Music Inspiration: Thomas Bergerson- "Two Hearts"
A Night to Remember
Once everyone was safely inside the inn, the doors were shut to avoid the cold wind from drifting inside. Corrine lit the oil lanterns throughout the inn to illuminate the large room and soon, everyone found a seat within the formed circle of tables. The food had been kept warm under cloth napkins inside crates, baskets, and the burnt-out oven, to which the women gathered to set it out onto the banquet tables. The men helped in grabbing the heavier items of food such as the pots of fish chowder and chicken soup to set them onto the table. This was the largest wedding to be hosted in Davenport so Caroline had helped the women cut, dice, mince, stuff, and do everything possible with a vegetable to make the feast delicious. She left the meat to be prepared by the expert hands of Corrine and Oliver to give the best to her guests.
Ratonhnhaké:ton was the last one to enter after dropping off their marriage wicker baskets at the manor. He would pick them up after dropping off Achilles later that night rather than venturing all the way to his new home. Caroline had been true to her word on sewing leather moccasins for him to wear at home with a brown wool scarf to match. For her, he had Big Dave craft a new knife with a whalebone hilt after storing the small bone in his trinket box. His bride had been ecstatic for the smaller and prettier knife to give Ruth a break, storing the new sheathed knife in her dress pocket for the wedding. For him, it was a perfect end to their ceremony by keeping to the traditions of his tribe.
Caroline clapped her hands as she stood in front of the tables and smiled happily at her guests, "Enjoy all the food, we're here till the last guest leaves or Mr. Miller kicks us out."
Oliver laughed at the idea of kicking out the wedded couple just as Martha set down tin plates to let everyone serve themselves. She and Caroline washed all the plates, bowls, knives, forks, and spoons in the Miller's inventory to avoid running out of plates during the night. Flicking one of the speckled feathers in her sister's hair, Martha reminded covertly, "The wedded couple can't be out too late."
"Aw, but it's my wedding day" she pouted comically for pity because she wanted to enjoy the memories of her wedding reception. Her stomach had been fluttering all night and morning over the ceremony but it was over now. She was officially married to her childhood sweetheart and wanted to bask in that happiness with her loved ones. Martha tried not to laugh as her eldest sister became the innocent one when she demanded clarification, "Why can't - oh."
Ratonhnhaké:ton noticed his bride's cheeks matched the color of the cherry pies on the table and asked worriedly, "Why are you turning red?"
She whispered in his ear about the nightly duties of a newly married couple and he turned red with embarrassment for the first time. Now, both of their freckled faces resembled tomatoes because they hadn't even thought about that yet. He was still coming to terms that he was married and floating on that happy cloud- consummating his marriage was not the priority. Sure, he knew it would be part of the marriage aspect but enjoying the party with his bride came first. Baffled as to why that was their sudden curiosity, he questioned, "Is that what all of you are thinking?"
Their group of friends either glanced away, turned red, or burst into laughter in the case of the sailors. He was almost inclined to wag his finger in shame at them like Caroline usually did when they were pushing the joking line. Her unmarried siblings were lost to the insinuation and like a good brother-in-law, he reached for the nearest table to grasp a platter of meat skewers that Walter whipped up with Stephane's help. The two chefs burst into laughter when a flurry of hands picked the platter clean and everyone enjoyed the snack, distracted by his move.
"I have the best brothers" Samuel piped up proudly because one loved to cook and the other brought him trinkets from adventuring. He had often felt melancholy and alone as a child with only sisters at his side but now, he had Walter and Ratonhnhaké:ton. Even Patrick was his brother despite being cousins!
"I must finely dine and provide non-alcoholic beverages to woo my husband into play mode" Caroline whispered slyly as she slid beside him with a sneaky gleam in her eye and his eyes dulled to her mischievous smile. Was she trying to fluster him less than hour after marriage? She revealed a plate full of sizzling food for him that contained his favorites with mashed potatoes, sliced beef tenderloin, and steamed corn. Waving her free hand over it to fill his nose with the delectable scent, she handed it over to him. He wasn't about to eat alone before his wife but before he could speak, she grabbed another plate from the serving table with more food and grinned impishly, "May I interest you in a shepherd's pie? Duncan has amazing baking skills!"
"Not that I bake or anything" the redhead blurted sheepishly because it was a spur-of-the-moment treat. He had seen the extra ingredients in Stephane's restaurant and snuck in the dish into the oven while his friend cooked the rest of his food. The couple had become close friends of his after meeting and more than anything, they were family. He had not had that in his life for a long time after leaving his native Ireland and he was grateful for it. Clearing his throat, he tried to make light of it by murmuring, "Just an old recipe."
Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't hesitate to dig into the delicious food and he noticed the flushed faces, leading him to ask, "Why is everyone turning red?"
"I'm going to get a drink" Duncan excused himself to avoid the spotlight and questions on his baking skills. All the assassins but Clipper chased behind him to join in the drinking. The young assassin decided that the spiced apple cider would be his drink of the night but if there were light beers, he might be tempted. No wedding was without a decent drink, at least in Davenport, and they were quietly sitting at the farthest corner of the inn. Oliver had placed them there to make the guests walk to work for the drinks and avoid a large mass flocking the area.
Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton exchanged a concerned gaze to the first round of drinkers. Moment of truth. When Oliver informed them that no more than three would be allowed per person, she heard David call out with alarm, "There's a drink limit?!"
"Have you gone mad?" Richard exclaimed to the rarity that the redhead would put a cap on their drinking. She usually kept pace with them until the captain reminded her that she would be working in the crow's nest. Wondering if the redhead had lost her mind after the deep scrub bath or had been switched out for a copy, he questioned suspiciously, "Where's the real Burnett?"
"I'm not about to have drunken brawls on my wedding day" she shot back hastily as she moved across the inn to simmer the complaints. Despite her feminine appearance, she wouldn't hesitate to take off a shoe and beat someone with the heel. It would be blunt damage from the small heel but the meaning behind it would not be lost in the strike. Flicking her thumb towards her spouse, she grinned cheekily, "Mainly, it's to respect Connor's traditions."
"Don't blame me" the young captain apologized for adhering to some of his tribe's traditions to avoid severing those bonds. Caroline had been accommodating to his wishes and by the determined gleam in her eye, she wouldn't let anyone change her mind. He didn't want to upset their guests but he did compromise by allowing some drinking.
Robert snorted at his crestfallen officers and wagged a finger to chastise them with a witty grin, "Still, that's not to say that Ollie, Stephane, and I have not managed to track down the tastiest, strongest, and most robust ales you've tasted in your life."
Clipper withheld a groan to hearing that and glanced down at his nonalcoholic drink to sigh morosely, "Guess it's just you and me, friend."
"It's my wedding so I'm going to give everyone a treat of fine ales!" Caroline agreed firmly, placing her hands on her hips to show she meant business. Still, it didn't carry the same threat without her pistols on her belt. With the drink limit in place, she decided to invest in flavorful and rich ales from local breweries that Stephane had recommended. Walter had sent one of the schooners with Robert and Oliver to check out the inventory to please the crowds. Caroline would hear nothing against her beer team or her husband, trying her best to provide a good reception. Shrugging nonchalantly, she pointed out, "I just can't break the bank or piss off my new husband."
Oliver handed David the first drink and Caroline arched her left eyebrow in question to his opinion. The gunnery officer took the wooden mug to sip the dark ale inside and the robust taste put his recent ale purchases by the coast pubs to shame. Seeing that he only had three drinks, he reasoned that the quality in taste would suffice. There was strength in the dark ale and he raised his mug to concede, "All right, yer forgiven!"
His brother was the more critical one of alcohol and seeing him relent to the set limit told Richard that he would survive. He was usually the one carrying him home anyway so his shoulders would take a rest that day. Ordering a drink from the same keg, Richard laughed heartily for the free food and drinks, "Can't say no to handpicked drinks."
"You're treating and killing us with delicious restraint" David sighed with disappointment at the decadent ambrosia she was giving them. He would have to be strong with his restraint and the sizzling food nearby was a good alternative to endless drinks. Not being accustomed to fine drinking, he felt rather fancy and decided to pace himself with each drink to enjoy his night. Who would've thought a ship captain would invite him to their wedding?
Robert tried not to smack his gunnery officers over the head and quickly reminded them not to embarrass their captain. If Ratonhnhaké:ton were stricter, he could have provided nothing but water. Instead, he allowed his wife to send him on the rare journey of tasting beers from numerous breweries. A first mate could only be so lucky! Oliver caught his eye as he set out mugs to keep tabs and tapped his nose before raising four fingers covertly at Robert.
I get four? These kids are the best!, he thought appreciatively since he had seen the captain grow up from an awkward teen to a fearless man. His wife had been persistent in her youth to work on a frigate and managed to find her way back to the Aquila. They were born for a life at sea and Robert wished them the best on their new venture in life. He would always keep an eye on the two on their missions but more often than not, they worried about him. Ship crews could be rough and brutal out at sea to survive but Ratonhnhaké:ton had brought everyone together into a tightly-knit group of friends.
Myriam shook her head to Caroline's party as both the Aquila's officers, their out-of-town friends, the townsfolk, plus their family, managed to mingle altogether. Somehow, they were all interconnected by the couple that set down roots in the forest clearing and invited those seeking shelter from the world. As a woman, she was glad to find a kindred spirit in Caroline who never judged her and found Ratonhnhaké:ton better than any brother when she needed a helping hand. Chuckling softly, she joked gently to chide her friend, "You're the first bride in the colonies to prioritize booze over food."
Caroline's eye widened with mischievous glee because she wanted the food to complement the drinks. There were a few extra dishes in case the lack of extra drinks brought more food cravings. For her, she was eyeing the beautifully glistening pies as their glossy baked fruits peeked through the intricate pie crust air slits. The white smoke trails emanating from the hot soups were also making her hungry to dive into a bowl. The food was so beautiful and aromatic she could cry!
Tearing her gaze from the hypnotically enticing table, she turned to her and declared with delight, "Food is an art but crafting ales is a dedicated endeavor."
"That's my girl!" Godfrey called out proudly to seeing his spirit live on in his eldest. Samuel was still too young to partake in drinking and was more interested in food, particularly sweets. The redheaded boy had already made himself a small pie out of four different slices of pie. His two older sisters mimicked his crafty pie to have a taste of the sweet apple, blueberry, cranberry, and pumpkin pies. Caroline, however, dove into a piece of shepherd's pie that her husband held on a fork for her. The lumberjack thumped his chest like a new father, uncaring to how sentimental he looked, and declared openly, "I've never been prouder of my firstborn."
"Godfrey, eat your meal" Catherine hushed with an amused laugh but her words carried no firmness. Her husband's melancholy was gradually leaving with the festive mood and much like their daughter, kept pushing a plate full of hot food to her husband. Diana and Terry sat at their table, trying to get Daniel to eat his chicken soup, but the two-year-old was more interested in eating the strips of chicken than the soup. That, and the cornbread that Diana had brought for their table. He had gotten to the age that Ann had been when first arriving in Davenport and while their daughter mingled with her friends, her little brother was attached to his parents.
"Can I get an ale first?" Godfrey asked for permission, earning a laugh from Terry, which was silenced when a cloth napkin was flung at his head. Catherine was ready to unleash her classic 'don't set a bad example' until realizing that there was a limit. That, and it was a happy day to celebrate. Godfrey mistook her puzzled expression for hesitation and he emphasized with the utmost need, "I have to choose which three to sample, Kate. The pressure has never been greater!"
"You sure you'll make it to three?" Terry teased his old friend because age was slowly catching up to his friend's strong liver. He was able to best him at the bar with every visit but once Martha left, his drinking limit decreased. Now, the two were evenly matched and with Caroline leaving the home, wondered if his tolerance would decrease again.
"I can handle my ales" he shot back with insult because his liver could handle quite a bit. Before having children, he didn't care about inebriation since he had no mouths to feed. Once Caroline was born, he had to make sure he could walk back home on his own two feet. Once the Mile's End set up shop in Davenport, the road home was easier but he didn't want to return home exhausted to his children. They were growing up and he was getting older so he wanted them with good memories of their old man. He used a fork to quickly stab into a piece of succulently oven-baked chicken and roasted potatoes to swallow it in one bite. Catherine sputtered to his haste for ales when he pointed at his old friend, "You'll be handing me yours after the first sip."
With that said, the older redhead ran off to make the ultimate decisions on drinks. Terry wasn't far behind to stick by his friend, leaving Diana to watch their son. Not amused to being left behind for an ale, she called out in reprimand, "You're more boys than men sometimes!"
Caroline cheered her father onwards, clapping happily, while her sisters sighed to their shared love of ales. Elizabeth, however, chuckled mischievously by sneaking her first sip from Myriam's new mug. Martha and Amelia shook their heads to their two sisters while Elizabeth tasted the spicy and bitter liquid, not finding it entirely appealing. She used the back of her green dress sleeve to wipe off the liquid with an unimpressed pout. Was this what her sister and father enjoyed? Ratonhnhaké:ton matched the amused expression of the sisters when he teased Caroline, "What happened to my modest wife?"
"She flew out the window when she left the church" she laughed boisterously with a humorous wag of her eyebrows and returned to the table to refill her plate. She didn't know how Martha ate like a little bird during her reception because her stomach demanded sustenance. The cold nerves had left to usher in hunger and she set her used plate on the counter to grab a bowl to serve herself fish chowder. She wanted to rid the cold from her bones and grabbed her husband's plate to place a slice of baked chicken and cornbread to keep him well-fed. He smiled warmly to her dedicated care while he oversaw the reception and she matched his smile, "I'm kidding. The nerves left me- I didn't want anything ruining our ceremony."
"I will never forget this day" he told her quietly to their cozy ceremony among their loved ones and his beautiful bride. Even now, he found it surreal that the redhead that had become his first friend in the colonial world was now his wife. He could not ask for more in life after gaining the other half of his heart and beginning their new life. It all felt like a dream he never wanted to wake from.
Caroline handed his plate over to him, using her free hand to grasp the left side of her skirt, and curtsied politely to declare, "To you, my dear husband."
Ratonhnhaké:ton groaned with dismay to the feminine propriety because he loved his free-spirited wife. His heart rested easy at knowing he wouldn't have to walk on eggshells with a woman that demanded perfect decorum and an impeccable appearance from him. He grabbed the plate of delectable food from his wife but broke the air of propriety by boldly kissing his bride on the lips. Her freckled cheeks flushed tomato red to the fond and sudden daring streak of her stoic hero, clearing her throat sheepishly. The crowd burst into laughter and scandalous whistling, the latter provided by their sailing officers and the assassins.
"To Mr. and Mrs. Burnett!" Samuel called out merrily to his newest brother and held up one of the clean beer mugs for added dramatic. He was dressed like a young gentleman with a brown vest over his white tunic and brown trousers, his normally untamable hair neatly combed for the first time. The couple chuckled to his excitement and Caroline darted forward to hug her youngest sibling. It helped her to control her mad blushing and to convey her gratitude to her brother. He had always been kind with her husband and had been the first, along with Elizabeth, to accept him as her partner.
The inn broke into congratulatory applause towards the two and Caroline quipped privately, "Burnett-Kenway?"
"Don't even think about it" her husband quickly replied to end such shenanigans to their new family name. He would carry on the tradition of his tribe and proudly take her surname as his own. There were too many negative reminders of his tattered relationships with his father and today was not the day to think of him. This was a celebratory day for him and his bride after all their pain and suffering to simply make it to their ceremony. There had been days when he didn't think he would be allowed to legally marry her but Caroline would have lived in moral sin if she needed to. Grabbing a nearby saltshaker, he mimicked the colonial custom of throwing salt over his shoulder for good luck and reminded, "You might summon him from his lair of power."
"Are you sure you didn't sneak an ale?" Samuel questioned suspiciously, matching his sister's questioning stare, and straightened his shoulders to portray a tough façade. His friend was the rare jokester of the group, besting Amelia with his passive nature, so it was a treat to hear one. Unlike his oldest sister and father, he stayed away from alcohol but he could have snuck in his first drink before the ceremony.
Ratonhnhaké:ton chuckled softly to his suspicions and answered easily, "No, my humor is powered by happiness."
"You are the sweetest men in my life" Caroline smiled widely as she held onto her little brother with one arm and grabbed her husband by the waist. She wasn't about to wreck her prepared meal and splatter both with food like that old blueberry pie incident. Samuel groaned aloud to the sisterly doting, stretching his hand out to Alice for rescue, while the redhead added in quickly, "Aside from boban and everyone else, who drive a hard bargain."
"You two are ridiculously adorable sometimes" Amelia chuckled softly to the humble kindness of the couple, lucky to being able to call them family. Caroline had always been her protector but her elder sister never had anyone looking over her shoulder, apart from their parents. Once Ratonhnhaké:ton entered the picture, he became the protector that she needed and he also cared over their little troop of siblings. She would miss her sister immensely but she deserved to be happy in life.
Norris agreed with the redhead, laughing aloud, and causing his own wife to join him. Caroline released her brother and husband to hide behind the latter man for being called cute. She found her little sister's relationship more adorable than her own, mainly because explosions and gunfire were often involved. The miner calmed his laughing bout to sip his drink and stated with amusement, "It's unnerving when remembering they could slaughter a militia if they willed it."
"We use our skills for the greater good and protecting the town" Caroline pointed out to avoid being accidentally labeled as troublemakers. Although, she didn't mind being called a puckish rogue on the high seas. Her husband, on the other hand, was on the straight and narrow of being an honorable man which she was proud of. She still remembered chucking loot at him while he had been offering death rites to their enemies. He was her absolute sweetheart, though.
"I never expected for our community to grow into a bustling town" Ratonhnhaké:ton admitted with subtle pride to the resilience of their residents. Back then, he had expected a few to be transient on the land before moving west or north for open land. Instead, all had set up roots to begin new lives and set up shop. Even more so, they had been kind in reaching out a hand of friendship to him in comparison to people in other cities or towns. Glancing at the first arrival to Davenport after himself, he smiled at his wife to remark, "We were still children when meeting."
"You were my first true friend" she replied sweetly to his treasured friendship because he never judged her. Her initial nerves of meeting someone from a different culture not from across the sea were cast away within a week. He had swept her into a world different from the one she expected to grow up in. If her parents had not found their homestead, poverty would have followed their heels and those hardships would have led her to marrying early for one less mouth to feed. It was a common occurrence for girls living in poverty but her parents persevered and she carried that burning spirit. Her lips widened with pride to having a strong family and her husband, doting fondly, "My best friend."
"Hear, hear" Samuel and Elizabeth piped up in agreement to their own childhood friendship. Elizabeth had been a chipmunk full of energy as a child while Samuel was instantly curious to the native boy. Instead of turning them away for their innocent naivety and vigor, which could have easily become overbearing, he accepted their peppy personalities unlike others back in the cities. He never made fun of their accents and they trusted him like a brother within that first year.
Caroline chuckled to their compliments, glad to have their approval in her marriage, and told their friends, "He was already their brother before I fell in love with him."
Samuel grabbed a lemon-herb chicken thigh from the gathered bundle of limbs, biting into the juicy meat, and exclaimed in mid-bite, "I've never been happier to have a brother!"
"I'm standing right here" Walter pointed out with mock dismay for being taken out of the running automatically. Compared to Ratonhnhaké:ton, he was out of the competition instantly by physical prowess.
The store owner was adding another platter of cheddar cheese with crackers for extra snacks for the drinking crowd. Instead, the men and women were thwarted by the ravenous children when they dove for the yellow pieces of cheddar. Even Ratonhnhaké:ton had to wait in line at seeing the kids have their pick and Ellen laughed when Maria cheated by grabbing portions for both of them. She couldn't offer her a taste of beer but made do with an appreciative hug. Maria surprised her mother by handing half of her hoard to Big Dave since he always looked after them. She would have swiped more by using the blue skirt of her dress but her mother would have chastised her dirtying it.
"A tomahawk wielding brother" Samuel corrected cheekily because life was great now that he had two brothers-in-law. As a child, he had dreamed of having his native friend as a brother but it wasn't until he learned that he was courting Caroline that his dream came close to reality. When it came to Walter, his sister had chosen a good man because he always imagined a grumpy boring man of proper decorum catching her eye. Instead, Walter was gentler than his sister and carried a sense of humor that bested Ratonhnhaké:ton. Shaking his chicken thigh at him, he assured cheerfully, "I have plenty of love to give my candy-wielding brother. Besides, I spend more time with you and Patrick than Connor."
He was known for candy? Oh no! Walter's pride deflated faster than a snowball striking fire and he grabbed a piece of blueberry pie to cope. Martha flicked the back of Samuel's left ear to defend her spouse's honor against his joking. The shorter redhead used his half-eaten chicken as a club to keep her at bay and she chided, "That's because you keep eating half our inventory at the store."
"And my lunch at work" Patrick called out from the other side of the bar counter, sipping his ale while he mingled with the men.
"I'm a growing boy!" the younger Burnett reasoned indignantly, taking the last bite of his chicken to leave the bone bare. He would hear nothing against his ravenous appetite. Throwing the bone in a crate for collecting trash, he declared matter-of-factly, "Nobody complains when Alice does it."
Instead of hiding behind her sisters like she used to a year prior, Alice crossed her arms to glare at her little brother. What happened to sticking together? Was he throwing her under a figurative wagon to appear innocent? She had always had a delicate appearance in her favorite blue dresses but now, a new firmness crossed her round face. Samuel winced to crossing his closest partner in crime, especially with the tight bun that gave her a stern librarian's appearance. Patrick laughed aloud to his accusation because it would never hold and agreed heartily, "True, but when she does it, it's cute."
Alice had the most innocent and sweet temperament, earning no ill will from anyone. Even now, adolescence had failed to bring a mean bone in her body. Out of everyone, she was resembling Amelia the most rather than Martha. Only Caroline, Elizabeth, and Samuel turned out to be the free-spirited ones. Samuel waved his right arm in the air to exclaim with offense, "I call shenanigans!"
"You can't win shenanigans against Alice" Anne thwarted his claim, sticking by her best friend, and stuck out her tongue at the older boy. Samuel blushed instantly at the smaller blond, who was turning out more like her father than Diana in spirit. Physically, she was her mother's tiny double with curly ringlets that resembled the color of hay and bright blue eyes that complemented her rosy cheeks. Alice, Elizabeth, and Maria burst into laughter to his baffled reaction and the redhead scuttled off to join Patrick.
Ratonhnhaké:ton grabbed a plate to fill it with crispy slices of bacon, crackers, and cheese to walk it over to his little friend. He remembered those bashful pink cheeks on himself long ago and handed the plate over to Samuel, who was curiously sniffing the scent of the ales emanating from Patrick and Norris. The assassin handed over the plate silently, earning a grateful smile from the boy, and promised, "I'm always in your corner, Sam."
"Thank you all for joining us" Caroline called out to the crowd that was either filling their stomach, drinking, or mingling with others. Their happy smiles and jovial mood were enough to tell her that the party was going off great. They hadn't even started the entertainment! Smoothing her hands over her blue skirt, she chuckled modestly to thank their guests, "You've all made our lives happy in this town and our home is always open to you. The same goes for our friends that traversed the snow to be here."
"We've all waited for this day" Duncan teased her gently since he suspected something was amiss with the two when they all first met. The shattering bottles of Stephane's ale inventory were also not forgotten by the chef. Their courtship was kept silent but the assassins noticed the lack of tension between the duo after their return from the southern colonies.
Ratonhnhaké:ton had never been the emotional type, guarding his sentiments closely until the dam burst. He didn't want to appear lovesick or absolutely silly that he would chase Caroline away. That, or be emotionally elusive that she couldn't figure him out. Thankfully, his wife could read him like a book without hearing a word from him. Curiously, he asked the crowd with uncertainty, "Were we that obvious?"
"Silent cues" Myriam replied easily after learning to read nonverbal behavior during hunting. Her two friends kept less distance with personal space in comparison to others and they would agree to outings that included the other.
"It's all in the eyes" Stephane agreed with a smirk to the young lovebirds and emphasized his eyes with his forefingers to mimic glasses. The inn erupted in warm laughter which caused Caroline to slightly duck behind her groom again with blushing cheeks. Boy, had she been stricken by the love bug that bad? Ratonhnhaké:ton, however, felt his own cheeks turning peach to the large crowd despite his calm façade. He had always been private with his affection towards Caroline but his town was quick to catch on, apparently.
"Don't turn him red" Norris defended his friend to avoid embarrassing quips, returning the favor of his friend's diligence for his wedding. He couldn't have asked for a better friend, even a sibling, and would do his best to maintain a fun ambience that didn't let the couple resemble cherries.
Corrine snapped her fingers at Terry to signal the start of the music portion to let the couple regain their composure. While she would handle the piano, he would take care of the fiddle and Samuel would use Patrick's drum for a harmonious trio. They had been a hit for Martha's wedding and the same went for Myriam's. Terry grabbed the wooden case that stored his beloved fiddle and stood up to call out excitedly, "Let's start this party off then!"
The musical trio took the stage in the front left corner where the piano was located. Oliver handed Terry and Samuel stools for sitting but the smaller redhead simply sat down on the floor to begin lightly beating on his cousin's drum. He had opted to provide the musical talent for the first round of dancing to let his cousin enjoy a drink. Ratonhnhaké:ton was impressed with his little friend's progress on the drum and his adoption of using it like one of his own tribe. He couldn't be prouder of his new brother. Corrine began with a soft melody that was joined by the sweet notes of the violin to fit the special moment the town was celebrating.
Martha and Walter walked into the center of the circle area that had been created dancing. Myriam pulled Norris away from his meat pie, to which the miner quickly swallowed his bite, before giving in to his wife. With two recently wed couples on the dance floor, they beckoned the main couple of the night to join them. Caroline was more than happy to join in with her uncoordinated dancing but she knew her spouse was modest about his own dancing skills.
She was going to ask her father for the first dance but Ratonhnhaké:ton surprised her by holding out his right hand to offer, "Dance with me?"
"You don't have to" she began sheepishly to avoid making him uncomfortable but he led her to the dance floor by the waist. Was he serious? Would he risk a dance in front of public eyes, even if they stumbled like drunken horses? She had scored an awkward dance for Martha's wedding but not Myriam's, respecting his modesty. Her blue eyes widened to his sudden change of heart when he didn't stop walking and she balked, "Wait, you're volunteering? Willingly?"
"I will, for my bride" he answered without hesitation because he would swallow his nerves for her. Confidence was key to success or so he had been told by his family, who was now eyeing them with curious glee. Nobody had seen him be proactive in asking someone to dance but his wedding called for it. After all, his tribe danced the entire night away but he had always been the shy type.
Caroline squeezed his hand fondly, joining him on the dance floor, and he wrapped his free arm around her waist. Clutching her close to him, he raised their entwined hands to assume the playful waltz that their town partook in during parties. Her heart fluttered happily with love for his spur of the moment bravery while his hammered nervously to not start off on the wrong foot. She released a happy giggle when he began their dance with a step forward that didn't end with both stepping over the other. Dancing alongside him, her heart beat with joy and she remarked with a wavering voice, "You're not helping my waterworks here."
While she blinked away her blurry vision, he replied with hopeful promise, "I will try my best not to step on your toes."
Walter and Martha watched the two from the corner of their eye to ensure their work paid off in their secret student. Ratonhnhaké:ton had practiced for hours with them to manage at least one dance to impress his bride on their wedding. Martha wanted her oldest sister's wedding to be the dream she imagined as a young girl and Walter was more than happy to help. By the look of admiration on Caroline's face, they were succeeding. Their brother-in-law failed to step on awkwardly on Caroline's shoes while she was the one with small mistakes on footing. This only brightened her smile as they danced their simple waltz but he grasped her waist tightly for a twirl in place before releasing her. A round twist of his hand brought a feminine flutter of her full skirt with the momentum and a merry laugh.
The crowd clapped in delighted surprise to see the quiet man dancing elegantly and Walter snapped his fingers with glee, "He improved fantastically!"
"We did it!" his wife whispered happily to their success and the two shared a hug in the middle of their dance. Ratonhnhaké:ton had followed their instructions perfectly and even they were surprised to the fluid dexterity he showed after the initial gawky steps in their stable. She had sported sore feet as a practice partner and Walter sported his own when showing him the proper steps. Their student, however, was now efficient.
"Free dance lessons in exchange for shooting lessons?" Elizabeth spoke up since she had stumbled upon the three when she dropped by with food for her sister. Her prim and proper sister had changed drastically from her teen years and she wondered if the same would befall her. In Martha's case, however, it had been for the better. Elizabeth refused to let her drive for adventure wither! The redhead leaned against the square table and smirked cheekily to tease, "You two aren't boring anymore."
"We are not boring!" Martha insisted indignantly because she abhorred being called boring. Practical, yes, but not dull. Walter covered his laugh with a snort because he didn't mind being called that since he wanted a quiet life on the frontier. Great, betrayed by her number one supporter. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders to end their dance and rejoin her family, who was trying not to laugh.
Amelia sighed under her breath to their declining numbers at home, poking her gravy-slathered beef to sigh despondently, "It will be emptier now."
Martha squeezed her sister's shoulder with reassurance which Amelia appreciated. Each of them were living independent lives but hers continued alongside her parents. She was dedicated to teaching the children in Davenport, as well as the adults, and took her father under her wing to teach him to read more fluently. With Alice beside her, the little brunette had become a great sidekick after her difficulties with learning in early life. Smoothing her hands over her pink skirt to release her nerves at losing another sister, Martha hugged her one last time before rejoining the dancing crowd. Releasing a soft sigh of lament, Amelia remarked, "We're pairing off, one by one."
"Remember, you still have me" Elizabeth piped up optimistically with a bright smile because she wasn't going anywhere soon. If she did manage to travel one day, she would still be homebound. Unlike Martha, she was not actively looking for a prince charming to scoop her away. She would more than likely punch him for trying to do so. Also, unlike Caroline, she didn't have any young boys that befriended her years ago.
Her older sister appreciated the comfort but they were all growing older. She didn't want to be a burden on her parents either but Catherine assured her that would never happen. Her work as a teacher was flourishing and the income that came from the lessons helped support the household. She wasn't working multiple jobs like her sisters but it was enough for her. Life was unexpected and she knew that her siblings would eventually leave the house but she hoped that it wouldn't be so soon.
Elizabeth jabbed Alice in the ribs to add in something heartwarming, but the brunette was preoccupied. Her brown eyes were glued to the pretty white cake set in the center of the table, curious to the intricate indentations over the two layers in a soft blue coloring. She had never seen such a prettier cake and wondered how the jellied fruit on top of each layer tasted. Shaking her head, she laughed awkwardly to her silly ponderings and replied, "Sorry, I was smitten with the cake."
The young women were disrupted by a newcomer to their table but Elizabeth waved to the familiar face. With the dance floor full of merry couples, even the clumsy Daniel and Hunter with their joyful mothers, and the lack of parental overprotection in their near vicinity- Clipper decided to take the plunge to approach the redhead. He had kept his cordial distance to stick by his friends but while they enjoyed their ale drinks, he was stuck with the sweet and spiced apple cider. Enough sugar in his veins was enough to summon courage to meet the headstrong Elizabeth with his friends waving him on in support. After running a hand over his combed brown hair to pat it down and smoothing out crinkles in his navy vest, tunic, and trousers, he strode forward with resolve. It was now or never.
"Miss Elizabeth, would you join me for a dance?" he asked politely without a waver in his voice and bowed slightly to be respectful. Appearing less than that would likely have her running off without a glance back. Alice burst into sheepish giggles to the scene while Amelia pretended to be interested in her meal once more. They would not interfere in their sister's romantic life and allow her to make the choice without bias.
Elizabeth, however, didn't mind the dance and saw nothing wrong with it. She wasn't accustomed to suitors but she would be the one calling the shots. Waving a hand, she stood upright to lean off the table and placed her hands on her hips. Did he think politeness was key to earning a yes? Was it the feminine dress that was throwing off her casual ambience? He was a silly man, given his sharpshooting skills, and she chided his formality, "You don't have to be all formal-like."
"Formal is the word" Amelia whispered sneakily to correct her grammar to avoid embarrassment. Unlike Martha and Caroline that carried a polite edge in their speech, Elizabeth spoke candidly without restraint. Against Caroline's hope, her little sister was not parting ways with her colorful words. You could dress her in fine garments, comb her unruly hair to impeccable straightness, and pinch her freckled cheeks for a delicate feminine look but her mouth was still the unique Elizabeth.
The redhead didn't acknowledge the correction on her face but flicked her thumb towards her elder sister to comment, "What she said."
Pointing to the dance floor, she walked forward first to lead their dance and called over her shoulder, "Let's go, rifleman."
The brunette followed hastily to avoid losing his chance, weaving between the dancing crowds, to remind her gently, "My name is Clipper."
"Not until respect is earned" the redhead stated frankly to dash his hope because she was on a first name basis after earning trust. Although the man impressed her, she would not be swayed by skills and charm alone. If her sisters had taught her anything, it was that true friends held honor, loyalty, and kindness. He had helped save her sister's husband and his friendly nature was approachable so he got a checkmark on that. Still, she was new to maneuvering through social situations as a young lady. Boy, she missed the days of being a little girl.
"Yes, miss" he complied politely to maintain his respect for the redhead, hiding an amused smile to her fluffy skirt. It did not fit her personality at all and he stood at attention when the emerald green skirt turned swiftly in his direction. Crap, did she think he was looking at her backside? No, it was the fluffy skirt!
Instead, he found the headstrong Burnett standing in an area clear of dancing couples with her right hand raised. She might not be keen on dancing socials as a lady but she knew her way around them after two weddings and yearly Christmas parties. She was a warrior in spirit but to Clipper, she reminded him of a porcelain doll hiding her true nature in her current attire. Her large blue eyes complemented the deep gem-colored dress and her normally free-flowing hair had been tamed into a perfect bun. The little redhead didn't hesitate to get him moving by pushing, "Well?"
Patrick whistled in amused dismay to his cousin's commanding nature but it was her way of testing loyalty. Once the man passed, she would become a sassy but cheerful chipmunk. One with beaver strength teeth. Stephane and Duncan sighed in unison because they had expected Clipper to be tossed out of the running due to his calmer temperament. They watched him grasp her hand and once the two began a casual jig, far livelier than the one from the wedded couple, they clapped in success to his victory. Dobby merely blinked awkwardly at what was going on, being the newest recruit, and figured it was Clipper's requited affection. The night was full of it and the music, plus the ales, begged her to join!
"Oh boy, that is a show waiting to happen" Patrick chuckled heartily to someone being interested in Elizabeth because she might punch them for it. Unlike her sisters who blushed and sputtered sheepishly for earning affection, the younger Burnett became aghast to the thought. Maturity was a factor but Elizabeth preferred isolation more than her siblings and her interested suitor might not fit that personality trait. Who knew, however, so time would have it play out.
Duncan was the next one to be shocked when Dobby entered his line of sight and she smiled widely to chirp, "Dance?"
"Me?" he asked with alarm to such a question, being more accustomed to sticking in the corners of inns. She wanted to dance with him? Really? Stephane didn't hide his snorting to his friend's reddening face and slapped a hand on his back for initiative. While he was often chatting it up with the townsfolk, Duncan kept more vigilant and quieter rather than a social butterfly. Dobby raised an inquisitive left eyebrow for the hesitation and he finally summoned the courage to reply awkwardly, "Uh, sure!"
Despite his calm façade, it crumbled when exposed to large social crowds that knew him personally. Put him in a room full of strangers and he would gather intel within minutes with the right questions. However, switching that to a room full of friends and a pretty lady threw him in figurative cold water. Was he worse than Clipper, who was practically a decade younger than him?
Unlike Elizabeth that had Clipper following her heel, Dobby grabbed his left sleeve to tug him forward and he began hesitantly, "I'm not the greatest dancer-"
"It's not a contest, Little" she interjected smartly with a laugh and found an open space on the dance floor. Numerous couples had now joined the dancing and Oliver stood next to his pianist of a wife to clap on with pride. Maria and Ann had taken to Daniel and Hunter to help them partake in their third dance that year while Diana and Prudence enjoyed a dance with their spouses. It was a night to be young again, careless and free, and Dobby ran a hand over her forehead to tuck a raven strand behind her ear. Smoothing down her gray-blue skirt, she nodded to the redhead to begin their dance and teased gently, "Will I have to lead too?"
. . . "Maybe."
From across the room, Big Dave quietly snuck up beside Ellen as she watched Maria dance to ask, "Might I interest you in a dance?"
Her fair cheeks flushed pink to the question, chastising her heart for speeding up instantly like a schoolgirl's. He had been incredibly kind since her arrival, keeping watch over their property and being the first to spot her lousy estranged husband's reappearance. It was a kindness she had never experienced and appreciated it. Unfortunately, she was technically still married until the divorce finalized (his attack in front of multiple witnesses helped her case) and stammered nervously, "David, I-"
"Just go, nobody's declaring marriage" Lyle interjected to protest her modesty because their town was more progressive than any city. He absolutely loved that about their little town and nobody spoke ill of each other so there was no evil gossip to worry about. Ellen decided that an innocent dance would be better than hearing the doctor's dry sarcasm and the two were off into the dancing crowd. Lyle wondered if he did his smithy friend a favor with the comment and called back, "Sorry, slip of the tongue!"
"No, you lack censorship" Lance stated flatly to the doctor's blunt sense of humor and inability to be rosy about anything. For a doctor, directness and transparency were his traits rather than cradling one with false hope. It wasn't to say he would quit easily or discourage patients because Prudence had proven him wrong by carrying her baby to term.
"Tis part of the trade" the doctor replied cheekily and took a drink from his mug to sigh happily. He would be sleeping well with a light buzz in his head and a belly full of food. Hopefully, the town wouldn't have any medical emergencies until sunrise. Slamming his free fist on the table, he suggested out of the blue to his friend, "We need more women or we'll be lifetime bachelors."
Lance, however, was not on board that boat and laughed jovially to retort, "When did it become a stigma to be a bachelor? I'm pretty content, I never have to worry about a child breaking a leg after thinking my dresser was a neat jumping point."
Lyle reluctantly agreed on that point because if he managed to procreate, he had to make sure none of his progeny decided a tincture of alcohol was a good drink. Then again, would his children be that painfully dull? He couldn't imagine marrying anyone without a good head on their shoulders either. Glancing at the bubbly ale for sprouting such thoughts in his mind, he chastised the drink, "Don't you inspire me to have children, only to have them drink you and go into acute hepatic failure."
Lance dropped his head into his hands at realizing his friend was already drunk. He had only one drink which was the saddest part! It appeared he would have to keep an eye on him to make sure he didn't fall into a ditch somewhere after the party. Warren and Prudence shared a laugh after finishing their dance, overhearing the conversation as they grabbed Hunter along the way. The young boy was eager to return to the dance floor but his mother kept a firm hold on him.
"You two should head to other towns and mingle with single ladies" Warren encouraged the two single men if they were interested in having families. Lance was quietly signaling him behind Lyle to not give the doctor any ideas. Hopefully, he would remember none of it by morning.
"Not Boston" the two replied automatically about the city that ruined their careers. They wouldn't step foot in there unless necessary.
"We do have need for clothes washers, don't we? Maybe a baker? A cobbler?" Prudence suggested quietly because the last arrivals had helped tremendously with clothing, metallurgy, and store-bought goods. Each homesteader brought unique qualities to the town and they could always improve by looking for individuals that fit the needs of Davenport. Warren agreed with her idea because new friendly faces were always welcome and she smiled, "We should mention it to Connor."
Lyle crashed the optimistic mood by sighing longingly and raised his mug to proclaim, "I would not mind an ebony goddess with the power of stain eradication."
"That's your immediate assumption?" Warren exclaimed with amused laughter to the doctor's taste in women, shaking his head. Prudence tried not to allow dismay to spread across her face while Lance sighed aloud with embarrassment.
"You can't marry a person of color" she reminded grimly to the laws across the colonies because it would be illegal. She and Warren were fortunate in finding the rural town after having their first home destroyed but many of their people did not have freedom in the lower colonies. Even walking through a northern city did not make them comfortable which was why they kept to the outskirts.
Lyle flicked his thumb towards the newly wedded couple and retorted matter-of-factly, "Tell that to those two."
"Technically, he's half-white" Lance pointed out to the groom's secret paternal roots which allowed Father Timothy to tweak the application. The unlikely hero was keeping to his pious nature and simply clapping to the dancing crowds while enjoying a baked potato.
"Hush if you wish to live" Lyle shot back to avoid any dark truths from tainting the happy occasion. He could be sarcastically sharp but weddings were sacred. At least, if the bride wasn't with child from another man or the groom didn't have a mistress on the side. Then again, who was he to say what was right or wrong in the world? That's why he practiced medicine, not theology. Waving a hand in dismissal, he reminded his friends matter-of-factly, "Besides, have none of you ever heard of international waters? Or my hypothermic needle full of cyanide ready to stab anyone who touches my ebony goddess?"
"Not a gun?" Warren and Lance asked with surprise to his choice of a weapon during an attack. Wouldn't it have the possibility of injuring him if he didn't inject it correctly? That or having enough time to do so?
The doctor was quick to reply with his own crafty answer, "Too much evidence."
Caroline caught her breath as her dance came to an end, fanning her blushing cheeks for a moment before throwing her arms around her groom's shoulders. He had given her a wonderful gift in their first dance and neither had stepped on one another. She couldn't have asked for anything better! She would treasure that memory for as long as she lived. Clutching him tightly, she kissed his right cheek before meeting his honey-hued gaze and declared with unabashed affection, "I love you, Ratonhnhaké:ton, for all of my life."
"Konnorónhkhwa, Caroline" he spoke gingerly to return her love with his own, brushing strands of damp auburn hair behind her right ear. How long had they been dancing for? Once he met her happy gaze, the world melted away. Her thumb brushed over his right temple to mimic the motion but she loved seeing his raven hair become loose during their dance. He smiled sheepishly at his new dance skills but to avoid disappointing her, he confessed, "By the way, don't expect much past this- I only know this one dance."
"One is better than none, my dearest" she chuckled warmly because he impressed her by not stepping on her foot. His delightful dancing was simply the cherry on top! He could be a horrible dancer but she would still love him. Leaning forward, she kissed him on the right cheek to avoid flustering him but showing her appreciation.
Catherine caught the happy pair in their embrace while she danced slowly with her spouse. Her body didn't have the old spring of her youth anymore so her perky dances were over rather quickly to avoid achy knees come morning. Squeezing his right forearm, she sighed with motherly approval to their happiness, "Aren't they perfect, Godfrey?"
"Yea" he sighed with reluctance to seeing another of his daughter's leave the home. Still, he couldn't be prouder of her and the husband she chose. They were a perfect fit, much like himself and Catherine. Despite the heartache of bidding his eldest goodbye from their home, there was joy to her happiness in a new life. His inflated heart skipped a beat when he noticed Elizabeth dancing with one of his son-in-law's friends and sputtered, "Wait, what's this?!"
"Time to cut the cake!" Stephane called out to avoid his friend's early demise and bring joy to the guests, particularly the younger ones. The children had been eyeing the wedding cake for the past hour but the wedded couple was focused on people enjoying themselves. Clipper took this as his cue to bid the pretty redhead farewell with a polite bow and returned to the safety of his friends. Elizabeth threw up her hands in annoyance to her father's interference and Clipper's sudden deer-like disappearance. She was actually having fun!
Caroline didn't know a thing about wedding cakes and pointed between herself and her husband to ask sheepishly, "We have to cut it?"
"Of course, who else is the married couple of the day?" the chef blurted with amusement to their naivety on city weddings but they were humble people. It was exactly why he made the cake for them to let them enjoy that rare treat. After all, what were friends for if not to bring a little sunshine into their lives? The upbeat music lowered to a gentle melody when the couple left the dance floor to approach the banquet tables. Clipper groaned mentally to the more sentimental 'draw your partner close' tone of the music while Duncan and Ellen were trying their best not to blush against their respective partners. Norris and Myriam weren't one for the slow dances, preferring upbeat tunes, and joined their newly wedded friends.
Stephane motioned to the waiting children, which were now rejoined by Samuel, and he emphasized dramatically, "The poor children are starving for their cake slice."
"With two tables full of food?" Caroline questioned skeptically about the numerous platters and bowls of delicious food. If she hadn't been dancing her heart out, she would pile on another plate of delicious food.
"It's so pretty" Maria squeaked sweetly, clasping her hands against her chest and eyeing her innocently. Despite starting out shy and withdrawn after years of verbal abuse from her father, her personality flourished in her new home. The young girl was quick to become friends with Anne and Alice, with the three matching in dresses from light blue to dark blue. Amelia had teased she had little bridesmaids, but Caroline preferred the term of a miniature her.
Alice was quick to nod in agreement to her brunette friend and she placed her hands over her stomach to plead, "We're hungry. . .for cake."
"You can't say no to that face" Samuel piped in to convince their eldest sister and Ratonhnhaké:ton hid a laugh by pretending to clear his throat. The little meek children were no longer meek and Caroline realized a brigade of miniatures would likely drive her crazy from the similar personalities. Still, she would be proud of them. Samuel gently nudged Alice on the left side to amp up the cuteness factor and the teenager batted her eyelashes at the couple.
"Oh, now you're allies again" Anne sighed under her breath to the new tag team effort after watching him claim shenanigans. Siblings could bicker like cats and dogs but when united in a similar goal, they could be unstoppable. With that in mind, the blond didn't hesitate to use her cute little brother to draw in sympathy for free cake. Daniel pointed to the pretty white cake while she held onto his chubby little hand and Caroline sighed to the army of cuteness.
"They're becoming a brigade of extortionists" Myriam laughed behind her friends, covering her mouth to avoid becoming louder than the music. Norris joined her laughter because he had fallen prey to the children whenever they were eager to see the mines. Instead of having them venture inside, he brought them the rocks of trapped ore and kept them away from any explosives.
"All right, let's cut this up for everyone" Caroline agreed hastily to keep the little ones happy and returning for round two of feasting on food. Oliver handed her a clean knife from behind the counter and she offered it to her husband. Ratonhnhaké:ton declined because he would focus too much on creating equal pieces and waste time. Caroline smiled slyly to his declination but it faltered when staring at the two-tiered cake. Not accustomed to such beautiful masterpieces, she whispered to her friend to save face, "How the heck do I cut this?"
Stephane swallowed his laugh to avoid embarrassment and handed her a flat spatula for serving food. Pointing to the smaller second tier, he instructed, "Slide it under the smaller cake to separate the two."
Caroline heeded his direction and carefully slipped it under the smaller cake. She tried not to wince when the spatula left indentations in the frosting and her husband asked curiously, "Won't it ruin the top layer of the first?"
"It's about to be eaten, Connor, I don't think people will mind when it's in their stomach" Oliver laughed heartily to his concern that the pretty cake would be scratched. At some point, forks would be embedded in the soft layers. He held out his hands to take the smaller cake from Caroline to place it on the counter. The little one would stay for the couple to enjoy and serve the remaining pieces after the first tier.
"Now, cut a smaller circle halfway inside the cake so you can cut edge pieces off" the chef instructed and casually hovered his right hand over the exact spot to give his friend the needed help. Caroline had never cut anything past a regular one-layer sheet cake and tried to hide her lack of baking knowledge. Listening to her friend, she sliced the needed circle in the center and began to cut even pieces from the exterior ring.
Alice grabbed the small dessert plates that were set out to help her sister place the pieces on each. Handing them out to her little brigade of friends, they grabbed two plates to hand the extra one out to the crowd. The music had stopped once the couple began to pass out the wedding cake to begin the dessert munching and second round of mingling. Caroline thanked her friend for the help and smiled when Oliver handed her the smaller cake with a wink. She sliced the smaller cake into equal portions and placed one onto a plate to taste it with her spouse. Her fork was absorbed into the fluffy interior and she ate the vanilla slice with glee. A groan soon pushed past her lips as the soft bread practically melted in her mouth and she complimented aloud, "Oh my, this is the softest cake I've eaten. Even the fruit is fresh! What did you do to it?"
"A chef never reveals his secrets" Stephane evaded covertly to keep his culinary secrets and grinned warmly when she handed him a piece from the smaller tier. He had done a tremendous job on the beautiful and unexpected cake, deserving a taste of his own work.
"I thought that was a brewer" Ratonhnhaké:ton commented uncertainly and grabbed the knife from Caroline to cut the inner circle of the first tier. With the pressure being away from the first pieces, he didn't mind cutting away at the last ones. He had not expected such a delicate and beautiful dessert, thankful for the friends in his life.
Stephane shrugged noncommittally and agreed to the profession, "Them too."
Caroline chuckled softly to their friend's laidback nature and grabbed two plates to continue passing them out. Her little minions tried their best with the remaining plates but the allure of cake and jellied fruits were too much for their taste buds. Half of the room still didn't have plates so it was up to them. The dancing had ended momentarily to enjoy the dessert from Stephane and she wouldn't disappoint them. Motioning to the remaining plates on the table, she informed her husband, "Let's hand these out."
She dropped the first cake off to Achilles, who was enjoying the company of his old sailing buddy. Robert had taken it easy on the drinks to enjoy the night, halfway through his second, while the older ex-assassin opted out of the alcohol. With a warm smile, she thanked the man that led her husband to meeting her father, "For you, Mr. Davenport. We wouldn't be here without you."
"Don't make an old man sentimental" he chided gently but nodded to the two with a friendly smile to their success in life. They were young and idealistic but the redhead carried a firm head on her shoulders to anchor her husband's impulsive streak. He wished them nothing but happiness in their marriage and told them, "Enjoy all of your years together."
Ratonhnhaké:ton handed one of his plates to Robert and thanked the old sailor, "Neither we nor the Aquila would be the same without you."
"This old seagull knows a trick or two" he chuckled with amusement because he had poked his captain continuously to make a move with the redhead. Thankfully, it paid off and the two were now married instead of longingly watching the other.
Moving on, Caroline dropped off her other plate to the latest newcomer who had given them their best wedding gift, "And for you, Father Timothy. We wouldn't be legally married without you."
The elderly man smiled serenely to the appreciation but he simply lent a hand to a couple in need. Much like the groom had done while he looked for a place to live. For him, it was simply another good deed done and he replied kindly, "May your years be peaceful and happy."
The couple returned to fetch more plates for their guests but Corrine shooed them away by offering, "We can do this, dear. Enjoy your party."
Accustomed to serving meals, the innkeepers bested the couple in passing plates off with lightning speed. Together, the older couple efficiently handed out the slices of white cake to the guests. Caroline laughed softly at her snail's pace before composing herself, speaking aloud, "Please enjoy the cake. To my family, for accepting my husband and helping me build our first home. To the Galloways, for always looking after me and my siblings when our parents had to work shifts. To my friends from out of town, thank you for traveling out here through the snow and the extra food. To our naval officers, I am proud to sail with you and we thank you for always having our backs. To the Millers, who have graciously offered their inn and provided all this delicious food. To Myriam, who hunted all the game, and Norris, who found the ore for our rings. I couldn't ask for better friends. To Big Dave, who made our gorgeous rings and Ellen, who tailored this beautiful dress. To Dr. White, who always manages to patch us up despite our nagging."
Turning to the first settlers of Davenport, she continued with gratitude, "To Warren and Prudence, who provided our fresh produce today and let us frolic on the farm to learn a thing or two on raising stock as youngsters. To Lance, who crafted all our beautiful furniture and is now teaching Connor how to make a birdhouse. To my little sisters and brother, who I couldn't have asked for better siblings. These bonds that we have built here are something very precious and I am humbled to be part of each of your lives. Each of you has defined a piece of who we are as people, as a couple, as a town, and it is a rare gift in this turbulent world."
Her vision had blurred by the end and she concealed the slip of emotion by grabbing a leftover piece of cake to nibble on it. Ratonhnhaké:ton wrapped an arm around her shoulders to clutch her close while their guests clapped to the small speech. She had never been one to speak endlessly on unimportant things but it had to be said. He was not the most vocal on emotion and complimented her skill, "You're much better at public speaking than I am."
Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton enjoyed their own slices, sitting down at the counter to stay together. Her family's table was entirely full and she didn't trust herself not to bawl after thanking everyone. She burst into laughter when Richard called out from the corner closest to her on the right, "This is the best cake I've had in my life. Cakes and ales in one day. Did I die?"
Turning around in her seat, she surveyed the crowd of her loved ones. These would be the memories she kept of her wedding day, wishing she had a way of keeping the picturesque moment forever. Unfortunately, she wasn't rich enough to hire a painter. Wiping her lips to clear away crumbs or lingering frosting, she spoke up with gratitude, "Again, thank you all for being here with us. We can't imagine having this little party or living anywhere else."
Ratonhnhaké:ton mulled over his own words because he wanted to echo her sentiments. Otherwise, he worried the town would think he thought little of them. Finding what he hoped were the right words, he addressed their guests with a calmer tone than his wife's wavering voice, "You welcomed me into your homes and I appreciated not only your friendship but trust in me. As a young man unfamiliar with living in a colonial society, you were very kind to me, and I will never forget that."
"This town wouldn't be what it is without you" Godfrey spoke earnestly with his voice carrying over clearly to the couple. Caroline reached over to squeeze his right hand in support of his words. She had not been lucky in keeping friends due to constant moving and endless chores but Ratonhnhaké:ton had been her ray of sunshine when arriving in Davenport.
For Ratonhnhaké:ton, the town had provided him with a new family and friends. He was humbled by them and the little redhead that brought him enough cinnamon bread that he had to visit her. Squeezing that same hand, he met her bright gaze to whisper kindly, "We can say the same."
Caroline raised her free hand into the air to change the mood once more by declaring, "Anyone ready to bet on the weddings for 1778?"
"Caroline" he warned to stop any shenanigans on matchmaking to make sure Clipper left Davenport alive in one piece. With all the banquets held for the three weddings, he had more than enough food in him to last the winter.
"Spoilsport."
A/N: I actually had to watch a video on how to cut a two-tier cake but hey, you learn something new every day. The party for the wedded couple got longer than I expected, given the cast size, so it got its own chapter. Connor finally learned to dance, at least one dance, and surprise his bride. I feel for him the most in this chapter, given the stark ending of the game with the gut punch of losing his dad, his village, Achilles, and that nasty injury. Clip tried to make a move and got a teensy weensy point with Elizabeth, haha, so there's love in the air sprinkled around the inn. The next chapter is part of this one, focusing on their new married life, so it will be uploaded soon to continue the merriment before we begin my favorite part of the game- the Haytham-Connor reunion. I love the sassy antagonism and stubborn dad-son relationship which I can see exploding onboard the Aquila.
Thank you to my readers worldwide and my last chapter reviewers:
East Coast Captain: It's been a long time with this story, even after the hiatus I took during the Caroline adventure of 1774. There are only six more years left to the canon story but some years have more missions than others. 1778 will be a brutal one for Connor, followed by 1781 and 1783. I'm planning on an interlude between 1784 to 1804 that focuses on the town, life on the frontier, and training new Assassins since the oldest will be in her early 20s by 1804. I absolutely love Haytham, like I would love to keep him in this story if it wasn't following the canon events, and I remember a review requesting a 'what if' AU line scenario where Haytham didn't die but I couldn't fit it into the story. Recently, I started fiddling with a modern-day AU version where Connor grows up with his parents (moving to Davenport as a kid) and the Templars and Assassins breached peace decades prior to tackle Juno's crazy cult in the present day instead to stop her release from the temple. I love the begrudging respect and antagonism between the two that I want to explore it in a different setting where everyone hilariously gets along, with the characters of this story. It sprouted after an interesting dream and it keeps snowballing into an outline with Haytham trying to keep order in town, Achilles running the town, Connor trying to enact justice within the law and annoy his father, Caroline trying to keep the peace between the two Kenway adults, and with his old grandpa Edward showing up from time to time to partake in adventures.
taylor115: Thank you for being invested in my fictional characters alongside the canon ones, it makes me glad to have written them to stir emotion. They have fluctuated up and down to grow up, just like normal couples, and given the time of the 18th century, they didn't do too bad. I hope you enjoyed the reception chapter and the next will follow with their first week as a married couple before the next adventure begins.
Faron Oakenshield: Yep, they finally tied the knot!
Chriswill02: Thank you! I can agree with the tearing up because I ended up reading the entire story while writing these chapters and man, they finally made it! Connor's still a little hotheaded but Caroline will tone it down with their joint missions. They're off to their own adventures and their little home by the cove now.
Next Chapter Excerpt:
Caroline was happy to serve their breakfast, summoning all her teachings from home to cook and bake a hearty meal. Today would be pork pastries while serving a hot bowl of potato soup to wake each of them up. It would be enough until the lunchtime meal of using her leftover pastries with a winter salad from the year-round garden from the Fortier farm. For dinner, well, she was still thinking of that one. She smiled proudly at setting up the large table for a small setting of two. After years of setting places for her family, it seemed lacking with only two plates but there would be plenty of other work to do. She inhaled the steam rising into the air from the hearty soup, adding crumbles of aged cheese on top, and placed the food on the table with a satisfied smile. Her little pastries were wrapped with a cloth napkin on top to avoid dissipating the heat to keep them fresh.
Wiping her hands clean, she looked out the window closest to her to spot her spouse. Nothing. Leaving her set table, she gave one quick look to the fireplace to ensure it was only embers. Grabbing one of the fur pelts that lay on a wooden bench beside the door, she threw it on before opening the door. Stepping onto the porch, her footsteps creaked over the wood and she called out into the cold morning, "Ratonhnhaké:ton, come eat breakfast before you freeze!"
Untouched layers of snow covered the grass and roads, leaving barren patches only for trees with large canopies. The sky was clear today so the sun would have no problem melting some of it away. Grabbing an empty pail from behind the door, she decided to busy herself with a quick chore while waiting. Descending the steps, she found undisturbed snow to bury the bucket into. With their home being the only one in the area, their snow would be fresh and could be boiled to be used for drinking. It was easier to draw it that way than the well in the freezing winter and it would make faster trips for filling up their tin bathtub.
She greeted her husband when he rounded the corner, smiling fondly to his civilian attire. Whenever he was at home, he dressed like any of the other settlers which tickled her pink. She had become accustomed to his assassin robes but he would don those when heading into town. Today, he was content and cozy with a gray wool jacket, a red scarf, and black trousers. His hair was neatly tied in its usual updo to keep it out of his face to carry out his chores. He cleaned the front of his muddy boots in the clean snow before ascending the stairs of their home.
Caroline chuckled warmly and ushered him inside while carrying another pail full of snow. The chilly wind licked at their backs and he shut the door to lock it behind her as she scuttled off to dump the pail into a large pot on the table. Ah, water. While his wife took care of the food, he handled feeding their horses and hens before breakfast. He would return to clean the stables and coop with his wife to make the work run faster. When he saw the food was already set, he sighed with relief, "I forget I won't be making my own food anymore. It seems so strange."
He removed his gloves to set them on an empty chair, rubbing his hands together for warmth. It was only December but the days were growing very chilly. Caroline hung the large pot over the metal hook in the fireplace to boil water. Sitting down with a heavy sigh to rub her own hands, she preened, "Well, maybe you'll fancy cooking your loving wife a meal now and again, then?"
"I wouldn't mind cooking alongside you when there aren't many chores to do" he agreed instantly and sat down to squeeze her free hand. Caroline returned the fond gesture while uttering a quick prayer for the food. Inhaling the fresh scent of the hot food, he bit into the tender meat filled pastry and smiled to the buttery potato soup for a delicate balance. His wife was surely spoiling him during their first month but she had never let him down in deliciousness with her cooking. Remembering their time as fourteen-year-olds, he smiled at her, "I've always loved every bite of your food as I did your mother's when we baked at their home."
"I plan to keep you well-fed for many decades" she vowed with dedication because she wanted to grow into an old white-haired lady sitting in a rocking chair beside him. He was a kind man that deserved to live a peaceful life away from danger but he involved himself in perilous missions to keep others safe. She didn't know what the future held but she would protect her lone wolf. Reaching over to squeeze his free hand, she met his warm gaze and smiled earnestly, "I'm glad you like it."
"You spoil me but I love you even more" he admitted freely in the privacy of their home and chuckled when soup dribbled down her chin accidentally. She sighed with dismay at her grip with the spoon and quickly dabbed her skin to clear it away. It was odd for him not to hear the laughter of her siblings attached but now, it was simply them.
"If mother were here, she'd lecture me about etiquette" she laughed merrily to her social etiquette fail and dipped her spoon in the bowl. He would never chastise her for silly mistakes or forgetting the proper places of utensils. Picking up a piece of her cubed potatoes, she swallowed the piece with glee to declare, "I am lucky to have you."
"So am I, my food was never this good" he chuckled softly since he enjoyed making stews and bread while she handled a broader variety of food. They were still adjusting to sharing the workload of their homestead to familiarize themselves. They weren't the only ones on recognizing the new place with the horses eyeing everything curiously from the move. Only the chickens were blissfully unaware. Tapping his fingers against the table, she smiled at him filling the silence and he suggested, "I might just catch a goose for you to cook."
"Speaking of birds, have you noticed a wild turkey wandering around the house?" she asked with amusement after noticing the bird on multiple occasions after their house finished construction. Despite being wild, it never ran off or tried to attack. She had begun to feed it to keep the poor thing from starving and it had started guarding the area from anyone but she and Ratonhnhaké:ton. He nodded instantly with a question in his eyes after glimpsing at the bird behind the stable and wondered if it wasn't too sharp because it failed to leave. She laughed loudly at his confused but intrigued expression, telling him quickly, "Don't shoot it, I think it's our new watchdog."
He was speechless to that because he'd never heard of such a thing! How could a turkey protect them? Sure, they were fat and charged at you like hell on wheels but a beak and talons weren't much compared to a canine biting force. Is this what his wife really wanted? Boggled to the odd turns of events, he blurted uncertainly, "The turkey? I can find us a proper dog, Caroline."
Her laughter echoed off the walls at this point and she waved a hand to deter such a thing. She liked having it follow when she fed the hens and had created its own little nook under the porch where it could sleep. If her husband didn't chase it off, she could build a little home for him beside the chicken coop. Ratonhnhaké:ton never thought they would be keeping a pet turkey and she managed to say, "I fed it after seeing it one too many times, it's quite friendly. It likes being around the hens."
Thank you for reading as always! :)