Cherry and Cinny, you are my world, as always.

Readers, thanks for reading and have a wondeful weekend!

Chapter Fifteen: Home

"Some say we are responsible for those we love. Others know we are responsible for those who love us."

~Nikki Giovanni

(EPOV)

James wasn't as rich as his brother Charles, but he still had more money than my kin ever would. I greeted the rest of Alice's family —Victoria, Jasper, and Jessica —before Alice dragged Scarlett and me away. Pa waved us on as he held our luggage and Victoria offered my parents and Jenks fresh drinks. As we climbed up the stairs, I leaned over and whispered to Scarlett.

"Where's your mother?"

Scarlett just rolled her eyes and followed behind me until we reached Alice's bedroom. "She didn't come, of course. Even after Uncle James explained what Father did, she said her place was to remain by her husband! Can you believe her? She chose Father over me, yet again!"

I don't think it's your father she chose, I wanted to say. I think it's her lifestyle.

I kept my mouth shut, however. I felt awful for Scarlett. Our family had its own problems, but we were flesh and blood and we didn't treat kin like Mr. Swan treated Mrs. Swan. I saw it with my own two eyes that day I was caught in Scarlett's room. Scarlett's eyes flickered downward and I didn't mention anything else about it. No need to make her feel worse or to go poking and prying. Pa always said it was best to mind our own business, and the only time we discussed other folks' problems was when we were praying to God.

Although after today I wasn't sure if God wanted to hear Charles Swans' name, or if He was as mad at him as I was.

Alice's room was a bit smaller than Scarlett's and decorated more in cool blues than fancy golds. Her room was connected to her little sister Jessica's, who she said like to spy on her often. I couldn't blame the poor child; she didn't have much going on besides stuffing her face with sweets. Jasper was nice, I reckoned, but Victoria gave him a stern lecture and told him to leave me alone. He wasn't bothering me but he had this sly grin on his face, and I had a feeling he was a troublemaker.

"So," Alice began, plopping onto her bed, "you two look awfully cute together!"

Scarlett and I sat beside each other on the carpet floor, leaning comfortably a few inches apart. I felt the heat rising to my cheeks but Scarlett just crossed her arms and turned away. "And you are being awfully nosy, Alice!"

Alice laughed, slipping off her shoes, and they fell to the floor with a loud thud. "Not nosy, but inquisitive, dear cousin. And speaking of which, have you two … you know?"

This time we both blushed and Alice squealed in laughter. "I knew it! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, especially not Aunt Ren —"

Alice never finished her sentence because Jasper and Jessica walked in through the adjoining door. Jasper sat beside Scarlett and believe it or not, Jessica plopped herself right in my lap.

I coughed, trying to catch my breath and protect my privates by adjusting her position. Licking a lollipop, Jessica poked me in my cheek and then touched my eyelid.

"Jess, what are you doing?" Alice reprimanded her. "Cut that out!"

"I'm just looking," Jessica said in awe, stroking my cheek. "You sure are pretty."

I didn't know how to respond, so I sat there awkwardly as she touched my face with her sticky fingers.

"Um, thank you?" I replied hesitantly.

Jessica licked the red lollipop again. "Are you Scarlett's boyfriend? 'Cause I have a boyfriend and his name is Emmett and he tried to kiss me once but I told him no 'cause his breath smelled like broccoli. I don't like broccoli. I like candy and chocolate and sometimes those mint things Miss Fuller always has in her purse and —"

"You're such a fat ass!" Jasper snickered and Jessica kicked him with her wide bare foot.

"Shut up!" she told her brother. "I'm not fat, I'm filled with love, just like Mom said!"

"And lard," Jasper retorted again.

Jessica's bottom lip quivered and I tried to think of something to distract her with before she cried. "Do you guys want to play hide-and-seek?"

"Aren't you a little old for that game?" Jasper asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Why? Are you scared you'll lose?" I taunted him.

"Never!" he said, puffing out his chest.

"Good. Then Jessica and I will hide. You have to wait at least one full minute before looking for us."

Jessica rolled off of me and then I stood up, helping her rise to her feet. "I'm really good at this. They'll never find us!"

Jessica grinned widely and I held her hand. "Start counting …"

Alice laughed and counted down from one hundred as Jessica and I ran from the room. Since I didn't know where to go, I jetted down the stairs, pausing momentarily and to scan the area. All of the adults were talking and stopped when we reached the bottom of the stairs.

James looked at our entwined hands and glanced up from his cup of afternoon coffee. "What's going on?"

"We're playing hide-and-seek, Daddy," Jessica answered, huffing and out of breath. "We're it!"

James nodded knowingly and grinned at Pa.

"Kitchen cabinets," they said at the same time and laughed.

Jessica squeezed my hand tighter and led the way.

When the others came by, I heard Victoria lie and tell them we were outside. Several minutes went by and it wasn't long until we heard them passing through again.

We were safe until Jessica bit on her lollipop, crunching loudly.

It was Jasper who found us and when he did, we were greeted with a pound of flour over our heads.

Alice and Scarlett joined in soon after and the next thing I knew, there was an all-out flour war. Scarlett grabbed handfuls the white ingredient, tossing it into my hair. Alice tickled her brother and Jessica complained her candy was ruined. We laughed and carried on and I heard James yell at Jenks that he was not going to clean a single thing.

Due to Jessica's sweet tooth we were busted, but I felt so much joy in my heart from having friends, I didn't mind losing one bit.

.

.

.

"… And you just stayed hidden this entire time?" Victoria looked at me in shock, lowering her spoon of pea soup. I nodded and James glanced at me with pity, placing his hand on my shoulder and squeezing it gently.

Ma had just finished telling everyone our entire life story. First about her marriage to Pa, then about her pregnancy, hiding me in the cellar when I cried as an infant … everything. They couldn't believe all that we had sacrificed, and even more so, how we hadn't been caught.

Scarlett held my hand underneath the table and for once, Pa didn't object. I was beginning to think he had accepted our relationship, or at least while we were here where it was safe. Ma glanced at me and winked, nodding her approval.

"It wasn't so bad," I said. "You get used to being by yourself. Sure, it was lonely, but you can't even imagine how many card tricks I've learned over the years."

I chuckled quietly to myself, trying to add a hint of humor to the conversation, but not even Jasper laughed. They all stared, switching from me to Pa to Ma and then back to me all over again. I was starting to feel uncomfortable and bit into my pork chop, chewing slowly.

"Carlisle, you have to come with me to Washington in August." James put down his silverware and wiped his mouth, propping his elbows on the table.

"Washington?" Pa frowned and took a sip of tea. "For what?"

"The march," James said, emphasizing its importance. "It won't be like some rally around here, with people losing their damn minds. It'll be organized, with hundreds of thousands of citizens and activists and labor organizations. They even said there will be a speaker, Mart —"

Pa shook his head defiantly. "I don't care who's speaking. I want rights for my boy, Lord knows I do, but I can't handle anymore near death experiences. Me, babies, Lincoln, no one. It won't invite anything but violence."

James stared, shocked that Pa was refusing him. "Carlisle, it will be conducted with civil obedience. Blacks, whites, everyone will be walking in peace. No one's going to be burning anything. This is what's going to change the laws. Sure, Virginia's fine, but what about Alabama? What about Georgia and Mississippi? You and your family aren't the only ones suffering, but if you want change to happen, you've got to attend. And I'll be right there, at your side."

"I don't know," Pa answered slowly.

"Look at them." James gestured to Scarlett and I, still holding hands under the table. "Your son and my niece are safe to show affection in my home and yet there they are, still hiding when they think no one's noticing. And you said you and Esme are only married because her father held a ceremony for you. It's not legal, Carlisle. Imagine what it would be like to have a sheet of paper in your hand proving your marriage. Imagine a birth certificate for your son. We will be marching to change every law and article and act the White House can put their pen on. Now's the time. Not next year, not after my brother finds another baby to burn, and not after some clan throws another brick through your window. Now."

Pa swallowed, soaking in James' words. I knew deep down he understood what James was saying, but I think he feared the unknown. He didn't know any different, just like I didn't know what it was like to have friends. But it turned out all right for me and maybe, just maybe, other biracials and blacks could experience what I did today: complete and utter happiness.

"You said August, right?" Pa questioned.

"I'm showing up August 28th. It's on a Wednesday. We'll travel there in a day's drive and join our fellow men in freedom for your boy and for you and your wife. We'll make it a family trip. Everyone's invited and I'll even drive. What do you say?"

Ma squeezed Pa's hand while Scarlett squeezed mine. Even Jessica stopped chewing and Jenks stared with anticipation.

"Can we all fit?" Pa asked and James gave a loud, enthusiastic shout. Victoria and Ma giggled while James shook Pa's free hand.

"We will make a way, Carlisle!" James held his glass in the air. "A toast to change!"

"And lollipops," Jessica added.

"And cigarettes," I said, joining in.

"And flour," Jasper laughed.

We all went around the table, toasting for various reasons, but it all meant the same thing. I finally felt at peace and even though the Swans weren't my family, they sure felt like it.

.

.

.

Ma assigned me to sleep in her and Pa's guest room, but I went to say goodnight to Scarlett before we went our separate ways for the evening. Scarlett was dressed in a silk nightgown that fell below her knees. She was brushing her long brunette locks in front of the bathroom mirror when I walked in behind her. She smiled and I nuzzled the soft skin just below her ear.

"You look happy," she commented, staring at me in the mirror.

I grinned, wrapping my arms around her slender waist. "I am. I like being here. I feel … I don't know. Accepted, I think. Like I finally have friends and family and I get to have them all at once. It's odd. I've never experienced that before."

"Well, I'm glad. You deserve it, Lincoln. And according to Uncle James, you may just be accepted by everyone else as well. I think he's right. That march is going to change everything."

"You think so?" I asked, murmuring against her collarbone.

"I know so. And as soon as I knock some common sense into my parents, then we'll all be happy." Scarlett sighed and placed her hairbrush on the sink.

"I'm sorry about that," I said apologetically. "About your parents, I mean. I feel like it's my fault you all are divided."

"It's not. Mother and Father are the kind that pretends to have a happy marriage, but I think they've been on the rocks for a while now. You know I've never seen them kiss?"

"Really?" I couldn't remember a time when my parents weren't making me vomit from their kissing sessions.

"Yep. I just accepted it, you know, thinking that's how everyone was supposed to be. But then I met you and —"

"You fell in love," I laughed, finishing her sentence. "I don't blame you. I mean, my green eyes, my broad chest ... and your cousin did call me pretty. It was bound to happen."

Scarlett giggled and I swung her around, kissing her sweetly. Her bottom lip seemed to melt into mine and I treasured every moment we had together. In a full house, it was few and far between, so for a few minutes I just enjoyed holding her in my arms.

I told her I loved her when the phone rang loudly from downstairs. We kissed again as Alice came bursting through the open bathroom door.

"It's Aunt Renee," Alice coughed out, clearly winded. "She wants to talk to you."

Scarlett sighed and hugged me tighter. "It's late. Tell her I'll call her tomorrow."

Alice shook her head. "It's about Uncle Charles."

Scarlett laughed dryly. "I don't care. Unless he's beside her with an apology, I don't care to speak to him."

Alice swallowed and hesitated, shifting her feet side to side, unsure if she wanted to say her next words.

"Well, spit it out already," Scarlett said bitterly, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Scarlett … your father is—"

Before Alice could say another word, a large crash thundered outside, and I got the sinking feeling the news was something neither Scarlett nor I was prepared for.