Charlie and Rebecca, carrying Em with them, excused themselves to go upstairs and freshen up. Jocko and Elizabeth set off to collect Richard and get him settled in the house. The evening promised to be amusing.
--*--
Charlie carried Em upstairs and handed her over to Tess. He had a very tired, much happier little one in his arms than the household had evidently seen for the past week. As he emerged back into the hall, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he feared would be at best a bittersweet meeting. He patted his coat pocket to make sure that the papers were all there and knocked lightly on Constance’s door.
As he stepped into the room, he had to tightly discipline himself. In the week they had been gone, it was obvious that Constance’s condition had worsened. She was pale and languid; only her eyes remained truly vital. Her Bible was open at her side and the room was decidedly warm from the carefully tended fire in the hearth.
"Good afternoon, Miss Constance. I hope I am not disturbing you."
"Not at all General, please come in."
Charlie entered and walked to stand beside the window. It was cooler there. "So how have you been doing while we were gone? I hope that things have not been to great a strain on you, ma’am."
"I have been as can be expected, sir. Not much use to anyone except my little one here." She slowly rubbed her belly.
"You are doing the most miraculous thing that any human can do, ma’am. You are creating a new life. I believe that is of use to the whole world. And to bring new life into the world as it is now –– well, to me, that is an act of incredible courage." Charlie smiled at her, a tender smile. This woman was as valiant as any man in Charlie’s regiment. But trying to tell her that was useless. She was bringing a life into the world, something Charlie would never be able to do. Charlie was perfectly well aware of the price that Constance was willing to pay.
"Come here, General." She gave the edge of the bed a gentle pat.
Charlie sat rather gingerly on the very edge of Constance’s bed. For a moment, he fidgeted with his hands, not quite sure where to put them, then settled on folding them on one knee, using them to brace himself in a rather uncomfortable position.
Without a word said between them, but looking him directly in the eyes, Constance took Charlie's hand and placed it on her stomach. "Do you feel that?"
Charlie’s eyes widened, first from the mere fact of the touch, which was unheard of in his world. Women in the advanced stages of pregnancy were not even seen socially, let alone touched so intimately by a man other than her husband or physician. But then he felt what she meant him to, the movements of what felt like a very robust child, battering at his or her mother, eager to be out in the world. A look of pure wonder filled Charlie’s face. "Is that……?"
"That is life, General. The life of your son or daughter."
Tears filled Charlie’s eyes. He took Constance’s hand in his own and raised it reverently to his lips. "You give me a gift for which I can never even begin to express my gratitude. I pray daily for your survival, dear lady. Please know that should you survive this birth, you have a home and my protection for the rest of my life."
"That is a very kind offer, but all I ask is that my children have a home and a family to love and care for them."
Charlie laid his right hand on the Bible that was still lying on the covers beside Constance. "Ma’am, I swear on all that I hold holy and sacred, I will love them, care for them and raise them as I would children of my body. Em is already the daughter of my heart; this child," he reverently placed his hand on her belly, "I think, will be my firstborn son."
Constance could not help but smile. "Then I hope for you, it is a boy. A fine son and heir for you and Rebecca."
Charlie looked very serious. "And if it is a girl, can we name her Constance? For you must know, whether it is a boy or a girl, this child will be greatly loved."
"I would be honored, and yes I do know that. But tell me, General, if it is a boy, what will you name him?"
Charlie could see in her eyes she was teasing him. "I have always thought Charles to be a fine name. However, I suspect that Rebecca may have some thoughts on the subject."
"So it is. Tell me, General, what has brought you to my side?"
"You asked me to handle all of the appropriate legal issues so that adoption of these children would be very clear. I have done so. For Emily, all we need do is fill in her date and county of birth, have you sign it, and have it witnessed. For this little one," he gestured at her distended belly, "we will have to fill in the name, date of birth and county when the time comes."
Charlie laid the two documents at her side, then rose and retreated to the window. Looking out, he continued in a quiet, determined voice. "I want you to look over the papers before you sign them. There is a third document I want you to examine as well." He pulled the papers from his pocket. He had set up a trust fund in Constance’s name, which would automatically be split between the two children in the event of her death. "I wanted you to know that you, and they, would be taken care of financially, regardless of what may happen to me in the upcoming campaign."
"General, that really is too much. I am sure you will be fine. However, if something were to come to pass, I am certain Rebecca would still stand with the children."
"I know she would. But if you survive, you will not be dependent on her or anyone. And if you do not, you can rest assured that they have their own means, regardless of what may happened here. I just wanted to be –– complete and let you know how serious my commitment to them is."
"You are indeed a kind man. Thank you for your generosity."
Constance looked at the papers beside her and then at the fidgeting man at the window. "General, I have faith in your honor and the completeness of these documents. Will you go and find witnesses so that we can finish this now?"
Charlie nodded and stepped to the bell pull, summoning Tess. He asked her to fetch Dr. Walker and Sergeant Jackson. As they waited for those two old and trusted friends to join them, they sat together in silent companionship, all that needed to be said, had been. When Elizabeth and Jocko entered the room, Charlie quietly explained what he needed from them.
"We will be glad to help you, Charlie." Elizabeth sat on the bed and took Constance’s hand. "And you are sure? You trust Charlie and Rebecca to raise these children?"
Constance smiled, her face lighting so that for a moment, she looked almost healthy. "I cannot think of two people who deserve children more than the General and Rebecca. And besides, we could not pry Em away from the General if we had to. Now, let us get the legalities out of the way."
Charlie laid the papers out while Elizabeth helped Constance sit up in her bed and positioned a lapboard across her knees. The signing of the adoption papers went quickly. The final document, the trust fund, brought raised eyebrows from both Elizabeth and Jocko.
"Hmmm, Gen’l C. You are bound and determined to cover all bases. Would you consider adopting me?"
--*--
Dinner had been comfortable but slightly subdued after the signing of the adoption papers. Constance’s confinement and probable death hung like a cloud over what was otherwise a festive occasion. As the meal finished, Jocko and Mrs. White excused themselves. With a bit of teasing and smirking on the part of the other folks at the table, they made a laughing exit from the dining room. Courting couples were always fair game for teasing.
Charlie assisted Richard from the table and, limping heavily, into the back parlor. A small game table was set before the fireplace and the four of them sat down for an evening of cards and gossip. As Charlie shuffled, Elizabeth started quizzing Rebecca on what they had done and whom they had seen in Washington.