Forty Two P 4

Sadie crossed the landing to lean out over the railing and call out to the children that their supper was ready.

Violet let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, while wiping his brow of imaginary perspiration, as the slew of wooden swords immediately stopped prodding him further out onto the ship's plank. He watched with satisfaction while the children turned tail and began whooping, making their way down the slides and ropes, to then put their swords in the weapon box and run headlong to the manse. The youths swarmed Sadie excitedly, amid admonishments to lower their voices a mite, to be sure to hang up their sweaters neatly, and to wash up good before their meal.

"I thought I was sleepin' w' the fishes for certain!" Violet hopped down off the plank, offering Betsy his hand. "Did you see that? This time they nearly had me."

Betsy laughed, shaking her head at him while taking his hand. "You like to let them think so, though I believe you really do not fool a one of them." Betsy came up against Violet, being enfolded into his arms. Violet kissed her sweetly for a few moments then he held her for just as long as she liked.

Betsy enjoyed his embrace for a while, the peaceful quiet around them broken only by the occasional bleat of a sheep, or the quiet lowing of the cattle.

Leaning back, Betsy lifted her face for another kiss, then Violet accompanied her over to a slide gesturing ladies first. Betsy swooped down to the ground, Violet following right after. Betsy returned her sword, as the children had, Violet putting his away also.

"Kitten?" Violet nodded towards the swings. Betsy was happy to stay and play, as this was the time of day they had allotted for their own. The children were occupied with an early supper, presided over by Miss Sadie and Miss Merry.

Miss Merry had quickly become a permanent resident and valuable staff member. It had not been very difficult for Violet to convince her they needed her and that her talents would be appreciated. She had moved out of the apartment Alfred kept immediately, being more than eager to join their happy family.

"Did you get everything you needed today in town, kitten?" Violet asked as he pushed her gently.

Betsy held to the ropes and glanced over her shoulder, her satisfied smile was answer enough, yet she shared her accomplishment with him. "I did, Lady Eleanor led me in the right direction."

"You found the beads and feathers?" Violet prodded.

"Oh yes, once I told the dressmaker what I was up to, she was most accommodating." Betsy smiled wryly, "Though Lady Eleanor's recommendation may have helped a small bit." It had been an entirely different experience for Betsy at the dressmaker, rather than the previous times she had been. This was the first time she had been there since shedding her maid status and she had found the exchange quite enjoyable.

"I shall have you know," Violet imparted proudly, "I also accomplished my part of the costumes."

Betsy heard the pride in his voice and decided to play along. "Really? So quickly? My goodness, Violet, you really are quite extraordinary..." She smirked back at him, "But I already knew that." She turned forward again and heard him chuckling behind her.

"Saucy wench." Violet loved how she teased him. He grabbed the ropes as Betsy swung back, and she smiled up at him widely. He leaned down to steal a kiss when they both heard a carriage approaching from across the lake.

Violet stood upright, "Why, 'tis Lynwood, Marcus and Katy are back!" Violet was a bit surprised. "They were not due back yet."

"I, for one, am glad! I need your mother's help." Betsy stayed where she was, her toe pushing her off at a sedately steady pace.

Violet moved to sit in the swing beside her, he too rocked back and forth a bit, "May I tell her, or would you like to?" Violet spoke of the babe and Betsy knew that he did.

"Oh, good Lord, Violet, you tell her, and tell her way over there, please?" Betsy could only imagine the enthusiasm of Katherine's reaction. She was more than happy to allow Violet to take the brunt of the bone crushing embraces she was sure Katherine would be giving out.

Violet chuckled beside her, "I understand completely."

They waited patiently, swinging together, while the carriage made it's way up the lane to the landing.

For Marcus, it was the best homecoming he could ever imagine. Always before, he had come home to a dismal place, to Gwendolyn, and her gloomy, snide attitude. What a change it was to come home and know, not only had the gloominess been dispelled, but it had been replaced with genuine love and warmth. The joy in Marcus's soul felt no bounds. He was married to the love of his life, and to top it off, he was going to be with his son. His son who would stay and raise his own family here. Yes, indeed, 'twas the best homecoming Marcus could imagine. He leaned to the side to see out the window and sucked in his breath quickly before he began laughing aloud.

"What is it?" Katherine's curiosity got the better of her, she took the hand Marcus offered, moving to sit upon his lap. His arms came around her to secure her, as she looked out the window to see the giant ship, half in and half out of the lake. "Oh, my word!"

"Now that just beats all." Marcus chuckled, his voice speaking softly over her shoulder, "My lady, I do believe we are home." Marcus squeezed Katherine softly, as she smiled brightly with pleasure.

"To know Violet is here, and not far across an ocean, 'tis a wonderful feeling, Marcus." Katherine shared.

"I was just thinking the same thing, my love." Marcus agreed. Restraining himself, he allowed Lynwood to do the honors once the carriage came to a stop.

Lynwood set the step and opened the door, assisting his lady before moving back so Marcus could alight as well.

"Shall I take your things to the lodge, milord?" Lynwood wanted to finish up his duties and visit the kitchen for a nice spot of tea and some conversation.

"Just the traveling bags for now will be fine, Lynwood, 'tis been a long day and we can unpack the rest tomorrow." Marcus took Katherine's hand and began to lead her to the landing as Lynwood climbed up top to drive the carriage around the barnyard, accessing the back lane to the lodge.

"Father." Violet called.

Marcus smiled widely, turning to find Violet walking the expanse of lawn to greet them. When Violet had called him father, Marcus' heart immediately swelled in response. God, but that simple word sounded so sweet coming from his eldest son.

"Violet!" Katherine let go of Marcus's hand and took the few steps necessary to be in Violet's embrace. She knew she would never tire of the novelty of having him near. She held him tightly as Marcus waited his turn.

Marcus saw Elizabeth swaying in a swing on the side of the ship. He waved, she waved back, her happiness readily apparent on her face.

Katherine let go of Violet long enough to allow Marcus to greet his son.

"I should have known you could not do without a ship for long, Violet." Marcus laughed the words.

"Aye, father, 'twas my last command to the crew, they did not disappoint did they?" Violet looked back at the ship with pride. The many hours the children played there making it entirely worth the days of labor.

"I do have one other small surprise for you two." Violet's iris eyes shone with a mischievous light. "But, mayhap, I shall wait and let you get settled in first."

Katherine knew immediately, from the look of pride on his face, and from the quick look he shot to where Elizabeth sat swinging behind him. "Truly?" Katherine clasped her hands to her heart, "Oh Violet, truly?!" 'Twas all she could think of to say. Her heart was filled with expectant joy and she suddenly did not know what to do with herself.

"Aye, Mama, I am going to be a father." Violet grinned and stepped back, as she threw her hands in the air, shouting hallelujah, and started doing a crazy, little victory dance right in front of him.

He and Marcus began laughing as she danced, Elizabeth chuckled from her perch as Violet was then nearly strangled by his mother. Katherine laughed, and cried, as Violet held her, her toes dangling a foot above the ground.

"Alright, put me down," Katherine insisted breathlessly without loosening her grip, "I must see Elizabeth, why is she just sitting there, Violet?"

"She is fine, and healthy, and looking forward to it herself, Mama."

Katherine noticed Violet was not letting her go. "Let me go to her."

"I am to allow you to expend your exuberance upon me, Mama, so you do not strangle Elizabeth in your zeal."

'Twas then Katherine realized her arms were still wound tightly around Violet's neck. She loosed her grip immediately, "I will behave, Violet, I promise, let me go."

Violet chuckled and set her down, her hand coming up to cup his cheek. "Oh, thank you, Violet, you have made me so happy!" She fairly skipped over to the swings to hug Elizabeth while Violet spoke to her back.

" 'Twas entirely my pleasure, Mama." Violet said with a grin.

Marcus hugged his son, patting his back with gusto. "Congratulations, smart mouth."

"God knows I only speak the truth, Marcus." Violet continued grinning as they turned towards the ship.

"Aye, Violet, I am quite sure of that." Marcus's amusement was evident in his voice.

"I am simply enjoying the gift that God has given me." Violet defended himself humorously.

Marcus was not about to speak of how he had been enjoying Violet's mother, so he moved to a safer subject. "God has been incredibly good to the both of us, Violet." Marcus and Violet both looked upon their women appreciatively.

Violet slung an arm around his father's shoulders, feeling blessed beyond measure. "Amen, Marcus, God has been exceedingly good to us all."

Violet exchanged a heartfelt look with his father. "Welcome home, old man."

"The best I have ever known, son." Marcus embraced Violet tightly, then pulled back, holding him at arms length. "Ready?"

"I was only waiting for you to be." Violet answered gladly. "Give me a moment, I will meet you at the ship."

"As you say." Marcus smiled widely, making his way to join the women, while Violet went inside the manse to fetch their swords.

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For you, my lovely readers, until next time, love and blessings to all! :)