*Author's Note*

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

WARNING: LEMONS! Lemons in this chapter. Just saying, in case that aint your thing…but really who doesn't love lemons? LOL

After The PawPaws

Roseanna POV:

After leavin' the abandoned schoolhouse, Reverend Garrett drove us across the Tug an' back into Kentucky in order to bring mama an' Mrs. Belcher back to the house. My father-in-law must've said somethin' to the reverend cause he kept to all the backroads instead of just usin' the main one. By usin' the backroads it meant that the ride was longer; took up more time.

We were ridin' on the road, headin' towards Blackberry Creek, whenever a posse led by my poppy came into view. When poppy saw us, he pulled his horse to a stop. Calvin, Jim, Mr. Belcher and the other men in the posse stopped right behind poppy while Reverend Garrett pulled the reigns tightly, causin' the horses to stop the wagon. There was a few yards 'tween the wagon an' poppy's horse, but poppy an' mama was sharin' looks of sadness an' sorry. So were Mr. and Mrs. Belcher.

Loud pops filled the air, causin' mama an' Mrs. Belcher to flinch and sob. The pops were gunshots. My brothers an' their friend was dead. Shot by the Hatfield firin' squad. I knew in my heart that Johnse didn't shoot 'em; that he kept his word an' aimed ov'r their heads. My husband was the sweetest man; always told me the truth so I knew he meant it when he said he wouldn't harm my brothers or their friend. More pops sounded out, one after 'nother, signalin' that somebody was firin' final death bows. It was a bit ov'r done wit' the amount I counted (six), so I know that the boys will be unrecognizable for their wakes an' funerals.

Poppy stared at me as if I was somethin' evil an' disgustin' instead of bein' his daughter. "Ya go back to your Hatfield husband an' tell 'im an' his Devil father that I'll be out for justice; for their blood t'pay for the murder of my sons."

"Poppy-" I began only for him to loudly bellow, "I ain't your poppy nomores. Roseanna, you were once my daughter, but as soon as ya took up wit' a Hatfield ya died in my eyes. You've been dead t'me for years now; nothin'll change that." Lookin' ov'r at Calvin, he ordered, "Give Missus Johnse Hatfield your horse so she can ride on home t'her side of the river." Placin' his hard an' broken eyes on me, poppy emotionlessly stated, "Can't have a Hatfield defilin' McCoy land; upsettin' the family durin' this time o'grief an' mournin'."

Calvin silently dismounted his horse and brought it ov'r to me. I climbed out of the wagon an' took the horse from my brother. As he took my empty spot in the wagon, Reverend Garrett gave me a sympathetic look an' softly told me, "I'm so sorry, Roseanna."

I didn't say a word, just nodded an' mounted the horse. "Keep the nag, Missus Johnse Hatfield. Your family might have t'et it come winter wit' how the lord shall smite ya for wicked deeds an' murderous sins." Poppy dryly told me as I turned the horse 'round an' started to trot down the road towards the riverbank.

Jessa POV:

The atmosphere at the main Hatfield house was very heavy, solemn, and depressing. To say that a black rain cloud hung over the area would be an understatement. Since all the men, except for Sully and Wall since they didn't want to be involved in a firing squad for their one reasons, were off executing the McCoy boys and Bobby Belcher the only ones at the house gathered for the after funeral condolences and visits were all of the women and children. Since Cotton was deeply saddened, I was letting him play with Endor outside in the front yard. I was sitting on the porch, keeping an eye on them. Keeping me company were Granny Delize and Mary, who were sitting on rockers next to me.

Mary was quiet, but I think that was cause she had some conflicting feelings when it came to everything going on. Of course, she was upset that Ellison died, but I think she was also upset that her older brother along with the rest of our family was going executing Billy McCoy's brothers and one of his neighbors. Granny Delize on the other hand wasn't quiet. In fact, she shared memories of Ellison as a boy. Some of the stories made me laugh while others brought a smile to my face.

"So, my Jimmy says that you and Shaw's takin' in lil Cottonturd." Granny Delize bluntly remarked after finishing up a story about Ellison bringing home a squirrel and making it his pet.

"Yes, we've taken him in." I nodded. "We're going to raise him as if he was one of our own." I added in, giving the old and spunky woman a serious, but kind look to let her know that me and my husband would take good care of her orphaned great-grandson.

"Good. That's good that he's got ya'll." She told me as we watched Cotton play with Endor, helpin' him to walk by holdin' his hands so that the little boy wouldn't fall or wobble. Turning her head to the side and giving me a serious look, Granny Delize warned, "I reckon Cap and Allie ain't gonna be too acceptin' of Cotton stayin' wit' ya'll. 'Specially since Cap was always close and protective of the boy."

"He used to be closer to him before he got married. Now, well, Cap's more wrapped up in Allie. I mean it's a miracle that Anse even let him back into the family fold."

"Oh, Levicy's the cause of that miracle. Must've threatened him someway to get Devil Anse to quit bein' so stubborn and let his favorite son take back that mantle; forgive him for whatever he did to offend him."

"Look, there's Roseanna." Mary spoke up, pointing out the meek blonde riding down the road on a horse.

"Girl looks like shit." Granny Delize bluntly blurted out as Roseanna got closer to the house.

"She just said her last goodbyes to her brothers, of course she looks like shit."

"Why's she ridin' alone instead of wit' the preacher?"

"Seems like they ran into Ole Rand'll at the house and Rosie girl had t'leave an' quick." The crochety old woman next to me stated matter-of-factly. She had a valid point, if Randall was around then he wouldn't be letting Roseanna on his property. "Reckon it'll still be a while til the men folk get back." She sighed as Roseanna rode up to the hitch-post with a heartbroken look on her face.

"Reckon so." I agreed with a nod.

"Hi, Roseanna." Mary greeted our cousin-in-law as he dismounted her horse and tied it up.

"Hi." Roseanna replied, her voice so soft that it could barely be heard, before walking up the porch steps and into the house.

Nobody said a word. We all knew that Roseanna was hurting and most likely just wanted to get her daughter, to hold her in order to feel some kind of normalcy.

Shaw POV:

After walking for what felt like forever, the main Hatfield house finally came into view. I noticed that a strange horse was hitched up on the post. Uncle Jim noticed it too since he tilted his head towards the horse and gruffly remarked, "Somebody we don't know here offerin' condolences."

"Reckon so, Uncle Jim." I nodded as we continued to walk towards the house. Since we were the last to leave the pawpaw patch, we were the last in the long and endless line of men marchin' to the house.

Johnse was closer to the front of the line, but I could spot his golden hair that looked better than a Pantene model's no matter how far away I was from him. My cousin must've recognized the horse hitched up cause one minute he was walkin' and the next he was takin' off in a made dash towards the house.

"Well, whoever it is, Johnse knows 'em." Uncle Jim voiced up what we were both thinkin', his voice a low crochety yap.

"Yep." I popped my tongue, noddin' as we continued to march towards the house.

Silently, we made our way up the path and over to the house. A smile broke out on my lips as I saw Cotton playin' with Endor. Jim didn't say a word, just nudged my arm with his elbow and gestured for me to go over to them. I just nodded and we parted ways. He continued on to the house while I veered over a few feet to where the kids were playing.

"Shaw, you're back." Cotton said as I came up to him and Endor.

"Yea, buddy, I'm back." I confirmed, rufflin' his hair in a fatherly way. Hey, I was the closest thing he had to a dad now so…

"Can we go home now?" He innocently asked, not quiet understandin' that since his dad died he couldn't go back to the house he once shared with Ellison. It was sad how Cotton's life had changed so suddenly and in a way that's too big for him to fully grasp and understand.

"Well, Cotton, you'll be staying at my house with me, Jessa, and the kids from now on. So, home's gonna be a bit different now." I explained while taking Endor from Cotton and slingin' him on my hip.

"Oh…" Cotton heavily sighed, slumpin' his shoulders and hangin' his head while Endor just smacked my shoulder in an attempt to get my attention.

I ignored my son's request for attention, instead I gave the attention to Cotton. I lightly nudged his arm with my elbow and assured him, "Don't worry, you'll have your own room. We'll even fix it up any way ya want too."

"Can I get my stuff from my room at daddy's home?" Cotton asked, his voice a bit softer than usual, as he looked up at me with hope in his eyes

"Yea, buddy. Of course, we can get your things." I smiled at him, lettin' him know that it wasn't any problem to get his meager belongings. Men were starting to gather their families and leave the main house whenever I suggested to Cotton, "In fact, how 'bout we bring Endor over to Jessa and then go to the house to pack up your room. When we're done, we'll come back here; pick up Jessa and the kids and go home."

"Okay." He simply nodded.

Without another word, I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and started to lead him over to the house. Sitting on the porch was Jessa, Granny Delize, and Mary. They seemed to be quiet, almost as if they were listening to something. Well, maybe they were. I mean they could be eavesdroppin' on a conversation that was takin' place inside near the front door or a window or something.

We were almost to the porch steps whenever the door flung open and Cap came storming out of the house. Allie, with one kid slung on her hip and draggin' the other by the arm, came runnin' after her husband. They both shot me dirty looks and I just knew that they were pissed about Cotton bein' in my care. I didn't say a word to them, just ushered Cotton over to the porch.

"I need ya to watch Endor." I told Jessa as I helped Cotton up the porch steps. "We're gonna go get his things." I clarified so my wife would know where we were goin' and why.

"Oh, okay." Jessa simply nodded, lettin' me know that she was find with my plans, as I made my way over to her.

"Well, you sure did miss one helluva nasty spat 'tween my Jimmy and Cap. It was so loud ya could hear it out 'ere on the porch." Granny Delize told me in one of those sing-song gossipy tones as I handed Endor over to my wife.

"What was it about?" I asked, figurin' it must've been something big to make Cap storm out and leave.

Mary's eyes were goin' back and forth 'tween me and Cotton, who was standin' next to a porch post, and silently gave away that the fight had to do with Cotton. Jessa tho was the one to speak up and tell me what happened. "Cap doesn't think you're fit to take care of Cotton, but Uncle Jim reminded him that Allie isn't easilt trusted by the family therefore we're better suited to take care of Cotton."

Granny Delize snapped her head at my wife, causin' her grey hear to nearly topple out of her high bun, and barked, "Jessa, don't sugarcoat it." Turnin' her attention back to me, she went on to say, "Hell, my Jimmy told Cap that since his wife's a kin traitor an' nearly got both you an' Johnse killed by consortin' with McCoys that it's only logical that Ellison picked you and Jessa to take care of Cotton. Cap called my Jimmy a blind fat ol' fool and then they bickered some more 'fore Cap just stormed out.", as if she was giving me a summary about a book she read instead of telling me juicy details about her son and one of his favorite nephews goin' at it like cats and dogs.

"Hmm…" I hummed, finding Granny Delize's account of Cap and Uncle Jim's bitch fest to be interesting. Well, I reckon I'm gonna be the only favorite nephew of Jim Vance now. Oh, I like hat sound of that. Hmm, I need to make sure that Cap stays on Uncle Jim's bad side. Well, I'll figure out how to do that later. Right now, I need to take Cotton to get his things. "Well, as much as I'd like to chat I gotta goin'."

"We understand. Now don't take too long collectin' that boy's things. Don't wanna make your wife wait all damn day on ya." Granny Delize told me, shooin' me off with a wave of her hand. Only she could still be so snarky after havin' just gone to her grandson's funeral hours ago.

The latter half of my day was spent helping Cotton pack up his things along with helping him decorate his new room (Mary's old room). After getting his things, I picked up my family and took them home. Cotton had asked me to help him put away his things and I couldn't say no to him, so I let Jessa tend to the kids while I helped Cotton. My brother had opted to go to the barn to tend to the horses. I think he was just sneaking up into the hayloft to get drunk, but whatever. Hey, if I was his age that's what I'd be doin'. I mean I always used o sneak 'round in sheds and shit to get drunk when some heavy shit happened when I was a teen. God, Todd's so much like me it's not even funny.

Anyways, after getting Cotton's room fixed up it was late and time for him to go to bed. I tucked him in and read him a book, since he asked me too, before leaving him be to fall asleep. I checked on my kids in their rooms only to see that they were fast asleep. Then I went downstairs, had a nightcap, and went to my room.

I was beyond thrilled to see that my wife wasn' asleep yet. She was sitting on the bed in her shift, reading a book. The yellow glow from the lamp on the bedside table lit up the room. She didn't notice me until I kicked the door shut, causin' a light bang to echo into the room.

Lifting her head up, Jessa simply said, "Oh, I see you're done helping Cotton settle in." She closed her book and placed it onto the bedside table while I walked over to my side of the bed.

"Yea, I just finished tuckin' him in." I told my wife as I started to strip off my clothes.

"How did it go? I mean was it hard to help him decorate the room?" She asked me as I tossed my shirt and undershirt onto the corner chair.

"Eh, it wasn't that bad." I shrugged, sitting on the edge of the bed. I pulled off my boots and tossed them onto the floor while telling my wife, "I mean the room's painted green and white so he didn't have a problem with that." I took off my socks, tossed them into the corner, and stood up to take off my pants while chucklin', "The hardest part was boxing up Mary's stuff cause Cotton didn't want to do that. He just wanted to put his stuff up in his new room."

"So, you boxed up Mary's things while he was impatiently waiting to unpack." Jessa knowingly stated, not asked, as I tossed my pants into the corner.

"Yep." I popped my tongue as I climbed into bed.

Jessa's brows dipped slightly as she inquired in a soft and concerned tone, "Do you think he's going to be okay?" My wife was such a caring woman and devoted mother that I'm not surprised that she was worried about Cotton; that her motherly nature was being projected onto my orphaned cousin, who's always going to be boyish in mind no mater how old he got. My wife's big heart and strong mama bear ways warmed by heart; made me love her even more if that was even possible.

"Yea, in time he'll be okay." I assured my wife, the corners of my mouth upturnin' into a small smile as a way to ease her worries and settle her mind. "Don't worry, after the dust settles, he'll fall into a normal routine helpin' ya with the kids."

"You're not taking him back to work with you at the saw mill?" Jessa asked, one of her brows arched up curiously.

"No. I don't think he needs to be workin' around a bunch of loud-mouthed lumberjacks that do nothin', but curse like sailors at the drop of a hat right now." Truth was, in order to protect Cotton from the horrors of this bloody feud I had to keep him as far away from the saw mill as possible. He'd be safe at the house with Jessa and the kids. At least at the house I don't have to worry about him seein' something or accidently doin' something traumatic.

"Oh…okay…" My wife trailed off with the slight nod of her head. A few silent moments passed between us before she took my hand in hers and gave me a caring look while asking, "Are you okay?"

Was I okay? Hell, I was more then okay. I couldn't be better. Hell, shootin' Pharmer and then double tappin' all of those bastards to make sure they didn't come back as The Walking Dead style zombies felt great. Eh, I couldn't tell Jessa that tho. She'd prolly think I'm nuts or something.

"I'm okay." I simply told Jessa causin' her to just nod at me. I shift onto my side and reached out my hand to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Don't worry, Ellison's revenged and Cotton will be safe and sound with us." I locked my honey eyes onto my wife's indigo ones before closin' the space between us and capturin' her lips with mine for a kiss.

I snaked my hand into Jessa's dark hair as our lips melted together. I adjusted myself to straddle her as she wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing me closer to her we feverishly kissed. I ran my hand up her leg, underneath the skirt of her shift, and up to her thigh. Jessa broke our kiss only to let out a hitched breath as I glided my hand up her inner thigh with a feather like touch. "Shaw…" She let out in a breathy whisper as I started to trail kisses across her jaw and down her neck as my hand reached its destination.

God, I haven't banged my wife in days and I was ready to remedy that. Which is why I'm goin' straight to the foreplay after a few kisses. God, I killed fat ass Pharmer McCoy today so I deserve a good fuck with my wife. Hell, I plan on goin' a few rounds with Jessa tonight too.

Smirkin' against Jessa's neck, I ran the pad against her clit. I knew that the motion would have her squirming in no time; make her wet and ready for me too. "God, I need you so much." I mumbled against her skin, right into the crook of her neck, as I teased her a bit between her legs.

"Shaw…Cotton's upstairs…" She struggled to tell me as I slipped a finger into her wet center, slowly moving it in and out to drive her wild and make her even wetter.

"Don't worry, babe, he's sound asleep." I assured her, addin' a second finger into her in order to make her forget any second thoughts she might have about us fuckin'. Hell, I didn't give a shit that Cotton was upstairs. I hadn't had a piece of ass in days and I was worked up. I needed to do my wife or else I was gonna go crazy.

"Oh god, Shaw." Jessa moan, grabbin' ahold of my bare shoulders so hard that I'm sure I'll have nail half-moon shaped nail marks in the mornin', as I pumped my fingers faster into her.

I quickly untied the top of her shift and pulled it open, revealin' her perky tits to me, and captured one of her peaked nipples in my mouth. As I swirled my tongue around her nipple her chest was heavin' up and down. I smirked to myself, knowin' that she was close. Oh yea, my wife was always like putty in my hands when it came to our sex life. Hell, I think my mad skills in the bedroom's one of the things that won her over. I mean if that ginger fucker I killed last January was any damn good Jessa wouldn't have left him for me; wouldn't have jumped in my bed so quickly either when she was supposed to be common law with him.

"Shaw…I need more Shaw…I need you…" Jessa gasped out in desperate mewls as she clenched and spasmed around my fingers as I pumped in and out of her tight core as fast as I could while leaving open mouth kisses across her chest.

"Don't worry, Jessa, honey, you'll have me in a minute or so." I assured my wife right before latching my lips other nipple, swirling my tongue around it in a way that I knew would send her over the edge when paired with my fast movin' fingers inside of her.

"Shaw…oh…oh Shaw…" Jessa let out in a breathy and shaky moan as she came undone just by me using my fingers (expertly) on her.

I removed my hand from underneath the skirt of my wife's shift and just smirked cockily at her. "Just catch your breath for moment, babe." I told Jessa before standing up and quickly pulling off my long-john pants. Whenever I went to get back into bed, I saw that Jessa was sittin' up and yankin' her shift off and over her head. "Oh, baby, ain't ya eager." I teased my wife, crawlin' over to her with a charmin' grin plastered on my ruggedly handsome and scruff covered face.

"Honey, I'm a little more then eager considering that foreplay you just instigated." She purred with a sultry smirk as she grabbed my arm and pulled me over to her.

"You know I'm good at what I do, baby." I traced her cheekbone with my thumb. I closed the distanced between us and pressed a kiss against her full lips. "Ya wanna hike your leg up on my shoulder or get taken from behind tonight for the deeper effect, baby?" I asked, giving her the choice between two positions that I knew drove her wild and over the edge whenever she was all hot and bothered.

"I'll sling my leg up over your shoulder." Jessa told me before laying back on the mattress and pulling me to hover above her.

"Your wish is my command, babe." I smirked, lining myself up with her slick entrance. Without giving her a heads up, I pushed into her. We both let out a moan from how good it felt to be connected. I grabbed her leg and helped her lift it onto my shoulder then I began to move, causin' her to let out wispy breaths and roll her hips into mine to match my movements.

Sounds of our skin smackin' against each other's mixed with the bedsprings squeakin' as we furiously fucked filled the air along with our moans and groans. Goddamnit, it felt so good to finally be banging Jessa again. Hell, we were goin' at it so intensely that I'm pretty sure I'll be knockin' her up tonight. I hope we conceive tonight. It'd make us happy, bring some much-needed joy and normalcy to our family and household.

"Shaw…oh Shaw…I'm so close…" Jessa let out in a breathy moan, her leg shaking and quiverin' over my shoulder as her nails dug into the skin of my forearms as I moved fast; driving her close to the edge.

"I know baby…I'm close too, Jessa…" I groaned, feeling her clenchin' around me, as I started to speed up into a faster albeit sloppy pace in order to get us both to come undone.

After a few moments my wife screamed my name, thrashing her head and makin' her dark hair messily fan around the pillow. I came tumbling right behind her, spilling into her and chanting her name as if it was some holy prayer. Jessa's leg slid off my arm as her chest heaved up and down. My arms shook to hold up my weight and before I even had a chance to roll over, I fell right on top of my beautiful wife. My chest was racing as I tried to calm down and catch my breath.

Jessa's hand ran up and down my spine a couple of times before she moved her hand up into my sweaty golden-brown hair. "You should pull your hair back away rom your face in a manbun or something." She softly told me, threading her fingers thru my long hair. "It's be nice to see your handsome face without a bunch of hair framing it all the time since you refuse to get a haircut."

I lifted my head up off her chest and looked at her. "I'm not really a manbun or low pony type of guy, but I'll pull my hair back for you, baby."

"Thank you." She softly smiled.

"I'd do anything for you, Jessa. And I mean anything." I honestly told her before pushing myself up on my elbows and giving her a lazy kiss. Rolling over onto my back, on my side of the bed, I sighed, "I'm tired. I've had a long day and night, so let's just cuddle and go to bed."

"Sounds good to me, Shaw." Jessa simply said, scooting into my side as I opened my arm out for her. She nestled right into my body and laid her head on my chest. "Goodnight honey, I love you." She softly told me as I wrapped my arm around her.

"I love you too, baby. G'nite." I replied, lightly running my hand thru her sweaty and tangled dark hair in a soothing way.

AN:

So, that was just some of the aftermath of the pawpaw incident. More aftermath will be in the next chapter (like the McCoy boys and Bobby Belcher's funeral…).