Everlasting Family

North Taylor- Chapter 10

  Orange, Virginia- 1864- North Taylor

Chapter 10

When Silas and I arrive at Lucian's home, it appeared to be empty. Upon further inspection we find Mary hiding in the basement, holding a small bundle of blanket.

"Mary!" Silas calls out, rushing to them. "Thank God you're alright!"

"Silas! North!" Mary cries, scrambling up and awkwardly hugging us. "I wasn't sure you would come! I didn't know what to do!"

"Calm down, Mary," Silas tells her quietly, taking the baby from her shaking arms and holding him close. "We are here and everything will be alright."

"Do you think Lucian will come home?" Mary asks hopefully.

Silas and I shared a look, knowing we were responsible for telling Mary about her husband, our friend.

"Please come with us, Mary," I tell her softly, bringing her to the stairs and helping her to the sitting room.

Once she is comfortable and Silas hands her the baby again, we proceed to tell her the news. We leave out the details of how we found Lucian and simply tell her there was nothing that could be done. Every tear she sheds tears at my soul a bit more.

She is without a husband and her son without a father. I cannot imagine how she feels, but I will keep my promise to Lucian and stay with them as long as they need me. I know Silas will as well by the look of determination on his face.

"What am I to do without him?" Mary asks through her tears. "He was everything to me."

"Now this little guy will be everything to you, Mary," I tell her, rubbing my hand through the sleeping baby boy's soft blonde hair.

"He does not even have a name," she whispers, looking down at her son. "Lucian and I were going to pick the name together."

"I would think it wise to use your maiden name for the boy and yourself until the war is over, Mary," Silas says gently. "If anyone were to get wind that Lucian has family left, they may try to come after you."

"What would you name him, North?" Mary asks me, her voice nothing more than a whisper.

Looking down at the baby in her arms, I am a bit taken aback when she holds him out to me. I hesitate, having never held an infant before. She seems to believe that I am capable because she all but shoves the boy into my arms, forcing me to hold him.

I am quiet for a long time, watching the little thing in my arms as he sleeps. I know he is only a few weeks old, however I could swear he is smiling in his sleep, a mischievous smile so much like his father used to have.

"Lucian," I smile down at him. "He should be named Lucian."

"North," Silas interjects. "What if someone gets wind of his name? Should we risk that?"

"I will fight off every seccesh that comes near this boy. I promised I would protect him and Mary and I will do so with my life," I growl. "I don't give a damn if they hear about his name. This baby will know what an honorable father he had."

Silas simply nods, his brow drawn in thought. Mary comes over to me and places a hand on my arm.

"May we call him Lucian Taylor?" She asks, sounding unsure.

I look to Silas, to be sure it is alright with him. He nods slightly and smiles at me. I turn back to Mary and try, but fail, to keep my emotions from my voice as I speak to her.

"I would be honored, Mary," I tell her with a smile.

Kissing the forehead of Lucian, I hand him back to his mother and insist they go up to rest. Silas and I spend the rest of the evening discussing how we will go about keeping Mary and Lucian safe.