Hey, ya'll! After some thinking and persuasion, I decided to turn "One Cold Night" into a two-shot. This part is fluffier than the first, and there's not as much humor. I don't really have much else to say, so enjoy!
Disclaimer: Still don't own Liberty's Kids. Drat.
The next morning, James woke first. At first the heat of another body next to him startled him, but as he recalled the events of the previous night, he smiled to himself. James turned his head to face Sarah, who was still sleeping. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful.
And to think that she kissed me, James thought to himself, grinning like a fool. Suddenly she stirred in her sleep. James froze, afraid of waking her. But Sarah never opened her eyes. Instead, she subconsciously rested her hand on James's chest. Normally something like this would've bothered him, but instead of gently removing her hand, he laid his on top of hers, clutching it tenderly. James smiled slightly and closed his eyes to get some more sleep.
About an hour later, Sarah woke up. Blushing, she realized her hand was on James's chest and he was holding it. Probably happened while we were both asleep, she thought to herself. Gently, as so not to create an awkward situation when he woke, she removed her hand. After completing this task, she gently shook his shoulder. "James, c'mon. We have to get up."
James groaned and rolled over. "Ugh, now? C'mon, five more minutes."
Sarah shook her head. "Nope. Come on, we still have a few hours to go, and we have to be in New Jersey by 5 p.m. to meet Moses' friend for the horses."
James sighed, but got up anyway. "Alright. We have any fruit to eat?"
Sarah dug through her bag. "Looks like we have an orange we could split. We still have some bread and cheese we can eat for lunch, and we'll have supper somewhere in New Jersey."
"Sounds good." Half an orange wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing.
Rather quietly, the two companions ate and packed up camp. Though it was the only thing on both of their minds, neither one brought up the events of the previous night. The awkward silence continued as the two started down the road.
Finally, in a moment of exasperation, James blurted, "Well, if you're not going to say anything, I will!"
"About what?" Sarah asked, though she very well knew what James was talking about.
"What happened last night! Our kiss! Did it really mean nothing to you?"
Sarah stopped and turned to face James. Expecting her to be angry, he was surprised when she spoke in a calm voice. "James, of course it meant something to me. What happened last night… it was really a turning point for me. Not just in my relationship with you, but also in the way I feel about living in America. I've grown to love this country, but with the war starting to draw to a close, I've been wondering: can I live here? Is there anything- or anyone- worth staying here for? I know my father's here, but I can't live with him and someday he plans on returning to England. I was afraid- afraid of not being able to earn a living, or," her voice suddenly became softer, and she dropped her head, "finding someone to marry." She lifted her head back up and looked James in the eye. "After last night, after the conversation we had and our kiss, suddenly I don't feel afraid. I feel that maybe, just maybe, I'll make a living, and maybe, just maybe, I don't have to worry about finding a husband, because the man I want to spend the rest of my life with is standing right in front of me."
James was silent for a moment after Sarah's confession. "You really think so?"
"James, I know so. That's why I wasn't saying anything; I was afraid I'd let it slip that I-" She stopped and clamped her hand over her mouth.
He stepped closer to Sarah. "You what?"
Sarah took a deep breath. "I love you."
For the second time that morning, James was speechless. Sarah continued, "I have for a long time, James. I just didn't know if you felt the same. I was always so worried that some pretty Patriot girl would catch your eye and you'd fall for her, like Sybil Ludington, or-"
James silenced her with a kiss. After they pulled away, he whispered in her ear, "I love you, too. I have for awhile."
Sarah looked at him and grinned. James grinned back and took her hand. Together, the two of them walked side-by-side, hand-in-hand all the way to New Jersey. And though their romance was just blossoming, both had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time they'd walk somewhere hand-in-hand.
They were right. A couple years later, they made another journey hand-in-hand. It wasn't to New Jersey, though. It was down the aisle as they were announced as "Mr. and Mrs. James Hiller." A year or so after that, they walked hand-in-hand to the midwife's house where Sarah gave birth to their first child. A few years later, they walked hand-in-hand to Ben Franklin's funeral. Even after four children and over thirty years of marriage, James and Sarah Hiller never forgot how their romance blossomed because of Henri's mistake and one cold night.
I hope you liked it! Review, please! :)