Damage and Reconstruction
23rd September 1815 - Connecticut in the late evening hours
MIKE
He paced the room for an hour talking to himself about what an idiot he was. He could have guessed that Diana had been pregnant. Had he only taken the time to count back or had shown any kind of interest in news about Diana he could have found out Cole's date of birth. But he hadn't wanted to hear about her. It had hurt him too much.
Mike sank into the chair at the small side table in the same guestroom he had been in last night. Pulling his diary out, he opened it to the page where Diana's yellow ribbon marked the last entry. Carefully he put it aside but couldn't take his gaze off it. His sight got blurred by tears of desperation and Mike whispered. "I promise I'll get you back." He closed his eyes and started to pray to the Lord to keep his little family safe.
It couldn't have been longer than a few minutes before he took the pencil and started to write what had happened today. It helped him calm down and focus.
They would ride as far as possible tomorrow. Providence was about 70 miles away and from there it was a difficult road to Newport along the coast region of Narragansett Bay. If they rode to their limits they could make it to Providence in the early evening hours. Depending on the situation there, Mike would decide if they continued to ride further or not on the same day. This was the plan so far. Mike knew it was hard to manage to ride 100 miles a day.
At least 100 miles gave them enough time to talk about everything. Exhausted, Mike slumped down in the bed. He had taken Diana's ribbon with him and eyed the little yellow strip. He remembered Diana wore them that night at the Beltane festival. He'd found it at home tangled in his plaid blanket. That was two and a half years ago. How old was Cole now? He must've been born some time in January so he was 1 and a half. Mike remembered the little boy in Diana's arms. Mike hadn't wanted to even look at Tanner's kid but when their eyes met something in Mike got weak and he felt sympathy for the boy instantly. Mike chuckled, the boy had his eyes. He remembered how Diana had looked at her son. Now the devotion she had shown to the boy made sense. She still loved him. He had to get them back, no matter the cost; no matter if he had to kill for it.
He felt his body calling for rest and had to admit if he had ridden during the night he probably would have fallen off his horse from fatigue somewhere on the way. All he had to do now was allow his eyes to close, and when he opened them again he could finally do something to close the distance between him and his beloved.
*** EST ***
WADE
Wade was up early. He'd tried not to wake anyone, especially not Clara. She had been exhausted from the events yesterday. His young wife had shown how capable she was to be Mrs. Wilmington by going through the fire with all of the events of yesterday. The storm, a destroyed house, a destroyed business, a dead father-in-law, taking care of his mother in all this chaos, and on top of the bad fight he had in the evening with Mike. It was a wonder she was still at his side. He slipped into his boots and was about to get up from the bed when Clara's hand touched him. "Good morning, my love."
Wade turned and smiled at her. He wondered that he was able to smile but he did. The most important thing was still intact. His relationship to Clara. "Good morning, sweetheart."
"Are you already leavin'" Clara sleepily mumbled.
He took her hand, placing a kiss on it. "No, it's still dark outside. I will prepare everything and wake Mike if he was even able to sleep."
"I'll get up too and make you breakfast," Clara answered, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Wade smiled. "You don't have to do that. We'll be good."
"No, I want to say goodbye to my husband properly."
"I love you, Clara."
"I love you too, Wade. I wouldn't get up if it wasn't so." she teased with a lopsided grin."
Wade headed to his office. As things were Mike would rush headlong on this journey, blinded by worries. But he would feel better with at least a bit of preparation. He unfolded the map of Rhode Island, studying the route.
Usually, the best way was to ride over Providence. He measured the distance and found that it would cost them precious time. The shortest route would be to set over in a boat from North Kingstown or Narragansett. But in this storm, he wasn't sure if they could risk crossing the Bay by boat. A stormy sea wasn't that easy and they both didn't know anything about sailing or streams in that bay. If they decided on this route, though it would be the fastest, they would need a capable guide.
Wade sighed. He would take the map with them. Maybe when they got to the coast they would find another opportunity.
"Hey, can I help you with that map?" Mike asked, entering the office.
"Mike, were you able to rest a bit?"
"Uhm, yeah, a bit. I must've fallen asleep sometime in the night."
Wade clearly saw that his clothes were crumbled and rumbled. "Clara is up too. She's making us breakfast and then we can prepare the horses."
Mike scratched his neck and stared at the floor. "Wade, look. I understand why you did this. Clara was right, I would've probably done the same. That doesn't mean I'm not mad at you, but … what I wanted to say is … I'm glad you'll be at my side on this journey."
Wade studied him. His friend looked miserably back at him. "It wasn't right. I should have found another solution other than not telling you about your son. Cole is special and so much like you. Do you think you can forgive me when you are not mad at me anymore?"
Mike nodded.
Wade nodded too and came closer, pulling his Brother tight. "I love you, Brother. I hate fighting with you. Last time we did I thought I had lost you forever and that felt terrible."
Mike patted his back, still in his embrace. "I love you too, Wade." They separated. "But you know I love your sister more," Mike winked at him.
"Yes, I know. We will find a solution and make sure they are alright." They separated and Wade returned to his desk again, stuffing the map into his saddlebag.
"You prepared our route?"
"Yes, I thought it is better to know our options for the fastest way."
"My uncle had a trading partner near North Kingstown. The guy runs a vine trading there in South Ferry. Maybe he can bring us over to Newport. He usually trades over the whole Narragansett Bay."
"I see you did your homework too. Maybe that would be a good idea. But first of all, we have to get there. Come, let's not waste our time here in the office. We eat and ride. Diana is my sister and Cole is my Godson, I'm worried about them too."
*** EST ***
MIKE
Their way toward Rhode Island was all but easy. Destruction was all around them. Often unrooted trees blocked the street and they couldn't use some streets at all. Though the rain had stopped, the land was drained, muddy, and full of garbage.
They gave the horses and themselves much needed rest every few hours. Mike felt every bone in his body aching when they decided to stop for the night. Wade had managed to get them a place to stay in a barn that wasn't destroyed by the storm. Mike took care of Wotan and Wade's mare Liz while Wade talked to the farmer who had given them shelter. They fell fast asleep after devouring the rest of what Samantha had packed them for the ride.
The next day the sun showed up and Mike felt something like hope that they could reach Newport maybe in the early evening.
Two hours later they reached South Ferry and Mike worried if they would find someone who would be able to bring them over to Newport or even Connonicut Island. They saw wrecked boats in the streets and destroyed vessels in the harbor. The sides of the houses were white like from snow but it was salt from the sea the wind had blown at them. Lots of people were busy repairing the damage and clearing the area as best as possible. The atmosphere was cold, not even the sun rays made it any better. All these people had lost so much. Mike saw lots of marks where the water had risen to. At some spots, it had been man high. "Wade, where exactly is Tanner's house in Newport?" he asked his friend.
"It's near the harbor. I know what you are thinking and I can not say I'm not worried too. We have to find a way to the island."
They headed on to find the man Mike knew in South Ferry, Philips was his name.
The little trading station was badly affected. Mike knocked at the shutter because the door wasn't even in the hinges. The slight knock caused the shutter to fall, clattering to the ground. Mike looked shamefaced at Wade, who began grinning amusedly.
A man exited the building with a broom in hand. "Hey, don't you think the storm did enough damage?"
"I'm so sorry Mr. Philips, it wasn't my intention. Uhm, maybe you don't remember me, I'm Brandon Campbell's nephew. We were here three years ago."
"Mike Campbell? Your uncle told me you died in the war. He was heartbroken about your loss last time I saw him."
"He was? Obviously, I did not die but got captured."
Phillips brushed his forearm over his forehead, dirty from work. "I'm glad you are not dead. Why are you here? It's not the best timing for a visit." Phillips pointed around them.
"Aye, I know. We're here because we have to check on … " Mike glanced at Wade before he finished the sentence, "... our family."
"You have family here? I thought your uncle and you are all the family on this side of the ocean."
"Uhm, aye, my … wife and son. They were in Newport when the storm hit."
Phillips gave him a strange look. "Have you seen the harbor? I hardly believe you'll find a vessel that can take you to Newport at the moment."
Mike looked defeated and ran a hand through his hair. "There must be a way over to the island. I must find them."
Mr. Philips gave him a pitiful look and came closer, "Well I didn't say there is no vessel that could bring you over. But maybe you have to help out a little." He took Mike by the arm and turned him around, pointing to a sloop not far away that was still intact. Four men were busy loading boxes and barrels into the vessel. "This is my neighbor Mr. Andrews. His mother lives in Newport. He is on the same mission as you and wants to find her and offer help over there. He would be your man. Maybe he can use two strong men to help him with the deadheads drifting through the water while crossing the West and East Passage. The waters here are rough even on a good day. Come I'll introduce you."
*** EST ***
MIKE
Andrews could use two more hands and gladly accepted their help. They were able to leave the horses with Mr. Philips. They were provided with two long paddles and had to watch out for deadheads which meant logs drifting through the water. If they spotted one they had to push them away from the boat to not get hit by it.
It took them two hours until they safely moored in the harbor, or what was left of it in Newport. Mike had climbed up the wharf because the landing was ripped away and tied up the vessel. Wade turned to Mr. Andrews. "Can we help you with something else here, Mr. Andrews?"
"We'll see, but now go and get your sister and the boy. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you two. I'll stay here until evening. Depending on what I'll find at home, you can set back over to South Ferry."
"Thank you, Sir. We wish you luck to find your mother."
Andrews raised his hands for a fair well and Wade turned to Mike who already extended his hand to pull him up the wharf.
Mike nodded at Andrews too. "God bless you, Sir." Then Mike turned to Wade. "Alright. Where is Tanner's house?"
Wade looked around to orientate on something. His gaze stopped at a church tower with some missing shingles before he scratched his head. "I thought there had been three churches. Hm. We have to head north up here along the shoreline. It is a blue one."
The sight of Newport was even worse than South Ferry. The water had been higher here and lots of vessels had been driven to the shore and even into the streets, leaving a trail of destruction where they had hit.
Wade led the way for about fifteen minutes and suddenly stopped at the sight of a blue house. "Oh Lord, no. Diana!" he shouted and began running to what was left of the blue house. Mike felt the panic creeping up his throat. He hurried to follow Wade.
The front door was blocked by the head of a vessel that had been driven through the house. They found no way to enter here. Wade ran to the back of the house facing the bay. The windows had burst and a hole gaped where the vessel had impacted the wall.
"DIANA! MARCUS! Is anyone here?" Wade climbed over the debris into the house.
The water stood ankle deep in the whole downstairs level but Mike could see by the mark of the water edge that it had been nearly six feet high before. No one answered their shouts. Mike turned to the still-standing stairs and found a dark green rope bound around the handrail of the stairs. He inspected the rope and wondered. Not thinking twice he climbed up the stairs to search in the upper level for any kind of hint of where Diana and his son were.
"Mike, be careful, the stairs could crash down."
He just shot Wade a glare and headed on. Upstairs he found a discarded part of a skirt that was ripped off brutally. Mike got scared and wondered why he found pieces of clothes here. "Diana, Cole?" He shouted. There was no answer, only the creaking of wood where Mike stepped.
Wade called him. "Mike, come downstairs. It is not safe. The whole house could collapse."
"Hey, what are you doing there!" a man shouted.
Mike glanced down to where Wade stood and froze. He saw a man with a cocked pistol behind his friend. Wade raised his hands and turned. "Easy, my friend. We are not scavengers. This is the house of my brother-in-law. We're here to check on them."
The man came closer. Mike already had his hand on the hilt of his throwing knife.
"So, what is the name of your brother-in-law?"
"It's Marcus Tanner. My sister Diana and their son Cole live here. My name is Wade Wilmington."
The man slowly took the pistol down and Mike relaxed a bit.
"I'm sorry about the gun. I've chased quite a few assholes away since yesterday. I found your sister, the governess, and the boy in here. Brought them over to my house. I live across the street a bit uphill. Gave them shelter. That was a monster of a storm, man," the man told Wade.
Mike sighed, endlessly relieved, and began climbing downstairs. Halfway down the stairs began to creak and sway. Faster than Mike could react the whole thing came crashing down.
"MIKE!" Wade screamed.
Mike felt wood crashing down on him. Instinctively he covered his head with his arm and a piece hit him heavily. Then he felt Wade's hand on him, pulling him up.
"Mike, you alright?" Wade asked concernedly, helping him out of the debris and mud.
Mike huffed and nodded. A few moments later the whole level above them started to creak. "Get out. It's breaking down." Mike pushed Wade and the other man out of the house right before the spot they had been was buried under the upper level. Outside Mike had to sit. "Holy mother! That was close. I'm sorry I climbed up there, really."
Wade squatted down next to him. "Come, let's find Di."
Mike rubbed his aching arm. It hurt, but he could worry about that later. First, he needed to see that Diana and Cole were okay.
*** EST ***
DIANA
She was glad Mr. Glacier had given them shelter. She wouldn't have known where to turn to in Newport. She still felt like an outsider. Thank God Mr. Glacier's house had been mostly unharmed by the storm. She wondered where Marcus was at the moment.
Anna and she had washed their clothes and she was about to head inside from hanging them on the newly hung line to dry behind the house. She ran a shaky hand over her hair, brushing a loose strand back behind her ear. She felt so tired and alone. What should she do now? They couldn't stay forever with Mr. Glacier. Maybe she should try to head home with Annabeth and Cole no matter what Marcus said when he came back - if he came back. There was the secret slight hope he had died in this terrible storm - God, what was she thinking, she could not honestly wish someone to die. Turning to the window she glanced over to Marcus's destroyed house only to witness a part of the roof crumbled together and crashed into the lower level. She took a shocked step back. Then she stepped closer to the window again. Three men came around the corner of the blue house. One of them seemed to be Mr. Glacier and one of the others was … it was Wade! That couldn't be … she turned and ran downstairs to find out if her mind had played tricks on her.
They were near enough now that she could see clearly her brother was heading to them and … and Mike. Diana stopped, feeling a shiver running down her spine, soon replaced by a hot feeling that rushed through her whole body. If there was one person she longed for right now it was her one and only love. But she hadn't even dared to dream about this.
"Diana!" Mike shouted and came running to her faster. "Diana!"
"Mike?" She didn't know what to say or think. Then he was there, pulling her close, breathing into her ear how glad he was she was okay and it felt so right, so welcome to be held by him. It was the feeling she had been yearning for far too long.
"Di, oh my Love. I'll never let you go."
*** EST ***
MIKE
Finally, he had her in his arms again. He wouldn't let anyone take her away from him ever again. He separated only a few inches from her to look at her.
In this second Wade was at their side. "Diana, thank God."
She wriggled out of Mike's embrace and gave Wade a short hug. He saw her blushing ashamedly. Mike knew their behavior was not appropriate for a married woman. But damn it! He was sick of appropriate behavior. He wanted nothing more than his love back, his life back, and his son!
"Wade, I'm so glad you're here," Diana said. "Did you come for us?"
Wade shot Mike a glance. "Yes. Is Cole alright and … Marcus?"
She gave Mike an uncertain glance too, to check his reaction. "Cole is sleeping upstairs with Anna. We're okay. Marcus left five days ago for Providence. I haven't heard from him since. But we heard Providence was hit even worse. I don't know. Why did you come all the way here?"
Mr. Glacier interrupted them. "Come inside first. We can talk there."
Mike couldn't help but wished Tanner had died in Providence. It would make everything easier.
"Mike, are you coming," Wade asked him, already on the way back to the house with Diana in his arms.
Unsure, he followed. He had no idea what he had expected, but what he felt right now wasn't how he had imagined it would be. He felt pushed away like he didn't belong here at this reunion.
Mr. Glacier led them into the dining room and excused himself to give them some privacy.
Mike's heart ached; he didn't know why. Wade looked at him and Diana after they were alone.
"We came to bring you home, Diana. Father died during the storm."
Diana looked shocked though she didn't say a word.
Wade spoke on, "Mother is beside herself and she told Mike to bring you and Cole home, Di. I told him about Cole after that."
Diana looked back at Mike, her eyes filling up with tears. "You know? Mike, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me for not letting you know. I wanted to tell you, really. I only didn't know how. I …"
Mike couldn't hold back. He was with her in seconds, silencing her with a kiss. Wade knew how much he loved Diana and no one else was there. He pulled back, "I'm not mad at you. I was a fool to leave you to prove myself to your father. You were right from the beginning. I'm so sorry Diana." They kissed again and Mike literally never wanted to let go of her.
They kissed until Wade cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt this reunion, but what are we supposed to do now?"
Mike turned without letting go of Diana. "We take them home like your mother wanted us to do. They can not stay here anyway."
"And what about Marcus? When he returns home and he finds his house destroyed and his wife, son, and…"
"Cole is MY son. If I hear you calling him anything else again I'll kick your ass!"
Wade raised his hands. "Whoa, Mike calm down. All I want is try to help here. I'm only trying to think rationally."
"We take them home, everything else will clear up later," Mike said, adding, 'If Tanner shows up at home and demands her back, I will kill him.'
Wade knew him well enough to know exactly what he thought. He sighed. "Alright, we'll rest for a bit and head to the harbor later to meet Mr. Andrews. I'll need to ask him if he can bring three more people over. Hope God is on our side in this."
Mike took Diana's hand carefully in his. "Can I see him, Diana?"
She started to smile brightly and all the worry seemed to fall from her expression as she nodded. "Come, but be quiet. He's been through two exhausting days and finally fell asleep."
Mike stopped her, "Di, can you tell me why you are wearing men's clothes?"
Diana giggled. "Mr. Glacier was so nice to lend me some of his clothes. It's a bit of a longer story."
Mike smirked. "Can't wait to hear it. Lead the way. I really want to meet our son."
They walked upstairs to a little room where Annabeth sat in a wing chair with the little boy in her arms. He was just about to wake up when they entered. Diana walked inside and took Cole out of Anna's arms. The older woman looked quite surprised at Mike.
"Master Campbell? That is a surprise I must say."
"Hello, Annabeth. I can not tell you how grateful I am that you stayed with Diana."
The woman nodded and smiled at him like always. Mike had always had the feeling she knew more than she let on before she retreated from the room.
"Mommy, who is this?" Cole asked
"That is Mike, I introduced him to you at Uncle Wade's wedding. Don't you remember?" Diana lovingly combed her fingers through the boy's dark curls.
Mike felt his emotions taking the best of him and he had to hold back the tears which came unbidden to his eyes. With a crack in his voice, he said, "Hello, Cole,"
The little boy rubbed his sleepy eyes and studied him silently before he asked. "'r you sad?"
Mike smiled though he felt a tear escaping his eye. "No, buddy, I'm happy. Really, really happy."
Cole, still in Diana's arms, looked at him with his intense blue gaze and decided to reach over to him. Mike caught him and pulled him tight for a hug, feeling how the little human in his arms snuggled into the embrace.
All too soon, Cole pulled away, not understanding what it meant to Mike to have him in his arms. "'m hungry, mommy."
Mike let him go back to Diana who promised the little one to find him something in the kitchen. Diana put her hand on his arm and unintentionally squeezed the hurting spot from the impact in Tanner's house. Mike suppressed a hiss but flinched in pain. "Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.
Mike was not sure if she referred to meeting Cole or his pain-marked expression. "I'm good, go and get him something to eat. I could use a minute to breathe."
Diana gave him a smile and let Cole pull her with him.
Mike went to the floor where he had stood when they closed the door, leaving him alone in the room. Closing his eyes he let out a long unsteady sigh. It was all too much at once. Was he really here or was he dreaming? He was with Diana and they had a son. He had held him in his arms. He could hardly believe this was not a dream. Three days before he would have laughed at someone who would have told him such a story.
Running a shaky hand through his hair, he tried to calm down. A throbbing pain spread through his arm. "Argh. Damnit." He sighed and rolled up his sleeve to see what was wrong but wasn't able to roll the sleeve up high enough. So he took off his shoulder holster and vest and pulled his arm out of the sleeve. At least he had no open wound. His upper arm was black and blue but not broken. He knew the pain of a broken bone all too well.
Mike heard steps and hurried back into the sleeve of his shirt and was about to button it up when Diana came back in. He looked caught in the act at her.
"Are you really alright?" she asked, unsure.
"Aye, I got hit by a log in your house. It is nothing, I just checked it." Mike collected his vest and holster from the floor. "Is Wade back?"
"Let me see it," she said, stepping closer to inspect his arm herself.
Mike took a step back, "I told you it is fine. No need to worry."
She didn't let go of him, "I know men always say that but if you are hurt, we should take care of it before we go on a 100-mile ride." Diana reached for his buttons.
"No!" Mike shouted and grabbed her hand to stop her. She looked surprised and a bit intimidated by his harsh answer. Much calmer he added, "Please, Di, I said it's fine. I'll see if I can find Wade."
*** EST ***
WADE
Mr. Andrews had been in the harbor and was willing to take them all over. His mother had been okay and he had left supplies with some of the families, so the sloop now had enough space for more passengers.
The journey had been successful so far and Wade wanted nothing more than to return to Clara. He was nearly at the main door of Mr. Glacier's house to get the others as Mike stormed out of the house pretty much rattled with his vest and shoulder holster in his hands.
Wade paused, "Hey, Mike what's wrong?"
His friend stopped with him, sighing. "Nothing. I just need a bit of space. It was all a bit much." Mike let his gaze wander over the destroyed street. "Did you find Andrews? I really want to leave this city."
"Yes, he is waiting in the harbor. I was coming to get you all."
"Good. Tell Diana. I'll find Anna and Cole, they should be in the kitchen," Mike said and turned back into the house while slipping into his vest.
Wade wondered why Mike sent him to Diana. His Brother had wanted nothing more than to be with his sister but now Mike seemed upset about something.
He climbed upstairs to Diana. "Diana?"
She stood in the upper bedroom and folded a blue and green baby blanket together and turned. "Yes, I'm here."
Wade told her to pack and get ready to leave. Before he could turn she touched him on the arm. "Wade, Mike is acting strange. Did I say something wrong?"
"What do you mean with 'strange'?"
"He was checking his arm as I came in, and said something had hit him in the house, but he didn't let me see. In fact, he shouted at me when I wanted to take a look."
Wade understood. Mike had made a big secret of his scars even with them. He was sure his friend didn't want Diana to see them. "You did nothing wrong. He just feels insecure."
Diana looked dumbstruck. "About what?"
Wade took his sister by the arms. "Diana, they broke him in prison; they beat him brutally and he still wears the scars. He is embarrassed of them. I don't know why. But he shut us all out. Please, don't tell him that I told you but have patience with him. And maybe it was all a bit much today. You had nine months to get used to becoming a mother and he just found out two days ago that he's a father. I'm sure that is all. He loves you. He came all the way here to check on you."
"Maybe he didn't find what he had imagined?" Diana said a bit sad.
Wade took her in his arms. "Don't say that. I'm sure this is not why he is acting strange." Wade sighed, "This whole situation is just so complicated. I wish I had been there to do something before you were married."
Diana nodded in his embrace but suddenly tensed. "God, no!"
Wade looked to where Diana stared and saw a man staring at Tanner's house across the street. He frowned. "What's wrong?"
"That's Paul, Marcus's housekeeper. Wade … I don't wanna go back to Marcus…" Diana began shaking and crying.
Wade pulled her back, "Diana, easy."
Mike exited the house with Cole riding on his shoulders. The boy laughed excitedly over the game, bringing all attention to him. Mike had a bundle tucked under his arm and Annabeth followed them.
When Mike saw Diana's state, he let the bundle fall to the ground and pulled Cole from his neck, pulling him close to his chest. "Diana, what's wrong?" he asked concernedly.
Wade looked at Mike and Cole closely, they looked like they were made from the same log. It was so unmistakable that they were father and son. Wade didn't have a chance to say anything before Paul was there.
"Mrs. Tanner, thank God I found you. Are you alright?" Paul frowned at the sight of Mike and Cole but said nothing. "Mr. Wilmington, sir, Good that you are here."
Diana turned to the man. "Paul, where is Mr. Tanner?"
Wade noticed that Diana hadn't said the word 'husband' on purpose. The man looked quite uncomfortable.
"I return with bad news, Mrs. Tanner. There was an accident in Providence harbor during the storm. I'm sorry but Mr. Tanner died while trying to secure one of his ships."
"He is dead?" Diana asked disbelieving, before dropping to the ground crying.
TBC