Twenty-Three

Freckle heaved the heavy suitcase into the back of the car. It contained the clothes both he and Ivy needed for their trip to Kansas City. Of course, Ivy was never one to pack light. Even going home, she had to make sure that there was an item of clothing for every occasion. So Freckle wasn't exactly impressed when a second, even heavier piece of luggage materialized on the porch.

"Here, let me help you with that." I said, coming out of the house.

"But you're rib—"

"It's not so bad anymore. Been healing for a month now. I just have to remember not to use my right arm for this kind of stuff." I explained before grabbing one half of the trunk with my left arm. Truth be told, it was still quite painful. Luckily, there was enough help around that I could get by without aggravating the rib.

With one final heave, we both got the trunk into the… well, trunk. "Well thank God that fits!" I exclaimed, catching my breath and holding my side. "Now we just need to wait for the ladies, and Joseph."

"Yeah, probably wasn't the best idea to stay up so late last night." Freckle said, leaning against the car.

"Nonsense! I had no idea Bobby and his German friend experienced something like that. It's… well, unheard of. If I had befriended the enemy like that, odds are I would have been executed."

"Maybe that's why they don't often talk about it?"

"Probably. Speaking of things we shouldn't talk about, anything that's off limits with your mother?"

"Oh God, don't get me started. Probably the most important thing right now is to not give her any details about what we've been doing for the last few months. Or, more specifically, anything about what Ivy has been doing with us…"

"You mean like you and her doing… you know." I motioned. "Obviously I'm not going to say anything about that to your mother of all people."

"Well, yes. Obviously not that! But I'm talking about more mundane things such as- No, Ivy. Mom would not approve of that!"

Ivy looked offended. "What's wrong with this?" She asked, gesturing to the long coat she was wearing. "I'm not exactly running around naked."

"No, of course not, Ivy." Freckle said, kissing her on the lips. "But mom is a bit… old fashioned."

"You mean overly concerned that her darling son is going to marry some heathen who dances, shoots rifles, and helps you commit murder?"

"Yeah, that. I just want us to make a good impression as a couple. She's been after me to introduce you to her since Thanksgiving."

"Alright, hot stuff. Show me what she won't be offended by."

"Thankfully, it's a short list. It'll be a minute or two, Ethan!" Freckle called out to me as I prepped the car.

"Take your time, kids!" I said. "But if you plan to do more than pick out an outfit, try not to take all day." Speaking of kids, Ivy and Freckle almost tripped over Riley and Joseph as they tried to get past.

"There you two are. All set to go?" I asked.

"Yep! Got all I need right here." Riley said as she struggled to hold up her own bag.

"It's only for one night, Riley. We'll be back here on tomorrow afternoon."

"I know, but I want to make sure that I've got extra clothes just in case."

"Well, someone has been taking packing tips from Miss Pepper, I see. Well, I suppose there's room under the seat. How about you, Joseph?"

"Rocky and me got everything in one suitcase, but I can't find him." He said.

"I think I might know where he is. Shall we go find him?" I asked, letting him take my hand.

"Riley, why don't you get that suitcase packed and then go inside to wait for Ivy and Freckle to get her clothes sorted."

"She looks fine, though! What's wrong with what Ivy is wearing?"

"You can ask Nina that. On second thought, probably best not to bring it up at all. Five minutes, okay?"

We both walked around to the backside of the house. "So where's Rocky?" Joseph asked, tugging on my sleeve.

"Oh, he's probably up on the hill. He's been spending a lot of time up there lately. Here, I'll give you a ride." I said, picking the kid up and securing him safely in my arms. "Jeez, how does Rocky do this? You're getting heavier by the day."

"Rocky said that too!" Joseph declared with excitement.

"Might have something to do with you finally getting some proper food."

"I can walk if you want me too." He said, holding onto my neck and putting his head on my shoulder.

"It's alright kid. Besides, there's something I've been meaning to tell you, anyway."

"What?"

"I know that the last few months have been rough for you. Losing your mother, starting school out here, having to deal with all the craziness of this family. The whole time I've been on the lookout for a family that would take you in. Keep you safe, raise you right."

"Rocky said that, yeah. He didn't want me to have to go away."

"Oh, I'm well aware of his opinion on the matter. Anyway, Joseph, I've stopped looking. This family is moving on from our work, and things going forward are going to be a lot better. At least, that's what my instincts tell me."

"So I can stay?!" He asked me, the boys eyes meeting mine. I stroked the back of his head.

"Not only can you stay, kid, you are part of this family forever. As far as I'm concerned, Rocky is your Dad."

"But I have a Dad…"

"I know, that's why you can call Rocky by his name for as long as you want. Maybe one day we'll find your father. But in the meantime, Joseph, you deserve a whole family who loves and cares for you. That's what my nephew deserves, and I know Rocky will always make sure of it."

Rocky read through the letter one more time, before folding it up and putting it back in his pocket. Ransom's headstone was a lie. Even if there was a body to find after that blaze, asking the police for it would have been a stupid idea. Instead, he recalled Ethan and Freckle discreetly grabbing damp ashes from the site a day or two after the fire was put out. Perhaps some of him made it to a final resting place after all.

"I still think it's more of an honor than your dad deserves" I said, trying to keep from showing how hard it was to carry a kid all the way up the hill.

"Well, you two are getting along."

"Of course! Everyone else loves him, I may as well join in too."

"Rocky, we need to go!" Joseph said as he sat down beside the violinist.

"I know, just wanted to have some time to think and ponder things." Rocky said before adjusting Joseph's scarf. "Are you sure you're going to be warm enough? Once we leave, you're stuck with the clothes you've got."

"I… think so." Joseph said, not sounding so sure.

"Tell you what, kiddo. Why don't you go grab an extra sweater and we'll see you down at the car."

"Okay!" He said before getting up and running down the hill.

"You know, I wouldn't have carried him all the way up here if I knew you were just going to send him back down a minute later."

Rocky shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, anything for your nephew, right?"

"Yeah, yeah. You got me, I guess I just care about my family."

"I know. Thank you, Ethan. For everything."

"I ought to be thanking you. And, begrudgingly, your father. If it weren't for you two, I wouldn't be around to see any of this. By the way, happy birthday."

"How did you figure that out?" Rocky asked, tilting his head.

"Oh, Freckle told me the other day. You should have said something, I would have gotten you a gift."

"Ethan, this right here is a greater gift than anything else you could give me. It's odd though, twenty-three years old. A year ago if you had told me we would be sitting here looking over a farm while snow softly falls over the land, I wouldn't have believed you."

"I wouldn't have believed me either. But here we are, I guess the how and why aren't important."

Silence overtook both of us for a while, before Rocky pulled out the note. "I wonder if this is something that all fathers do. Writing a goodbye letter before they die."

"Well, my Dad did the same. Maybe it's just something men do who are looking for some kind of redemption?"

"You know, it's funny. He told me that I have some newfound freedom. But I don't feel any freer than before."

"Of course you don't, Rocky. You've got responsibilities now, just like the rest of us. Hell, you've got a kid! You leapfrogged me in all of one evening. And I had better propose to Isabella before Freckle beats me to that as well."

"Am I enough for him, though? I still feel like a fraud."

"Hey, you are not a fraud, Rocky. You care about that kid enough to change yourself and your life. No more rum running, no more shootouts, no more gang wars or blood feuds. Just you and him, father and son. If you ask me, that makes you better than either of our fathers. But if you're scared, just remember that Freckle and I are here to help. Nina will be too."

"Probably. I don't know if she can stand to take care of yet another boy. That kid is already giving me heart attacks. He tried jumping out of the hay loft into the back of the farm truck the other day. I barely caught him in time!"

"Welcome to parenthood, Rocky Rickaby. Long hours, shit pay, and it might be the greatest thing you'll ever do." I said, standing up and stretching out the sore rib. "Damn that trunk still did a number on me. Or maybe it was carrying fifty pounds of kid up a hill. Either way, I'm glad we're out of the rum running business. I'm getting too old for this crap."

"Yeah, let's go see if the lovebirds are ready." Rocky said as I helped him up. "By the way, for as much fretting over Joseph as you've been doing, you should make sure you've got enough warm clothes. That old jacket doesn't look like it'll help much tonight."

"What's wrong with my lucky jacket? It kept me warm for years on trains and hobo camps."

"Well, I think I know what to get you for your birthday now. Let's go help Ivy make nice with the in-law."

The Irish Way

The snow was wet and sloppy as we got into town. Something having to do with the warmer temperatures caused by the city. Anyway, our loaded car pulled up to Nina's house and we all but fell out of the vehicle.

"Did you really need that third suitcase, Ivy? You'll be back in a few days."

"Hey, a girl must plan for all possible occasions!" Ivy retorted as I rolled my eyes. Getting out, I looked in the backseat and pointed at Riley. "Don't get any ideas, young lady. If you want clothes like this, you'll have to buy them yourself."

"Frugality is a good trait in an honest man, Ethan Kelly." Nina said as she approached the car.

"Mom!" Freckle exclaimed, hugging her. Nina, of course, was quick to kiss her boy on the cheek. Rocky was next in line, though his hug wasn't quite as well received. "We're getting there, Roark. But not yet. Gracious, how do you still smell like syrup?"

"I'm going to assume the substance has fused with him on a molecular level. In other words, that's just his scent now." Freckle joked.

"Well, at least it will compliment the cinnamon rolls in the oven. Now, Calvin, you are most remiss."

"Remiss?"

"Yes. You've given a proper greeting but haven't yet introduced me to this Ivy Pepper you've mentioned."

"Oh, right, of course!" Freckle said, nervous. He went to the back door of the car and helped Ivy out while two kids followed quickly after. Nina analyzed this new woman. Dress? Simple, sensical, and elegant. Hair? Modern and a bit hedonistic, but something she could look over. Accessories? Only a simple necklace.

"Mom, this is Miss Ivy Pepper. She is studying at St. Louis University."

"Uh, hi, Miss McMurray." Ivy said, extending a hand. Nina didn't portray any emotion whatsoever, seemingly looking at every inch of the young woman. A small smile then formed on her face.

"It is good to finally meet you, Miss Pepper." Nina then took Ivy's hand and gestured to the house behind her. "Well, come on in. I've been slaving a way to make a feast for ya. Once we're done, us ladies can let the men handle the cleanup."

I don't think any of us had eaten so well in months or perhaps even years in the case of Rocky. God knows my cooking is adequate, and Rocky is best kept away from any source of flame. Even so, he at least figured out how to do dishes and after two hours we were busy cleaning up the kitchen while Nina decided to talk to Ivy in the parlor. Although, it was most likely going to resemble an interview.

"So, I hope my son has been treating you well." Nina said, sitting down and handing Ivy a cup of tea.

"Oh, he's wonderful, Miss McMurray! Kind, brave, caring…"

"I am glad. And I trust he feels the same about you."

"Did he… give you a different impression?" Ivy tensed up.

"No, no. Of course not, dear. But he was reluctant to share much about you before today. And I think I know why."

"W-why?"

"You're one of those flappers, aren't ya?" She asked, sitting up properly while cooling her tea.

"How can you tell?"

"Your hair, dear. But I suppose that is the style of the times. When's the last time you've been in church?"

"Mom!" Freckle shouted from the kitchen.

"What, it's a fair enough question?" Nina replied. "And don't yell in my house, you boys know better."

Freckle came in, drying his hands with a rag. "Mom, Miss Pepper does not need to disclose every personal detail for you to scrutinize."

"It's okay Calvin, I don't mind. It just took me by surprise." Ivy said, gently reminding her boyfriend that she was a master at navigating challenging conversations. If she could blackmail the Arbogasts then this was going to be simple by comparison. Freckle, trusting Ivy, let her handle it.

"Anyway, ma'am. My family is not particularly religious."

"Ah, well that explains it. You know, if you plan to spend the rest of your days with my boy, church isn't optional."

"Oh, I understand. If that's what it takes to be with Calvin, then that's what I'll do."

"Good." Nina said simply. Ivy wasn't done though.

"However, I am my own woman, Miss McMurray. I won't be corrupting your son or anything so ridiculous, but I'm also not going to twist myself into knots just to please everyone. I think you should know that now before we end up having an argument over something petty like the color of dress I choose to wear."

"You realize that doesn't sound very ladylike."

"Perhaps not, Miss McMurray. That's the way my father taught me. I can vote, I can drive, and if your son and I raise a family it will because we choose to." Ivy said, gently pushing back on all the things that Miss M complained about whenever men would tell her how to do things. Nina at first seemed annoyed, but her face soon gave way to a smile.

"I would rather my son be with a woman who knows what she wants than a woman still trying to make sense of her place in the world." Nina said, chuckling.

"What?" Ivy was confused. "Freckle thought you'd be disappointed or angry."

"My dear, when I was two years younger than you, I rode a ship from Cork to Philadelphia. My grandmother used to tell me stories about the family. My great uncle died on Vinegar Hill. A cousin of mine fought through the entire Civil War, losing a leg at Gettysburg. Another cousin saw how those poor Catholics were being treated in the Mexican war. No sooner had he arrived in Texas than he switched to fight for the other side. He fell in Matamoros. All brave men of the same stock as my dear son. And do you know what they had in common?"

"What?"

"All were faithful to both God and their wives. All those relatives of mine had a woman by their side who was as fierce and determined as themselves. My son and I… and Rocky, are Irish. Good, strong, and Catholic. I abhor the violence they got themselves entangled in, but that's the Irish way. If Calvin ever finds himself fighting for a cause, your job will be to defend the home you build together. So, I am glad to see he has come to love a woman who isn't afraid to speak for herself."

"Finished!" Rocky exclaimed as he burst into the room. "Now, where's my kid?"

"Out in the yard, no doubt." Nina said. "I do hope you teach him to clean up after himself. I'm getting too old to be cleaning all day."

"Don't worry, Aunt Nina. I'll take care of it." Rocky said before heading for the back door.

"Did… Rocky just say he'd take responsibility for something?" Ivy asked Freckle when we came into the room, both cleaning our hands.

"Good heavens, so he was paying attention to my instructions after all!" Nina said as she watched him teach Joseph on properly taking off his shoes and not leaving a mess on the porch in just the way Nina had tried to teach the boys many years ago.

"Thanks, mom, for the food. It will tide us over on the train."

"Of course, dear. When did you need to be down at the depot?"

"We should head out right now, in fact."

"Oh, pity. I was hoping some of you would come with to the church for mass this evening."

"Sorry, mom, but the train leaves at three. And I wouldn't make Ivy miss seeing her family for Christmas Eve."

"Alright, you best get ready then."

Rocky, shaking off the wet snow and making sure that Joseph hung up his coat, had an idea. "I could take you to church, Aunt Nina."

"Thank you, Roark. It won't be too late for the little one, will it?"

"Of course not."

Kansas City Bound

"So, what do you think of her?" Freckle asked his mother. Nina took her glasses off and carefully put them in their case.

"Well, she's not a proper Christian. That can be corrected. But compared to the women you were no doubt rubbing shoulders with while working for that den of sinners your cousin got involved with, I would say you have done as well as could be expected."

"Really? You're okay with her?"

"She will keep you on the right path and the whole dancing thing is something she'll grow out of. I suppose the only real question left is what you think of her family?"

"I don't know yet. This will be the first-time meeting Ivy's family."

"Well, I know you'll make a good impression. You are every bit your father's son. Smart, kind, and can fix anything. Speaking of which, the car—"

"I'll take a look at it when I get back. It does run, right?"

"Yes, I think it's something in the air filter. For the life of me I can't figure out how to get it open. I swear, back in the day I used to think horses were cantankerous beasts, but these cars are even more unruly and confounding."

"I'll fix it, just make sure Rocky doesn't do something to make the issue worse. But Ivy, would you be okay if I—"

"Son, who you choose to be with is up to you. As long as it wasn't some girl who looked like Roark in a wig. That might drive me to insanity. Just remember that this is a commitment forever, so if there is any doubt at all I pray you'll have enough sense to be patient."

"Well, that wasn't a 'no'." Freckle said. "Alright mom, it looks like the circus is ready to leave town."

"Take care, Calvin. Merry Christmas."

"You too, Mom."

The platform was busy as we hurried to get Ivy and Freckle checked in and onboard in time. Dragging the luggage slowed us down considerably, at least until a porter saw us struggling and came around with a small wagon. "Here, gentlemen. What platform?"

"Track twelve, I believe. Whichever one is the Rock Island to Kansas City." I said.

"Right this way, then. We best not dilly dally."

The train was almost loaded and the conductors were making the rounds, helping the stragglers onto the train. Two minutes until departure. After getting the luggage into the baggage car up front, we walked with Ivy and Freckle back to the coach. A new heavyweight with plush seats, state-of-the-art heaters, and large windows.

"Well, four and a half hours on the Missouri Pacific. Should be a pretty simple ride." I said, hugging them both.

"Oh yeah, we'll be there in time for dinner." Ivy said. "You'll come to pick us up, right?"

"Of course I will! I'll be here on the 30th waiting." I said, waving while holding Riley's hand. No sooner had they boarded that two long blasts from a whistle echoed throughout the terminal. We kept waving as the pair found their seats and settled in next to each other.

"Now we're going to Isabella's family, right?"

"You bet! There is one thing I got to do first though."

"Whoa!" Riley said as we got out of the car downtown and made our way inside the large department store. It was closing early tonight, but Sears had everything we could use. Right now I was on the hunt for something specific.

"What are we doing here, Ethan?" Riley asked.

"Oh, I've got a task for you, Riley. You like jewelry, right?"

"You're buying me jewelry!" She said, excited. Our family didn't have much use for fancy items like that.

"Not quite, I have to take care of something else, but I want you to pick out a ring for Isabella. We'll just leave out the part about how it came from Sears."

"You're buying her a ring. For wh—oh… oh! You're—"

"Yep! And I want to make sure she gets something else too, just in case she declines the ring. Now, here's her ring size. There's the counter. If the clerk asks, she's Spanish and doesn't like anything too flashy. Sharp, smart, and just colorful enough to get the point across." I explained before nudging her toward the counter, winking at the clerk as I move on. "I'll be back in a few minutes." I said.

"Alright, so that's one gift taken care of, now for Riley." I thought. Pulling out my notes from earlier, I scanned through them before landing on Mitzi's recommendation. "Kodak Autographic Junior No. 1." Mitzi said she had one and it was easy enough for a child to pick up. Photography was also a new area of art where women could express themselves in ways that the crusty old painters could never match. Mitzi even rescued all the equipment necessary to develop the images afterwards. Overall, it sounded like a great idea for Riley to learn photography. It would certainly save money on portraits going forward!

With Riley's gift and Isabella's "decoy" gift bought and wrapped, I returned to see that the clerk had sold Riley on one ring. Gold and turquoise with a diamond that, while not the biggest, was clearly one of the best in the case. "That'll do." I said.

"You think she'll say 'yes', Ethan?" Riley asked as we left the store.

"Oh, I think she will. There are two loose ends I need to take care of, though. It's about five o'clock right now, so that's perfect timing on our part."

"What do you need to do?"

"Well, Mordecai is working on finding out where Vito went. We should expect a call any day now about that. But right now I know where our other loose end is."

Death of the Ghost

Driving through downtown, I let Riley sit up front so that she could see all the lights and decorations. I was told it was unusual to get significant amounts of snow, but tonight a couple of fresh inches of powder coated the town. Turning down the residential streets, I came to a house on the corner with a police car out front. Parking around the block, I told Riley to stay put while the engine idles.

Pulling a pistol out from under the seat, I looked at it carefully before sticking it in my coat pocket. "So damn close to the end!" I thought. Ransom had given us all a lucky break, but no one could eradicate the whole issue by themselves. I walked down the block in the snow, making sure that Riley and the car would be well out of sight for what I was about to do. My right thumb continuously brushed the hammer of the revolver, anticipating what was to come. This officer, Jim Mobrak, knew who I was. He knew that Ransom was connected to us, and he likely knew enough to serve us with new warrants. Mordecai found out he couldn't be bought off, a fact that was made clear by other officers that had worked with him. By all accounts, he was a good cop and a good man, which didn't make this any easier.

As I approached the house, the door opened. I quickly ducked behind the trunk of a tree and looked down the street. There he was, fresh off work, no doubt readying himself for Christmas festivities. His back was turned now, hunched over digging something out of the police car. This was my chance! I broke cover and walked as quietly as possible to close the distance. My thumb was now playing with the hammer, getting ready for what was about to go down. But just as I got within range and ducked behind another tree, I heard a kid call out for him. "Dad! Mom says dinner is ready!"

"I'll be right there, honey!" He called back before standing up and putting his notes for the day in his pocket. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. Ransom getting himself killed and taking out Ulysses was almost too much for him to take, though. But no more assassinations had taken place now for a couple of weeks. In fact, it was like the city was observing it's own truce for Christmas, and Jim decided it was worth it to keep all that he knew to himself if that peace should last.

Just then, a car pulled up. Jim turned around and was greeted by… his brother. His brother and his entire family had finally made it from out of town. "Just in time!" Jim declared while taking his brother's hand in his. "I hope the drive wasn't so bad in all this snow!"

"All this snow? Jim, it's only a couple of inches. You should see the storm up north of here, it's roaring through Illinois right as we speak."

"Well, Debb has dinner ready. I guess we can unload everything after supper."

"I heard about what happened at the station. The ghost you and that fed were chasing didn't actually show up there, did he?"

"Well…"

I could hear the whole conversation in the frosty air. I drew my pistol and cocked the hammer back. It would be terrible to gun him down right here and now in front of his own family, but its not like I had much opportunity. But just then, his own kids came out of the house and hugged their aunt and uncle. Looking around from the backside of the tree, the thought came to me that this was out of line. A bullet got me into this mess, but could one ever really get me out?

It was obvious that Jesus would never do anything like this, so I didn't have to think much about what the church would have to say in the matter. Gunning someone down on Christmas Eve? Yeah, that wasn't going to go over well if I ever found myself in a confession box again. This wasn't self-defense, it was murder. Plain and simple murder. I also thought about Ogun and what Manbo Loda had told me. This spirit I supposedly embodied was a warrior, not a murderer. But most important of all, I asked myself, "who did I really want to be?"

Did I want to be this ghost the whole city was terrified of? The killer Riley's classmates thought I was? Dracula? The vengeful soul who killed Adam Moreau? Or even the Ghost of Charlevaux the Germans told their sons about around the campfire? No, I didn't want to be that. I wanted to be a man who loved his family. Someone who cared about his friends. I was already that, but now it was time to have some faith. Not necessarily in a higher power or some warrior spirit, but faith that this peace could last. It was my choice. No one else could make it for me. Gods and Devils alike were ultimately mere influences.

Jim and his family got sick of the cold and moved inside. Every other house had lights on with figures moving around behind curtains. Dancing, singing, listening to the radio, swapping stories, eating. It was indeed time for peace, and it was time I put down the gun and sought some peace out for myself. It was time for the Ghost of Charlevaux to rest and enjoy peace.

Riley rubbed her hands together in front of the car's firewall as warm air seeped in from the engine. The door opened and she noticed me put the gun back under the seat. "Did you… take care of it?" She asked me.

"Honestly, Riley, I couldn't do it. He's got a family; he's got friends and a life. If Officer Jim Mobrak chooses to come after us, I'll figure something out. But I think it's long past time we had some peace. I'd like to know what that feels like." I said, putting the car in gear. "Shall we go to Isabella's family?"

"Yeah, let's do it!" Riley said before laying down on the bench seat, resting her head in my lap. Eight months ago we left Montana with a promise to ourselves. We would find a way to move on. But only now was I realizing just how much of the past I had dragged halfway across the country. It was time to start our lives properly, and there's no time like the present to begin. I'd ask Isabella for her hand in marriage, present her a beautiful ring picked out by my favorite little girl that I've been raising since birth. Tomorrow I will call Mordecai and tell him that I was done. He could handle Vito Giannola on his own. But I would ask for a favor. I wanted Vito to know that the Ghost didn't consider him as being worth the time. It was Christmas and that meant time with my family. A family he tried to destroy, yet completely failed. I was done, and if Frank Russo or Carmelo Fresina wanted to fight about it, then they wouldn't be dealing with the Ghost of Charlevaux, the servant of Ogun. No, they'd have to reckon with Ethan Kelly. God help them if they were that stupid.

Watching Jim's house disappear in the mirror behind us, I stroked my sister's hair, letting her know that her brother was back for good. I'd always hear the guns, but I could deal with it. Tonight I was going to sleep with the woman I love in the house of her family, safe in the knowledge that we would be starting a new chapter in our lives.

Memories to Come

"Will Santa come this year?" Joseph asked as Rocky put away the book they had brought to Nina's house.

"Of course he'll come!" Rocky said, smiling. "And I'm sure he'll have something special for you on that flying sleigh of his."

"Are you sure he won't skip us like he did last year?"

Now Rocky realized what the kid was actually saying. It was heartbreaking to even think that he and his mother were too poor to buy even one thing between them. Looking around, it was really obvious how good he had it as a kid. Aunt Nina was strict and usually pulling her hair out in frustration of his antics, but even after all of that she still found a way to care enough to let him back into her home. And he even had the chance to prove how much he was growing up, their trip to mass went off without a hitch!

"I promise, Santa will be here in the morning. And you'll have something from me as well when we get back to the farm with Ethan and Riley." Rocky said, gently tucking the boy into Freckle's old bed. "But don't stay up, or Santa will know and will have to circle back when you fall asleep. So, sweet dreams, kid."

"Thanks, dad."

That one word stopped him right then and there. He tried processing what just came into his ears. "Did he just… He did." Rocky thought to himself. Not only was that unexpected, but it was so casual. Like it was an everyday thing for Joseph to say it. Standing up, Rocky turned off the light and closed the door quietly. "Goodnight, son."

Rocky thought about going to his old room but decided to stay up a little later. Downstairs, he plugged the tree in to provide some light. As the red, green, and white lights made the room glow with festive hues, a glint of light reflected off of a small shiny book tucked away beside Nina's favorite chair. Curious, he went to inspect it. Pulling the book off the shelf, he dusted it off and noted how he hadn't seen that one before.

It was an album, a story of Calvin's life and his, as well as their parents. The first one was a picture of Nina and his mother when they were young, perhaps about Rocky's age right now. Slim, fit, and matching in their dresses. They were sitting on a park bench with a pond in the background. One of many in St. Louis. The next few pages were of Nina and Uncle Carroll. She seemed so… happy. Skipping ahead, another picture of his mother caught Rocky's eye. This one was a portrait of her and Ransom. He was young, well-dressed, well-groomed, and completely uncomfortable with the formal atmosphere in the picture. His mother couldn't help but smile for the camera though even if the point was to have a neutral expression. She too was… happy.

The next photo was a picture of Ransom holding a little baby in his arms, a small smile on his face. It took Rocky a moment to realize that the baby was him. He was only in one other picture in the album. Rocky remembered this one faintly. He was three or four and was on his mother's knee while his father loomed over them. What little joy was on his face earlier was gone in this picture. He did see Ransom a handful of times after the picture was taken, but he left town shortly after that. It was also around this time that his mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis. It wouldn't take her from him for a few more years, but right about then is when his life was thrown off course.

"Roark, what are you doin' still up?" Nina asked as she crept down the stairs.

"Me? Oh, I was just… well, I couldn't go to be yet. Thought I'd look at the tree for a while before turning in."

"And I see you found the family album while you were at it." Nina continued, coming down the rest of the stairs. "Not to mention you're in my chair."

"Oh, right, sorry. All yours, Aunt Nina. Still warm. I'll get my own seat."

"Mind if I see that book?" Nina asked as she sat down. Rocky readily gave it to her. "I'm sorry if I wasn't supposed to be—"

"Roark, this is the family history since your mother and I came to America. Do you know how important this is?"

"I, uh, I'm sorry Aunt Nina. Really, I didn't mean to—"

"I'm ashamed, so I am! Had I remembered it earlier, I would have brought the thing out. Calvin's baby pictures are stuffed somewhere in the back. If Miss Pepper thinks he's cute now, wait until she sees the one right after his bath time."

"Oh no… wait, I remember that one! That was after he and I went into the swimming hole."

"That was a swamp, Roark. You're lucky a snapping turtle didn't bite your leg off. I had to wash you both down with the garden hose… again."

"Yeah… good times."

"Well, now it's your turn for good times. That boy will test you in ways you can't even comprehend."

"He's not so bad…"

"Only because he's small and adorable. But never forget that this boy you've taken in will one day be a man, and it's your job to teach him all the things your father couldn't be bothered to. All the things my dear Carroll never got the chance to... It's hard work, but here's good times too." Nina pulled out one photo in particular.

"On occasion, when the planets aligned, you were the spitting image of your mother." Nina said, showing Rocky the photo. It was him around ten years old with Freckle sitting in his lap, the older cousin teaching the younger one how to read a book.

"Thanks for the advice… I guess." Rocky said, smiling at the memory.

"Well, you'll figure it out, I'm sure. Sophie, your mother, she would be very proud of you, Roark. And to say that you've surprised me since that day I came to the farm would be an understatement. Today you were teaching that boy with a patience nary a person on this Earth can match."

"Aunt Nina, what are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is you are a far better parent than I could have ever expected. And while there are still certain things that drive me mad, I'm proud of you, too. You're on a better path now, and I suspect you'll find something you're good at when the good lord allows." Nina then put the album away, gently shoving it onto the packed bookshelf. "Anyway, there's something I wanted to give you. I got too busy with the food today to get it wrapped up."

Nina handed a different album to Rocky. He opened up the slick black cover and found that all the pages were blank. "You're on your own when it comes to finding a camera. But I hear this Miss M you work for knows how to use one, so maybe she can pay you back for all the help you've given her by documenting some of the memories yet to come."

Rocky's hands trembled at the thought of what this simple album meant. He couldn't help but cry. "T-thank you, Aunt Nina."

"And now that the waterworks have turned on, I think I'll go back to bed. Be sure to turn off the tree lights before you do the same." Nina said, patting Rocky on the head as she found her way back upstairs.

Once he got himself together again, Rocky checked to make sure that Nina wasn't still watching him. Crawling over to the album, the one that was Freckle's by right, he flipped through the book before finding the one he wanted to keep. It was Rocky attempting to play the violin while his mother carefully guided him. One of his first memories. He also slid Ransom's last letter into the back cover of the album.

"Goodnight, mom."