Sorry for the wait! I have some severe family emergency issues going on and the last minute school preparations ever looming in front of me. Prayers for my Grandma who is in the hospital before reviews!

Ben POV

It was almost dusk. As the sun was disappearing I saw a man walk towards the pasture. He wore an expression of longing and hopefulness. Up ahead was a silhouette of a young girl- a lady actually. As he drew closer I saw that it was Felicity. She was feeding Penny a carrot when she heard the crunch of footsteps. Turning she saw him and smiled her perfect smile. He wasted no time and lowered himself on one knee.
"Felicity, ever since I set eyes on you I was quite smitten. Spending time with you has always brightened my day and I have grown fond of your loving, caring, spunky personality. I don't see myself living without you. Felicity Merriman, will you marry me?"

Her radiant smile did not diminish as she answered without hesitation, "Yes, John."

"Ahhh!" I yelled sitting up in my bed. I glanced around me. I'm in my room. 'Twas just a dream, Ben. 'Twas just a dream. I groaned inwardly and lay back down. My thoughts kept racing back to my dream as I tried to block it out of my memory.

It couldn't happen could it? I wondered. Felicity certainly wouldn't marry him, or would she?

The mind is a strange thing, Ben. Love is even stranger. I know deep in my heart why I have waited this long to confront Felicity about our love for each other. It is simply because of two reasons. One, I didn't want to get rejected. The other reason is I didn't want to force her into loving me. She probably doesn't remember all that we did together. Her last memory of her and I's was probably the first few months of my apprenticeship. Or maybe when I first met her. I recall it quite well...

1774

Felicity was nine tears old when I first met her. I, Ben Davidson, had left my home in Yorktown for what I called "noble" pursuits. I found myself in the middle of Williamsburg with exactly a dollar to my name, the clothes on my back, and my whistle my Pa gave me on my tenth birthday.
I was standing in front of the Mercantile when a she bounced out. Her red hair was what really caught my attention. I still remember Felicity kept on swinging her bonnet around and around as her mother tried to catch her and hold her hand. It was nearly what I would reckon just about suppertime so the streets were nearly cleared. "Look at the poor little boy!" I heard her say- indicating with her eyes towards me.
Her mother glanced my way and mumbled something to her as she successfully caught hold of her hand and lead her away. I admit my ears turned a bit red at being called "little" since I was nearly 16 years old. As Felicity skipped off her bonnet twirled around and around in her hand. An evening summer breeze came by and flew it behind her. Towards me, of course.
I bent down and picked it up. Felicity was at my side in a moment.
"Um, yours I believe," I said offering her bonnet. I had to look down at this red headed ball of energy since I stood a good head over her.
"Thank you," she said with a slight bob.
"Thank you," came a voice behind the girl and I looked up to find her Mother.
"No problem, Mam," I half mumbled. I stared at the ground for what seemed like a minute and when I looked up to find Felicity complaining the bonnet was "too tight."
"Come along, we don't want to be late for supper," her mother whispered back.
"Should we invite him to come and eat with us?" She had asked loudly enough for me to hear.
Her mother colored slightly aware I had heard since I was still standing there. "Good idea, um..." Her mother started looking at me.
"Benjamin Davidson, Mam," I clarified.
"Mr. Davidson, would you care to join us for supper. It will only be a small meal but you are more than welcome to join us. I'm Mrs. Merriman. And this is," she turned towards the red headed girl at her side, "Felicity."
"Hello, Ben." Felicity started before her mother whispered, "Mr. Davidson."
"Mr. Davidson, Tis nice to meet you," Felicity said with another bob.
"And you Miss Felicity. Mrs. Merriman, Mam. I would love to." I said.

We started down the road when Felicity chirped, "Is it okay if I call you Ben? You don't really look like a Mr. Davidson to me."
I glanced at Mrs. Merriman who grew three shades of red before answering, "My family calls me Ben. It's nice to be reminded of home so, I don't mind."
"Ben... I love horses..." Felicity started to talk and talk. It was what some might say "too much" but it was actually nice to hear her go on and on. I imputed a few things when she directed a question towards me but otherwise I was quiet. After a few squeezes on Felicity's hand, Mrs. Merriman seemed to lose hope in quieting her.
I had found out much that day. She loved horses, sometimes liked walking and collecting flowers, catching the frogs by the creek, and her Father owned the Mercantile.
Suppertime was really uneventful. The Merriman family had found out I was from Yorktown and had a Pa, Mother, and sister there. Felicity had pried out these questions mostly. It wasn't until the last bowl of stew that things started rolling.
"So, Benjamin, how old are you?" Mr. Merriman asked.
"Almost 16 sir." I had responded.
"And what brings you to Williamsburg?" He continued to ask.
"Um, I was thinking I could try and apprentice in the capital of the colonies." I said.
"Wouldn't anyone apprentice you in Yorktown?" Asked Felicity setting her spoon down.
"Felicity!" Gasped Mrs. Merriman.
"It's okay Mam, I will answer that. Yorktown is a wonderful city. I just wanted to see the world and try my prospects elsewhere. But I guess I didn't answer your question. You see, my Father wanted me to be a carpenter. He had an apprenticeship all set up but refused it wanting to pursue an apprenticeship in a mercantile." I directed this all towards Felicity and was actually surprised when Mr. Merriman said, "Well, I'm actually looking for an apprentice around your age."
"Sir, I forgot you owned a mercantile. I didn't mean to..." I started.
"No worries, I want to give you a try." Mr. Merriman said.
" Do you have a place to sleep?" Mrs. Merriman asked.
"No Mam," I had answered truthfully.
"We have a place in the barn. It's in the loft. It's not much but it's all that we can offer." Mrs. Merriman offered.
"If it isn't to much trouble, Mam." I said.
With a "Not at all," it was settled.

I broke myself out of my trance with laughter. I couldn't help but chuckle at Felicity's frank attitude that evening. Oh, the memories of past times with her. How she stole my breeches to visit Penny! How I defended her against Nye! How I ran away and Felicity had helped me with my wounds. How she made me see how my impatience lead me to dishonoring my commitment. How her words lead me back to the Merrimans. And how her letters brought me encouragement and a smile while I was in the war.

Ah! She was in much of my past. And I wanted her to be in my future too... Letters!
For a strange second my mind rewinded to my previous thought and another thought sprang up. What if I left my letters out for Felicity to read? Better yet, her letters? Now...where did she find out about them?
Her room was the only place I could find in my mind. And with that I drifted off to sleep.

In the morning I bumped into Mr. Merriman and asked if I could move back out to the loft in the barn. I started to explain my actions saying, "I shouldn't be spoiled by sleeping in a bed if I'm returning to the battle field."
"Speaking of which," started Mr. Merriman, "When do you plan on leaving?"
"They leave in two or more weeks and I shall accompany them. They are joining Washington's ranks." I explained.

"I see. Well I'm glad you will finally see Washington and of course you can have your old spot in the barn. Felicity used it quite a bit while you were gone. In fact there's a new cot up there so I'd say it is still in good enough shape."

"Thank you sir."

And so with that Felicity and William joined us and Mr. Merriman and I headed out towards town. I left towards the militia campgrounds and trained with the men for half of the day. I made a few trays of bullets and cleaned the equipment as well. They told me I did, "more than enough" and that I should go.

It was mid afternoon. I didn't feel like seeing John today so I skipped the option of offering my help at the Mercantile. After thinking of last night I found my way into Felicity's room. It was terribly rude of me, I know, but I wanted to find the evidence of her love.
I started by looking under her bed.
Nothing.
I looked in her closet.
Nothing
On top of her vanity.
Nothing that resembled a journal or writing box.
I pulled open the first drawer.
Nothing but, a comb and brush.
I pulled open the second drawer.
Nothing but hair accessories.
I pulled open the third drawer.
Missing. But there are some papers there. I pulled them out. They were recollections of past days.
I was about to retreat when I saw her nightstand.
I pulled it open and there was her writing box. I opened it. Only a sheet loose leaf paper and a quill.

I darted out out the room deciding I should go and find some help.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Timing for this story is so messed up compared to the books and I don't have time to do the math. Sorry!