A few days passed, and it was time to take the trip out to Quentins, the boys could hardly believe they were going it was so exciting.

It was a beautiful day when Jamie and the boys rode out to Quentins, on the ride they met Fire Hairs son, who greeted them, he was now running a trade out to the villages.

"I just come from Quentin's place he know you come there with brother of Quentin," the young man said grinning.

"Good, these are brothers of Quentin, Lucas and Tristen," Jamie said.

"Lucas and Tris-ten good names, I am called Keno, I will see you next moon if you are still with your brother, Quentin is good friend to Keno," Keno said in heavily accented English.

"Goodbye," the boys called.

They arrived just as Wenday was putting food on the table.

You are just in time for a midday meal," Quentin said hugging his father.

"This is your brothers Tristen and Lucas," Jamie said smiling the boys were speechless for the first time.

"These are my sons Jaytu he is a bit older then you two, and this is Keyton he is a bit younger, but you will all get along well I would wager," Quentin said smiling at his little brothers and sons.

"Is that a baby I hear?" Jamie asked.

"Yes we have a new son Meeko, named by Kivak, he is my blood brother," Quentin explained to his little brother.

"Another grandson, good, you know both Lissa and Delilah are to have babies," Jamie said smiling, as they ate a delicious meal.

"Grandfather," Jaytu said shyly.

"Yes," Jamie said, wondering if Quentin would ever tell him the truth, or perhaps Daglesha would.

"I am glad you bring uncles to see Jaytu and Keytan," Jaytu said.

"They have a lot to learn, and I thought tomorrow you two could show them around the village," Quentin said smiling at Jaytu.

"Yes father those would enjoy it," Keytan said.

"They not those," Quentin corrected.

"The English is not good for me," Keytan said shyly.

"Well I would wager that you speak English better then we speak Maycoblah," Tristen said.

"Father has been try to learn us," Lucas said in their language.

Keytan nodded and Jaytu said, "That is not bad."

"Where is your musket I brought you last time?" Jamie asked.

"I do not know we were out at the gathering and when we returned it was gone, it will not do them any good, they did not take the powder or ball." Quentin sighed.He assumed Beavers boys may have stolen it.

After the meal Jamie hugged his sons and even Keytan allowed himself to be hugged, he warned Lucas and Tristen to obey Quentin and to do as Jaytu said.

Lucas and Tristen thought they would just be allowed to run wild, but the were startled to find there were many rules to obey.

There were still things they could do like fish, and Quentin promised to take them hunting althought this was the wrong season for many game animals, turkeys and rabbits would be good.

"Father made us bows and we have been practicing with them." Lucas told Keytan and Jaytu.

"That is good, I am only eight summers and just learning the bow," Jaytu said.

"Let us go fishing," Keytan said. It was one of the favourite things to do, and the stream was right out front of Quentin's house.

After fishing the boys played some games, they were all four eager to learn others games.

"It is getting dark stay close to the lodge, a bear has been sited by Toma and some others," Quentin called.

"Yes father," Jaytu called, as oldest he was responsible for the others.

"This is a easy game, and we don't have to run or hide, and we can stay close," Lucas said, his father had told him he should obey Quentin and Jaytu.

Quentin was glad to see the boys getting along and that they seemed to enjoy their young uncles company.

Jamie and Octavia left the next on a coach to Boston, they would be gone for two weeks, but for their daughters at home that seemed like a long time.

"I think it is wonderful they are getting a chance to have a honeymoon, someday maybe Philip and I will have on," Maylissa said.

"We will watch Rafe and his new brother or sister for you," Monique said.

"Yes it will be good learning experience, Sunday may I have Alan over for dinner?" Annabelle asked, knowing Philip would be here Sunday and it would be proper.

"You may have him over any time as long as I am not out riding, I am a married woman so a proper chaperone." Maylissa said smiling at her sister, she liked Alan, he was not pretentious as were many of the young men now.

"Thank you Lissa, you are the best big sister, you understand I really enjoy being with Alan, don't you?" Annabelle asked.

"Of course Alan is a lot of fun, and a very kind young man, the kind any parent would wish there daughter to have as a caller," Maylissa said smiling.

"Well I will not be having any callers, Oly did invite me to the party tonight but I am going along with Alan and Annabelle and Lewis is driving us." Monique sighed, wishing Todd had asked her. But he would be bringing Susanna.

"Please give Oly my reguards and apology and explain to Janette why I can not attend, if Oly asks tell him I am a bit under the weather," Lissa said, she really hated missing the party but did not feel like going alone, even though her blue dress would probably fit.

Meanwhile at the Orphington house, Julius was furious, "What do you mean you can't go to the Swensen's party."

He hoped she wasn't ill, she had been sick of mornings but that had been weeks ago.

"My dresses won't fit, I am expanding," Delilah said looking pleased.

"What?" Julius said, didn't she realize how important Oly's birthday party was.

"I am having our child," Delilah sobbed dramatically.

Julius looked at her with disbelief as if playing what she had just said back in his head.

"No I am not having a child I do not even like children,"Julius said in horror. First he could not get the new song he had written in Oly's honor to sound as he wished and now this.

Delilah sighed all he thought about was music and playing that piano. His parents had been asking when they could expect a grandchild they would probably be pleased.

"You said we could have a child, fine then, go to the party I am leaving you I will send someone for my things." Delilah cried.

"Delilah," he called his answer was the slamming of the back door.

He looked at the new time piece his father had given him, where could she go it was almost six and he wondered where Matilda their cook was. Then he remembered giving her the night off, he went out to the stable to see if Hank had the team harnessed yet.

At the Swensen and Sons coach and freight company Myrah, decided to take a chance to go see Logan, who was a clerk down there. She was sure Oly had taken Orsen, Thoren, Ivan, and Victor all out fishing or something. He had heard her mother say something about it to Orsen who was the oldest of her little brothers about keeping their father away from the house while they were preparing for the party.

Logan was working at his desk. Mr. Parnum had gotten him the job. He had been working in the stables mucking and Parnum had taught him to write better and do figures faultlessly, now he was one of the head clerks a feat for someone only nineteen, he guessed he was that old since he was an orphan he had no way of knowing his true age, Mrs. Dutcher had taken him in when he had been abandoned as a young boy, and he had some schooling by her and had attended school a bit, before he had been big enough to work.

"Hello my love, do you not think it is dangerous for you to come here?" Logan said looking around nervously, he was just a clerk at the company.

"Today is my fathers birthday I doubt he would come in, I miss you," Myrah said.

Just then Oly walked in, they were deep in conversation, Myrah was saying how she wished he could come to the party and call on her.

"Hello Logan I was just coming to invite you to the party tonight," Oly said, "Hello Myrah I see you know Logan, if you do not have an escort and Logan has no plans perhaps he would not mind escorting you."

Oly smiled as the two looked both startled and relieved.

"See you at the party," Oly said and walked away.

"He approves of you," she said smiling.

"This is wonderful, I am just a clerk, you are the most beautiful girl in the world." he gasped.

At that moment she loved him more then anything, she was so grateful to Oly, not only for raising her as a loving father but for approving the man she loved.

At the Warwick home Lissa was in the kitchen with Monique cooking dinner.

"Where is mother?" Delilah demanded rushing in, after Mr. Parnum dropped her off.

"She and father went on their trip, if you paid attention to something besides yourself you would know this," Lissa snapped

"Do not lecture me sissy," Delilah spat, "You have no idea what it feels like to feel like all you are is an ornament on a man's arm."

"That is true my husband respects me and loves me for who I am, not because I am merely pretty, he is more interested in what I think and how I am," Lissa growled.

"Sisters we have company, Annabelle has a caller," Monique cried, but she was laughing she loved it when Lissa gave Delilah the what for, and father and mother were not here to stop it.

"Lissa you do not understand, I am with child and my husband does not want me or my child," Delilah cried.

"Delilah, you must be mistaken, Julius is not that callow, shallow perhaps and snobby but never cruel I think you are just making a mountain from a moles hill as usual," Lissa snapped.

"Oh I am not, oh sissy what am I do do," Delilah cried and ran into the great room.

Lissa sighed and went about finishing dinner shaking her head, Delilah had no business having a child.

She knew the next thing out Delilah's mouth would be something negative about Alan, and then she would just have to slap her. She would have no choice despite the promise she had made to mother not to hit her sister.

But then there was a frantic knock on the door, and Monique let in Julius who looked pale and almost frightened but also a bit angry.

"She is in the great room," Lissa called, thinking now they would find out what was really going on. Her sister exaggerated a lot.

"Delilah how dare you run out on me like that, I swear at times your are as a child." Julius scolded.

Do not talk to me so," Delilah shouted so loud one of the babies began to cry.

"I do not remember us discussing having a child, I do not wish to have a child but perhaps I . . ." Julius started.

"I! I! I! There is no I is us, Julius I wish I had never married you." Delilah snapped.

"All I want is for us to go to this party," Julius said.

Annabelle sighed she was so imbarassed by her sister quarreling like this in front of Alan she went up to check the toddlers, Alan glanced a desperate look towards her not knowing what to say or do.

"Parties and tinkling on that piano is all you care about, I want a child, your father and mother want a grandchild, think of something else besides your self, your piano, and your parties for once." Delilah said and wanted to slap him so bad but she held the urge in check, she couldn't bare to mar his handsome face or hurt him in any way but words, she realized she did love him.

"All I want to do is go to this party and I don't understand why you just could not see it to have someone let out your dress.

"Delilah and Julius shut your mouths, I have a solution," Lissa said in a low but threatening voice she did not want all the toddlers awake, Rafe was used to noise her little brothers weren't.

"What?" Alan said desperately. He had never seen a couple quarrel so.

"The blue dress I was to wear to your wedding, it was a bit large on me and still is, it would probably fit you wonderfully, go dress and go to the party," Lissa said knowing Oly had invited family to the dinner, and others to the party.

"That is a beautiful dress," Delilah sniffed.

When she dressed and came down. Julius gasped.

"Oh that looks so beautiful on you, thank you Lissa," Julius said.

"I am sorry I ran out but we did talk and you said yes to me wanting a baby,

"I guess I was not listening, come let us go, we will be late Hank is awaiting us," Julius said, "I love you and will love the child we have."

Dinner is ready," Monique called, she was glad her other sisters were not like Delilah, Lissa had a temper but only for good reasons did it come out.

"Thank you for inviting me, I don't get fresh fish much," Alan admitted, he loved fish, his father would bring home left overs from the inn and that was usually what they had overcooked food. Fresh food was a treat especially fresh caught fish.

"I feel sorry for Delilah's child," Monique sighed.

"No way would I wish to be that child," Annabelle agreed.

"It is mothers fault, she spoiled Delilah, she is a good mother, but she was harder on the rest of us, and now I think mother is sorry she did so," Lissa said.

"I think she is a good mother, Delilah can be . . " Annabelle started.

"Manipulative," Monique said, "We have good parents though, but everyone makes mistakes."

"Well I am glad I have my parents, this is excellent, thanks so much for inviting me over, and allowing me to call on Annabelle," Alan said .

"It is no problem, I enjoy your company, and I know Annabelle does," Lissa said smiling.

Alan thought about Lissa and Monique they were both so different then Delilah. Annabelle was the sweetest young lady ever, she did not mind he was not handsome as Todd or Alexander, she liked him for himself and no other reason.

Lissa had hoped that her husband could have gotten away for a meal but they were probably busy at the pub. Her father had been talking about building more rooms on once Lissa's house down the road was finished.

After a delicious meal with the family, including the Orphingtons who were his daughter in law's relation.

Paul Amberly and Amy Orphington announced their marriage plans, and Oly was happy, he liked Paul.

Julius and Orsen promised to play for the dance, and Delilah wondered why he had made such a fuss about her attending if all he was going to do was play music all night.

They played a special song they had practiced, and Julius was shocked at how well Orsen played.

"I love you so much my darling wife, you have made me whole," Oly told Janette as they danced.

"Oh Oly, I feel the same, I am so glad to have found my one true love, I do worry about Myrah,"

"Do not fret about that, I found she has a young man she likes, but she did not think we would aprove, because he is a foundling and a clerk at the freight company," Oly said, "See the young gent there he awaits our Myrah."

"Look at him he has kind eyes and looks to be handsome young man," Janette said smiling.

"Yes he is a fine young man," Oly said smiling.

"If she loves him I would not care what he did, but I know you only have good men at your company," Janette said.

"That I do," Oly said not wanting to think about work only how happy he was and proud of Orsen, that he could play almost as well as he himself could.

Monique did not know why she had come, only because Oly had asked her perhaps, and Lissa could not make it, oh how it hurt her to see Todd with Susanna.

"Hello," a voice said, she looked up and realized it was Alexander Swensen.

"Hello," she said realizing her heart was in her throat, at first part of her refused to believe he was talking to her, there were so many beautiful girls here.

"Monique, it appears you are in the same boat as I, here without an escort," he said smiling.

"That would be my boat." she agreed.

"Please do not look so sad, we are in the boat together and perchance it would not be so bold of me to ask you for a dance, the song Orsen has chosen is Bach and I do love a dance," he said.

She smiled, and agreed, he was so handsome, she could not believe her luck, maybe if Delilah saw them dancing she would stop insisting that she go to so many functions she did not wish to go to.

Everyone was dancing and having the best of times, Oly really knew how to throw a nice party.

Look there is Neils I hope he is not drunk," Astrid sighed.

He was sober and several wondered where he had gotten the lump on his head. Lewis of course knew he had gotten it from Oly's cane. Lewis also knew that since then Neils had curbed his drinking. He had complained to Lewis how disatisfied in his life he had became, how his children seemed set on disappointing him. Lewis pointed out that drinking would only worsen things.

"Where have you been Neils? Oly was wishing for you," Olga asked suspiciously.

"I was making sure the men delivered fathers present, I do hope he enjoys it," Neils said cheerfully.

Olga was relieved he was sober and in good spirits.

"Wait until I tell you the latest gossip dear," Astrid said smiling at Delilah, of all the Warwick girls, Delilah was her favourite. Octavia disliked gossip and Lissa was rude. The two younger ones were a bit boring.

"Do tell," Delilah said, she had always liked Astrid, and it was one reason she had wished to date Todd besides him being handsome and kind.

"Did you see who Myrah Swensen drug in, I can not believe father would allow her to have that cur call on her, he is one of those Chastain foundlings," Astrid sighed.

"He is just a clerk, she is pretty I do not understand," Delilah sniffed.

After they gossiped a bit Astrid sighed and said, "Look at Lewis, that grin of his, he thinks I don't know he is flirting with those girls. That man he could fall in a manure pile and come up with a hundred pounds gold, sometimes I wish to slap him but I love him too much."

Delilah nodded she knew exactly how Astrid felt and glanced at Julius and sighed.

"At least your rival is a musical instrument and not a random pretty girl that catches his eye," Astrid sighed.

"Sometimes I think I could understand a pretty girl over a piano." Delilah sighed, she saw her sister dancing with Alan, maybe she would quit making a fuss about him. After all she had not made such a great choice with her marriage. She saw Alex and Monique and smiled maybe someone in the family would marry well.

"I am so happy you decided to come," Annabelle told Alan.

"I am too I like Oly," Alan said, "You did not seem so happy when we first came here."

"I was worried about Monique, because of Todd, but she is dancing and talking to Alexander and now I feel better, she is not alone, I think they are just friends, but Delilah will be thrilled," Annabelle giggled.

"Why is it that Delilah does not like me?" Alan asked, she was almost rude to him at the Warwick house.

"I do not think Delilah likes anyone, even herself at times, but she would pay you more mind perhaps if you were born with a silver spoon," Annabelle said.

"That would have been painful for mother," Alan joked.

Annabelle giggled, how she loved him, he always knew how to make her feel good and loved.