This is a historical romance set back during the time of Gone With the Wind and the Civil War.  Gary and Toni live in a mansion with their children, and Gary has a bar downtown trying not to get involved with the conflict.
Rating;PG
Disclaimer: This has nothing to do with Early Edition, the cast, crew, TriStar, and Fox Family.
Hope you enjoy this fanfic.  Feed back is welcome.

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Hobson Mansion
by Lori Anderson

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Morning Mr. Hobson sir.  Your wife is waiting for you in the dining room," the butler told Gary.

"Good morning Pete.  Thank you,"  Gary said smiling at the servant as he walked towards the dining room.

Toni was already in the dining room seated in her seat sipping her coffee waiting for Gary.

"Here you are.  Good morning honey," she said smiling at him as Gary entered the room.

"Morning sweetheart.  Did you sleep well last night?," Gary said kissing her on the check.

"Yes.  The noise didn't wake the twins at all, thank goodness."

Gary went to take his seat and the maid set his breakfast in front of him.

"Morning Sheila.  You look nice this morning," he said smiling at her.

"Thank you sir.  Shall I pour your coffee now?," Sheila asked.

"Yes.  Go ahead."

The maid poured his coffee and set it down in front of him.

"Gary, I wish you wouldn't go to work today.  They'll still trying to get you to help in this war," Toni said.

Gary understood her fear, but he quickly put it to rest after taking a sip of his coffee.

"Toni, I know you're afraid for me with everything that's going on, but I promise you that I'm not going to be apart of this war.  I already told the chief enlistment officer that I have a wife and twins to take care of, and I'm not about to leave you and them just to fight.  He understood."

"You have all kinds of people coming in there everyday, and they all say the same thing:  You should do something to help the South in the war.  I hear it everytime the twins and I go into town."

"I leave the fighting to those who want to fight.  I'm just a simple tavern owner.  Now, let's not talk about it anymore, and enjoy breakfast."

Toni sighed.  "Alright.  The subject is dropped."
 

Chapter 2

The nanny brought the twins into the dining room in their stroller for their parents to see them.

"I thought that Mr. Hobson would like to see his children before he left for town," she said.

Gary finished his coffee and went over to see his children who were sitting in their seats.

"Good morning Rose.  Jeff.  Come to daddy my son," he said gently lifting Jeff from his seat.

Toni smiled when she saw how happy her husband was holding their son and gently playing with him.

"I've never seen him so happy before.  Doesn't he look happy to you, Marsha?," she said.

"Yes Mrs. Hobson.  He does look happy.  Very happy.  He loves being a father," Marsha replied.

Gary handed Jeff back to the nanny, and looked down at his daughter in her little dress.

"Rose looks beautiful in that dress you brought for her sweetheart," he told Toni.

Toni nodded.  "So did the woman at the store where I brought it.  Every day she gets more beautiful."

Gary stood up and walked over to his wife.  "You're beautiful too," he said kissing her on her cheek.

"Excuse me for interupting you sir, but would you be wanting me to drive you to town this morning?," Thomas, their coach driver asked as he entered the doorway from being out in the hallway.

"Please Thomas.  Then, come back here in case my wife needs you."

"Yes sir.  I see your children are awake and looking very cute this morning."

"Thank you Thomas.  I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Very good sir.  I'll be waiting."  Thomas turned and went oustide to the carriage.

"I'll be back this evening honey.  Don't worry.  I'll be fine," Gary said to Toni giving her a good bye kiss.

She kissed him back and hugged him.  "Have a good day Gary."

Gary nodded and walked towards their front doors to leave for his work in town.

"Pete, if that stray cat shows up again, please get rid of it.  Toni's allergic to it," he told the butler.

"Yes sir.  I'll keep it off the grounds.  I wouldn't want Mrs. Hobson sneezing her head off," Pete said.

"See you this evening .  Have a good day."

Gary climbed into the carriage and sat down in the seat behind his driver.

Thomas got the horses going, and they headed towards town.

"That stray cat still bothering you Mr. Hobson?," he asked.

"You might say that Thomas.  My wife's allergic to cats, and I'm trying to keep her away from it," Gary replied.

"If I ever see it, I'll gladly take it to the nearest shelter."

They made it to town and Thomas stopped the carriage right outside the tavern's door.

"Thank you Thomas.  I"ll see you later this evening," Gary said climbing out.

"I'll be back before dark to pick you up sir," Thomas told his master.

Gary unlocked his doors and entered the his establishment ready for a day's work.

"Morning Patrick.  Ready to begin another day of work?," he asked his bartender.

"Yes sir.  Thank you for hiring me.  I sure need this job," Patrick replied smiling.

"You're welcome.  Let's get things ready for the customers today."
 

Chapter 3

Toni sat in the palor watching her children play and doing her needlework in her chair. Her thoughts were on Gary in town at his tavern while the war went on around them.

"I wish it would end Sheila.  This horrible war is killing our men, and I'm frightened that Gary might be next.  I know he won't fight in it, but you never know about something coming in through the street," she said.

"Mrs. Hobson, please don't worry about things like that.  Your husband is safe inside his tavern.  No one will hurt him and anyone who works for him. The whole town likes him and you," the nanny told her.

"I know.  I keep hearing how lucky I am to be his wife by some of the women in town when we go out once in a while.  He almost blushes when he hears those compliements."

"They're just jealous that they don't have a handsome man like Mr. Hobson as their men."

Steve, the butler, came towards them from answering the door.

"Sorry to bother you mistress, but there's a captain here to see you," he said.

Toni frowned.  "Sheila, please take the twins to another room and watch them.  I'll see what this captain wants."

"Yes mam."  The nanny gathered up the twins, put them in their stroller, and took them out of the palor.

Toni turned to the butler.  "You may send this captain in to see me now."

Steve nodded, turned, and returned to give the captain her message.

"Please follow me sir.  She'll see you in the palor," he told the captain leading the way.

"Captain Jefferys to see you my lady," the bulter announced to Toni.

"Thank you Steve.  You may go now.  I'll call you when I need you."

After the butler had left, the captain removed his cap and approached Toni.

"Mrs. Hobson, please don't take my visit here as an insult.  It has to do with your husband," he said.

"I see.  Just what does Gary have to do with your coming here captain?," Toni asked.

"My commanding officer would like to hire his services for the troops. Bring some kegs of beer from his tavern to our front lines so that the men can have something other than water to drink."

Toni stood up from her chair.  "You may tell your commanding officer that my husband is not, nor will he ever be anyone's private bartender.  We are trying to stay netural from this war, and what you have just told me is disgusting.  If you and your men are that thristy, than I suggest that you go into town and go to his tavern for their beer.  He will not bring it out to you.  Now, please leave my palor captain."

"I am sorry to have upset you Mrs. Hobson.  I will take my leave now, and tell my commanding officer what you have just told me.  Good day my lady."

"Good day captain."

Toni could the anger in her raising, and she took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Thomas!  Come here please," she called for the carriage driver from the window.

Thomas came at once to his mistress command.

"Yes my lady.  What can I do for you?," he asked.

"I want you to go into town and tell my husband that Captain Jefferys was just here and tried to have me help him get to Gary to take some of his beer kegs from his tavern to the front lines.  Warn him Thomas."

"I am on my way my lady.  How dare they come here and upset you like this."

Thomas left the palor to go to the carraige and rode into town to tell Gary what happened at his mansion.

A certain officer who was a friend of Gary's was in the bar having some refreshments, and saw Thomas.

"Your carriage driver is here Gary.  He doesn't look happy," Paul Armstrong said.

Gary went to see what Thomas wanted telling Paul he'd back in a few minutes.

"Thomas, is something wrong?  You look like you could hit someone," he said.

"Sir, a captain Jefferys just paid your wife a call, and he upset with what he said," Thomas replied.

"Tell me what he said Thomas."

"He wanted her to ask you to take some of your liquor from here out to the front lines so that men can have some of it to drink.  She told him that you wouldn't do it, and if they were that thristy, they should come into town, and come into your tavern to get their beer,"

Paul had heard everything.  "I'll handle this Gary.  I know one of the commanders in that unit.  I promise you that you and Toni won't be bothered anymore.  Thanks for the drink."

"You're welcome Paul.  Thomas, go back and tell my wife that I'll be home earlier than usual today."
 

Chapter 4

Gary came home early from his tavern knowing that Toni needed him after the meeting with the captain.

"Evening Mr. Hobson sir.  Would you like a drink?," Steve, the butler, asked smiling at Gary.

Gary nodded.  "Yes please Steve.  My usual.  Where is my wife?," he replied.

"She's in the palor with your children."

"Thank you.  Please bring me my drink in there, and see if my wife wants any."

Gary went to the palor where Toni and the twins were waiting for him.

"Hello honey.  I heard about the captain coming here today.  Are you alright?," he said holding her.

Toni nodded as she hugged him back smiling.

"Yes sweetheart.  You've been proud of me the way I handled the captain today," she replied.

Gary smiled.  "I can just hear what you told him.  I"ll be glad when this war is over."

"That makes two of us.  Look at our children.  They're growing cuter by the day."

Steve came into the palor then with Gary's drink and Toni's water she has asked for.

"Your drink sir.  Here is the water you asked for Mrs. Hobson," he said handing them their drinks.

"Thank you Steve.  That'll be all for now." Toni told the butler.

The butler turned and left the palor.

"Sit down besides me on the sofa Gary," Toni said to her husband.

Gary sat down besides her on the sofa and took a sip of his drink.

"Maybe we should leave this place and live in a safe neutral place," he said.

"No.  We're fine here.  How was your work today?"

"It was alright.  Patrick was trying to get up the courage to ask one of the women out for a date."

"Sounds like him.  I wish him luck."

"Besides the captain's visit, how was your day sweetheart?"

"It was good.  The twins slept good after their lunch, and I got some reading I wanted to do started."

"Excuse me for interputing you, but this came for you earlier," Steve told Gary showing him a letter.

"Let me see it Steve."

The bulter handed Gary the letter, and Gary recongized the handwriting.

"It's from my mother.  Wonder what she has to say," he told Toni and opened the envelope.

"Gary, your father and I are coming up for a visit this next week.  We want to spend some time with you and your family before we have to leave on our trip.  Love Your Mother.  Lois," Gary read aloud.

"I'll have the guest room prepared for them when they arrive,  I'll be glad to see them."

"Good idea."  Gary turned to the butler.  "Please tell the maid to prepare the guest room for my parents."

"Yes sir.  I'll go tell her right away."
 

Chapter 5

At supper, Gary watched the maid pour his coffee for him inside his coffee cup, his mind thinking.

"Is everything alright sir?," Sheila asked noticing her master's face.

"I'm fine Sheila.  I was thinking about something is all," Gary replied smiling at her.

"That's good sir.  Your parent's room is ready for them when they arrive next week."

"Good.  You may start serving the meal now."

Toni watched her husband from her end of the table and sighed.

"I wish we didn't have to sit like this when we eat," she said sipping her coffee.

"I know honey.  We can sit together in the palor after supper," Gary told her.

After dinner, Gary and  Toni walked together into the palor where they sat together on the sofa.

"Where's the twins sweetheart?," he asked looking for his children.

"They're with the nanny.  She's changing their diapers.  You can see them when she brings them in."

Five minutes later, the nanny brought the twins in the palor in their stroller for their parents to see.

"There's my children.  Look at those smiles!," Gary said looking at the twins with pride.

"They got it from you sir.  Everyone says that you have a charming smile," Missy told him.

"Missy, where did you hear this?  I hope you weren't listening to gossip," Toni said.

"Oh no madam.  It's just from people in town who know you and the master who I have heard it from.  Some of the women wish their men looked like the master."

Gary almost blushed.  "It never fails.  I keep getting looks from some of the women in town."

"They can look, but not touch.  You're mine and I intend to let those women know that."

'Relax Toni.  They can see the ring on my finger to let them know I'm taken."

Rose googed and Gary reached down to pick up his daughter gently.

"How's Daddys  girl tonight?  You're getting prettier every day just like your momma," he told her.

"Her eyes always shine when she hears you tell her that," Toni said.

"I mean every word of it.  You're both pretty to me."

Toni told the nanny to give her Jeff and Missy did.

"Your son gets more handsome each day and his grip's getting stronger too," she said.

"He's going to play baseball someday when he grows up."

"Maybe I want him to be a doctor or someone else."

"He can be a doctor and still play baseball honey.  It's been done before."

"Missy, please take the twins to the nursey.  It's time for them to go to bed."

"Yes Mrs. Hobson."

The nanny replaced the twins inside their stroller after their parents had kissed them goodnight.

"At least, we don't have to worry about Jeff fighting in this stupid war," Toni said after they were alone.

"Amen to that.  One day it'll be over, and things can get back to normal."
 

Chapter 6

Toni looked at her husband and smiled to herself thinking how lucky she was to be his wife. Gary felt his wife looking at him and turned to smile back at her, his eyes twinkling.

"What are you thinking about sweetheart?," he asked sipping his beer that the bulter had bought him.

"How lucky I am to be your wife and have two wonderful children," Toni replied.

"I feel the same way about you.   I knew the first time I saw you that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.  Do you feel comfortable living in this place with all of our servants?"

Toni sipped her wine before she replied.  "As long as I'm with you, I can be comfortable anyplace."

The butler came into the palor just then.

"Sorry to disturb you, but you have a visitor who wishes to speak to you," Steve said.

Gary frowned.  "At this time of night?  Who is it Steve?"

"He says his name is Sargent Peterson."

Gary looked at Toni and then back at the butler.  "Very well.  You may show him in."

Steve turned and went to tell the sargent that his master and mistress would see him in the palor.

"Please follow me sir," he said leading the way to the palor.

Sargent Peterson followed  the butler to the palor where Gary and Toni were sitting.

"Sargent Peterson," Steve said stepping aside to let the officer enter.

"Steve, please see if the sargent would like some refreshments," Toni said.

"No thank you.  I'm fine," the sargent replied.

"Please be seated sargent.  What brings you to our mansion at this late hour?," Gary said.

"It concerns a captain Jackson who was here earlier.  I am sorry that he came here and upset you Mrs. Hobson.  He had no authority to do it, and I gave no order as to what he told you."

"I thought it was a little suspicous when I heard him say that his commanding officer had told him to come here and ask me what he did.  You can understand that my husband and I wish to be netural in this," Toni said.

"Yes I do understand your position, and I promise that he and no one else in my unit will bother you again."

"That is good to hear sargent.  What did you do to the captain once he told you what he did?"

"I told him that he had no right to bother civilians and that he had no authorization from anyone to come here. My commanding officer was very upset when he found out about it.  He asked me to come here and apologize for the captain's actions to you.  The men have been told that they can ride into town for refreshments if they feel the need to drink something other than water."

Gary smiled.  "I will be happy to serve them if they come to my tavern sir."

"I will tell them that Mr. Hobson.  Now, I will leave you and let you enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Good evening sargent, and thank you for coming out here," Toni said,

The butler took the sargent to the door, saw him out, and waved goodnight.

Chapter 7

The reports of more soliders killed in battle made Gary glad that he wasn't fighting in the war even more.

"I shudder everytime I hear that a solider has been killed on the battle field," Toni told her husband.

Gary could see how the reports and news were affecting his wife and he held her in his arms.

"I know honey.  I hate it too.  Those poor men dying to protect their familes and some of them are just boys. I'm here and you don't have to worry about me being out there," he said.

Toni was grateful about that.  She loved her husband too much to lose him to a stupid war.

"Your parents will be here sometime in a few days.  Do they know about your decidsion not to fight?"

Gary nodded.  "I explained it to them, and they both understand.  I will not leave you a widow and our children without a father.  I just wish everyone would get along and maybe this war will be over soon."

"I pray for that everynight.  I'll keep praying until it happens.  The children will be happy to see their grandparents.  They haven't been able to come since the stupid war started."

"Let's drop the subject, okay.  Want some more coffee honey?  I'll have the butler get it for you."

Toni nodded. "Yes please.  Get yourself some more too."

Gary rang for their butler and Steve came into the palor.

"You summoned me sir?," Steve asked.

"Yes.  We'd like some more coffee please Steve."

"I will get you some right away master Hobson."

The butler picked up the coffee pot and walked over to the couple on the sofa.

He poured some in Toni's cup, and then poured some in Gary's cup.

"Is there anything else you need sir?"

"No.  Thank you Steve.  That will be all for now."

The butler nodded, put the coffee pot  back on the table, and went out of the palor.
 

Chapter 8

Gary laid on his right side, his head on his arm watching his wife peacefully sleeping besides him in bed. He was so glad that she was able to sleep without having anything worrying her and keeping her awake. Toni and the kids meant the whole world to him, and he meant to always be there for them.

"I promise you I'll always be here for you and our children my love," he softly whispered to her.  He didn't want to wake her,so Gary put his arm on her pillow and laid close to her before he feel asleep.

Five oclock the next morning, they awoke to the sound of one their children crying in the nusery.

"Figures.  One of them is probably hungry.  You stay there and sleep honey. I'll go feed whoever it is,"  Toni said getting ready to get up and go see which of their children needed feeding.

"That nightgown of yours sure makes you look sexy in the morning," Gary told his wife.

Toni almost blushed as she put her robe on, and tied it around her waist.

"How did you sleep last night sweetheart?"

Gary smiled.  "Alright.  How about yourself?"

"I was out once my head hit the pillow.  I'll be right back.  Go back to sleep."

She kissed him good morning and went to the nursey to feed one of their children.

"Morning Mrs. Hobson ma'm," Sheila said smiling at her mistress as she came in the nursey.

"Good morning Sheila.  Which one is hungry?," Toni asked smiling back at her nanny.

"It's miss Rose my lady.  Master Jeff is still asleep in his crib."

Toni went over to her daughter's crib, gently lifted her up, and took her out of the crib.

She went over to the chair, sat down, put the towel across her shoulder, and pulled one of her sleeves down.

"Okay honey.  Mamma's going to feed you now," Toni said holding her daughter in her arms.

Sheila handed Toni one of the bottles, and Toni thanked her.

Toni gently put the nibble in Rose's mouth, and Rose began to drink her milk.

Gary stood in the doorway of the nursery watching his wife feed his daughter.

"I should take a picture of this.  The two most beautiful women in my life together," he said.

"I thought you were asleep in bed ."

"I had to get up anyway.  I'm going down to get some coffee."

"I'll join you as soon as I finished feeding Rose.  Tell the chef to go ahead and make breakfast."

Gary nodded and went down the stairs to the kitchen to get his cup of morning coffee.

"Morning Steve.  I would like a cup of coffee please, and  tell the chef he can start fixing breakfast," he told the  butler as he sat down at the table.

"Yes sir.  Black for you, and cream and sugar for your wife.  Where is the lady?," Steve replied.

"Upstairs in the nursery feeding Rose. She'll be down when she's done."

"Here's your coffee sir.  I'll tell the chef to prepare breakfast now."

Steve handed Gary his cup of coffee and went to tell the cook to start fixing breakfast.

Five minutes later, Toni came downstairs still dressed in her robe.

"Your coffee's ready honey.  Steve is telling the cook to fix breakfast," Gary told his wife.

"Good.  Rose has been feed, and she was good if you know what I mean."

"Uh huh.  She burped.  I know what you were saying."
 

Chapter 9

Gary and Toni were sitting in their yard with their children close by with their nanny one day. Toni looked out towards the road and saw Gary's parents coming towards them in their carriage.

"Gary, your parents are here.  I can see their wagon coming this way," she told her husband.

"They said they'd be arriving today in their last message they sent," Gary said smiling.

Bernie drove his wagon inside the main gate followed by a couple of soilders sent to give them safe passage through town when they arrived.  Lois was grateful for the soilder's assistance.

"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Hobson.  My captain wanted me to make sure you parents got through the twon safely on their way here.  With all the fighting going on that is," the first solider told Gary.

"Thank you.  I'm glad you made sure they made it safely here.  Give my reguards to your commander."

The solider smiled and he and the other one rode away .

Gary went over to help his mother down from the wagon.

"Hello mother.  Welcome to Hobson Mansion.  How was your trip?," he said helping her down.

Lois hugged her son as soon as she was down on the ground.  "It was fine. Thank you Gary," she replied.

"The butler will take your luggage inside to your rooms."

"I can do it myself Gar," Berine said, but the look in Lois's eyes told him to let the butler do it.

Gary summoned Steve and the butler came out of the manison to greet the new arrivals.

"Please take my parent's luggage to their rooms, and tell the cook that my parents will be joining us for dinner."

"Yes master Hobson.  Welcome to you both," Steve said to Gary's parents, as he picked up the luggage.

"Come and have some lemonade with us.  You must be thirsty after your long trip."

"That would be nice.  Thank you.  Hello Toni," Lois said smiling at her daughter-in-law.

"Hello Lois.  Berine.  Please sit down.  Gary has the day off today from his job," Toni told them.

Lois and Bernie sat down in two chairs, and Toni poured them each a glass of lemonade.

 "I see my grandchildren are getting cuter everyday," Lois said looking at Rose and Jeff.

"They're also growing like a weed Lois," Berine said sipping his lemonade.

Toni sipped her lemonade.  "I prefer to think they're growing like a flower instead of a weed."

Gary sat down beside his wife and reached for his lemonade.

"Toni has started her own flower garden.  She just planted the seeds a while ago."

"How lovely!  They should grow nice in this weather," Lois said.

"I had to do something instead of sitting around the mansion all day."

Berine looked over at his son.  He knew Gary's decision not to fight in the war was right.

"The fighting is getting worse everyday on both sides.  You made the right decision not to fight Gar."

"It was hard, but I had Toni and the children to think about Dad."

"I'm proud of you for putting them first son.  Not wanting to leave them without a father and a husband doesn't make a man a coward.  It shows that he has good family values in him."

"Can we please discuss something else Berine?  I've had enough talk about this war to make me sick."

Berine smiled at his wife.  "Consider the subject dropped Lois.  I'm not going to make you upset."

"Thank you Bernie.  Let's just enjoy ourselves and our family while we're here."
 

Chapter 10

Gary and his father took a walk around the yard of the mansion to have a private talk while the women stayed to watch the children play and talk amongst theirselves if they wanted to.

"I'm thinking of taking the twins and Toni someplace safe if things get too bad here Dad," Gary said.

"Gary, I know that you don't like what's going on, and that it's hard for you to remain netural when others are fighting around you, but this is your home and Toni's.  No one will bother you here, and you are doing your part for the war effort just by serving the poor soliders who come into your tavern thirsty," Berine told him.

"Yeah.  Toni said that everytime she hears a bugle in the distance, she cringes.  I'd like to take her away so that she won't have to hear it anymore."

"You can't escape the war unless you go to another country or state.  It's hard on everyone, but she's strong. She'll be fine.  Lois hates the sound of the bugle too, but she ignores it when she can."

Gary decided to change the subject.  "Let's go have a beer Dad.  I'm thirsty."

"Good idea Gar.  I could use one myself."

The men walked back to the patio where their women were still sitting watching the kids.

"Gary, I think we should give the nanny the day off tomorrow.  Your mother can help me with the children," Toni said.

Gary nodded as he called for their butler.  "Please bring my father and I a couple of beers," he ordered.

"Yes sir.  Two beers coming right up," Steve said, and went inside the manison to get them.

"Sheila, you can have tomorrow off.  You deserve it after your hard work," Gary told the nanny.

"I don't know what to do with myself tomorrow sir," Sheila said honestly.

"You can do whatever you want around here.  You just won't be working is all."

"There is a book that I've been wanting to read some more on that I've started."

"There you go.  You can finish it and just relax at the same time."

"Sheila's a good reader Lois.  She has been self teaching herself to read whenever she can," Toni said.

"That's good.  I encourage her to do it to improve herself," Lois said smiling at the maid.

Steve returned with two cold beers from the kitchen, and handed one to Gary and one to Berine.

"Thank you Steve.  See if Toni and my mother want any more lemonade," Gary said.

"I'd like some more please Steve," Lois told the butler, who poured her another glass.
 

Chapter 11

That evening, after dinner, they all sat in the palor by the fireplace relaxing after a good day.

"That was a delicious dinner tonight!  Please tell your chef that I enjoyed every bit of it," Lois said.

"I think he already knows Mom.  He could tell by the way the empty dishes were returned to the kitchen.  It was good at that.   Did you like the meal Dad?," Gary replied smiling at his parents.

"It was really good Gar.  Your mother's going to have to get the recipe from the chef to make it at home," Berine said taking a sip of his beer that the butler had brought him earlier.

Toni finished feeding Rose and lifted her daughter to be burped on her shoulder.

"She was hungry tonight.  She'll sleep through the night now that her's stomach full," she told  Gary.

"That's my girl.  I know Jeff was hungry as well too," Gary said proudly.

Toni nodded.  "You're right.  He was, and he's ready to go to bed.  He's yawning."

"That grandson of mine is going to be a strong young man when he grows up. He almost didn't let go of my finger when I was playing with him earlier," Berine said.

"What did you expect when you put your finger in his hand Berine?"

Rose burped, and Toni wiped her mouth with the burping rag.  "Good girl."

"That was a good one she did.   She's looking at me with her eyes."

"Of course she is.  She loves looking at her daddy."

"Sweetheart, you're going to have me blushing if you keep talking like that."

"I'll have you do more than blushing my handsome husband,"

"Now, now you two.  Don't talk like that in front of the children," Lois told them smiling.

"I'll be taking the twins to the nursery now Mrs. Hobson.  They're yawning," Sheila said.

"Alright Sheila.  I'll go with you and help tuck them in."

Toni and the nanny took the twins from the palor to the nursery for them to go to bed.

"I'm glad we don't have slaves where we live Lois.  I don't go with the notion of someone being master over someone else.  Our new president, Abe Lincoln, is going to free the slaves I hear.  I hope he does."

"He seems like a nice man Berine.  He's going to be a good president."

"If I could, I'd free all the slaves here," Gary said sipping his own beer.

Toni came back into the palor then.

"The twins are all tucked into their cribs and are asleep.  Sheila's going to her room to read for a while," she said going over and sitting besides Gary on the sofa.

"We were just talking about slavery honey.  I said that if I could do it, I'd free all the slaves here," Gary said.

"I know you would, and I wish you could.  I hate slavery.  These people weren't born to be slaves."

"What do you think of the new president Toni?," Lois asked.

"I  think he's going to be good for both sides, and help pull everyone together."

Gary put his arm around his wife.  "Lean on me.  You look a little tired right now."

Toni leaned against him, and sighed.  "I never knew how tiresome having twins could be until now."

"All mothers feel the same about their children at one time or another Toni. I did sometimes about Gary."

"Mom!  You promised you wouldn't talk about that."

"Sorry honey.  Just couldn't resist saying something.  It's true though."

"You'll have to show me his baby pictures sometime Lois."

"Remind me, and I'll bring them the next time we visit."

Gary groaned.  "Please don't bring them Mom.  They embrass me."

"You were cute as a baby and you know it.  Toni should see what you looked like when you were a baby."
 

Chapter 12

Toni fell alseep on Gary's arm lying besides him on the loveseat sofa in the pallor. Gary smiled as he gently kissed her on the forehead as not to wake her.

"She's had a busy day today.  With making sure that everything was ready for your arrival, and taking care of the twins, it's no wonder that she's tired," he told his parents.

"You two should go out and spend a day together just enjoying each other. Your father and I can take care of things here," Lois said sipping her coffee that the butler had brought her.

"We will when the war is over mother.  I'm not taking her anyplace while the fighting in going on."

"Good thinking Gar.  The day you married Toni was the happiest day in our lives," Berine said.

"I know.  It was also the happiest day in my life as well.  I think I'd better take her upstairs."

"Go ahead Gary.  Your father and I will stay here and talk for a while."

Gary excused himself, and carried his sleeping wife upstairs to their bedroom.

He undressed her, got her ready for bed, and gently helped her into their bed.

"Sorry I couldn't stay awake down there to visit with your parents honey," Toni sleepily said.

"That's alright sweetheart.  They understand what a busy day you had.  I'll join you in a while," Gary told her.

"Don't make it too long.  I want you in here with me."

"I promise you I'll be beside you in bed before ten o clock."

"I'll keep you to that promise handsome."

Gary smiled that adorable smile of his that she loved, and kissed her goodnight.

.He went downstairs to visit somemore with his parents in the palor.

"She's asleep.  I just kissed her goodnight, and promised to join her in a while," he told them.

"I think we're going to retire pretty soon ourselves son," Berine said.

"That's right.  It was a long trip, and I am feeling a little tired right now myself," Lois agreed.

They talked some more, and around eight o clock, they all decided to retire for the night.
 

Chapter 13

The next morning, Gary, Toni, and his parents were sitting at the breakfast table eating breakfast.

"Your son was very hungry this morning.  Woke me up at five oclock wanting to be fed," Toni said.

Gary smiled as he sipped his orange juice.  "That's good.  Jeff's got a good set of lungs in him.  I heard him myself at five, and knew it was his feeding time," he told his wife.

"I fed Rose too while I was up.  Did you know that she's like a little angel when she's asleep?"

Gary nodded.  "She's also cute when she's asleep.  So is her mother."

"Your coffee master Hobson," Steve said setting a cup of coffee down in front of Gary.

"Thank you Steve.  Oh, tell Thomas that I won't be needing him today.  Dad and I are going to ride two of the horses into town to the bar.  Toni and my mother may need you if they decide to go into town."

"I shall tell him sir.  How did you sleep Mr. Hobson Sr.?"

Berine sipped his coffee and smiled.  "I slept very well thank you Steve," he replied.

"Isn't it a little difficult for you and Toni to sit across from each other instead of by each other?," Lois asked not liking how her son and daughter-in-law were seated at the table.

"It takes a little getting used to mom.  The next house we buy, we're going to sit at the same end at the table."

Sheila came into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of orange juice.

"Morning Mr. Hobson.  Morning mistress. Hobson," she said greeting Gary and Toni smiling.

"Good morning Sheila.  What are you going to do on your day off?," Toni asked her nanny.

"I thought I'd take a walk around the grounds today.  Get some exercise, and do a little reading."

"Sounds good.  Just make sure you don't leave the yard.  I don't want you picked up any cruel people."

"I'll be alright mistress.  I have no intention of straying off the grounds."

"How goes the reading Sheila?," Lois asked the nanny as the girl moved towards the door.

"Just fine Mrs. Hobson.  I'm learning more each day.  I really like to read."

"I'm glad to hear it.  If you need any help, please let me know."

"I will.  Have a good day everyone."

"Same to you Sheila, and enjoy your day off," Gary told her.

After breakfast, Gary and Berine got ready to leave to ride into town to Gary's tavern.

"It's been a long time since I've ridden a horse," Berine said not sure if he could get on again.

Gary climbed up on his horse easily.  "It's like a riding bicycle Dad.  You never forget once you remember how to do it.  You were in the calvary, so you should have no problem getting on your horse," he told his dad.

Berine wished his son wasn't so smart at times.  "Here goes.  I hope I don't fall off."

He mounted his horse and, to his surprise, Bernie didn't fall off the saddle.

"See?  You got on it alright.  You ready to ride into town Dad?"

Berine nodded, and the two men rode off the grounds towards town passing people on the way.

Patrick was already inside the bar getting things ready for the customers.

He saw the two horses and men pulling up outside and went to greet them.

"Morning Mr. Hobson.  I see your father's here today," he said, as Gary dismounted.

"Yes Patrick.  He and my mother are visiting Toni and I for a while.  I see you've been busy getting the bar ready for the day inside," he replied.

"Yes sir.  Had to dodge some patrols on the way here this morning."

"Oh.  Were they trying to get you to enlist?"

"No sir.  They were just passing through on their way to their units."
 

Chapter 14

Toni and Lois sat outside in the garden watching the children play sipping some lemondae.

"I am sorry that I feel asleep on you and Berine last night.  I was just worn out from getting things ready for your arrival that I didn't realize how it would catch up with me," she said.

Lois smiled at her daughter-in-law.  "No need to apolgoize Toni.  What a pretty day it is," she told Toni.

"It sure is.  Too bad the stupid war has to take some of the magic away from it."

Lois could see the war still troubled Toni.  "Try to forget about it dear. It'll soon be over."

"I keep hearing reports that it will be over, but I wish it already was."

"I think that Jeff has some of Gary's charm in him.  The way that he smiles."

Toni was glad that Lois had changed the subject.  "Yeah, he does.  One afternoon, we were in town together, and one of the women outside the store we were in kept looking at Gary.  I went outside and told the woman that she could look, but not touch.  Gary is mine, and the other women had better not get any ideas."

"What did the woman say when you told her that?"

"She said that he was just so cute and handsome she couldn't help herself from looking at him."

"Gary does have that effect on women.  I've noticed it at times myself."

"I think he knows it, and he just smiles back at the women when they smile at him."

Toni walked over to her children and gently picked up her daughter.

"I think it's time you had a diaper change young lady.  Mommy will take you inside and change you," she told  Rose, who cooed and reached for her mother's fingers.

"I'll watch Jeff.  You go inside and change Rose's diaper."

Meanwhile in town, two soilders came inside the tavern thristy from their mission they had been on.

"Hi!  What can I get you?," Patrick asked smiling as the men sat down at the bar.

"I'll have a beer please," the first solider replied.

"I'll have the same please.  We've been out scounting for our unit," the second solider said.

"Two beers coming right up!"

Partick went to get the beers for the men and Gary watched the soilders with interest.

"Here you are sirs.  Nothing but the best for our fighting men."

"Thank you lad.  Is that the owner over there?," the first man asked nodding towards Gary.

"You mean Mr. Hobson?  Yes, he's the owner."

"He runs a fine establishment.  We'll recommend him to our fellow soliders."

Gary walked over to where the soliders were sitting at.  "I'm Gary Hobson gentlemen.  Is everything alright?," he said smiling at them.

"Just fine Mr. Hobson.  Thank you for the beers.  We'll be on our way back to the front."

Chapter 15

Toni and Lois went into town with the twins to do some shopping and Thomas drove them in the wagon.

"Stop at the clothing store Thomas.  Lois and I will go in there first to get the twins some new clothes,"  Toni told the driver as soon as they reached town.

"Yes. Mistress Hobson," Thomas replied sitting in front of the wagon where he always sat.

He pulled up to the ladies clothing store, and helped Toni and Lois out of the wagon.

"Wait here for us Thomas.  We won't be long," Toni said.

She, Lois, and the twins went inside the shop greeting the owner as they passed the counter.

"Good morning Mrs. Hobson.  My, aren't your children adorable," Mrs. Smith said smlling.

"Thank you Mrs. Smith.  This is my mother-in-law, Lois.  She and her husband are visiting Gary and I for a while.  Today is the nanny's day off," Toni told the clerk smiling back.

"Hello Lois.  I'm at your service."

"Thank you.  Well, Toni.  Let's see what we can buy without getting into trouble," Lois replied.

Five minutes later, they left the shop, their arms full of packages for Thomas to put in the wagon.

 "Let me put those in the wagon for you mistress," Thomas said taking some of the packages out of Toni's hand, and putting them in the back of the wagon.

"Thank you Thomas.  Please help Lois with hers also," Toni told him.

"Why don't we surprise our men while we're in town," Lois said.

"Good idea.  Thomas, take us to the tavern please."

"The master will be pleased to see you mistress, but his eyes might widen when he sees what you bought," Thomas said as he climbed back in the front of the wagon.

"I can handle anything he says to me about it," Toni told the driver.

Thomas smiled and drove the wagon to Gary's bar at the edge of town.

"Mr. Hobson, you have visitors," Patrick told Gary seeing the wagon coming towards them.

"Who is it Patrick?," Gary asked as he washed a glass out behind the bar.

"It's your wife and your mother with your children."

"Toni?  I wonder what brings her and my mother into town."

Berine saw the wagon pull up outside and almost dropped his coffee cup when he saw the packages.

"Oh no.  I hope Lois didn't over spend herself," he said.

Toni and Lois went inside the bar with the twins while Thomas waited outside.

"Hello honey.  Your mother and I decided to do some shopping and thought we'd stop by," Toni said.

Gary smiled at his wife and kissed her on the check.  "This is a nice surprise.  I see you went shopping.  I hope you didn't buy the shop out," he said.

""No.  I bought you some shirts that I know you'll like, and somethings for the twins."

"That's good.  Whose idea was it to put Rose's hair in that thing?"

"Mine.  Doesn't she look cute in it?"

"She looks better without it I think."

Chapter 16

The fighting went on and on, until one afternoon what everyone had hoped for, finally happened. General Lee surrended to General Grant at the place they had both agreed upon at one time.

News of the surrender traveled near and far, and reached Hobson Mansion in the evening.

"It's finally happened honey!  The war is over!  We can all relax now," Gary told his wife.

Toni embraced her husband, tears of relief trinking down her beautiful checks.

"Thank goodness!  It's finally over, and there's nothing more to worry about.  Just hold me," she said.

"I promise you that you, I, and the twins are leaving here for a needed vacation just as soon as we can.  This whole thing has been nothing, but a constant worry for you.  I'm getting you out of here for a while so you can relax and put this behind you sweetheart."

"What about the servants? Will they be going with us?"

Gary shook his head. "No.  Just us and the kids will be going.  Let's sit down on the sofa."

He gently lead his wife to their sofa, helped her sit down, joined her, and summoned the butler.

"Steve, please bring my wife a glass of lemonade, and one for me too.  I suppose you heard the news."

The butler smiled and nodded.  "Yes master Hobson.  I am glad the war is over.  Too many of our fine young man on both sides have paid such a terrible cost.  I'll get you and the misses your lemonade," he replied.

Lois and Berine were happy about the news too as they entered the palor from coming from their walk.

"I am so glad that this war is finally over.  It's such a terrible thing, and took so many lives," Lois said.

"So am I.  I fought one war a long time ago, and I am glad I didn't have to fight in this one,"Berine said.

Steve brought in two glasses of lemonade and handed them to Toni and Gary.

"Would my master's parents like some refreshments?," he asked Lois and Berine.

"I'd like some lemonade please Steve," Lois replied.

"I'll have the same," Berine said.

Sheila, their nanny, came into the room with twins, and she could tell something had happened.

"Is it true master Hobson?  Is this awful war really over?," she asked.

Gary smiled at the nanny.  "Yes Sheila.  It's true.  The war is finally over," he replied sipping his lemonade.

"Praise be to  the Lord!  I am glad that my prayers have been answered."

"Were you praying for the war to be over Sheila like the rest of us?," Toni asked.

"Yes mistress.  Everynight before I went to bed."

Toni looked at her children who were sitting in their playcrib, and smiled.

"They can grow up safe now," she said taking a sip of her lemonade.

Gary nodded.  "Look at how big they're growing.  They're be out of their cribs soon."

"I know.  That's one thing we're going to have to think about.  Getting their beds ready for them."

The butler brought Lois and Berine their lemonade, and looked at the people he cared for.

He had lost some friends and family in the war, but he was glad that his master had not fought in the war.

With the war a memory now, Gary and Toni could concertate on other things pertaining to their family.

Email the author:  Lori Anderson
 
 

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