Surrender

[macmillian]

Alex ....

"Before start Ava's new project, let's eat. We will need strength this afternoon. We will get everything ready and when we finish, we will sit down and establish that family which Ava feels should be done."

Luke walked in the front door and over to Ava and handed her the bag she requested. Ava Smiled at Luke as she thanked him.

Luke .... "Not a problem, Ava, You know that I'll do anything for you." and sat down next to her for lunch.

Alex .... "Cassi come over and sit and eat something, David will sleep a little longer. So, after diner we get everything finised for the funeral and them we will hold a family meeting whil we wait. Is That ok, alright with all of you."

I strated to scoopp out the light stew into bowls and handed them around the table.

 

[macmillian]

Luke ....

"This smells real good Alex, have you been taking lessons from Cassi in your spare time," and I smile across the table towards Cassi. "The biscuts you made last night will go real nice with this stew. I found a bunch of wild onions and Alex added them in to." I stopped talking and took a spoonfull of the stew.

We were all quiet for the remainder of the meal.

 

[landiek]

"Before start Ava's new project, let's eat. We will need strength this afternoon. We will get everything ready and when we finish, we will sit down and establish that family which Ava feels should be done."

Cassi looked to the table, her heart was beating faster as she thought about her family that she would never see again.. she even wondered if any of them were still alive. Then she looked at the folds in the room.. they claimed her as their family.. wasn't that enough..

"Not a problem, Ava, You know that I'll do anything for you." Luke sat down next to her for lunch.

Cassi turned to Alex as he called to her "Cassi come over and sit and eat something, David will sleep a little longer. So, after diner we get everything finised for the funeral and them we will hold a family meeting while we wait. Is That ok, alright with all of you."

Cassi took a seat at the table and then glanced at the table. There was so much that was different.. that Lincoln fellow did a good job at freeing her people but what about the mindset.. some folks didn't think like Masser Alex, Masser Luke and Miz Ava.

"This smells real good Alex, have you been taking lessons from Cassi in your spare time," as Luke smiled across the table towards Cassi. "The biscuts you made last night will go real nice with this stew. I found a bunch of wild onions and Alex added them in to."

"They are shore nice Masser Luke." Cassi repleid politely with a smile.

Cassi couldn't help but stare at the book that Miz Ava was referring to.. she said that she was going to put births and deaths in it.. maybe a marriage belonged in it.. Miz Jenny married someone....

 

[macmillian]

Alex ....

We finished eating in silence, the only sound was the scraping of the utensils agains the plates. We stacked the empty dishes for cleaning.

Alex .... "I'll get the wagon and team together so we will be ready to travel when the undertaker arrives. Ava do you want to ride your horse or the wagon? Luke, how about you?"

Luke .... "Can we all fit in the wagon and make it easier on the horses?

Alex .... "That is what I was figuring on. Well Ava, your decision."

 

[andygorn]

Clayton, Julia and Amy

Clayton smiled widely as he saw Amy and Julia playing....Amy had really taken to Julia as her new Mum and Julia seemed to really enjoy the little dog's company, which was a good thing.
He made his way out of the tent to start food and soon the smell of the potato cakes and sausages was wafting through the air.
Julia came out just in time as the food finished cooking and he was plating it up for them and he waved to her.

'God, she gets more beautiful every time I see her.' He thought.
He even found Julia's kisses even more enchanting now than they had ever been.

They were soon sat on the log eating their food, enjoying each others company as Amy frolicked around; every so often, she gave cheeky yips whenever she felt Clayton and Julia weren't paying her enough attention.
As he ran his fingers through Amy's fur and she looked up at him with pure love in her eyes, Clayton asked Julia: "So, how long do you think it'll take to get there?"

 

[rvplymates]

The fork stopped in mid-air as Clayton asked Julia a question. She smiled at him.

"I figure it will take about four to five days depending on how hard we push the horses. I don't think we have to hurry though, do you. The West will still be there when we get there"

Julia laughted at her own joke which Clayton seemed to enjoy to. As she looked at him his handsome smile came to his face.

Julia continued to eat and slip Amy some sauage from time to time. When she finished eating, she put her plate down on the ground. She walked over to the supply tent and began packing it up.

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Alex ....

We finished eating in silence, the only sound was the scraping of the utensils agains the plates. We stacked the empty dishes for cleaning.

Alex .... "I'll get the wagon and team together so we will be ready to travel when the undertaker arrives. Ava do you want to ride your horse or the wagon? Luke, how about you?"

Luke .... "Can we all fit in the wagon and make it easier on the horses?

Alex .... "That is what I was figuring on. Well Ava, your decision."

Ava stared at the table in front of her, suddenly paralyzed as the gravity of what had happened hit her. After several moments of silence, she nodded mumbling her agreement to ride in the wagon. Assailed by intense nausea, she got up, murmured her apologies and swiftly left the cabin.

Out side she doubled over, her eyes welling up as she started bawling. It was hard to be so stoic all the time. It was even harder when you were an orphan travelling alone and had inadvertently killed a young woman and probably her infant son. If only she could get out west, found her school, and find a new life. Get away from the remanants of the war, get away from the carnage and destruction. Just get away, as far as she could.

 

[landiek]

Cassi rose and followed Ava out of the cabin, it was hard to find her neither after hearing the sounds of heaving.

"Miz Ava , does you need some water?" Cassi asked softly.

She stepped closer so that Ava could see her. "Miz Ava , I'z knows yore fellin plumb awful bout Miz Jenny... I's athinkin yore blamein yoreself powerful too."

Cassi came up behind Ava and opened her arms. "Taint no sobbin up dere in heaven I's been told.. it all pretty and shiny an God lives up there.. an He's takin care of Miz Jenny now."

Cassi hugged the woman gently not wanting to make her sick again as she rocked her against the full black chest covered in calico. "I thinks yore not greivin for just Miz Jenny in yore heart.. dere is family yore missin.. I's understans Miz Ava.. cause I does it too."

Cassi took the fancy hankie that Masser Alex gave her and held it out for Ava to use. "Taint no shame in cryin, Miz Ava. Unlessin yore keepin it from Masser Luke."

 

[macmillian]

Alex ....

I stood there and watched as Ava and then Cassi left the cabin. "Looks as thought the events of the night and morning was catching up with us all. I felt releived that I had released my own grief earlier when I was alone. I just didn't know how to approach the women to comfort them. All I knew was that I had to be there when they turned to me for help. I knew I had to be the tower of strength for this group for awhile."

Alex .... "Luke, it is going to fall to you and me to see that Ava and Cassi get through this day. Think you and I can handle this?"

Luke .... "You can depend on me to do the best I can. I have some strong feelings for Ava and I will do Anything for her, as I will do anything for Cassi and you. Alex, this is important to me, trust me, I will not let you down!"

Alex .... "Thanks Luke, I knew that I could depend on you. We will wait here untill the Ladies return. I don't want to leave David alone. More coffee."

Luke .... "Sure, another cup while we wait."

I poured the coffee and handed Luke his and we sat there and waited for the return of Ava and Cassi.

 

[macmillian]

Luke ....

Thinking to myself while Alex and I sat drinking our Coffee in silence

"I would do anything for Ava. Anything at all. I wish she could be more positive towards me. One time she seems to connect and then later, she seems distant. Alex was right, you can't figure which way a woman would jump, you just had to be there when they needed you. But there is more to it than that. Ava is educated and very smart. She knows what she wants and knows how to go about getting it. Ava........she is my image of a woman I would choose if I ever went looking. But i don't have to go looking, she is right here. All I have to do is figure out how to get her to realize how I feel. I tried telling her last night and failed badly. I will have to try again. I have to be straight forward about it. I don't know any other way."

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Ava blinked furiously, trying to rein in her emotions before the bile could once again rise in her throat.

"Luke doesn't understand Cassi, he can hardly handle his own issues, let alone mine."

She smiled a wobbly, teary smile up at Cassi. "But I care for him nonetheless. I guess that's just our burden as women, isn't it?" She laughed, though she was once again in tears. "We love them with all our hearts and they have no idea." She hugged Cassi close. "Well, I need to clean myself up. Don't worry about washing my apron, I'll do it. I need a bit of time to myself anyway. Go on in, I'll be back in a bit..." She smiled at the woman as she removed her apron, preparing to wash it in the river.

 

[landiek]

"Luke doesn't understand Cassi, he can hardly handle his own issues, let alone mine."

"Taint no easy road them issues. Reckon that's why most folk try to hide 'em." Cassi surmised with a soft lilt to her voice, calm but reassuring.

She smiled a wobbly, teary smile up at Cassi. "But I care for him nonetheless. I guess that's just our burden as women, isn't it?"

"Seems thataway, Miz Ava." Cassi agreed.

"We love them with all our hearts and they have no idea." She hugged Cassi close. "Well, I need to clean myself up. Don't worry about washing my apron, I'll do it. I need a bit of time to myself anyway. Go on in, I'll be back in a bit..."

"Yes ma'am, I'z will tell Masser Alex and Masser Luke, yous be along plume soon." Cassi rose heading back to the cabin silently.

Cassi looked at the men with a soft gesture of saddness. "MIz Ava needs a little time, she's cleaning somethin up and will be along rightly."

 

[macmillian]

Luke .... & Alex ....

Luke .... "Ok Cassi, I guess I shouldn't go out there then. Thanks."

Alex .... "Thanks Cassi, Don't worry Luke. Ava will be just fine. There's a lot going on and it is a trying day."

Luke .... "Alright Alex, I'll leave it alone for awhile."

Alex .... "good! Cassi, is there anything you need us to do now, other than to clean up the kitchen and dishes." I wanted more than anything to run over to her and take you in my arms and hold you tight.

 

[andygorn]

Clayton (with Julia and Amy)

Smiling at Julia, Clayton replied: "No, you're right there's no rush and we'll need to keep the horses pretty fresh in case we run into anything which our gun skills can't handle, but I guess the sooner we get there the sooner the three of us can start making our new lives together."

Julia's gorgeous smile came to her face once more and Clayton couldn't help but smile along wth her as they laughed together at the joke.
"I swear, Julia, your smile just gets more appealing and beautiful every single time I see it."

Clayton finished his meal pretty quickly and then went over to help Julia packing away the tent and the various belongings of the camp. With both of them setting to the task (along with a bit of encouragement from Amy), this task was soon accomplished and they and the horses were soon ready to be off on the morning's journey.

 

[rvplymates]

As they settled in the wagon, Clayton took charge of the driving and Julia just watched out for trouble. Right at the moment it was quiet, the beginning of a beautiful day. Julia wrapped her arms around Clayton's arm lightly. She was happy and her face was radient.

"Clayton, about provisions, do you think we need any. I mean you are definately the better cook and use things I know nothing of. Is there a need to stop or can we get by for awhile"

They moved along with the rythum of the wagon, Amy sat at there feet peeking out ever so often, she was happy for the free ride.

 

[macmillian]

Luke .... "Alex, I going outside for some air. I'll sit by the wagon and wait for Ava to return."

Alex .... "OK Luke. Rest easy. Ava will be back I'm sure." I give you a smile and Watch as you walk out the door. I leave the table and go over to cassi.

Alex .... "Hey hon. How are we doing, everythings ok now. Looks like David has some very fine Aunts and Uncles to see him to manhood. That was my promise to Jenny and I need your help to keep it." I took her hand in mine and hoped she understood.

 

[landiek]

"Hey hon. How are we doing, everythings ok now. Looks like David has some very fine Aunts and Uncles to see him to manhood. That was my promise to Jenny and I need your help to keep it." I took her hand in mine and hoped she understood.

Cassi looks to Masser Alex and nods. "Twont be easy.. but I's reckon we cans make good of yore word." Cassi agreed.

She walked over to the small crib and lifted David holding him close and then quickly changin him into fair clothing for the dreary moment.

 

[andygorn]

Clayton, Julia and Amy

They moved along with the rythum of the wagon, Amy sat at there feet peeking out ever so often, she was happy for the free ride.[/QUOTE]

Clayton mused that it was a lovely day as they set off, made all the better for the feeling of the comforting warmth of Julia's slender arms wrapping around him and he could feel the wamrht of Amy's little furry body next to his feet. As he smiled down at them warmly, the looks on both his girls' faces was as radiant as ever...

In answer to her, he replied: "If there's a good supply of water nearby when we get there, we should be okay with what we have, but we could really do with getting some more food for the journeys ahead. I'm not sure what sorts of things are out this way, however...do you recall any other settlements on the way?"

 

[rvplymates]

Julia looked into his eyes as he questioned the location of settlements.

"Actually, my plantation is on a main route so as we travel to it we will see a lot of towns. We can stop anywhere we like. As for water, there are many lakes along the way also. Many that I bathed in but I think the water is still clean"

She laughed at her joke and could see Clayton's eyes crinkle in amusement and yes there was some mischief there too. She knew he was about to say something that would be absolutly funny just by the look in his eyes. It was a wonderful feeling knowing someone this well that you could anticipate when they would show their humor. She really loved his humor and his sweet disposition. She felt she could tease him at any level and he would never take offense.

"You know Clayton, I love you deeply"

It came from nowhere, she hadn't expected to say it but she knew she meant it with her very being.

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Ava sighed, looking out across the land as she washed her apron. She was mostly alone now. It was hard to understand how quickly life could change sometimes. One day you were set to marry the son of an academic and run a grand household, the next day you were travelling to God-knows-where with two former officers, a former slave, and a baby.

She stopped washing for a moment, perplexed. What of Luke? He said he cared for her, but did he act like it? Did he even know what love was? He didn't know anything about her, none of them did. Maybe it was for the better.

 

[macmillian]

Luke ....

I left the cabin and went over to the corral and checked on my old mare. The old girl had been good to me for many years and now she could rest for awhile. I was riding one of Alex's horses and saving the mare.

I wounder where Ava has gone off to. I promised Cassi I would not go looking for her and so I stayed near the cabin. Waiting.

 

[andygorn]

Clayton, Julia and Amy

Touching his forehead to hers, with his eyes full of admiration and love for her, Clayton said: "It really sounds like sounds like you've got it all figured out, sweetheart and that we should be abe to find anything we want along the way."
Laughing at her joke, Clayton added: "I'd be more than happy to share the water you bathe in, Julia."
"It reminds me of a time when I was little and I wanted to go swimming in a big lake near the plantation....my Uncle knew that it was too deep for me, but he also knew I was scared of the rumours of big fish in there, too."
"When I asked him if there were any big fish in the lake, he said 'no...', so I jumped straight into the lake. Then he shouted out 'the huge gators ate all the big fish...' well, I never got out of something so fast in all my life..." he laughed.
He was glad that his humour and openness came easily when he was in Julia's company.

Her comment about loving him deeply took him aback a little, yet he knew that what she said was heartfelt...and also that this was what he felt for her in his heart too.
"I know that I might have never given my heart to anyone before, Julia, but I somehow know with all of my soul that I am feeling true love for you too."
He tenderly kissed the tip of her delectable, cute, nose, relishing the closeness between them.

Smiling warmly, trying his best to be reassuring, he added: "Don't worry about going back home...if you feel any pain about it, just remember that me and Amy will be trying to take your hurt away."

 

[rvplymates]

As Clayton touched his forehead to Julia's she rubbed against it gently with her forehead, his eyes told her he loved her and she felt warm and loved by him.

She laughted as he said he would share her water and listened to his story about the big fish. When he told her how fast he had rushed out of the water, Julia could see it in her mind, her laughter filled the air.

Her comment about loving him deeply took him aback a little, yet he knew that what she said was heartfelt...and also that this was what he felt for her in his heart too.

Julia wrapped her arms around his arm tighter as he said he had true love for her. She held his arm against her breasts not realizing the effect she had on him. He kissed the tip of her nose gently and she closed her eyes, she felt the need to have him again but knew it would have to wait till they stopped tonight for rest.

She smiled as he assured her that he and Amy would be with her when they arrived at her home to support and love her. She thought of her home and wondered how she would feel seeing it brunt once more. She shook it off as she looked ahead and saw the area where one of the lakes were.

"over there where that clump of trees are, there is a fine lake, the waters a bit cold though, maybe it has an underground stream. Clayton nodded and continued driving.

 

[CollegeRomantic]

Ava sighed, turning back to the cabin. She was glad she still had her mourning gown with her. It was far too fancy for the setting, but she would wear it anyway. She saw Luke standing by the horses as she walked back to the cabin. Struck for a moment, she just stood there and stared at him, wondering idly what he would do. Would he attempt to comfort her, or just stand there, looking awkward?

He was dealing with his mare, and didn't even notice her. She braced herself for when he turned in her direction...

 

[macmillian]

Luke ....

I turn away from the mare and I see you standing there looking towards me. I raise my arm in acknowledgement of seeing you and I walk over.

"Ava, feeling better I hope! I know that it's difficult to loose one as young as Jenny and we all have done our best to help her, but I feel that her desire to live was not there. I know now that I must have fought to live after they took my arm, I did not give. For the longest time I used the loose to blame everone for my plight. Alex, Cassi and most of all you have showed me that there was more the self pity. There is life and life is beautiful. Ava, I still need you an I do mean it when I say that you have come to mean a great more to me then than just a friend." I reach out and take your hand in mine and gently squeez it.

"You are very kind Ava, more so to me and I need you remain so. I have need of you and I hope you would have need of me."