*Author's Note*
Thank you for all the follows, faves, and reviews.
I should be working on my other stories (I have a few things written down for them) but the muses for this are being very loud.
Also, in the third scene I tossed in some Cap & Allie lemons for the win! LEMONS, YAY!
A Simple Life
Tolbert POV:
Whenever I walked into my mama an' poppy's for breakfast I quickly noticed that Jessa was missin'. What the hell, did she spend the nite with that Eldridge bastard? God, I hope not. "Where's Jessa at?" I asked while sittin' down at the table, hopin' that poppy'd tell me she was outside gettin' more milk or somethin'.
"She stayed ov'r at the Eldridges' last nite cause of the bad rain storm." Poppy told me, takin' a long sip off his freshly poured coffee. Damnit…
"What?! And yer okay wit' that?" I snapped loudly, my nostrils flarin' wildly. T'stay I was pissed was an understatement. I was livid, how could poppy be so casual 'bout lettin' Jessa stay a nite 'way from the house; wit' Shaw too.
"Tolbert, calm down." Mama ordered me wit' a narrowed look. "I trust that Peggy kept Jessa and Shaw separated. She's a good woman, wouldn't allow anythin' unhonorable under her roof."
My siblin's were all silently sittin' at the table, either watchin' the exchange wit' me an' my parents or starin' into their freshly filled cups or at their empty plates. Seems that they were a bit uncomfortable wit' either my yellin' or the subject matter it was 'bout.
Givin' me a look from over the rim of his coffee cup, Poppy plainly told me, "Also, Shaw's not known t'keep company wit' whores so I think he'd respect boundaries." He took a quick sip off his cup 'fore curtly addin' in, "'Specially wit' his mother in the house."
Were my folks insane? Peggy bein' in the house ain't gonna stop Shaw from doin' whatever he wants t'Jessa. The woman has t'go t'sleep, can't watch 'em all nite long. Well, I'm glad my parents trust Peggy t'watch her shifty son cause I sure in hell don't.
"Enough of this talk, it's time t'say grace." Poppy ordered, causin' me to just nod and bite my lip on the matter at hand. Poppy clasped his hands an' bowed his head, causin' the rest of us t'do so too. "Dear lord, bless this food an' our daily endeavors. Amen."
"Amen." Everyone repeated, liftin' up our heads while unclaspin' our hands.
Poppy had grabbed some bacon 'fore passin' the platter over to Jim whenever the front door opened. Everyone turned their heads to see who'd just come in even tho we all figured it must've been Jessa. Jessa had indeed walked thru the doorway, wit' that shifty bastard Shaw followin' right 'hind her.
He took his hat off while sayin', "Good mornin', Mr. and Mrs. McCoy."
Jessa just walked over to the table, tryin' to hide the smile that was on her face, while poppy looked at Shaw an' told him, "Mornin', Shaw. I take it yer mama gave permission for Jessa t'stay over last nite?"
"Yes, she did." Shaw nodded, makin' his way over to the table. Uh, who invited him t'sit an' et? Nobody… I gave him a nasty look while Jim finally came to his senses and grabbed some bacon off the platter. "The rain was too bad to be ridin' in, mom was concerned for our health." Shaw told poppy while boldly squeazin' himself 'tween me an' Jessa. Smug bastard. "I had the sofa, nothin' happened last nite. My mom'll vouch for that." He made sure to emphasize t'poppy while grabbin' a plate an' a mug from the pile on the middle of the table.
Hmm, I didn't believe one word that came outta that bastard's mouth.
"Peggy's a good woman, I knew your mother would keep an eye on ya." Mama foolishly said in her soft motherly tone while Jim handed the bacon plate over to Bud, who was starin' at his plate like it was 'bout to come alive an' do a song an' dance for him. Without even lookin' up, he took some bacon off the platter and shoved said plateer over t'my fatass brother Pharmer.
Dear lord, were my parents stupid or somethin'? How could they believe a goddamn word that comes outta Shaw's mouth?
Lookin' 'tween Jessa an' my folks, a smirk formed on Shaw's face as he announced, "It's official, me and Jessa's courtin' now."
Pharmer's eyes widened as he looked at me, ploppin' a large handful of bacon onto his plate.
WHAT?! OH HELL NO!
Jessa POV:
Tolbert, upon hearing that things were official with me and Shaw, stood up from the table and stormed off out of the house faster then a bolt of lightning. He was mad, but I didn't think he had a right to be since he had a side piece at the whorehouse. I felt torn, a part of me wanted to go after Tolbert and calm him down, but another part of me was oddly satisfied that he was bothered by me and Shaw courting.
"That's good since ya'll have been spendin' time with each other for nearly a month." Sally smiled, looking at me and Shaw while Pharmer passed him the platter of bacon.
"Is your intentions one of marriage?" Randall asked Shaw while the latter placed a few slices of bacon on his plate.
Passing the bacon over to me, Shaw answered Randall with, "Well, Mr. McCoy, it's still a bit early and I'll have to buy a ring, but I'd like to marry Jessa when the time's right."
As I took some pieces of bacon and passed the platter over to Roseanna, I heard Randall make the remark of, "Yes, well, once ya get yerself a proper house an' source of income I'm sure the time'll be right.", as he scooped some scrambled eggs onto his plate out of the large bowl, they were in.
Shaw POV:
I just nodded at Randall while takin' the biscuit platter from Pharmer. Hmm, I was gettin' the feeling that Jessa had worn out her welcome, that the McCoys or at least Randall was tired of takin' care of her and wanted her out of the house and married quickly. Oh, but if the tables were turned and a suitor was after Roseanna, Randall's favorite child and the prize pig out of the family, they'd be gettin' grilled harder than I was right now for goin' after Jessa. Hell, I know that Mr. McCoy wouldn't be pushin' along his daughter to quickly marry a man who was buildin' a house. Hell, he'd most likely be trying to lengthen the courtship to one of years instead of just months. Honestly, the only reason Randall kicks Roseanna out (disowning her) is cause she hooked up with Johnse…
As I took a biscuit, placin' it on my plate while handin' the platter over to Jessa, I knew just by the sweet look on her face that she hadn't figured out that the McCoys or perhaps just Randall were tryin' to transfer responsibility to her off to somebody else (cough me cough) and quick. Poor girl was a bit naïve to how life worked in the 19th century, how women were just glorified livestock that was just handed off by the father, brother, uncle, or male guardian to the future husband for care. Women had it rough, but some (not many) went against the grain. I think it was easier for a widow (like my mama who had a source of income) to spurn down advances then for a woman down on her luck with mouths to feed or that was really young.
I knew for a fact tho that whatever Jessa learned in my dad's history class was some glossed over; sugar coated shit about the customs and ways of life in the 19th century. Hell, the only thing Sully ever did get into, other then teachin' 'bout the damn feud, was the Civil War. Hmm, I think that's cause he was in it tho and felt the need to educate and supply extra details about it that books omitted. Unlike all of his students, I fully grasped the realities of life in the 1800s cause I spent my childhood living in it.
"The fact that ya live so close t'Hatfields does bother me some, don't want a friend t'my family bein' harassed by 'em folks." Randall plainly told me as his son, Jim, took a large scoop of eggs before passing the bowl down the line.
"Mr. McCoy, I give ya my word that Jessa won't be harassed by Hatfields." I told Randall while subtly watchin' Bud place eggs on his plate. With a confident smirk I assured him, "Besides, the closest one's maybe half mile or so off and they leave me be anyways."
"As long as there's no interactions I don't got any problems wit' where your land is, although I want ya t'keep a careful eye." The head McCoy told me while Pharmer greedily grabbed the bowl of scrambled eggs from Bud. Hell, right now Pharmer had a heepin' pile on his plate and breakfast just begun a few minutes ago.
"I understand completely." I nodded, keepin' my features schooled. Damn, if Randall knew the truth about me and who I hangout with he'd be stroking out.
Sully POV:
Being a nice teacher, I gave the children today, the Friday after Thanksgiving, off. Well, I mostly did it cause I wanted a 4-day weekend. Hell, I was used to a short Thanksgiving break when teaching in the 21rst century, so of course I had to keep myself sane by doing some kind of extended time off for my students.
It was midmorning and I was in town to have a word with the one woman I've been avoiding for years, Peggy. I felt my body shake slightly with nerves as I made my way down the side alley of the diner; to the back door. I wasn't here for food, just to talk about Shaw so the back door was all I needed since it led to the kitchen where Peggy was at. I didn't see her kids playing outside so they must be in the apartment upstairs.
Once I reached the back door, I opened it and slid right thru, only to earn a scowl from the blonde I had, with no pun intended, screwed over years ago. "What're you doin' back here, Sully?"
"Came to talk with you about our boy, Shaw." I honestly answered her, slauntering right up to her side.
Rolling her eyes, she huffed while cutting out biscuits, "We both know he's not a boy, but a young man now. Hell, you know that better then anybody since you raised him durin' his teen years when a boy does all his growin'."
"Peggy, I didn't come here to hash up the past. I came here to have a serious talk about Shaw." I told her, struggling to keep my voice from rising in irritation. Mhm, this is why I avoid confrontations with Peggy. She always had a way of bringing up the past; my mistakes and misdeeds.
"Fine, what're you concerned about?" She asked, looking at me from over her shoulder. Never faltering in her job of cutting out biscuits, she quickly added in a know it all tone, "And don't tell me you're not concerned, you got that stone-faced dipped brow long look on that states otherwise."
"His relationship with Miss George along with the fact that he needs to further his education." I sighed out, my tone long and solemn, as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Well, Sully, for one his relationship with Jessa's none of our business and two if he doesn't want to go to college then he doesn't have to go." Peggy told me while tossin' some of the biscuits she cut onto a large sheet pan.
"I beg to differ. The girl's close to the McCoys, mainly Tolbert, and that's dangerous considerin' the Vance blood runnin' in our boy's veins."
"Nobody, but your family knows the truth about him. Everyone thinks he's Peter's struck up from the weddin' night." She told me as she finished placin' biscuits on the pan. While takin' the pan over to the large stove and shoving it into the oven she told me in a slightly rigid tone, "Hell, Shaw doesn't tell nobody either and I doubt the girl even knows the truth. Boy's very secretive and charming, like you."
"Well, then if he's so determined to be with Miss George, he can go off to University somewhere and take her along." I snapped, my timbre a bit dry, as I watched Peggy stand up straight in front of the oven.
"Here or?..." She asked, her voice leveling off and drifting into the air, as she wrung her hands in her off-white pinafore apron.
"Peggy…" I sighed, not wanting to get into specifics for her about what I had planned for Shaw's education.
She dropped her apron, crossing her hands over her chest while letting out the deep sigh of, "You're a man of two worlds, Sully. I know that, but you think that maybe Shaw doesn't want to be; maybe he just wants a simple life?"
"He'll never have a simple life here, Peggy." I snapped, earning me a raised brow from her. Dear lord, she doesn't get it. Shaking my head I revealed in a long sigh, "At first it might seem like it considerin' he takes a wife and has a son, but in a few short years the feud turns deadly and he gets heavily involved." Boring my eyes steadily into hers I admitted in a worried tone, "I can't take that risk, him livin' here only to fall victim to participatin' in the bloodiest feud in history."
"Sully, you've been ramblin' for years about how the Hatfield and McCoy feud's gonna turn bloody an' deadly, but so far it hasn't. Don't use that as an excuse for wantin' my boy to live a life full of grander that he obviously doesn't want."
Goddamn, there was no getting thru to this woman. She's hardheaded as hell. I ain't makin' up what I know about Shaw and the feud to convince her to push the boy to leave. It's true, he gets heavily involved. After Ellison dies, he's a part of the firing squad that kills the McCoy boys (Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud). He also does a bunch of other shit and ends up gettin' arrested by Bad Frank and his posse. He receives a life sentence a year before he turns 30. From what I managed to read and scrounge up on him and his jail time I gathered that he had a wife and son that would visit him twice a month on Saturdays. I could never find out anything solid on the wife, but I remember stumbling upon an old visitors' log that was signed Silas Eldridge with the notation son by it. Dear god, I didn't want Shaw to turn into a shittier father then I was. Not being around cause the woman married another man's one thing, but bein' locked up in jail for murder…well that was something entirely different.
"Well…I can see you're not goin' to back me on this."
"No, I'm not. Shaw's old enough to make his own choices."
Yea, bad choices. Oh well, I tried. If Peggy wasn't going to listen to reason and back me up then no use in my standin' around her kitchen for. Shrugging, I just spun 'round on my heel and walked off. Without a word I left her kitchen, lettin' the back door slam shut behind me.
My life would be so much easier if my jackass son would just leave this god forsaken place and live a normal life in the future. Hell, he seemed to enjoy growin' up in the 21st century so I don't understand why he won't go back; why he insists on making a life for himself in the 19th century. Whatever, I was going home.
Allie POV:
A short amount of time had passed since Thanksgiving and it was now December. Today was actually my birthday so I woke up with a smile on. My husband looked so peaceful sleeping next to me, one of his arms loosely slung over my hip. I didn't get up cause I didn't want to stir Cap, so I was resting my head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat go bop-bop-bop with every shallow breath he took.
After a few minutes my husband ran a hand thru my light blonde hair while telling me in a deep sleep laden rumble, "Happy birthday, darlin'."
"Thank you, Cap." I smiled, tilting my head to look up at him.
"Goddamn, you're the prettiest birthday girl I've seen in a while." He smirked at me before bending down slightly and giving me a kiss.
Instantly, out of pure instinct, I threaded a hand into Cap's shaggy blonde hair and pressed my lips against his in a languid motion. As we slowly kissed, I could feel Cap maneuvering us to that I could lay on the bed and he could hover over me. Oh yea, my husband was frisky this morning. Eh, what else was new. I mean I haven't woken up in a nightgown since I got married so…
Cap broke our kiss only to give me a smirk before peppering kisses down my neck and towards my cleavage. I just let out a wispy breath while softly running a hand thru his blonde hair as he nipped and kissed his way down my cleavage and over to one of my breasts. Oh yea, the morning foreplay has begun. Even tho we were young, we learned pretty fast on what we liked in bed and whatnot. I let out a breathy moan as I felt Cap's tongue swirl teasingly around one nipple as his hand slowly kneaded my other breast. Oh god, how did he get so good at this after only a month?
His hand trailed down my side and to my core as he kissed and nipped his way over to my other breast. As he paid attention to it, swirling his tongue and nipping slightly, his hand softly, but lazily, roam up and down the inside of my upper thigh. Small moans of, "Will…oh Will…" fell off my lips.
Cap lifted his head up and looked at me with passion in his icy-blue eye and it's milky white twin. I'm sure my pupils were also blown wide with desire as I looked at my husband, my hand falling from his hair to rest on his shoulder. While positioning himself better between my legs, he smirked, "You're so goddamn beautiful this mornin'."
"Ain't I every mornin'?" I teased with a Cheshire cat like smile.
"Of course, ya are, darlin'." Cap replied, moaning slightly, as he swiftly entered me.
"And you're always ruggedly handsome no matter the time." I retorted, trying to bite back a moan.
Will just gave me a smirk as he got into a rhythm, moving deep at a medium pace. Oh god, it's gonna be one of those mind-blowing mornings for sure.
After a while our mixed moans filled the air and out movements got fast and a bit sloppy. Will fisted the sheets as a sweat broke out on his brow while my hands raked up and down my husband's taunt muscular back. Most likely my nails, even tho they're short, left red marks across his back. Oops…
Soon enough I was seeing stars while moaning out the mantra of, "Will…Oh god, Will…Will…"
Cap made a few quick jerky movements before spilling his seed while groaning and moaning out, "Allie, darlin'…Allie, Allie…"
While heaving out a few deep breaths, Cap rolled over onto his side of the bed. My chest was racing as he snaked his arm around me, pulling my body flush against his. I rested my head against his chest, my sweat damp hair splaying over it slightly. He languidly ran a hand thru my hair while sighing, "Too bad I gotta go to work this mornin'. I'd rather be here in bed wit'cha all mornin'."
"I know, but if you don't work then we'll be poor and hungry." I sighed back with a slightly teasing tone in my voice.
"Yea, can't have that." Cap nodded, his hand still lazily running thru my sweaty hair. He stopped his movements and took his hand out of my hair. Sitting up he groaned out in a light sigh, "Reckon I better dress an' head out."
"I'll get dressed and make you breakfast." I told him, sitting up and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Just rest a bit and do your house chores. I ain't hungry this mornin', darlin'." Cap told me, giving me a soft look, before gently sliding my hand off of his shoulder and standing up.
I just nodded and plopped back down into the bed. I pulled the blankets loosely over me while watching my husband get dressed. Damn, I married a hottie. Bet he's only gonna get hotter with age.
"I'll be home my usual time." Cap told me as he put on his boots while sitting on the edge of the bed. His usual time was dinner time, actually around the time I was setting the table.
"Okay." I smiled, watching him stand up.
He walked over to my side of the bed and bent down, giving me a quick kiss. "Love ya, darlin'."
"Love you too, Cap." I told him right before he nodded at me and walked over to the door. Silently, he walked out of our room. As I laid in bed, I heard the front door slam, signaling that he had left the house entirely.
I was now 16 and in a couple of months Cap would be 17, but we were married and living life as grown adults. It was only a matter of time before we got pregnant and I couldn't be happier. I know that back in 2018 I wouldn't be content to be married so young and to be trying for a baby, but here in 1878 I was very happy to be Mrs. Allie Hatfield and to be trying to have baby Hatfields. Life was a bit simpler and harder all wrapped up in one, but I was happy.
Happy 16th Birthday to me.
Jessa POV:
Ever since my courtship with Shaw became official, things have been tense between me and Tolbert. He's gotten moody again and didn't seem to want my friendship. He acted insulted or hurt that I was moving along with Shaw, even tho he shouldn't be since he had his whore. I had asked Squirrel about her when I was in town picking up some material and thread to make Shaw a birthday present with. Turns out the whore was a new young blonde and happened to be friends with the whore that Parris would occasionally see. Squirrel didn't go into it, but he told me enough for me to not feel bad about Tolbert's sulkiness and bad moods. Tolbert had his whore and I had Shaw, that was that.
Currently, I was sitting at Tolbert's kitchen table (well I was still stuck cooking and cleaning for him) waiting for the bread dough to rise. As I sat waiting, I was finishing up the embroidery on the handkerchief I was making for Shaw's birthday, which was a few days away. I had a simple stew brewing on the stove and the house wasn't too dirty so I did have some time to kill while waiting on rising bread dough, which took an hour or so to do.
I was working on the finishing touches of the large E part of the hankie's monogram whenever the door flung open with a loud thud. I paused in my sewing and looked up only to see Tolbert storming in and he looked fuming mad. I didn't say a word, just watched him take off his hat and his jacket with quick and jerky movements. After hanging up the hat and jacket, he slammed the door shut and made his way over to a sitting chair by his fireplace, which was burning low since it was cold and the first week of December. After slumping in his chair, Tolbert's stormy eyes looked tiredly at me as he grumbled out, "Pharmer decided to help me at my still and he blew it up."
I arched my brow curiously. "What? How'd he blow it up?"
"He bumped it or jarred it or somethin' and then it just blew up." He shrugged, looking a bit upset about the situation.
"Oh, well can't you fix it?" I asked while going back to my sewing.
"No, darlin', once a still breaks or blows up it's done for. I gotta build a new one by scratch."
"Oh…" I didn't know that. I mean I never watched Moonshiners on tv so I had no idea the work it took to build a still or that it was a one and done type project.
"So, my workday's done an' yer stuck wit' me til yer done cookin' an' cleanin'."
"Your house is already cleaned, stew's cooking on the stove, and I'm just waiting for the bread dough to rise."
"Oh, so that's why yer doin' cross-stitchin' at my kitchen table?"
"Mhm."
"So, what'cha makin'?" Tolbert asked while slightly pointing to the handkerchief I had in my hand.
"Oh, I'm just finishing up a hankie for Shaw's birthday present."
"Oh god…forget I even asked…" Tolbert grumbled, pulling a flask out of his breast pocket. "I don't even know what'cha see in that shifty bastard."
"He's loyal and a nice guy." I told the redhead with a hard biting edge to my voice.
Tolbert POV:
Oh hell, she knows I go to the whorehouse. Jessa has to know since she mad sure to cut her indigo eyes at me when she said the word loyal. Damnit, how the hell did she find out? Worse, seems she's pickin' that shifty bastard Shaw cause of it. Rollin' my eyes, I spat gruffly, "Loyal, bet he is." Okay, so I was baitin' her, tryin' to get her t'admit she knew I was seein' a whore so I could calm her down an' talk it out wit' her. If I could talk sense into her, I might still get a shot with her.
"He's more loyal then you. At least he doesn't see whores." Jessa spat at me, her indigo eyes burnin' black like angry coals as she gave me a cuttin' look from her spot at my table workin' on that damned monogramed hankie for that shifty bastard.
"Aha." I sat up ramrod straight in my chair, placin' my flask on the nearby end table. Waggling my finger at her I said, "I knew that was botherin' ya." Tiltin' my head, I told her in an informatively gruff tone, "A whore provides a service, nothin' more so don't get yerself in a tizzy over it."
"A service, are you kidding me?!" She spat out rhetorically 'fore snappin' at me wit', "It's more then a service, you're bein' intimate with somebody and then paying for it too."
"If that's what ya wanna believe, but it ain't like that. It's just-" I began t'say til I was loudly cut off by Jessa's shriekin' scream of, "Don't you dare tell me it's just sex or doesn't mean anything cause when you're supposed to be trying to win the courtship of a girl seeing a whore's a little more than that."
Wit' pleadin' eyes I begged, "Darlin', don't fault me for doin' somethin' most men do when they need'a let off some steam."
"Shaw doesn't." Jessa quipped as she quickly ran her thread up into that damned hand sewn hankie she was gonna be giftin' that shifty Eldridge bastard.
"Course he don't. Why would he when he's got ya t'warm his bed?" I sneered, a slight gruff scoff caught in the back of my throat. Okay, maybe that was uncalled for an' a low blow, but it was true. Oh well, truth hurts.
"You're a mean dickhead, Tolbert." Jessa yelled at me, stuffin' her needlework into the small pouch that she had on the table. Shootin' up from the table, clutchin' the pouch tightly in her hand, she spat at me, "When the dough doubles in size stick it in a greased pan and bake it til golden." Stormin' out of the kitchen and towards the door she told me, "I'm leaving. I'm not dealing with your bullshit today."
Aw shit, I don't want her to leave. I want her to see how she's bein' rash an' unreasonable. Quickly, I bolted out of my chair an' over to the door. Jessa had just opened it an' walked out onto the porch as I reached her. Grabbin' her arm 'bove her elbow, I pleaded, "Please, don't go." As she spun 'round to look at me I added, "I just wanna talk this out, get'cha t'see reason."
"Reason, are you nuts? There's no reasoning with you." She sighed a bit roughly, her eyes glarin' hard into me. Juttin' her chin up she demanded, "Let me go, I'm leavin'."
"Can't we work this out?" I asked 'fore quickly addin' in a smooth, but panicky tone, "I don't wanna lose ya t'Shaw."
"You can't lose something you never really had, Tolbert." Jessa spat at me, her indigo eyes narrowed into hard slits, 'fore yankin' her arm outta my hold an' stormin' off 'cross my yard as if her ass was on fire.
AN:
I know, things don't look so good for Tolbert, but don't worry he GETS the girl! It's gonna be all dramatic, so just bear with me. Hmm, seems like Sully's reasons for meddling are coming to light. Anyways…Something big's going to happen in the next chapter that changes everything up. Oh, and by the way, do you guys think Shaw actually likes Jessa and wants her or is he just shady and up to something else?