Chapter Eight Part 3

Violet gave Betsy nigh onto an hour to bathe. When he returned to his cabin, he could hear nothing coming from inside, he wondered if he should knock or just enter. He lifted the latch and opened the door slightly to peek in. The babes were still sleeping peacefully, their angelic faces bore no trace of turmoil, which he was very relieved to see.

Nightmares were a common occurrence after one of these ordeals, that is why Vi encouraged Davey to sleep in the cabin with the boys. Davey had a way with them that Vi was ever grateful for. Violet did wish Davey had not had to grow up so quickly, but the fact that most of these children had lost at least one parent, if not both, Davey could understand, and he was a very good listener. It did please Vi when Davey could seem to forget his prior burdens, and run amuck with the other boys. Everyone was entitled to their childhood, and Vi did not want Davey to miss out on his.

Vi had just left the boy's cabin, all was well, Jonah had fallen asleep, his thumb in his mouth, content in having his brother near him. Timothy and Davey were speaking softly, exchanging life histories, so Vi had left them to talk themselves to sleep.

Most of the crew had rowed ashore, choosing to sit around the campfire, glad for a chance to relax after their very hard day's work. Vi was extremely pleased with their efforts, as the Wench looked better than she ever had before. His ship had a different feel already. Vi realized, he too, had a different feel already, as all he wanted to do was to find and hold his wife. He found it interesting, how something he had not even had yesterday, was now so vitally important to him today.

He entered and closed his cabin door very softly, then he tiptoed to the bedchamber door, where he knocked quietly upon it. After a minute or so with no answer, he gently pushed it open, to find his Kitten curled up on the bed. She had her bible open next to her, however, her eyes were closed in slumber. Violet smiled ruefully, noticing that her nightgown covered every inch of her, from neck, to wrists, to ankles. His little puritan had fallen asleep reading her good book. He picked up her bible and very carefully, so as not to disturb her, he stretched out beside her on his belly, propping the book up on a pillow in front of himself. He turned it over to see what she had been reading, He almost laughed, he put his fist to his mouth so no noise would escape, as he began to read the Songs of Solomon.

She had been studying. Vi did chuckle, softly, deep in his chest. He looked beside him, at his sleeping beauty, he was pleased that her last waking thoughts had been about him, and love, and wanting to learn more about passion. He read a few of the chapters himself. He was not sure how much information she had actually acquired from these writings of gazelles, and goats pouring down mountainsides. At least she was interested enough to try to find out. He was glad the book was not more detailed, as he planned to keep her in the dark just a little while longer.

As he read, he realized it was not a bad book to read for the wooing he was planning on doing, yet he could only imagine her laughter if he were to tell her that her hair was like a flock of goats, her teeth like shorn sheep. He shook his head as he smiled. Mayhap he should read some more and see if he could find some better illustrations. He turned back to the beginning. Kisses and wine, now that was better. That he could do.

He closed the book and set it beside the bed on a small chest. He rose and donned a nightshirt, he was glad he had one, as he normally slept in the nude. He could only imagine the lesson she would learn if she awoke, and got a peek at the rest of him. He was relieved after his talk with Brutus, he could not wait to start wooing his own wife. First off, he would suggest the swimming lessons, as that was vitally important for her to know. Wine, water, what was the difference? Kisses and water would work just fine for him.

He blew out the candle and lay on his back beside her. She stirred in her sleep, her hand reached out, settling low on his belly. His eyes darted furtively to her hand, then to her eyes, as to assure himself she still slept. He then raised her hand, placing it on his heart. He held her hand and closed his eyes. He had not realized how very tired he was after the day's events. The day had carried so many emotions with it, he was physically and emotionally drained. All that remained was her hand in his, thanks in his heart, and he found he was looking forward to the morrow, after a good night's rest.

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Betsy resided in that place that was somewhere between a dream and wakefulness. She was running all over a city, and up into the hills, looking for her love. When she could not find him anywhere, a great sadness overcame her. She forced herself to awaken, as she did not like the forlorn feeling that the dream was giving her.

As she rose from the dregs of sleep, she realized her backside was infused with a pleasant warmth, like she had never experienced before. And was that a hand upon her breast? She blinked her eyes open and looked down. It most certainly was a hand, his hand. She smiled as it came to her, she had found her love, after all. She took his hand with her own and lowered it to her abdomen. Lying here in his arms, just so, was a very pleasant way to greet the new morn.

Violet smiled behind her, he had sensed when she awakened, and was hard pressed not to laugh when she moved his hand to her belly. At least he now knew what she hid under those bindings. He was a lucky man. He lay there enjoying the closeness and warmth. He wished they could just laze the day away, but there were children to care for, lessons to be had, and life to be lived beyond this cocoon of pleasantness.

Violet and Betsy both heard the first giggle, she turned to see if he was awake, and was pleasantly surprised when she found his iris eyes laughing at her. She smiled back at him and turned over to face him.

Violet placed a kiss on her nose, "Good morning, lovey. It seems our little kittens are awakening."

Betsy placed a kiss on his lips, "Good morn, my husband. I do not remember falling asleep last night. T'was a very long day yesterday, was it not?" She could not help but to reach out and place her hand on his heart. It was a bit strange, how she felt as if she had done that before, but she knew she had not. She could feel his heart beating under her hand, and it gave her comfort to touch him so. His chest was so solid, and real, and warm to her touch.

"It was a very long day indeed, and we have many things to do today, also," Violet raised his brow as the giggles from the other room continued, "and it sounds as if we had best get about it."

Betsy smiled, and rolled onto her back, to stretch her sleepy limbs.

Violet saw her smile, and he immediately thought of shorn sheep. He laughed gustily, as she looked to him, a bit bewildered.

"Tis nothing, my love, let us rise and greet the day." He was still chuckling, as two little heads popped up, looking over the end of the bed, "Would you kittens like to come up and cuddle?"

They looked at Violet, then Betsy, and nodded. Betsy was reeling, he had called her his love. Had he known? Did he realize? Because, it hit her like a ton of bricks. She could only hope he had meant it, that he truly loved her, as she already loved him.

Vi rose and went to the bottom of the bed, he tossed the girls up and in with Betsy, they giggled and cuddled right up to her. "I am going to dress, you kittens stay right here, I shall fetch something to break our fast while you prepare yourself for the day. Wear something you kittens can swim in." He looked to Betsy, "Do you have anything suitable, love?"

"I am sure I can find something, Violet." She answered him pointedly, as that was now twice, he had called her his love.

Vi gathered his things from his bureau, "Look in the smaller trunk for something for the girls, I shall only be a short while." He walked around, to what he now assumed was her side of the bed, he leaned down, holding himself up with a hand to the furs, and kissed her softly. Looking deeply into her eyes, he said, "Yes, Elizabeth, I do believe I love you,.... Very much, in fact." He kissed her nose, and when he drew back a small space, his eyes were filled with the love he felt for her as he moved to withdraw. Before he could, she reached out, placing her hand on his arm.

"I believe, I love you also, Violet." Her face was serious, but her eyes twinkled with joy. He loved her. He loved her! Her apparent joy was so infectious, he could not resist stealing another kiss, as the girls looked back and forth between the two of them, giggling at the silly grown ups. As he made to leave, Betsy pulled one of the girls over herself, so one was on each side. "I am getting lessons in swimming today, do you girls know how to swim yet?"

Violet saw the babes shake their heads in the negative as he quit the room. He took his things into the outer room, he closed the door between the two, and dressed. He rubbed his chin, and thought he had better shave, as he planned on doing some kissing later, and did not want to chafe his love's soft skin.

He had seen the look on her face when he called her his love. He also knew she had wondered if he meant the words he had spoken. He believed there were some things she did not need kept in the dark about, his feelings for her, being one of them. He wanted her to know how he felt, it was what wooing was all about. He sported a devilish grin, as he felt he was off to a pretty good start.

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Violet waded out into the water, holding Betsy's hand, until they were in a bit past her waist. "I am going to place my hand behind your neck, my other arm will go under your knees, and you shall first learn to float. If you can float on your own, you can at least stay above water." He placed his hand behind her neck gently, and put his other at her waist.

"A bit like being baptized is it not?"

Violet barked with laughter, he had not thought of that. "Well, yes, lovey, I suppose it is." He was still chuckling, even as he realized his actions now took on a new meaning. She was trusting him with her well being, and he was trying to keep her safe. He felt a funny feeling in his heart, as it shot through with a pain he could not explain. He just knew that she must learn to swim, as he could not bear to lose her now that he had found her.

He started again and lowered her back into the water, picking up her legs as she reclined. She did not fuss or flail, she just lay in his arms, trusting he knew what he was doing. Her hair fanned out all around her neck before slowly absorbing the water and sinking down underneath her.

She had worn her bindings, her bloomers, and one of her light, grey day dresses. Just a simple dress, with shortened sleeves that covered her elbows and a bit below. When Violet had seen it, he decided his wife could use a few new dresses. She belonged in gay, bright colors that showed off her lustrous tresses and beautiful, huge eyes. He gazed down at those eyes, as he walked out further into the water, until it was up to his chest. He held her on the surface, as she lay there looking up at the few, puffy, white clouds above them. She darted her eyes to his, "Have you ever been baptized, Violet?"

He gave her a thoughtful look, "I cannot say that I have, Kitten. I assume your grandfather baptized you?"

"Oh yes, I was but eight. I had to wait, until Papa felt I could make the decision to do so on my own, but I knew long before that I wanted to be baptized. John the Baptist was my Papa's favorite. Actually, he had a lot of favorites." She giggled. "He loved Noah, and Moses, especially Moses, Set my people free!," She laughed again, "He loved that story. But John the Baptist tickled him, a man in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey, hollering REPENT! REPENT!, standing in a river baptizing people all the time. Papa always said, Now that, 'tis dedication!" Betsy laughed, a sweet melodious sound, that Violet would love to hear for the rest of his life. He found he was smiling so widely at her story, he felt happy enough, that if John the Baptist were out here in the water, he would let him do his work.

"We did not have a baptizing church in our town when I was younger, only recently have new churches been established, and I have been out at sea, with just quick trips home to visit my mother and leave our offerings." He was deep enough out now, that his arms were further up in the water, the water right below his chest.

Which Betsy was trying very hard not to stare at. She did, however, have the arm that rested against him raised, and was running the back of her fingers back and forth against his fine chest muscles. She smiled, and looked back up to the clouds, "Did you go to the church that was in your town, Violet?" Her eyes came back to rest on his.

"Every Sunday. I sat beside my mother in the back row." Smiling down on her, he walked out a bit more, then leaned down and started kissing her. Her face was just floating so closely, he couldn't resist.

She could not help but to wind her arms around his neck and straighten in the water. His arms went around her, one hand went to the back of her neck, the other arm full around her, holding her, oh so tight. She clung to him as everything around them faded away. The children splashing in the shallows by the shore, the men tending the fire and laundry, there had been a lot of laundry, Paulie and Chauncey arguing on deck, while Brutus tried his best to mediate. Yes, all of that faded away, as she tasted her love's kisses, and felt as if she were floating already.

Violet was getting hard pressed not to start ripping her clothes off, so he pulled her off him, no easy feat mind you, as she clung to him like a barnacle to a rock.

As soon as he was able to disengage her, he grinned hugely at her, and raised his eyebrow.

"What? ..............You love me." She grinned back at him.

He pulled her in close again, his heart filled with joy. "That I do Kitten, that I do."

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These two are so fun and I hope you all are enjoying reading as much as I'm enjoying the writing!

Bundle of Blessings to each and every one of you!!!