*Author's Note*

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

July 4th, 1881

Jessa POV:

The large festival venue in West Virginia (right outside of Mate Creek & only a few miles away from Johnse's still) was decorated for the 4th of July holiday with banners, ribbons, steamers, and sashes. So many booths and carts filled up the area too. Of course, both Johnse and Tolbert had their shine carts set up across from each other at the makeshift courtyard (like they did at every large event in the Tug River Valley). Tolbert along with Pharmer and Bud were selling his product while Johnse and his little brother Robert E. (who was around the same age as Todd, but was more polite) sold his. Roseanna was spending some time with her little sisters-in-law at the craft booths, otherwise I'm sure she'd be right by her husband's side. It was cute how she was always by his side. Their love was innocent and true; it was what poems and ballads are made of.

Cap was hanging around with Skunk Hair at some gun booth while their wives (Allie and Vera) had to fend for themselves with 4-kids. Thankfully my husband was by my side helping me with our children. Well, one thing I could never take away from Shaw was his devotion as a father. He never complained about helping me with our kids or doing stuff for them; in fact, he did it with a smile on his face and a bounce in his step. I was thankful that he was such a hands-on dad considering how many men weren't in this time period.

Talk about slacking dads, Sully was with Uncle Jim at a game booth keeping an eye on Todd and Mary for us. Ever since Shaw's near-death experience he didn't want his siblings to be alone in large settings so he had his dad and uncle keep an eye on them. The men didn't mind which was a good thing since it gave me and my husband the freedom to walk around and spend some family time with our kids. Don't get me wrong, having Todd and Mary around's nice, but spending time with just Shaw, Silas, and Lydia's a must since we're a family and need to bond as parents and children.

Shaw was holding Lydia on his hip while Silas was walking between us while we both held one of his hands. If iPhones existed right now, I'm sure that we'd be in a total Instagram moment with our family cuteness. Looking over at me with concern in his honey eyes, Shaw asked, "Are you feelin' a'ight, baby? If you need to, we can always go home early; dad and Uncle Jim'll bring Todd and Mary home for us."

"I'm fine, honey, but I'll keep that in mind." I assured my husband as we walked around the festival.

Shaw nodded. "Just let me know if you don't feel good. I know how rough pregnancy can be on ya and would rather leave early then stay and have you get really sick." He told me with such sincerity in his deep timbre. Shaw truly was worried about my health, which touched me.

"I'll let you know, but for the meantime let's just enjoy the festival." I told my husband, earning me a nod of acceptance from him, as we got close to some booths that were selling gadgets and home goods.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Allie a few yards away with Vera. I also noticed that she said something to her before walking off. Nudging my husband's arm, I slightly gestured towards where Allie was with my head and told him, "I think Allie's coming over here."

Taking his attention off of some gadget he was looking at, he looked over to where I was gesturing to and sighed, "Hell…just ignore her."

"Was planning on it since that's what I do every time she shows up at our door." So far Allie's come over a handful of times wanting to have afternoon tea, but I just peek around my window curtains and shoo her off. I don't want to be bother with somebody that can't respect my decisions, somebody that goes behind my back to scheme and meddle in my life while presenting themselves as a friend to my face.

"She's a real piece of work thinkin' she can just fuck us over and then show up smilin' like she's our friend." Shaw bitterly sneered. His distaste for my 'best friend' was so evident in his tone that it wasn't even funny.

If truth be told, well, I'm still disgusted and disgruntled with her too. She had no right to do what she did to me. I would never and I mean never do Allie so dirty. I actually valued our friendship, but it seems like she didn't.

"I know, Shaw." I bit out, trying my best to keep my voice level, as I noticed Allie getting closer out of the corner of my eye. Shaw didn't say a word, just placed his attention back onto the various gadgets and house wares being sold at the booths we were walking by.

"Hi, Jessa, how're you and the kids doing?" Asked Allie as she came to a stop right in front of me and my family. She had her baby tightly pressed against he chest while her son stood next to her, holding her hand. Her son didn't even smile, look at, or talk to mine, while my son just looked around in an attempt to figure out what was going on.

"You know I'm here too, right?" Shaw sarcastically asked Allie, giving her a dirty look. Well, there goes his suggestion of ignoring her. Seems like he should listen to his own advice.

"Yea, how could I miss the big manipulative jackass right next to my best friend." Allie rolled her eyes, sounding a bit rude and salty.

Before Shaw could snap back at her, I bluntly, but politely, spoke up with, "Allie, we're trying to spend some time as a family so maybe you should go back over to Vera or off to find Cap for some family time of your own."

With a smile that I culd only describe and sweet, but a bit calculated, she gave me the song and dance of, "Jessa, I've been trying to see you for weeks, but you're always turning me away. I just want to talk as friends; let our kids play together."

"After what you did, are you nuts?" Shaw scoffed, disgust heavy and thick in the back of his throat.

"I didn't do anything." Allie lied right to our faces, making me mad. How can she just deny her wrongs and act like she's in the right, when she's not?

"Yes, you did, Allie." I firmly told her. Staring her right in the eyes with a hard look, I went on to say, "You went running your mouth to Tolbert McCoy and almost got people killed. You put my family in danger."

"No, I didn't." She quickly denied. With a straight face she had the balls to add, "It must've been Nancy."

Rolling his honey eyes, my husband let out a sarcastic scoff. "Oh, that's rich, blame your evil sister-in-law."

Cutting my indigo eyes at her in a way that made her know I was over her lies and games, I made the blunt and truthful remark of, "Allie, we both know that you're the one who went running to Tolbert with some scheme to get rid of Shaw. You don't like him, plus you were always trying to bring up my past with Tolbert whenever we had tea."

Shaw's honey eyes turned into the size of saucers. "You what? Fuckin' bitch, you were trying to talk to her about that ginger while I was gettin' my shit together."

Allie rolled her sapphire blues at Shaw before letting out a haughty sneer of, "Don't act like you were trying to better yourself, Shaw. You were locked up in a room by Uncle Jim."

"Yea, to dry out and get my head on straight. That's considered gettin' my shit together, bitch." Shaw retorted with a fed-up attitude.

"You'll never have your shit together." Allie spat back; her nose turned up in a way that made her come across as if she felt she was better than Shaw.

I was pregnanct (which meant I was cranky and felt crappy most of the time) and wasn't in the mood to listen to Allie bicker with Shaw. I married him (well that's cause Anse told me to and I wasn't going to go against that man since he was a bit startling) so she needs to respect. "Allie, leave us alone." I firmly ordered my best friend with my head held up high.

"Well, here we go again with you picking a man over our friendship." Allie hissed before spinning on her heel and stalking off, nearly pulling her son's arm out of its socket and she drug him along at her high pace.

"Allie no more friend." Silas' voice sounded out, causing me and Shaw to look down at him. With an innocent look he simply said, "She no more friend. Right daddy, mama?"

"Right, buddy, she's not our friend anymore." Shaw nodded, looking impressed that our toddler (who'd be turning two next month) was so smart that he picked up on the rift between us and Allie.

Tolbert POV:

I was sellin' my shine wit' my brothers, Pharmer an' Bud. Our cousins Parris an' Squirrel were at my cart too. They were tryin' t'swindle free whiskey from me instead of helpin' me sell it. I weren't givin' 'em nothin' for free tho. "Squirrel, that bottles a dollar if ya take it." I told my cousin as he reached to snag a full bottle outta the back o'my cart.

"Damn, Tolbert, can't ya just give me one free bottle? Just this once for yer fav'rite cousin?" Squirrel asked wit' a pout.

"No. I gotta make a livin' ya know." I retorted with a shake o'my head. Pointin' to Parris, I said, "Share that bottle ya bought wit' yer baby brother."

"Hell, ya wouldn't give 'im a free one." Parris grumbled as he passed the bottle ov'r to Squirrel.

"How ya feel 'bout that?" Squirrel asked, tippin' his shine bottle in the direction that Jessa an' Shaw were walkin' in wit' their kids.

"How ya think?" I asked him instead of voicin' my feelin's. God, it made me livid that she married that Vance bastard.

"Ah, yer mighty mad I reckon." Parris told me wit' a knowin' look in his eyes.

"Course he's mad, she's havin' his baby an' up 'n' married Shaw." Bud blurted out from his spot perched on top o'my large whiskey barrel.

"Ya knocked up Jessa only for her t'marry that Vance Bastard?" Parris asked, his brows raised incredulously.

Takin' a sip of his bottle, Squirrel asked, "How that happen, thought Allie was helpin' ya get 'er back?"

"She was, but I didn't take Jessa an' run like she told me too." Leanin' my arm against my wagon, I continued my thought with, "Instead I tried t'kill Shaw, but was stopped cause Bud told on me."

Lookin' at me, Bud defended his past actions with the remark of, "I told Roseanna cause you were gonna kill Johnse. She loves him, they're havin' a baby, an' he nev'r did no wrong t'us."

"Yea, it was Shaw we wanted dead anyhow." Pharmer piped up from his spot leanin' 'gainst the back o'my wagon.

Roseanna POV:

I was passin' behind Tolbert's whiskey cart on the way to Johnse's when I overheard my brothers an' cousins talkin' 'bout Shaw and Jessa bein' married. I wasn't shocked to hear that Tolbert was mad 'bout it, but I was shocked t'hear that Allie told Tolbert to run off with Jessa. I had a feelin' that Allie was lyin' 'bout her consortin' with my brother, but hearin' the truth come out of his own mouth took me by surprise.

Quickly, I made my way over to my husband's side. I must've had a pale look on my face cause Johnse furrowed his brows and asked in a worried way, "Roseanna, darlin', what's wrong? Are ya unwell?"

I shook my head to let Johnse know that I was fine. He just nodded and gave me a look that encouraged me to tell him what was wrong. Lookin' over to Tolbert's cart and then into my husband's eyes, I answered him with, "I walked behind my brother's cart on the way 'ere an' heard him tell the others wit' him that Allie told him to run off with Jessa."

"What? Ya sure you heard Tolbert say that?" Johnse asked in a low whisper as his sparkling blue eyes popped outta his head in pure shock.

"Yes, I swear, Johnse." I nodded.

Runnin' a hand thru his gold hair, he sighed, "We'll have to tell ma and pa this."

"Now?" I asked, a bit nervous 'bout the prospect of tellin' Mr. Hatfield bad news while he was enjoyin' himself dancin' with his wife at the festival.

"No, after the festival." Johnse shook his head. "We don't want no problems 'tween our families in the middle of a 4th of July celebration." He explained while fillin' up a bottle for a man headin' our way.

Allie POV:

I was sittin' at a table, lightly rockin' Levicy in my arms while Cap sat next to me with Captain W. on his lap. Cap was sharin' a cherry turnover with our son. Skunk Hair and Vera along with their children were also at the table with us. Skunk Hair was sipping on his flask while T.W. was nibbling on a pastry while sitting between him and Vera, who was rocking Bridget 'Bridie' in a similar way to how I was rocking my daughter.

"How did confronting Jessa 'bout ya'll's friendship go?" Vera asked right as Jessa and Shaw, along with their kids, walked away from a bakery booth with some cookies.

"Horribly." I sighed, sounding defeated since I lost my best friend once again.

"Cause her guard dog's by her side?" Skunk Hair asked, alluding to the confrontation going awry cause Shaw's been up Jessa's ass all day.

"Yep." I popped my tongue.

"You need to just leave her alone, darlin'. If she wants to listen to his bullshit and take his side then let her." Cap told me while tearing a piece off of the turnover in his hand and giving it to our son.

"I know Cap, but I just thought that we got our friendship back to a good place and didn't expect her to be casting me aside." I told my husband while watching my best or I guess my ex-best friend walking further away with her family as they all nibbled on cookies.

"She did it once, what made ya think she wouldn't do it again?" Cap asked, popping a piece of cherry turnover into his mouth. "I warned ya she'd do this."

Before anything else could be said, Uncle Jim's crotchety voice chuckling, "Get 'em, boy!" paired with Sully's voice demanding, "Break it up, boys!" echoed loudly in the air.

"What the hell?" Cap muttered, looking over his shoulder to see what was going on.

"Todd's fightin' with one of 'em younger McCoys." Skunk Hair announced as soon as his eyes fell onto the brunette and the redhead boys trading punches while Sully was trying, but failing to pull them apart.

Shaking his head and rolling his eyes, Cap scoffed, "Of course, Shaw's brother's gonna fight wit' Tolbert's."

Well, there goes a peaceful afternoon…

Sully POV:

"I said break it up, boys!" I shouted at Todd and Billy McCoy, trying to pull them apart. Todd was too much like Shaw when it came to fighting. His hate fueled his energy, making him fast and hard to wrangle. Hell, it's as clear as day that Todd was being raised by his older brother just by his mannerisms.

Sadly, Billy was every bit Tolbert's little brother. Between the hot-headed attitude and the redhair, well, it was safe to say that the boy was his brother's mini me. Boy was nuts, wanted Todd to keep fighting him, would even hold onto him in order to make the fight drag out longer.

"Aw, Sully, let 'em fight it out." Uncle Jim remarked while my step-daughter (I guess Mary in a way's my step-daughter since she's Shaw's half-sister) just stood by him while watching her brother beat on his adversary with wide honey eyes.

"Come on, fight's over." I told Todd as I finally managed to pull him away from Billy.

Looking like a rabid dog, Billy spat at Todd, "My brother should've killed yers, filthy Hatfield!"

Oh no…Here it comes…

"Bastard, my brother's gonna kill yers!" Todd shouted back while buckin' and trying to break free from the hold I had on him.

"Sully, let the boy go so he can give the McCoy an ass beatin'." Jim told me, sounding a bit too excited to see the fight between Todd and Billy resume.

"There'll be no more fighting today." I sternly announced. Jim just rolled his eyes and let out a disappointed sigh while Mary let out a relieved sigh. "Come on, let's go." I told Todd, leading him away from Billy.

"Should've listened to Uncle Jim an' let me beat Billy's ass into the ground." Todd grumbled, wiping a smudge of blood from the corner of his mouth with the edge of his sleeve.

"Thaddeus, you can't be so quick to fightin'." I told the young teen, causing him to cringe at the sound of his full name being used. I don't blame him since I hated being called Hector and knew that Shaw hated being called Shaw Hector, but I also knew that using a full name that a kid hates is the only way to push your point on them. Placing a hand on his shoulder, I wisely advised, "Walk away from an insult that flares your temper. Also, don't go looking for fights, but only finish them if you have too."

"But Shaw don't do that." Todd piped up as we walked further away from the food court's vicinity.

Patting him on the shoulder before removing my hand from it, I went on to explain Shaw's mishaps. "Yes, but him letting his temper get the best of him is what gets your brother into a lot of dicey situations. If Shaw was more of a calm and collective person, well, he wouldn't have so many problems."

"No, he wouldn't have so many problems if those goddamned McCoys just left us the hell alone." Todd retorted, completing letting my words go over his head.

Shaking my head, I asked the boy, "There's no reasoning with you on this, is there?"

"Nope." He simply popped, finding no shame in his hardheaded way of thinking.

God, I hope my grandson doesn't end up with an attitude like his father and uncle when he grows up. I hope Jessa's able to mold Silas into a respectable man; that Shaw's wild ways won't ingrain themselves in him like they did with Todd.

Shaw POV:

The sun had just set and everyone at the fair grounds were huddled on blankets, watching the sky and waiting for the fireworks to begin. I was on a large blanket cuddling with Jessa while our kids were sitting on our laps. Silas and Lydia were eagerly lookin' around, trying to figure out what was going on. Sully, Uncle Jim, and my siblings were also huddled on our large blanket. Jim was sipping on a flask and I wanted so badly to snatch it from him, but I knew that I couldn't unless I wanted a quick smack upside the head by either my wife or my dad. Talk about my dad, he had to break up a fight between Todd and Billy McCoy earlier and my brother was still sulkin' about it. Apparently, Todd wanted to beat the McCoy (who had a mean temper just as bad or maybe worse than Tolbert's) to a bloody pulp for an insult Billy made about me. Sully on the other hand didn't feel a fight during a holiday festival was appropriate; broke up the fight, and gave my brother a lecture.

Looking over at me and Jessa, my dad asked, "Have a good time with your family bonding today?"

"Yea, dad." I nodded.

"We had a good time too watchin' yer siblin's. Even gotta see a fight. Too bad it got ended too soon by yer pappy tho." Uncle Jim remarked in between sipping on his whiskey. God, how I wouldn't mind a quick drink right now…

My dad narrowed his eyes at our crochety uncle and told him in a knowledgeable tone, "Uncle Jim, no good'll come out of a fight at a public event. I had to stop the damned thing." I wonder if he'll try to stop Ellison's fight with the McCoys next election day or not? If so, well, Sully might end up hurt or worse…dead.

"Don't be gettin' in the middle of fights, dad. Just let them play out." I told him, in a way letting him know that the next fight he breaks up ain't gonna be pretty. I might have my differences with him, but he was my dad and did get me out from under Peter's roof; I didn't want anything bad to happen to him. Like getting hurt or dying in Ellison's stead.

"Who started the fight?" Jessa asked, taking me aback since I assumed, she'd just listen to the conversation til the fireworks appeared in the dark sky.

"Billy McCoy did." My brother spoke up. The way he said Billy McCoy with such hatred in his words made me realize that I might not be the only Eldridge with a McCoy problem. Great…just what our family doesn't need right now. Boy's too much like me for his own good.

Turning around to look at me (since she was sitting in front of me next to our brother) Mary honestly revealed, "He told Todd that ya deserved to die by Tolbert's hand; shouldn't be prancin' 'around with your stolen family."

"Goddamn, Billy's as crazy as Tolbert is." I darkly chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief.

"That boy's bad news." Jessa declared right as the first firework bursted into a colorful green and blue spray in the dark sky.

"Look, daddy, look." Silas pointed to the sky with a bright smile on his face, changing the heavy mood that was in the air.

"Yea, buddy, I see." I smiled at my son.

"Look at that one, Silas." Jessa pointed up into the sky at a gold and green firework while Lydia buried her head in her shoulder and started to whine and cry. Dear god, she would be havin' one of her tantrums right now. I swear, Lydia's as bitchy as her birthmother. Hope she doesn't grow up to be a useless whore like her too.

"Well, 'tween the cryin' and the sky cracklin' looks like I better keep drinkin' to ward off any headaches." Uncle Jim dryly remarked, dramatically holdin' up his flask before talking a large drink from it.

"Sshh…It's okay, Lydia." Jessa softly rubbed circles into our daughter's back. "It's okay, honey." Pointing to a red firework in the sky, she told our braty daughter, "Look at the pretty colors in the sky." Lydia just shook her head before burryin' it back into my wife's shoulder. "Well, guess she doesn't like fireworks." Jessa shrugged before patting Lydia's back in a soothing gesture.

"She'll grow out of it. Most kids do." Sully said while never taking his eyes off of the fireworks show.

Tolbert POV:

I was leanin' 'gainst my shine cart watchin' the fireworks all alone. It hurt bein' by my lonesome, 'specially when I thought I'd be somewhere else wit' a family o'my own right now. Even tho it was dark, the light created by the fireworks made it so I could see Jessa sittin' that Vance Bastard she married. I hated that she married him. Hell, why would she do that? We were havin' a child of our own, how could she marry a man she knows t'be bad; wit' the intention of makin' him the father of her baby. I just didn't understand how she could act on her feelin's for me only to turn 'round and betray me by marryin' that Vance Bastard. Jessa should be wit' me right now watchin' fireworks, but instead she's with Shaw.

I took my flask out of my pocket, uncorked it, and tipped it back as a colorful spray of blue, red, and gold light filled up the sky. I didn't feel in a very festive mood, but at least I made a lot of money wit' sales today.

I wasn't payin' too much 'tention to my surroundin's so when a hand softly appeared on my shoulder I jumped outta my skin a bit. "Oh, Tolbert, I didn't mean t'scare ya." My ma's soft tone rang out as she gave me a sympethtic look.

"It's a'ight, ma. I weren't payin' 'tention." I answered, not wantin' her to blame herself for my knee jerk reaction.

"I know seein' them together must be hard on ya, son, but I beg of you to let any harm feelin's an' hurt go. Please."

"Ma, I didn't see 'em much today since I was workin'." I lied, I did see Jessa and Shaw plenty today. Hell, I had a clear view of them while they bought food or walked 'round nearby. It hurt somethin' awful seein' that for hours upon hours, but I didn't want my mama knowin' that cause I didn't want her worryin' 'bout me none.

"You need to move on son, unless ya wanna get yourself killed cause that man ain't ever gonna rest til your dead in your grave." Ma told me in a bluntly sharp way before rubbin' my shoulder an' walkin' off to rejoin my poppy an' siblin's at their blanket.

I wasn't gonna die by Shaw's hand, no matter what seer's sight my ma had or what that Vance Bastard kept promisin' and swearin'. I was gonna outlive that bastard and reclaim my lost love. That I declare as true as my name's Tolbert John McCoy.

AN:

Well, no social gathering is ever drama free with the Hatfields and the McCoys.