The Fire Within

Chapter 21

Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.

Isaiah thinks about this saying as he sits among the people in the Philadelphia home. They have been nursing him back to health, treating him as though he belongs with them, and they never bring up the things he’s done against the Union army. He’s been beginning to wonder if it would be okay to make a place for himself and Elizabeth in the north. To become a new man with new priorities and a new family that cares for him more than his parents ever did. A smile finds his face as he thinks about starting anew. The thought sends a thrill through him that he never knew. A new life where he could make a real difference in something, to use his skills, and even start a family with his wife. A new life where his children could grow up with his brother’s children like they had always planned.

Ezekiel smiles at his brother from across the table when he notices the look of happiness and contentment on his brother’s face. The fact that Isaiah’s still here astounds Ezekiel more than he wants to admit. He thought for sure that the moment Isaiah could act on his own accord, he would have been on the first stage coach back to the Carolinas. It thrills him that Isaiah is still here but more than anything the fact that Isaiah seems content and happy makes Ezekiel ecstatic.

The conversation around the table is light and congenial, even when Grace and Zachariah enter the room, the mood does not change. Ezekiel worried that when Isaiah found out about Grace that he would immediately call them all traitors and attempt to kill her. Instead he decided that James never existed and there was no way he could ever harm a woman, even if she’s the infamous ghost rider.

Ezekiel is pulled out of his thoughts when Mary stands and clicks her fork on her water glass. They still haven’t told anyone about the baby yet, it just never seemed like the right time. But apparently now Mary’s decided that this is the time to make the announcement. Ezekiel smiles at her as everyone else silences and looks at Mary expectantly.

“I just wanted to say that I am so happy that all of the people that I care so deeply for are here with us right now,” Mary begins. “You see, I never had many friends growing up because of the way we moved around. I was always happiest visiting with Grace’s and William’s family because I felt closest to them. But now, I have extended that family to all of you.” Mary smiles at all of the people in front of her. Her heart begins to flutter a little, this has been something that has only belonged to her for a while now, she of course shared it with Ezekiel, but now it’s time to share with everyone else.

“Ezekiel and I have an announcement to make,” she pauses for a moment, then smiles. “We are going to have a baby.”

Grace, Elizabeth, and Helen all squeal in delight, happy for their friend. All three women envelop Mary in a hug. Zachariah, William, and Isaiah all shake Ezekiel’s hand and offer him congratulations.

Isaiah looks at the scene in front of him. How happy is wife looks among these people and how happy is brother is both with his life and having Isaiah near. Isaiah suddenly realizes that he does not necessarily agree with everything that these people say or do. His political views are still that of a plantation owner, but fundamentally, he believes in family, love, and happiness, three things that have eluded him for most of his life. He feels more fulfilled here, than he ever has on the plantation with his family or as a soldier.

Elizabeth breaks away from the rest of the women and returns to Isaiah’s side. He smiles at the beaming woman next to him and realizes that she’s never seemed happier or more beautiful to him than she does in this moment. Elizabeth has always had a carefree, upbeat attitude about her. She never seems to see the negatives around her, she always makes the best out of whatever situation she’s in and she makes fast friends almost everywhere she goes. But even through that, she’s never seemed more carefree or upbeat than she has recently.