*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.

August 1882-Third Birthdays

Jessa POV:

Something happened last month when Shaw took Mary to Granny Delize's in Tazewell, but he didn't tell me what happened. I knew something happened by how unusually quiet and stoic he was whenever he got home. Also, he had Endor with him at all times (as if his life and sanity depended on him being attached to his hip) and barely even let me tend to our son. When I asked, he just shrugged off my concern with a generic answer of 'Nothin' happened, babe. It was just hard to send her away'. I knew him like the back of my hand by now; I knew it wasn't 'nothing', but he just said so cause he didn't want to talk about it.

The weeks seemed to fly by and the 4th of July incident began a thing of the past. Devil Anse had taken Shaw off of his furlough, allowing him to work at the lumber mill again. I was thankful for that since having my husband home 24/7 was starting to grate on my nerves. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, but I'd rather him be working then be at home grumping cause he can't work. Shaw was the type of man wired to work and provide for his family; when he wasn't able to do that, he was a bit miserable.

Todd was doing great working at the livery. Even tho he was a young teenager; he had a good head for business. The livery was thriving under his management. Everyone on both sides of the Tug valued and used our family's business.

The kids were growing like little weeds. All of them have gotten so big in the last few weeks. Endor was speedily crawling around along with pulling himself up to stand by using the edges of chairs, the sofa, and the coffee table. Lydia was beginning to form better sentences and her hair was growing longer and curlier by the day. My oldest child, Silas, was now a little chatter box. He was getting taller too. His golden-brown hair framed his ears; my boy was the spitting image of his daddy.

In fact, today was Silas' third birthday. Oh my god, I just can't believe that 3-years-ago today I had my boy via a very traumatic and crude c-section. I loved my son and was thankful that his birth was a success for both of us considering the time we lived in.

Of course, we were throwing a birthday party for Silas today. Even tho Shaw was back to work at the saw mill, he still wasn't very high on the family totem pole so he didn't invite too many people over for our son's party. He only invited a handful of guests. When I say a handful, I mean I can count them on one hand.

"How's the cake comin' along?" Shaw asked me, coming up to my side in the kitchen with Endor balanced on his hip.

"It's coming along pretty good. I'm just starting to frost it now."

"Well, Sully's outside boring the kids to death with some bullshit fabe stories so I figured I'd pop in here and check up on your progress with the birthday cake."

"Of course." I shook my head, a tiny smirk on my lips as I smoothed some frosting onto the side of the cake's first layer. "What's Uncle Jim doing then?" I asked, dipping the frosting knife into the bowl fu of the sweet buttercream frosting.

"Trying to lecture me 'bout my dinkin'." He honestly told me in a flat sigh while bouncing our son up and down on his hip, making the litte boy smile and giggle.

"Ah, now I see why you're so interested in how the cake's coming along." I dryly remarked as I continued to frost the cake. "You'd rather check up on me then hear the truth from your uncle."

"Jessa, don't start with me today. Please, not on our son's birthday." My husband pleaded, giving me a puppy-dog eyed look.

"I'm not starting anything with you, Shaw." I assured him as I finished frosting the sides of the cake.

"Yes, you were." He retorted as I dipped my knife into the buttercream bowl.

"Honey, what's wrong?" I asked, concern thick in my voice, as I began to frost the top of the yellow cake. "You've been edgy ever since your trip to Tazewell last month."

"Nothing's wrong, babe." Shaw firmly denied as I finished the top coat of frosting.

"Really?" I asked skeptically, placing the frosting knife into the empty buttercream bowl. Crossing my arms over my chest, I sighed, "I'm worried about you, Shaw. Your drinking's gotten a bit heavy since dropping Mary off at Granny Delize's."

"We'll talk about it later, after the party." Shaw pressed a kiss to my cheek. "Okay?" He asked, his honey eyes searching mine for acceptance.

"Okay." I relented, my lips turning up into a soft lined smile.

Before my husband could utter a reply or give me another kiss, the front door squeaked open. "Uncle Jim said you were inside fixin' up the cake." Rang out Roseanna's sweet bell-like voice as she stepped inside.

Stepping away from my husband, I smiled and headed over towards my friend while telling her, "I just finished it up." Stopping in from of her, I suggested, "How 'bout we talk a bit and catch up over a nice cold glass of sweet tea."

"I'll be outside with everyone else." Shaw told us before going over to the back door. Before opening it, he loosely waved towards a corner filled with presents and told our blonde cousin-in-law, "Place Silas' gift in the pile with the others." Without another word, my husband opened up the back door and exited the house.

"He seems on edge today, Jessa." Roseanna told me while going over to the present corner.

"He's been on edge ever since he came back from taking Mary to Tazewell." I honestly told my dear friend as she placed Silas' gift in the small corner pile full of various sized packages.

"Oh…" She awkwardly trailed off. Silence filled the air between us as I led her into the kitchen. "Well, I'm sorry that my brother's pursuit of Mary's friendship has effect Shaw so poorly." Roseanna told me, taking a seat while I grabbed some glasses from the counter. "Billy's a good boy, he'd never harm nor hurt her. Surely if your husband would've asked me 'bout him I could've told him so." She went on to say as I poured us some sweet tea and brought it over to the table.

Handing the blonde her tea, I took a seat at the table and honestly sighed, "Roseanna, this is hard for me to tell you this, but I was also dead set against Mary and Billy's friendship." Her blue eyes turned into wide saucers and her breath hitch, revealing that my admission shocked her. I took a sip of tea tea before telling her, "I don't doubt that Billy's a nice boy, but after everything I've been thru with Tolbert, I just couldn't condone her Mary being friends with him."

"Ya should've had me talk to her instead of lettin' Shaw send her off. Mary's prolly heartsick over bein' throwed out."

"Roseanna, Shaw couldn't handle Mary's disrespectful attitude anymore and honestly I couldn't either. We did what we thought was the best for her."

"Billy's a lot like Tolbert was, if he wants to continue his friendship with Mary there's no stoppin' him." Roseanna bluntly told me, taking me aback since I've never known her to be so blunt before.

Jim POV:

"Got a letter the other day from my mama." I told Shaw as we rocked on the porch, watchin' the youngin's play. Well, the older ones were playin' Duck, Duck, Goose wit' Sully while Johnse was wit' the babies lettin' 'em crawl an' jump all over him.

"Oh, really?" His brow arched as he tipped back his flask. Bringin' his arm down on the armrest an' clinkin' the flask in his hand 'gainst it, he turned to me and asked, "What'd it say?"

Givin' him a hard look, I flat out told my nephew, "That your sister's face healed, but wit' some blemishes, from the scaldin' hot coffee ya threw in her face few weeks 'go.", 'fore knockin' back my own flask.

"Jim…" Shaw heaved out in a deep sigh. He ran a hand thru his hair while tellin' me, "I swear, it was an accident." Shakin' his head, he went on to say, "One second I'm holdin' my coffee and listenin' to my sister insult my wife and the next I'm flingin' my cup at her."

"Hell, if ya react that badly to your own sister talkin' shit 'bout your wife then I'd hate t'see how you're gonna react to regular ol' folks at the Election Day once they ya how much of a stark contrast there is 'tween ya an' your youngest boy."

"I reckon you can imagine how I'll act if something's said since you'd act the same way." Shaw told me as we tipped back our flasks. Tiltin' his head and pointin' his flask at me, he kowningly chuckled, "Hell, like me, you'd be madder than a ragin' bull if anyone disrespected and slandered your wife."

"You're right 'bout that son." I nodded. Givin' him a stern look, went on t'say, "Tho, throwin' hot coffee in your sister's face is intolerable. 'Specially with how ya'll used t'get beat real bad by Peter."

Shaw's head spun 'round so fast I thought it was gonna come clean off. A deep scowl crossed his face as he barked out, "Don't ya dare bring my father up today. I don't care if you do it any other time, but not on my son's birthday, Jim."

Reckon Peter Eldridge is always gonna be the demon that haunts Shaw. I should've killed that man an' took the boy myself, but I didn't cause Anse and everyone else in the family didn't want me gettin' involved. 'Specially after I killed Harmon McCoy over insultin' me and my dog years 'fore. I let that boy down, but s'pose the entire family did in one way or another.

The door front door opened up an' Jessa walked out onto the porch wit' Roseanna followin' 'hind her. Jessa walked over to Shaw's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. When he looked up at her, a smile spread over his face. That girl truly was his sunshine; always brings him outta whatever mental hell he's in. She smiled right back at 'im and said, "I think it's time to let Silas open his gifts and have his birthday cake."

Roseanna just stood off to the side, watchin' and observin' my nephew an' his wife. It was clear by the look in her eye that she didn't trust Shaw. She might be kind t'him, but she sure as hell didn't trust him no mores, the leeriness in her eyes said as much. Wonder if Johnse knows this or not.

"I think so too, baby." Shaw agreed, giving his wife's hand a pat 'fore standin' up. Clearin' his throat, he loudly announced, "It's time for presents and cake!" Lookin' over his shoulder at Jessa, he told her, "I'll get Endor."

"No, Shaw, you get the birthday boy and I'll get him." Jessa retorted 'fore walkin' by him and down the porch steps.

Roseanna didn't say a word, just followed Jessa down the porch. The two women went over to Johnse, who was carryin' Sarah Elizabeth on one hip an' Endor on the other. Shaw just stood by the porch post, waitin' for his eldest t'run on over to him.

"Well, I'm goin' on inside." I announced, more so to myself then to my nephew, as I stood up from the rocker. As I walked over to the door, Silas ran up the porch steps an' over to Shaw while askin' excitedly, "Daddy, do I got a lotta presents?"

"Oh, boy, buddy, do you ever." Shaw smiled brightly as he scooped up his son.

I just chuckled and walked inside. I needed to make sure I claimed an armchair cause I wasn't gonna be stuck standin' 'round while watchin' a boy open up his gifts. Half of which are just a bunch of toys he's prolly already got.

Allie POV:

Today felt a bit hot for an August day. So much so, that I've taken to guzzling down glass after glass of lemonade in order to cool myself off with. Today was also Captain W.'s third birthday, so the crowd in Vera and Skunk Hair's house for the party wasn't helping with me feeling a bit overheated. Everyone that was connected to the Hatfields were at the Wallace house for my son's birthday party.

To my shock, Shaw had brought his family (Jessa, Todd, and the kids) to the party. I knew that Cap had invited them, but I wasn't expecting them to come. Well, not with all of the gossip about their family drama. Gossip that was very juicy, but jaw dropping since it seems that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree when it comes to Shaw and his late step-father, Peter.

Since the party was so crowded people just tended to come and go out of the house while kids of all ages ran around happily laughing and playing. Most of the men were gathered around in randomly outside on the porch, bullshittin' and drinkin'. Us women were congregating both inside and outside in little groups. My group was made up of me, Vera, Roseanna, and Jessa (surprisingly).

We were sitting in some chairs on the back patio, watching the kids run around and play. Of course, we were talking, but it seemed that Jessa was the less talkative out of us. She seemed to be keeping a keen eye on her son, Endor, too. It was clear to me (and to anybody with common sense and working eyes) that even tho Endor was 8-months-old he was a mini me, a little clone, of the late Tolbert McCoy. Even tho I knew the truth about that baby boy's paternity, but the fact that he was a carbon copy of his birth father took me aback. I've never seen a child look that much like their father; my son included even tho he favored my husband to a T.

Also, I noticed that when Roseanna looked at Endor (who was playing with her daughter, Sarah Elizabeth) she got a bit teary eyed. It seems that Endor's resemblance to her late brother makes Roseanna a bit sad and emotional. I can't really blame her tho. Reckon I'd be the same way too if the roles were reversed.

"Sarah Elizabeth and Endor seem to be good friends even tho they're just babes." Vera observed as she sipped on her sweet tea.

"Of course, they're good friends, they're kin." Roseanna remarked with a small smile on her youthful and sweet featured face as she watched the baby cousins playing together with some toys while the other children played in other little groups.

After taking a long sip from her tea glass, Jessa made the curt remark of, "Just because people are kin doesn't make them good friends. Friendships are forged, not predetermined by blood relations." Her remark made me feel like she was (in so many words) reminding Roseanna about the rift between their husbands (who had been great friends til Shaw killed Tolbert in cold blood; making Johnse view him in a different light).

"Reckon so since it seems that Silas and Captain W. can't stand each other." Vera remarked, to no one in particular, as she pointed out the way that my son and Jessa's son were keeping their distance as if they thought they'd catch the plague. Hell, when 3-year-olds don't like each other…well…

"They can't stand each other cause they barely know each other." Jessa said, defending her son's dislike for mine.

"That's not my fault, Jessa." I told my once best friend since I felt like she was trying to put the blame on me for our sons not playing together; for our friendship being practically dead too. Before bringing my glass of sweet tea up to my lips, I told my her, "Maybe if you came around more or were at more family events, they'd get to know each other better."

"And maybe I'd come around more often if my husband was welcomed." Jessa retorted a bit bitterly. Of course, she would have this undying devotion to that piece of shit husband of hers.

Well, looks like all pleasant small talk has made a turn for the worse in our small group.

Shaw POV:

Presents had been open, Happy Birthday had been sung, and the cake and been cut; everyone was just sitting around eating cake and bullshitting. I on the other hand was eating cake and debating on whether or not it was too soon to gather up my family and go home. I was eating cake with my wife and kids. Usually the men would be grouped together and the women likewise, but neither me nor Jessa wanted to be bothered with those little groups. We were both getting tired and frustrated with our 'friends' and kin. It seemed like all they wanted to do was throw me under the bus. Well, everyone except for Ellison and Uncle Jim that is. Ellison was a gentle giant; was too kind hearted to speak bad 'bout me while Uncle Jim was wired eerily similar to me and agreed with many of my actions. It seems that everyone else, including my dad, was upset about me sending my sister away. As I understand from Jessa, the women don't view me in high regards and are even a bit cold with her about not being involved with the family (even tho she can't be involved cause I'm always blackballed from events).

"I don't feel comfortable having Endor around the family anymore." Jessa confessed between eating her cake.

"Why? Did something happen?"

"Vera made a remark that Endor and Sarah Elizabeth are close and Roseanna replied that they should be since they're kin, but the undertone of it all seemed to suggest that they're kin cause of…well…you know who."

"I understand, honey. Skunk Hair pointed out to me that my baby must be special cause he's the only redhead out of our family. A rarity since both me and you have shades of brown hair."

"Oh…folks are starting to figure it out."

"I think Skunk Hair and Vera know cause of Cap and Allie, but I might be wrong." I told my wife as I finished eating my last piece of cake. While balancing Endor on my lap, I placed my empty pate on the floor next to the chair I was in, and revealed, "Ellison came to my rescue tho. He pointed out that redheads are in bloodline; that he's proof of it." Ruffling my son's head of ginger hair, I went on to say, "Skunk Hair acted like he bought it, but I don't know if he really did or not."

"I can't help, but to feel like Endor's in some kind of danger being around so many Hatfields." Jessa confessed to me in a low whisper.

"I know, baby, but I promise that no matter what I'll protect him from harm." I told my wife, clutching our son a tad bit tighter than what was necessary.

Before my wife even had a chance to respond to me, Cotton came over with his dad, Ellison, following right behind him. "Can I play with him?" My simpleton cousin asked while pointing to Endor. "I promise, I won't hurt him." He added in, reassuring me and Jessa that he'd take good care of our son.

I knew that Cotton adored babies. Even tho he was slow-minded, he was good with kids. He enjoyed playing patty-cake with them and teaching them about different flowers. He also liked to help teach them how to walk. I had no problems with Cotton spending time with Endor and neither did Jessa, so I nodded and handed him over while telling him, "Sure, you can play with him." As Cotton took my son, I added in, "Just stay where we can see you, okay?"

"Okie dokie." Cotton nodded, a bright smile on his face, as Ellison appeared by my side.

"You let him spend time with the boy cause he's innocent; can't bring him no harm." Ellison told me and my wife as he stood next to us, his eyes trained on our sons that were a few feet away. Looking at us, he confessed, "I understand the need to protect your child cause he's different. I'll do all I can to deflect suspicions off you're your boy."

His confession took me aback. I mean I wasn't expecting him to say that. My wife, who must've been just as shocked as I was, just nodded and said, "Thank you, Ellison. We're grateful for that."

"Yes, thank you." I added in once my senses returned to me.

The big gentle giant didn't say a word, just nodded before walking off towards Cotton and Endor. It seems that Ellison truly was a kind hearted saint of a man. One that I hope survives Election Day this fall.

AN:

I know, even the birthday chapter's a bit angsty. Well, next up is Election Day. Do you think that Ellison'll get murdered or not?