Color The Sky

by Mystic Blade

Connor's life at Davenport homestead brings a sense of family after leaving Kanathséton as he makes new friendships with the residents and finds himself slowly assimilating into one large family. He partakes in a part of life that isn't tied to the assassins while one young resident tackles the new wild frontier to carve a dream for herself as they cultivate their new community.

52. Engagements Galore

Music Inspiration: Two Steps from Hell- "Fill my Heart"

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Engagements Galore

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4 April 1777

Caroline shut the door behind her after Ratonhnhaké:ton slipped inside their temporary home. She dropped her travel backpack on the floor as the two entered her father's second floor of the Boston lumber office. Their recent engagement had been gossiped through the town and they had received offers for food from the innkeepers, attire from Ellen, rings from Big Dave, and even a gold nugget of luck from Norris. The two had been happy and relieved to see the positive remarks about their union, even more certain about building their home in Davenport.

Their current trip to Boston had been an unexpected detour from her scheduled stop later that week. Ratonhnhaké:ton managed to create a quarrel with Achilles that led to him escaping the manor and asked to accompany her. Despite everyone rejoiced to their upcoming union, the old man had not been ecstatic to hear that he had revealed their Order to Caroline's family. He preferred to keep everything in the dark to keep civilians safe while his protégé opted for an honest route to avoid deception. The two contrasting ideologies caused the two to butt heads and led to another prompt exit by the young assassin. Caroline wouldn't let her partner wander the wilderness alone so she'd gladly taken him along.

He dropped his own travel bag beside hers and she teased gently by poking his right shoulder, "You have to stop engaging Achilles in quarrels."

"I simply stated the truth" he reasoned simply, stretching his shoulders from the ride there to quietly evade the blame. Godfrey had entrusted the next load of orders with his wagon to them and Ratonhnhaké:ton had driven it from Davenport to drop off the inventory. It had been the first time he had helped transfer goods from the mill and felt humbled that Godfrey trusted him with his business. Years ago, he accompanied the two and now, he let them handle it alone.

She shook her head to his stubbornness, unaware to why it kept lashing out towards the old man. Regardless, she didn't want him wandering somewhere unsafe to cool his head and offered her father's new apartment to him. She would rather have him somewhere safe than out in the wilderness where dangerous men could sneak up on him. The newly furnished living space held two separate bedrooms and a main room for leisure with a sofa and dining table. Her father had turned the building into a business with an apartment floor on top which increased its value and appeal to Caroline. She had joked to Ratonhnhaké:ton that they could set up a homestead there but he had laughed. They were private people that preferred the outdoors, not the city life.

Patting the sturdy walls of the place, she grinned confidently to reassure, "You're welcome to stay here until you two make up. Don't wait until our wedding."

"Thank you and I am sorry if I'm inconveniencing you" he apologized earnestly, not wishing to pull her further into the middle of his quarrels with Achilles. They had separate ideas when it came to handling the Templars and he had begun to feel suffocated during the late winter. Being chastised for his honesty and called a blabbermouth didn't help cool his frustration either.

"Nonsense" she dismissed with a scoff and leaned over to hug him around the shoulders. He smiled with appreciation to her endless affection and help, returning the embrace tightly. Her voice tickled his ear as she pointed out cheekily to her flexible lifestyle, "Seeing as the Aquila's docked and Templars are lying low, I'm free to roll into Boston to run the shop on the weekends."

"It will be a short stay, I simply need to clear my mind" he promised earnestly to prevent hindering her work or risk Godfrey knocking on the manor door. Caroline never complained but she would smack him over the head when he was stepping into something without a clear mind. Releasing her, he touched his forehead to hers to admit quietly, "I am realizing that I need my own space at times despite the large manor."

Achilles and Ratonhnhaké:ton had begun clashing recently as the revolution reached its height. The tension in the home often led him to wander out during the day but it was too cold to camp outside. Caroline had sent him packing when he'd asked to stay in the family barn and he had reluctantly rented a room at the inn. Although she was excited to begin building their home, he was looking for an escape and had become more proactive with the plan. She was almost curious about whether he would speed up their estimated month for the wedding.

"Should we begin building our home?" she suggested helpfully with a wide smile to begin on their homestead. They had not sketched out their ideas yet but her father had offered his help to designing and building their first home. She was ready to begin the process and flicked her thumb towards the floor to offer, "We're already here, we could pick out lumber and order."

He nodded with agreement to that idea with the town currently underway with the schoolhouse. The general store had reached completion and Walter was awaiting his goods and furniture to begin setting up shop. With the town being busy, he decided to begin their own work and suggested their treat for the evening, "Dinner at Stephane's?"

Caroline skipped in place with glee to seeing their friend and hugged him once more to declare with affection, "The man of my heart."

---

"You're getting married?" Clipper asked with surprise to the news as the Boston crew sat around the bar for dinner. His blue-gray eyes were wide with excitement which made Caroline laugh to his delight. He was a peppy bolt of energy despite his meager and lonely origins which impressed her.

"Congratulations!" Stephane declared jovially with open arms before leaning over to pat his friend on the left shoulder. For once, Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't stiffen to the physical contact but he was happy to be among friends. Slowly, the small band of assassins had become close like family through the years. Caroline blushed faintly to the clapping that erupted from the trio and the chef exclaimed, "Your meal is on me!"

He quickly shook his head, wanting to pay for their meals, and tried to dissuade, "Stephane-"

"My boss is happy and I like hearing about jeune amour" he shot back with a confident smirk at managing to beat him in the gift-giving department. The trio had been ready to pay the innkeepers for their room and board upon arrival for their winter break until Oliver informed them Ratonhnhaké:ton took care of it. Not wanting to be in anyone's debt, Stephane had tried to drop off food to him during his stay but his boss had literally run into the forest to escape him. Undeterred, he lay in wait for the perfect moment to repay the kindness. Slapping his hands on the wooden counter, he encouraged the two, "Please, eat."

Caroline rubbed her hands eagerly before stabbing her fork into a soft piece of butter-battered cod. Boston brought them the freshest saltwater fish and she didn't hesitate to order the specials of the day. Ratonhnhaké:ton decided to enjoy wine-poached salmon with a baked potato after both she and Stephane convinced him he wouldn't become tipsy from it. Otherwise, Caroline would have quite the walk carrying him back.

"I am very glad to hear it" Duncan complimented the couple because being caught in the middle of their spats last summer swore him off relationships. It was one thing to enrage a lady but infuriating one that wielded weapons efficiently was a whole new ballgame. He dipped an oyster fritter into a garlic buttery dip before stating amicably, "You two deserve it."

"Thank you, my friend" Caroline replied appreciatively to their approval and her eyes widened with delight to her bite. She had no words when the succulent fish melted on her tongue and opted on a thumbs up to tell Stephane he had a winner. Why was she surrounded by talented cooks here and in Davenport? Her waist would be lost in no time! Regaining the use of her tongue, she smiled widely to admit warmly, "Connor figured this was the best place in Boston to celebrate."

"Are we also celebrating your induction?" the chef nudged gently with an infectious smile that stirred the group into laughter. It was safe to say that Stephane was the jokester of the group, followed by Clipper, who was often innocent with his humor. Ratonhnhaké:ton and Duncan were the quiet ones while she and Stephane didn't hesitate to jump into a conversation.

"Nope" she answered back quickly to end that train of thought and the other men groaned. Ratonhnhaké:ton would not push the matter and respected her decision, no matter what it would be or how long.

Stephane shrugged lightly as he threw one end of a dishrag over his left shoulder and sighed, "Worth a try."

"When is the wedding?" Clipper asked curiously since he had yet to have any friends that married off. Being the same age as Caroline, he was also looking for his lady as an eligible bachelor. His search had been in vain so far but he wasn't desperate to tie down and have a family. Coming from a large family that neglected him, he was not inclined to repeat the same mistake.

The couple in question shared an uncertain glance before Caroline tried to vocalize an answer, "Eh. . ."

"We haven't really decided?" he offered modestly with their efforts being focused on beginning the search for a homestead. Her family wasn't pushing them for a date and they were grateful for that. Their adventuring lifestyle and jobs around Davenport took up their time which now stirred the two to crunch their time management skills.

She nodded slowly to drift into that answer and offered innocently, "Somewhere later in the year?"

Duncan was quick to become the older brother on the two to avoid delays and advised them, "Did you decide on a month, at least?"

"No-o-o" she drawled hesitantly with a small pout to lingering on the high from the engagement. They weren't a high-strung couple and preferred to tackle problems methodically instead of impulsively. Their youth had enough of that. Clearing her throat, she returned to poking at her meal and mumbled, "We're not in a quick rush to a church."

"There's a church involved?" Stephane asked with surprise, given the background of the groom.

"Probably?" Ratonhnhaké:ton offered helplessly as his voice pitched higher with every question. He was new to the customs of colonial marriage and leaned on Caroline to guide him with that. His partner, however, was more laidback and appeared as lost as he did. She kept poking her poor fish enough as if searching for answers inside it.

"Once you have a homestead built, you're more than ready" Duncan sighed softly to the young couple, clearly seeing that they had not progressed past the engagement portion. Weddings in Boston were usually done within the month to continue with the bustling life of the city. Their friends had been sitting on their planning like hens on eggs to enjoy time to themselves and nobody could blame them. They ran into danger often enough that a reprieve was justified.

"Part of me is also nervous about the marriage license" she admitted sheepishly to the potential problem they might tackle down the line. Interracial marriage was not exactly approved in the colonies despite individuals would cohabit to avoid jail or being social outcasts. She didn't plan on publicizing her marriage outside of Davenport but felt ill at having to hide it outside of her town. Tapping her fork against the plate, she murmured softly, "I'm aware of the revolution is making relations between colonials and natives not so great right now."

"Do we really need a piece of paper to tell everyone we're married?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked quietly since his people had no use for paper to signify marriage. The vocal ceremony, the presence of their families, and the trading of wedding tokens were all that was needed to finalize a union. He didn't need a shoddy piece of paper to tell him he loved her.

"When have you two needed permission to do anything?" Duncan pointed out with a laugh, dipping another fritter to bite into it. The other men agreed in unison to their determined personalities and doubted they would let a license stop their wedding. As their friend, he would do his best to help them and reminded her, "You hopped onboard a ship in disguise", he paused and pointed to her partner, "and you blew up a Loyalist stronghold."

"We can't be criminals" Ratonhnhaké:ton muttered quietly, desiring their marriage to begin on an honest road. If the license meant much to her, he would find a way to earn one.

Caroline shrugged noncommittally, accustomed to running from someone at some point, and reasoned, "I'm pretty sure we're wanted somewhere."

"Who would know or care if you're married?" Clipper scoffed to the ridiculousness of propriety in society, wondering who made these rules. He didn't butt into anybody's business unless they were in danger or needed help. His friends deserved their privacy and he suggested another idea to think about, "You could just have it done at his village- I mean, if it's permitted."

Caroline realized she had only heard about his childhood home but nothing past that. Would she be allowed to visit such a place? Her bright red hair and fair complexion would set her apart but she would like to see where he spent his early years. Meeting his contemplative gaze, she spoke softly, "I should pay my respects to your childhood home . . . if I'm allowed."

"We can plan a trip" he agreed to her interest but it would be a delicate matter. His father and the recent colonial expansion didn't help ease relations. His relationship with his clan had also become strained from his extended exposure to colonial life but it didn't mean he loved his people any less. Marrying a Scotswoman would raise questions but he would handle that, telling her in light jest, "I should warn you it's not a modern city."

Duncan guided their attention back to him by aiming a brotherly stare and asked firmly, "Regardless of the law, when do you want to be married?"

Caroline bit her lower lip as she mulled over a certain time in mind. The summer would be too soon for them, especially with no constructed home. Despite the gorgeous colors of summer, there was another array of shades that she loved and admitted, "The fall brings beautiful colors."

They had agreed that harvest season would take the most time out of their schedule with Warren's farm needing help, the innkeepers keeping up with orders, and Walter's move to the store would keep all businesses on their toes. With Hunter being an infant, Prudence would not be able to help as much as she did before the pregnancy so the other townsfolk would lend a hand. They wanted to be available to help all of them and he informed his team, "Spring is focused on the new school, summer is for our home, which leaves the fall and early winter."

"That's a long engagement" Clipper whistled with admiration for the two to leave matters on the backburner without worry. Caroline flicked his forehead with a sisterly swat, aware that their engagement was unconventional. Surely, half a year wasn't a long time to wait? He waved his soup spoon at her to ward away her playful jabs and teased, "People get married in less than a month around here!"

He lowered the spoon for a moment, his eyes dulling against the glow of the lanterns, and he sighed with lament, "Boy, do I miss the slow flow of Davenport."

"Well, let us know if you need extra hands for the home or wedding" Stephane chuckled to offer his help since leaving his business for a day or two wouldn't be the end of the world. He hoped to see his friends share their vows and live a long happy life. Davenport had been a beautiful place to visit and he wouldn't mind a return visit to see it without snow.

"Definitely extra hands for the home but you'll be our guests for the wedding festivities" Caroline agreed with a grateful smile to the monumental changes coming to her life that year. She had traveled with Ratonhnhaké:ton for over a year and once they married, their lives would be tied together. Hoping to have everyone that played a role in their lives, she smiled brightly, "I want all of our dear ones there."

"Burnett, you're about to bring a tear to my eye" Duncan teased with a warm laugh, earning a similar laugh from the redhead.

"Next round of drinks is on me?" she offered cheekily and raised her wine glass to tempt her friends. Ratonhnhaké:ton sighed miserably due to his refusal to partake in alcohol consumption. He would be fine with either tea or coffee, which were unfortunately more expensive.

Stephane surprised the group when a cork flew into the air and he unveiled a glass bottle to exclaim with delight, "White wine on the house!"

---

Ratonhnhaké:ton threw back his blankets to climb into the large bed, smiling to the plush softness of the goose/duck feather-filled mattress. This was indeed a step up from the simple inn beds that were stuffed with hay and his flat bedroll. He would thank Godfrey for allowing him to stay in his home away from home. He was happy to have a roof over his head while he tried to end the Templar threat, which Achilles appeared to take lightly.

He removed his hair tie to run his fingers through his free hair just as he heard his door open. Always keeping a sheathed knife under the pillow, he grabbed its hilt as a precaution until he saw Caroline slip inside. Oh. He relaxed completely and tucked away his weapon for safekeeping. He quickly tucked his hair behind his ears and smoothed down his sleeping attire. Wait . . . they were now sharing a room wearing only their sleepwear.

He had expected her to wear an ankle-length nightgown but found himself staring back at attire like his. Unlike himself, the breeches and tunic hung off her slimmer frame while her loose hair cascaded to her waist. Appearing sloppy in front of her after their dinner with friends was a huge no. He tried to appear calm and collected, despite his racing heart, by asking, "What brings you by?"

"I wondered if you had room for another in that bed?" she asked innocently with a wide smile as she leaned against the doorframe.

His mind screeched to a sudden halt to those words, remembering that only married couples slept in a bed. Right? At least, that is what she had told him years ago! He wasn't looking to have Godfrey chase him with Charlotte pointed at him. She chuckled to his stunned expression when he failed to answer her and approached him, sitting next to him on the bed. It snapped him out of his thoughts instantly and she grabbed his right hand to intertwine their fingers.

"For sleep only, naughty man" she chided gently in case his mind had automatically jumped to the wrong conclusion. His freckled cheeks darkened to being pinned as such and she playfully nudged her shoulder with his. They were adults now and liable to have different thoughts and emotions than their younger days. She wouldn't make him feel ashamed in any way and smiled, "I figure that rooms this large should house more than one person . . . and I remember the night we camped under the stars years ago."

She still remembers that short adventure?, he thought fondly to their first outing in the wilderness. He expected her to scramble around nervously to the dark outdoors but she had trusted him without question.

"You held me in your arms and that's all it took to fall asleep" she reminisced softly to the wild sounds of the forest but he had chased her fears away. Back then, she had been an innocent girl eager to explore the world. Her dream came true, at the cost of sacrificing their first relationship, and she whispered with regret, "I remember each moment between us, the good and the bad."

"I hope we're done with bad" he sighed softly to their dangerous lifestyle but he would protect her. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he tucked her close and pressed a kiss to her left temple. He admired her bravery to follow him, respecting her choice, unlike others who would have fled from him. His life was not destined to be an easy one, despite he did his best to change that, and he whispered solemnly, "I'm sorry for pulling you into this life."

"My strong wolf" she doted with a fond smile before cupping his chin to kiss his right cheek. Abandoning him was not in her character and her choices were her own.

He chuckled to her affection when her lips dotted several kisses across his cheekbone and he joked, "Not worried about conceiving a child by simply laying with me in bed?"

"Hush" she blurted swiftly with embarrassment, turning red to hearing those words from long ago. Her innocent mind believed anything rather easily but maturity soon knocked logical sense into her. That, and the rampant conversations about women onboard naval ships. She was delighted to hear more laughter from his end and groaned with humiliation, "I realize how silly that sounds now."

Her nervous behavior about becoming pregnant was pacified only by enacting a literal rolled blanket barrier between them. He still managed to hold her and had not been chased months later by an unmarried pregnant Caroline. Curious to when her opinion changed, he asked, "What changed your mind?"

Her cheeks darkened to his intrigued tone and she admitted sheepishly, "I heard enough from the sailors."

His brown eyes glinted with amusement as he squeezed her side, leaning over to kiss her forehead. Her fingers trailed over his smooth forearm before gripping his bicep and pulling him forward to kiss his lips. He smiled to her open affection and she brushed her nose against his to whisper, "Except I won't be crude to you."

Sliding her right leg over his hip, one swift push to his chest brought him down on the bed as she straddled him. His eyes widened in surprise to her boldness, not to mention sudden finesse, while she leaned over him with an amused smile. He struggled to find words to being pinned down in bed for the first time and she giggled with hidden glee, "When I do lay with you as a woman, I will worship you from head to toe, my hooded hero."

Ratonhnhaké:ton turned cherry red for the first time in his life and Caroline quickly slipped off him with concern that he needed to breathe. Had she accidentally cut off his air when she leaned over him? What had gone wrong? He sat up to grab the nearby pitcher of water to serve himself a cup, straightening the shakiness in his hands, and quickly downed it to lower his modesty. He had not expected that amorous declaration from her at all and fought the blush burning his freckled cheeks. The attraction she stirred in him didn't help either at that hour of the night and he dreaded having to go out into the cold to simmer all of it.

Caroline returned to his side once his hyperventilating calmed and blurted with worry, "I didn't mean- are you okay?"

He nodded quietly as he tried to appear nonchalant about the whole debacle but Caroline grabbed his hands into hers. Her fingertips could feel the racing pulse against his wrists and the flustered expression on his face depicted embarrassment rather than an emergency. His fingers curled around hers instantly as he avoided eye contact and she chuckled to his downcast gaze, "Can I say I absolutely adore this bashfulness about you?"

He gazed at her with skepticism to that dreadful thought and questioned, "You do? I'm a flustered mess here, not attractive at all."

Her fingers tucked strands of stray raven hair behind his right ear before stating with confidence, "You're the only person I could imagine sharing a bed without being married. I respect you just as I know you respect me."

She lightened his hammering heart because he didn't see himself remotely charming by nature. Her respect for him won over his vulnerabilities and she chuckled softly, "Besides, you saw me fluster around camp that night so we'll always even out. I'm sure I'll be running from modesty soon enough."

He enveloped her in a tight hug to show his appreciation of her, bringing forth laughter from her and a fond return hug around the waist. Falling back onto the bed, he pulled her along with him for the ride and Caroline landed against his chest with a laugh. She was used to his modest side but the playful one had yet surface until they were absolutely in private. Meeting him at eye level, she smoothed back his mid-length hair to tease with a cheeky smirk, "You recovered fast."

"Konnorónhkhwa" he replied with a carefree smile to her never-ending loyalty, treasuring that gift. He felt no fear at her side, even when he stumbled into silly moments like this.

She smiled widely to his sentiment and returned it wholeheartedly, "I love you too."

He sat up to lean on his elbows, peering into her blue eyes to promise softly, "You are my heart and I will never hide anything from you until I perish. We might have a long road but I will build the home I promised you-"

"My home is wherever you are" she interjected quietly and pressed her forehead to his, wrapping an arm around his side. The warmth of his body, the pine and rainy scent of his skin, and the faint beating of his heart was all she needed to be comforted. It had been that way for many years and she whispered, "I will be by your side for better or worse."

She blew out the candle of the lantern to shroud them in darkness to begin their first proper sleepover. Her impish laughter echoed through the room when she tickled his sides to stir laughter from him. Ratonhnhaké:ton groaned to his annoying flaw but it only served to stir more determined laughter afterward. She remedied the unscheduled tickling by pressing a few kisses to his neck and he smiled at knowing that he didn't have to spend his nights alone anymore. At least until they returned home.

"Did I mention I have a tendency to roll out of bed?" he revealed with a soft laugh to his quirk but had yet to solve it. In his youth, he had jerked awake after falling on the floor. Nowadays, however, he simply kept sleeping.

Her reply reflected a remedy by confessing her own quirk as she grabbed the ends of her blankets, "I roll my blankets like a cocoon so we'll have enough cushion when we fall."

It was a perfect match in their minds.

---

Ratonhnhaké:ton woke up to the pleasant surprise that he was still in bed and suppressed a yawn. Raising his right hand, it hovered over softer fabric than his sleepwear and he peered down to find Caroline snuggled against his side. His fingers brushed over her freckled cheek before brushing back her loose hair and he smiled at knowing the night before hadn't been a dream.

He had never been so happy to begin a new day and sighed contently at waking up beside her. It was indeed far better than waking up alone on the floor. If this was the image that would greet him every morning, he was tempted to begin building his home the moment they arrived back in Davenport.

Running a hand down his face, he cleared away his sleep and the lingering tendrils of dreams. Despite the realm of dreams granted him a happy one, it concerned him. He would be overjoyed to begin a family with Caroline but the threat of the Templars lurked in the background. If they ever discovered his location, his loved ones, his family- it was over.

"Morning" her weak voice greeted sleepily, breaking him out of his reverie, and she snuggled against him. Between his warm body and the soft fabric of the bed, she was in dreamland. The steady rise of his chest, however, told her that she was awake in reality. Her eyes fluttered before opening fully at sensing a trail of saliva down the right side of her lips. A hand shot up to swipe it clean before she killed her appeal in bed and groaned miserably, "Don't tell me I look a mess. I've never been the prettiest at waking."

"Only if you return the sentiment" he teased gently and brushed a hand through his loose hair. He could care less about his appearance in the morning, amused to her flustered expression. Did he think unkempt hair and a little spit trail would frighten him away?

"Please, you're too handsome to be real" she chuckled softly to her luck at earning his favor for marriage. Their courtship had been tumultuous enough that she expected similar for an engagement but it had been beautifully simple.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead with gratitude and she asked cheerfully, "What do you want for breakfast? We'll find the nearest open place."

"It can wait, I'd rather have more time with you in bed" he answered sleepily to enjoy their first morning together rather than facing the world. There was a different unrestricted comfort in waking up beside your loved one and not having to worry about the outside world, chores, or the open sea. They were in the city by themselves in a private floor of their own without anyone to bother them. His face shifted into uncertainty when his words repeated in his head and he corrected hastily, "I-I mean, time for napping and-"

"Mm-hmm" Caroline laughed impishly to the innocent slip of the tongue, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips.

He returned it instantly, clutching her close to his chest to enjoy her body warmth, and asked quietly, "Can you promise me something?"

She nodded quickly with a bright smile to hear his request and he spoke carefully, "I admire your endless loyalty to me and I cannot make decisions for you but. . .being in the Order, your life will be shrouded with danger" pausing, he sighed softly, "I will not deny you entrance but our lives will share the same path."

The downside of always peering over your shoulder and being aware of your surroundings was daunting. Together, they could protect each other but alone, they had to stay on guard at all times. She would prefer to stay stationed in Davenport but being in the Order meant she would have to heed his orders.

"I lost my mother at a very young age and my father is nonexistent" he admitted solemnly to the unfortunate part of his life while struggling to find himself in the world. He missed his mother even now and couldn't help but wonder why she chose his father as her partner. Aside from the fact that Haytham was trying to kill him, he didn't want that for his own children one day. He hoped to protect and shelter them from the kind of life he was leading and provide a better one. Caroline and any future children would push him to being a better man. Brushing a hand through her loose hair, he explained his concerns about the future, "I want our children to grow up safely with at least one of us to raise them. I do not want them to go through the same pain I did and being an assassin raises that mortality risk. It's one thing if I perish but you, on the other hand, our children will need you."

"The moment I'm with child, my focus will be them" she agreed with a fond smile since their unmarried status allowed them to explore freely. Once a baby popped into the picture, her roles would change dramatically with her priority shifting to them. It was one thing to travel without care but her parents raised her with love and dedication, a trait she would pass onto her own children. She understood his hesitation after the painful losses that were endured and shot back with her own request, "But you have to promise to come back to us."

"I will do my best" he agreed quietly because he would move heaven and earth to return to her.

---

27 April 1777

The residents had pulled together to finish the latest project which was Amelia's brainchild. Her parents had assisted her in the design to develop a sturdy building that would last decades against the elements. The school would take the form of a regular home with a surrounding porch area on all sides to provide a place for the children to eat during summer. Two glass windows decorated the length of the building to allow air inside during the hot season. There was only one main room that served as the entire classroom, small desks and chairs lined up in rows with bookshelves lining the back of the class. Lance had crafted the furniture for the school while Big Dave managed to find a sturdy coal stove to install at the front for the cold winter. The smithy had outdone himself by creating a miniature version of a bell tower in front of the building. Lance had happily crafted the small-scale tower to fit David's bell inside so Amelia could beckon her students to class every day. Walter brought in white and brown paint for the building, which Amelia and her siblings spent their jolly time painting that morning. When Elizabeth and Samuel tried to start a paint war, the eldest sisters stopped them to avoid wasting the valuable paint. The rest of their sisters and Anne chose to ignore their dramatic protests about carefree fun in the sun.

Once they spotted Ratonhnhaké:ton and Patrick with lunch in their hands, the two were happy to settle down on the porch. The men were not fast enough to avoid the incoming hands that seized the cloth-covered food as the women began to set up a picnic on the porch. Years ago, they looked to their mother but now, they set out each item of food with meticulous care. The family of nine, now including their upcoming in-law and Anne, sat around the porch while a few decided the grassy knoll was comfy enough for their butts.

"These are the best chicken sandwiches ever!" Samuel exclaimed with joy as he licked the dressing trailing down his fingers. He had been more than happy to help the family and the free meal was simply an extra treat for him. The recent invention of the sandwich in 1762 had been a hit to the point that even their little town was replicating it. Oliver was having the best luck out of Walter and Corrine but they weren't deterred.

"We need Walter in our family too" Elizabeth quipped smartly with a wink to her brunette sister as she ate beside him. Growing older, Samuel stuck closer to Elizabeth for their adventures around town while at home, his time was spent alongside Alice. Anne tossed an extra cloth napkin at his head to remind him of his manners while Alice laughed to his baffled expression. Martha scoffed with insult to forcing an engagement out of Walter and continued eating her meal on the porch. The next words out of Elizabeth's mouth paused her in mid-bite, "Kiss him a little more."

Caroline, who sat next to her little miniature, smacked her shoulder playfully and scolded, "Eliza!"

"It worked for you and Connor!" she insisted swiftly, a satisfied smirk forming over her lips. Her sister and fiancé resembled surprised owls as they paused suddenly, their faces growing red. That was not how their relationship had shifted into an engagement.

"Lord have mercy" Amelia sighed with dismay to the audacity of their younger sister. Patrick and Samuel laughed to her bold statement while Caroline swallowed her bite before jumping to her feet. Instantly, Elizabeth dropped her sandwich on the checkerboard cloth that she shared with Samuel before gauging her sister's next move. Her blue eyes narrowed to meet the same hue from across, a haughty smirk on her lips.

Caroline proceeded to chase the little redhead around the square-shaped porch while Amelia simply watched over their food. Martha and Samuel burst into laughter to the bickering redheads while Ratonhnhaké:ton debated whether to run after his partner or pretend he was invisible. Patrick shook his head with empathy for the man and advised, "Let them cool their heads, don't ruin your lunch over it."

"It's not the first time" Alice chuckled meekly to her hotheaded sisters and heard Elizabeth protest from the other side of the school. This had been a common occurrence at home from their time at Lake Champlain and it failed to change. It was their way to roughhouse and bring back their old childhood pastimes, especially when their mother was nowhere nearby.

"And it won't be the last" Anne added in with an amused smile, stirring the two girls into laughter.

The school was built in close distance to the Mile's End by the main road and across Dr. White's home and clinic. The flat area of the land would allow the children to play during breaks and if their parents didn't pack lunch, they could stop by the inn on the way home. If any roughhousing got out of hand or a child fell ill, Dr. White was only a short distance away. The clustered layout of Davenport kept the school within sight, especially when winter arrived to prevent anyone from becoming lost during snowstorms.

Speaking of roughhousing, Amelia noted that her sisters returned with Elizabeth pouting while Caroline kept her close by an arm around the shoulders. None of them could outrun their oldest sister since she'd been walking around longer than any of them but Elizabeth came close. Ratonhnhaké:ton appeared ready to bolt but she took the moment to speak openly, "Thank you for this, not only on behalf of the children but myself."

Watching her sisters settle down on the grass again, she continued, "Boston left horrible memories for me and it took a long time for me to overcome that. Even now, the sound of gunfire makes me tense. I debated giving up on teaching altogether, especially at the thought of returning to the city. My home is where I want to stay."

Looking to the porch awnings that provided shade, she smiled solemnly to admit, "I traveled for half of my life before arriving here. I'm not the type of woman that enjoys constant movement from place to place and my heart isn't intent on leaving home again."

"You won't ever have to leave Davenport" he promised earnestly, remembering the first nights spent in the infirmary and the small office room in the Boston store with him and Caroline watching over her. Bunker Hill had been traumatic enough to wake her in the night and Caroline would often hold her until her night terrors subsided and Amelia returned to sleep. Her family had not pressured her to return to work after that ordeal and the need for a school sprouted the plan to construct one.

Elizabeth raised her hand to wave her half-eaten sandwich and grinned perkily, "You're stuck with us forever!"

"I wouldn't have it any other way" she smiled happily at her siblings, causing the redhead and Samuel to cheer. Her family was the most important factor in her life and she wouldn't change it for the world. Their voices, heckling, and laughter had been missed sorely during her teaching days in Boston. Without them by her side, her happiness had withered. It had been a lonely life for her during that year and she took a deep breath to sigh with relief, "Even the smell of fresh paint excites me."

"It's a beautiful school" Martha remarked with a perky nod to the hard work put in by everyone. Their father knew how to make a home last but Amelia had designed a simple but attractive layout. Despite her lonely days in Boston, Caroline told her sisters that the school reminded her of the one Amelia had taken her certification test at. Now, this school would be hers and the Burnett family was pleased to see her happy.

"I can't wait to start teaching" she beamed joyfully to the prospect of little children eager to learn. Many of the residents were not literate, her father included, which urged Amelia to also teach the adults willing to try to give them another advantage in life. Her parents had given her their best and she would return that same determination with her pupils. Finishing her meal, she wiped her lips to brush off crumbs before suggesting, "I could even try reading for the adults here to help, especially with their businesses."

"I think you have a brilliant idea" Caroline agreed enthusiastically and clapped to encourage her little sister. Her dream job was finally coming true for her and she would do nothing but support her effort. Teaching literacy to their town was a worthy venture, certain that a few would be willing to try. Their town had grown considerably in the last five years and she assured, "You have prospective students from the children running about here. We have Anne, Sam, and Maria. Even some of our deckhands are pretty young."

Samuel raised his arm to supply his aid onboard the ship but she quickly disappointed him, "Not yet, young man. Finish your schooling and we'll talk at sixteen."

"That's over four years!" he complained with a disappointed frown to being denied entrance again. It appeared the older he became, the less chance he had! What made him different than all the other deckhands running around? Crossing his arms, he pointed out swiftly, "You worked at fourteen!"

"Your math has improved" she chided with a cheeky smirk and he groaned miserably. Why wouldn't they let him enjoy a single ride around the bay? Caroline, however, sought to protect her youngest sibling until he was mature enough to handle a job at sea. Being the oldest, she had been expected to work the hardest to assist her siblings and five were not an easy job. Her early jobs had been taken in Boston and the mill to help her parents with their homestead, leading her to remind, "I worked because boban worked two jobs while searching for a homestead, mama worked at the tailor's, and we needed to eat."

Samuel had no rebuttal for that with his memories being only of New York and Massachusetts. As the youngest, he didn't witness their roughest hardships that included the loss of his younger brothers to illness. Patrick ruffled his hair affectionately to cut the tension and Elizabeth continued that path by teasing Amelia, "Sure you won't be driven insane by these kids?"

"Leave her be, you scamp" Martha fussed with a soft laugh to her reluctance to learn any subject. It had been a hassle to simply get her to sit still and practice her grammar. Their mother had given up once she learned a basic grasp on reading the easiest words. Waving a hand towards her in dismissal, she chided, "We know your opinion on school."

"I don't need no learnin' unless it's about survival" Elizabeth insisted stubbornly because her father had done fine and dandy in life so she would too. She was his daughter and carried the same hearty spirit to survive anything, or at least, she told herself that to conquer her problems.

Alice glanced at Amelia sheepishly before mustering the courage to ask softly, "Do . . . would. . . may I be your assistant?"

Her elder sisters gazed at her with sympathy since Alice was the meek one of the group, rarely uttering a complaint. With all her sisters working either at the mill, the inn, and the horse stables, she was left alone at home with Amelia. Without her remaining sister, she would have nobody to bond with at home and it wasn't the same with Samuel now that she was a teenager. With Anne at school, she would be completely alone. She would feel miserable at home and it led her to asking the question that was veiled as a plea. Anne squeezed her hand with support, not wanting her best friend upset over the changes.

Amelia smiled widely before pulling her into a tight hug to reassure her, "Of course you can! We'll plan the lessons together and we can spend our days together."

Her heart fluttered happily to being able to stay by her side and couldn't wait to begin her first job. Used to trailing after her sisters, she had not expected to follow one into their profession as a protégé. She had yet to find an everyday job that interested her so teaching could be a possibility. Ratonhnhaké:ton smiled at the petite brunette and offered a new incentive for her, "We will pay you as well."

Alice had never had money of her own at all except during the holidays that she received from gifts and looked at her sisters with surprise. The experience would have been enough but he would pay her a wage? For the first time, adulthood bit the teenager as the lingering tendrils of childhood were being cut. The world had always appeared large and endless to her after only experiencing life in the colonies. Now, she would be taking the same steps as her older sisters. Martha brushed a hand down her braided hair and spoke gently, "You'll have money of your own to save and you can buy your own hair ribbons. No more hand-me-downs."

"Thank you, Connor, I'll do good!" she promised joyfully to her new journey and blushed to all the attention. Ratonhnhaké:ton nodded quietly with a reassuring smile to respect her modest nature, which was quite similar to his. He wouldn't leave his littlest sister alone without the others. She had been an incredibly shy and delicate child when they met and he vowed to always keep her safe.

She giggled happily when Amelia squeezed her close once more to convey her love and looked to him with a firm glance, "We'll work hard and our work will be our thanks for this gift."

"I can't believe all of us are working now" Martha chuckled amusingly to their journeys in life and glanced down at her folded hands. She had once been a little girl scared of the woods, holding onto her two elder sisters for comfort during the night at the log camps. Now, she was a woman courting her first love and working at his family inn to make a living. The woods were now respected, not feared, and she worried more about having food on the table. She would not live with her parents forever and had to find a suitable marriage prospect that wouldn't leave her desolate or forlorn about life. Her suitor was her knight in shining armor after he helped her find a permanent job at the inn while she learned tailoring skills from Ellen on her days off. A bittersweet smile touched her lips on her journey to adulthood in recent years and finished, "For actual true wages. We're quite fortunate."

"Not me!" Samuel pouted dramatically, not liking that they all cheered about work while he was the odd man out. Why was he being left behind? He had the same enthusiastic determination to work and numerous boys in the country his age worked hard!

"When you're fourteen, you can help as Elizabeth's assistant" Ratonhnhaké:ton suggested kindly to slowly begin dipping his feet into the working world. He and Caroline would not place him in danger at such a young age so he was left with finding a safe road for Samuel. Godfrey did not want his child enduring the backbreaking labor of bringing in lumber unless he wished it, hoping for a better opportunity with his only son. The girls would be teaching him and placing him at the inn as a cleaning hand was a prospect but Ratonhnhaké:ton had something else in mind. With Samuel enjoying the outdoors, he could learn from his other redheaded sister and be out in the fresh outdoors.

Elizabeth grinned evilly at this idea, already imagining him hauling her loads of feed, and he frowned with a whimper, "No! She'll break my back."

The mischievous redhead sighed dramatically to the glares sent from her sisters, minus Alice, and swore they had all become their mother. Samuel shook his head to decline that offer immediately, squaring his shoulders to puff his chest, and piped up confidently, "I want to be a sailor like Carrie."

"Oh, dear" Caroline murmured despondently as she and Ratonhnhaké:ton shared a reluctantly wary gaze. If Catherine hadn't chased him down before for accepting her child onboard, she surely would now if he dared to bring Samuel along. This was not ideal for any of them but he didn't want to break Samuel's dreams. Their determination to protect him from harm could also drive him away from them.

Patrick intervened on their behalf by clasping a hand on the boy's left shoulder to advise, "Grow a little more and take full responsibility on the homestead chores, then you can talk."

"How many chores are we talking about?" he asked suspiciously because he ran around a lot on the homestead. He woke before sunrise to milk the cow, feed the animals, led them to the pastures, and returned to clean the stables alongside Patrick. What else was there to do?

"Everything your father does, boy" his cousin replied simply to begin him on the raw road to manhood. There was work to be done on the land, stables, and indoor at home before leaving for long work hours. By the time a man returned home at the end of a shift, the final chores of the day would be ready to be carried out. With grown children, the extra hands made it bearable but as a bachelor, it was hard work. Pointing to the sailing couple, he explained their alternative of farm work on the Aquila, "They work on running a ship from departure to return, you learn to work the land and then you're set."

"Hmm, either I'm ruled by Elizabeth or mother" he mused thoughtfully to who would unleash a stronger figurative whip on his back. His mother carried a sweet spot for him but Elizabeth would hold no mercy if it meant more breaks for her. Quickly, he blurted without a second guess, "I choose mother."

Elizabeth scoffed to his unfounded fear because she was all talk rather than a true attitude, "I'm not that bad."

"When you can handle the workload and have learned your arithmetic, return to me and I will assign you a job" Ratonhnhaké:ton stated quietly to suggest another idea that would help his little brother along the way. He was not ready to be a sailor anytime soon and with him being the family's only son, he would be the one to carry on the family business. Not wanting to see him fail to that potential responsibility, he proposed with ambiguity, "Before you accept, it will not be on the Aquila but close to it."

He pondered over that suggestion, shoulders squaring to the first taste of responsibility. It was humbling to finally have their attention and although it wasn't what he wanted to hear, it was something. Deciding to take the risk if it would one day lead him to his dream, he nodded with a bright smile, "Deal!"

---

15 May 1777

The general store had finished its construction as the two-story building sat next to the Mile's End. The first floor would be the main floor with the second acting as an office and storage for inventory. With the new buildings in town, the residents were in awe to the new business and school that were ready to open. For the first time, they felt as if they were living in a modern city but with the quaint touches of rural life. Ratonhnhaké:ton had funded the projects, especially the school, and hoped they proved advantageous for the community.

Walter had invited the town for a meal at the Mile's End to reward their hard work, along with celebrating the joint effort in setting up a business that would connect them to the nearby cities. Ratonhnhaké:ton was his mentor in the field of business since he knew the major supplies but the awkward part was that Walter's English background would secure more supplies. It was the disgusting downside of society but Walter assured they'd find a way to screw them while pocketing revenue. After all, they would likely be brothers-in-law once he summoned enough courage to ask Martha for her hand.

Walter figured this was a good time as any to ask the question he had been preparing for the past weeks. Working alongside her father to cut the lumber and construct the store, the two managed to strike up a conversation about it. Despite the presence of numerous sharp weapons, he persisted with his intentions and Godfrey finally agreed that the poor man could marry his daughter. He had been nothing short of helpful upon arriving and Godfrey knew his grandparents had now become his core family. If he scared the poor lad out of town, both families would be infuriated with him.

Having the entire town present for the free lunch was Walter's perfect way to pitch his proposal. He was aware of how everyone saw each other as more of one large family than a community. Their bonds were tightly-knit after years of camaraderie and sharing milestones together that cemented those bonds. He couldn't think of a better town to spend the rest of his years and form a family.

"Free ales and food, you know the way to a man's heart" Patrick joked warmly as he raised an ale mug in appreciation to his hospitality. The two had become quick friends in the latter half of the previous year after being the latest bachelors to arrive in Davenport. With the construction of the store, he had assisted his uncle with building the framework and they spent numerous hours on site. Whenever he wasn't doing odd jobs on his days off around town, the two would relax with some fishing.

"I have to thank my town, new employees, and business partners" Walter stated with gratitude to their hard work and friendships that sprouted from the venture. He was glad to see everyone had grabbed a plate of food while the men were off to the kegs. Some things never changed. Looking to his grandparents as they mingled with their neighbors, he added in, "Also, my grandparents for preparing this."

"It was nothing" Corrine chuckled with an innocent wink, already aware that he was planning for the big question. His grandparents were a large part of his life now and he needed their input to make sure he didn't ruin his proposal. Oliver had recommended the inn as the proposal site while she recommended a walk through the flower fields. Walter decided to do both by giving a fresh bouquet of wildflowers to Martha before their gathering started. So far, so good.

"The store should be fully open by the end of the week when the inventory arrives" he informed the gathered crowd and received approval instantly. The new buildings had been the talk of the town and with the school opening, the children would need supplies. Not to mention, suitable attire to last the school year. The first round of inventory would allow him to gather input on what will stay or not be reordered, explaining further, "I'll have tea, paper, fabric, dry goods, hygienic products, candy, and the fresh goods from the town will be in stock."

"Tea?" Warren whistled with approval to the commodity and looked to his wife to chuckle, "We're becoming a city overnight."

"Fabric, really?" Ellen asked with delight to having more swatches to purchase. Her current inventory was from the load she had brought in during her impromptu move and rare trips to Boston. Having an entire town as a customer base was keeping her afloat with orders but she needed more inventory and soon, helping hands.

"I learned a thing or two from my sister's incessant nagging so I ordered a few catalogs from New York if you're interested" Walter chuckled to assure her that he would retrieve whatever items the town needed. He refused to leave them high and dry before the store even opened.

Her face brightened instantly to new stock and she agreed, "I am!"

"Any chance you'll carry seeds for gardening?" Prudence asked curiously to satisfy her craving to grow more vegetables. With Hunter growing fast, he was enjoying his solid foods and she sought to give him the best from the earth itself. Her little boy sat beside Daniel as the other infant played with a wooden block his mother had brought in to occupy him.

Diana nodded quickly to her idea since the married women enjoyed their gardening habit to relax after morning chores. She and Catherine enjoyed growing fruits while Prudence handled vegetables and herbs, leading her to say, "It's been a while that we've had some that aren't native to Massachusetts."

"That and a new batch of spices" Walter answered confidently since the basic necessities would be taken care of first. Anything related to food, shelter, clothing, and wagon maintenance would be first. After that, the splurging inventory would be next for purchase.

"Be still, my heart" Lyle declared excitedly to what awaited them in the small town. They were becoming as fancy as Boston in no time, except the people were kinder and there was room to move. Plus, a better smell. Similar to the women, he had his own request and fancy, "What about medicine?"

"You tell me the names and I'll bring them in" he replied earnestly because healthiness was critical for the survival of Davenport. Living in the rural outdoors, they were nowhere near a hospital so Dr. White was their first line for medical attention. Keeping his clinic stocked with the latest medications and supplies was part of the immediate needs package in his book. When winter arrived and their roads were blocked by ice, he would be treating injury or influenza patients. Otherwise, Ratonhnhaké:ton would utilize the Aquila as a transport vessel for emergencies to the coastal cities.

"I'll be stopping by for the candy selection" Samuel promised with a cheeky smile to peruse the new stock. He could already see himself visiting the store every day to satisfy his sweet tooth. At least, until his mother chastised him about ruining his teeth.

"Whatever the townsfolk need, let me or Connor know" Walter informed the town to begin a list for the next purchase period. His quiet friend was often running off to sea so he wouldn't mind taking the reins on buying inventory or browsing new suppliers. However, with him having stronger sway and rapport with the town, they would likely go to him first. Tapping his chin, he mumbled offhandedly, "I should've called the shop Miller and Family instead of General Store. Wish I would've thought of it before the paint job."

"Give me an advance and it'll get done" Patrick offered his services to add another job to his list of the month. A paint job was nothing to the other odd jobs he'd done around town which included helping Norris set explosives, transferring ore to Big Dave, herding Prudence's pigs, and reinforcing the banisters on the Aquila after they were blown off for the fifth time.

"How have you not made a fortune by now?" Elizabeth teased impishly before jabbing him in the ribs with a mischievous laugh. He had been working for almost a year with their family, traveling north to their uncle Joseph's as an extra hand during off-season, to earn money for a homestead. He was close to purchasing the materials for building a homestead but that didn't include the indoor furnishings.

"I do have an ulterior motive for gathering you all here" Walter began carefully, keeping his breath still to avoid becoming nervous before everyone. Sweating and turning red like a cherry would not be appealing to a lady hearing a marriage proposal. He controlled a quiver that tried to escape his throat, quickly taking a sip from his first alcoholic drink in public, and declared, "You've all been great since my arrival here and my heart's been smitten with not only the town but a certain brunette. One who has treated me with nothing but kindness from the moment I arrived here, especially when I knew nothing about the outdoors."

Martha stilled in her spot at hearing this, cursing that she was in mid-bite of her food and quickly swallowed it. Was she about to hear what she expected in her dreams? Her sisters gasped quietly behind her, moving behind her instantly to let her take center stage. Taking a deep breath, he pushed down the butterflies in his stomach and requested, "Miss Martha Burnett, will you marry-"

"Yes!"

Her eyes widened to her accidental blurt, glancing around sheepishly, while Walter stared in stunned disbelief, "I. . . I didn't finish."

"Are you asking me to marry me, Mr. Rolfe?" she asked softly, rekindling her old gumption to surface once more, and smiled fondly at him. She didn't mean to jump ahead but his voice had begun to waver towards the end. Walter's words left him completely but he was glad that she had gauged his anxiety and took the initiative to jump in. Why was he being baffled by a mere set of words? When had a proposal been so daunting? Stuck in his silent stupor, he nodded slowly and she answered earnestly, "Then yes."

It's done, you lived, ol' boy, he reassured himself and tried to calm his hammering heart by repeating the words. She said yes!

"That was not as bad as expected" he murmured softly, expecting uncertainty from his girlfriend. A proposal was a once in a lifetime milestone which meant careful calculation on voicing the question and to the right person. All his regular charisma and pep flew out the window at that pivotal moment and he chuckled awkwardly to admit, "I do believe I had more heart palpitations with your father."

"It happens" Ratonhnhaké:ton comforted as he leaned against a rear window. He knew the crippling nerves and hammering heart more than anyone when facing Godfrey for Caroline's hand. His bride-to-be playfully smacked his shoulder, stifling laughter to his nonchalant comment, and he added in, "Take comfort in that you only did this once."

Walter's eyes widened to having to stumbling through numerous courtship and engagement traditions, sighing with dismay, "You poor soul."

"Can't have my girls marry unworthy men" Godfrey stated simply with a fatherly edge, wanting his daughters to live in safe and stable homes. He didn't care how many hearts were in their eyes as long as their men were able to provide the basic necessities, treated them with respect, and cherished them just as he had for the last twenty years. Children were hard work and he wasn't about to let his most treasured creations run off into danger.

Catherine patted his shoulder with a tender smile, aware that his fatherly protection was on the rise. He had imagined but never truly prepared for the day their children would begin leaving home. To them, they would always be little children. Their hands were no longer reaching for them but for their future spouses and he granted that, placing his immense trust in Walter and Ratonhnhaké:ton.

"You raised very sharp children" he chuckled nervously to compliment the large Scotsman. Martha approached her poor boyfriend before he fainted in front of the town and required medical attention in the inn. She found it humorous that he was more intimidated by him rather than her, keeping that one a secret. Grasping his left hand, she squeezed his fingers supportively to be by his side as they faced her parents.

She was able to sympathize with Caroline revealing her engagement after listening to her parents without question. Unlike her eldest sister that was headstrong, their opinion and judgment was greatly valued and shaped hers. Her heart was happiest at his side and she wouldn't hesitate to make this her first fight if they didn't bless their marriage.

"Boban, do you approve of my suitor?" Martha asked quietly with respect to avoid being chased out the door and running away to live in another city. No, she was being ridiculous! Her parents wouldn't do that. Otherwise, her sister would have been gone after her hijinks in 1774. On the other hand, her father had scared Walter during his request to court in her home. From her view, her father reacted mainly from Ratonhnhaké:ton and Caroline's love triangle with his sister while he happened to be an innocent bystander. Godfrey's silent nod of approval elicited a joyful laugh and she darted forward to hug him with happiness, "Thank you!"

"As long as he keeps you safe and happy, your mother and I bless your engagement" he agreed with a firm tone to remind her to always be mindful of her future husband. One year of courtship didn't equal the decades of dedication from both he and Catherine to keep her safe. Walter was a wholesome good lad and he hoped he was good with a gun now that he was outdoors or Martha would have to teach him a few survival skills.

Godfrey chuckled softly at watching another one of his little girls pair off to begin a life of her own. Catherine squeezed his arm gently when catching the solemn look in his eyes, especially at seeing their daughters giggle to Martha's engagement. Ages ago, they giggled to grass stuffed fabric dolls but weddings had become their newest fancy. He still remembered the day he married Catherine and seeing his daughters begin the same path all over again was bittersweet. He had done his job as their father but he would never stop watching over them.

The happy ruckus around the inn increased when Walter managed to find the engagement ring in his vest pocket. It slipped his mind, pending the approval or refusal of her family's blessing. Ratonhnhaké:ton held sympathy for him because he would not have been able to survive proposing in front of the whole town. Martha, however, beamed happily when he slipped the gimmel ring over her left middle finger to signify their official engagement. Caroline and her sisters cheered in awe to the golden ring as it depicted the two hands but this time, there was a small emerald stone in the center.

"Congratulations!" Myriam and Norris echoed happily to pat their friends on the shoulders, earning a bashful giggle from Martha. This felt completely surreal to her!

"Thank you for the ore and you for crafting it" Walter called out to the miner and blacksmith to compliment their services. Without them, his engagement would've been impossible and he would not have liked to order a ring from a catalog. He sought a unique creation after finding the rare but perfect town, along with his bride.

"Anytime" Big Dave dismissed jovially for the commissioned work and raised his ale mug. Besides, free food and drinks were a great treat.

"They'll all be ready to fly off soon" Catherine sighed softly with melancholy to the pending separation from her daughters. Caroline had driven her up a wall during her adolescence but Martha had been the perfect child. Still, she loved both her girls dearly and would miss hearing their voices at home. Glancing at Amelia and Elizabeth, who were now next in line for marriage, she chided gently, "No wedding plans. Your mother needs time to adjust."

"Mother!" they objected with embarrassment, jumping back to the horrible idea. Amelia had no interest in marriage, focusing more on her renewed career, while Elizabeth enjoyed her time alone in the outdoors.

Diana chuckled warmly to her friend's protectiveness over her children and teased her, "Don't say that, they might pop out with a suitor."

"I'm still growing!" Elizabeth insisted swiftly and stretched her arms over her head to prove her point by popping a joint. Catherine wasn't impressed at all by that declaration since she was only two years younger than Martha. She and her husband joked that whoever caught her eye would earn a handful to support. Grabbing her mother's right arm, Elizabeth tucked her close to imitate a little chick cozying up to its mother hen and smiled cheekily, "You'll be stuck with me for a lo-o-o-ong time."

"I can't believe we're having two weddings, how exciting" Alice grinned excitedly to her little brother, who agreed instantly. Now, they would have a brother in law that fought pirates and captained a ship while another would have a store and inn full of goodies for him to enjoy. Their sisters had gifted them great brothers-in-law!

"We already have the inn for a reception" Oliver piped in matter-of-factly to offer the place for the reception or all-inclusive affair. He and Corrine would scrub, wipe, and polish every little bit of the place to make it shine for their grandson. His arrival had been a blessing and relieved some of the burden when handling a high number of patrons.

Godfrey had another idea to save time for his daughters and suggested, "We could have your weddings together!"

Caroline and Martha shared an awkward glance but the former was the first to speak her mind. Her little sister would rarely utter a complaint against their parents so it was left to her to vocalize that sentiment.

"No, boban" Caroline declined gently to avoid hurting his feelings while Martha released a breath of relief. During childhood, they would share hand-me-downs which meant only she and Samuel received new things. The logging camps had children in similar attire but it was the cities where they were made fun of for swapping clothes. Caroline tried to protect her sisters but Martha took it to heart the hardest that they were poor. It was only until the mill was well-established that the girls were able to begin having their own attire with the extra money left over. Adolescence is where the formation of self-identities caused them to clash and it was only until adulthood that their bickering resolved.

She didn't want that history to repeat itself since she and Ratonhnhaké:ton were capable of affording their own wedding. Their parents could focus on Martha's wedding and she smiled at her parents to admit, "We've grown up sharing each other's belongings, it's time that Martha gets to have something of her own to celebrate the beginning of her marriage. She will have her ceremony and I will have mine- mainly because I have another culture to mix in."

"We're going to be a Scottish-English household" Martha pointed out with an amused smile, leaning over to hug her sister with appreciation. She regretted her behavior in adolescence, ashamed that it had not only struck out at her but Ratonhnhaké:ton, who had not deserved it. Now, they were her support beams besides their parents. Caroline was simply happy to have her little sister as a best friend again.

"That's a lot better appealing to society than a Scottish-Mohawk marriage, let me tell you" she joked sarcastically to the folly of colonial culture and would try her best to avoid the cities once she had children. Her town accepted her upcoming union but if that changed one day, she wouldn't hesitate to leave everything behind to protect her family. Hugging her sister tightly, she sighed with content to the future, "My children will have fabulous dark hair though."

"I imagined red hair" Ratonhnhaké:ton joked gently about their future children, hoping that they'd take more after her. Colonial society was unstable and it would break his heart to see their children ostracized for having a Kanien'kehá:ka background. This gave him one more reason to keep fighting for justice and fairness to show the colonists that his people were not war-mongering. They were worth more than simply their land and could teach others to live from it rather than uproot and destroy it for colonial expansion.

Elizabeth popped his dream bubble when she laughed impishly to tease them, "You're already imagining children?"

"I can dream" Caroline shot back defensively with burning cheeks for speaking boldly in public. She usually kept her funny quips to herself and friends but the mood was buzzing!

"Thanks, Carrie" Martha smiled with gratitude for having her on her side, even when she didn't deserve it. She had protected her, just like the rest of their siblings, from the moment they left Glasgow and never stopped. Time managed to keep them together so far and although siblings often split up to different places after marriage, she hoped to stay close to all of them. That was one conversation she and Walter would have to determine for their homestead. Hugging her eldest sister once more, she whispered, "For everything, even when I wasn't at my best."

"You're my little sister and I want your happiness above all" Caroline replied easily, aware that their parents weren't eternal and she would do her best to stay by her siblings. Her plan was to stay in Davenport to raise her family but unexpected events could happen. The debate would be whether to move north or west if they needed to flee to safety, whether from Templars or prejudiced segregation laws. She would bask in the happiness of that year, not their uncertain future, and chuckled softly, "We had our tumultuous moments but I'm behind you 100%. You plan your wedding and let me know the date so we don't accidentally have the same one."

Ratonhnhaké:ton offered one idea to prevent double-booking the same venue, "We could just marry on the Aquila-"

"Don't you dare finish that!" Catherine chastised the two sailing fanatics because she wanted a proper wedding. They had not put her through mental toil with their adventures to marry on a ship of all places. Now, she wouldn't mind a ceremony on the docked Aquila by the harbor but not in the open sea!

The residents and their family flew into hysterics at watching the tall stoic native dart back and grab Caroline's arm. He had never heard her lecture him and instinctively knew he was officially family now. Before proposing, she had never raised her tone and treated him like glass. He earned a motherly glare once or twice during the Clara faux love triangle drama but that had been it. Caroline laughed aloud to his bewildered expression, pulling him close to be his shield, and playfully teased, "Mother, we're not even married and you're terrifying your future your son-in-law. Don't scare off the newest one."

"I'm not . . . oh, you're joking" he denied hesitantly at bearing the true motherly nature of Catherine Burnett. There was a reason she wielded a shotgun while her husband fancied an axe. Hmm, an odd reflection considering he had his tomahawk and Caroline preferred pistols.

Catherine brushed the top of their heads with her hands with a motherly smile and doted, "I want to see you two marry here where it all began. You've been through too much to have it out at sea or some unknown colony."

"Welcome to our family" Amelia smiled amicably to Walter, watching his interesting facial expressions. Unlike Ratonhnhaké:ton's quiet and stoic nature, he was a bundle of peppy energy and never stopped smiling. He would fit right in with their family of boisterous, sarcastic, laidback, and friendly characters.

"Mr. Miller, I need to buy two more kegs for celebratin'!" Caroline hollered over the side conversations to grin at the innkeepers, who would become an extended family. Her father already spent enough time at the inn and it had been his word that convinced Ratonhnhaké:ton to keep them in Davenport when the couple had been camping in the outskirts. Slowly but surely, each family was branching into one another's. Clapping happily, she declared to the happy news of the day, "My sister's getting married!"

Walter raised his right hand to point out that he had prepared for the evening's social, "I purchased-"

"You celebrate your engagement and let your older sister take care of you two" she interrupted to let the couple enjoy their night to remember the milestone. They would only be engaged once (hopefully) so she would take the reins to keep everything running smoothly. Flicking a thumb towards Oliver as he prepared to lug in another keg of beer, she smiled brightly, "Besides, I have your grandparents to run things- oh my gosh, does this mean we have grandparents-in-law now?!"

"I do but I don't know about you" Martha responded smartly before laughing merrily to the joke. Oliver and Corrine had always been treated as sweet grandparents since setting up shop but for her, it would be official.

"Of course you do, sillies" Oliver chuckled with amusement to their innocent teasing, glad to add another three or six grandchildren-in-law. He had seen the entire family grow up from their adolescence to adulthood and he would find no finer children to call family. He left the bar with an echoing laugh to bring in the next kegs for the town.

Like Ratonhnhaké:ton, Walter found his family within Martha's as her siblings easily befriended him. There was no constant critique or judgment about his life choices or opinions. Nodding to the redhead, he thanked her for the sisterly watch, "You're a million times nicer than Clara."

"Don't remind me- no offense" she sighed with dismay to the dreadful memory of the woman. The name alone stirred a surge of frustration inside her. Ratonhnhaké:ton took a step back in caution in case she forgot that he never sought to court that woman. Her blue eyes widened with apprehension before she questioned, "Wait, she'll be getting an invite, won't she?"

His smile deflated instantly into a small frown, pausing for a moment until answering with regret, "For formality's sake but I doubt she'll attend. We didn't leave on the best terms."

"She might, given that you gave her your inheritance" Martha muttered flatly to why she stopped heckling him once she left. Frankly, she preferred him relinquishing it than keeping it to avoid her entirely. If she sank the family store business, it would be on her shoulders only rather than his to avoid the blame game. With his store in Davenport, the two would be competing in business strategies but she would root for him only.

"Don't say that" Walter shuddered with dread to bear her presence during his nuptials. His grandparents were the only ones he wanted there to avoid drama. He was not the type that enjoyed or reveled in conflict, sighing softly, "I'd rather she stay in the city to consolidate her power around a black cauldron and remain spiteful."

Caroline chuckled at watching Corrine hug her mother as she gushed happily to bringing Martha into their family. Her little sister would be fine in their hands and hoped they never ventured anywhere near New York City. Ages ago, she would have expected her sister to move to the city as a governess and find a man to marry from a higher social class. Instead, she found a city dweller that preferred the outdoors and carried himself humbly as he ran a business. She couldn't be prouder of that.

"Should I have asked for your hand in a public setting?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked modestly due to courtship being a private affair in his tribe until the wedding. At that point, the entire clan gathered to celebrate the union. He had planned his proposal meticulously out of respect for her but couldn't help and wonder if he had missed bringing in their loved ones for the moment.

"No, I loved our engagement" she chuckled softly to reassure him that their engagement had been perfect. She couldn't have asked for anything better! The glittering sea and the illuminating moonlight had been romantic enough for her and the lack of people prevented either from turning bashful. She shot him a confident smile to point out easily on her most treasured moment, "We're private people. The Aquila means a lot to us and being asked under the night sky over the sea was perfect."

"This year appears to be full of weddings" Ratonhnhaké:ton remarked with a faint smile to the happy news that resulted from that year. From the new buildings to the new engagements, Davenport was on the rise with new families starting and a new generation forming. He caught Norris' eye while he chatted with Myriam, nodding to him with reminder that action was needed to convey his sentiments. The miner quickly darted away, causing him to sigh under his breath. It appeared one of the residents was not ready to join the marrying crowd.

"It's about time for some more cheer" she agreed with a happy laugh, feeling fortunate to have one year without stress. She hoped the Templars would lie low long enough to not miss her sister's wedding and ultimately, her own. Otherwise, her parents would have a lecture ready about not missing one's nuptials. Wrapping an arm around his, she leaned against him to beam joyfully, "This is our golden year, my love."

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A/N: And another Burnett is engaged! 1777 is a lot happier than 1776 and it will fly by a lot more faster as well. Walter's more of an extrovert when compared to Connor so his engagement to Martha ushered in the whole town to celebrate. Meanwhile, Connor and Caroline enjoyed dinner with their assassin friends to invite them to the upcoming nuptials and keep them in the loop. They're all one big family now. We will be in the summertime for the next chapter as Father Timothy arrives to signal in the last resident while Norris finally gains the courage to give his knife to Myriam.

Thank you to my readers and last chapter reviewers as always, I appreciate your time!

Chriswill02: It's been 50+ chapters now and AC III covers a lot of time but I still remember them as awkward teens. Connor was gutsy in telling them but he has an honest air about him that I believe he would be guilty marrying Caroline without telling her family his secrets if anything happened to them. Achilles was certainly not happy about it, lol. Thank you for always enjoying my chapters!

East Coast Captain: Haytham's journal totally flipped my view of him. He's very complex and it's insightful to me how he mentions how so many people lied to him in life but his father never did, which is why he leaves the journal behind for Connor to find. Caroline will be the one to prod him to be honest to his poor son but the Broken Trust mission will bring irreperable damage to their relationship. Later on, when Haytham meets their daughter, it only stirs more regret on all sides. I did end up doing a rough outline of the story past 1783 when the game ends and became melancholy by 1840 because all of the original residents will be long gone and Connor and Caroline would be in their 80s. I've grown attached to them all. 1812 would totally be the children's story with their oldest being in her early 30s and her siblings in their 20s. The Civil War would be the grandchildren's story since that, the Industrial Revolution, and the Wild West were tumultous times. The turn of the century would be the great-grandchildren as the Old West comes to an end, massive urbanization with skycrapers begin, and electric and automobile technology arrive. The next generation would cover World War I so each one has their own event that has shaped their lives.

taylor115: Godfrey is a protective father bear but he is not a fan of boats, haha. I love Elizabeth, as stubborn as she is. She needs to grow a little more before she takes similar steps to Caroline. While she's itching to be an Assassin, Samuel wants to be a sailor.

Stuff539: My shifts are basically to prepare for the unexpected, whether I'm working the floor with patients or supervising the unit. Labor Day brought a boat full of COVID patients to my unit a week later, just as I returned from a week off from work. The guidelines change every day which is frustrating for nurses because we're trying to avoid contamination to ourselves, our loved ones, and our uninfected patients. Flu season is also at our doorstep so differentiating between both and other respiratory conditions will be a tough one. I miss working night shift, it's calmer than day shift and you're able to talk more with your patients. The only downside is you get sleepy after 3am (at least I did so I would walk laps around my unit) so I commend your dad for tackling those nights.

Thunderstrike16: Haha, that was totally a reference to that movie! The Aquila gets into enough fights that it could have been a possibility, haha. His secret to the family is out but it will be a while for the residents to know.

Faron Oakenshield: Elizabeth is a hilarious little imp and Caroline's smaller copy. She's been vivacious since the first chapter and it has yet to go away.

EVA-Saijayin: Thanks for the feedback, it's been corrected for upcoming chapters.

Danelleprae: From what I researched, the Mohawk are matrileneal which is why they have a Clan Mother. Connor would become part of his wife's family upon marriage and although his people don't use surnames, he would rather take Caroline's than have them both carry the Kenway name (especially with Haytham being a Templar). Their surnames play an interesting topic in coming chapters and Haytham's reaction to hearing it cracks me up.

The Antic Repartee: Haha, I updated two chapters within the same month to keep them tied together. My state has been burning a lot so the heat had been unbearable to write. Not to mention, not being able to see the sun or blue sky for several days. If 2019 me time skipped to early this month, she would've thought the apocalypse happened. My new AC has helped a lot now, especially for my schoolwork and sleeping comfortably for work. Lol. Thank you for enjoying the story and I plan to write out the entire game for the story while being able to explore the long gaps with my own plots in later years. I'm mostly excited for the Haytham missions in 1778 and the birth of their first baby in 1779.

Next Chapter Excerpt:

The two escorted Norris to Myriam's homestead, uttering a nonstop barrage of compliments and encouragement. By the time they were finished, they could've basted five turkeys with the figurative stuffing they had gifted their friend. They didn't want his courage withering because it was a long time coming that he profess his feelings for her. Norris hesitated on approaching the huntress when her small cabin appeared but the couple gave him a gentle shove to put him on the spot. For his sake, they hoped he didn't bolt into the tree line.

Myriam was quickly filling her hunting satchel with ammunition while Bullseye dangled over her back from its strap across her chest. Their friend was on the move and the couple quickly poked the miner to get the conversation going. With a nervous breath, Norris took two steps forward and greeted her quietly, "Allo, Myriam."

Her head snapped up to their arrival, not sensing them as her mind ran through her hunting checklist. She couldn't head out without properly checking off each item to avoid mistakes or injuries on the field. Raising her right hand in welcome, she smiled warmly, "Hello, Norris, Connor, Carrie. I'd love to stay and chat but I promised Ellen a bale of furs this week and am not even close to making good. I need to get out into the bush right away."

Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted his friends to have time to discuss their unresolved feelings. Otherwise, the conundrum would leave Norris depressed and Myriam with confusion. Stepping forward, he offered his assistance to help her task along, "Two hunters are better than one. I can help if you like."

Norris saw his chance withering away, especially when faced with two others that could hold their own in a fight. How could he compete with that? Withdrawing from the conversation, he stepped back and offered half-heartedly, "Maybe I will return."

Caroline loved her partner's selfless nature but this was one time where it wasn't needed. If anything, poor Norris was the one that needed the helping hand. She didn't want him to run off disappointed from another failed attempt and stated firmly, "I will help her. It'll give us girls some conversation."

"Then I will keep an eye from afar" he stated because he wasn't going to let her run off alone into the deep woods. The bobcat attack during her youth remained in his mind and he would always protect her. Caroline shot him a look of amusement to his protectiveness but nodded with agreement.

Myriam's face brightened to the extra help and smiled with relief, "Would you? I'd be much obliged."

Ratonhnhaké:ton took this chance to push Norris forward from behind and the miner chuckled awkwardly. It was now or never. Retrieving the sheathed knife from his belt, he held it out to her and managed to control his voice to say, "I bring something for you. Maybe it will help."

She took the knife with hesitant surprise, not expecting a gift that day. How did he know she needed a new hunting knife? Her hunting and trapping made quick work of a blade's sharpness and even David advised her she needed a new set. The best she had gotten was a butcher knife that she bought from Corrine to cut her meat and a smaller knife from a trip to Boston for cleaning her catches. Her fingers tightened over the hilt of the hunting knife and she smiled with gratitude, "I really must get moving. I will thank you properly when I get back...until then."

Myriam surprised all three when she leaned forward to kiss Norris on the cheek. Even the miner stood still as a statue to the unbelievable but welcome action. She accepted his gift! Ratonhnhaké:ton came to his senses first before nudging his partner, who quickly blinked and cleared her throat to hide her girlish laughter.

The huntress didn't linger on her spur of the moment kiss and informed the redhead, "Meet me at my northernmost hunting blind after you take your first skin."

The two women walked away from the men, leaving Ratonhnhaké:ton cautious to their hunting while Norris was soaring on a happy high. Releasing a sigh when the women disappeared into the tree line, he laughed merrily to tell his friend, "I did not expect that outcome, thank you!"

"Do not waste the chance" the assassin advised to avoid the two becoming like he and Caroline back in 1775. Like himself, Norris was modest in his approach and became flustered by the opposite sex. Unlike himself, however, he was not shrouded in constant danger and had more time to spend with Myriam to build a relationship.

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Thank you for reading!