Hello everyone, and I just want to say, thank you so much for joining me on this adventure, thank you for your support, your reviews, your follows, your favorites, it's just so amazing. Thank you so much.

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To everyone, Thank you so much. You guys are the reason I keep writing, and the reason I can write more chapters, even with extreme writer's block. You guys make my day better. Thank you so much.

The morning came and we ate a breakfast provided by our host. We bid him farewell, thanking him for his hospitality, and then left for the post office. We gained passage to St. Louis on another mail coach, and we were told that, weather allowing, we would make it in six weeks. The man who told us this did ask where we were planning on going from St. Louis.

We told him we were going farther West, and he frowned. "Be careful. Winters out there are brutal."

Arthur frowned. "It is only May."

The man nodded. "What I've heard is winters come fast and early. Be careful."

We thanked him and left. Arthur was looking worried. I squeezed his Hand. "It'll be alright. If we have to spend winter in St. Louis, we will, but I am sure Matthew will reach us before winter does."

"How early Is early winter?"

"September to October. We will be fine."

Arthur nodded, though I could tell he was still not satisfied. It was clear he did not want any delays and waiting out a winter was something he was very opposed to.

We had an hour before the coach left so we bought food for the trip. As we did so, I glanced at Alfred, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. I smiled. He was trying very hard to hold still and be quiet, but he was getting antsy. I smiled and noticed a little wooden boat on a shelf. I picked it up and showed it to Arthur. He raised an eyebrow, glanced at Alfred, who was fidgeting in place, and nodded. We paid for the purchases and I gave Alfred the boat. His eyes lit up and he grinned, thanking me.

We returned to the post office and waited a few minutes until the coach arrived. They exchanged horses while we climbed in. Alfred sat on my lap again, but was occupied by his boat. There were only two other passengers which was a small blessing. Arthur leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. I patted his knee and the coach lurched into motion.

The next six weeks were perhaps the most monotonous of my entire life. The only change in scenery was the occasional stop for supplies or horses, as well as the occasional change in passengers. The outside environment changed as well, gradually becoming warmer and more humid. Inside the coach became nearly unbearable and I swear we were being boiled alive at times.

We reached St. Louis and I do not think any human had ever been happier to see the frontier town. My attitude soon deflated, however, as I realized how very outnumbered I was. As Arthur led us from the post office to a hotel, I could feel the eyes watching me.

The memories that I had managed to bury resurfaced as the rough frontiersmen watched me, evaluating me, deciding how available I was. I pulled Alfred closer and tightened my hold on Arthur. He glanced at me, pulled his arm from my grasp and wrapped it around my shoulders, pulling me even closer. I leaned into him and tightened my grip on Alfred's hand.

We reached the hotel and Arthur pushed open the door, quickly pulling me through the crowded room, to the counter. "One room and board, please."

"How long?" asked the woman at the counter.

He shrugged. "We will pay be the day."

The woman nodded. "Alright." She eyed Arthur and then turned and retrieved a key. "First room on your left up the stairs. Dinner's served at 6."

She glanced up and down Arthur, and I could see she liked what she saw. I cleared my throat. She glanced at me and frowned. Arthur nodded. "Thank you. Can we have it delivered to our room?"

She grimaced. "That'll be extra."

"Fine."

"Very well."

Arthur thanked her and guided me around the counter up the stairs and to the room. He unlocked the door, opened it, and pulled Alfred and I inside. He shut and locked the door, then surveyed the room. He sighed and turned to me. I had released Alfred and was swaying on my feet. Arthur wrapped his arms around me and I buried my face in his chest. I could feel tears beginning to fall. "Arthur, why am I so frightened? You are here, I know I am safe, but all I can think about is their eyes, their hot stares, the way he looked at me, and -" I choked on my words.

Arthur squeezed me tighter. "Shh, Amelia, it is alright. You are completely safe. I am here, and I will never, ever let anyone take you from me. I promise."

I hugged him back, and breathed in his scent. Even if it was sweaty, dusty, and stale, it was still Arthur, and I knew that with him I was safe.

I felt a tug on my skirt and pulled away to see Alfred looking up with concern in his blue eyes. "Mommy, are you okay?"

I smiled and bent down to his level. "Mommy is just a little tired."

"Oh. Then you won't play pirates with me?"

I smiled. "Ask Daddy to play. He is really good at it."

Alfred turned to Arthur. "Daddy?"

Arthur gave me a mock glare and I raised an eyebrow. He sighed and smiled. "Okay, Alfred. I'll play pirates with you."

Alfred grinned. "Kay, you're the pirate, and I'm the hero! You kidnapped Mommy, and now I have to rescue her!"

I chuckled as Arthur blinked in surprise at Alfred. Then he grinned. "Alright." He turned to me. "Ready, poppet?"

My eyes widened in surprise as he picked me up and carried to the bed. I squealed as he sat down in the middle of it, with me on his lap and began attacking me with kisses. I struggled weakly, trying to get better access at his face, to return his assault.

Alfred gave a yell and charged. He jumped onto the bed and tried prying Arthur's hands from around my waist. When that achieved no satisfactory results, he began hitting Arthur in an attempt to make him release me. Arthur chuckled and paused in his attack and released one hand to begin fending off Alfred's attack. I managed to turn slightly and caught his lips, causing him to pause and allowing Alfred to pull me off of Arthur. I gasped when Arthur and I were separated and turned to see Alfred standing on the bed, grinning. "The Hero has won!" he cheered.

I looked at Arthur who smirked. "Really?"

He climbed across the bed to Alfred who saw him and jumped off the bed, running for the door. Arthur vaulted off the bed and grabbed Alfred before he could reach the handle. Alfred squealed as Arthur carried him back to the bed. He set Alfred down, but before he could run, Arthur pinned him and began to tickle him mercilessly.

Alfred was laughing and squealing, and it was such a funny scene that I could not help but laugh. Both boys turned and looked at me, then Arthur grinned. He released Alfred and climbed towards me. My eyes widened as he grabbed me and kissed me passionately, before I pushed him away.

"Your battle, Captain, is with Alfred, not me."

He pouted, then gasped as Alfred jumped onto his back, nearly flattening him. Alfred cheered again. "The Hero has captured the pirate!"

Arthur chuckled and flipped himself and Alfred over so he was, once again, on top. He began tickling the poor boy again, to the point where Alfred nearly stopped breathing. I laughed. "Arthur, you are going to kill him, let him up."

Just then we heard a knock on the door. Arthur jumped to his feet and straightened his clothes, then walked to the door. I chuckled. He unlocked it and opened it to find the woman from the counter. "Here's your dinner. I suppose you want breakfast delivered as well?"

Arthur nodded.

"Alright." She handed the plates to Arthur, who thanked her, then left. He shut the door. I stood up and grabbed the plates from him while he shut and locked the door. I carried them back to the bed. "Come on, Alfred. Time to eat."

He cheered, and scrambled over to the edge of the bed. He took the plate I handed him and quickly began eating. I smiled and handed Arthur's plate to him as he approached the bed. He frowned. "Come on, off the bed."

Alfred looked up at him and pouted. I sighed. "Alright, come on, Alfred. We will eat on the floor. Like a picnic."

Alfred brightened and jumped off the bed. I rescued his plate and climbed off the bed, sitting onto the floor. I handed his plate back to Alfred who quickly resumed eating. I began eating, as Arthur settled himself on the ground. He began eating, shaking his head at Alfred's antics. I smiled at them, and we finished our meal in peace.

We went to bed and woke in the morning to someone knocking on the door. Arthur started to roll out of bed, but I stopped him, not wanting the woman to see him in all his morning glory. I stood and went to the door, opening it. The woman frowned when she saw me and handed me the plates. I shut the door and locked it, then set the plates on the ground. "Come on, boys, breakfast."

Alfred shot out of bed and found his plate. He cheered. "Yay! Breakfast."

I laughed and picked up Arthur's plate. I sat on the side of the bed and picked up a piece of sausage. "Here you go, Arthur. Breakfast."

His eyes opened lazily and he looked up at me, eyes bleary, and hair even messier than normal. I dangled the sausage over his face, smiling. He opened his mouth. I grinned. "Come and get it."

His eyes widened as I stood up off the bed and returned to my spot on the floor. He groaned and rolled out of bed. He walked over to our little picnic and sat down. I gave him his plate and he grinned, stealing a piece of sausage from my plate. I opened my mouth to protest, and he stuck it into my mouth. I shut it and began chewing, giving him a mock glare. He winked and ate his breakfast without further ado. I finished the sausage and then the rest of my food.

When Arthur finished, he stood and started for the door. "Where are you going?" I asked.

"I am going to check the mail, for your brother."

"You have no idea what he looks like."

"He's Alfred's twin, right?"

I smiled. "He does not look that similar."

"I am sure he will be recognizable."

"He will not know you."

"No, but he will know your name."

"I am coming with you."

"I would rather leave you here."

"I would feel safer with you."

He sighed. "Fine. You can come."

"And Alfred."

Arthur shook his head. "Fine, fine, fine. I give up."

I laughed and punched him in the shoulder. "Do you really think Matthew will be here today?"

Arthur shrugged. "I wouldn't bet on it, but I would rather meet him the first day he comes, rather than a week later."

I nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Arthur smiled at me. "You will be the death of me."

I smiled and pecked him on the lips. "You love it."

He shook his head. "Alright, you win. Come on, then."

I smiled and called Alfred. "Where are we going, Mommy?"

"We are going to find your uncle Matthew."

"How do you know where he is?"

"We do not. It is an adventure."

His eyes widened. "An adventure?"

I nodded. "Yep."

"What does he look like?"

"Kind of like me, only a man."

He wrinkled his nose. "That's weird."

I laughed. "He is my brother, so he looks very similar to me."

Alfred was still unconvinced, but he accepted it and followed Arthur and I out the door. Arthur locked the door and handed the key to Alfred. "Alfred, can you keep this safe for me?"

Alfred nodded. "Put it in your shoe," Arthur said.

I raised an eyebrow.

"He is less of a target for thieves."

I nodded. Alfred took my hand, and Arthur wrapped his arm around my shoulders. He led us down the stairs and through the crowded bar and out the door. We stepped out into the sun and he set a brisk pace to the post office.

We reached the post office and walked in. The man at the desk looked up. "Ah! You arrived yesterday, didn't you? Whatcha need?"

"My brother-in-law is expected to pick us up. Do you have any idea where he might be?"

"Is this where you said you'd meet 'im?"

"Yes."

"Well, he ain't here yet. When'dya send him notice?"

"Two months ago."

"Where from?"

"Charleston."

"Well, I dun know if he'd have gotten it yet. It takes at least two months to get letters out to a lot of the homesteads"

"How long does it take to get back here?"

"Two months, though some people make it in six weeks. Depends on where they live."

Arthur grimaced. I squeezed his arm. I smiled at the man. "Thank you."

"Do ya want me ta notify him of your location?"

I nodded.

"What's his name?"

"Matthew Williams."

"And yourself?"

"He will be looking for Amelia Jones."

"Alright. He look like you?"

I nodded. "Alright. You stayin' in the Bessie's Hotel?"

I glanced at Arthur and he nodded. The man smiled. "Alrighty, he'll know you're here."

"Thank you." I pulled Arthur out of the post office and dragged him and Alfred back to the hotel. We returned to the room, and then Arthur sighed. "Are we going to have to wait another two months until we even find your brother? And then another two months to reach his home?"

I touched his cheek. "Arthur, it will be alright. Trust me. I am sure Matthew has received my letter, and he will be here as soon as he can. Okay? Relax."

Arthur sighed and nodded. "Alright."

He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. I sat on the floor at the foot of the bed and motioned Alfred onto my lap. "What, Mommy?"

"Do you want me to tell you another story about Captain Arthur Kirkland and Alfred F. Jones?"

His eyes lit up with delight. "Yes! Mommy tell me a story!"

I smiled and began telling him another of our adventures.

I know I said something about this being the last chapter...but...I started writing, and after the sixth typed page, and I was not even close to finishing, I decided to split it up into chapters. So, hope you guys enjoy, you get one more chapter...if all goes well...

Please review.