Everlasting Family

Owen Blackbourne- Chaper 1

***THIS IS A PREQUEL TO ACADEMY EVERLASTING AND DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS TO ACADEMY EVERLASTING***

Brunswick, Maine- 1815

Owen Blackbourne's POV

Chapter 1

"Come now, Owen," Sean sighs. "You do know how correct I am about that woman."

He is as much my brother as a true blood relative. However, I do wish he would let up on his exhausting speech. Alice and I have been married for twelve months now, yet Sean refuses to understand that I refuse to leave my wife. I made a commitment and I shall stick to it.

"Whether you are correct in your observations or not, is irrelevant, Dr. Green," I tell him, standing from the bench we have been sitting on. "I will not leave Alice, that is immoral and irresponsible and I am neither of those things. We are married, she is my wife and I shall honor my vows to her."

"She is slowly killing you, my friend," Sean tells me sadly. "You never laugh or smile, you rarely laugh when I say anything funny! That woman is responsible for turning you to stone."

"She is not turning me to stone, Dr. Green," I protest, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I am just getting older, there is far less to laugh about at my age."

Sean laughs at my words, then stands to join me for our stroll back to my home. "With me as your best friend, that is simply not true. Furthermore, I also am 22 years old and I laugh on a daily basis."

Perhaps Sean is right and Alice has turned me to stone, but I cannot bring myself to break my vows to her. I would rather be made of stone.

The walk back to my home is quiet, both Sean and I lost in thought. He is forever telling me that I would be much better off without Alice, however I cannot bring myself to dishonor her or my family. I made a commitment to her and family and I shall stay by her side until death do us part, even if I do turn to stone because of it.

Thinking about the arrangement that was made when I was a small boy, I cannot stop myself from wishing that a different woman was chosen by my father to be my wife. A woman with strength and beauty. But I would wish her to also be honest and kind hearted.

She would not feign kindness as Alice often does, she would not think twice about helping others when needed. She would not wish for monetary gain and increased social status as Alice does, but rather she would wish for love and support from me. She would not show herself off to the community, but would have an innocence about her that I would find endearing. She would be everything my wife is not and I would love her with all my heart. However, I do not believe such a woman exists. Oh how I wish she did exist though, for me to hold and love forever.

"Is that you, Owen?" Alice calls out, pulling me from my musings as Sean and I step through the front door. "Have you finished your walk finally? I have been here all by my lonesome whilst you have been out gallivanting around with your 'friends'."

Setting my features, so as not to upset Alice and cause another row, I walk to the kitchen where she is attempting to fix supper.

"Yes, Alice," I tell her, giving her a small peck on the cheek. I try my best to ignore the unease I have in the pit of my stomach every time I touch her. "I am terribly sorry it took so long, we had a sit down at the edge of the river. Had I known I was needed, I would have surely made my way back more quickly."

"Why is Dr. Green here?" She asks with disgust. "Surely we haven't the food to feed another person. Terribly sorry to you, Doctor, but I believe my husband will ask you to take your leave now."