Music Inspiration: Thomas Bergerson- "Always Mine"
A New Beginning
Ratonhnhaké:ton and Caroline managed to make it to the end of the party without falling asleep in a corner. For once, she thanked the power of abstinence because most of the ones who drank had become drowsy shortly after the cake and the second round of dancing. Ratonhnhaké:ton had accompanied Achilles to drop him off at the manor due to the winter chill, allowing the two to bid farewell for the last time. Caroline afforded them that privacy while making sure Dr. White would make it home, but Lance carried away his singing friend and the two echoed their jolly song into the chilly night. Big Dave lingered on until Ellen was ready to leave to accompany the two ladies home safely.
Prudence and Warren left with Myriam and Norris since their properties were close to stay bundled up against the winter. When it came to the children of Davenport, someone always accompanied the parents to make sure everyone stayed safe. Oliver offered Robert one of the empty rooms when both Richard and David were slumped over asleep in one of the corners. Having to walk the two past the cove during snowfall would be a hassle and in the spirit of giving, Robert gratefully accepted it. The assassins stayed to help the innkeepers with the cleanup while Patrick walked the Galloways back to the homestead with their sleepy children. Once it was simply the Burnetts with the new Burnett couple, with their cleanup crew in the background, Caroline knew it was time to leave.
Corrine packed away much of the leftovers in a wooden crate for Ratonhnhaké:ton to carry home. With a new home and marriage, the two had to become used to their new home layout, cookware, and perfect recipes. She had done the same with Martha for her first week as a newlywed and the young bride had appreciated the extra help. Caroline hugged the older woman with gratitude for her endless help and whispered, "You are the best unofficial grandmother I could ask for."
"A little butter and heat will make it just as fresh come morning" she chuckled sweetly to provide them with a decent breakfast from the leftovers. The two were familiar with life on the high seas so Corrine wanted them to have a no-fuss meal in the morning. The party would leave the couple exhausted by morning and they had to be up early to start breakfast and the chores.
One by one, Caroline bid her siblings farewell but their quivering lips and furrowed brows didn't help her heart any. Ratonhnhaké:ton was struck with guilt for being the unintentional cause of it by marrying the linchpin that held their family of siblings together. Catherine and Martha ushered each of them away, being familiar with severing the tie from one family to another. Amelia kept her composure with a sad smile and Samuel did far better than Caroline expected. Her little brother had indeed grown into a young man when he hugged her tightly and nodded to her in farewell. It was Alice and Elizabeth that had the hardest time letting go.
Duncan played the older brother by smacking Clipper upside the head when he tried to find an excuse to comfort the redhead. The older assassin wasn't going to sweep the broken glass shards and pull out the ones from Clipper's mangled body if her father bear decided to hurl him through the nearest window. Stephane and Dobby sighed to his boyish crush as they folded tablecloths while Duncan asserted, "Bide your time or you will burn."
Caroline held her two sisters tightly as their tears stained her dress, her heart hammering away painfully. She had done this earlier in their cozy home but bidding them farewell for her first night still felt surreal. The lump forming in her throat didn't help her speak well and she soothed gently with a quivering voice, "I'm still in town, just down the road. You make it sound like I'm going off to Glasgow."
Amelia wiped her left eye at seeing her emotional sisters and blinked back the burning tears. She had already become teary-eyed at the ceremony but saying goodbye was never easy. Clearing her throat, she attempted to help Caroline with their little sisters, "We have to go home and let Carrie go to hers."
Brushing her hands down their backs to comfort them, Caroline teased gently to hide her own pain, "What happened to the tough Burnett girls I'm leaving behind? Was all my hard work for nothing?"
"The War Council has disbanded" Elizabeth replied sullenly, hiccupping to control the tightness in her throat, but released her sister. She wasn't supposed to let emotions get the better of her, being the best at having a stiff upper lip than all of them. Losing her biggest supporter in the house wasn't easy and she would miss her favorite sister. Rubbing her red-rimmed eyes, she sniffled sadly to their permanent separation, "We're two down now."
"Come on, girls" Martha ushered gingerly to move their parting along because it would not get easier. Once her own reception had ended, she had broken into tears at bidding them farewell for the final time. Back then, Caroline had corralled their siblings to make the transition easier and now, it was her turn. She cradled both of her little sisters in each arm, squeezing them close to offer comfort, and Walter offered the girls a white handkerchief. Their own were already stained dark from tears and Alice meekly grabbed one to dry her eyes, sniffling softly into it. Elizabeth grabbed hers but she used Martha's shoulder instead, seeking human comfort in a rare moment. Was it too late to sneak in her first drink?
Martha passed Alice off to Amelia so they could share in the sisterly sympathy while Samuel stuck close to his parents. His sister had always taught him to be strong and her husband told him to never let fear shine on his face. They had been his protectors from boyhood and now, he would go on to take his sister's place to care over his sisters- even if he was the smallest one. Ushering the young women through the open doorway, the cold night air swept over their tear-stained faces to dry off the droplets. Without Patrick or his father, it fell to him to protect them and he advised quietly, "Let's wait here."
"But-" Alice interjected tearfully, wiping her eyes to prevent the chill wind from burning her cheeks. Maybe she could squeeze back in and say goodbye again-
"We have to let her go now" Martha agreed solemnly with her littlest brother, smiling at the young boy with approval. He had been so little when they arrived in Davenport, barely past her hip, but he had grown in height and heart over seven years. Caroline had held them together like maple sap but now, it was their turn to spread their own roots.
"They're right, we have to be brave and show her what we can do together" Amelia agreed optimistically, pressing Alice's back against her chest while holding her. Her youngest sister had never been good at goodbye's, even when their animals were sold or passed on, but it was a natural part of life.
Inside the inn, Godfrey shook his new son-in-law's hand to bid the couple farewell. The night was passing them by and he didn't want to exhaust them after a long emotional day. They deserved the spend the last hours of the night in their new home and settle in. Caroline hugged her father tightly one last time, managing to hold back her tears, to make the final goodbye easier. Nodding to the two with approval, he spoke hopefully with a kind smile, "Enjoy your new home and life."
"Chin up, love" Catherine encouraged her quivering sad smile and her daughter nodded weakly. It was never easy to leave one's family and she experienced the same wary nervousness to the unknown. Her daughter's life would hopefully run more smoothly than hers and their predecessors. They weren't new to hard work and she had chosen a man of a similar mindset to survive in their ever-changing world. Her departure would be missed throughout the house but she needed to make her own life now, away from her old family. She couldn't have asked for a better daughter and Catherine released that tie to let her fly away, stating softly, "Don't worry about us."
Caroline linked her arm through Ratonhnhaké:ton's right while he balanced their new crate of food. He tucked her close to him by the crook of his elbow to silently give her support for their departure. It was different than when she left her home to run off on an Aquila adventure because she would always return to her family. Today, she would leave and never return unless it was for a visit. She blinked rapidly to hold back the blurriness creeping into her vision and swallowed the lump in her throat to say, "Have a good night . . . we'll drop by tomorrow?"
"No, you need to adjust to your new place" Catherine advised gently because the first day should be spent familiarizing oneself to the home and the dynamics with their new spouse. Despite the two were childhood friends, living together would be much different than sharing a boat. Chores would need doing from cleaning, cooking, baking, sewing, feeding the livestock, and much more. She hugged each of them with a motherly smile to hearten the couple, earning weak smiles from both, and reassured, "We'll be just fine."
Godfrey and Catherine left through the open doorway to step into the chilly night, ushering their brigade of children back home. Martha and Walter bid them farewell, sighing softly in unison to the sad siblings as they sniffled and whispered together. Weddings could indeed be bittersweet partings. Caroline watched her family through the open door, the snowfall clouding their familiar outlines against the night until they disappeared. On top of the hill of their homestead, she could see the glinting lantern that was always on (this time courtesy of Patrick) at night. She would always look to it after returning from a trip to find her way home but not anymore.
"I guess that's it then" she whispered somberly and pulled the hood of her cozy cape over her head. The walk to their new home would be longer so she had to be bundled up after sweating up a storm that night with dancing and dining. It had been a surreal dream but now, the reality was sobering her faster than a dive in a frigid lake. The two waved to the assassins and the innkeepers to bid them farewell before stepping through the open door.
Ratonhnhaké:ton shut the door to stop the cold from sweeping inside but Martha and Walter bounded up to return. They had lingered behind to make sure that the Burnett family tapped the glass of the lantern to obscure it as a signal to their safe return home. Martha wrapped her arms around Caroline's shoulders while Walter shook Ratonhnhaké:ton's hand to bid them farewell. Being left with her last family member, Caroline wept quietly against her sister's left shoulder. Her heart was torn without the safety net of her family and though her rational mind knew her husband provided the same, it still hurt. Martha offered her brother-in-law a sympathetic smile at seeing his concern, rubbing her sister's back to help her compose herself.
Caroline inhaled the cold air to numb the lump in her throat, backing away to wipe her burning eyes full of tears. The back of her palms wiped them off her damp cold cheeks and she sniffled weakly, "It shouldn't hurt like this. I thought saying goodbye would get easier, Martha."
"It does, today is the hardest" she agreed solemnly to empathize with her pain and squeezed her shoulders firmly. Caroline calmed her breathing as the cold night penetrated her bones through the clothes without movement. Meeting her watery gaze, Martha became the teacher to her older sister for the first time and nodded firmly, "One day at a time. Remember what mama said: we endure, we do not cower."
Ratonhnhaké:ton wrapped an arm around Caroline to avoid destroying her progress and suggested gently, "We can visit covertly tomorrow. Let's go home, Caroline."
The sound of home had a different air to it now but she managed a weak nod. Smiling faintly at her sister and brother-in-law, she bid them goodnight to let them return to the inn. Quietly, the two made their way down the road of the inn to leave it behind for the night. Their shoes crunched snow during the walk, breaking the silence of the town in winter, and Caroline kept a firm grip on her husband's arm. Unlike his comfortable boots, her chosen heels could easily send her flying down slick ice. With a shaky breath, she whispered fondly to their walk down the new road in life, "It's you and me now."
His bride eventually calmed her weeping heart and the approach to their home brightened her demeanor. Caroline was not comfortable with heels anymore for long periods and through her joy at the reception, forgot about her throbbing feet until the silent walk home. Despite his repeated offerings to carry her, along with the crate, she refused and insisted on walking to their home on her own two feet. She hadn't hesitated to toss her shoes off once they ascended the dry wooden porch. Ratonhnhaké:ton had fished out the key to their home to open the newly furnished home to his wife. After dropping off Achilles, he had stopped there to light a lantern on the porch to avoid arriving in complete darkness. The candle still burned brightly and he used that to light their way inside the darkened home.
It didn't take long to light the areas they designated for candles and lanterns to make sure their home was truly empty. Caroline retired to their bedroom while he checked every nook and cranny to clear it as safe and prevent being woken at night in suspicion. He was impressed by the beautiful furniture in their main room since Caroline wanted a large rectangular table similar to her mother's for hosting events. She had decorated it with a gold tablecloth for the season and matched it with brown curtains to avoid having sheer curtains for privacy. Cabinets fit over the wall beside the stone fireplace to keep cooking items close for his wife. It was a lot of space for two people but Ratonhnhaké:ton hoped that one day children would fill the house with laughter.
Retreating to their bedroom to leave the rest of the house shrouded in darkness, he knocked on the door before entering. Caroline laughed to his mannerisms because it was his house as well and there was no need for modesty anymore. Once he stepped through the doorway, he found her tearing her white stockings clear off her feet to fling them into the farthest corner. She would have to pick it up come morning but who cared. She was already at work to remove her attire, wearing only her wedding dress, and smiled at her beautiful bedroom.
Her bedroom with Amelia had been small after her father split the house into partitions for her siblings. Now, she had ample room to pace around as their trunks were stored in the rear corner under a window in case they needed to jump out. A large cherry oak cabinet rested beside her side of the wall that stored their good clothes. Another dresser for clothing lay across from them beside a petite writing desk for any nightly reading or writing. A small silver mirror was placed on top for tidying up one's look for a makeshift vanity. Their bed was fully made now with a solid mahogany bed frame, sturdy cotton and feather stuffed mattress, white sheets, fluffy feather-filled pillows, and a cozy grizzly bear pelt from one of his earlier catches. It was large enough when she unrolled it that she had to use it as their winter comforter! Her husband didn't need to buy one, he caught the living bear. Hmm, they had really come a long way. One facet of their bed that he didn't understand fully was the warm canopy drapes surrounding the bedstead. He never used them back in the manor unless it was a very chill night but allowed Caroline to keep the colonial quirk.
He swept her up into his arms from behind and she yelped with surprise. Her wide blue eyes met his before she burst into laughter at his spontaneity. Where had that come from? Having a home had been his first promise to her when deciding she was the woman for him and he chuckled, "We have a home."
"That we do" she grinned proudly to their first home because it was perfect, from its roof to the cellar. They had sketched it by hand, helped to build its foundation into the ground, and furnished it to their liking. It felt surreal. They had spent so much time together through the years that finally living in a house felt justified and a reward for their work. Leaning against him, she sighed with content to their new life and shifted the weight off her feet, "My feet are about to fall off."
Still, she had been waiting for this fateful moment since he proposed and basked in the happy aftermath of the wedding. Her family was happy for her and she should embrace that rather than the sorrow of bidding them farewell. It was time to build the life she sought with Ratonhnhaké:ton rather than keep dreaming in the clouds. Her feet ached, her belly was full, and she was thoroughly exhausted, murmuring against his warm neck, "I am glad I chose supper celebration over attire."
Kissing her left temple, he released her with a fond squeeze to her shoulders. They had to be asleep by midnight to have enough energy for the morning chores because he would not disappoint his wife. Samuel had already promised him milk from Dawn so that would be his earliest stop of the morning. He removed his dark coat to hang it inside their new cabinet beside his assassin's overcoat, closing the door, and undid the buttons of the white vest. Slipping it off, he decided to take a page out of Caroline's book and tossed it in the corner to add it to their washing pile. She burst into laughter at his carefree action and placed a palm to her forehead to giggle, "Mother would smack me for simply tossing my dirty laundry on the ground."
"What happened to our basket?" he asked because he had experimented with creating a wicker basket during the summer. It had come out decently enough that Caroline wanted to use it as a bedroom hamper for their laundry to make it easier for washing. However, he didn't see it anywhere in their room.
"Wash room" she explained to keep their bedroom clean but neither had the energy to make the short walk. They were running on fumes in their brain to get out of their clothes and settle into bed. The fewer layers of clothing, the better, because he matched her exhaustion. Being an introverted man, the mingling, dancing, and long hours slowly drained him but his happiness kept him going through to the end. She stifled a yawn behind her hands but failed to hide the loud volume and he chuckled, "I'm glad we didn't get too many complaints about the lack of alcohol."
"If you'd been any other man, we would've" she smiled cheekily because they all respected him too much to anger or disappoint him. Despite his calm façade, his eyes were beautifully expressive so she knew when he was hurt or furious. Today, however, her husband had been the happiest she'd ever seen and it was a lovely sight. He had smiled, laughed, and openly conversed with everyone to let his reserved nature slide for a bit.
She undid the bow of the dress sash to remove it, rolling it over her right hand to keep it neat in a roll. Walking over to the smaller dresser, she pulled out the bottom drawer to slip it inside for safekeeping. Standing upright, she moved her fingers to the white kerchief over the neckline of the dress. With a fond smile, she removed the beautiful brooch from her mother to gently place it in a jewelry box that lay on the desk that served as a vanity. She would treasure the family heirloom just like her mother had and would one day pass it on to her descendants. Removing the kerchief from her dress to place it on the desk, she found the small bow at the top that held the tight binding of the blouse. Untying it, the fabric loosened and she removed her arms from the sleeves to reveal fair skin. Trying to wiggle out of the dress like a fish seeking water, she called out for a helping hand, "Help me with this?"
He noticed two layers of underclothing as the shift reminded him of a nightgown but the stay over it had strings at the bottom that peeked out when she loosened her skirt. He watched her untie the bottom threads with one hand but she had trouble opening the stay to become free. He would rather have her be free of it completely rather than keep to colonial fashion and placed his hands on the stay to encompass her waist. Her cheeks flushed to undressing in front of her spouse but he had seen her with the stay and a sleeping gown already. Her left hand smoothed over his to reassure him it was fine for him to proceed and she admitted flatly, "It was a pain to use a stay when I was younger but it's rather normal now. I still won't wear it to bed though."
"Your figure is better without that torture device" he stated grimly to the figure accentuating contraption and began to loosen the straps from behind to breathe easier. She breathed with relief to the cool air striking her shift, removing it over her head with glee, and he took it from her hands to study it. Peering into it, he noticed the sleek flat whale bones in vertical rows along with sewn wire between the fabric. How had she worn it comfortably for years? Even looking at the awful thing felt painful!
Caroline merely chuckled to his fretful worrying and slipped her dress off to place it over the chair for the moment. He stared with wider eyes of bewilderment when he noticed the strange bell-shaped skeleton on her lower body. What did these colonial women wear in their culture?! His alarm to another odd device prevented him from granting her the privacy to change and she caught his stunned expression. At first, she assumed it was from seeing her wear the thin shift that exposed her arms and legs but it flew out the window when he blurted, "What is that contraption?"
"It's meant to keep our skirts full and allow our legs to be free" she answered amusingly with a soft laugh to dissipate his confusion. Forgetting that he had never seen this portion of a lady's attire in comparison to her sailing outfit, she blamed herself. She didn't plan on giving him a horror show during their first night as a married couple. Not wanting to scare away her spouse into sleeping across the hallway, she untied the string holding it in place over her waist and frowned, "I'm not a fan of this one."
Turning around, he waved a hand to let her finish changing before he endured a heart attack. Colonial fashion was simply strange to him! Caroline simply laughed at his fretting but removed the hoop skirt to flatten the layers into a single circle hoop. Twisting it carefully, she looped the flexible skirt around itself into a smaller circle that she could easily tuck between the desk and dresser space to avoid it puffing up to its full volume.
Opening the top drawer of the dresser, she pulled out the closest thing to avoid shivering against the cold. A wool nightgown would keep her comfortable due to the winter weather and she cast her reservation aside to remove her slip. The thin fabric was tossed to the makeshift laundry pile and she snuggled into her cozy blue nightgown, pulling it over her head. She wasn't a fan of the feminine nightgowns but decided to try it for her first week at home. Turning around, she noticed her husband was still dressed in his tunic and trousers while trying to figure out her odd fashion wear. Snapping her fingers playfully to break him out of his trance, she teased, "Your turn, husband."
"Can't I go to sleep like this?" he groaned tiredly for compassion while she retrieved a box underneath their bed to place her dress inside. The aromatic rosemary sprigs and dried lemon wedges from Prudence were still fresh to keep moths and other pests out. It would need to be cleaned at the hem but for now, it would be fine in storage until washing day. Caroline held back a laugh when he tossed his tunic across the room and reluctantly pulled out a new one from the dresser. Why did colonials change clothes so much? Caroline sat down on the bed to enjoy the view of his form sliding on the clean clothes while he called back for pity, "Be kind to your new husband."
"Always" she promised innocently and grabbed a hairbrush from their night table beside the bed to brush out her hair. With the diadem and feathers gone, she was able to remove the pins from her hair to let it fall free. Brushing it gently, the tight curly locks loosened to become loose waves. Being away from home in a place that was neither the Aquila nor a camp, she debated on leaving her hair free. Who would care, right? Ratonhnhaké:ton did just fine and so would she. It was their home, after all. They made the rules now!
After years of familiarity, awkwardness didn't carry in as much as she expected. They were truly alone for the first time to do as they wished but she felt safest by his side. It had also provided her with the calmness to avoid becoming red-faced with changing in front of him. Aside from their trip to the Arctic where she unwillingly undressed him, she had never seen him changing out of his lower attire and fought herself from ogling at his breeches clinging tightly to his toned legs. Her fingers stopped their finger combing, entranced by her husband, and she dared to ask, "Is there any area that isn't sculpted by muscle?"
"Very doubtful" he answered truthfully, causing her to blush even more, and adjusted his nightshirt while she occupied herself with fixing the bed. Otherwise, he might think her mind was deviously naughty. He was amused to find her smoothing down their bedcovers, noticing her loose hair and the long nightgown that shed a more delicate light on his pistol-wielding navigator. She squeaked with bashful surprise when he leaned down to kiss her left cheek and complimented, "You look beautiful."
"Not as handsome as you" she chuckled appreciatively for the words and returned the kiss to his lips, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. Wasn't he sweet? His fingers weaved into her loose hair after years of gripping the nape of her neck or braids. No more intermittent brushes of her hair during their stay in the Boston room above the lumber mill office. He had earned the right to have privacy with his beloved and it was freeing without the worry of having to look over his shoulder.
Caroline placed her hand over his chest to grasp the tunic and tugged him forward. Stepping aside to avoid being crushed by her spouse, she sat down neatly on their bed while he sat down opposite of her. His eyes lit up to the softness of the top of the mattress despite the firmness throughout, pushing his hands down to test its resistance. Caroline had suggested adding a top layer of feathers over the mattress of hay before Ellen and the women sealed it with sturdy fabric for a more comfortable sleep. His hands pressed against the bedding with a nod of approval and he smiled faintly, "The feathers did make it very soft."
Everything in their little home was indeed perfect and she giggled happily to pull the fabric tie holding the curtain drapes over her side of the bed closed. Gone were the gentle pink curtains of her old room, replaced by a rich navy to complement the room. Ratonhnhaké:ton would leave his side open to avoid feeling entrapped in his own bed, still accustomed to the open longhouses of his childhood.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, smiling widely with content, and huddled against her husband. Boy, she would never tire of calling him that. There was no modesty, only trust, love, and respect for him as she relaxed in their comfortable bed. This was all theirs now to share for a lifetime and she sighed softly against his shoulder, "I've never been so happy."
He wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders to kiss her forehead and admitted sheepishly, "I didn't think I could ever be this happy."
His life had not been an easy one and a lesser man would have quit to let the world destroy itself. Instead, he continued persevering with an unyielding determination that it could become better. For once, that belief paid off and he had the woman of his adolescent dreams beside him. Caroline would never let him go, fiercely protective of her partner, and kissed his lips to promise, "I plan to make you a happy man until I no longer wake beside you. I will be your shield against every storm, your blade against our enemies, and your confidante every step of the way."
"I consider myself lucky for that" he whispered fondly to finding his other half despite the trauma and dangers of his life. It didn't help that she would now be joining his dangerous ventures, particularly at sea, but he would always protect her. Dropping his arm from her shoulders to clutch her close by the waist, he met her gaze to return his own promise, "My love will never waver for you."
She leaned forward to kiss him on the lips, kneeling on the bed to shift onto his lap with quick precision. He was surprised by her sudden dexterity, given the energy wasted that night. Her hands grasped the excess fabric of her nightgown to make it easier to sit on his lap because men's bedwear made it ten times better. The new nightgown had earned a point in deduction for slowing down her movements. The fervor in her touch, however, was nothing short of calculated after learning his particular spots. Despite keeping strict to society's rules on courtship, threading her fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck and kissing the crook between his shoulder and neck were winners.
"I assumed you would be tired" he remarked about her amorous inclinations and kissed her, smiling when her fingers combed gently through his hair. The feathery grazes drew him to her like a bee to a flower, enjoying each touch as they traveled down his neck to find the bottom edge of his tunic. How was she moving faster than him? He was dawdling in starting an intimate night, partly because he was afraid of botching it. Their night in Boston had left him blushing and all they had done was sleep after her amorous fibbing that left him wanting to throw himself into the cold snow.
"We still have ample time to explore" she grinned coyly to their first night as a married couple and the privacy offered in their own home. They were legally tied so they had earned their right to frolic in the sheets like everybody else. He was her husband now and she would shoot kneecaps off if anyone said otherwise. There was nervousness and excitement coursing through her hammering heart but she trusted and loved him dearly to share an intimate night together.
"Explore?" he chuckled warmly to her choice of words since he would gladly do so, grasping the curve of her waist to clutch her close. His own heart hammered against his ribs but when her palm rested gently against it, both his mind and heart calmed to her presence. Hopefully, he wouldn't bring embarrassment to both of them but his wife was the type to simply laugh things off. It provided an air of support and simplicity that relieved any tension from his own self-confidence and he smiled at her chaste kisses grazing his neck.
She kissed him heatedly, smiling between their kiss to his passionate reciprocation, and nipped his top lip to preen, "I owe my husband a worthy night of remembrance after all the hijinks I've put him through."
11 December 1777
Caroline greeted a new day with a sleepy smile that slowly widened, snuggling into her warm covers. Sunlight poured beams of light that struck the hardwood flooring through the square windows. Birds could be heard tweeting outside to usher in the morning but she shifted contently under sheets, her elbow nudging her husband's shoulder while he laid on his back. She was a side sleeper so they found it comforting that she could huddle against him at night. His nights of rolling out of bed or waking sharply from nightmares had subsided considerably after their marriage, counting himself lucky for that. Day by day, the new couple grew used to their new home and each other to settle into married life. It had felt like a naïve dream years ago but they finally achieved it.
Bird songs presented morning to them with the surrounding trees of the cove bringing more avian neighbors than her old home. That, plus the chorus of the hens made for an interesting walk around the property during the morning. Caroline wiped the sleep from her eyes as her sight greeted her new home rather than her old one, almost mistaking herself by calling out to her mother that she was awake. She had done so the first morning and covered her face in embarrassment when Ratonhnhaké:ton replied that he'd be killed if she was, given their state of dress. She was still adjusting to her new life, taking it easy one day at a time like Martha advised, but having Ratonhnhaké:ton made it easier to bear. Speaking of her husband, she turned around to embrace him and gently poked his chest to lull him back to reality.
"Another day greets us" she spoke gently and hated to wake him from his comfortable slumber. If it were up to her, she would let him sleep in and enjoy dreamland. He had earned it more than her to simply bask in the coziness of their bed. Unfortunately, he would fret more if woken late to avoid falling behind on his daily errands and chores. He groaned lightly since sleep wanted to keep him, sinking further into the covers, and she huddled against him to kiss his chin to tease, "Let me wish you good morning."
"Only because you're my dear wife" he mumbled groggily and rubbed one eye sluggishly while she smiled at his fussy face. Her husband wasn't too happy in the mornings and she trailed her fingers into his loose hair to massage his scalp. Whatever she could do to start his day off right, she would do so. His crinkled features smoothed completely as she added a fond kiss to the apple of his freckled cheek. Waking up beside him was the best living dream for her and she would never take it for granted. Ratonhnhaké:ton cherished the kind gestures of his wife because she could have simply flicked his forehead and told him to get moving. Instead, he received encouragement and sweet doting from his beloved. There could be no better mornings.
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 closest window to see whether she could 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 wolf pelts that lay over a wooden bench beside the door, she slung it over her shoulders 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 at 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 once they finished eating. 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 pointed at it perkily with his free hand to let her know of his delight. She chuckled softly to his approval and he swallowed his bite with a smile before tasting the buttery potato soup for a delicate balance. His wife was surely spoiling him during their first month together 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 heroic 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 shoddy grip with the spoon and quickly dabbed her skin to clear it away. Would she ever be able to eat soup without it causing embarrassment? It was odd for him not to hear the laughter of her siblings attached but now, it was simply them. The emptiness was a little lonely but it was part of their new life now.
"If mother were here, she'd lecture me about etiquette" she laughed merrily at her social etiquette failure 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 floating in the soup, 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 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 against 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."
Tapping her chin in thought, she pondered aloud with enthusiasm, "I shall call him Sir Cornelius Turkey."
"We have the oddest acquaintances but we're not perfect at all" he remarked to their unique town and decided to let her keep this new turkey on their homestead. It wasn't hurting anyone so he wouldn't mind. Caroline would always travel with him but if she became pregnant, he would have a dog to protect her at the least when he had to leave on a mission. He doubted the unyielding bravery of Sir Cornelius would be enough to defeat a sword or gun. A ray of sunlight filtered through the window closest to them to light up their table and he offered, "Would you like to go into town this afternoon?"
"I believe you know the answer" she replied with a sneaky smile because it meant seeing her family.
15 December 1777
Ratonhnhaké:ton and Caroline had been preparing for dinner that evening when they were disrupted by a frantic knock on the door. When they heard the warning gobbling of their new guard turkey and Norris yelping in French, they assumed it was another friend in need. Being the fastest, Norris fetched the two with alarm that the Loyalists were returning to arrest Big Dave. Ratonhnhaké:ton had already devised a plan with the smithy for their return and their ragtag group had met up at Big Dave's homestead. Caroline wasn't fond of having her father in their midst but Godfrey refused to back down from a fight to protect the town. For the first time, they were facing off against men with weapons and experienced use with them.
Big Dave had collected kegs of gunpowder to fight off against the Loyalists or at least, create a diversion to buy himself time. He didn't want to leave Davenport but he knew his friends would risk their lives to see him free rather than executed. With that in mind, he had saved the barrels for that occasion to give them an advantage. Ratonhnhaké:ton had set one by the road that the regiment was taking where it would wedge them between two large boulders. Their ambush would take place there but Ratonhnhaké:ton stationed Myriam and Caroline in the trees above to provide cover fire and set off the kegs if he couldn't.
Caroline checked her pistols to ensure her bullets were ready to fire, holding the lighter Lady in her hands. She was situated on an oak tree overlooking the road that the enemy was approaching from while Myriam hid on a higher branch to get a better aim with her rifle. Holstering her weapon, she posed a question to her close friend, "Did you ever think you'd be hiding in a tree ready to shoot off an explosion within a month of marriage? Not to mention, hoping neither you nor your husband get shot by Loyalists."
Myriam would have preferred for Norris to stay home but he insisted on helping. They had a burning spirit and bravery in their group but she wasn't sure about the numbers. Regiments to capture a wanted man would likely have more than five men on the hunt, given that the previous scouts never returned. Shrugging casually from her perch, she leaned against the trunk and replied frankly, "Nope . . . but it keeps life interesting."
Their casual conversation ceased when Big Dave informed the group, "I hear them coming."
The regiment of half a dozen men rounded the corner road between the boulders as expected. While they used it for defense against an attack from the sides, their group would draw them in for the ambush. One of the armed officers stepped forward to demand the return of their friend, "David Walston. Turn yourself in and stand before a military tribunal on charges of treason and desertion."
Big Dave hid behind one of the trees providing cover to holler back in refusal, "I don't want any part of this war! Leave me be!"
"You heard the man- leave" Ratonhnhaké:ton ordered grimly to show that they wouldn't cower behind their show of force. The last mob they faced didn't have weapons so they were in for a real fight this time but the powder kegs would help shift the tide. He would rather they leave with their lives intact but they were insistent on capturing Big Dave, moving their team forward to flush him out. Inhaling sharply, he frowned at their critical decision and sighed with regret, "So be it."
He flung a throwing knife to the closest man by his hiding spot behind one of the bushes, striking their abdomen. The unseen attack riled the platoon at facing opposition from the deserter and they moved forward to flush out the enemy, protecting their injured comrade by moving him to the rear. Ratonhnhaké:ton whistled to his eyes in the trees to signal the next attack and keep them back from approaching the interior of the town. The armed group had moved close enough to where they could detonate the kegs and wipe them out and he would seize the opportunity.
Caroline had witnessed gunpowder open mines or blow up a new path but never human beings. She had used small explosives for diversions or as a warning sign to her enemies but never utilized a full gunpowder keg. When Myriam shot one of the concealed kegs, the deafening sound left her ears ringing like cannon fire but the power behind the powder cleared the road. If the men weren't dead from the blast, they were set on fire from the burning hay that the first keg had been placed under to conceal it. She emptied the barrel of her pistol into them to grant them quick mercy but only a few struck due to the distance.
While she reloaded her pistol, the other fighters took to the field with their close-range weapons to finish any lingering soldiers. They had to play this fight smartly to avoid spilling it into the town but their strict surveillance over the town after catching the scouts helped them prepare. Their worst fear had been the Loyalists arriving during a wedding or late at night but they had been lucky. Ratonhnhaké:ton prepared the second barrel by moving it against one of the boulders where the road opened up. They had allowed the first group to delve closer to their position to make sure their trap worked but the terrain would be used the second time around. Caroline noticed another group inbound, likely coming to investigate after the explosion and deathly silence. Whistling to their group with an alert, she informed the men quickly, "There's more coming! Two o'clock heading our way. Six more."
Ratonhnhaké:ton appreciated his navigator in the tree and the team retreated to their cover by the trees and bushes to await the next team. They weren't looking to take more fire than needed and would end the fight swiftly to stop their search. If they managed to kill the regiment or they fled in defeat, their sustained damage would keep them away. When the armed men arrived at the open road, a two-note whistle let Myriam know it was time to shoot. Her bullet struck the keg but the farther distance this time didn't allow for the bullet to fully penetrate the wooden barrel. Hissing under her breath, she loaded another round into Bullseye while the initial shot gave away her position.
Casting aside safe cover, Ratonhnhaké:ton unholstered his pistol and dashed forward to draw attention to himself. If they spotted the barrel first instead of him, they would scatter and render it useless. Caroline's heartbeat sped up instantly to his vulnerable position and she used her own weapon to offer a second distraction. She wasn't going to let him run off alone to fight all of those men and resemble a colander, giving away her position. Taking a note from Caroline, Big Dave released a loud cry and ran into the field to join his valiant friend. Norris, Terry, and Godfrey weren't far behind to make noise to provide the enemy with multiple targets.
Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't want them close to him and unloaded his pistol into the keg, causing an immediate detonation. His ears run painfully while the force from the explosion rocked the earth, losing his footing momentarily while examining the damage. He was not a fan of blowing things up. Black smoke and debris littered the field as the keg obliterated anyone in its close vicinity. Myriam and Caroline were quick to descend the tree to join their comrades to offer a helping hand. The power kegs provided them the most help to tackle the regiment and the five men were quick to use their bladed weapons to engage the lingering men in a fight.
Myriam and Caroline provided cover fire for their husbands to buy them time to reach the injured soldiers. With no cover for either side to hide behind, engagement in a physical fight was the only option. With only three Loyalists remaining, David, Godfrey, and Terry took two on while Ratonhnhaké:ton and Norris tag-teamed a Hessian. Neither of the women could get a shot in during the scuffle but the others managed to eliminate the other men. Guns needed reloading unlike axes, hunting knives, and hidden blades, giving the Davenport men the edge on using slash and stab wounds to eradicate the others. The hidden blade dealt more damage to Ratonhnhaké:ton's opponent and while his blade was embedded in the man's chest, he reached for his pistol to pull the trigger against the man's head.
Norris jumped back with surprise to his deadly efficiency while Caroline shifted her focus back to guarding her father. Myriam ran to her husband to check him for injuries and take the offense with her rifle to keep him out of harm's way. David, however, finished the fight with a slash of his ax deep into the last man's carotid artery to end the fight. Ratonhnhaké:ton checked the pulses of the dead men to make sure they were deceased and avoid leaving any of them in lingering pain. Caroline smacked her father's left shoulder while he cleaned his bloody ax on the grass but threw her arms around him seconds later. She was meant to protect him at her age, not the other way around.
"We're all right, it's not our first rumble" Terry assured the worried redhead but Caroline didn't feel comfortable putting them in the line of fire. She couldn't stop them, granting them that fierce independence she admired, but would always have their backs.
"Not too bad, right?" Norris chuckled awkwardly to his wife since he wasn't a fighter by nature. He wouldn't let anyone hurt his friends, however, and had stood his ground on helping Big Dave. Myriam had been greatly reluctant about it, keeping a strict eye on him in her line of fire, but he was safe.
Big Dave examined the aftermath of the attack because the powder kegs granted them the upper hand against their numbers. The smoldering black holes of ash and wood were a testament to that, along with the dead corpses. It had been a brutal attack but efficient to make the fight end with the least casualties- on their side. Still, death was not something to take pride in and he apologized with regret, "Connor, I'm sorry. For bringing this violence on the village."
The other man shook his head because they never asked for a fight and he offered them a way out. They were not hostile people by nature or looked for trouble intentionally but they would defend each other from harm. He didn't want anyone to ever feel guilt for protecting themselves and they had kept the fight away from the interior of the town. Nodding to the smithy, he stated firmly to lighten his worries, "We protect our own. The British will not risk losing more soldiers for one deserter. You are free of it now."
There was relief mixed into the regret for causing a fight between his friends and the Loyalists at his expense. He would have rather had them chase him out of town to lead them away from there. Their unofficial town leader, however, refused such an idea when he brought it up. They would be united as one rather than leaving him out to fend for himself. For Ratonhnhaké:ton, it was dishonorable, cowardly, and shameful to do that to one's own and David was grateful for the kindness.
"Boy, that got the blood pumping" Myriam laughed to the adrenaline rush after a shootout and slung the barrel of Bullseye over her right shoulder. She would check in on the nearest neighbors which were Ellen and Lance to make sure no stray bullets were embedded in their walls.
Godfrey agreed to the tense fight, hoping he wouldn't return home for an earful from his worried wife, and suggested to their fighting team, "Celebratory drink at the Mile's End?"
"There's bodies to dispose of" Ratonhnhaké:ton pointed out with bewilderment that they would leave the dead bodies for the residents to find. He would be ashamed if children spotted the bloody massacre and refused to have them witness that. Ellen would stab him with knitting needles if they dawdled and Maria saw it while frolicking around the town.
"That's the point of the forgetful celebratory drink" his wife informed cheekily with a pat to his shoulder because she would help him dig the ditches. Hard work worked up an appetite for food and drink. She had been a girl when she had shot her first robber, frightened out of her mind but he held her firm. Now, she didn't bat an eye and carried on. Flashing him a smirk, she corrected the drink offering to fit his palate but he pouted to it, "We'll get you some nice cider."
24 December 1777
Although life carried on normally at the Burnett homestead, the departure of two daughters was felt sorely during the approaching holiday season to end the year. Alice remembered their father would have pieces of candy waiting for them on the morning of Christmas and together, the six would creep out of their beds to find them. This year, the household woke on Christmas Eve to find colorful pieces of varied candies waiting in a large tin box. Martha had sent over the gift from the general store while Caroline sent a delicate cinnamon cake infused with the molasses and sliced almonds from the south. The sisters would never forget their little home on the hill and Martha had secretly given the gifts to Patrick on his way home from the mill.
Chores had gone on as usual but there was an eager energy in preparation for dinner. That evening would bring their family together again for the first time after house chores and work kept both the Burnetts and Rolfes from meeting together under the same roof with their parents. Elizabeth had playfully accused Martha of usurping Caroline's time since the two had grown closer after their marriages. Being away from their parents for the first time, the two bonded over that shared loss and their new identities as wives. Still, it didn't mean that the sisters never had time for their siblings because Samuel was either at Martha's to test her recipes or Caroline's to help the couple until Patrick came to fetch him. For Elizabeth, she helped Caroline set traps and assisted Ratonhnhaké:ton with the rehab stable. Alice had lost her meekness and stayed overnight at Caroline's to enjoy the library that she and Ratonhnhaké:ton were slowly building. Amelia was finishing the school year with the town's children but Caroline never failed to walk her to the school during her rounds around town.
The first knock at the door came from the Galloways since their trek was easiest.
Alice was glued to the door to await her sisters but finding Anne on the other side filled her with glee. Her best friend was bundled up in a heavy wool coat with a pink scarf over her head to keep warm. The night was freezing with icy air and icicles were already forming on the roof despite being cleared earlier. Diana and Terry greeted the brunette, who quickly moved aside to let them enter. Daniel squirmed in his father's arms for freedom, tearing off his own red fluffy sweater, and Terry released him into Anne's care. She was more than happy to have her little brother tag along and Alice grabbed his free hand to keep everyone together.
"Huddle 'round and get warm" Godfrey beckoned his friends towards the roaring fireplace to keep the main room cozy for the guests. Once Catherine was finished with cooking, he threw in enough firewood to keep the fire roaring throughout the cold night.
Martha and Walter arrived next, bringing snowfall in their wake.
Elizabeth was tempted to let her sister keep knocking for humor's sake but the low temperatures tossed the idea aside. It would be great for summertime but she didn't want her sister ill during a brutal winter. Maturity had struck the two sisters and their useless squabbling was a humorous bit of the past. The brunette bounded in with flecks of snow covering her shoulders and the blue bonnet on her head. Walter followed her with items bundled in his arms and Elizabeth shut the door to keep the heat inside. Helping her sister out of the brown wool jacket, Elizabeth took her coat to shake off the snow and draped it over a hanger by the door. She smiled warmly at the hug from her elder sister, laughing at her cold hands, while Patrick bounded over to help his friend with the gifts in his arms.
"Was the walk that bad?" the redhead teased the shopkeeper but Walter barely managed to nod through chattering teeth. Martha removed her bonnet, throwing it over her coat hastily, and darted straight for the fireplace with Elizabeth in tow.
Walter thanked him for the help to remove his own heavy jacket to dust off the snow and informed, "We brought cinnamon nut bread, a bag of ground coffee, and these stuffed pork chops we cooked up at the inn. We should've left earlier to avoid the snowfall."
Patrick set their gifts down on the table to add to the welcoming appearance. Catherine took the plate of pork chops to throw them on the frying pan for quick heating. She had already set the plump turkey of the evening on the table, dripping its own juices over it to keep it glossy while it lay on a handcrafted wooden platter from Lance. Samuel grinned at the bowl of bright shiny candy that his mother set out for guests on the table and sighed dreamily, "Look at all that candy! It's my childhood dream come true."
"You're going to rot their teeth" Amelia stated flatly to her brother-in-law because her leftover siblings adored sweets. She couldn't keep them away long enough to sneak one in and hoped nobody would need adult teeth pulled. Knowing Dr. White, he would have a lesson rehearsed about keeping one's teeth healthy.
"I simply asked what they wanted for Christmas" Walter reasoned innocently to keep the children happy, absentmindedly forgetting that the parents might have a say otherwise. However, the Burnett parents didn't seem to mind at all by their happy expressions. Martha tried not to shake her head because she did warn her husband but he liked having a good relationship with her siblings.
Elizabeth squeezed in between the two to smile sweetly at her new older brother and asked innocently, "Did I get my rifle?"
This time, her parents did object in comparison to the candy, and chastised, "Elizabeth!"
"Fine" she sighed under her breath with great reluctance because she wanted an upgrade. Caroline had given her the old rifle she used during her travels in 74 but she felt it was much too large for her frame, wondering how her sister wielded it. Was that why she switched to pistols? Being smaller in height than her older sibling, she needed a weapon tailored to her. Unfortunately, nobody was eager to help with that.
Martha stepped into old shoes by helping her mother and Diana set the plates along the table. Amelia left the colorful bowl of candy beside the freshly baked biscuits that had been warmed over the pan as well to keep them from hardening in the cold. She left the cinnamon bread beside the biscuits and grinned widely to spotting another wrapped round item. Martha pointed to the mystery item and informed the family about her in-laws, "The Millers sent their regards and a cranberry pie. They're already serving dinner to the bachelors."
Being the farthest away in distance, Ratonhnhaké:ton and Caroline arrived last. Catherine had been waiting to slice into the turkey until the last of their guests arrived, not wanting to be impolite. If her daughter hadn't shown, she would have sent out a search party. Unlike the Rolfes, the other couple had a thin layer of snow clinging to their heads and shoulders. The snowfall had become heavier in the last hour and they left earlier to traverse the snowy road and sleek patches of slippery ice.
"We're here" Caroline announced through chattering teeth and held the door open for her husband, who carried their goodies. She was happy to shut the door behind him and leave the frozen winterland behind for a few hours. Hopefully, the trip back would have less snowfall. She dusted flecks of snow from his dark lashes and nose while Samuel and Elizabeth took charge happily over their gifts. Alice grabbed a hefty gift of soft pelts held together with twine, quickly asking Elizabeth for a hand to support it. Samuel took the responsibility of the wooden crate of stocked food that smelled sweet and buttery, figuring another delicious dessert lurked inside. He pouted when another set of hands grabbed the crate to help but his freckled cheeks turned rosy at seeing Anne.
The couple was able to remove their snow-ridden coats to hang them beside the others on the wall. They chuckled to their red-tinted noses from the cold and she grasped his right hand to greet everyone. It felt like being back home as a child all over again. Alice squealed happily to the soft fur pelts that her siblings opened from the wrapped package. Not one throw but enough for every member at the party! The other three were more than happy to study the tall stack of pelts- no wonder Alice struggled to carry it.
Caroline chuckled softly at watching her rub her cheek against a wolf pelt, triggering the curiosity of the others. Between her and Ratonhnhaké:ton, they managed to trap their meat for the winter but a few critters would try to scavenge. If they tried to attack, they would be forced to return fire. From that, they managed to make throws from the pelts with Ellen's help. She had sewed them beautifully and added a soft underlayer to fluff them somewhat for comfort. She motioned for them to drop the bundles off in one of the bedrooms to make room for their combined families. The quartet was more than happy to run off and more than likely, study the pelts, and she told the group, "Connor brought throw blankets for you all, given how rough this winter is turning out."
"We're a little late since we smelled something delicious from the inn" Ratonhnhaké:ton explained modestly because the aromatic scents overpowered escaping the snow. Together, the two had walked the slight incline in gentle steps to avoid hidden ice and visited the innkeepers for an unscheduled detour. Their curiosity was sated by the inventory of the night and they purchased items that Martha hadn't brought over. They were almost inclined to stay for the stuffed pork chops until Corrine shoed them out to remind them that Catherine awaited them. Again, the two braved the snow to leave the inn, cross the main road, and walk uphill to her parents' homestead.
Samuel had set the crate down on an empty chair before running off with the girls and Amelia unwrapped it to begin placing the items on the table. Since their parties would run into the evening, Ratonhnhaké:ton figured providing enough food would help and informed, "We brought herb-butter bread, corn muffins, a cherry tart, and a bottle of wine."
Catherine enveloped her married daughters into a hug, ignoring the food, and squeezed them tightly. She missed their presence at home and their visits during the day to see them was all she had now. There was no more knocking on the door to wake them, conversation during chores, measuring them to sew their clothes, sharing jokes about life, and little things that she enjoyed with her daughters through the years. They were living new lives now but she didn't hesitate to dote, "My girls are back home, just like old times."
"We'll always come home, mother" Caroline promised with a sympathetic smile because she would never forsake her parents. They had fed, sheltered, and loved her the best they could. That would never be forgotten and while she got older, her parents were also aging. They were fiercely independent people but hard labor wasn't easy on the body and decades' worth of it would eventually show on their bodies. Hopefully, it wouldn't be until she had children of her own to keep them company.
Martha nodded in agreement, squeezing her mother's hand, before turning to slice the sweet desserts. Despite being an adult, she secretly enjoyed her sweets. Amelia sliced the bread to make enough portions for everyone to have seconds, given the two loaves that Ratonhnhaké:ton brought. She missed the company of her sisters but their relationship had evolved into sweet camaraderie that no matter where she wandered in town, she would see them. There was nothing more perfect than that and she smiled, "It will be the newest tradition."
"You're going to turn us plump with all these gifts" Catherine fussed weakly to their spending but the girls wanted to keep them all fed and happy. With a holiday party, it was a given that they should bring them something. She appreciated their subtle nature in handling the desserts and bread, leaving her to handle the meat while Diana handled the vegetables. Together, their party tied together beautifully.
"You took care of us for years, mother, it's time we return the same care" Martha reminded matter-of-factly with a tone befitting hers. Caroline snorted to hide her laughter at seeing the tables turn since Martha carried Catherine's firmness. The older redhead sputtered modestly to being cared for by her children for the first time and accepted the coming changes. Her little ones weren't so little anymore.
"Still can't believe my girls are married" Godfrey sighed under his breath, shaking his head at Terry, who gave him a sympathetic clap to the back. They couldn't stop their children from growing up but he would always support them. He was proud to see both of his daughters happy with their respective spouses, who he took in as his sons. As long as they cared for his children, he was a pleased father. Meeting Caroline's bright gaze, he smiled at his eldest to remark, "But I'm glad to see you all so happy."
Diana called their attention to begin the dining before the food became cold and beckoned, "Let's dig in!"
"Where are the others?" Ratonhnhaké:ton asked when he failed to see the three youngest Burnetts and Anne. Despite the years, he still had to track down his smaller friends. He missed their familiar ruckus in his new home but like Caroline, felt that he had returned to his first years in Davenport once he stepped through the door. The Burnett homestead had been his adoptive home and as a young man alone in the wild frontier with nothing to his name, he appreciated their kindness.
Patrick pointed his thumb towards the rear of the house and answered dryly, "Fur heaven."
The redhead moved away from the dining area to enter the hallway that led to the bedrooms and called out, "Come eat your dinner or you'll get the scraps."
A chorus of indignant protests erupted and a thunder of footsteps headed to the main room with haste. Patrick jumped away from the hallway entrance before they ran him down and saluted his aunt Catherine to let her begin their Christmas Eve dinner. Diana began by serving the vegetables on a tin plate, passing it to Amelia for a biscuit, handing it to Martha for the buttery mashed potatoes, before Catherine received it to place the first slice of their main dish.
"Oh, a turkey?" Caroline asked with delight to the plump size that dwarfed all the other dishes on the table. She hadn't had a bite of one in a while, given the harsh winter. Had her father gone to Oliver or one of the Boston butchers? Her left eyebrow quirked to a horrifying possibility, wiping the smile off her face, and she blurted with fear, "Wait, you didn't take the turkey from my property, did you? Boban! What did you do to him?!"
"Nobody took Sir Cornelius" he reassured swiftly before she decided to run out the door to check on her feathered friend. He remembered visiting the new Burnett homestead to find the plump turkey on the porch, eyeing him with suspicion in its beady little eyes. It wasn't until his daughter opened the door that the bird scuttled off to who knows where and he muttered, "Little bugger is a fighter."
Caroline calmed down immediately, no longer horrified at eating her beloved pet turkey, and placed a hand to her beating heart. Ratonhnhaké:ton broke the amused expressions by laughing aloud to her worried face which didn't earn him points. She smacked his right bicep for his reaction but it only stirred him to laugh harder. He was still pondering how they ended up with a guard turkey. His rare show of public emotion soon sent the others into echoing laughter and Caroline sighed, grinning with amusement at her spouse. Bit by bit, he was releasing that stoicism in the privacy of her family.
Godfrey kissed his wife on the cheek for being given the first plate and told his dear ones happily with a warm smile, "Happy holidays, everyone."
A/N: And the wedding of our main couple is over! Along with the year 1777. Boy, that was the longest chapter written in this story with the 1776 Christmas party coming in second. Now, the hectic year of 1778 can begin which will test Connor's trust and patience with his father and the Patriots, the safety of his village, and leaving Davenport for several months to head to the Caribbean. Big Dave's fight against the regiment brought a neat explosive end to the year but now I'm realizing that the Homestead missions are pretty much over which made me sad. No worries, we'll have plenty more time with the residents as we veer off-course for new adventures. I also had to bring in the Assassin turkey into the mix! Hopefully, his name is fitting for the times and humorous. In the next chapter, we begin the year 1778 with Connor arguing with Achilles to start the Missing Supplies mission with Haytham finally entering the stage.
Thank you to my last readers and reviewers (I loved reading all your reviews!):
danelleprae: Wow, you have deer? The closest I've come to deer is in national parks or the outskirts of national parks, lol. I live in an urban city so wild animals for me are birds, stray cats, squirrels, and the nightly possum running over cable lines. Like yourself, I'm always feeding birds or leaving water for any thirsty critters. Connor has his respect for nature and Caroline's similar mindset led the two to now having a pet turkey.
Taylor: Thank you, it is a very large cast so I had to make everyone mingle in the close-knit reception. I love the Homestead residents and I definitely like shaping more of their character. I figured since the homestead of Lyle, Lance, and Big Dave are close by, they can be like the Three Amigos with Lyle being the quirky one. Haha. Carrie started off as a curious rural wanderer that imagined herself matching the ladies of society and marry off decently with the hope of keeping a small-time job. Instead, she undergoes a transformation of finding herself and becoming the ship navigator of the heroic assassin she loves before tying the knot. Now, she's a happy little housewife with a knife and pistol while Connor's on cloud nine, haha.
iHateFridays: Thank you very much!
EastCoastCaptain: Connor's ending in the game made me feel terrible for him after all that he went through. It reminded me of what Achilles told him about life not being a fairy tale and having happy endings (which is coming up in the next chapter). Connor and Caroline will definitely be open and honest about that secret life, given how it turned out for Connor, but education will be first. Given that both are literate and will run Davenport's Prospect, along with overseeing the town as unofficial mayor/sheriff and deputy (lol), they will teach them about business and law to make sure nobody takes advantage of them.
Chriswill02: Tell me about it! She started off at fourteen and now, Alice is that age with Sam following in two. Anne was a toddler when they first arrived and now she's carrying around her little brother.
The Antic Repartee: You provided a great alternative to marrying elsewhere than the colonies and Lyle would be quirky enough to do it. Thank you for the compliment, I try my best to research history for this story to fit the AC timeline. Given the time period, the whole town was definitely going 'finally' for the twenty-one year olds and the two were mature enough not to tie the knot too early with their hectic lifestyles. It's safe to say that Caroline is the dominant one for smexy times and they can finally do something past kissing and holding hands in prudish colonial times. Haytham will be hilariously shocked by the marriage because he initially thinks they're just shacking up in the captain's cabin. Living on the same both will test the father-son patience but in classic Haytham fashion, he'll chastise him for not knowing about the wedding while offering a housewarming gift, haha.
Next Chapter Excerpt:
Ratonhnhaké:ton and Caroline scouted the southern road for a lead in the search for Church. Keeping away from the road within the forest, the couple used their tracking skills to find imprints in the snow and disturbed areas for leads while using the dried trees for cover. Travel during wintertime was not easy on the body and although a harsh winter had struck Valley Forge, the two persevered. Ratonhnhaké:ton was accustomed to the harsh elements since childhood while Caroline had adapted to the winters in the forest. Her new attire was far more equipped for the freezing temperatures than her navigator's attire, especially when burrowing her fingers into the snow for clues. Unfortunately, she kept her androgynous naval attire to keep up with her disguise but threw on a warm wolf pelt for warmth in the elements. Her husband would likely nag her within the hour since he kept eyeing her chattering teeth and she was close to ditching her male disguise for cozy warmth.
Eventually, their trail led them to an abandoned church and the rickety old skeleton of its remains gave Caroline pause. It would be an odd joke to find a man named Church in a church. Ratonhnhaké:ton raised his hand to let her know that he would head in first and she withheld a sigh to his gentlemanly nature. Nodding with reluctance, she would cover his back and turned around to study the silent forest shrouded in snow. With Caroline covering their rear, he entered the empty church to investigate if there were remains of supplies, caravans, or clues to Church.
What he didn't expect was for the ceiling to creak and a heavy force to bring him down upon the floor. Who was waiting for him? Was it Church? The back of his head struck the wooden floor but he paid the pain no mind, raising his hands towards the assailant's neck to protect his own. He expected to greet a Loyalist, even a Templar in disguise, but not. . .
"Father" he greeted coldly to the familiar face on the opposite side that had eluded him since 1776. The man had visited his nightmares after their first meeting in Bridewell Prison but seeing him face-to-face was both jarring and infuriating. Achilles had warned him that his father would have decades of experience and for the briefest of seconds, took notice of it- given his current situation.
Haytham, on the other hand, showed no recognition in meeting him again and simply uttered, "Connor. Any last words?"
Any expectation of kindness went out the window when Haytham extended his hidden blade and Ratonhnhaké:ton replied, "Wait."
This was the boy that his Templar forces kept dying over? The one who failed to look in all corners, up and down, to catch any hidden enemies? Haytham was boggled to the assassin's naivety, even if it was his son, and narrowed his eyes to chastise him, "A poor choice."
A gunshot echoed in the air, breaking the two from their intense glaring match, but Haytham kept a firm grasp on the other man's collar. Caroline bounded up to them after hearing their scuffle from her guarding point, aiming her pistol at the man's head. Her blue eyes narrowed dangerously at the man holding her husband captive and ordered coldly, "Choose your next words very carefully."
Ratonhnhaké:ton took this chance to wrench free from his father to stand up while Haytham thinned his lips to being outnumbered. Sure, he could kill them both to eliminate his enemies but he needed information first. Despite his son's piercing glare, he could find a way to make him valuable to avoid needless slaughter. His companion in the darker attire, however, had a colder edge to the eyes so he would have to kill both or none. He decided to take the easy route for now and play nice by usurping control of the conversation from the younger duo.
His wild child, however, only added fuel to the smoldering fire of their reunion by demanding, "Come to check up on Church? Make sure he'd stolen enough for your British brothers?"
For the first time, Ratonhnhaké:ton had the Templar Grandmaster alone without his henchmen. He had the upper hand by having his wife present but it was also a risk to place her in a fight against a man with more experience. Haytham, however, blew their assumptions of the Templar Order out of the frigid Atlantic Ocean by snapping curtly, "Benjamin Church is no brother of mine. No more than the Redcoats or their idiot king. I expected naiveté but this..."
He waved a hand in his son's direction with disappointed dismay to emphasize his aversion to his childish thinking. Ratonhnhaké:ton fought the urge to stab Haytham's hand or punch the man for minimalizing him over a simple question. What had the Assassins been teaching his misguided son? He wasn't a fan of the Loyalists but his goals for order aligned with that group temporarily. Refusing to be labelled as a villain bent on destruction, he chastised his son by correcting sternly, "The Templars do not fight for the crown. We seek the same as you, boy! Freedom. Justice. Independence."
Caroline was unsettled by how familiar the latter words sounded after spending hours in the manor's library reading historical books. She had never met a Templar face-to-face and remembered this man being part of her husband's wrongful imprisonment. At the same time, he was the same person who had covertly assisted in freeing him which confused her. Like her husband, she would seek peace when compromise was possible and raised her hand to speak up, "Wait a darn minute. . ."
Ratonhnhaké:ton matched her confused expression, not trusting his father in the slightest, and hesitated, "But . . ."
Haytham raised his eyebrows with a piercing look in his eyes that made the two feel like small children. While Caroline took a step back to create space, her husband decreased the personal space to the perceived threat. She didn't want the two to break into a fight but the older man didn't help when he chided sarcastically, "Hmmm! But what?"
Thank you for reading!