Long after everyone had fallen asleep, Rick sat awake in the family room of his parents� home deep in thought. He hated that his son was in such obvious emotional pain, and hated that he couldn�t keep that from him. In just a few short weeks they would all be boarding a train to travel back to New York, and from there board a plane which would take them back to London. Part of him was torn as well at leaving. He wasn�t sure how long it would be with the war raging in Europe, before he saw his parents and sister again, and a part of him wanted to stay, but their life was back in London, and he knew that.
�Mind if I have a sit?� Robert asked as he walked into the room where his son was pondering the future.
Surprised and pleased Rick looked up and nodded his head. He watched his father sit down in a chair not far from him and for a few minutes neither of them said much of anything. �I tried to talk mom into letting me hire a nurse for her,� he finally said, feeling that bringing up her condition would be something non confrontational.
Robert had a pipe in his hand and a pouch. From the pouch he removed some tobacco then packed it into the mouth of the pipe. Once he had done that he lit it and took a puff, then looked at his son. �You know how she is, though I think I�d have to agree with you. I may not give her a choice in the matter. Even with Mary here to lend us a hand, taking care of the house and the farm is a tremendous responcibity, one which is becoming too much for the both of us,� he admitted.
His father admitting that came as another surprise. �You could always sell it,� he tried.
After taking another puff from his Pipe, Robert sighed. �Not with the depression and not with the war. I do well to sell one horse in a two month period,� he said. �You know I had hoped one day you would come back and take over for me,� he said eyeing his son.
Rick looked down at his hands feeling like a boy again. He took in a deep breath and said what was on his heart, what had been on his heart for a long long time. �I never thought you would let me come back dad. After that night I figured you hated me so much that if I ever showed up again you would kill me,� he admitted. He looked up and saw a pained look on his parent�s face.
Robert looked away from Rick, knowing that they were both to blame. �I wasn�t prepared to have to fight you to do what I thought was right,� he said as he look again at his son.
Before he could add more, his granddaughter Heidi walked into the room rubbing her eyes. He watched as Rick lifted her onto his lap and watched as he comforted her, realizing that his son was a good person, and that he had perhaps been a better parent to Rick than he thought.
Once Heidi was asleep Rick leaned to his left and put her down on the couch. �I wasn�t prepared for my own son to think for himself. I always thought he would be a scholar like his mum, and not be so reckless and stupid like me. I guess thats why when we found out where he and Megan had gone we came after him, because I want him to know that his mum and I love him,� Rick said offering his dad a smile.
After taking one last puff from his pipe, Robert put it down in the pipe holder then stood up. �I�m glad you came back Rick, and if you will help me I would like to try and sell the farm and maybe move in a bit closer to town,� he said.
Not a man to be mushy, Robert left his son, to go and check on his wife, and to retire for the evening.
Once his father was gone, Rick sat back against the couch even more uncertain about leaving his father, and his mother as he had been before their talk. It would take time to sell the farm, and to get them as well as his sister and her children settled in a home close to town, and he felt they didn�t have much that luxery. The more intense the war would surely become, the less likely they would be able to move freely back to London. As well, there was Alex�s place to consider, and the responsibility he felt to help his son sell the house, and get some of his savings back.
�You look troubled,� came his sister�s voice. Rick looked up as she sat down in a rocking chair, and cradled her son in her arms holding a bottle while he drank.
�Did you know dad wants to sell the farm?� he asked.
Mary-Elizabeth looked up from Jacobs sweet face, and nodded her head. �It�s too difficult for him to handle working the horses, and making sure he keeps a roof over all of our heads. I keep telling him I can work, but he won�t listen to me, nor will mum. I envy Evelyn sometimes, because she seems to have the freedom to do as she wants, and she has your support as well.�
�You do too you know. I think if you talked to dad, and let him know how you felt, he may come around,� Rick said as his daughter stirred then sat up.
�Daddy, I miss China, and Uncle Jonathan,� she said as he lifted her into his arms.
�Shhh, you need to go back to sleep,� he said as he gentle rocked her.
Heidi snuggled against his strong chest, and shut her eyes, hoping to see her two mates in her dreams.
It was much later when both Rick, and Mary-Elizabeth, with their two young children, turned in for the night. Evelyn and he were staying in his old room which Mary-Elizabeth had been using, but gave up for their use. His sister was sleeping in her childrens� room, and Alex and Megan were asleep in the spare room. In his old bed he gently placed Heidi next to Evelyn without waking her, but not without waking his wife, who gathered their daughter in her arms.
Evelyn noticed as her husband lied down beside she and Heidi, that he looked troubled. �What is it?� she whispered as she reached out and took his hand.
�Dad wants to sell the farm, and I want to help but we need to get back to London before we can�t,� he said softly. He shut his eyes not really wanting to talk at the moment, and was glad when Evie didn�t press it.
~*~
Not to far from the house was a stream, and Katie decided to show her cousin the magic elves which lived in the clear water. �You gots to look under all those rocks,� she said as she slipped off her shoes and stepped into the water.
On dry land, dressed in a dress which was one she could get dirty, Heidi watched doubtfully as her small cousin lifted up a rock.
�There it is,� she said as she reached into the water and pulled out a crawl dad. �See it�s an elf, but it only turns into one at night, when your not looking,� she said. She thrust it at her cousin, and was dismayed as Heidi screamed.
�Get it away it�s slimy,� Heidi said as she stepped back, then slipped and landed in a mud puddle. For a moment she considered crying, then she laughed and scooped up a handful of mud and threw it at her cousin.
~*~
At the dining room table Rick sat with his father going over prices for what he wanted for the house, the land as well as the horses and the farm. �I think all in all you could easily get ten thousand,� Rick said as he looked at his dad. �Evie and I were talking, and we though maybe you, mom, and Mary could come to England with us,� he said, knowing that his father would never leave Montana.
�I�ve lived here for a long time Rick,� he said offering his son a smile. �No worry, this war won�t be the end of any of us. We have a strong army fighting against Hitler and the Japanese, and nothing will come of this,� he said as if knowing Rick�s thoughts.
As he left the room Lucy walked in looking better than she had the previous few days. �Did you come to an agreeable price?� she asked as she walked over and sat down next to her son.
�I think you can get at least ten thousand for this house and the land and Mary�s place if she wants to sell it,� he said. �How do you feel?�
Lucy reached out and took his hand. �Grateful that you and your father are speaking to one another, and tired. I think if the offer still stand I�ll allow you to find me a nurse,� she said, realizing that Rick only wanted to help, and that perhaps in some way, he wanted to make up for his long absence away from home.
~*~
Outside on the porch, Evelyn sat with Megan, and Mary-Elizabeth all three of them talking while Jacob sat on a blanket close by chewing on a teething ring. Mary was telling them both of the conversation she shared with her brother, and about her need to do more than be a mother. �I just feel so restless, and I want to make my children proud of me, but this seems to be a mans world,� she said to both women.
�It isn�t easy, but it can be done if your willing to be persistent,� Evelyn said remembering how difficult it had been to convince the Bembridge Scholars that a woman could do just as good a job as a man in their field of work. She looked out at the field seeing to small figures on an approach followed by Alex. As the girls drew closer they all saw how muddy they were. Evelyn laughed and stood up, then walked down the few steps to the yard. �What ever did the two of you do?� she asked, though it was quite obvious they had played in mud.
Usually having her daughter come home a mess would upset Mary, but taking Evelyn�s light hearted approach, she also laughed and left Megan and Alex to watch Jacob while she went to help her sister-in-law get the children out of their dirty cloths, and washed off at the water pump in back of the house.
Seeing his mother leave, upset the baby, and Jacob started to fuss until Megan sat down next to him and shook his rattle. Alex watched her, and for a moment envisioned her with a child created by their love. Just as quickly he shook that thought away, knowing that they may never have that chance. �Your good with kids,� he said as he sat down next to her.
�I had practice,� she said as Jacob crawled into her arms. Her statement was true enough. She had started to baby-sit for Heidi when she was Twelve, and the little girl was one, and had learned alot since then.
�I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if our baby would have been born. I mean I know I was scared at first but sometimes I wish I could have had the chance to be it�s mother,� she said as she gently rocked the babe in her arms.
Alex settled next to them. �I think you would have been good at it,� he replied.
She looked at him then leaned against him. �I�m scared Alex,� she admitted. as he wrapped his arms around her.
�Me too, but at least we have my parents, and your father,� he reminded. He felt her shutter and kissed her cheek. �Mum said he was worried about you, not angry, remember?�
She sighed and nodded her head. �I know he loves me, but I�m just worried he will expect me to run off to France or Spain or where ever it is his business takes him, and I don�t want to be so far from you. Then again maybe we need that distance to think about our future.�
He didn�t have any words to add, and was glad for the chance to simply hold her in his arms.
~*~
Knowing that her father liked his evening walks near the farm, it didn�t take long for Mary to find him, and once she had caught up to him she told him about what she wanted. �I know I have the children to consider, but I want them to be proud of me, and I want to be able to support them without burdening you or mom,� she said as they walked back toward the house.
The sun was beginning to set, and Robert, for the first time in a long time didn�t feel the worry he had. �You are a grown woman Mary, and while I wish you would reconsider this, I won�t stop you. Your mom and I will take care of Katie and Jacob,� he said as he reached out and pulled her into a hug. After hugging her he asked, �What sort of work are you looking to find?�
Mary felt a weight lifted from her shoulders, now that her father was willing to accept her need to find a job, and told him that she wanted to teach. When they arrived back at the house dinner was ready, and once Robert had said the blessings, Mary announced about her decision to pursue a teaching career.
�Mommy you has to stay with me and Jakie,� Katie demanded.
�Your mother will do what she sees fit, and you watch your mouth,� Robert warned. His granddaughter looked down at her food and mumbled an apology to her mother, before excusing herself to play with her cousin.
~*~
The next few days were busy for everyone. While Rick, his son and his father worked on hiring people to help sell the house and as well find a nurse for Lucy, Evelyn helped Mary-Elizabeth find suitable cloths in town for her prospective teaching job. Megan went with them to help look after the children.
After they finished their shopping they stopped by Jake�s Hotel and sat down to a nice lunch. Jacob slept in his mother�s arms, and after eating they all went up to the Suite Rick and Evie had rented and put all three of the children down for a rest.
For Megan it was nice to be around Evelyn, and Mary, to listen as they talked about jobs, and to let herself forget about the pain which she felt about she and Alex.
�Well if you both don�t care I think I�ll have a lie down with the children,� Mary said as she stood up leaving Evelyn and Megan to chat among themselves.
Once she was gone, Evelyn focused on the young woman settled before her seeing the sadness in her eyes. �I know you are frightened Megan, but you will be fine, you will see,� Evie offered.
Megan looked at her mother-in-law and then looked away. �I do not think that I will. I know Alex and I aren�t ready to face all that comes with being married, and I know that we should annul our marriage, but I don�t want to lose him. What if he finds someone he loves more than me, or what if I find a man I love more?� she asked as tears spilled down over her soft cheeks.
Evelyn stood up from the chair she was sitting on, and settled down beside Megan. �Once when Rick and I were ready to settle down together, that was almost taken from us. You see he was a member of the Legion, and when all his men were killed at Hamunaptra by the Bedouin, I suppose he thought his time with them was done. When we got back from that horrid place they were waiting for him, and took him from me. I kept hoping and praying that I would see him again, then I found out we had created a child, and I was so frightened,� Evie said as she shut her eyes.
�What happened?� Megan asked. Until this moment she had never known about this, and needed to know what Evelyn did in his absence.
�I wrote to them pleading for them to release him. Then one day a solider came to our door and delivered the most horrible news of all. They told me he had been killed in battle, and I thought I would die. How could I possible care for a baby on my own. We had Nanna then, and it was she and Jonathan who helped me hold on, and learn how to care for Alex when I bore him,� she said as she opened her eyes. �Rick came back when Alex was sixteen months old and we have been together since that time. You and Alex will be all right, and in time I think your love will grow enough to allow you to be together like Rick and myself.�
Megan let Evie hold her, hoping that they would be all right, trusting that some day they would find a way.
~*~
Elsewhere in town, Rick, Alex, and Robert sat in the office of a man Rick had grown up with. Thomas Moore was the same man who had helped Alex find and purchase his house, and now he was helping Alex, and Robert put their houses up for sale.
�I was just speaking with a young man interested in buying some land, and I think Robert you will be pleased to know that he wants to raise horses.�
Despite knowing that he needed to sell his land, it was still difficult for Robert to see it as something good. He merely nodded his head before leaving, and Alex wasn�t far behind him, leaving Rick to deal with the final details before they contacted the man wanting the land.
�Grandfather?� Alex asked as he caught up to him just outside the small building.
Robert turned around and smiled at his young grandson. �Sorry Alex, I just need some fresh air is all.�
�It�s difficult to think about leaving isn�t it?� he asked, knowing that his grandfather was saddened by something, and having the foresight to guess it was that.
Again Robert smiled at him. �It is. I raised your father and your Aunt there, and while alot of the years were sad, there were enough good times to fill to make me want to keep the place. I have my wife to think of though, and she needs to be closer in case something else happens,� Robert said as they awaited Rick�s arrival.
Alex nodded his head. �I wish I could stay here but I need to be with my family, and I need my parents just for a while,� Alex admitted.
�Your a good boy Alex, and I�m sure your father is as proud of you as I am of him.� Robert ended his words as Rick came to them, and suggested they go to the hotel and get the ladies, then go by the hospital and hire the nurse Lucy would need.
~*~
By the time her father was ready to sell his house, Mary made the painful choice of selling her house along with his. In two weeks time they found a large house in the city which would give them enough room to live comfortably. Lucy had the nurse she needed to help care for her, and Mary-Elizabeth got a job as a teachers assistant at the local school, and would start that the following year. For the time being she was satisfied with mothering her children and helping her parents take care of the last details of the sale of their farm.
Rick and Evelyn helped Alex and Megan sell their home, and get back most of the money he had spent on the purchase of it. Once the house was sold and his parents and sister were more or less settled, Rick called the train company and purchased two box car rooms.
Early on a Sunday morning they awoke in his parents new home, and had a big family breakfast. Once that was over, everyone went to the train station where they now waited for the transport to take Rick and his family to New York.
Katie and Heidi sat on a bench together, both sad to be parting from one another. �Maybe you can come live with us,� Heidi said as she stood up and ran over to where her Mum was sitting with Mary-Elizabeth and grandmama. �Momma, I want Katie to live with us,� Heidi said, expecting they would allow that.
Mary-Elizabeth smiled at her young niece. �We will come visit someday, but right now she needs to stay here with us.�
�But I want her to live with us,� Heidi said as she ran back to her cousin. �Come on we gotta go now,� she said as she pulled Katie to her feet. They ran for the exit and were both lifted off their feet by Rick.
�Put us down daddy,� Heidi yelled.
Rick put Katie down, but not Heidi and carried her to a privae spot for a little talk. He held Heidi still until she stopped trying to hit him, then put her down in front of him. �Do you want to tell me what�s going on?� he asked.
�I want Katie to live with us and Aunt Mary says she can�t. Will you and momma have another baby for me?� she asked.
Rick bit the inside of his cheek trying his best not to laugh at her. �I don�t think so baby, besides your our baby,� he said.
Heidi considered that. �Okay, but I want Katie to come for Christmas,� She said.
The whistle on the train caught all their attention, and before he could get ahold of her, Heidi ran back to Katie and clung to her. �You have to come with me,� Heidi said not willing to let her squirming cousin go.
Evelyn saw Katie struggling, and was quick to go to the rescue. When she got to the two girls she knelt down. �Heidi you will see Katie again, but right now you need to say goodbye to your grandparents and your Aunt, and Jacob,� she said.
Heidi pulled away from Katie, and ran over to the group of people hugging and kissing, still upset that her cousin couldn�t come with her.
�She�s mad,� Katie said as Evie hugged her.
�No, she just likes to have her way. We will have you over soon,� she said as she gave her niece a kiss.
�I hope so. I love you Aunt Evelyn.� Katie took her hand and they went to where the rest of the family stood.
For Rick saying goodbye to his family wasn�t easy, and after hugging his mom and his sister for a long time, Rick walked over to where his father was holding a sad Katie. �We�ll call when we arrive in New York.�
After putting Katie down, Robert did something he hadn�t done in a long time. He gave his grown son a hug. �If you don�t your mom and I will come and hunt you down. I expect to see more of you,� Robert said as they parted.
�Yes Sir,� Rick said as Alex came to them.
�Mum says we need to board.�
�Alex, don�t let him stay away for long,� Robert said as the two of them embraced.
�I won�t Grandfather. I�ll write you every week,� he said as he and his dad joined his mum, sister, and Megan. They all said one last goodbye then boarded the train which would be the start of the Journey home, and for Megan and Alex a Journey of discovering who they really were.
THE END