk. Charlie and Emma settled on the couch and Charlie took hold of her friend's hand.
"Whatever you need…please don't hesitate to ask," Charlie told her.
"Thank you," Emma replied.
They sat and talked and cried and then Emma went to lie down in Rachel's old room. Charlie was feeling pretty tired and achy herself and took advantage of the quiet house and went upstairs to lie down.
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Bass had just gotten back to the front of the house with Becca and Sam when he heard the screams.
"Stay here," he said to the terrified kids while drawing his gun. He ran inside and Emma had just come to her door and looked at him, afraid. "The kids are out front," he whispered.
It was Charlie who was screaming; he crept upstairs and threw open the bedroom door ready to shoot anyone who dared to come near her. Charlie was alone sitting straight up in their bed, bathed in sweat; her eyes closed…a nightmare. He ran to her, putting his gun away.
"Charlotte…baby," he said softly placing his hands on her shoulders, "it's a dream. Charlotte, wake up!"
The screaming stopped and Charlie slowly opened her eyes- when she saw Bass she sank like a ship into his arms. Her body, which had been clenched with anxiety, crumbled.
"Oh god, Bass," she began to cry, "It felt so real…his face. I kept seeing his face."
"That guy?" he asked referring to the clansman who figured out she was pregnant.
"Yes," she sobbed into his neck, "he got me- he took our baby…he took our baby."
"Baby, he's dead," Bass held her tightly, "and any of the others- if they show up we'll kill them too. I promise you, I'm not letting any of those bastards near you ever again!"
"Bass, I love you…I trust you with my life…but neither of us are invincible- they could get to us…I'm just…I'm just so scared," she breathed against his neck.
"Hey…baby," he said pulling back so he could look her in the eye, "I know- I'm scared too, believe me…and we're in this together, you and me. Like we've always said, we fight together…so just hold onto that. And hold onto me whenever you need to."
She smiled at that. "I'm a strong woman so I don't like admitting this," she sniffled her nose, "but I'm probably going to be doing a lot of that."
"You and me both, babe," he kissed her.
Just then Miles ran in, out of breath and looking worried; once he saw the two of them he exhaled deeply.
He turned his head and yelled downstairs, "Its okay, they're all right!" Then he turned to them again and said, "Emma was outside with the kids and they were scared straight- what happened, what is it?"
"I'm sorry, Miles, I had a nightmare," Charlie tried to smile.
"A nightmare? Jeez, I heard you halfway down the street…must have been one hell of a …" Bass cut him off with a hand motion made behind Charlie so she couldn't see. "Are you all right?"
"Yea, now that I'm awake…can't say I want to fall asleep again, though," Charlie said softly.
Miles felt sheepish realizing what she must have been dreaming about- he realized he'd been an ass as he'd been about to give her a hard time for scaring everybody when she herself was obviously terrified.
"Is there anything you need?" he asked with a softness to his tone that made Charlie smile. She stood up and walked to him.
"Just this," she said as she wrapped her arms around him; he reciprocated and embraced her in a great big bear hug. It was something, he realized, that was much needed on both their parts.
"Listen, the reason I was headed down here was because the other town meeting is in about an hour…uhm, you guys don't have to be there, Andy and I can take care of it," Miles began.
"Could you, brother? I don't think we need to be going through that right now," Bass said as he moved to stand behind Charlie, "I was thinking my girl here might like a warm, relaxing bath." He looked at Charlie.
"Yes…that sounds so great," she sighed, leaning back and resting her head against Bass' chest.
"Okay, sounds like a good idea then. I'll take care of the meeting," Miles said. He winked at Charlie and then he was gone.
Emma went to the meeting with Miles and Nora while her kids went to a room in the town hall with all the other kids from town—they weren't allowed at the meeting so a few adults volunteered to watch them while it was going on.
Hayley had a lot of pain and itching from her wound so Gene had given her something to sleep while he and Alex attended the meeting.
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Bass and Charlie were relatively alone in the quiet house- they slowly filled the claw foot tub with hot water and lit some candles in the bathroom where both hoped to relax. Charlie drew the curtains closed and turned to see Bass staring at her. Sometimes when he did that Charlie felt like he was looking at her as if for the very first time- a pinkish hue slowly crept up her neck and cheeks- Bass smiled.
"W-what?" she asked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry- you're just so beautiful…sometimes I look at you and I just can't believe that you chose me- out of all the guys you could've been with…you chose me," he said shyly. Now he was blushing.
She came to him, smiling, and wrapped her arms around him. "Of course I did; you surprise me when you second guess yourself and your confidence wanes, Bass. But the fact that you do makes you even more endearing to me- I know you sometimes feel like you're too old for me but the age thing has never mattered to me at all…it's what's in here," she said patting his chest. "You are a good man- you are a changed man…you're my man!"
"I love it when you get territorial," he snarled nipping her ear lobe.
"Oh baby…it's a good thing I'm fairly confident and feel good about us. I mean, have you seen the way these women look at you around here?"
He feigned innocence. "No…" he said.
"Oh come on!" she laughed. "Even Hayley!" She covered her mouth quickly, realizing she was being loud and then whispered, "Even Hayley…a couple weeks ago when you were out back chopping wood- you got hot and took your shirt off. Well, that girl claimed she was going riding and she went out to the stable, but she couldn't take her eyes off of you…and then came back in- apparently, she forgot what she'd even gone out there for!" She started giggling.
"I didn't know that," he looked at her, a shit eating grin taking over his face, "Guess I still got it."
"Baby…you never lost it," she said kissing him along his collarbone and neck- he let out a soft moan.
He took her face in his hands and pulled her to him, taking her mouth with his, the need in him growing with each sensual kiss. "Here…I thought…I was supposed to…be making you feel better," he breathed in between kisses.
"Oh…you are," she purred before parting his lips with her tongue. As soon as their tongues met, heat like lightning spiraled down their spines- the feeling was electric. Maybe it was everything they'd been through, the fact that they both had faced down death once again and worse and the threat was not yet over- but the need to be one with another became so strong, so quickly, like they felt as if both their lives depended on it.
They removed each other's clothes quickly and Bass picked her up and gently laid her down upon the throw rug in the middle of the bathroom. She was getting so large in the abdomen so he put her on her side and caressed her womb. He gently lay down behind her and they spooned; when he entered her they both released deep moans of pleasure and he turned her head to his and kissed her passionately. As the pace and momentum grew they pressed against each other, their bodies fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle; they came almost simultaneously and lay shaking and spent afterwards.
They lay together on the floor not wanting to leave each other's embrace. "We just christened the bathroom," Charlie singsonged; Bass chuckled into the base of her neck, as he ran his fingers down her side.
"The water's getting cold," he said, "and I promised you a nice warm bath- I'm failing at my job."
"That's quite all right," Charlie breathed, "Because you certainly don't fail at this," she motioned toward their entwined bodies. "This is what I needed," she added, "more than anything else right now…just you…and me…together."
He kissed her fully on the mouth and then helped her to her feet. "Well, we still are…and I'm going to wash you from head to toe, Charlotte Matheson Monroe," he said huskily and she shivered slightly at his words.
She sat with a towel wrapped around her and watched him as he worked to get the water hot again—he sprinkled drops of rose water into it, courtesy of Marion and glanced at Charlie and smiled.
He walked over to her and took her hand so she was standing and then he took off her towel and draped it over the chair she'd just been using. Still holding her hand in his he walked her over to the tub and she gently stepped in and sat down, breathing in the warm scented water.
"You know, you'd probably fit in here with me," Charlie said throatily, "that way I can take care of you as well."
"Okay," he said climbing in behind her and wrapping his legs over hers, "but you first."
She leaned back against him and he gently kneaded her shoulders while laying kisses upon her throat and neck.
"Hmm," she hummed, "that feels wonderful."
He had her sit forward and he took a pitcher of warm water and poured it gently over her head, soaking her long hair with it splayed across her back. He then took the flower scented soap and began washing her waves until they were shiny clean. He rinsed it again watching carefully as every sud made its way down her hair and body and into the water.
He then washed her back and shoulders with the same time and care he had with her hair. He wanted her to feel pampered…and loved, which she did. Next he began washing her breasts, kneading them gently with his hands- she softly moaned and pushed harder against him, wanting him once more. He took her face and turned her to him, kissing her hard on the mouth- and as he kissed he still kneaded one breast with one hand while the other skimmed lower, gently stroking her womb until it got to her thighs. He still held the soap in his hand as he stroked her inner thighs and she moaned into his kiss, a deep, guttural sound from within. He knew what she wanted, what she needed as she kissed him still harder and more passionately than before- he kneaded her folds and she began to moan even louder…suddenly, he slid the soap inside of her with his fingers - he did it quickly and with enough force that her orgasm was instantaneous.
She cried out his name, "Bass! Oh dear God, Bass."
He gently guided the soap through her folds as she quivered up next to him- her breathing was ragged and deep, her eyes glazed over and she clung to him not wanting to ever let him go.
As he removed his hand she turned slightly, bringing her knees up against the side of the tub but still resting her head against his heart- he cradled her bottom in his hand.
They sat there for a bit, neither of them wanting to move or let the moment pass- it felt too perfect and if they could freeze a moment in time, for all eternity, this would be it. For as long as they had each other they knew they would be just fine.
The moment was broken, however, when they heard voices down below and realized everyone was back from the meeting. Bass sighed heavily and started to get up and grab a towel.
"Hold on," Charlie said to him with a wicked grin, "Lock the door- it's your turn."
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When they finally made it downstairs they realized almost instantly how misplaced the big smiles on their faces were; Miles, Nora and Gene were in the kitchen and Nora grinned slightly at them before becoming serious again.
"Alex is finding a new place to move himself and Hayley," Miles said quickly. "He'll be back here any minute to get her and their things so if you two could look…a little less happy it might be more appropriate."
"They're angry?" Charlie asked.
"Alex is livid- says he never would've let Hayley go with us if he'd known…blames all of us," Miles replied.
"And the rest of the town?" Bass asked.
"Upset…angry," Miles said.
"Emma may go to another friend's house," Nora added.
"Oh no," Charlie said, raising her hand to cover the audible gasp that came from her mouth. Bass was already standing next to her but he pulled her closer keeping his arm around her waist.
Just then the front door opened and Alex walked in. He walked upstairs and you could hear muffled talking before he came back down, helping his daughter down the steps.
Bass went to him, "Alex, all our information said the clan's were up north…my wife is pregnant- you have to know, I would've never risked her life or our baby's had we known any different."
"I don't care! You withheld information and I can't forgive you all for that- they were attacking women out there! They wounded my girl…I trusted you and Charlie to take care of her!"
"Alex…" Gene started.
"Mr. Mayhew," Charlie said, "I'm so sorry…I understand…"
"You understand nothing!" the man shouted at her.
"Daddy," Hayley cried from beside him.
"Keep quiet, Hayley," Alex said angrily. "I trusted Charlie to have your back and you got hurt—you could have been killed!"
Bass was getting angry and went and stood directly in front of the man, "Listen, man, I understand why you're angry but if Charlie did anything it was save Hayley from those beasts. When they started attacking Charlie grabbed her and hid her and baby Paige in the wagon under a blanket- they never saw her!"
"Then how come my baby got grazed by a bullet and needed fifteen stitches?! She could've been killed!" He was seething and a small bit of spit leapt from his lips and into Bass' face. Miles moved to stop Bass from hitting the man but Bass stayed still- his fists were clenched and his body tense but he managed to keep his composure otherwise. Still, Miles put a steadying hand on his friends shoulder to get his attention away from Alex for a moment- when Bass saw him he exhaled deeply, not realizing he'd been holding it in to begin with. He relaxed his fists and when Miles moved in front of him he didn't stop him, but instead withdrew to stand next to Charlie, grabbing her hand in his and squeezing it.
"Where will you be staying now?" Miles asked wanting to cool things down immediately.
"With Jake Stokes and his family," Alex replied, "We'll be going now." He turned and helped Hayley who was limping badly and they walked out the door. Once they were gone they all noticed Emma and a neighbor standing on the porch.
Charlie went to her and reached her arms out to hug her but Emma put her hand up to stop her. "Emma, no…" Charlie trailed off.
"I don't blame you…for Rob," Emma said, "I just can't deal with all this right now- I need some time…" She started to cry.
Charlie stifled a sob, "I'm so sorry, Emma, so sorry." Emma left and Charlie was alone for a moment, her sobs set free. It came on swiftly and there was little she could do to stop it so she didn't try- as she started to sway, her sobbing becoming overwhelming, Bass was there and grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, his shirt fisted in her hands and she released harsh, quaking sobs; her body wracked in pain.
Without changing or loosening his hold on her he moved her inside and quickly closed and locked the front door before anyone else could take their anger or sadness out on them. He didn't care about himself…bring it on, he thought…but yelling at his wife- taking it out on Charlie was unacceptable to Bass. She'd been through so much already; he had known this was coming- she just had to let it all out. As he held her his own eyes glistened with tears.
Miles looked helpless and angry while Nora looked down at the floor, neither of them knowing what to say. Bass didn't care about any of that; he just wanted to get her out of there. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her upstairs to their room; he laid her down but she didn't want him to let go.
"I'm right here, baby, I'm right here…I'm not goin' anywhere," he said to her as he crawled into bed and took her in his arms once again.
Bass hadn't heard Charlie cry like this since their night in the woods after she'd tried to commit suicide…thinking about that now, it felt like a lifetime had passed since then. He knew she needed to let it all out and he had no intention of trying to stop her; he also knew this was about much more than just everyone's anger. She was so scared, as was he, for their unborn child- a fear that chilled them to the bone. It began with the news of the clan's taking babies and intensified with her false labor and then the hideous attack; their friend's anger was just the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.
Connor better get here soon, Bass thought; but until then I will be damned if anyone gets to Charlie again- I will die before I let anything happen to either of them.
As her crying lessened and she grew quieter Bass slowly sat up- he removed her shoes and then his own. He realized that it was still early and neither of them had ever had dinner- he wasn't very hungry and he doubted Charlie was and he lay back down beside her.
Maybe later he would be able to look at the townspeople's point of view; maybe another day he could understand their anger- but right now all he could do was focus on Charlie. She and their baby were all that mattered to him at the moment- they were everything.
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A little while later Bass awoke to hear voices downstairs once again…he stiffened thinking it might be more angry people from town. As he listened more closely he realized it was Miles and Nora and relaxed.
Charlie was still sleeping; he kissed her gently on the forehead and walked downstairs to see what was going on. He walked into the kitchen to find Miles was cooking eggs- the one thing Miles cooked really well was eggs.
"What are you two still doing here?" he asked, wiping tired eyes.
"We moved in brother!" Miles said smiling.
"What the hell?"
"Gene went to stay with Marion for a couple days so he could be closer to the wounded in town hall; he'll be back to check on Charlie in the morning. Meanwhile, I'll be damned if I'm staying anywhere else when my niece is in danger…so get used to it," Miles said. "Besides you and Charlie don't need to be dealing with these idiots from town so Nora and I will take care of them if anyone else shows up. And we'll be taking turns guarding the house at night."
"Okay then- I'll help with that," Bass said, more awake now.
"Nope- I know you brother and unless you're right next to Charlie at all hours of the night you'll be no good to us down here…you're guarding her, remember?" Miles added.
Bass didn't even argue because, obviously, Miles was right- he'd never leave Charlie's side at night.
"I'm making ham and eggs," Miles said smiling, "give me a plate." Bass handed him several and Miles served up the food and Nora added some hot bread to go with it.
"I should get Charlie," Bass said about to leave the table. He turned to stand up and there she was watching everyone with hooded eyes from the doorway. Her eyes were swollen from her crying and she looked drawn and tired. Bass went to her and silently took her in his arms. They stood there holding each other for a long moment before sitting down at the table. "You need to eat, Charlotte- I don't think you've had much of anything since the day before yesterday."
"I know- I'll try," she said trying to smile. The hot bread with apple jam went down surprisingly well and Charlie had two pieces; she also managed to eat some of the eggs and what she couldn't finish, Bass ate.
Later that night as they snuggled together before sleep Bass told her stories of him and Miles in childhood to make her smile as she became sleepier- he hoped to keep her mind from going to the beast with the evil grin. And just like he had a lifetime ago, he would talk her through her nightmares if she had them- as her breathing slowed and evened out in sleep he held her even closer to him and covered her womb protectively with the palm of his hand.
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The next morning the town began its lockdown procedure- at the twenty-three hour mark the bell was rung as a reminder to all farmer's that they had one hour left to get to town.
As the last of the farmer's crossed the gate it was firmly closed and chain locked shut- old vehicles that could be pushed were parked in front of it as a barricade. Miles and Nora went to help and were met with dirty looks and snide comments made under breath. Miles simply rolled his eyes and Nora shook her head- maybe they'll never get over their anger, Miles thought to himself. Here poor Charlie just wanted to do the right thing and this is what she gets for it- damn them, he thought.
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A five man unit of Ranger's was making their way to Austin- sent by Blanchard when Miles' group failed to show up they had only a few miles left to go.
Then they were ambushed.
As the clansmen hid the bodies and changed into their clothing they each were smiling as they thought of how close they were…to the woman and her baby- a smile so benevolent in nature that it could only be driven by pure insanity.
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