Not Forgotten

Madison Ward never meant for her baby to pay for her sins.

“No!” God, no more. Her eyes flew open. For the briefest moment, time refused to budge. The droplets of perspiration rolled down the back of her neck.

Madison filled her nostrils with what should have been a calming breath. The stench of the smoke stack ushered in another wave of nausea as she felt the talons of the nightmare slowly release its grip.

It was only a dream.

Madison tipped her head against the seat. The thrumming of the train tracks eased down her spine, beckoning her to close her eyes and think of it no more. Four weeks. It seemed a lifetime ago that her would-be husband would have their babe ripped from her womb. Jakks had been cruel in the acute sense of the word. She need not worry on that measure again. Addison had taken her under his wing—married her. She would find some way to explain to her parents.

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(Page 2)

“Maddy, are you all right?” Addison’s calming timbre drifted into her world. She glanced across to see him looking at her with his furrowed brows.

Maddy, he had taken to calling her now. “I’m fine, Addison, just a bit tired is all.” She closed her eyes once again.

Maddy felt her new husband’s warm callused hand, brush her forehead and then drop away.

How would she explain all this to her parents?

Maddy rubbed at the crick in her neck. “Just a silly dream.” She held her breath, still feeling the remnants of the nightmare. Jakks had almost succeeded. How could she have believed Jakks wanted to marry her? Even if he did not want the child, did he have to clamor for its death?

Maddy clenched her teeth at the thought of him.

“Madison, what is it?” She didn’t want to open her eyes again. The tenderness she saw in Addison’s eyes, made her want to retreat further into herself. “I know the rocking of the car must be unsettling for you, but if you can just try and rest, we should reach Chicago soon.” Addison moved from the seat in front to sit next to her. “Here, lean on me and rest awhile longer.” Madison did not resist his urging and laid her head on his shoulder.

She drew in his familiar fragrance—nothing unpleasant about it. Most men who had occasion to place their arms around her in the past had more of what you might call a stench than a scent. Addison smelled just as a man ought to—like home. Locking her arm into his, she allowed the troubling thoughts to fall away as she gently drifted back to sleep.

(page 3)

Addison wondered at his own reasoning. His plan to keep a good distance between them as not to pressure her had the misfortune of a sandy foundation. He would have to be very careful with her if he were to help her forget her nightmare and woo her to himself.

Then there was the babe to consider. He did not want to take a chance on hurting him. Even with Dr. Garrett’s assurance that their future intimacy would not hurt the child.

A cold creek sounded mighty fine right about now.

Addison lifted a tendril of her hair, which had escaped from beneath her plain bonnet, and lifted it to his face. He breathed in, feeling its silkiness against his lips. She was heaven. He had never felt so complete in his whole life. Here he was, a man free from the nightmares of the past and wed to the most beautiful woman in the world and she going to make him a father. Addison exhaled.

Father, what have I done to deserve such bounty?

Not by works, lest any man should boast.

It is the gift of God.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Your Son, and the gift of my son—or daughter whichever the case may be.

Addison almost felt like humming, but did not want to wake his sleeping wife. He settled for a broad smile instead.

His wife—Maddy was his wife. Was it ever going to sink in? Addison Miral has a wife!

“I bet I can guess what has put such a look of contentment on your face,” said Captain Slater, coming up beside him.

(page 4)

Addison sobered up a bit, not wanting the Captain to guess all of his musings. “No doubt,” Addison dropped the tendril and straightened. “Where is your own lovely bride-to-be?”

“Anna is still in the dining car trying to talk the cook into mixing up something a little blander for Mrs. Miral.” He smiled.

Addison returned his smile, chuckling. “I never get tired of hearing Maddy called that. I hope the future Mrs. Slater is successful.”

Captain Slater chuckled back. “And I shall never get tired of Anna being called Mrs. Slater. Although the way she’s handling that cook, she might well be called Mrs. Captain Slater before long.”

Both men laughed before Justin settled across the seat in front of Addison. “Have you thought of how you are going to tell her parents?”

The jovialness of the moment forgotten, Addison pondered. The fact is he had thought about it…a great deal. “As far as anyone back home knows, I am her only husband and the child is mine.”

Justin studied him for a moment. “You do realize the war you will bring down upon your head with that admission?”

Addison did not bat an eye. “Yes, but to do this any other way will leave her open to greater harm and ridicule. Let them think we were just careless and reckless kids who were too in love to think this through. I don’t want her to have to explain her ordeal to a mother who seems far too much the prima-donna.”

(page 5)

Justin exhaled, “I guess I don’t blame you for wanting to protect her, but eventually the truth will come out—it always does.” Justin was fiddling with a busted stitch on the button of his uniform. “What if Jakks comes back?”

Addison did not have time to answer. Anna Michaels came through the train car carrying a steaming cup and a small bowl. “Oh! did I have a time getting through to that man. But, I finally got Madison some fresh oatmeal and a warm cup of milk.” Justin scooted over for his bride. Anna looked at Addison. “Is she resting?”

“Yes, Miss Michaels, for nearly a quarter of an hour now. But I’m sure she will wake in a bit and want to eat.” Indeed, Madison’s appetite had begun to return since their respite at the fort. She nearly downed two egg sandwiches and an apple for breakfast this morning, causing Addison to recount his money. Of course, she tossed most of it back up a short time later. If she kept this up, he was going to have to fast a few meals just to feed her.

Addison did not mind though. He would starve to make sure his wife and baby had enough. He had done without so much of his life that he counted starving for them, a luxury.

As if on cue, Madison began to rouse, rubbing her eyes against the back of her hand. Addison reveled in every moment. “Oh, my. Did I sleep long?” Maddy stifled a yawn behind her hand.

“I’d say, not long enough.” Addison wished they had left them alone a bit longer. He could feel his time with Maddy slipping away.

“Here, Madison,” Anna handed her the oatmeal and milk. “I brought you something a little more settling.”

(page 6)

“Oh thank you.” Madison began removing the lid to the Oatmeal. “I was beginning to get hungry again.” Madison looked up at Justin and replaced the lid to her food. “I can wait.”

Justin cleared his throat as he rose. “I need to see to mine and Anna’s dinner as well, so if you will excuse us.” he held out his arm to Anna. “We shall be back later.”

Addison watched as Maddy tucked in to the sparse meal. His belly nearly growled as she took her first bite. “If you need more, Maddy, I can go get some for you.” Addison mentally counted how much he had left to spend—two bits.

Madison stopped half way through her bite. “I can’t eat anymore.” she shoved the bowl back at Addison and sipped the cup of warm milk instead.

“What do you mean you can’t eat anymore?”

“It happens all the time in the afternoon. I think I’m hungry but a few bites later, I feel as if I have eaten a horse.” she laid her hand against her tummy. “I can’t, Addy.”

Addison smiled at the endearment. His mother used to call him that. Addison’s stomach growled just then, embarrassing him.

“You need it more than I do, listen at you.” Madison grabbed the oatmeal back from Addison and dipped the spoon into the mixture, ready to feed him. “Did you eat breakfast?” she asked accusingly.

“I wasn’t hungry,” he said simply.

“You didn’t eat dinner last night either,” she recited, causing Addison to warm at her observation. She really was beginning to care for more than just herself.

“A couple of meals without…” began Addison as she forced the spoon towards his lips. “…Is not going to hurt me.” Addison gently gripped her wrists and pushed the spoon back toward the bowl. “Eat, my love, for our babe’s sake.”

Madison’s stomach growled in answer to his command and he took the oatmeal this time and began spooning it into Madison’s mouth, licking off the remnants that she left behind. “Satisfied?” he smirked. She smiled and nodded leaving him a bit more on the spoon the next bite.

The rest of the trip continued just as uneventful, until they switched to a coach in Chicago to take the last day’s journey in to LaPorte. Addison had insisted she take the backward facing seat assuring her that she would thank him later. Madison did find the ride a bit easier after she got used to it. She did not feel quite as nauseated.

When the coach finally pulled into the depot, Anna’s family was waiting to greet them. Addison peeked through the curtain, hoping that by some small miracle, Madison’s family had not gotten the Telegram.

“Oh…oh, Addison, there is my parents, next to Mr. Michaels.” Addison took a resigning breath. He was not sure how they were going to receive them and did not have the money to put them up in a hotel.

Addison sent up a prayer as the door to the coach came open.

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