~ I ~ Feather in the Wind ~ I ~

~ Jasper ~

~ Historical (fan) fiction ~

~ Chapter 15 ~

1845. After a forced agreement with Whites, 15 year old Piper is betrothed to Jason Grace, son of the one who has caused much harm to her people. Yet she doesn't know that and it doesn't help the vast rumors of forced marriages with the lightly-colored she had heard of. But yet she never thought that she would fall for him, despite the knowledge that he might leave.

~ First and Second ~

~ Piper ~

Piper decided to get up from bed quickly after breakfast with Jason. He had told her to rest a little bit before the busy day but Piper was impatient. She did not want to give any reason for Dylan to come after her again. So she got up and slid into a light silk blue dress that flowed from her bust down. The division on the dress was a gold lace ribbon. She slid her finger through her bed-messy hair and decided to do nothing to it.

Piper settled a hand on the baby bump. "I wish you were here already."

"I have no idea what you just told our child but I think it would be nice if our child was bilingual."

Piper turned around to see Jason, grasping on to the door, smiling at her. She chuckled. He entered and sat himself down on the bed, watching as Piper continued to tame the mess that is her hair.

"I thought that you were going to continue sleeping. You seemed very pale." Jason's eyebrows furrowed.

"I decided to get up, that's all," Piper stopped her task and sat next to Jason. She was eager to change the subject so she did. "Jason, What will be the name our child when it's born."

Jason's eyes twinkled. "You've been thinking about that?"

Piper nodded. "I have no idea from where to choose from. I mean, I don't have a very good pool of names to pick. Back home, the eldest of the tribe, or the grandfather, chose the names of the newborns. I don't know how it works here."

"Well, here we have the choice as the parents to choose our child's name. What ever name we choose, it'll be will mean something." Jason told her. "And I have been thinking about the name being related to the sky."

"The sky? Our child's name will be Sky?" Piper asked, questionably.

"No, no, no, no." Jason laughed at Piper's expression. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Not Sky. Related or with the meaning of sky."

"Oh. So like what?" Piper asked eagerly.

"I don't know. We'll find it sooner or later. But I know I don't want my child to be named after a common name like John, James, Edward, or any of those. Or if it's a girl, nothing like Mary, Anna, or Ruth."

"Well what do you want it to be then? Boy or girl?" she inquired Jason.

"That's a tough one, Pipes." Jason frowned, "As long as it comes in good health I wouldn't mind what gender it is."

Piper raised an eyebrow. "I believe the good health part but I think you would like a boy."

"You are making me feel like a sexist person. I don't really mind. I would be a sucker for a girl; having a mini replica of you asking for everything with a puppy dog face. For the boy… let's just say, I would be happy too. I would have a little man running around the house in my shoes." Jason chuckled.

Piper loved having this conversation. She could see in Jason's eyes the eagerness and anxiousness of the arrival of the mini version of either one of themselves. Just like her.

She could visualize the image Jason just painted. A baby boy running through the hall in Jason's shoes, too oversized for his little feet, screaming from running away from his father who is trying to get his respective shoes. A little girl with long hair pleading with her big eyes and a pout for whatever is that she wants and Jason quickly complying to her wish.

She could see it. See the future by his side, by Jason's side, raising their child and any more that may come. She could see it.

And she told him. "I can see it."

"See what?" Jason smiled at her. He took her hand and waited for her reply.

"Us. Our family." She said.

"And how do you see us?"

"Happy, content, together. Having the best time. Raising our children until old age. Like my greatest dream. Being able to keep a family without anyone missing." Piper looked down at her lap. Well, at her belly, better said.

"Children?"

Piper looked up and Jason to see his lips pursed and a glow in his eyes.

"Yes, children. More than one right?" Piper frowned. Esperanza has been helping her with plurals and singles. She is pretty sure, children is the plural form of a child. Right?

"Right." Jason blushed. There was funny atmosphere after that and Piper couldn't help but blush as well.

At last, Jason said, "I would like more than one. A boy and girl at least. So I'll be weak under their spells."

Piper laughed. She kissed Jason's lips lightly and stood up. "I guess it's time for me to head out. I bet Catherine and Thalia are waiting now."

"Really?" Jason called at her just as she reached the door.

She turned around, "Really, what?"

"You leave me with a small peck? Small?" Jason spread his arms up.

"Well I have to go," Piper frowned, not getting his game.

"And that's a valid point for you to leave me without a decent kiss?" Jason reasoned.

Now she got his game. She played his game. "Yes, yes it is. For what I understand, clothes and men are a girl's top priority, clothes being first."

"That makes me second!?" he yelled in a comedic voice. He stood up and went after Piper. She took that as cue to run out of the room. And this began a wild goose chase on the top floor. Piper let out a yelp and laugh in synchronization.

"No!" Piper laughed.

"Second!?" Jason repeated, laughing, rendering to the funniness of the situation.

Eventually, he caught her. And by the time he caught her, they were downstairs with every one staring at them wide-eyed. Catherine stood next to Esperanza who held baby Josephine. Thalia was nodding in approval and amusement. Dylan just raised an eyebrow from his seat on the couch.

"This proves my point that these are just two children in love." Esperanza signaled at the two of them.

Jason and Piper straightened themselves up but he kept his arms around her.

Little to Piper's knowing, Jason kept his arms around her to secure her from Dylan. He felt like a lion, surrounding his partner from any one who is after them. Hopefully, Dylan got the message but when Jason looked at his brother, he gave him a triumphant (?) smirk.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Shall we go into town?" Catherine said, untying her umbrella's strap.

"Oh yes!" Thalia said. "I need fresh air!"

Everyone began to say goodbye to each other, including Piper and Jason.

"Now for the decent kiss you asked for," Piper suggested, turning around in Jason's hold.

Jason smiled and turned his head to the side as Piper laced her arms around his neck. He gave in and planted a kiss on her soft pink lips. She began to move her lips along with his. Pretty soon, her rational side took place and she pulled away. And just in time because everyone was finishing their goodbyes.

"See you later, Jason, okay?" Piper reassured him. He seemed lost looking at her. "Jason?"

"Okay." He snapped out of his trance.

~ I ~

"Hello! Hello! Welcome! Welcome!" said an overly pitchy voice behind Piper. They had just arrived at the same dress shop where Piper's wedding dress was made.

The woman seemed to be middle-aged and had olive skin. Her warm brown eyes helped the image Piper had flashed in her mind when she heard her voice. Her long black hair was braided all to one side.

"Miss Iris! I'm back!" Catherine said, walking towards the lady, who was in a very fluorescent dress. Piper noticed that the lady was very different from the one that took measurements before for her wedding dress.

"Oh Miss Catherine! So glad you are here. Very bad business without you here." Miss Iris said pulling her into a hug.

"We have come for our dresses. For the mayor's ball. Could you help us, Iris?" Catherine said to Miss Iris, pleadingly.

"Oh sure," Miss Iris said delighted, "the more the merrier! Fleecy!"

Suddenly, from the laces and silks a girl about Piper's height submerged, startling Piper greatly.

"I'm sorry, Miss. Yes, Miss Iris?" the girl said, still helping to balance Piper.

She didn't look much older than twenty. Her hair was a frizzy mess of white hair. It sprouted to every direction possible. Her eyes were distracting for they had the tendency to change from white to black to gray.

"We have costumers. Please take their measurements while I make some green tea with honey and wheat germ for them!" Miss Iris said over-excitedly.

"Alright, Miss Iris." Fleecy said, navigating through the racks of hanging materials and silks trying to get to the counter. She grabbed something quickly and began the trek of going through the material again.

She finally reached the three women. Miss Iris sought out that Fleecy was attending the women and made her way behind the counter.

Catherine gestured for Thalia to go first. Thalia breathed in on what seemed that she was a bit frustrated. Piper would have to ask her later about that.

"You won't need much material, Miss…" Fleecy began as she finished the measurements.

"Thalia," Thalia said to her.

"Miss Thalia. You have a very pretty slender figure I would wish to have!" Fleecy said, rolling her measurement tape.

"Thank you," Fleecy

She turned around and jotted down the measurement, Piper guessed.

"Alright, who's next?"

Before anyone could say anything, Miss Iris came back with a tray that seemed to contain teacups. "Alright no one take another step without drinking a bit of this amazing tea. I beg you."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and Miss Iris settled the tray near Fleecy.

"Miss Catherine," Miss Iris awarded Catherine with the tea. Catherine gingerly placed her fingers on the tea cup.

"Thank you," she said, barely audible.

Miss Iris smiled and turned to Thalia, "Miss Thalia."

Thalia looked about to hurl but took the teacup.

Then she took a turn toward Piper, "Miss Grace, I hear. I am afraid I am a bit behind in my gossip but I know you married that nice young man Jason. Congratulations!"

She offered Piper the tea and she took it. Piper smiled at the woman's comment.

As Piper went to bring the tea to her lips she immediately felt nauseated. She smelt the strong fragrance from the green tea mixed with the honey and wheat germ and it didn't seem to be a good combination.

"Um what is this?" Piper asked even though she just passed it through her mind.

"Oh it's a delicious tea, very healthy, very nutritious and a very good supplement of vitamins for the baby-in-waiting." Miss Iris said as she pointed to Piper's swollen baby bump. She spoke as if she was promoting the tea.

I thought she was behind in her gossip… Piper thought.

Piper smiled and took a sip, looking at Thalia who was looking at her with sympathy.

Just as the liquid went through her throat, she wanted to spit it out. But she didn't; she drank the sip and settled the tea on the counter.

"Did you like it, Pie?" Miss Iris asked eagerly.

Pie? As far a Piper saw, there was no pie in the shop. She waved the thought aside.

Piper only nodded.

"Okay, Miss Catherine. Your turn." Fleecy said, holding out the measuring tape.

Catherine looked hesitant. "I am not the same sizes as before. With the pregnancy and all, I gained weight."

"No worries, Miss Catherine. You can recuperate your figure in no time." Fleecy assured her.

Catherine nodded and let herself be measured. Fleecy then jotted down her sizes.

She turned to Piper after she sent Thalia and Catherine to search for materials.

"Your turn." Fleecy said, once again holding out her measuring tape.

"I might not fit in it by the time the ball comes around." Piper told Fleecy.

"Don't worry. The dress will be made out of more comfortable material so if it doesn't fit, you can adjust it." Fleecy told Piper confidently.

Piper nodded, still unconvinced. She held up her hands and all whatever Fleecy wanted.

"So how far along are you?"

"About four months, I guess."

"Oh barely? But it's growing. That's good." Fleecy chirped happily.

After countless of times where Fleecy's frizzy hair hit Piper straight in the face, Fleecy dismissed her to the materials.

"Just choose the color. I'll do the rest with the materials and such." Fleecy told her.

Piper thanked Fleecy and headed to where Miss Iris was with her costumers, Thalia and Catherine.

Soon enough, Piper chose her color and everything with the reassurance of Miss Iris that she would be a show to see. After trying to determine if that was good or not, Piper decided that she'll just wait and see.

After the ladies chose their items, the trio left the shop with orders to come back in a weeks' time.

They nodded and quickly scurried out of the shop.

"I hate that tea!" Catherine made a sour face. "I almost forgot about it."

"I have to agree with you on that one." Thalia agreed although she didn't look too happy about agreeing to something with Catherine.

Piper wondered about that…

After a few minutes of minor chit-chat, a ruckus was heard ahead.

A few officers were running after a man.

A familiar looking man… Piper thought.

"What's going on?" Thalia thought out loud.

"I don't know." Piper answered.

"We better get home. It seems dangerous." Catherine said.

Together the women went home just in time for dinner and nightfall.

A/N: Well I am back. I hope you like this chappie.

I won't say much. Just… Who do you think the man was, the one that was being chased by officers?

Stay tuned. I'll try to update more often. I need to update other stories first. See ya!

~BeautiWind –heart-