Two years later….

September 1778

"Dear Thomas,

Through many seasons have passed, it seems like only yesterday when we last saw each other in Charles Town.

It was with great sadness that I learned of its recent fall to the British under General Cornwallis. I received a letter from Aunt Charlotte

telling me she had closed her home in Charles Town after the city fell and moved to her plantation on the Santee. Here in the North,

our campaign has been marked by defeat and privation. Our losses have been grievous. My good friend, Peter Cuppin, fell at Elizabethtown.

His death has been difficult to bear."

The children is sitting around Thomas, who is reading the letter out loud. I listened to Thomas, leaning against the wall.

"We are told that soon we will march through south with General Gates to fight the Redcoats under Cornwallis.

I envy you your youth and your distance from this cruel conflict of which I am a part. But I consider myself fortunate to be serving the cause of liberty.

And though I fear death, each day in prayer, I reaffirm my willingness, if necessary, to give my life in its service.

Pray for me, but above all, pray for the cause.

Your loving brother,

Gabriel."

Thomas sighed and folds the letter back.

I sighed at everything that had happened here for the last two years. Father refused to speak of Gabriel, Thomas is longing to join the army and Susan has not spoken yet. I have not seen nor spoke to Gabriel since that day at Charles Town. I never got to apologize to Gabriel because he left right away after that day, saying goodbye to the children except me.

Anyway, I decided to go in the house to get my poetry. I walked upstairs and walked into my room and looked around. I went to my dresser with the mirror. I stopped and look at my face, staring back at me. I changed a lot over two years. My hair is now longer, stopped at my wrist. It's more wavy and curly combined. It got more darker. I have womanly figure now, attacting the men that I don't even like at all. My skin is porcelain and my freckles on my nose are gone now.

I sighed and opened one of the drawers. I lift up my petticoat and pulled out my book and Quill. I walked out of the room and walked past Father's room, which I stopped because I heard noises, and the door was cracked open, which was unusual since Father keep his door closed.

So I went to the door and look through the crack. It was Thomas!

Thomas was at Father's chest, opening it. It was full of old things and perhaps Father's old war uniform.

Thomas took out the axe and the coat. He puts on a red coat with blue lining and gold buttons. He looked into the mirror, smiling at himself.

I heard footsteps so I ran to the corner and hid there. I heard the door open and looked out. It was Father.

"What are you doing?" said Father.

I could tell Thomas couldn't answer his question. So I walked back quietly to the door and continued listening.

"Turn around." said Father.

Thomas turned around and Father walked to him, taking his old coat off on Thomas.

"Not yet, Thomas." said Father.

"When?" Thomas said, frustrated.

"Seventeen." said Father.

"That's two years. It's already been two." said Thomas, angrily. "The war could be over by then."

"God Willing." said Father

"All right, seventeen." said Thomas, agreeing with him.

"All right." said Father, shaking Thomas' hand.

Father cleared his throat and said "Put it back, please."

Father started to walk back when Thomas called him.

"Father. What happened at Fort Wilderness?" Thomas asked.

"Put it away." said Father.

He came out and saw me. He didn't say anything, just stared at me with sadness in his eyes. Then he left.

I looked at Thomas and he had his head down in disappointment.

At the Dusk.

I was reading my book in my room when I started to hear noises outside. It sounded like the fireworks were popping on our field. So I grabbed my shawl and decided to investigate outside.

When I got to the front porch, Father was standing outside, looking out at field. It was very foggy. I joined his side and stood there for while. Eventually, the children came out, gathering around us.

Father wrapped his arm around William and said "Six-pounders. Lots of them."

"How far away?" Samuel asked, getting scared. I wrapped my arm around Samuel to comfort him.

"Oh, they're a long way off. They're most likely heading the other direction." said Father.

Thomas came out with two guns and gave one of them to Nathan.

Father didn't like that.

"Put those in the house."

"Father, they might come this way." Thomas protested.

"Thomas! Must I tell you again?" said Father.

Thomas sighed, and took the gun from Nathan, walking back inside.

Father looked around at the children.

"Let's all stay close into the house tonight, all right?" said Father. The children nodded and went inside with Abigail, leaving me with Father.

"Father, are you sure that they're not coming this way?" I asked, looking for the reaction on his face. He smiled slightly.

"Yes, I'm sure. Now, let's go inside." said Father as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, leading me inside.

Hey guys, Gabriel is coming home soon!!!! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter and I will try to post another chapter up tomorrow or thursday, if you push the green button, then I will post it really soon than you think. Ciao!