The British Are Coming

Part 7: Smoke Signals

Sadie and Samuel were both on the porch when you arrived home,  Sadie rocking in the creaky wooden chair pulling on her pipe while Samuel raced back in forth in front of her.  At the sound of your approach, he sprung out from between the railing, pointing a stick at you and Thomas.  His chubby cheeks puffed with air as he let out a squeaky "bang". Thomas instantly clutched his chest and made a noise in feigned agony.  You laughed at the gesture, delighted at him playing along.  Sadie's face remained blank, however. Only her eyes moved to your arm around his.  You immediately let go and started fidgeting with your dress, feeling scolded once more.

"Come give mummy a kiss, my love," you cleared your throat, crouching down to Samuel's level and held your arms out to him.  He ran into them, stick still in tow. You covered his face in kisses while he desperately squirmed to get away from you.

"That's poppa's cane," he pointed to Thomas' crutch. 

Thomas lifted the cane, maneuvering it like a musket that pointed at some unseen enemy in the distance.

"Are you certain?" he asked Samuel with his eyebrows raised, pointing the cane now at him, "It looks like an infantry rifle to me."

Samuel waved his stick at Thomas.
"I have one of those too!" he said excitedly. Thomas nodded with a smile. You slowly stood, watching them interact.

"Oh indeed! But a good soldier must make sure his weapons are well maintained, hmm?"  Thomas bent over and inspected the stick with good-natured concentration.

"Hmm, it seems solid enough," his eyes ran along the wood, then snuck a glance at you.

You smirked at him then made your way up to the porch to join Sadie.  She blew out a big ring of smoke and raised her eyebrows questioningly at you.

"We just went for a walk.  He needs to get used to terrain more," you answered her in an overly practical tone. Sadie only continued to watch you.

Several feet away Thomas was showing Samuel how to march like a proper soldier.

"Head up, lad.  Straighten your weapon a bit," he ordered, but his tone was gentle and patient. 

Samuel was over the moon, doing his best to be the most perfect little soldier.  Your heart swelled with love as you watched him. Astonishingly though, that swell didn't want to subside when your eyes drifted back to Thomas.

Sadie slapped your arm with the back of her hand. You blinked quickly and turned to her.

"What?"

She kept her hands low and close to her lap as she signed to you.  She did that sometimes when others were around, as if they would ever know what she was conveying anyway. You supposed it was her way of whispering.

"Don't be absurd," you whispered back, "it was just a walk."

Sadie tilted her hat up and cocked a knowing half grin at you.

"What?" you said again a bit defensively this time.  Your cheeks started to burn and an encroaching smile seemed impossible to hide.

She deliberately pulled on her pipe, then slowly blew the smoke in your face.

"Blast!," you coughed, waving your hand about your face, "Very well...," you sighed, looking across the way to Thomas. 
"We kissed," you said in the quietest voice possible.

Sadie grumbled and pulled her hat down low in a huff, slumping in the chair.

"He's not the monster you make him out to be," you said with a tone of frustration.
"There's a playfulness to him, a lightheartedness.  Just look at him with Samuel," you pointed at the two. Thomas was holding Samuel up so he could pluck flowers from the bush on the other side of the fence.  His cane lay next to Samuel's stick in the grass. Your gaze settled on his gait as he limped about.  It wouldn't be long now before he wouldn't need a cane at all.  That swell you felt earlier suddenly turned into something else.  It felt as if a rock nestled heavily in your stomach.

"Besides," you continued sadly, "he'll be gone soon." 

Sadie's frown softened some. She gave your chin a little lift with her finger.  You looked at her quizzically. She patted you right above the breast then did the same to herself.

You smiled and nodded.
"I love you too."

"Mummy!" Samuel scampered up the steps, mountain laurels clutched in his little fist.

"I got you flowers," he grinned, shoving the delicate blossoms in your face.

"Thank you, my love," you exclaimed drawing him into your arms. 

Thomas slowly made his way up the steps. You raced over to aid him.  He also held a bouquet of his own.

"I have dreadful news," you teased eyeing the flowers, "someone has already presented me with flowers."

Thomas tilted his head with a smirk.
"Oh, my apologies, but these aren't for you," he replied with a snobbish flair, then turned to Sadie with a little bow.

"For your trouble," he presented the bouquet to Sadie.  She was startled by his gesture.  Her eyes darted from the flowers to you to Thomas then finally, she accepted them with a curt nod and a fleeting smile.  Maybe your eyes were deceiving you, but you were certain her cheeks deepened in color.

Sadie stood abruptly and gathered Samuel up in her arms to take him inside. She turned before entering to give Thomas another nod and you a subtle wink.

Suddenly you two were alone again and Thomas wasted no time in making contact with you.  He grabbed your hand and brought it to his lips with a sly smile.

You watched him, your pulse pounding in your ears.
"You...you must be exhausted," you stammered. His lips were so warm on your skin.  You desperately wanted their fever, but knew it must be squelched.

"Let's get you inside to bed," you pulled away but he stopped you.

"Only if you join me," he smiled mischievously.

"You devil, you can't say things like that!" you exclaimed.

"Why not?," he pressed, "I know you've thought about it."

Your mouth dropped open with a huff as you struggled to respond.

"You needn't be coy. I've thought about it equally as much," his lips grazed over your knuckles as he spoke.

"How the heat of your flesh must feel against mine.  How the sweet taste of your nectar feels on my tongue. How you'll sound when you cry out my name..."

You gave a little gasp. His impudence was beyond recall. But his words, the touch of his lips, those penetrating eyes, it was more than you could bear and he knew it.

"Are you quite well, darling? Your face is terribly flushed," Thomas said amused.  You were irritated that he could get to you so.  Ever since he was dragged through that door, he tormented you.  You dared to challenge him at his own game.

Closer you stepped to him, bringing his hand to your breast. You lips hovered near his as you spoke.

"My flesh is fire and as soft as down," you whispered, tracing a finger along his handsome jawline. He shuddered slightly at your touch.

"My nectar is sweeter than the finest honeyed wine."

Thomas' eyes grew wider at your boldness.  A loud click sounded in his throat.

"And the only sound you'll hear above my cries..." your palm rested on his chest as you lifted your eyes to lock onto his,
"...is your own voice begging me for more."

Now Thomas' mouth dropped open. You smiled smugly and gave him a peck on the cheek before heading towards the door.  You turned to glance back at him, victory coursing through your veins. You gave him another smile.

His face stretched into a gleeful grin and said,
"Heaven help me."