The Morgan Clan || A Red Dead Story

Chapter 11; Cuts and Contemplation

When the group got back Arthur went over to the campfire and poked a finger into one of the bowls of beans. He made a disgruntled noise.

"You okay with cold food, Albert?" His partner looked disappointed but nodded nonetheless.

"Yes, it's okay." He picked up one of the bowls and a spoon, then took a bite. At the same moment Albert pulled the spoon out of his mouth, the baby in Arthur's arms whined and made grabby hands for the bowl.

"What is it, sweetheart," Arthur asked, "You want some beans?" He picked up his own bowl and spoon.

"Are you sure she can eat it? Last night you implied she'd be better off with liquid." Albert looked concerned at the both of them, then at the bowl of beans.

"I think she would be, but she's probably starvin'. Plus I remember that Isaac took up eatin' soft food almost right off the bat." It wasn't often that Arthur mentioned his late son, so when he said his name, Albert's brows rose considerably.

"Are you sure," he asked.

"Mostly. I mean I'd rather not wait til' we get to town. That trip'll take a couple hours at least." Arthur glanced from Albert, to the baby, to the beans. He wasn't entirely sure, really, but she seemed ready enough.

"Alright," the photographer said reluctantly. Arthur nodded and brought a spoonful of beans up to her mouth. She gobbled it right up and clapped her hands for more.

"Well, it looks like we're good!" He nodded with a grin and turned to his partner, who was smiling at both of them.

"Let me try," he said. Arthur nodded and gave Albert the spoon, who dipped it in the bowl and brought the food up to the baby's mouth. She cooed and ate it.

"You wanna do it," Arthur asked when he saw the expression of complete delight on Albert's face. The photographer nodded and they traded. Arthur took Albert's bowl to finish and Albert took the baby and the other bowl.

Arthur watched while his partner fed the child, his expression shifting to a small content smile. As the minutes passed his gaze shifted to the angry cuts on Albert's front. He frowned. Even if the man wasn't showing any pain, those cuts were looking angry and red.

"Albert after you're done I'm gonna bandage you up. I don't want those to open up again," he said, pointing to the marks when he got a confused look.

"Alright. They're beginning to bother me anyways. I think all of that walking in the sun irritated them," the photographer replied before bringing up another spoonful to the baby's mouth. This time she refused it.

"No more?" Albert furrowed his brows and put the spoon back in the bowl. He looked at Arthur, who shrugged.

"Guess she ain't hungry anymore. She did eat half the bowl." Arthur put his bowl in the empty pot. "I'll eat the rest." He took the food and scarfed the rest down. Then he took out a roll of bandages from Shadow's Cast's bag and sat back down.

"C'mere," he said with a small gesture. Albert complied, scooting over to his partner and sitting the baby in his lap once he was situated.

"Tell me if it hurts, okay?"

"Okay," Albert nodded before Arthur began wrapping his chest up.

After a few hisses and groans, the photographer was fully wrapped and ready to go. Arthur stood and picked up the pot that hung over the long dead fire.

"I'll be back. While I'm gone can you pack the tent up?"

"Of course."

"Oh and if she starts whinin', just pat her back." Albert cocked his head.

"Why," he asked.

"Gas. Sometimes you gotta coax it outa them." That got Arthur a slow nod. He smiled and turned toward the direction of the creek and walked off.

As he walked, thoughts of Albert and the baby flooded his head like a waterfall. She was such a cute little thing, and his partner loved every bit of her. But the both of them knew that she would be better off with a sedentary family. The life he and Albert lived - the life of a former outlaw and a wildlife photographer - was not easy nor safe. And to bring a baby into the picture was unthinkable. Who would look after her when both of them went off to photo a cougar or some other wild beast? Who would make sure she wasn't harmed while Arthur was out saving Albert? They definitely couldn't bring her. The risk of disaster would soar.

It was a sad thought, letting the little thing go, but it had to be done. For all of them. She needed a place to grow up, just like Jack needed and luckily got in the end. She needed someplace safe and out of harm's way.

When Arthur stepped in water, he realized he'd come upon the creek. He turned and greeted his horse with a "hey there, girl" before kneeling down to clean the dishes.

Once he was done he checked the items on the grass, and finding the items dry he rolled them up and put them on Ghost's back.

"You did good girl. Thank you," he said fondly to his horse as he took out a sugar cube from his satchel and gave it to her. As she munched he pulled out a fresh shirt and put it on.

"Come on, let's go back to camp." He started walking back towards the treeline, dishes in hand and horse in tow, and when he stepped through the last layer of trees he found Albert - now with a shirt on - pacing and patting the babe on the back.

"She okay," he asked as he walked up to them. The baby gave a burp and giggled. Albert smiled.

"Yes, she's fine now. Are you ready?" Arthur glanced around what used to be a camp and nodded.

"Yep," he replied, beginning to walk over to Ghost.

"Wait..!" He stopped and looked back at Albert.

"What?"

"What are we going to do with her?" The photographer nodded his head at the baby in his arms.

"Ah. Good point. Uhh ..." Arthur thought for a moment before coming up with an idea, "I could carry her. I just need somethin' I can carry her with. Like- uh..."

"Like across your chest? Could you use my camera tarp? It's thin enough." Both of them looked at the bundle situated on Shadow's Cast.

"Mmm. Too square. Do ya mind if I tear up an end?" Albert looked horrified for a second before looking at the bundle again, then at the baby.

"Of course," he said resignedly. Arthur smiled and gave his partner a pat on the back before reaching up to take the tarp off of the camera and tear up one of the sides so he could easily wrap it around himself and tie it in the back.

"Hand her to me," he said, arms out. Albert gave her to him and watched as Arthur carefully tucked the baby into the makeshift carrier.

"Ready," Albert asked when Arthur finished situating the carrier.

"Yep. Let's go." The photographer gave him a peck on the cheek before mounting his horse. Arthur followed behind in an instant, and together the group started off back to Strawberry.