Epilogue

November 8th, 1781

"Kaeden James Campbell, get over here right this minute!" I called across the front porch of our home. He was running around with a few of Isobel's girls, teasing them. The little brunette boy scurried across the cobblestone path to me.

"That is not how you treat a young lady. Do not let me find out your pulling her braids again or I will have your father swat your ass until it's bloody." I threatened. "Now, go find Dina and help her." His little head bobbed up and down furiously as he raced off towards wherever my oldest had gone to.

"Aye, ye are still the most beautiful woman, even when yer yelling." My husband laughed, wiping his hands on a rag. I turned to him, letting go of the anger over his son's childish antics.

"He takes after you." I pointed out, studying Kaeden. "And with these three kids, I'm tired of the poor manners, which I chose to blame you for." I smirked, running a hand over his chest.

"Me? I dinna ken why."

"You said, I want a house full of laughter." I sighed, "Well you got a house full of laughter and crying, yelling, and screaming." I smirked, pressing my chin on his chest so I could look up at him.

"Aye, and I wouldna change it for the sun and the moon." He whispered, kissing my forehead gently. "I must being going. Washington has called on the troops to watch the signing of the Treaty of Paris." My arms loosened around his waist.

"Come back soon." I smiled, backing up. "And be safe. We didn't make it through this entire war for you to die by falling off your horse or something."

"I will, mo ghradh." His hand squeezed mine gently, rubbing his other hand over my large belly. "I love ye." Kaeden kissed my forehead once more before slipping past me and towards the stables. I watched him from afar, saddling the horse, giving our three children kisses goodbye. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and happiness. Every mundane detail of our existence, from the way the kids clung to his legs to the simple act of saddling the horse, was held with a profound love that made me aware that this was more than just a life. It was a home built from the wood of shared dreams, whispered hopes, and the unshakeable foundation of family. It was this little life of mine. It was the happiest I'd ever been. It was my home, my life, the breath in my longs.

"Mama, Mama!" Kaeden squealed as he ran towards the house. "Lachlan found a squirrel! Can we keep it?" The little boy pouted as his older brother held a small creature in his hand.

"No, Lachlan Malcom Campbell, drop that right now!" I demanded, adorning the best angry mom face I could in the moment. The scene gave me flashbacks of Kaeden bringing me a pet squirrel as a child in France. "Go get ready for dinner." I ordered. "Annabelle and Henry are waiting for us." The two boys and Dina hurried inside, washing up for dinner.

"Hands full?" Annabelle asked as she began passing by the house.

"Always. Especially when Kaeden is gone." I smiled.

"I understand that. I'm grateful Henry didn't join the war. I don't think I could've dealt with that." She sighed, offering a hand to me to help me off the front porch of my home. "You're a stronger woman than I, Faith Campbell."

"I've been through worse." I nodded, "Don't forget, he and I went off to war together." I had joined the Revolutionary War. For a time, I was a soldier in Washington's army, well Gate's army. Kaeden and I left Dina with Isobel and Isaac while we fought. The only reason I returned home was because I got pregnant again. For a time, Kaeden was rarely home, but I knew it was for a good reason, so our kids could grow up as Americans, not dirty Scots under a cruel British crown.

We won. And Kaeden managed to keep life and all limbs surprisingly. Now, we lived a docile life. Kaeden was a farmer. I was the town blacksmith. Issac and Isobel set us up with a grand home. Annabelle and Henry joined us there too. My parents visited whenever they could. As did Bri and her family.  A few of Kaeden's cousins found us during the war and settled not too far from our little city. This was the dream. Everything Kaeden and I had ever dreamed of.

We had the house and the family, surrounded by our friends and extended family. And what was our little town's name? Hopewell, Virginia.

"Come now. Supper is ready." Annabelle wrapped my arm with hers and we walked down the cobblestone path to her home. Her two boys played out front with mine with Dina watching over them.

"This is the life, hmm?" She sighed as we approached.

"Truly is." I smiled.

"Can't believe you're having another." Anna giggled. "I thought after Dina, you'd be done. And then again after Lachlan."

"Tell me about it. These hips are done after this one. After the traumatic birth of Dina and then all that back labor with the boys, I'm done being pregnant. But I'll need you to explain that to my husband. He thinks I'm some sort of goddess for surviving all of their births." I laughed, taking each step of the porch as slow as a snail.

"Two was enough for me." Anna motioned to her rambunctious children.

"You need a girl though." I smirked. Henry stood at the doorframe of the home, nodding in agreement.

"I told her the same thing." He chuckled.

"No, I want no ideas from either of you." Anna laughed, releasing my arm.

"Whatever." I shrugged, walking into the home.

For hours, we sat around the home with our children, eating and laughing. Isobel and Isaac joined with their horde of children at some point in the night. It was also the night I went into labor. Again.

I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Margaret "Maisie" Claire Campbell. She had tuffs of red kinky hair and her father's nose. A pale and freckled little thing like me. Another joy in my life. Another reason for the air to return to my lungs for each breath. I had searched for my family for so long, now I had it all. That shattered little girl wasn't broken any more. Each member of my family or friend had stitched a piece of my heart back together.