Letters to Lissie

by Katy Rose15

After waiting for two years, Ben is finally able to fight in the war for independence, leaving behind a worried and smitten Felicity. As the years go by, they keep in touch through letters, sharing their hopes, dreams, and fears, growing up together though apart. They had always been close. Could a close friendship lead to something deeper?

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 17

Nan's fever broke that very night, and she finally slept normally. Her face was free of any pain, and her forehead was cool. She was still weak, but she could sit up now and eat and sleep peacefully. A few days later, Mrs. Merriman let Ben bring her downstairs so that she could be on the sofa to recuperate. Her peaked face smiled in his arms when she saw the house in its Christmas finery. "Oh," she sighed. "Tis like a dream!"

"It's always looked like this at Christmas," said William. Nan shook her head.

"No," she said. "It's different this year somehow." Ben gently lay her down on the sofa.

"You're just tired of that dull sick room," said Mother, wrapping a blanket around her. "Though Lissie did a fine job of sprucing it up for the holiday."

"I noticed," said Nan, giving her older sister a sly look. "A fine job indeed." Felicity blushed and looked at the floor. "Everyone asked about you," she said, changing the subject. "And hopes you feel better. And will you please tell Lara that it's not her fault you fell ill? She won't believe me if I tell her." Nan laughed a little. "I'll tell her," she promised. Then Polly said, "Lissie never left your side the whole time you were sick."

"Until Ben made her," added William. "Then he took the night shift, so to speak."

"And even that took a lot of persistence," said Ben. He looked at Felicity and gave a small smile.

"I thought I was dreaming when I saw a man by my bedside," said Nan, making the others laugh. Then Mrs. Merriman asked, "Do you need anything, dear? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"I'm starving," said Nan.

"What would you like?" asked Mother.

"Anything," said Nan. Mother smiled and went to go fix her something, and William, Ben, and Polly went about their business. That left Felicity and Nan. The two were quiet a moment. Then Nan said, "I can tell, you know."

"Tell what?" asked Felicity.

"That he loves you," said Nan. Felicity turned red. "How?" she asked.

"I just can," said Nan. "It's in his eyes. I saw that smile. And…something else." She grinned impishly.

"Oh Nan!" groaned Felicity. "Really!"

"Relax," said Nan. "I'm just teasing you." Felicity just rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "I rather think him irrelevant at the present," she said. "What we have to focus on now is getting you good and strong again."

"Mother says I can come back into our room in a few days," said Nan, dropping the subject of Ben.

"Good," said Felicity. "Believe it or not, I've missed you taking all the covers at night." Nan smiled.

"And I've missed you talking in your sleep," she said. Her sister frowned. "I do not either!" she argued.

"Yes, you do," said Nan. "A couple weeks ago, you said, 'No, Jean Luc, I can't! I don't want to!" Felicity turned red again. Apparently she did talk in her sleep. "I suppose there are worse things one can do," she said. Nan nodded. "Speaking of which," Felicity continued. "You look tired."

"I am, a little," Nan admitted.

"I'll let you rest," said Felicity. "You need to get your strength back." She turned to leave. Then Nan called, "Lissie?" Felicity turned back around. Nan smiled a little. "Thank you," she said. "For looking after me while I was sick. I didn't think you cared." Felicity smiled back. "You're my sister," she said. "Of course I care. And you're more than welcome."

"I really am grateful," said Nan. "Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

"Never worry me like that again," said Felicity. "We almost lost you, Nan."

"I know," said Nan. "And I'm sorry."

"Tis not your fault," said Felicity. "You just rest now, all right?" Nan nodded and closed her eyes. Felicity covered her with the blanket and went to go do the laundry.

A couple of days later, while changing the sheets, Felicity's mind shifted to Ben's future, of all things. Soon, she thought, he would probably have a store and house of his own. He would need money, and as of right now, he really didn't have much at all, except maybe a small inheritance from a dead uncle. She knew that his father planned to give him his old silver shop that he could turn into his own store, but Ben couldn't stay with his parents forever, and she knew that he would shoot himself before he did that. He needed to be on his own, and he had firmly stated that he was not going to rely on his parents for anything unless it was a life or death situation. But that might be slightly hard to do with very little money. Ben, she had come to realize, was not very good at planning. She looked over at her pocketbook lying on the dressing table. She then had an idea. From under her bed, she pulled out a box with all of the wages she had made in France, not a penny of it spent. All four hundred pounds. "Really," she thought as she carried it out of her room and down the stairs. "What do I need it for?"

A minute later, she knocked on Ben's door. It opened. She held out the box. "Here," she said. He frowned, but took it. His eyes bugged as he opened the lid. "Holy…" he murmured. "Where on earth did you get all this money?"

"France," she answered. "It's my governess money. All four hundred pounds. And I didn't beg, borrow, or steal any of it. Monsieur Beaumont was a very generous employer."

"Why are you showing it to me?" he asked.

"I'm giving it to you," she said simply. His eyes widened.

"You're what now?" he asked. "It sounded like you said you're giving it to me."

"I did," she said. "You need it more than I do." He tried to give it back to her. "I can't accept this, Felicity," he said.

"Yes you can," she said.

"No," he protested. "It's your money; you earned it. And there is no way I'm taking it from you."

"You're not," she said. "I'm giving it to you." He stared down at the box. "How about we split it?" he suggested. "You get half and I get half." She shook her head. "I told you," she said. "I have no use for it, and you do. You're taking all of it even if I have to force you to."

"I'm not going to accept charity," he said firmly. "I don't have much, but I still have my pride."

"It's not charity," she said. "It's a gift from a…friend to a friend." He raised an eyebrow. "That's an awfully big gift, don't you think?"
he asked.

"And what's wrong with that?" she asked. "Please, Ben, why must you be so stubborn about everything?" The corner of his mouth turned up in a small smile. "Now that's the pot calling the kettle black," he said. She rolled her eyes. "Just take it," she said. He shook his head. "I can't," he said, trying to give it back to her again.

"No," she said, backing up, then started to hurry down the ladder. "You'll have to catch me first!" She broke into a run out of the stable, then she heard him call, "Lissie?" She turned and looked up. He smiled a little. "Thank you," he said. "I do appreciate it." She grinned up at him. "Now was that really so hard?" she teased. He frowned. "Don't push it, girlie," he said. She just smiled and rolled her eyes and left the stable.

A week went by, and everyone was in good spirits. The Treaty of Paris had cheered everyone up significantly, Christmas was fast approaching, and Nan was recovering superbly. Soon she was able to sleep in her own bedroom again with her sister, and the two were able to continue with their nightly gossips. Another joy was about to come their way, too. One sunny, crisp day, Felicity was helping at the store (she was really supposed to be ironing, but she bribed Polly to do it for her). She had been dusting one of the shelves when Elizabeth came in. "Elizabeth!" called Felicity happily. She hopped off the ladder and went over to her friend. "Long time no see."

"It was last week," said Elizabeth.

"Just the same," said Felicity. "Anyway, can you believe it? The war has finally ended! And Nan is finally well again!"

"Yes," said Elizabeth a bit absentmindedly. "That's very good." Felicity frowned. "Is everything all right?" she asked. "You seem a bit troubled." Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm not troubled," she said. "But I really need to talk to you about something. Do you have somewhere private we can go?" This sounded important. "Come on," said Felicity. "We can go to my house."

Once in the safety of her bedroom, Felicity closed the door and sat on the bed across from Elizabeth, who paced eagerly. "Now, what is this all about?" she asked. "You seem so anxious."

"I am," said Elizabeth. Felicity's face fell. "Oh no," she said. "What did Caleb do?"

"Nothing," said Elizabeth. Then she thought and said, "Well, I suppose he did do something."

"Does he have another woman?" whispered Felicity. Elizabeth laughed. "Goodness, no!" she said. "Good Lord, Felicity!"

"Are you two having problems?" Felicity guessed again. "It's all right, Elizabeth, all married couples have arguments."

"No," Elizabeth laughed again. "No, Caleb is fine, and so am I."

"Well, then what is it?" asked Felicity. Elizabeth sighed.
"Listen," she said. "I don't really know how to say this, so please don't go hysterical." Felicity frowned. "Why should I go hysterical?" she asked. Elizabeth smiled. "Because," she said simply. "Caleb and I are going to have a baby." Felicity's eyes lit up, and she felt her jaw drop. "Oh! Oh my" she stammered, then her face broke out into a huge smile. "Oh Elizabeth! Really and truly? You're pregnant as we speak?"

"Yes," said Elizabeth with a laugh. "Yes, Felicity, I am pregnant as we speak." Felicity jumped up and hugged her friend tightly. "Oh Lizzy!" she exclaimed. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you," said Elizabeth, hugging her back. Then Felicity stepped back. "So that's why you haven't been feeling well!" she said. "How far along are you?"

"About five or six weeks," said Elizabeth. "It's due in August."

"What are you hoping for?" asked Felicity. "A boy or a girl?"

"Oh, I don't care," said Elizabeth. "As long as it's healthy." Then she grinned a bit sheepishly. "All right, I'm secretly hoping it's a little girl," she confessed. Felicity grinned. "When did you find out?" she asked.

"Just last week," said Elizabeth. "You're the only one I've told besides Caleb. Oh Lissie, you should have seen the look on his face when I told him! He was so pleased!"

"I imagine," said Felicity. "After all, he's going to be a father!"

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" asked Elizabeth.

"Very," agreed Felicity. "Have you thought of any names?"

"Not really," said Elizabeth. "I like Juliet if it's a girl, and I like Jack for a boy."

"Those are nice," agreed Felicity. "But I suppose you've got plenty of time to think about that." Elizabeth nodded. "Eight months seems so long to wait," she said.

"Yes," said Felicity. "But I suppose you need all that time to prepare." Then she smiled again. "Oh Lizzy, I couldn't be happier for you and Caleb, I really couldn't! And I can hardly wait to meet and hold this little baby!"

"Neither can I," said Elizabeth with a grin. "Neither can I."

Between the Treaty of Paris, Nan's recovery, and Elizabeth's baby, life was starting to look up. Soon Christmas Eve rolled around. It started out as they typically do, with last minute preparations and whatnot. It was a busy day of baking and cleaning and callers, but things settled down once evening fell. The snow fell gently, and the church that evening was decorated in all sorts of greenery and lit by candles, giving it a soft and peaceful glow. Felicity felt serene as she sat between Ben and Nan, listening to the gospel of Luke. There was something special about Christmas Eve, an overwhelming sense of holiness that seemed to sweep over the world. It was a still, calm night, one where it seemed everyone stopped their own lives and problems and came together as one to worship Christ. Christmas Day was more of a day of celebration, but there was a certain magic about the night before, a timelessness about it. She glanced at Ben. His face was solemn, yet there was a holiness about it, as if he were in some sort of trance. Remembering, maybe. She looked at Nan, and her countenance was similar. She closed her eyes. "Thank you, Lord," she prayed silently. "For this holy night."

The service continued , and at the end the organ started to play "O Come All Ye Faithful". Everyone rose, and a second later the air was filled with voices, some beautiful and others off key, but to Felicity, it sounded like angels. To her left, Nan's sweet soprano mixed with Ben's quiet tenor to her right. She glanced at him and smiled to herself. He actually had a very nice voice. "Yea, Lord we greet thee," she sang with everyone else. "Born this happy morning, Jesus to thee be glory given." She felt Ben's hand grasp her own. She glanced up at him, and he at her, his face still solemn. She squeezed his hand in response and looked forward. "Word of the Father," everyone continued, though the only one she heard was him. "Now in flesh appearing. O come let us adore Him." His eyes locked with hers. "O come let us adore Him." There was something about his eyes, a certain, tender look in them. "O come let us adore Him, Christ The Lord," everyone finished. Ben and Felicity gazed at each other for a split second, and in that time, she honestly couldn't see anyone else. He seemed to have a heavenly aura about him, his face illuminated by candlelight, his eyes trying to tell her something, though she still couldn't figure out what. Then the organ started to play a more upbeat, lighthearted tune, and everyone gathered their belongings. Ben dropped her hand, and the spell was broken. She absentmindedly followed Nan out of the pew. She shook her head. What had just happened? It had almost seemed as if time itself had stopped just for a split second. She glanced at Ben behind her. He still had a serene look about him. She turned back around. He hadn't been just the apprentice. He hadn't been just Ben. In that split second, he had been an angel.

After church, everyone stood around and mingled. Felicity and Elizabeth whispered about the coming baby and gossiped about who was having an affair with who, then Felicity and her mother listened to Mrs. Fitchett complain about prices of this, that, and the other thing and then remark on how lovely Felicity had gotten and how grown up she was. While it made her blush, it was nice to know people who had watched you grow up. Finally, they made it home. It was late when they got there. Ben said good night and went to bed, and Mother sent the children up to bed. "Oh dear," she said as she was about to go tuck in Polly. "I forgot to give Ben his laundry."
"I'll run it up to him," Felicity volunteered. Her mother smiled. "Thank you, dear," she said.

Felicity knocked on his door a moment later, the laundry basket under one arm. He opened it. "Got yer laundry for ya, sir," she drawled. He grinned. "Thank ya kindly, ma'am," he drawled back.

"Here," she offered. "I'll help you put it away." He closed the door behind her. He had changed out of his church clothes into a simple shirt and breeches. His casual attire made her feel at ease in spite of the fact that she was still in her own church clothes. She folded a few of his shirts and put them in the dresser. He did likewise. They worked in silence for several minutes. Then Felicity said, "Your last Christmas with us."

"What makes you say that?" he asked.

"Do you keep forgetting?" she asked. "You're leaving for Yorktown in February. And as far as holidays are concerned, I'm sure you'll want to spend them with your parents."

"Well, probably," he admitted. "That doesn't mean I'll never come back here, though."

"I know," she said. "But it won't be the same." She closed the drawer and sighed. "You are our family, Ben," she said. "You've always had a special place in my heart."

"And you've had in mine," he said. "As a sister and friend, though the latter was after you grew up some. And now…well, you probably have the most special place now."

She smiled a little. "I remember I didn't really like you when I first met you," she said. "I thought you were stuck-up and arrogant, when really, you were just shy." He started to uncover the bed. "I think I've always been, a little," he said. He pulled back the sheets and looked up at her. "But you," he said. "You brought a lot of things out of me that I didn't know existed." He then smiled a little. "And what have I taught you in return? How to swim and whistle and spit. Very ladylike, no?"

"You've taught me much more than that," she said softly. "Much more." Then she said, "I haven't been very fair to you, Ben, and I'm sorry. I think you had every right in the world to be cold and bitter about love as well as…well, life itself."

"Nan said to plead insanity," he said with a wry smile. "That's not far from the truth, either."

"I think that the war drove everyone insane to some extent," she said. "Especially soldiers like you."

"That was no excuse to take it out on you, though," he said. "I'm the one who hasn't been very fair, Lissie. And I'm sorry." He unfolded the quilt and spread it across the bed. Then he said, "You helped, though. You've always helped me whenever I was hurt or unhappy, and I've always tried to do the same for you. I'm forever grateful to you for that. I think-I think you saved me, in every way a person can be saved."

"And you did me," she said. The two were silent a moment. Then she said, "You know what's funny? Late one night when I was in France, I could have sworn I heard your voice. I could distinctly hear you calling my name and saying that you loved me." He frowned.

"That's odd," he remarked.

"I know," she agreed. "I must have been going crazy."

"No, not that," he said. "I mean, I thought I heard you saying the same thing. Then I said your name and that I loved you." She frowned. "What day was it?" she asked.

"September eighth, I think," he said. She looked at him. "Is it not more than a coincidence that we both heard the same thing at the same time, though thousands of miles apart?" she asked.

"Tis definitely more than a coincidence," he agreed. "Tis almost spooky. But I guess it's just one of those funny mysteries of the world." She just nodded, thinking it a bit deeper than just a mystery. They were quiet again. Then he asked, "Do you know what your name means?"

"Happiness, I think," she answered.

"Not just happiness," he said. "'Felicity' means intense happiness. And you know what?"

"What?"

"You are my felicity. In more ways than one." She looked at him and smiled. "I am your intense happiness?" she asked.

He nodded. "Aye."

"I think that is the kindest thing you have ever said to me," she said, leaning in to kiss him. Their lips met for a second, then drew apart. "You don't care that I'm poor?" he asked. She shook her head. "Not at all," she said.

"And you don't mind that I don't have much to give you?"

She shook her head again. "I'd much rather have a man's love than his money," she said. She felt his hand caress hers. "Oh, Lissie," he sighed. "I really don't want to go to Yorktown, not without you by my side. I can't. You only get one shot at life, and I'd rather go through it with you than without you. I love you too much not to."

"And I love you," she said. "You know that." He nodded, then hugged her tightly. She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes, feeling safe and peaceful in his warm embrace. She could feel his hand on her waist. She felt the buttons of his shirt press into her breast. Gently, she kissed his shoulder. "Will you marry me?" he whispered in her ear. In this kind of situation, some girls would cry out of happiness. Others would make a face and say no. Some would faint in his arms. Others would jump up and down like a little girl squealing, "Yes yes yes!" Felicity did none of these. She just nodded against his neck. "Yes," she whispered back. He let her go and looked at her. She smiled a little. "Yes," she repeated. "Yes, Ben Davidson, I will marry you." A beautiful smile lit up his face, and he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her fervently. She pressed herself even closer to him and held him tightly as the two kissed each other with every bit of passion they possessed. The fanciest ball gown, the sweetest cake, nor all the Jean Lucs in the world could have been sweeter than his kiss. His lips were chapped from the cold, but still so soft, his body so warm. She felt his fingers in her hair, his other hand on the small of her back. Finally, he kissed her one last time and drew away. His fingers locked with hers, and he brought her hand to his chest. "I-I'm not quite sure what to say," he stammered.

"Me either," she agreed. He reached out and stroked her hair lovingly, then kissed her again. Then he said, "I have something for you." He let go of her hand and fished around in one of the drawers until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out a ring and slid it on her finger. It fit perfectly.

"It's beautiful," she said softly. It was gold and had a diamond in the middle, with two twin opals on either side of it. "It was my great-grandmother's," he said. "She gave it to my mother, who gave it to me saying that it 'might come in handy one day'." He smiled a little. "I didn't believe her at the time."

"I suppose mothers do know best," she said. Then she sighed contently. "Oh, Ben," she said. "Married? To live together and take care of each other and have a family together and grow old together?"

"Unless you come to your senses and back out," he said half-jokingly.

"If I did that," she said. "I would have lost my senses, not found them."

"Well, I'm glad," he said with a small laugh, embracing her again. "And yes. Yes, we will." She lay her head on his shoulder and watched the snow fall outside. Perhaps Christmas really was the time for miracles. "Are you happy?" Ben asked quietly. She nodded. "Very," she answered. "Are you?"

"More so than I've been in a long time," he said. He closed his eyes and lay his cheek against hers. "Oh Lissie…" He held her a while. Then they drew apart. "Well," said Felicity. "I suppose we're going to have to start planning a wedding, aren't we?"

"Let's give it a while," he said. "After I get settled and we make some plans. For now, let's just enjoy our engagement." She smiled a little and nodded. Engagement. It was a big word, one that she had never expected to share with him. "Well," she said. "I'm glad we finally have reached an understanding." He nodded. "I am too," he agreed. "I am too." She took his hand and brought it to her lips. "And now, my darling, I should say good night before my parents start to wonder what happened to me." His face fell. "Wilt thou be gone so soon?" he asked. "Stay but little. Thou needs't not be gone yet." She smiled at his choice of words. "I would stay with thee all night if it would not ruin our honor," she said softly, kissing him once more. "But it grows late, and I should say good night."

"I suppose," he said with a sigh. "Good night."

"Good night," she said. They kissed one last time, then she left. Once she had closed the door, she paused a moment. He had really just asked her to marry him. To be his wife. She shook her head. It was almost too good to fathom, and it seemed like a dream. Then she frowned. She opened the door again. Ben was standing in front of the window, gazing out if it. He looked surprised when he saw her. "Lissie?" he asked. "What's the matter?" She smiled. "I forgot the laundry basket."

She walked quickly into the dark kitchen, a smile on her face as the realization that she and Ben were getting married really started to sink in. "Miss Felicity?" asked Rose, who had just been leaving. "Are you all right?" Felicity turned to her. "Oh Rose!" she laughed. "I am more than all right. In fact, I am better than I have been in a long time!" Rose studied her, then grinned. "By the way your cheeks are pink and your eyes sparkling," she said. "I do believe that you've been kissed, child."

"Not just kissed, Rose," said Felicity. "But to be married as well." Rose's eyes widened, and her hand flew to her mouth. "Is it- is it Mr. Davidson?" she whispered. Felicity nodded. Rose's face broke out into a huge smile. "Oh Lord!" she exclaimed. "Oh child! Oh, married! Why, just yesterday you were a little toddler with strawberry preserves on your lips! And now you have something much sweeter upon them." Felicity blushed. "Oh, Rose," she said.

"Well," said Rose. "I suppose I should congratulate you, Miss Felicity, and pray for our Mr. Davidson. Lord knows he'll need it." Then she smiled. "And Lord knows that he shall give you many a happy night at the end of happy days." Felicity's eyes widened. "Rose!" she said. "I pray thee, hold thy tongue!" Rose laughed. "Go, girl," she said. "Be happy. Now you had better get to bed before you seek such happy nights before their time." Felicity just rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Where have you been?" asked Nan when Felicity got upstairs. Felicity sat down at the dressing table and started to take her hair down. "I was just giving Ben his laundry," she said. Nan raised an eyebrow. "I hardly think it takes someone fifteen minutes to give someone else their laundry," she said.

"Fine," said Felicity. "We just started talking and lost track of time." Nan still looked skeptical. "Just talking?" she asked.

"Just talking," said Felicity.

"Are you sure you-" started Nan, then lowered her voice. "Didn't use your lips for something else?" Felicity whirled around to look at her. "Maybe we did and maybe we didn't," she said. "Besides, tis none of your business."

"It is so my business," said Nan. "I am your sister. I-" she paused and grabbed Felicity's hand. "What is this?" She looked up at her sister. "Felicity? Is this…?" Felicity stood up and closed the door. Then she faced her sister seriously. She sighed and closed her eyes. "Nan," she said. "Ben asked me to marry him." Nan's eyes widened. "Oh God," she murmured. "Oh my…what did you say?"

"I told him yes," said Felicity. "And so…"

"Have you told Mother and Father yet?" asked Nan.

"Not yet," said Felicity. "I will tomorrow. But please, Nan, don't tell anyone. I'd like to keep this to ourselves for a bit."

"I shan't tell a soul," Nan promised. Then she smiled. "Oh Felicity. You! Ben! Married! I can't believe it!"

"Neither can I," Felicity agreed. "I'm afraid I'm going to wake up tomorrow and it will all have been just a wonderful dream."

"Tis not a dream," said Nan. "Oh Lissie, you are so lucky!" Felicity smiled a little. "I guess I am," she said. "In this case, at least." Nan crawled into bed. "Well, congratulations," she said. "To the both of you."

"Thank you," said Felicity softly. As she blew out the candle and crawled in bed next to her, she thought of what had just happened a mere ten minutes ago. In a matter of months, Ben would be her husband, and she would be his wife. He would become her most trusted confidante, and she would be his. Everything that was his would be hers, and everything that was hers would be his. He would be expected to provide for her, and she would be expected to care for him. She looked down at her finger and gently touched her engagement ring. It was pretty, and it served as a tangible promise, though she knew that neither one of them would break it. "I really am lucky," she thought, drifting into a happy sleep. "I am the luckiest girl in Williamsburg tonight…"

The next morning, cannons fired to mark Christmas Day. Felicity, however, woke up to Polly running through the hallway shouting, "Wake up! Wake up! It's Christmas!" They went to church again that morning, then had a big dinner that evening with friends and neighbors. Throughout the day, Felicity didn't see too much of Ben, only enough time for a smile and a soft "merry Christmas". It was that evening that they broke the news. The dinner guests had all left, and the family now sat in the parlor. William was sprawled on the floor, complaining that he had eaten too much, and Polly played with her new doll by the fire. Felicity sat between her mother and Nan, working on her needlepoint. Father and Ben sat in the two armchairs next to fire, Father smoking his pipe and Ben absentmindedly toying with a loose thread on his breeches. "Another lovely Christmas," remarked Father. "You've really outdone yourself this year, my dear." Mrs. Merriman smiled. "Oh, Edward, you say that every year." she said.

"Because it gets better and better every year," he said with a smile. "Starting from the year we were first married and you burnt the turkey." Everyone else laughed, and Mother rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You didn't seem to mind too much," she said. "You managed to stuff yourself with apple pie instead, if my memory serves me correctly."

"So I did," he laughed. "The first Christmas is not always perfect, but it is certainly one of the best ones of a young couple's life."

"To be young and innocent," mused Mrs. Merriman. "I remember that giddy feeling of young love between newlyweds."

"Where one's spouse can do no wrong," said Father.

"No wonder the first children come shortly after the wedding," said William. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman just rolled their eyes, and Nan kicked William's foot.

"I think I would want to wait at least a year until I had our first baby," said Felicity subtly. "In order to get settled and have the first year or so to ourselves." She looked at Ben, hoping he would get the hint at what she was trying to say. "Wouldn't you, Ben?" He caught on. "At least a year," he agreed. "Hopefully. But-" he paused and glanced at Mother and Father, then back at Felicity. "I suppose we don't have to think about that for a little while, do we?"

"Not for a while," she said. She saw her parents glance at each other, then back at Ben and her curiously. "Why…would you be thinking about children, may one ask?" asked Mr. Merriman almost knowingly. Felicity looked at Ben. "Because," she said, her hands becoming clammy as she prepared to tell her family some of the biggest news she would ever tell them. "Because…well, we- we- I mean- well-" Ben came to her rescue. "What she means," he said calmly. "Is if she will be a child's mother, then I will be the child's father. Down the road in, if all goes well, another year and a half or so. If we're lucky." For a second, the parlor was as silent as a tomb. The only sound was the pop of Nan's needle through her stitching and the crackle of the fire. "Oh dear," thought Felicity. "This was a bad idea." Mother's face then softened. "Oh my," she finally said. "Oh Lissie! Oh Ben, really?"

"Yes ma'am," he answered quietly. "I asked her last night."

"And I accepted his suit," added Felicity.

"And then she told me," put in Nan.

"And he asked for my permission last week," said Father. Felicity looked at Ben. "You did?" she asked. He nodded. "I was waiting for the right time," he said. Mrs. Merriman looked at her husband. "You knew about this?" she asked.

"I knew it would happen eventually," said Father with a smile. "But I had no idea when he was going to do it. I thought it would take him longer than a week."

"I guess the opportunity just fell in my lap," said Ben. Mrs. Merriman smiled. "Well, it doesn't matter when it happened," she said. "I couldn't be happier for you two! Oh Ben, you really will be our son now."

"Yes ma'am," he said again. William looked up. "Wait, what?" he asked. Nan regarded him as if he were an idiot. "Will," she said. "Don't you see it? Ben asked Lissie to marry him, and she said yes." William's eyes grew wide, and he looked up at Ben, amazed. "Really?" he asked. "Married?"

"Married," said both Ben and Felicity.

"Husband and wife?"

"Husband," said Ben.

"And wife," finished Felicity. Nan grinned. "And they can already finish each other's sentences," she said. Mr. Merriman looked at his wife and smiled. "Tis fate, Martha," he said. She smiled back. "Indeed, I believe it is," she agreed. Then Polly, who had been unusually quiet, looked up and said, "So Ben will really be part of our family now."

"That's right, Polly," said Ben. "I'll be your brother-in-law."
Mother smiled kindly. "You've always been a part of our family," she said. "Only now, it will be official." Then Felicity frowned. "Polly," she said. "That was the first time you called him 'Ben' and not 'Mr. Davidson'." Polly blushed, and everyone laughed. "I don't think I should call my brother-in-law 'Mr'," she said. "T'would be like calling William 'Mr. Merriman'." Ben laughed and lifted her into his lap, and she hugged him. Felicity smiled. Polly had certainly accepted him quickly. The room then erupted in happy chatter. Congratulations were said for the happy couple. Mr. Merriman shook Ben's hand heartily, and Mrs. Merriman hugged and kissed him as well as Felicity, which made him blush a little. Then the questions commenced, such as, "Do your parents know?"
"Have you thought of any dates for the wedding?" and "Do you still plan to live in Yorktown?" Ben's answers were "No", "Not yet," and "Yes, if she doesn't mind."

"Well," said Father. "I personally think this calls for a toast. Why don't we open some of that wine Felicity brought back from France?"

"Father, that isn't really necessary," said Felicity.

"Nonsense," he scoffed. "We have our first engagement here; I think that calls for a bit of celebration."

"Just please, no engagement parties or anything," pleaded Ben.

"And no huge wedding," added Felicity. "We'd like to keep this as simple as possible."

"Very well," agreed Father. "But that doesn't mean we can't have a small toast right now."

"Very well," Felicity agreed with a smile. After Mother and Father left, William remarked, "Well, it sure was a long time in coming."

"What do you mean?" asked Ben.

"Exactly that," said William. "Ever since you came home and she wouldn't take her eyes off of you."

"And then all of that tension and frustration that followed," added Nan. "Why, one could almost reach out and grab it!"

"He wouldn't stop talking about her the whole time she was in France," said Polly. "He was always worrying that she wouldn't come back."

"I did not," Ben argued.

"Yes," said William with a grin. "You did so."

"Then she came back and you were fine," said Nan. "And both of you always seemed to be actually…happy."

"Until you got sick," added Polly. "But then you got better."

"And now…" said William. "After this sexual tension that had been going on for years* now-" Ben let out a soft groan, and Felicity sighed. "William…" she said. He just shrugged. "I'm just stating the facts," he said.

"Well, it doesn't matter anymore," said Nan. "The important thing is that it's all resolved now." Ben looked up and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Nan," he said. Felicity glanced at him and smiled. Six months with Jean Luc had been très bien, très bien indeed. But the rest of her life with Ben by her side would be fantastique, merveilleux, and everything else that was good, in every language of the world.