*Author's Note*

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

The muses were being loud, so here's the next chapter. Hope you guys like it.

August 21st 1879, Captain W's Arrival

Tolbert POV:

I blinked my eyes open as Silas' cries pierced my ears. I sat up an' looked over at Jessa t'see that she was sleepin', but gettin' ready t'stir 'wake. She was exhausted, I could tell by the way she dragged 'round day in day out. She nev'r complained 'bout bein' tired. So, I did what I usually did durin' the nite when Silas cried an' Jessa wasn't up yet. I got out of bed an' picked him up, holdin' him an' tryin' to calm him so that his mama could get a few more minutes o'rest. Over the last couple of weeks, I've found out that Silas is very fussy at times an' liked t'be rocked, not bounced. He nev'r fully calmed down for me like he did for Jessa, but at least he let me cradle him wit'out squirmin' too much.

I was swayin' from foot t'foot as I gently rubbed my son's back soothin'ly up an' down. I was hopin' he's quiet down so I'd be able t'put him back in his crib. I'd rather that Silas got sleepy instead o'cry an' wake up Jessa. Jessa needed rest, hell so did I. Takin' care of a baby an' workin' all day was hard. Hard on me an' on my wife, but it was what it was.

Poppy said that Silas oughta grow outta his fussy colic in a few months, boy I sure do hope he's right. Mama, well she wasn't givin' out too much advice for raisin' Silas. All she kept sayin' was there weren't no perfect way t'parent; that ev'body had t'figure things out on their own. So, for the last couple weeks that's what me an' Jessa's been doin'. Figurin' out how t'raise our baby on our own. I had t'admit that shewas better wit' Silas then I was, but I did spend most of the day workin' when she spent it wit' the baby so…

"Oh, calm down, Silas, so yer mama can stay asleep." I softly pleaded wit' the boy I was rockin', gently rubbin' his back as he let out lil wails into my bare shoulder. "Sshh, calm down, Silas."

"Did you change him?" I heard Jessa's tired voice sound out from 'hind me. Hell, I was tryin' t'prevent her from wakin' up by soothin' our son, but looks like that didn't work out.

Turnin' 'round t'look at my wife, who was sittin' up in bed, I simply answered her wit', "No."

"Why not?" She asked, soundin' both tired and irritated.

"He don't feel wet." I shrugged, swayin' back an' forth to lull Silas' cries, which were slightly easin' up.

"Just cause he doesn't feel wet, Tolbert, doesn't mean he's not. He needs to be changed every time he wakes up." Jessa told me in a slight sigh while gettin' outta bed an' walkin' ov'r t'me.

"I wanted t'calm him down so ya could sleep's all." I told my wife as she took Silas out of my arms.

Jessa POV:

"I'm glad that you wanted to rock him back to sleep, but you needed to change his diaper before doing that." I told Tolbert as I made my way over to the changing table, setting Silas down on it.

I heard Tolbert let out a little huff of, "I try t'help, but it just ain't good 'nough.", as his feet padded against the floor as he made his way over to the bed.

I just shook my head, grabbing the supplies I needed from the shelf under the changing top Silas was laying on. I decided to just let his remark slid since it was late and I wasn't in the mood to fight with him. Tolbert's hot-headed nature made him quick to take things as fighting words; something I didn't need to happen today. Instead, I just went about my business changing Silas.

What had me a bit upset was how he just accused me of cutting him down, when I didn't. I never told Tolbert his help wasn't good enough, just told him that no matter what he needed to change Silas whenever he woke up crying. Shit, it's like Tolbert wasn't using his brain when it came to taking care of the baby. Like he just did the bare minimum to get by til he could pass Silas over to me. Tolbert was nothing like Shaw when it came to helping with Silas. Shaw didn't need to be told to change Silas when he woke up crying, he just did it. Shaw also didn't seem to have a hard time settling and soothing him either. Shaw actually took a small amount of time out of his day to check up on me, help with Silas, and bond before going to work at his livery all the way in West Virginia. He went out of his way to see and help me every morning. Sadly, Tolbert wasn't going above and beyond like that in his help.

At least I'd have help all the time once Shaw was ready to take us home with him. I just had to wait a few more days; then I'd have a more helpful and stable environment for Silas. Also, Shaw's siblings were old enough to help me and he even assured me that they'd be more then happy to help with their nephew.

"Problem wit'cha, Jessa, is no way's good 'nough for ya when it comes t'him." Tolbert told me, pointing at Silas as he said the word t'him, as I picked Silas up after fastening his diaper on. "If it ain't yer way it ain't good for him." He spat as I carried Silas over to the bed.

"Tolbert…" I warned in a sigh as I sat down on the bed, propping myself up against some pillows.

"I'm goin' t'sleep." Tolbert announced, fluffing his pillow, as I opened the top of my shift so I could nurse Silas.

Of course, he was going to sleep… I didn't say a word, just nodded while Silas latched onto my breast and started to suckle and feed.

Meanwhile In Mate Creek, VW…

Allie POV:

One thing they don't tell you in health class is that labor is long and it hurts. I mean after your water breaks a baby doesn't just shoot out like in the movies. And the contractions start out feelings like sharp cramps, but soon turn into a pain that feels worse than being run over or something. Oh my god, for the last few hours my contractions have been going from a tolerable pain to a it hurts so bad I wanna cry pain.

Men and children weren't allowed inside of the house during birth either. Actually, only women helping with the birth and the doctor were allowed in the room let alone inside of the house. The women in my bedroom with me were Levicy, Vera, and Olga (much to Shaw's dismay since he didn't think she needed t'be 'round me as I was in my birthing bed). Of course, Doc was with me since it was his job to deliver the baby.

Currently, I was propped up in bed and was nearly ready to have my baby. The dark sky outside was visible from the window, the silver moon shining brightly and casting a glow thru the slightly open sheer window curtain. Vera was sitting in a chair next to me, keeping me company and talking to me about baby stuff. She was currently 5-months along in her own pregnancy so she was very excited to talk about babies. Levicy (the best mother a girl could have) was sitting next to me, wiping my forehead off with a cool wet rag. Olga was a bit quiet as she sat in a chair close to where Doc was at (which was by the other side of the bed next to a side-table). I noticed that her hand rested on her flat stomach a few times and I couldn't help, but think that maybe she was pregnant too. Doc just read a book in between checking on me. I think he didn't talk much since the women (well mostly Vera and Levicy) were chatting away with me.

Taking a puff off his cigar, Doc looked over at Olga and asked, "Olga, have you ever helped with a birth?"

Olga nodded, while answering Doc with, "Yes. I helped Jenny deliver a few babies for the girls at Satan's Circus back in the Five Points."

Holy shit, Satan's Circus was a real saloon/whorehouse in the Five Points. I thought it was just made up for the movie Gangs Of New York. Wait a minute, she said she helped Jenny act as a midwife so that means Jenny Everdeen's real too. Wonder if she really looks like Cameron Diaz since that's who played her in the movie.

"Hmm, so you're an experience midwife?" Doc asked, even tho it sounded more like a statement instead of a question, before taking another long puff off his cigar.

"In a way, reckon I am." Olga nodded with a shy smile, a blush creeping over her face. Hmm, I think she's being modest about her midwife skills. If she helped Jenny Everdeen deliver whores' babies, she must know a thing or two.

"Doc, since Olga's young and has experience bein' a midwife perhaps you could use her as an assistant." Levicy suggested with a warm and syrupy tone. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she felt empathy for Olga and her situation (you know being cooped up in a house cooking and cleaning *cough warming the bed of too* for a man that wasn't 100-percent committed to her). I think LEvicy was trying to arrange it so that Olga could have more of a life for herself, one where she wasn't so dependent on Shaw since he clearly wasn't very warm to her (hell he was just using her for sex and I think all of the Hatfields picked up on it…).

"I could always use an assistant." The middle-aged Doc mused. Taking a puff off his cigar he told the slender brunette, "The job's yours if you want it, Olga."

"Oh, thank ya. I'll take it, Doc." The brunette gratefully told the middle-aged doctor as a big beaming smile appeared on her face.

"Oh god, this pain's worse than the last one." I announced, to nobody in particular, as I clutched at my side.

"She's ready t'birth her baby." Olga declared after takin' one quick look at me.

Noddin', Doc placed his cigar in the ashtray on the bedside table and closed his book while saying, "I think you're right, Olga."

"Sweetheart, just push when Doc says so and you'll be just fine." Levicy assured me, running the rag over my forehead in a soothing way.

Vera appeared by my side, grabbing my hand for moral support. "Just squeeze and bear down." She told me with a smile.

Doc removed the sheet off of me and opened my legs so I could push out my son while Olga gathered the supplies needed for the after birth (twine, scissors, towels, a blanket, etc.). Doc gave me an encouraging nod as he crouched down at the bottom of the bed. "Go 'head and push, Allie."

And push I did. I pushed and pushed til I was blue in the face and had to stop. Then I repeated the process for a few more times. Sadly, it didn't seem like the baby was moving down the birth canal even tho I was pushing with all my might.

"Doc, if she keeps pushin' like this she's gonna tire out." Olga told Doc, pointing out the obvious and making him nod and let out a short mhm. "We need to get her outta bed and crouchin'. Gravity'll help the baby come out when she pushes next."

"You've seen that done 'fore?" Doc asked Olga while the rest of us were looking between the two of them.

"Yes." The slim brunette nodded before explaining, "It's a trick Jenny used for some of the girls when they got too tired or were too weak."

"Okay, let's try it." Doc nodded, gesturing with a wave of his hand for Olga to go over to my bedside, help Levicy get me up and into a squatting position.

Oh boy, birth would be a major project huh…

Cap POV:

I'd been sittin' on my porch with my entire family and friends waitin' for the birth of my baby. I was anxious, but my nerves weren't shot too bad since I had everyone rallied 'round me and waitin' with me. One thing I loved and appreciated 'bout my family was that they were very supportive; tight knit.

As I sat in my rocker right by the door both Skunk Hair and Johnse sat by me, both excieted to become godfather and uncle. Pa sat on the other side of the door with Ellison and Lias by him. Uncle Jim was leaning against a porch post while Sully stood by him, smoking at staring at his son Shaw, who was sipping from a flask while sitting on the steps next to my brother-in-law Abel. Shaw was the only one that didn't seem very excited 'bout me becomin' a pa. I knew why tho, it was cause of his own child bein' born an' named as a McCoy. I didn't know much 'bout Jessa's labor, only that it was a botched birth and she managed t'surive it along with her son.

The only family members not present at my house were Uncle Wall and Jane since they were watchin' all of the chil'ren (my siblin's, Shaw's siblin's, and Cottontop) at my folks' place. I knew that they'd come t'see the baby after everythin' was said and done tho. Even tho Wall was a stern judge, he was a complete softy when it came t'babies. His wife, Jane, adored babies too so I bet she'd be giftin' my newborn wit' some kinda handmade booties, hat, or blanket as a gift.

I was broken out of my thoughts as a loud cry filled the air, signalin' that my baby had entered the world. Pride and joy washed over me as I listened to the cries echo from my house. I couldn't wait for Doc t'come out on the porch and fetch me so I could see Allie and our newborn.

"Sounds like my nephew's here." Johnse smiled at me, excitement oozin' from him.

"My gran'baby sure does have a set of lungs on him." Pa told me, his deep voice havin' a tint of mirth in it. Takin' his pipe outta his mouth and pointin' it at me, he smirked, "He'll settle down whenever you or Allie holds him tho."

Shaw looked over his shoulder, his honey eyes shinin' with knowledge, as he told me, "Nothin' compares to the feelin' of holdin' your newborn son in your arms."

Abel rolled his eyes while scoffing, "Okay, Maester Aemon."

"Who's that?" Johnse asked, his face tilted up curiously, as everyone curiously looked at Abel.

"A scholar that told some guy something similar to what Shaw just told Cap." Was Abel's answer as he snatched his flask, that he was letting Shaw borrow, out of my cousin's hand.

'Fore anything else could be said, the sound of the front door squeaking open echoed into the air. Quickly, I stood up and went over to doorway while everyone just turned their attention to the open door. Doc emerged from the house, a smile on his face. "Cap, you have a newborn son." Doc told me while both Vera and Olga walked out of the house.

"Thanks, Doc." I beamed, grateful that he'd delivered my son.

"Your mama's inside with your wife, fussing over her as she giver ya'lls son his first meal." Doc told me in a slight chuckle 'fore goin' on to tell me, "You're free to go inside, see Allie and the baby."

I didn't say a word, just nodded 'fore walkin' by him and into the house. It took me less than a minute to reach my bedroom, where I was met with the site of Allie nursin' Captain W while my ma was making sure that diapers were stacked up in heaping piles on the changing table, I had next to the dresser.

"Oh, Cap, he looks just like you did." Ma told me, a reminiscent smile on her face, as she noticed me walkin' into the room.

"You can go see pa now; tell him that Captain W's my spittin' image." I told my mama with a smirk, pattin' her gently on the shoulder.

"Oh, I'll go, but only cause you need a few minutes with Allie and Captain W t'bond as a family 'fore everyone else comes barrelin' in to see them." Ma told me with a soft look, pattin' my stubble covered cheek, 'fore walkin' out of the bedroom.

"So, Captain W's here." I told my wife as I went over to the bed; takin' a seat next to her.

"Yea, he's here and he's the cutest baby I've ever seen." Allie beamed as our son stopped suckling to rest his head against her breast.

"Yea, he is a cute lil man ain't he?" I rhetorically asked, watchin' Allie fix the top of her shift to cover herself 'fore arrangin' Captain W over her shoulder for his burpin'.

"Of course, he's cute, he looks just like his pa." Allie told me with love in both her voice and her sapphire blue eyes as she gently patted our son on the back, burpin' him for the very first time.

I just watched in awe as she cared for our son. It was the most amazin' an' beautiful thing I've ever seen. Seein' Allie tendin' to Captain W made me love her even more, if that was even humanly possible.

Abel POV:

Olga was standing by Shaw, who was sitting and brooding state next to me; waiting for him to acknowledge her as Cap walked by Doc and into the house to see Allie and their baby. Shaw didn't even look at Olga, just stood up and told her, "I gotta go take a piss; then we'll leave.", before walking off to go take his needed piss.

God, Shaw was such a prick. He got his prick attitude from his uncle, Jim Vance. God, in the last year I spent here in the 1800s Tug River Valley I've come to discover that Jim Vance was a mean, unhinged, dickhead. God, he enjoyed making fun of the McCoys and even made jokes with Shaw about how they needed to put a bullet in Tolbert's head. Sheesh, I wasn't a fan of Tolbert McCoy, but I didn't think Jim and Shaw should be joking about killing him either. I mean the McCoy was taking care of Jessa along with her baby without any qualms. I mean after watching Shaw attack Tolbert on Easter (Jim Vance laughing and egging him on too) I started to rethink my opinion of all of this feud stuff. I know when I was in Sully's history class years ago he crammed it in our heads that the McCoys were the villains and the history book even painted them out as crazy, but since living in the feud era I haven't really seen any crazy actions from the McCoys (other than the brawl at the pig trial and Bill Staton being killed by Squirrel and Parris, but he did threaten to shank them so…). Instead I've seen some crazy shit from Shaw, shit that the Hatfields just shrugged off and condone in a way.

I looked at Olga with sympathy. I felt bad for her since she was stuck with a dick due to answering a mail order ad said dick's dad published for him. Olga just gave me a soft smile before taking a seat next to me. Doc walked right down the steps, stopping when his feet touched the ground only to look at Olga and tell her, "I'll pick ya up on Friday to assist me with an appointment I've got with Mrs. Leighton."

"Okay, Doc." The brunette simply told the doctor, causing him to nod and walk off towards where his buggy was at. I just gave Olga a raised brow look, silently and curiously asking what the thing with Doc was about. A shy smile crossed over her heart-shaped face as she told me, "Doc's havin' me be his assistant as a midwife."

"Oh." I nodded before asking, "You have experience midwifing then?"

"Yes, I do." She nodded, her hand subconsciously moving to rest on her stomach.

"Does Shaw know you're pregnant?" I asked, causing her doe eyes to widen into big brown saucers. "I take that as a no." I chuckled.

"How'd ya figure it out?" She asked in an awed whisper.

Tilting my head towards her middle, I told her, "You're resting your hand on your stomach; my sister did that a lot throughout her pregnancy."

Before Olga could say anything to me Shaw came back from taking his piss, barking, "Let's go, Olga."

"Bye." Olga simply told me, standing up so she could go over to Shaw, who was already making his way to his wagon.

"Bye." I waved, watching her scurry after her dickhead boyfriend. Hmm, maybe him having a kid he can actually raise'll make him a little less dicky.

Since my sister gave birth to Devil Anse's first grandchild last night (well actually this morning since the baby popped out at like 2 or 3 am) he gave everyone the day off. He did it so that he could spend time at Cap and Allie's fawning over his grandson, who was named William Anderson Hatfield III aka Captain W. Dear god my sister sure did call her kid a dumb nickname, but whatever floats her boat. I think Cap had more to do with her picking out the nickname then she lets on, but whatever.

Anyways, since I had the day off, I decided to visit the saloon in Pikeville to treat myself to a whore. I liked the whores better in Kentucky since they wore nicer dresses, perfume, makeup, and just seemed cleaner. Plus, the saloon in Pikeville was bigger and brighter than the one in Mate Creek. I was just about to enter the bar whenever a tall, but very beautiful, black haired lady stormed out of the place and bumped into me. She was about to lose balance, but I quickly grabbed her arm to keep her from falling flat on her ass.

"I'm sorry for runnin' into ya, but thanks for keepin' me from fallin'." She told me in a sweet tone, smoothing out a few wrinkles that were in her moss colored skirt after I let her arm go.

"You're welcome." I simply told her before asking, "Um, I don't mean to be rude, but why were you storming out of the saloon for? Find your man two-timing or something?"

"No, I don't have a man, I was lookin' for my drunk brother." The beautiful girl with black eyes told me.

"Oh, so you didn't find him." I supplied since that's the impression I was getting from her.

Shaking her head, causing some of her dark curls fall around her shoulders, she sighed, "No, I didn't."

"Well, I know some of the girls here so why don't I ask if they might know where he is." I suggested, wanting to help the pretty thing that ran into me.

"You'd do that for me?"

"Sure."

"Okay, let's find out if these whores know where my brother is." The girl dressed in moss green told me before swinging the saloon doors open and walking inside of the building.

I followed the young lady into the saloon. "Um, mind if I ask who your brother is?"

"Jefferson McCoy." Holy shit, this beautiful raven-haired girl's Nancy? No way. The Nancy I read about was made out to be a bitter shrew, but this girl seems too sweet to be a shrew. "I'm his older sister, Nancy McCoy." She supplied as an introduction as we walked deeper into the saloon.

"I'm Abel Freeland." I told her with a slight smirk, trying my best to be flirty.

"Cap Hatfield's brother-in-law?" Nancy asked with a raised brow.

"Yea, my sister married him last year."

"I hate his uncle, Jim Vance." Nancy told me, malice heavy in her voice, as we passed by some men playing a game of cards at one of the tables.

"Man murdered your pap cause he was a Yankee soldier, right?" I asked, even tho I already knew her answer would be yes.

"Yes." She nodded before letting out a heavy spat of, "Man's a mad dog that needs t'be put down."

"His nephew Shaw's 'bout as sane, well insane, as he is." I told her, my voice a dark sneer, as my eyes scanned the bar looking for one of the whores I knew. Before Nancy could say a word, I spotted Jenny (the whore I've seen with Parris McCoy a few times) and said, "She knows Parris, bet she knows something 'bout where your brother is."

"Let's ask her." Nancy suggested before making a beeline towards the blonde whore dressed up in a frilly teal skirt and teal-black striped corset. I just followed Miss McCoy since I did agree to help her find information out on her brother.

"Hey, Jenny, do you happen to know where Jefferson McCoy might be?" I asked the whore as I came to a stop in front of her, Nancy right by my side. Gesturing to the beauty next to me, I added, "His sister's looking for him."

"Accordin' to Parris, he's real sweet on Sarah Wolford. Try the mailman's house since she's his sister."

"Thank you." Nancy sweetly told Jenny, who just nodded and walked off. "Would you mind riding with me to fetch my brother? We can always come back and get your horse after, it's just I don't want to make the long drive all by myself since the Wolfords live north past Blackberry Creek; near the Tug too."

"I don't mind riding with you." I smiled, offering her my arm.

"Let's go get my drunk dumbass brother." She smirked, looping her arm into mine.

I just chuckled before leading us out of the saloon.

Green trees and various wildflowers lined the dirt road our wagon was driving down as Nancy's voice spoke up with, "I know I shouldn't say anythin', but back in Pikeville's saloon you said that Shaw Eldridge's just as insane as Jim Vance and I'm wonderin' what you meant by that?"

"I meant he's nuts like his uncle." I bluntly told her since that's how I felt about Shaw, Jim Vance too. They were nutty drunks. God, if I ever find my way back to the 21st century I'm writing a book 'bout those two.

"How so?" Nancy pressed, her voice sweeter then sugar, as she looked at me with a slightly raised dark brow.

"How so?" I parroted a bit sarcastically. I shook my head before using my fingers to count off the reasons Shaw was nuts. "The guy attacked your cousin Tolbert on Easter cause he took Jessa and his baby from him. Threatened to kill the guy in the middle of church too, oh and he's always brooding over his baby mama that don't want him no more."

"Wait, Jessa's baby belongs to Shaw Eldridge?"

"Yea…least that's what he claims."

"Hell, I knew that baby was too big to be born a month early." Nancy scoffed, shaking her head incredulously. Suddenly, worry crossed over her egg-shaped face as she asked, "Do you think he'll go after Tolbert cause of Jessa and his baby?"

"No, his mail order bride turned midwife's pregnant. I doubt he's gonna run after a woman and kid he can't have when he's gonna have a kid he can raise with the woman he's been sharing his bed with since last month."

"Oh, so Shaw's married." She stated, most likely coming to that conclusion since I told her he's having a baby with Olga.

Shaking my head, I corrected her information with, "Not legally, but the girl arrived to answer a mail order bride ad."

"Well, as long as he's got this midwife and leaves my cousin's wife alone, I reckon everything'll be just fine."

"Yep." I popped out, looking the trees lining the road we were on.

I could feel her eyes boring into me as she softly remarked, "You seem different than the rest of the Hatfields, Abel."

"That's cause I ain't a Hatfield." I answered Nancy as she steadily snapped the reigns in her hands, causing the horses to pull the wagon a bit faster.

Looking at me from over her shoulder she countered, "You live and work with 'em tho."

"Cause my sister's married to one. Honestly, if she wasn't with Cap, I wouldn't be living in West Virginia right now." It was true, I'd still be on base in Idaho right now if my sister wasn't hooked up with Cap. Hell, Allie would get herself portaled back in time during the feud era. Get wrapped up into one of the big player families of it too. Damnit, I could be back home in my apartment watching Game of Thrones right now, but no I'll never find out how it ends.

"I understand, you're trying to look out for her and the only way to do that is to get close to the Hatfields." Nancy told me; her sweet tone full of kind-heartedness as she gave me a thinly lined smile. "I'm like that with my brother. I'd protect Jefferson no matter the cost." Nancy wasn't a shrew; she was just a woman trying to keep watch over her brother while getting by.

"Are we close to the Wolford house yet?" I asked as a way to lighten up the air and change the subject off of the heavy subject we were talking about.

"Nearly there." Nancy simply told me before quickly adding in, "Too bad tho cause I like spendin' time wit'cha, Abel Freeland."

"If ya want, Nancy, we could always see each other. On my days off I can come over into Kentucky and call on ya." I suggested with a smile since I liked her. I know history makes Nancy McCoy out as a woman to be loathed, but I just didn't see her that way. She was too pretty and sweet to be hated. I think whoever wrote the history books over exaggerated some shit.

"I'd like that, Abel." Nancy told me with a smile, turning the wagon onto a path right off the road that most likely led to the Wolford house.

Yes, I just bagged me the prettiest black-haired, black eyed beauty in the area as my girlfriend. Fuck you, Bad Frank Phillips, Nancy's gonna be my girl. Good thing that bounty hunter doesn't waltz into town for a couple more years, by then me and Nancy should be real serious. I mean it's only a give since he's beautiful and I'd handsome that we'd hook up. Pretty people only get with pretty people.

AN:

My oh my, Abel's smitten with Nancy McCoy! That's not good is it?... Oh and he spilled the beans about Olga's being pregnant along with being Shaw's bedwarmer (among other things…), yikes! Anyways, Tolbert and Jessa are still on the rocks when it comes to taking care of Silas, but soon they'll be fine. Cap and Allie are happy and have a baby, but soon they'll be dealing with some drama (not their own tho).

Next chapter some shit goes down. YAY! Any guesses as to what's gonna go down?