Music Inspiration: Lorne Balfe- "Connor's Life" and Tom Tykwer- "All Boundaries are Conventions"

My Rock Against The Storm

Caroline untied the linen fabric strips pinning her hair to her head and allowed the blue scraps to fall into her lap. A curly red ringlet followed as the long hours from her sleep and her early chores set her hairstyle into place as she hid her little knots under a clean crisp bonnet. She had never been the type to worry about her hair when she'd been a girl and had allowed her mother to do her styling. Time, however, passed by and now it was time for her to begin carving her own respectable fashion sense. How could she not when she watched her mother and Aunt Diana attempt the latest styles with their own long hair? Since she'd begun to notice Ratonhnhaké:ton romantically, Caroline bashfully admitted that she'd prettied her appearance every time he knocked on their door. She'd even begun to pinch her cheeks to turn them rosy for a healthier glow but stopped when her mother began to raise an eyebrow full of questions.

Amelia helped to brush out each ringlet to leave her long hair in smooth loose waves. With the weather bringing in cold air every once in a while, Caroline wrapped a braid around the top of her hair and left the rest loose to keep her warm. As her siblings occupied themselves around the house, Caroline avoided her mother's eye since Catherine had begun catching her daughter's telltale signs of affection.

When the children weren't paying them mind, Catherine approached the two eldest girls under the premise of sweeping the area. She was a protective mother goose and she'd been in Caroline's steps many years ago when she'd met Godfrey. The young farmer had helped her family when her father fell ill by lending a hand around the house and she'd taken notice. Catherine saw the same steps repeating with her daughter but she approved of Ratonhnhaké:ton after watching him grow up alongside her children. As Caroline pinned her braid over the top of her head, her mother stopped her random sweeping to ask carefully, "Carrie, have you told Connor what he's asking of you in our culture every time you two walk together?"

"No. . . but this time, I asked him" she stated matter-of-factly as she tried to evade any motherly heckling in order to leave on her outing. To be quite honest, she doubted that Ratonhnhaké:ton knew what he was asking of her since he was always calm and friendly for her to decipher his intentions. Plus, she was too shy to point out the fact he was asking her to court him with each outing because she loved spending time with him. She didn't want their walks to end and the hours flew by as they roamed the countryside.

"Carrie, your father would hit the roof if he heard you" Catherine hushed her oldest since she had an independent streak that didn't falter. Adolescence had not removed it in the slightest and Caroline kept growing into a headstrong woman that didn't want to adhere to the rules. Thankfully, she was fond of respectable fashions but her behavior with the opposite gender was not going as Catherine expected. She wagged a motherly finger to end any foolish play that could leave her in hot water and lectured firmly, "Caroline Grace Burnett, you tell that boy the truth or I'll break that sweet little heart of his because you failed to do so."

Her eyes widened at the idea of her mother telling him everything and she urged quickly, "Mama, no, I. . . these walks are all I have. I don't want to lose his friendship over something as silly as society's rules."

Catherine thinned her lips into a line since she expected her oldest to know better but Caroline pleaded with her. Amelia did the smart thing and stayed out of the problem entirely to prevent either being angry with her and focused on removing lint from Caroline's white stockings.

At the top of the hill outside, Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't know why he always felt guilty requesting Caroline's presence for walking the trails since he knew the children enjoyed his company. Normally, he took them for an outing in the hills or clearings during the week since Sundays were their religious observation. Apparently, they weren't allowed to do anything but sit quietly and read books or their religious scripture on Sundays. Due to that, he took Caroline on walks during Saturdays to let her enjoy one day of boundless freedom so she could be with her family the following day. He had barely rested his fist to knock on the wooden door when it pried open and Samuel smiled widely to announce, "Connor's here!"

"How did you-" he asked with surprise but then noticed Alice waving from one of the glass windows.

Oh.

Catherine ushered him inside with a warm smile as she wiped her hands clean on her apron to appear presentable. After a firm talk with her oldest, she hoped that her Caroline would do what was right or she'd do it for her. As her daughter grew into adulthood, she had to acknowledge that she was old enough to distinguish right from wrong and heckling Caroline would only make her rebellious (or resentful). Ratonhnhaké:ton bowed politely to her welcome since he was in their home as a visitor and asked politely, "How have you been this morning, Mrs. Burnett?"

"Well and safe, you don't have to walk the trails every day for us" she chuckled bashfully since he'd been searching the perimeter of Davenport's homes. He wanted to make sure bandits weren't lurking nearby for another incident and didn't mind doing so for their safety. They had all become an unofficial family to him and when children were involved, he'd remove any dangers permanently. Catherine pointed to their faithful black shepherd as he stood next to the door as Samuel played with him and she reminded, "We have Elijah and Charlotte."

"Whenever I am nearby, my aid is yours" he offered nonetheless and would still make his rounds to keep the two families safe. The thought of having the children injured had frightened him that evening and knew the fright must have been worse for Catherine and Diana. He smiled at seeing the children playing leisurely inside the home, safe and sound, and told her, "I am glad to see you and the children safe."

He noticed Caroline fiddling with a white stocking as her bare pink toes wiggled in the air and averted his gaze so she could finish in privacy. Still, he found her bare foot alluring as she dressed herself behind a drawn curtain and heard her whispering to Amelia about 'bothersome stockings that wouldn't even be seen'. Settlers with their strange fashion sense always humored him and it was nice to hear Caroline think the same of a few objects. He'd ripped his share of white leggings whenever he used them with proper attire in the colonies. Alice waved him over as she and her older sisters sat together on a bench next to the window, raising her smiling fabric doll from Christmas to smile, "Look, mama made her clothes from scraps. Isn't she pretty?"

"I think he finds someone else pretty too" Elizabeth snickered slyly about their eldest sister since she had caught on to their outings very quickly. It didn't take a genius to figure out the two were keen on each other but she had always been a sharp child. Martha spit out her apple drink to Elizabeth's boldness of speaking that way aloud and tried to muffle any rising laughter.

"Martha! For shame" their mother chastised since she was trying to raise good girls and the teenager coughed an apology. Martha was never one to disobey her mother and thinned her lips to prevent any coughs or laughter to erupt again. Quickly, she dried her wet fingers on the back of her dress where nobody could see it easily. Catherine tried to find the good aspect of their sudden cohesiveness since her two girls were quite quarrelsome with each other but they were behaving today.

Ratonhnhaké:ton ruffled Elizabeth's hair for the comment as he passed by and looked to Alice to agree, "Yes, Susanne is very pretty."

"Yes, indeed" Elizabeth grinned impishly as she motioned to her waist to indicate Caroline's use of a corset. Whenever she traveled with Ratonhnhaké:ton, she tightened it further to accentuate a small waist like all proper ladies. However, at home, she barely tightened it to please their mother's heckling about losing one's feminine figure by lack of use. Elizabeth loved teasing the two about their hidden affection because it was quite obvious, even to their mother now.

Martha flew into hysteric laughter and Elizabeth joined her, leading Alice to misinterpret the laughter. Were they really making fun of her doll? She'd dismissed their laughter but when Ratonhnhaké:ton's comments stirred more, she felt ashamed for having her dolls criticized. How could her sisters do that? Her face became crestfallen immediately to being their joke and she murmured sadly, "You don't think she's pretty."

She left the bench in a hurry as she sniffled sadly but Ratonhnhaké:ton caught Alice to pull her into a hug to comfort her. Alice wiped a bleary eye as tears stung her eyes because she thought her doll was pretty, even if she didn't have clothes like those of richer girls. He loosened his hug to place a hand on her head as she wiped her eyes to appear brave in front of critique but he encouraged, "Regardless of what anyone thinks, this is your doll and if you find her pretty . . . she truly is the prettiest doll in your eyes. She can have the best fabrics or a simple grass skirt but you love her despite of all that and that is enough. Never allow anyone to make you feel less than you are, Alice."

Alice nodded quietly as she held her doll and hugged him tightly for the friendly support. Ratonhnhaké:ton truly was the bestest friend in the world! Catherine couldn't have put it better herself and directed a stern glare worthy of a hundred spankings that sent the other two girls to Alice. They knew they were in trouble when they made the sweetest child (Samuel was the second due to his gender) in their house cry and Elizabeth soothed gently to end her sniffling, "We weren't laughing at you, Alice. Never! We love your doll, papa gave it to you. We were laughing at Connor and Carrie."

Everyone had to blink at that turn of events.

"How is that any better?" Caroline asked with confusion to their logic but smiled at Amelia as she finished buttoning the back of her brown calico dress. She slipped into her simple walking shoes and walked over to the two girls to place her hands on her hips with question. Ratonhnhaké:ton sported a curious look to what their reply would be as Caroline pressed them further, "Would you mind telling us?"

Elizabeth pulled Martha away by the arm to avoid being put on the spot and inadvertently embarrass their friendship with Ratonhnhaké:ton . The older girl didn't resist and Elizabeth smiled innocently to bid them farewell, "Enjoy your walk."

The two disappeared out the door faster than anyone could've believed and Caroline reassured Alice with a loving smile, "We all love Susanne but we treasure you the most. You're our little Alice so never shed a tear, dear little sister."

Alice smiled widely for their affection and scooted off to return to her spot at the window. She began to play with her little group of dolls without a care in the world and Samuel hopped off the bench to wave his hand at Ratonhnhaké:ton. The young man quirked an eyebrow to his eager smile and Samuel piped up hopefully, "You'll come back to eat with us, won't you?"

He couldn't answer that since this wasn't his home but Catherine spoke for him to show her hospitality, "Of course he will, Samuel, he's always welcome here for a meal."

Ratonhnhaké:ton was more than ready to thank her for accepting him without invitation but she grasped his shoulders to smile fondly, "You're a part of this family now. Whenever you need a hot meal or bath, you're more than welcome here."

Catherine didn't hesitate to emphasize his meaning in their family and released him to glance at her daughter with emphasis. She loved Ratonhnhaké:ton like one of her own bairns and wouldn't allow Caroline to disrespect him by failing to mention the true meaning of their outings. Caroline brushed past him to head outside as she smiled politely without falter in her voice, "I'll be back soon, mama, and don't you worry."

Hidden meaning: 'I'll be telling him the truth'.

Catherine smiled since she never feared for her children's lives when Ratonhnhaké:ton was around, knowing he would protect her little ones like a mother bear. Hmm, she never thought she'd see her oldest giving anyone her attention but better a man she knew for years than another. The two were already nearing the picket fence when she remembered the last detail of a lady's attire and hollered out the doorway, "Your bonnet, Carrie!"

She groaned to the bothersome thing because her hair loved being caressed by the wind. Ratonhnhaké:ton halted immediately to reassure her safety and called out pleasantly, "I will take care of it, Mrs. Burnett."

Since he had no use of his hood when he traveled in Davenport, he untied the clasps easily after years of practice and removed it from the outer coat. He placed the white hood over her head and she grinned with amusement to the attire, fitting it over her head as it clashed with her green dress. He returned the sentiment with a small smile of his own as she accepted his kindness and Ratonhnhaké:ton justified, "It saves time."

Catherine smiled softly from her spot on the door and thought with finality about the young man, Yes, he will keep my Carrie safe.

"Thank you, it is a good thing we don't have many neighbors or people will think me mad" Caroline chuckled gleefully to the image of people's faces if she wandered through a city like that. She also wondered how he walked in it because the hood blocked her peripheral sight when she lowered her head. She'd keep her eyes open down the trail to avoid hitting a branch by accident.

"You look better, Caroline" he complimented as her playful demeanor returned now that she wasn't in danger. The first few days had left her shaky of her surroundings but she was headstrong in remembering that this was her home and nobody would invade it. There was a reason she asked him to train her to defend herself and she wouldn't waste it due to fear. It was an emotion that could be overcome and she would tame it.

"It was a new experience, I never realized how dangerous life out here could be" she admitted quietly as the loose dirt crunched under her feet as they walked down the trail. Davenport was a safe haven and due to that, they would deal with dangers from wildlife and their own kind. She didn't know how he dealt with danger on the road since he was gone for many months and requested modestly, "Since you travel often, I wondered that perhaps you might be able to write me a letter about your adventures . . . once in a while? I know paper costs money-"

"You want to hear about my travels?" he asked with surprise because nobody really asked him much when he docked to trade and she nodded. She had a mind for adventure and he wondered just how much she knew about her seafaring ancestor. Her concern to know about his journeys stemmed from her affection for him and to know what truly lay past the security of her own home. He could never deny simple favors to her and saw no harm in it, agreeing with a kind voice, "I suppose it would help me for my language skills and my trips wouldn't feel so lonely. How would you write me back?"

"I wouldn't be able to" she answered with a disappointed frown because the Aquila was always on the move. She couldn't exactly ask him to patiently wait a month by the post office to receive her reply letter! Their exchanges would only be in one direction during his trips and she admitted with a hopeful smile, "I'd be happy just receiving a letter to know you're all right out there, even if all you tell me is that you saw a porcupine in a tree. I could . . . bake you a cake upon your return?"

"You don't have to do that for me" he dissuaded but appreciated her idea to maintain their bond while he traveled. He could describe places he visited and the people he met, keeping his assassin business private for her safety. His voyages would be able to paint a picture for her and he would wander about knowing that she was taking an interest in his adventures. Her smile made it worth his while when he promised, "I will write to you, Caroline."

And he would do so until his dying day.

Their walk took them west of Davenport as the rolling hills gave way to the forest protecting their land from outsiders. Ratonhnhaké:ton had a place in mind to end their walk since she'd yet to spend time at the shore of the cove. With Caroline being raised as a proper colonial girl, he would divert from the view of the Aquila and the docks so she could have a scenic view of the beautiful snowcapped mountains. Somehow, having the men from his ship yell expletives in conversations that echoed over the water would only kill the mood. The recent scare obliged him to keep their excitement level to a minimum but he was simply happy by her side in any way.

A fallen log blocked their unpaved path and he strode forward to hop over it with graceful ease that left a smile on her face. He held his hand out to help her like a proper gentleman and she clasped it in acceptance as she picked up the side of her skirt to climb over the log. It was a good thing most of her shoes were flat or with a small heel or she'd have broken something by now. She smiled at him with thanks for his aid, squeezing his hand under hers and the touch warmed his chest along with stirring a fond smile.

After a year, he decided to admit his growing affection then and there as they stood alone in the middle of the forest. Where and when would he have a better chance? He was not the type of man to be forward or cross physical boundaries but he would make his intentions clear on that day. Although his heart hammered to the thought of rejection, a part of him needed to know to end the agony of wondering. He ran his thumb over the top of her hand as they stood in the forest with tweeting birds breaking the silence and he asked with a soft voice, "May I hold your hand?"

Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink since walking and a few glances were all that had been shared between them. Did he know what he was asking? It's not that she didn't want to after months of wishing she could hug him as she had on that cold December day but her mother would chide her for lacking etiquette. A respectful lady would never do such a thing with a man she wasn't betrothed to. Although, there were times she didn't really care because Ratonhnhaké:ton was different than anyone else she'd ever met. Her mother had told her to say the truth, right? She licked her dry mouth to spring forth the answer that was more than ready to burst from her heart, "Yes."

Her hand squeezed his in confirmation when he grasped it and she smiled to the gentle hold because he carried greater strength than that. After all, she'd seen him lug a dead bear! It was heartwarming to see that care whenever he interacted with her or her family and they didn't need words for what they felt. Gestures were more than enough to carry what dwelled in their hearts. His brown eyes carried nothing but glittering warmth to match the fond smile on her face and she placed her free hand over the one already holding hers. Her gaze lowered to see their clasped hands and she found it simply perfect in her view as their hardworking calloused hands found a partner.

The two walked onwards down the trail to find his peaceful area since they were completely isolated from the world. This was the kind of life she hoped to have where she didn't have to worry about earthly cares and could explore to her heart's content. Everything had fallen into place perfectly as she held Ratonhnhaké:ton's hand and couldn't help but lean into him whenever rocks or roots blocked her path. The young assassin merely smiled when she drew closer to him as they finally crossed that hurdle modestly and he intertwined their fingers for a closer grasp.

"You know, most people who do this are courting" she informed with an amused smile as she defied social traditions without a care. Besides, who was there to tell her what was right and wrong? Her heart already belonged to him for quite a while and she respected him enough to bend the rules a little. He was the kind of man she'd be proud to show off to her parents because he was hard working, kind, and a protector at heart.

"How do I do that?" he asked with confusion because colonists had a strange life that he'd never learned. It was hard enough learning English and their way of dressing had almost driven him mad. Why did they wear so many layers? It was absolutely confounding during the summer! Now that he was walking in the steps of an adult and not the young boy he'd been, Ratonhnhaké:ton had to learn a new set of rules. He cared for Caroline and would go through each requirement to fulfill whatever colonists wanted for a romantic relationship. Ratonhnhaké:ton took her words literally and wondered just how he'd voice his intentions in a judicial hearing and asked uncertainly, "Must I go to court? Won't I need a lawyer for that? And paperwork?"

Caroline used her free hand to muffle a laugh and squeezed his hand in support to ease his worry. There were times she really couldn't help but smile to his naivety of the new world growing around him but she'd be there to help. He really was too sweet like her mother warned her and clarified the confusion, "No, this is the courtship between a man and woman that leads to marriage- the life bond between them, like my parents. Displays of affection like this are for them during that stage but it is never shown in public but rather, they link arms."

"Is there a book I can read for this?" he asked with dismay to what he'd inadvertently stepped into by simply grabbing her hand. If Caroline knew he cared for her, what else did he need to do to prove more? He'd build her a home or give her anything she wanted but what did total strangers have to do with all of it? Truly, their culture was strange. By the look on her face, she thought the same as well as his literal translations humored her.

"Not really, parents speak to you about this- you can ask Achilles" she suggested gently with regret on her face since he lacked colonial parents and he sighed despondently. He was always so calm that it delighted her to see him act like an ordinary young man with earthly cares and have the same confounding look when it concerned courting. She'd been through that same road as well as she tagged after her mother to ask questions that sprouted in her mind. Ratonhnhaké:ton, on the other hand, was not looking forward to asking his mentor about his love life because an imminent 'you're here to learn the ways of an assassin' would follow. Caroline saw the reluctance on his face since he didn't have the luxury of a father like she had and soothed with a kind smile, "I like holding your hand, even if we're not courting. That will suffice, don't worry."

"Do I have to sign any papers?" he asked curiously since colonists were very keen on having proper documentation rather than verbal binds like his people. It was a good thing he knew his arithmetic since keeping his accounting books balanced for Davenport was annoying enough with endless writing. Every time he dropped or picked up a shipment, he had to sign paperwork and he'd practiced his signature in the Aquila until he deemed it acceptable. Whenever anyone decided to push him for a last name, he merely scribbled something ineligible to shut them up.

This time, she laughed to his awkward questions and answered truthfully, "Sweet goodness, no! All you have to do is simply ask the parents of the person you'd like to court out of respect for their child. If you do intend to marry someone, they'll ask you about your finances to support a spouse-"

"I have the Aquila and about two thousand pounds to my name-" he began counting off innocently since he hoped his property would be enough for the future. He wasn't ready to jump into a married life due to his profession but as long as he could keep Caroline as his partner, he'd be a happy man. He didn't know how much her parents would want him to have saved but he'd save every coin to show he could support a life with their oldest daughter. He wouldn't even need money to make a home- his bare hands and trees would be enough!

"Don't go saying that aloud in public, people can be dangerous and you have such a sweet principle of the world" she intervened gently and squeezed his hand affectionately to stop him from divulging that information. People could be treacherous and they were ready to prey on unfortunate souls who were willing to help the supposed needy. At the same time, it made her wonder just what his profession was exactly. How did he earn that much money when she barely had anything attached to her name? Her own mind had now begun wondering how she could ever hope to stack up against him! What could she do or earn to show she was good enough for him?

He smiled faintly since there were things he'd yet to learn and she smiled confidently, "For now, I'll keep holding your hand and we can sit down to watch the scenery."

"I had something different in mind for today and it leads us to the cove" he explained with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes that brought a wide grin to her face. He was surprising her with their outing? She allowed him to take the lead through the thick brush as they made their own path together with grass crunching under their feet. Caroline had grown to unveil surprises for her siblings, relatives, and friends but she'd rarely been on the receiving end until he came along. Her mind begged to ask questions but she fought against it to preserve the mystery.

They found a perfect spot overlooking the sparkling water and sat down to enjoy the tranquility. Caroline was in love with the perfect idyllic site to bask in her new requited affection as the pasture welcomed them with open arms.

His eyes widened when she tugged him towards the shore with strength that surprised him. Her laughter echoed joyfully in the silence as only the songs of birds and the quiet wind filled the open land. He couldn't have painted a more perfect view for her! Her small heels clicked over the rocks embedded in the earth as she hurried to meet the shore to take in the beautiful image of gray mountains of stone grazing the sky. Dots of trees lined the inclining slopes of the behemoths and mountains with lingering snow caps could be seen in the far horizon. It was such a picturesque view that she wished she had an artist's hands to sketch it. Maybe she could pry Amelia away after she finished her teaching certificate exam so she could draw it for her.

"I take that you like it?" he asked with a pleasant chuckle to the awe written over her face as she eyed everything in sight. She couldn't wander this far on her own but with Ratonhnhaké:ton, she felt safe enough to tackle the world. Again, he was taken aback when she turned around swiftly to envelop him in a tight hug with gratitude. How sweet could he possibly be?

"There's no question about it!" she chuckled with warmth to his surprise because it was absolutely perfect to her. Why hadn't she worn her leather boots to make walking easier? Her mother had chastised her from making a travesty of her attire by wearing filthy boots with her freshly clean dresses so she opted for flat shoes. She didn't want to release him after receiving the best news in years and snuggled against him with glee when he returned her embrace just as strongly. He wanted to hold her for as long as possible because something had finally gone right for him in the world and he didn't want to relinquish that.

Caroline was already pressing her etiquette limitations with him and released him before she decided to kiss him on the cheek. Oh, but how she wanted to. She never would've thought freckles could be so handsome until she met him. Even now, she wanted to count them to see if they matched her own number. His cheeks darkened as he caught her lingering stare and she squeezed his broad shoulders to chuckle warmly, "If it's a blushing contest you're looking for, I'll be one tough competitor."

His shyness dissipated at her relaxed demeanor since apprehension would only worsen his chances with her. She grabbed him by the hand to lead him to a grassy knoll underneath a shady spruce tree and plopped down on the cushiony field. It was absolute perfection and she could care less if she ended up with grass stains on her skirt. A faint smile lit up his face when she nudged closer to him and he hoped his hands wouldn't start sweating due to his natural modesty. The thought of having Caroline in his life romantically was not as farfetched as he originally assumed and treasured that stroke of luck. On the other hand, it only served to draw more questions about it.

"Do I need to write a letter to court? Or have anything signed?" he asked aloud since a new book of questions floated in his mind. Life was so much easier when he was a child and as he grew, numerous responsibilities were placed on him. He never expected to find himself romancing a white colonial settler but Caroline had become his dearest friend in Davenport. There weren't many women with potential to draw his eye, especially with his solitary life, but the down-to-earth Scottish girl earned the number one spot.

Caroline placed a finger on his lips to silence his words because having him fret would only worry him. She didn't want that for him when he already mulled about who knows how many things and advised calmly, "It doesn't matter right now. Enjoy this peace with me, it's why we're here and I'd rather be by your side than have you riddled with worry. Still, if talking will help you relieve that then please, trust in me."

He reluctantly agreed since there were many questions but squeezed her hand with a faint smile as they shared the little spot together. She was right; he wouldn't worry about the future but live in the present where there were no problems facing them. Her free hand swept over his raven hair as she noticed his troubled expression and wanted to wipe it free of his mind. He was such a young man in his years but Ratonhnhaké:ton already carried himself like a full-fledged adult in his prime. It was an admirable trait but Caroline didn't want him to push himself forward prematurely because his youth wouldn't last forever. She smiled serenely with the hope of calming him as she ran her fingers through his smooth locks and rubbed the back of his head. His hair was as silky as she'd imagined and the fond smile he graced her with only fueled her affectionate gesture.

Ratonhnhaké:ton never felt the need to hide anything from her (assassin business excluded) and admitted quietly, "There are days I think this peace will not last but when I am home, beside you, those pessimistic thoughts fade away. You welcome me into your home, your heart, without ever asking anything of me and for that, I treasure you."

She smiled tenderly and squeezed his hand, resting her shoulder against his to show their growing bond that would only strengthen. He was her valiant hero but a normal young man that held the same vulnerabilities of any other human being. Their little shady spot under the spruce tree protected them from the troubles of the world and he sighed softly to lean back against the trunk. Yes, this would be his best idyllic outing yet. She returned the same heartwarming sentiment with a comforting whisper against his neck, "Then I am honored to shelter you against those turbulent thoughts."

A/N: And we finally reach the romance between the two! They're so politely cute it hurts me. I'll leave this author's note short due to the fact that I'm sleepy after completing an eleven page application to train at a hospital and volunteering at an animal shelter to occupy my free time. In the next chapter, we'll have Amelia heading to Boston for her exam and Connor and Caroline enjoying their first stroll through Boston as a secret couple (even an adventure of their own).

Chiharu-angel: I recently visited the natural history museum in my city and when I saw the wolves, I almost balked at the large size. It's a good thing Connor is a tall man because I'm tiny in height so I would've been devoured on sight. Lol. As for the romance, it will definitely keep building between the two.

East Coast Captain: I definitely didn't know that about Haytham but thanks for the info. I've used whatever gaps I need filled by the wiki in relation to the characters and certain dates but the rest is up for grabs. I haven't read about the factory systems since I've been reading booklets about various animals and their care for my volunteer work for the last two weeks.

Dugongolah: Thanks for liking the story! The characters are starting on their road to adulthood and professions which will be exciting for some and depressing for other characters.

Writingperson: Godfrey and Terry were in the chapter (without dialogue) but I didn't want to repeat the entire mission since I wanted to offer a different perspective to the mission. Lance is already on Homestead but again, not mentioned in the past chapter due to the focus on the women and the children. As for Myriam, I decided to add her after Prudence and Warren since the game allows you to pick up residents without limitations. Also, she's a key for events that will happen in relation to the story so I had to place her after the spring of 1774 on purpose. Norris pops in after Myriam in the game and he'll have that same entry point in my story too. Thanks again for the PM'd ideas as well.

Next Time: Welcome To Boston

It was time for Amelia's certification test and everyone was excited for her, even Elijah. The loyal shepherd had been hot on her heels as she'd bustled and hustled to fix her trunk since he'd only seen her glued to her books for the past six months. The last week of the month was reserved for three days of the teaching certification exam for all candidates in either grammar or dame schools and Godfrey had promised he'd get his daughter there on the first. Amelia had become more anxious now that the day arrived to leave for the exam and her sisters helped her pack while Samuel took her out for a calm outing around the property.

Amelia had bundled all of her books to study on the road and had skipped on extra clothes until Caroline offered her own bag for extra room. The eighteen year-old was happy to head into town to support her sister since Amelia hadn't seen it in four years. Hunting had been good for Caroline that season and she hoped between that and her patchwork, coin could be made. She couldn't compete with men that brought catches like Ratonhnhaké:ton's but Caroline hoped for the best. There were times she wondered if she could open a store inside town for her father to increase sales but doubted she could live far from the family. Unwed ladies running a business weren't exactly the norm of her time and her mother would fret about her safety and reputation.

That, however, wasn't the case for Amelia as she was determined to be a teacher and had slowly dispersed her previous fear. She had studied constantly and had practiced all she knew until late last night but would continue in their rented Boston room until then. Caroline had encouraged her by helping to recite the history of the colonies and England along with testing her arithmetic during the entire wagon ride.

They had laughed together when their father reminded them that they'd been children the last time they rode down the trail together. The two young ladies were modestly proud to stepping into the wagon as appropriately dressed women of their times rather than children. Instead of having their mother dress them, they dressed themselves accordingly as they whispered in the dark about matching colors and braided each other's hair by candlelight. Amelia had stressed keeping her hair tightly pinned in a bun while Caroline had fiddled with picking the best brooch to use. In the end, Catherine stepped in to offer motherly advice by adding bear grease to Amelia's hair and another whalebone pin while giving Caroline a pearl brooch to match her brown calico dress.

"Now I know how pickled food feels inside jars" Caroline groaned as her stay hugged her frame tightly and she wanted it loosened. Why. . . why didn't she ask Amelia to leave it loose? Every bump down the road made her feel like pickled food and she cursed whoever had decided it was fashionable for women to wear that torture device.

Amelia chuckled to her fretting since she wore her corset religiously while her sister slacked on it. While her sister grumbled and rubbed her hands over her small waist, Amelia sat neatly with her hands folded together like a proper lady. She lightly tapped her sister on the thigh to halt her wriggling and reminded gently, "Carrie, we're on the road. You could fall off or someone might see you."

"I'm pretty sure the bears won't want any of this- not enough meat" she joked as she emphasized her defined midsection and grinned cheekily. Amelia shook her head to her playfulness but laughed to the idea of bears rejecting her for a meal. Caroline abandoned her attempts to loosen her stay and leaned back against the wagon to sigh softly, "It is squishy though."

Godfrey listened to their conversation and chuckled in his mind at hearing his daughters talk about their appearances. Hmm, it only felt like yesterday that they'd tugged at his hands for a story before heading off to bed. He could still remember Caroline's cries as he helped his Catherine bathe the stubborn newborn in warm bathwater. He sat up straight with surprise when he heard Amelia joke to her older sister, "Unless you're looking for a suitor out here somewhere, I don't think you have to worry about your squishiness."

While both girls chuckled to the joke, Godfrey slumped in his seat as he realized his little girls were no longer so little and they'd fly away one day. He couldn't stop time and just like his own sisters had grown up to marry, his daughters would undoubtedly follow that same path. He could only hope that they would find men decent enough to treat his girls like they deserved and lived honestly. His Amelia would be taking one giant leap for her gender by taking that test and he'd best prepare himself to say goodbye to her inevitable leave. He would miss all of his daughters but Caroline and Elizabeth would be the hardest to utter those words to because they resembled his spirit the most.

He was startled out of his thoughts by Caroline's hand on his right shoulder as she shook him gently and asked, "Boban, you looked sad for an instant. What is it?"

"Aw, it's nothing- just lingerin' sleep" he dismissed easily with a warm smile to his oldest girls as they looked to him with concern. This wasn't the time to ruminate because the horses were under his direction and kept his eyes on the road once more.

Thank you for reading my story and I hope to see you here next time! Will Amelia pass her test? What adventure will find Caroline? And where will our dear Connor pop out from?