Shore Leave
4 April 1778
The Aquila had left the humid and warm Caribbean climate behind and entered a more tolerable drier climate once they passed North Carolina. Their trip north was largely uneventful with only two more small naval skirmishes that left their enemies sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Luckily, no Templars were on their tail after their activities down south. The lack of either Templar or Assassin antagonism allowed Ratonhnhaké:ton and Haytham to reach a decent stalemate. Caroline was happy to see the two communicating without resorting to arguing but kept an eye on her father-in-law just in case.
Haytham began to dwell on the possibility of peace, blaming his son's helpful nature. Why couldn't he be more of an asshole and be driven by self-serving impulse? No, then he would be filled with shame as a father. His son was an idealistic optimist against a world set against him, wielding the best qualities of himself and Ziio. His own dreams of peace were dashed by harsh reality and human nature but their son continued in his effort, undaunted by the challenges set forth. It was admirable in a way but the downfall that came with failure could also be his undoing.
For Ratonhnhaké:ton, the decreased grumpiness and scathing remarks from his father was an improvement. Dry sarcasm was his recent employ in his arsenal to nag him as a parent and it was preferable to the former. They were now tolerating each other onboard the Aquila and as long as the enemy wasn't a Templar, Haytham kept his criticisms to a minimum. Caroline was almost inclined to joke that he found their stash of booze to subdue his true nature but she was not one to rock a boat. Whatever helped the two get along without bringing harm to her husband, she would vote for it.
Unfortunately, that meant catering to their Templar relative when they approached the colony of Virginia. Apparently, he owned a homestead not far from the coastal city of Chesapeake to make travel easier from a central hub to either north or south. Haytham played off the port visit as a chance to restock on supplies since the Aquila had been speeding ahead with all her might to return home to Massachusetts. Ratonhnhaké:ton was, of course, highly skeptical of his sudden request for a detour but he also remembered his ravenous appetite for store-bought merchandise. Caroline agreed to the quick stop, reasoning that she could mail a letter home in the hope that it would arrive in Boston before they did. This was the longest period she had ever been from home and she hoped to allay any concerns from her family.
With the Aquila safely docked in the last outer spots for a quick getaway, the crew set out to restock ammunition, medicine, and food. Robert was left in charge and he happily inhaled the cooler sea air, enjoying the lively port. The shift of the jungle and island terrain for the forest and mountain scenery was a welcome sight for the old sailor. Ratonhnhaké:ton was seized away by his father, under the premise of grocery shopping, while Caroline quietly followed the two with her letter in hand. All she needed was a post office, nothing more.
Surprisingly, Haytham agreed to visit the post office first to finish the couple's only errand. The building was tinier than Boston's, making Caroline think twice about the delivery safety of her letter. Haytham assured her it was worse on the outside than the inside and the trio treaded inside to send it off. The lighting inside the small shack was even dimmer and the empty office didn't strike confidence in Caroline. The front office was so small that the three fit the entire space against the wooden counter. A skinny middle-aged man hobbled around, looking twice his age from his hunched position. Could he even fit in his own office? Clearing her throat, she raised her voice to draw his attention, "Good morning. I'd like to send a letter to Boston, Massachusetts."
The older man turned around and the kind smile aimed at her was quickly wiped away when he saw her husband. Her hopes for an open-minded person were dashed and she sighed hopelessly under her breath. She didn't want the first interaction in the port to be negative towards him. Ratonhnhaké:ton tensed to being the center of attention unintentionally and wasn't surprised when the man hollered heatedly, "We don't serve your kind here - git!"
Caroline glared with offense at the man because her husband hadn't even spoken. What gave him the right to judge him by appearance? Slapping her right hand on the counter, she shot back coldly, "He's not doing anything! You can't blame a man for simply existing."
The man pointed to the door repeatedly to get them out and he declared, "I can deny service to whoever-"
Haytham knew the in and out's of the coastal city, being familiar with the good and the bad of society. He weaved between the couple to command the entire counter, yanking Caroline's letter, and pushing the two behind him. The two were still forming their responding arguments to the incensed postman when Haytham scowled at the man. The useless lump of human flesh shriveled under his stern gaze and he threatened with a calm voice, "I will burn down this rubbish of a post office to the ground if you don't send this. You're quite aware of who I am."
"Y-y-yes, sir" he stammered weakly in submission and meekly took the leader, promptly shuffling away to the back of the office.
"Good" Haytham called out to ensure he knew who he was trifling with and that he couldn't escape into the shadows. He knew how to find people and get what he wanted or destroy them mercilessly. Having his son insulted did not settle well with him at all but he subdued the small voice that desired to destroy the shack of a post office. Ushering the surprised couple out the door, he reminded the likely frightening man with another threat, "I will know if it's not delivered and I will return. You will not like what I unleash."
Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton exited the small shack, wincing at the horrible creaking of the wooden door. Did it not receive maintenance? Caroline debated on whether to demand her letter back and mail it from Maryland instead but Haytham emerged from the shack. Hopefully, he hadn't killed the barking man.
Clapping his hands, he looked to the two with enthusiasm and asked, "Right then, shall we be off?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton was inclined to thank his father for the help but he had learned he wasn't the type to accept thank you's. He was more agreeable to action rather than words. In return for that strange and unexpected kindness, he decided to grant his father's wish to visit whichever stores he wanted. It would likely drive him crazy but it was a token of sincerity. Still, he didn't hesitate to mutter flatly, "We're not visiting a bar after your grocery shopping."
Haytham surprised them by turning around to return to the cobblestone road. Instead of heading east to the market district, he headed west to the business and travel district. He was aware of their quizzical looks behind his shoulder and he told them casually, "We're doing neither."
"Then are we good to go back?" Caroline asked uncertainty about what their agenda was now since they expected a shopping trip. Frankly, she didn't mind a short trip to buy a few knick-knacks for home. What did he have planned? Were they about to get involved in some weird Templar business again?
"No, you two are invited to my home for the weekend while your shipmates are free to do as they wish" he revealed cheerfully without input from the couple, who quickly glanced at each other with mystified horror. What strings were attached to this mysterious invite? Ratonhnhaké:ton felt like a fish out of water to the odd request but his father made it sound mandatory as always. The Templar waved a hand in afterthought to the Aquila's crew to offer half-heartedly, "Swim in the ocean, sleep in a ditch-"
"Mr. Kenway" Caroline intervened flatly with a warning because the crew was like family. She would never leave them to suffer the harsh elements or run into unintentional trouble.
He was aware the two weren't fans of sudden surprises and their shaky relationship could make them bolt. They didn't exactly need to have him onboard the Aquila anymore but his son's promise to get him to New York was appreciated. If he were a lesser man or cunning one, he would ditch him then and there. Yet, he remained true to his word. He wanted to extend an olive branch of his own to spend time with the boy away from that cell of a ship and pointed out, "I figured since we're trying to aim for peace, opening my home is a start."
His words had the opposite effect when his son jabbed a finger at him and declared, "I knew it! You're trying to gain access to Davenport."
Haytham's enthusiastic expression fell flat to the accusation and he reminded dryly about his intel, "Connor, I already know where it is. It would do me no good to simply barge in and kill everyone. Where's the fun in that?"
His last comment earned him scathing glares from the couple and he raised both hands peacefully in silent apology. Ratonhnhaké:ton had never been away from the Aquila for more than a few hours, finding the thought of leaving his ship rather difficult. He didn't know this colony or the people, which had already given him a rude welcome. Wringing his hands, he admitted uncertainly about leaving his temporary home, "Everything I have is at the Aquila. Besides, I need to tell the crew to have shore leave."
Caroline caught her husband's nonverbal behavior and voiced her concern directly to back him up, "Also, to let them know of a potential kidnapping if we don't return."
They drove a hard bargain to agree to the trip but he understood their wariness. Months prior, they were all trying to kill each other in the snowy fields of Valley Forge. Now, he was willingly inviting them to his homestead. Why was he trying to dig himself into emotional torture by spending more time with the boy? He was crazy for doing this but he didn't want to waste time that he'd already missed with him. He hadn't visited the place in over a year but he had maintenance crew to keep it clean. . . or so, he hoped. For once, he conceded to their request to earn their agreement and sighed airily, "Fine, but clothes can easily be supplied at my homestead."
Haytham turned sharply on his heel with haste to return to the Aquila, if only to leave it behind for the weekend. He could finally have actual human-grade food for safe consumption in his home. Maybe he could lure the couple into the Templar Order if he played his cards right- no, no, he was going to keep it cordial. His son was likely wondering if he had ulterior motives but for once, he tossed that idea out the window. He would have more time when he returned to New York but in the meantime, he could use this time to explore what being a father was all about. It would be a messy stumble but he was willing to try.
Caroline gripped her husband's right forearm, walking close to him for strength in numbers, and whispered, "Are you finding this both intriguing and terrifying?"
"No, I'm saving that for when we actually arrive there" he answered reluctantly to what awaited them and why they were agreeing in the first place. This was the first time his father was trying to be nice, which was incredibly strange, and decided to keep his vigilance. He did feel safer having his wife beside him but danger could also shroud her life by being with him on this trip.
Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton felt entirely out of their element since they were both rural people with humble origins. The vibrant forest and its endless borders were the childhood playground of Ratonhnhaké:ton while Caroline roamed the forest by lakes and rivers during her youth. They were not city dwellers, sharing the sentiment of being outsiders, and they felt the same that day. Despite they arrived in a seaport city, Haytham's private estate dwelled in the rural outskirts. The couple expected to walk to a fancy wooden home in the city but they were pleasantly surprised to hear they would be closer to nature than the port. Ratonhnhaké:ton did have a moment of hesitation at being far from the Aquila and in an unknown place outside the city but Haytham assured nothing ill would occur.
The two felt out of place when Haytham paid for a private carriage to transfer them to the estate. Caroline, being familiar with the wooden wagons for travel, had never experienced such a luxury. The palms of her hands kept brushing over the plush fabric seating, entranced by the rarity of such a feature. Her husband, on the other hand, kept his arms crossed while scrutinizing every corner of the carriage. He was accustomed to riding horses and driving a wagon rather than taking a backseat in fancy transportation. Haytham, however, was more than happy to be back to his old element and a sense of normalcy for a man of his standing.
Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't determine what his father planned from this trip. Was it another attempt to indoctrinate him? Ambush him? Or actually try to bond with him as a father? He didn't know which of the three was worse. The longer they spent time together, the more he couldn't understand his father's tug-of-war with his warm and cold temperament. For Caroline, she hoped that Haytham was finally breaking through that detached barrier to meet his son halfway on the trail to peace. She didn't want him to endure more heartbreak but her husband was a strong man.
The two didn't peg Haytham as an outdoor enthusiast and their departure from the city into the outskirts was mind-boggling. When dense forest covered the dusty trail and they left the cobblestone roads, Ratonhnhaké:ton's instinct told him to run. His father couldn't be the type to enjoy nature or tolerate the natural elements, given his daily nagging onboard the Aquila. Caroline stayed put as curiosity prodded her with every gentle bump of the carriage alongside the road. The journey briefly reminded her of the first trip to Davenport so many years ago, given the mystery behind the property.
Her husband was not as optimistic, leaning over to whisper in her right ear, "This will be the last road we ever travel."
She tried not to dwell on negative thoughts, mainly to keep herself sane and decrease his uncertainty. Given that Haytham was ridiculously calm and reading a novel, she assumed he wasn't planning their demise. Or at least, she hoped so. He could be calm one second and shoot you in the following one. The trees eventually cleared to reveal clear pastures that were open to the emerald hills and blue cloudless sky on the horizon. The forest became a background against the beautiful pastures whose grass was separated only by the dirt roads that led to the city. Instead of cabins littering the hills like back home, she spotted two-story homes that were intricately decorated to match the homes of the city. They were similar to the construct of Mr. Davenport's manor and Caroline knew she was in a fancier rural setting than her home.
The nicely painted homes brightened the emerald fields and she shot her husband a comforting smile to soothe, "It's a gorgeous road though."
"Don't praise our potential tomb" he whispered suspiciously because he did not believe his father lived this far from the city. Given his education level, state of dress, and demands of sophisticated living didn't match up to a home in a quiet field. His father was always close to the cities so why would he choose a homestead out here? He didn't want to risk his wife's safety and each passing minute on the road removed any form of help from his crew. They would be alone on their own for the weekend with a dangerous Templar, in the middle of nowhere.
"You're the one who agreed to this" his wife reminded him matter-of-factly because she could have gone either way. Haytham clearly wanted the trip to happen, leading her husband to cave in with reluctant agreement. There was no blame in her gentle-hearted partner for choosing to meet his father halfway. For the first time, it was the Templar who was attempting the opportunity to bond.
Ratonhnhaké:ton eyed the green pastures with suspicion to their picturesque deception and told her, "Back when I believed it would be closer to the port."
"You're aware I can hear you both, correct?" Haytham chided the two bluntly to their childish bickering of whether he would kill them by nightfall. In the beginning, he might have probed the possibility but time dulled that initial impulsiveness as time passed. He originally saw his son as an idealistic and naïve young man but there was an iron-clad resolve that he couldn't dent. No matter what scathing words or tense situations he endured, he persevered. For once, he wasn't ashamed to call him his child.
"Why are you bringing us here?" his son asked with distrust, wondering why he was so open to bringing them to his home. He wasn't accustomed to anyone inviting him into their private home, except for the people of Davenport. People would sooner throw him out than open the door in other places. His father was the last person he expected to ask him and Ratonhnhaké:ton had given up hope that a semblance of family was possible. It would not be the type of relationship that his wife had with her father or even himself with Godfrey but it would be something. Was that better than nothing?
Haytham lowered his book briefly to peek over the top with a dull expression, pointing out succinctly, "To spend time as a family, simple as that."
"Not murder us and claim Templar dominance?" Caroline offered cheekily to offer her husband's worst-case scenario. They had been in sticky binds before within more dangerous environments and a Templar trap would only keep their skills sharp. Besides, what was one more battle to add to their trip list?
"I could but laying such an obvious trap is not in my repertoire" Haytham agreed nonchalantly to his original plan of either chasing him out of the Assassins or allowing his execution. He had not quit on the former, mainly to knock sense into him to protect his family, but he refused to kill him. After saving his life in Bridewell Prison, the time spent onboard the Aquila kept driving a wedge in the desire to kill him for the sake of the Templar Order. If he sought peace, then he would meet him halfway. This trip would be one olive branch towards that goal and he encouraged the couple with a witty smile, "Relax and enjoy a weekend away from your hectic lives."
"That makes me even more suspicious of you" his son replied coolly to his sudden shift in personality after disembarking the Aquila. Why was he suddenly eager to open his home to him? Wasn't he more than ready to cut his throat months ago? What brought this strange change of heart?
For the first time, Haytham had nothing to hide from him and it was rather freeing. He didn't have any qualms to settle, no missions to oversee, or deal with his subordinates. It was a small sliver of peace that fell into his hands and he took that chance to share it with the continuation of his bloodline. Despite his insistence to not be a Kenway, he begrudgingly respected his choice and remarked with a suggestion, "I would think you of all people would appreciate the quaint nature of Virginia."
"Do you think I spend my free time climbing trees and singing to animals?," was the tart reply of his stubborn son, an offended glare set in his eyes.
"I don't know what you do which is exactly why this trip is needed" Haytham chastised snippily to his tightlipped resistance to share tidbits of his life. He wasn't asking for the entire book of his life story but sharing a hobby or two would be nice. Caroline struggled between sighing in dismay and snorting in amusement to their useless bickering. There was no true fluff or sharpness in it anymore which pleased her. Haytham motioned to the glass windows of the carriage and ordered the couple, "Now, pipe down and enjoy the view."
The couple expected a moderately-sized home for one person but they faced a two-story manor that was larger than Achilles'. Caroline couldn't even see the back of the home when peeking over a corner while Ratonhnhaké:ton wondered how much land his father acquired. Their homestead could have been swallowed within the manor they approached, making them feel even tinier. The grounds were faithfully maintained with perfectly trimmed grass that the couple wondered if it took an entire team to keep it that way. Two small pine trees rested beside the columns that supported the second-story balcony of the stark white home. Unlike Davenport manor which was made of brick, Haytham's was constructed of solid hardwood which impressed the inner lumberjack in Caroline.
"Welcome to my homestead" Haytham informed the two as he strode up the steps to the front door, which opened promptly at his presence. Ratonhnhaké:ton almost wondered if he created foul magic to cause such a reaction until he realized that there was a maid behind the door. Caroline rested her hand on his right forearm to calm his inner turmoil at catching his suspicious gaze. The inside of the home was impeccably clean with hardwood furniture detailed with jewel-toned fabrics, which she found absolutely luxurious. Large landscape paintings decorated the main hall and the wall of the staircase to the second level. Ratonhnhaké:ton felt entirely out of his element with the posh home that exuded no warmth unlike his mentor's. He could never live in such a place without worrying about breaking something. Haytham scrutinized the condition of the floor, deeming it decent, and remarked simply, "Not much of a home but it's suitable."
The young blond maid, dressed in a humbling blue dress, held out her right hand for their belongings. Ratonhnhaké:ton held the strap of his travel pack even tighter, stepping back with caution to the potential threat of theft. His wife stepped forward to offer a kind smile to the baffled maid and she replied, "We can carry our packs, thank you."
The maid nodded politely for the intervention, returning to her post by the right banister of the stairs across them. The redhead couldn't help but whistle softly to the fancy glass chandelier above their heads and pointed out, "This is a mansion, how is it not a home?"
Haytham had prompt justification for it, given his solitary and wandering nature, and explained, "Homes are made by the people living within them to make memories, a life. Being empty, it is simply a matchbox."
"Can't argue with that" Ratonhnhaké:ton agreed reluctantly to his comparison because a tiny home full of love was worth more than a mansion void of it. Was there an underlying meaning to his words? Did he regret not taking a different choice in life? Was his life so completely enmeshed with the Templar ideal that there was no other option for him?
"You're free to explore but the staff can show you to your room" Haytham instructed the couple to let them wander free since he had nothing malevolent to hide. His private home really didn't have much stored aside from books and fancy paintings. If the enemy discovered the location, it would yield them nothing. Any important paperwork was kept in his office at his New York rental where he coordinated the Templar Order.
The maid perked up to having a job to do and she ushered the two upstairs with a gentle wave of the hand. Ratonhnhaké:ton followed promptly to escape his father but his wife lingered on the bottom steps. Didn't she want to escape with him? Why was she interested in asking more questions? Caroline, on the other hand, ignored her husband's pleading look to flee and asked his father, "You have permanent staff here?"
"No, just a maintenance skeleton crew" he replied casually because he wanted to keep a neat home and maintain a lived-in appearance. The last thing he sought was to have it robbed and ransacked while he was away. He didn't want to give his son any crazy ideas about breaking in one day and quickly corrected, "They will usually fetch temporary help during my stays."
Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't trust his open-door policy for them, slowly creeping up the stairs, and eyed him suspiciously to ask, "You're letting us stay here with no restrictions?"
"Only one rule, don't wake me at sunrise" he warned sternly because he deserved a weekend to sleep in and not hear a ruckus from sailors waking up. That, and enjoy decent sleeping arrangements for once that weren't a tiny closet. Not to mention, an actual bath without being disrupted in a shared washroom. He would be able to enjoy a hot and fresh breakfast after sunrise, stressing one important fact about himself, "I am not the country type."
"We don't choose to get up at sunrise, we have to in order to manage chores" Caroline pointed out flatly to the heavy work required to maintain a homestead. Their livestock required food and being led into the grazing fields while the stables and chicken coop were cleaned out. Firewood needed chopping, water needed to be collected, and meals prepped alongside the usual house cleaning. With winter rolling in during their first month of marriage, clearing snow every morning was important to have access to the town. Being a childless couple, it was easier to tend to their land but she couldn't help and joke dryly, "We have a thing we like called eating and survival."
Haytham had a quick remedy for that problem and pointed to his son to suggest casually, "Have your husband hire a maid."
"Do I look like I can afford a maid?" Ratonhnhaké:ton questioned sharply to his humble origins because a majority of his savings were spent on their homestead and the Aquila. Caroline's extra income helped sustain their daily expenses while he recuperated their savings with the income from his trade business. The general store was also a big hit with the town for goods from the city to avoid time away from home. He and Caroline were private people so maids and servants were not part of their lifestyle. His wife would not allow anyone to oversee the care of her own home and he respected that because he was not keen on a stranger perusing through their belongings.
"Maybe, you switch outfits often enough to make me wonder" his father replied sarcastically to his varied attire during missions and smirked at his instant frown.
"And you make me wonder how you have this sizable home and one change of clothing" he retorted defensively for having his fashion style critiqued by his father of all people. He explored through varied terrain which required appropriate attire to avoid illness. Had his father even traveled in the wilderness before reuniting with him? Honestly, he was more pampered than he first expected.
Caroline cut through their glaring match by clearing her throat and waving a hand between them to beckon, "Gentlemen, if we may proceed."
Turning to the maid, she smiled warmly and introduced herself, "Good afternoon, I'm Caroline and this is my husband, Connor."
"Welcome, I'm Lucy" she answered amicably with a polite nod to the new houseguests. Haytham motioned for the maid to carry onwards and her footsteps echoed hastily up the stairs. He didn't pay for chitchat but work.
Adjusting the canvas backpack over her shoulder, Caroline followed the maid with a peppy smile aimed towards her husband as he stood beside her. She tried not to snort when he leaned over to whisper with conviction, "My father's planning something."
"Are you sure?" she asked uncertainly, wondering if they were being lured into a trap. Frankly, she expected something like indoctrination after failing to fall to his mind tricks. Did he think a fancy getaway to the countryside would lure them to the enemy's side? Or would they be able to find peace for both sides?
"He's far too agreeable not to be" he answered bluntly to his strangely cheerful demeanor upon arriving. His father wasn't the peppy or delightful type, being more stoic and ranging on the snarky side. Caroline chuckled softly to his skepticism, linking her arm through his to close the gap to the housemaid.
"Your room will be upstairs, farthest room to the left" Haytham called out as he followed the trio at a leisurely slow pace. He wasn't eager to walk to the second story and trusted his staff to take care of keeping his guests comfortable. He was not the hosting type but he remembered his parents doing so for visitors at their estate during his childhood. He would never have a lively home like theirs but he could at least offer a room to his son after everything they faced down south.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Lucy motioned for them to turn left towards the southern wing of the manor. The walls of the second level were painted a comforting pale blue but the walls were barren, aside from glass lanterns hanging beside each doorway. There were at least two rooms at each side of the sizable home and Ratonhnhaké:ton glanced down to where his father leaned against the banister. Haytham would end his walk there and his son accused with an amused tone, "Leaving us at the far end for a silent attack?"
"I am not orchestrating your pitiful demise" he scoffed derisively to such a weak revenge plot for an enemy. He had learned to be a merciful killer when needed but he preferred the quick and prompt ending to avoid wasting time. Having to remove stubborn bloodstains from the floor and carpeting would be terribly long and he had no time for that. Now, if he felt kind enough to spare an enemy, he would ensure that they remembered him with lasting wounds- whether physical or psychological. Months ago, he wouldn't have hesitated to shoot his naïve child with a crippling wound but circumstances forced them together. Now, he hesitated to pull that trigger without attempting a compromise.
Shaking those stubborn thoughts from his mind, he descended the stairs to leave the couple to settle in. This would be the first time they would be under the same roof and though a flicker of uncertainty struck for his estranged child, he decided to be optimistic. Time had not been kind to either of them but he could offer a semblance of a family after the years of trauma that affected his son. It would not atone for his years as an absent father but he hoped it showed that he wasn't entirely heartless. His Templar instinct called him a traitor immediately but it was a complicated situation. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he called out to them, "You're free to unpack and explore, I shall be reacquainting myself with a brandy."
The kind maid turned the doorknob to the last door at the end of the wing and opened it for the confused couple. They were still coming to term with staying overnight at the Templar leader's home. Ratonhnhaké:ton wouldn't be surprised to a tiny room in revenge or being kept away like a bad secret. Most colonial men would vehemently deny fathering children with natives and the suffering party would always be the mother and child. Although he had lost his mother and grew up amongst his clan, Haytham didn't exactly deny his existence. Despite how much his ideals for peace between both orders irked him, he didn't insult him for simply existing. Rather, he insulted him more for being an Assassin. It was strange and it made him wonder if Haytham really didn't know about him until a few years prior.
A gasp from Caroline pulled him away from his contemplation and he saw her enter their room with a perky smile. He followed her inside and immediately understood her reaction by the large size of the bedroom. It was more than twice the size of their own and it was decorated with fine dark furniture that lined three of the walls. The bed was the classic canopy shape, its drapes a pearly white made of fine fabric, while a desk and dressers filled the room. Caroline was impressed by the large rectangular glass windows as two lined the left wall, sunlight peering through the reflective glass. Blue linen curtains were pulled back to bathe the room in light for a new day.
"This room is humongous" Caroline chuckled sheepishly to the fancy room which outmatched the décor of Davenport manor. It was too pretty for her to touch anything out of fear of ruining something. Her footsteps echoed in the large room as she walked to a nearby chair to deposit her travel bag into it. Ratonhnhaké:ton scrutinized the room for anything out of place and made a mental note to investigate every corner for trap doors or spying holes within the walls. His wife, on the other hand, was delighted by their lodgings and sighed softly, "It's larger than our main room."
"You have a private washroom through that door" Lucy informed quietly about the accessibility of the room, pointing across the room. Caroline wondered if it would be sizable as well, given the bedrooms of the manor. It felt surreal to be in such a place and though she wanted to feel fully comfortable, she never did when staying in a home that wasn't her own or her family's. They would both have to keep their eyes open and senses sharp for any funny business. The maid pointed toward the windows to explain carefully, "You can access the stables through the west wing door and the back door leads to the forest and hills beyond the property. Enjoy your stay."
She turned around to exit the bedroom, turning right to return to the staircase. Silence filled the room and the adjacent hallway, further reminding the two that they were alone for the weekend. Ratonhnhaké:ton wanted to relax for the first time in months but having his father lurk under the same roof wasn't particularly comforting. It only added another layer of insecurity. Caroline, on the other hand, had one thing in mind and she yawned aloud to murmur sleepily with glee, "I will be reacquainting myself with a hot bath."
The long trip to the islands and back to the colonies demanded a long bath as compensation. The extensive hours on the crow's nest left her skin needing a quench that only a bathtub could provide, not the measly sponge-baths in a washroom. She stretched her arms over her head with a relaxing sigh to stay positive about their weekend stay. Fear and suspicion would not drive her, at least for the next hour, and she walked to the open doorway.
"What am I supposed to do in this chasm of a home?" Ratonhnhaké:ton called out helplessly to finding amusement in a lonely manor with only his father for company. He highly doubted the staff would entertain and abandon their daily duties, especially for a man like his father. Now that he was married, he grew accustomed to having Caroline beside him and struggled with what to do. Back in Davenport, he would have countless activities but here . . . it was dreadful. Crossing his arms, he muttered under his breath pensively, "I suppose I could spy on my father-"
"Join me?" she intervened with an alternative suggestion, quirking her left eyebrow with a sly smile. The inviting opportunity to enjoy a hot bath in a private washroom after months of being onboard the Aquila would not be wasted. She flicked her thumb towards the washroom with an impish grin and began walking backward to show she meant business. Ratonhnhaké:ton decided not to prowl around the property, for now, and followed his wife for a much needed reprieve with a bath.
Caroline had slipped into a simple blue dress and white shawl to peruse through the estate. After the warm bath with fresh water, she brushed out all the knots in her hair to braid it neatly into a bun. Her husband changed into civilian attire at her request but kept his hidden blades and pistol on for any sudden danger. The two were curious to wander the grounds and explore one of the trails that led into the forest behind the estate. They would treat it as a quick date for themselves after having little time onboard the Aquila for months. As a newlywed couple, Ratonhnhaké:ton hoped to offer a better start to their marriage but his father decided to throw a log onto that road.
The two had almost reached the back door when Haytham's voice demanded from the kitchen area, "Where are you going?"
Ratonhnhaké:ton motioned for them to escape through the door before they were discovered. Caroline stifled a laugh at his desperate expression and shook her head before turning around to head towards the kitchen. She didn't want to give the Templar more ammunition against them by sneaking out and waved for her husband to follow. Ratonhnhaké:ton groaned miserably to having freedom torn from his grasp and hung his head helplessly to follow her into the kitchen.
Unlike their quaint dining area and kitchen that was joined to their humble main room, his father's rooms were separated by walls. It was a forced separation that removed warmth from the home, unlike theirs that invited visitors to mingle in the joined rooms. Only their bedrooms and study were separate to signify their privacy. The kitchen was set aside on its own with wooden cabinets that decorated the entire wall with a scenic window placed in the center that peered out towards the forest. The fireplace used for cooking emitted white smoke from recent use, which spiked their curiosity. The maid was nowhere to be seen but Ratonhnhaké:ton paid it no mind to inform his father simply, "Out."
Haytham wiped his hands on a white washcloth before throwing it over his left shoulder, crossing his arms, to question, "Why?"
"Beautiful day, the great outdoors" Caroline replied easily since she gathered from earlier than he wanted them to wander about. Whether it was to familiarize them with the area or keep them out of his hair, she didn't know. What she did notice was an array of porcelain plates over the wooden counter and silverware sitting inside a wooden tray. She had never seen porcelain plates in use, hoping to one day eat from one or better yet, purchase her own set of fine china.
Was he planning a meal? Given that he lived alone, she found the extra plates strange. She exchanged a glance with her husband to let him know of that oddity. Ratonhnhaké:ton knew he would regret inquiring into his strange habits, he asked flatly, "What are you doing?"
Haytham grabbed the plates and cutlery to exit the kitchen towards the dining room, prompting the two to follow. Ratonhnhaké:ton knew his chances of a quiet romantic walk were quickly being tossed out the window. Haytham began to set three places at the rectangular dining room, which was decorated beautifully with vases set with fresh bright wildflowers. Caroline wanted to touch the beautifully embroidered burgundy tablecloth but her father-in-law answered proudly, "Dinner. What does it look like?"
"We were thinking of exploring the area?" Ratonhnhaké:ton offered halfheartedly to their original plans for a private walk. He had no idea what the weekend had in store for them but he wasn't going to sit around twiddling his thumbs. Dinner was the last thing on his mind, given that he and Caroline could fetch it, but his father clearly was not approving of that choice.
Haytham didn't stop from setting the table himself, which the two found odd, and he stressed firmly, "I am trying to get to know my family better."
Ratonhnhaké:ton was not inspired to believe that claim, especially with him setting the table. He would have called shenanigans like Samuel had Haytham not called his maid at that point to serve their meal. The sound of faint sweeping stopped and heels clacked over the floor as she approached the dining room. Ratonhnhaké:ton glanced down at the fine china set neatly before him, narrowing his eyes at the hot food, and declared, "This sounds like a trap-"
"I made a roast" Haytham interjected sharply to his culinary masterpiece, given the short timing. Sure, his maid was kind enough to offer recipe tidbits, given that he lacked a decent chef, but he worked hard for it. Who knew how much work an outside oven could be? He had to toss his clothes and change into new attire, deciding on a calming blue to settle his skeptical son.
With that said, he grabbed the silver platter holding the roast to place it at the head of the table carefully. He wouldn't allow anyone but himself to handle it after toiling for hours. The maid decided to focus on transferring the rest of the food into respective platters and bowls. Her boss had thankfully listened and gone simple with crispy potato wedges and sauteed vegetables from the season's garden. Otherwise, she would have to keep peering over the man's shoulder to ensure he didn't burn down the manor.
She kept a straight face when placing the platters on the tablet and hearing her boss' son question with skepticism, "Is that what caused the oven fire outside?"
Haytham's face darkened at facing his first failed attempt at making a roast. He was not great in the kitchen despite being a bachelor and regrettably, listened to his employee. Otherwise, he would have about five burnt and useless roasts. His son didn't need to know all that annoying fuss and he grasped his cloth napkin to fiddle with it, muttering offhandedly, "No, that was the first attempt."
Ratonhnhaké:ton had seen a smoke trail earlier from his room and expecting the worse, began to repack until Caroline informed him it was an oven. They figured the staff was trying to smoke meat for storage or burning incriminating evidence. He was in unfamiliar territory, even more so by being indoors, and he remarked dryly, "I'm even more compelled to explore-"
"Sit down, I refuse to let the roast go to waste" he ordered the couple to begin their dinner instead of having them fly the coop. Their paranoia would not be solidifying into truth anytime soon and he shot them a reprimanding glare for trying to wriggle free. Granted, he was springing this onto them at the last minute but he slaved for hours on that roast! He refused to have useless leftovers that would spoil and let the natural outdoors that his son was so keen on win. Pointing to the hot roast waiting to be eaten, he questioned sarcastically, "Can't a father gift a meal to his child?"
"Not if it's to poison me" his son shot back suspiciously with a frown aimed at his hard-earned creation.
Caroline smoothed down her fluffy pink skirt from behind before sitting down on the second seat down the right side. She left the first seat for her husband to take but Ratonhnhaké:ton hesitated on accepting the gesture of hospitality. They had gotten used to sharing meals sometimes on the Aquila in the dining area but this was different. Their lives were intersected during their search for Church but now, they were no longer bound for a shared mission. Grasping the back of the chair, he narrowed his gaze at his father and inquired, "You're really pushing the roast - is it poisoned?"
"No, I'm rather proud of it" Haytham shot back crossly after toiling with the oven to make sure the meat was neither over nor undercooked. He refused to hear anything negative against his best masterpiece thus far. The back of his mind prodded him for making such a ridiculous fuss over his son but after enduring horrible food for months, he desired fresh and hot food. There was no doubt that the couple likely sought the same and he advised them with extreme calmness, "Now, we will sit down and enjoy a family meal."
Caroline's eyes darted between the quiet maid in the far corner and Haytham, wondering if she was dreaming. The day had been surprisingly normal with no chaos or sudden danger. She was not used to this after being out at sea for months and blamed her instinct to be naturally on guard for danger. Leaning back in her chair, she shared her husband's skeptical glance and asked, "Really?"
Haytham refrained from throwing his napkin at them, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture, and declared, "Yes, is that so hard to believe?"
"You were trying to kill me just a few months ago" Ratonhnhaké:ton pointed out simply, cautiously sitting down in the seat beside his father. He was not comfortable being inside the cavernous but empty mansion with him, given that they were meant to be enemies. His talks for cooperating and peace had been rebuffed so it was only logical for him to think he was being lured into a trap.
His father scoffed at killing an enemy with a fine meal and entertained himself by placing his napkin over his lap. Haytham found it easier to convince the redhead than his wayward son, motioning for the maid to begin serving them. Caroline shrunk slightly in her seat, blushing bashfully for the upscale treatment, and tried to pacify her humble origins by serving herself a glass of water. Lucy, however, was accustomed to her work duties and promptly began piling well-defined portions of each platter onto every plate. Ratonhnhaké:ton didn't trust any of the food before him despite its enticing tendrils of steam and Haytham chided, "A roast like this is too good of a last meal."
"Should we leave you alone with the roast?" Caroline joked awkwardly to deviate the conversation away from death talks. The poor maid would seriously wonder about their mental status at that rate.
Haytham shook his head vehemently to her audacious comment and pointed to the large roast to deny, "I can't eat this bovine deliciousness alone."
Caroline grabbed the cloth napkin, running her fingertips over the finely embroidered edges that held red and brown stitching. She and her siblings had none of that growing up, using a water bowl with a little ball of soap for cleaning their hands until after dinner. Now, people in the country were using old linen strips for half-decent napkins and rewashing them. Studying the fine china and crystal, she blinked rapidly to the rare dining experience and she stated meekly, "This is a little upscale for our taste."
"I don't eat like this every day but today is an exception" he reasoned with a simple shrug of the shoulders because he worked for a certain comfortable lifestyle. Now, he didn't want to be waited on hand and foot due to his independent nature. However, he wasn't capable of tending to a large home by himself when he was away on business. Living inside homes with staff during his childhood accustomed him to such luxuries but his son and his wife were the opposite. Like Ziio, they lived tightly enmeshed with the nature around them for survival. Guilt bothered him for the first time at having his own child struggling to survive, especially at knowing he left his village to take down the Templars. If he'd known and been in the colonies back then, could life have changed for the better?
Ratonhnhaké:ton leaned forward in his seat, locking his gaze with Haytham, and stated firmly, "I'm not eating until you eat that roast."
"It's not poisoned, you oaf" he chastised swiftly and picked up his fork to bite into his slice of the roast. For further emphasis, he cut two more slices from the beef roast to place them on his plate. He would not be eating anything poisonous in food because it was far easier to slip it into wine or beer. However, neither his son nor his wife were targets for elimination that day. He circled his fork over his food, a cocky smirk forming on his lips, and he teased, "See? Absolutely fine."
Ratonhnhaké:ton relented on accusing his father of poisoning them and grabbed his glass of water to sip it. Given that his wife had drunk the water, he wouldn't let her become sick if something insidious was in it. Caroline smiled at her husband before poking at her potatoes to begin nibbling on them. She fell prey to the delicious butter used and tried not to appear ravenous since they hadn't eaten since morning. He prodded at the fresh salad after lacking fresh food for months at sea and tried to detect any bitter taste of poison against the sweet dressing over the lettuce.
Haytham didn't expect the table to fall into complete silence and demanded incredulously, "Why are you suddenly silent? This isn't a cemetery."
"We have no idea what to talk about" Ratonhnhaké:ton replied bluntly because he had nothing new to relate. After being stuck onboard a ship for months and hours on end, there really wasn't much to divulge. They didn't share much in common either so conjuring topics for conversation was more work that he'd rather ignore for inspecting their dinner meal. Was he wrong for distrusting his father? He didn't want to waste an opportunity but he felt pulled across the 'trust-don't trust' line constantly.
Haytham decided to throw them a bone as a kind gesture and asked casually, "Is the room satisfactory?"
The cavernous room was more than enough to fit an entire family, making the couple feel tiny in their shared bed. Caroline did appreciate the privacy by being at the end of the hall while he wasn't keen on the large windows overlooking their bed. His wife was doing her best to meet his father halfway so he would try the same, deciding to test his luck on him. Releasing a small sigh under his breath, he replied calmly about their bedding arrangement, "We've been living on a ship for months so yes."
Caroline took the daring step to bite into the slice of beef, which caused her husband to intensively stare at her for it, and she chewed the piece carefully. He wouldn't put it past his father to not want to poison her with food while Haytham hoped she didn't spit it out for over seasoning. Both son and father were quiet while she chewed her bite thoroughly, swallowing it quietly. Noticing the two men watching her intently, she blushed instantly for the unwanted attention and chuckled sheepishly, "That isn't bad at all."
"I would take offense to that if I hadn't horribly burnt the first" Haytham stated freely about his rusty cooking skills but appreciated her willingness to try his food. His son, on the other hand, hesitated on biting into the slice until Caroline nudged him on the right side. Not wanting to leave her alone with the questionable roast, he finally bit into his slice and found it surprisingly decent. Being invited to the home was strange enough but having a homecooked meal was even rarer.
He didn't know what to think about his father's intentions but decided to drop his suspicions for the night. It became weary to be on a defensive stance all day and listlessly poked at his food. His wife, on the other hand, threw caution out the window after seeing Haytham eat his meal without a problem. At seeing the situation contained and his guests were appeased with their dinner, Haytham motioned for Lucy to retreat momentarily. The blond skittered off hastily towards the main hall and disappeared with a soft clack of her heels.
Caroline marveled at the beautifully furnished dining room, imagining such lavish rooms from her childhood stories. Martha would always regale her with tales of the upper class and her dreams to see or work in such beautiful homes. Although her eyesight was bombarded by beauty, it was not fitting for what she called home. She could see the same reflecting off the eyes of her husband as he bit uncertainly into the beef roast, still questioning its authenticity. Her peripheral vision caught onto sudden movement from the large window in the adjacent kitchen.
The sun had already set an hour prior, leaving the sky in its shrouding navy blanket, and preventing a hike now. A walk around the estate had been possible until she noticed the obscured humanoid figures in the western side of the estate. Curious about the movement outside, she pointed her fork in the direction of the stables and asked, "Did you invite guests?"
Haytham returned a confused expression to her query because only his staff and the couple were the only ones meant to be on the homestead. He had not informed anyone of his plans, given his ongoing trip onboard the Aquila and lack of prompt messengers. Ratonhnhaké:ton took their perplexed glances as a sign of deceit on Haytham's part and jabbed his empty fork in his direction with accusation, "I knew this was a trap!"
"I am at a loss as much as you are!" he shot back heatedly to proclaim his innocence because he really did not expect visitors. His estate had enough distance from neighbors that he wouldn't be bothered and the snow would soon begin to thaw in the mountains. However, he was nowhere near that area by living in the rural outskirts of the coastal port. The outdoor staff left before sunset while the household staff held quarters for overnight stays. Not having visual access to a window, he asked quickly, "What exactly did you see?"
"People darting towards the stables" she assumed from the direction of the movement against the darkness. Her left hand pointed in the direction of the kitchen where she spotted the nighttime wanderers and watched her father-in-law's eyes narrow. Her husband, however, was not wowed by the revelation and continued eating listlessly.
Haytham, on the other hand, did not like this at all and called loudly over his shoulder, "Lucy, we have unauthorized visitors."
As soon as he said this, the couple heard bullets being loaded into a gun and Ratonhnhaké:ton stopped eating his food. Weapons were not meant to be part of a meal and cautiously, he questioned, "Was that a rifle being cocked?"
Tossing his napkin onto the tablet, Haytham abandoned his aromatic dinner behind to investigate the matter. He did not invite anyone and being in the rural outskirts, neighbors were far and few in between. Ratonhnhaké:ton stiffened when he saw a pistol drawn from underneath the table while Caroline admired and feared his cleverness at hiding weapons. Jabbing the gun in the direction of the kitchen, he declared with annoyance, "I do not tolerate trespassers."
With that said, he left his seat to retreat to the rear exit of the house that she and her husband had previously tried escaping from. The two shared an uncertain look about the whole situation, especially when Lucy dashed into the dining room and out to the back with a shotgun in her hands. Were they about to be in a dangerous situation? Ratonhnhaké:ton wasn't really surprised by it, wishing he kept something on his person that was a projectile.
"Are we going to lend a hand?" Caroline whispered quietly, hearing the back door squeak as it was opened, while the rest of the house fell into silence. This is why she loved small homes, there weren't many places to hide and you didn't feel tiny.
Her husband pointed to his meal before taking a bite of his potatoes, stating casually, "I'm partial to eating dinner."
Caroline shot him a skeptical look for his sudden nonchalance against his father. He was not the kind of man that would leave others defenseless, even if it was Haytham. Ratonhnhaké:ton took one last bite of his sliced beef before sighing aloud with regret, "Fine, I cannot say no to you."
The sight awaiting them outside was not what they expected. Instead of seeing armed and dangerously experienced enemies that wanted Haytham dead, Ratonhnhaké:ton simply stared in bafflement at a small ragtag team of five townsfolk. They had made their way in the direction of the stables until Haytham and Lucy accosted them, shooting into the air to make them think twice. In their haste to help, Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton had quickly retrieved their weapons before running across the yard. While Haytham carried a lantern to guide their path, the enemy carried torches that weren't taken kindly by the homesteader. Torches were even more dangerous in rural areas and he would not be losing any part of his property to thieves.
One of the lurking men that were trying to outrun Haytham looked familiar and Caroline called out ahead, "Is that the man from the post office?"
"Is he trying to set the stable on fire?" Ratonhnhaké:ton questioned since they had made a beeline for it. The torches in their hands didn't take a genius to assume what they planned. His concern was for the livestock inside rather than his father's property.
Haytham shot off two rounds into the air, uncaring to whether he did strike them, and shouted angrily, "You backward country toads!"
He couldn't determine what their plan was since they were stumbling around in the dark rather pitifully. Had they come over in a drunken stupor? Were they there to try to intimidate him or actually cause harm? He would not be tolerating any drunken silliness at this hour, especially with family present. This was the first time he was trying to find common ground with his son, who was now staring at all of them rather awkwardly. Surely, he wasn't lumping him in with those fools?! He was truly trying his best to turn a new leaf!
The quartet kept close quarters to the trespassers, who appeared weaponless, but Haytham wasn't shy about using them as target practice. Lucy was more cautious in her shots, taking the second position to protect the couple behind her. The men's torches were dangerous against the walls of the stables, briefly touching the wooden exterior, and Haytham demanded, "What do you want?"
"We'll teach you to insult our post office!", was the annoyingly smartass reply he received from the inebriated men. Was alcohol and barging into private properties the only hobby in the port town? Why did this have to happen now versus other times where he was home alone and could simply shoot them dead?
Caroline couldn't believe their immaturity to an insult and asked incredulously, "You came all this way for that?"
Haytham and the others were flabbergasted when the old mailman croaked proudly, "No, we're going to steal your horses!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton couldn't believe the strange turn of events and debated on simply tackling the inebriated men. They had not displayed any weapons, aside from their blabbing mouths, and didn't have a specific path into the barn. For one thing, they ran past the locked doors when they noticed their approach and ran to the rear side. Had he really left dinner for this? A curious question burned in his mind suddenly and he asked bluntly, "Why did you choose Virginia for a homestead instead of New York?"
Haytham hated being questioned about his life decisions and after kicking one of the drunks on the butt, he shot back, "I was lulled by the ethereal green beauty that hid the absolute ignorance of mankind!"
"There's ignorance everywhere, Mr. Kenway" Caroline reasoned flatly because her husband had faced discrimination at almost every place they traveled. He worried over telling mere strangers they were married out of fear that she'd be hurt. It was clear that no matter where they went, such people would exist. She didn't want that future for her children as well, wishing racial equality was real rather than a fleeting dream. Crossing her arms, she glared at the bumbling intruders to mutter darkly, "It's times like this I wish I owned a shotgun."
Ratonhnhaké:ton glanced at her with a knowing look for her affinity for guns and stated frankly, "You really are like your mother."
Haytham decided to end the tomfoolery and kicked aside one man that was still scrambling to find balance. Making his way through the drunken row, he yanked them away from the stable and a punch to the face jerked them all back to reality. Their inebriated bravado began to wither at realizing that all four people before them held weapons aimed at them while they held torches. Before they tried to raise them in an attempt to scare them, Haytham yelled angrily, "Get your bloody arse off my property or I'll skin you myself!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton shot at the grass in front of the men's feet to get them moving away from the property. Otherwise, his father might shoot them dead. He wasn't a patient man, especially after witnessing his trigger finger back in Valley Forge. Before he could threaten the men, Lucy began firing her shotgun in their direction and yelled protectively, "Our guests . . . are trying . . . to dine!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton blinked awkwardly to her loyalty on protecting the homestead and turned to his father to state, "I see why you hired her."
"She's fabulous against unwanted visitors" Haytham agreed proudly to his satisfactory staff because he wouldn't hesitate to sack them if they failed. So far, only Lucy stuck around the longest.
The frightened men lost their fading flame of courage against the riflewoman, running off into the darkness in the direction of the road. Lucy kept discharging her weapon at the hapless men, hoping a nearby bear would run them off even further. With winter on its last cusp before the spring thaw, predators would begin to wake. For now, however, the residents of the manor had a cold dinner to finish.
"Shall we return to dinner?" Haytham proposed calmly, a tight smile on his lips as he restrained his annoyance at the interruption. Caroline and Ratonhnhaké:ton shared a glance when he pointed the pistol in the manor's direction. Was that an invite or an order?
Their gazes were soon snatched away by a bright flame that began to flicker ahead of them. One of the men had dropped the torches onto the grass, which was now creating a small fire on the dewy grass. The moisture in the air wouldn't cause an instant blaze like it would in the western lands but they needed to put it out promptly. Lucy placed the barrel of her rifle on her right shoulder and sighed to another task at hand, "I'll take care of the fire, sir."
Ratonhnhaké:ton peered out the large scenic window of his room to the empty gardens of his father's estate. The moonlight illuminated the isolated petite wildflowers that were peeking out from the grass. The thawing of the snow was now propelling new life to burst forth across the hills and he wondered if the summers matched those of Davenport's blanket of flowers that stretched for miles. Turning briefly from his observations (which were also surveying for any suspicious activity), he glanced over his right shoulder to mutter flatly, "I can't believe I'm spending my twenty-second year of life on my estranged father's homestead."
Caroline was gathered at the private desk in the room, setting down a white china plate on the dark wood, and smiled sympathetically, "Could've been worse."
"How?" he questioned with a soft laugh to her relaxed tone, wondering how she could be so casual about the entire day. He expected an attack from his father's henchmen, not random drunken townspeople that disliked Haytham. Most people didn't have the guts to do so and he had helped him get rid of the troublemakers. Nothing better for some father-son bonding.
"We could have been sleeping in a shack instead of this room" she reasoned easily, turning around to approach her husband by the window. His quiet and low-tone façade told her that he was vigilant about danger from outside. Did that mean that he was finally trusting the inside that sheltered his father? Her hands swept over his broad shoulders to squeeze the tense muscles and joked idly, "Or actual murder."
"I'm still holding my breath on the latter" he replied dryly to that twist, particularly during the night when they were most vulnerable. He had already slid the dresser in front of the door to prevent any secret visits and thwart any ill intent. She pulled him away from the window, leaning her weight against him as a counterbalance, and embraced him from behind. He relaxed immediately to her affection and smiled fondly at his wife for the endless support.
"Let's make the best of your birthday tonight" she whispered sweetly, kissing the nape of his neck, and looping her left arm through his right. Drawing him towards the opposite side of the room, she had a plan in store for her beloved husband. He had been tense from the moment they left the port and it was time that he enjoyed the last hours of the evening. There was ample reason to enjoy today and she aimed to provide him with a normal semblance of happiness on the day he was born. His roots were a family tragedy but their story would fare better and she smiled brightly, "Given that your father lurks somewhere in this mansion while the odd rural folk have been dealt with, you and I can spend some time together."
Her fingers tapped across his chest, stopping at his collarbone, and he smiled at her subtle charm, "Really?"
"Yes, I managed to sneak into the beautiful but poorly abandoned kitchen to bake a cake" she informed him cheerfully and motioned to the desk that she had previously tended to. The china plate contained a flour cake of cinnamon and molasses with freshly cut fruit decorating the top. She had secretly foraged through the gardens for the precious fruit instead of leaving the poor cake bare or using dry fruit. In a fancy house like Haytham's, she was pleased to find dry ingredients that only required mixing. Creating a light glossy frost from powdered sugar and water over heat finished off the simple but pretty cake for her best friend. He deserved the world for being the best husband and a fine captain to their crew, not wondering whether his own father sought his demise. Flashing him a smile, she motioned to the cake with happy emphasis and reminded astutely, "I promised you a sweet cake for your birthday, no matter where we were, and I aim to keep it."
Their last celebration had been new year's dinner at her parents' home and she kept him cozy with hot cider and a fur pelt. For him, that was more than enough and he didn't need more than her presence. He didn't have to wander through life alone anymore and wonder if anyone would continuously watch over him. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, he met her gaze with warm affection and sighed softly to her hard work, "Caroline-"
"You're my best friend and deserve a gift for your pure heart" she interjected matter-of-factly because he would always feel guilty for making her waste hours on a cake. Despite its deliciousness, he didn't want her adding more work to her daily ongoings. Even if they weren't working their early hours with chores now, she deserved a rest. Caroline, however, sought to make up for his years of loneliness with her love and she stated firmly, "As my husband, it is the least a wife can do to show her sentiment."
He chuckled softly to her straight shoulders and raised chin in defiance to his complaint. She loved him in a way nobody else had and he treasured her for both that love and endless friendship. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he doted fondly, "Having you with me is enough."
"Charmer" she chided with blushing cheeks, still tickled into a giggling fit when he complimented her. She hoped that never faded along the years and if fights ever did erupt, that they would end swiftly. Her thumbs brushed over his freckled cheeks before she leaned over to kiss his lips with a smile. After the strange encounter in the evening with the townsfolk, he deserved a homemade dessert. Threading her fingers into his onyx hair, she smiled tenderly to remark, "Despite all the pain in your life, I am grateful for you. My life would not be the same without you and it would be a painfully lonely existence. You are everything to me."
She knew how to melt his heart and at that hour of the night, it soothed all tension in his body. Only she could calm his mind, flutter his heart, and draw his fingers to outline each curve of her. As for Caroline, he was her blanket of safety, her sense of home, and the man who understood every fiber of her being. He drew her in for a heated kiss for her kind words, clutching her tightly by the waist.
"You are the best part of my life, I'm very glad to have met your father on that cold winter morning" he whispered gratefully for her unwavering loyalty, happy that his kindness to strangers was repaid in a lifelong friend. Loneliness crept easily during trying times and he remembered the worst times were in 1775 without her and their tumultuous period in the summer of 1776. Without her, he would have walked his journey in stoic solitude. The joy he saw in her eyes whenever they reunited was a spark that failed to leave now that they were married. They were each other's light in the darkness and he admitted solemnly, "I have learned my life is not meant to be a peaceful one but I will seize every moment I can to have those small moments."
Her eyes darted between him and the cake sitting on the desk, her lips shifting into a sly smirk to chirp, "Like right now?"
With the second level being completely silent, they could have a night solely to themselves. There wasn't a single creaky floorboard or voices in the distance. He didn't really care where his father lurked, focusing on his marriage instead. The cake she worked on demanded to be eaten and he would not disappoint it, glancing at his wife with an amused smile, "Precisely."
His father's home was the last place he would consider romantic but he would meet his wife halfway. They were in private now with their bedroom door barricaded to thwart intruders and the windows were sealed as well. Caroline winked at him for the subtle charm and grabbed the kitchen knife lying beside the plate to begin cutting neat slices. Ratonhnhaké:ton watched her hum softly while placing two plump slices onto a dessert plate and holding it out to him. She didn't want to dirty too many dishes to avoid suspicion and he glanced down at the light brown cake.
Birthdays were not celebrated among his tribe, only milestones of aging, but colonial life was quite different. His wife would become flustered when he tried to reciprocate with her day of birth but she insisted on celebrating his. He didn't need for her to make up for his miserable years before their lives intersected and pointed out softly, "Choosing to be my wife, regardless of the opposition we will face, was the happiest moment of my life. I don't need my birthdays celebrated as long as I have you, my beloved."
Caroline said nothing, smiling coyly in return before grasping one of the cake slices to hold it up to his lips. She would not stop her delicious treats on his birthday, alternating between different desserts to feed his sweet tooth. Holidays and special occasions were all they had for such delights so she'd stick to it. Besides, she would distract his bashfulness over it with a fine meal and passionate night. Smiling fondly at her spouse, she doted, "I love you too."
By his next birthday, he would be rejoicing even more with the new addition of their dear firstborn daughter.
16 April 1778
The Aquila arrived in New York City's harbor in the afternoon to conclude their shared partnership with Haytham. The expected simple trip down south for a month or so turned out much longer and twisted their animosity into tolerance. Ratonhnhaké:ton was filled with uncertainty because there was a sliver of hope that his father could compromise. However, their respective returns to their hometowns worried him that Haytham would fall into old habits and see him as a naïve idealist again. Caroline reminded him that a person's true colors eventually surfaced and to prepare himself for the worst-case scenario. She didn't want him disappointed yet again by having his dreams ridiculed.
Robert and the sailors, however, were more than happy to bid their mortal enemy goodbye. Ratonhnhaké:ton had politely shooed his first officer away when he offered him his flask of brandy in joy to his impending leave. Caroline simply hoped for a painless and peaceful goodbye that didn't involve explosions or townspeople with torches. She accompanied her husband to the docks to drop off his father for support and protection. Home had been promised and she refused to fall into more side missions.
Haytham carried nothing on his person, aside from his weapons, just as he had on arrival onboard the Aquila. He was not the type to enjoy reminiscing or having keepsakes to avoid emotional ties to anyone.
Ratonhnhaké:ton tried to think of a decent farewell to the man that had been his enemy at the start and now, he was begrudgingly a tolerable man. He hoped the same could be said for himself in his father's eyes. Crossing his arms, he briefly glanced at his frigate before stating aloud, "That was quite the adventure."
"Naval fights, explosions, shootouts, and family bonding all wrapped in a neat little package" his wife cheered brightly with raised hands to maintain a peppy atmosphere that wouldn't invite negativity. The busy docks at noontime further emphasized her point and added a shield of protection from public attacks if Haytham decided to betray them. For once, though, she didn't believe that would happen. It appeared both sides had grown to understand or at least, tolerate the other.
"Thank you for keeping your word" Haytham spoke honestly because he would have stabbed his enemy at the quickest opening for a swift end. His son being the number one contender on the hit list didn't help, unfortunately. He wouldn't be entertaining thoughts on filicide anymore and would look to a brighter tomorrow . . . that would end with his son on his side.
Ratonhnhaké:ton was not great with goodbyes, hoping his father wouldn't be rampaging through New York killing his associates. He hoped that he was staying there for a reason other than trying to force him onto the Templar side. He didn't know where the future would take them as father and son but achieving peace on both sides was his dream. He would remain cordial with him for future collaboration and hesitated, "I . . . where will you go from here?"
"I have a place in town and am quite overdue to check-in with my officers" Haytham answered frankly to resuming his duties as Grandmaster and returning to city life. He was constantly on the move so the hustle and bustle of the city soothed him, unlike his son. He was very much like his mother by seeking the solitude of the forest and respected it. If his son kept his ragtag team of misfits under control, he would steer his own clear of him. Offering an olive branch of peace, he spoke nonchalantly to inform them, "I will be here for quite a bit if you need to find me."
Caroline held back a smile to the suggestion while Ratonhnhaké:ton wondered if he heard right. He wasn't kicking him to the curb to never see him again? Had their time together served a greater purpose in the end? Keeping his voice calm and collected, he asked simply, "Are you offering another partnership?"
Haytham shrugged casually to maintain a neutral stance on the outside but he mulled over it internally. Many had tried to bridge a compromise on both sides but all ended in tragedy. However, none had shared bloodlines during that struggle. Could they be the first to forge a new path? Releasing a halfhearted sigh, he spoke firmly to knock any ideas of heroism aside, "If this bridge to peace is the only one way to keep you alive and my Order intact, then I will listen to your suggestions. I will not refrain from scolding silly ideas though."
"But you are willing to try" Ratonhnhaké:ton replied earnestly to translate his words and Haytham nodded stiffly. He wouldn't grin in victory over the man but he was grateful that he was open to meeting him halfway. It was likely not an easy feat for a man like his father so he would count himself lucky for it.
"I knew being onboard that matchbox of a vessel would infect me" his father muttered bitterly under his breath, crossing his arms huffily. Who knew that under the dirt, weapons, and dangerous skill set, that his son and his partner were tolerable people. They did not act under false pretenses, bringing an honest grit in the wild frontier to survive and mark a better path for others. It would not be easy for them but he truly sympathized with their idealistic hopes, mainly because he knew that one day they would branch a family. A family that he didn't want to destroy.
"We might be on opposite sides but we can forge a new road" Ratonhnhaké:ton assured him of the chance they could work together without killing each other. They had survived for months onboard the Aquila and despite the few hiccups on that road, they came out unscathed. Now that they were back on dry land and headed to their safe havens, both sides would have time to dwell on the new opportunity. He could be the first to breach the tangled web of antagonism between both factions and spoke optimistically, "Dismantle everything and start anew."
Haytham quickly raised his right hand to stop another speech from spouting and stated bluntly, "Let's not get hasty, Rome wasn't built in a day."
"Nor was it taken down in one" Ratonhnhaké:ton shot back knowingly to prove he didn't hold naïve notions that it would happen overnight. The entire war for independence that raged between an empire and a rising nation was proof of that. Unlike the warring bodies, he and his father were falling into a stalemate but the question was whether it would last. Nodding respectfully to the Templar, he bid him farewell for the time being, "Goodbye, father."
He wouldn't keep them from their route home and returned the nod to excuse himself, "Goodbye, Connor. Mrs. Burnett."
"We'll see you around, Mr. Kenway" Caroline promised with a friendly smile because her husband would eventually cross paths with him. She wouldn't let him wander alone anymore to dangerous places, even if it was a simple town. The end of their journey certainly ended on better terms than their beginning and she held hope that the end of their long road would end well.
Haytham turned around to weave himself within the bustling crowd, disappearing within seconds. The couple gave him credit for not letting his skills slip and Caroline chuckled softly that the apple didn't fall far from the tree when glancing at her husband. It was time to return home but the small semblance of a family from the leftover pieces had given Ratonhnhaké:ton hope for the future. For now, that was enough.
Before boarding the Aquila to return, Caroline lured her husband for last minute shopping to buy goods for the town. After being away for months, she wanted to bring back a few small goodies for their loved ones. The entire town never failed in kindness and camaraderie, which made the couple eager to reunite with them. With spring around the corner, new fabrics would be out for the season and she wanted to bring a few yards for her siblings. While she shopped for textiles, her husband wandered the general store next door.
Exiting the store with a lumpy bundle of goodies in her arms, she descended the wooden steps to return to the cobblestone road. The motion caused the topmost folded fabric, a pretty pale pink, to almost spill over and fall onto the ground. Breathing a sigh of relief that her fabrics were safe, she turned left to await her husband outside the general store. Her happiness at returning home was short-lived within a few steps down the road when she met an old face.
"Clara."
A sour sense of resentment flooded her to the woman that threatened her friendship with Ratonhnhaké:ton. She had not changed physically in the past two years, apart from an impeccable appearance now that she was in the city. Caroline no longer felt self-conscious about her own ambiguous naval outfit or questioned her femininity. The passing years had only served to strengthen her confidence and refused to let anyone see her as lesser. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance when the other woman raised her chin haughtily to address her, "Carrie."
Can't even say my name right or is it intentional?, she thought with annoyance to the nicely dressed woman. Her navy dress carried its fluffy bell-shape and beautiful pale blue embroidery around the hem of the skirt and neckline. Caroline could see that she was painfully shrewd as ever by the amused glint in her gray eyes.
"What are you doing in New York?" she purred slyly to seeing the country girl in the middle of a bustling city. Her lack of a dress and male navy attire were a fashion tragedy but the redhead refused basic advice. Clara preferred to believe she never visited Davenport, apart from her brother's ignorance to stay behind but leave her with the family store. Of course, her father still owned it but she would now receive the business as an inheritance.
Caroline plastered a polite smile onto her face and replied simply, "Oh, just an errand."
"It must be a breath of fresh air for you" she remarked with delight to the organized structure of the city and its architecture. The outskirts held nothing but dangerous forests, dirty roads, and dilapidated appearing buildings. She couldn't imagine why on earth her brother decided to remain behind.
"Not after visiting the beautiful islands down south" she replied calmly, trying not to let her slight affect her. It appeared that her time on the Aquila and bearing Haytham's sharp tongue increased her tolerance against insults. She had nothing to fear from the woman and Clara's pettiness would only speak ill of her, something she refused to partake in. Caroline cared little about insults but rather, she became focused on one particular fact. A tight smile crept onto her lips and she began casually, "I've been in the company of a Templar and did I hear the darndest thing about you."
Clara stilled at the word Templar, trying her best to appear confused, but Caroline caught the subtle change. Now, she held the upper hand against the woman who tormented her for an entire summer and she stated firmly, "All this time I thought you were a pesky visitor but it turns out you were an intentional pest on their behalf. You must know what Assassins do to infestations in their home town."
With that said, she shifted the weight of the fabrics into her left arm to tuck them at her side. Her right hand outstretched and the silver metal of the hidden blade unsheathed silently, the metal glinting from the sunlight overhead. Clara took one step back immediately at realizing the redhead wasn't simply a civilian with weapon knowledge. She was a dangerous adversary who was well aware of who she was.
She raised her hands peacefully to keep a distance from the blade wielding woman and quickly blurted, "Carrie, let's not be hasty. I haven't done anything wrong."
The redhead shook her head coldly to that error of perspective and corrected swiftly, "On the contrary, you betrayed the trust the town put in you."
She advanced on the woman without thinking twice about her pathetic excuses, especially with the roadside being completely empty. Her stubborn streak demanded revenge for what Clara put her through but her logical mind reminded her that violence wasn't the answer. Ending someone's life was a serious decision and she didn't want to be responsible for killing Walter's sister. She may not like the woman but she respected her kind brother-in-law. The pitiful reply stopped her in her tracks when she pleaded weakly, "Don't hurt me, I'll do whatever you want. I'm harmless!"
"You will do one thing" Caroline ordered, raising her right hand to emphasize the hidden blade. Clara's gray eyes stayed locked on the sharp weapon for any sudden movement. The redhead wanted the woman out of her life for the safety of her town and husband. Ratonhnhaké:ton already lived a dangerous life and she wouldn't allow an unknown variable that could hurt him wander freely within New York. She pointed the hidden blade at her, using it as a makeshift wagging finger, and stressed her suggestion, "You will request a transfer to either the southern colonies or England and you will dwell there for the rest of your days. I hear Virginia's quite nice."
"New York is my home-" she interjected shrilly to leaving her beloved city, clenching her fists in disbelief.
"You should have thought of that before infiltrating my town" Caroline cut her off coldly because the town trusted Clara and she deceived them all. They never got along, namely because of Ratonhnhaké:ton's attention, but the Millers didn't deserve to have a granddaughter visit only to undertake a secret mission. Davenport protected each resident and having one in its fold betray them was downright despicable. Her eyes narrowed defensively to leaving her unchecked within the Templars and stated firmly, "Anyone who enters with ill will leaves with more than a broken limb. I will eliminate any threat to my town."
Clara didn't want to leave the city for a new place where she knew nobody. What was the point of inhering the store if she relinquished her entire life? Then again, she rather liked living. Had a Templar outed her in a revenge ploy? Chuckling awkwardly, she tried to reason with the redhead, "We're practically family now-"
"I have enough Templars in my family tree, thank you" Caroline muttered dryly to the strange family tree that she and her husband created. After a strange weekend at Haytham's homestead, she didn't need more drama from Clara. She wanted a smooth sailing straight home to reunite with her loved ones. With everything they had encountered over the months, she and Ratonhnhaké:ton deserved a stress-free trip. The hidden blade retreated under her leather gauntlet and she pointed her finger at her to threaten, "If I or my colleagues ever see you in the northern colonies, you will be executed."
Ratonhnhaké:ton exited the general store with a crate of purchased goods for their friends and family. He spotted his wife glaring down a dark-haired woman, instantly striking his concern. She wasn't the type to intentionally find trouble and he broke into the tense standoff, his eyes widening at spotting the familiar raven-haired woman.
"Clara?" he blurted nervously at remembering the tempestuous arguments between himself and Caroline over her. He promised that he would never mention or try to be in her vicinity ever again. However, he didn't count on accidentally cross her on the street. Gripping his crate, he didn't know whether to duck back inside the store or turn around and walk straight to the Aquila.
The woman's eyes narrowed with amusement to the one man that failed to bend to her will and she crossed her arms to gloat, "I see you two are still tied at the hip."
"Your meddling was a mere cog in the wheel" Caroline stated tightly to her pestering that absorbed most of his time, keeping him away from the town. She had not skirted around the topic, being direct to avoid hurting him with the truth. Thankfully, all of that had resolved cleanly and they had surfaced stronger from it.
Clara couldn't help but push their buttons with her skill set and mocked with a confident smirk, "I almost broke that wheel, didn't I?"
"We are aware of what you are" Ratonhnhaké:ton accused swiftly because he would not be falling into more ploys for the Templars. Did his father know about her wandering the area? Was this coincidental? He decided to believe his father after being onboard the Aquila for the past few days. Besides, he had given them the information about her rather freely. His shoulders relaxed somewhat to that fact and he admitted aloud, "Frankly, I am relieved you're a Templar agent because I was not remotely interested in courting you."
Caroline stifled a laugh at her shocked face to his remark, happy that he had chosen her. She could only wonder about the wagon wreck of that relationship, especially when it was a deceitful one. They were lucky in escaping the snake in their Davenport grass and would not entertain the woman anymore. Caroline snapped her fingers before pointing them down the road opposite of where their path headed and recommended, "I would take this as my cue to leave and never return."
Clara would not be arguing with two people set against her, especially when they knew her secret. Turning around, she took off hastily down the street to leave the couple alone. Caroline hoped this was the last of their interactions and that she would heed her warning. She would not tolerate threats to her family and Ratonhnhaké:ton shot her a sympathetic smile, "I am also quite relieved you didn't throttle her in broad daylight."
She chuckled softly to her overprotective drive but she hadn't expected to meet someone troublesome from their past. Her eye remained trained on the retreating woman's back to ensure she was leaving. She did envy her gorgeous attire but that was it. Sighing aloud, she squeezed her fabric rolls against her chest and muttered embarrassedly, "The temptation was there."
Ratonhnhaké:ton shifted the crate under his right arm, wrapping his left around her shoulders. She smiled immediately for the display of affection, leaning into his frame with blushing cheeks. At seeing his action did the trick to cheer her up, he reminded her gently, "Let's go home, Caroline."
A/N: Apologies for the late chapter but life became quite hectic for me this month with my clinic rotation (and prepping for my next specialty in January) and everyone around me falling ill (even myself, ha). Anyway, an end has come to the trip down south for the father-son duo but this won't be the last we see of Haytham. I wanted to write a glimpse of Haytham trying to parent but unfortunately, it blew up in his face with his growing enemies. Still, it was fun to write Connor's neverending skepticism of the poisoned roast. The more I write this story, the more I'm reminded that it is very familly-centered as the core theme with Connor trying to find his place in the world and the overall meaning of his life. It's a theme that will continue when his children are born and grow up to form their own lives and undertake their own adventures. As our couple returns to Davenport in the next chapter, they will eventually cross paths with Haytham to begin the next set of missions that will ultimately break the two (which really sucks).
Thank you for my last chapter reviewers, I appreciate the feedback!
East Coast Captain: Thank you for that info on Jennie, Connor won't be traveling much once he kills Lee in order to raise his family and watch over the Order's growth. Cora, however, will be a traveler like her grandfather, Haytham, by traveling across the Atlantic to explore Europe while Charlotte takes after her parents, heading west into the wild frontier instead. Their younger two will be more than happy to stay put beside their parents, however.
iHateFridays: Haha, thank you. Now that she is traveling beside Connor and an Assassin, her confidence needs to be firm unlike her younger teen years. She is definitely the peacemaker and comic relief when it comes to the father-son feuding.
danelleprae: I loved your comment, I laughed for a good while. Haytham is indeed an intriguing but terrifying person if you do him wrong.
taylor115: Caroline shifted from a close friend to a very protective wife so she will always have Connor's back. While her family is wholesome with love, he was not as lucky so she will always encase him in a bubble of love. They're ridiculously sweet that I can't wait to type out the chapters with their first baby.
Next Chapter Excerpt:
Caroline latched on to the first person that opened the door, which happened to be Amelia. The shorter redhead squeaked in surprise to the red blur flying at her but once she recognized the happy laughter of her older sister, she returned the hug happily. Now that they lived separately, she missed the company sorely and having her away on trips made the weeks even longer. Their time together was spent on a morning walk to the school and weekly dinners were all they had when she was free. Amelia managed to open the door fully, dragging her sister inside with her right arm, while waving her brother-in-law inside with the other.
Ratonhnhaké:ton was not surprised by the open display of affection and walked into the Burnett home. The small cabin was a haven of warmth and love upon entering, a trait that never changed despite the years. They were all growing older but the bonds of family never changed. He walked on eggshells around his father for most of their time together but he never felt that with the Burnetts. With the evening upon them in a few hours, Catherine was already at work by the fireplace to make dinner.
"We're back, Mrs. Burnett" he spoke up politely to announce their presence and the redhead jumped back away from the fire. She had expected one of the neighbors at the door asking for sugar or eggs, not her children. Dropping her wooden spoon in the bubbling pot of chicken stock, she left the fireplace while calling for her littlest redhead. She smoothed her powder blue skirt to tidy up quickly before walking over to hug him with a warm smile. He was quite lucky to have a maternal figure in his life, apart from his beloved mother, who never left his side.
"I'm so glad to see you both safe" she sighed happily to their good health and noticing no new scars or bruises. After the first month, she began to worry until receiving a letter from Caroline that alleviated the motherly concern. Communication was a rarity for families that were colonies or a sea apart but she appreciated the sparse letters from her daughter. Releasing Ratonhnhaké:ton, she hobbled over to switch with Amelia to hug her oldest child. Now that all of her children were home in Davenport, she could rest easy at night. Caroline clutched her mother tightly and chuckled when her mother piped up excitedly, "I just received your letter from Virginia. Wasn't expecting you back just yet."
"We will never speak of Virginia" Ratonhnhaké:ton told his wife to the strangest adventure in his career. Caroline, on the other hand, still ranked the creepy mansion from the Bahamas as number one. He barely slept a few hours during their stay at his father's homestead, mainly because he worried the townsfolk would return. His wife, on the other hand, slept on through while snuggled up against him. That part, he didn't mind.
Catherine had no idea what he meant but her daughter laughed aloud, telling her with glee, "You won't believe the story we'll tell you."
Before she could regale the women with their tale of adventure, Ratonhnhaké:ton broke in to state frankly without enthusiasm, "We met my father, which led to a partnership in chasing a culprit to the islands down south, all onboard the Aquila on a roundtrip."
"Spoilsport" she sighed dramatically at being stopped from strolling through memory lane but respect it. After all, he had dealt with a lot of emotional unpacking which was not easy to handle with a father that chided you more than halfway through the trip. She winked at him to let him know she would follow his lead since this was his burden to bear. Turning to her mother, she inquired eagerly, "Is boban still at the mill?"
"He'll be home, orders are switching from firewood to foundation beams with spring coming in" she replied perkily to the nonstop orders that kept their mill running smoothly and put food on the table. With Caroline living on her own and being off at sea, Patrick and Samuel picked up the slack to keep the family touch in the business.
A fast pitter-patter of footsteps bounded up the hallway and she heard jovial voices call out, "Carrie!"
Ratonhnhaké:ton refrained from covering his ears when his wife squealed into the garble of voices. It was almost like a holiday reunion with the way she flew at Elizabeth, Alice, and Samuel. Amelia offered an apologetic expression since her younger siblings were more energetic with visitors. Caroline hugged her youngers siblings, wrapping them all into one hug like she'd done when they were little. She missed them greatly, even while living at home, and sighed aloud, "All that is missing now is Martha opening the door with a frying pan."
Thank you for reading and see you next time!