Chapter Thirty-five

 

The week went by faster than any of them wanted. Doc held Suzanna as often as possible, soaking in the memories he could have. The rest of his time was spent with Fiala and Sonya, alone and cuddling or being intimate. He hadn’t slept all week, continuing to use his magic to keep himself refreshed. His wives were getting a little worried about him, but they didn’t fault him for doing it.

 

When Fiala turned to find Doc, Rosa, and Petal all watching her, she chuckled softly so as to not wake Suzanna. “The creepy trio…” Her smile fled a second later, as she knew what today meant. “If I go back to sleep, will that stop time?”

 

“Sadly, no…” Doc murmured, shifting to kiss her cheek. “I’d have slept all week if that were the case.”

 

“Deep Gulch, then north and west?”

 

“Deep Gulch, then finishing getting approval for the territories I haven’t gotten yet. After that, we’ll be going up into Pale River.”

 

Fiala’s eyes began to water. “I’m going to miss you.”

 

“I’ll miss you, Suzanna, and Sonya,” Doc whispered, brushing the tears that’d spilled down her cheeks. “You and Sonya will have each other to help. I’m sorry we left you alone last time.”

 

“It’s fine,” Fiala said, touching his cheek. “Ginger’s been a big help. I’m going to have a home built next to ours for her and Harrid. That way, they can have their own space while still being here.”

 

“Whatever you want, dearest.”

 

The two whispered and traded a couple of chaste kisses until Suzanna woke up with a small cry. Doc gently took her to change her diaper, and when he’d finished, he passed her back to Fiala to nurse.

 

Petal and Rosa watched from the side, both of them knowing they would need to help their charges with the separation later.

 

~*~*~

 

Sonya came and got them when it was time for breakfast. His guests had arrived early, making for a full table. Fiala let Petal hold Suzanna during breakfast so she could eat.

 

“I checked, and the train’s waiting for us,” Otto said. “It’s the only train on a line which hasn’t been opened to the public yet. It makes leaving much easier.”

 

“Peabody was kind enough to find a manager for the railroads you establish here in Coalrud,” Ayla said. “If he does well over the next few months, he’ll transition to western oversight manager. He has his instructions on what you want him to build. Sophia and I talked to him over the last couple of days.”

 

Doc gave them a soft smile. “Always making my life easier… Thank you.”

 

“It was a needed step to bring together all the work we’ve done going west,” Sophia said. “With an office dedicated to managing the rail, things should progress faster.”

 

“The private car on the train is comfy,” Posy said. “It was so fast to get here in it; much better than being in a carriage.”

 

Doc chuckled. “The convenience of fast transport. Trains still fall behind airplanes, but they remain good for transportation and far easier to manage since railroads are an existing product. Kittyhawk was…” Doc trailed off, thinking. “I think it was 1902…? Maybe 1903…? Can’t remember, exactly.”

 

“Airplane?” Posy asked with wide eyes.

 

Before Doc could answer, Charles and Olka brought breakfast in. “Somber morning to you all,” Charles said. “I have made a feast since we all know what today heralds. Sir, we will keep your wives well-fed and cared for while you are gone.”

 

Doc met the hound bestial’s eyes. “Thank you, Charles. You, too, Olka,” he said, giving her a smile so she knew she wasn’t an afterthought. “I’ll envy them the wonderful meals they get to have.”

 

The mood turned instantly somber with Charles’ small speech, as the realization truly hammered home for everyone in the room. When Olka and Charles withdrew, breakfast commenced with very little talk.

 

The near silence continued until Posy asked after a couple of minutes, “Doc, what’s an airplane?”

 

Doc’s lips twitched up, so he slowed eating to explain the idea. Everyone at the table all thought it was fantastical, the idea of flying through the air across vast distances. Everyone sat in awe and deep thought over how the idea itself could change the world.

 

“David was told what to look for; it won’t have commercial purposes for sixty years. With the new Voice coming soon, though, maybe all of that will jump forward…” Doc murmured.

 

“To fly would be a dream,” Daf said softly. “I’ve always had dreams about flying.”

 

“We’ll have to see what the future brings, but with Invention having a Voice, anything could happen. I’m just glad he’s on our side.”

 

“It would be terrible if he wasn’t,” Sophia said.

 

“Full agreement on that.”

 

Breakfast ended a little more positively, as everyone thought about flying in a magical airplane. It gave them a tiny seed of hope that the future might be even brighter than they’d previously thought.

 

~*~*~

 

His guests left ahead of them, as it would take more than a single trip for all of them. Sonya cried when she said goodbye to her parents, even though it would be easy for them to visit with the railroad between Deep Gulch and Furden being functional. Posy sniffled when she hugged Sonya and Fiala, then gently kissed Suzanna’s head.

 

When it was just the family left, Doc sat with Fiala and Sonya beside him, Suzanna cradled in his arms. Eyes closed, Doc tried to hold onto the moment for as long as possible.

 

“A portrait that would speak for ages…” Sophia murmured.

 

“Maybe Fiala can hire a painter?” Ayla suggested.

 

“We do have the papers with Doc’s photo, so he’d have an image to work with,” Lia added.

 

“I’ll find someone,” Fiala said softly. “When you all come back again, I’ll arrange for a photographer. That way, we can have a full family portrait.”

 

“That would be nice,” Sonya said. “We’ll work on finding the right person to do the photographs.”

 

“I would love to have a family photo and a painting,” Doc murmured. “Sonya, we’ll do our best to be back for your child. When it’s close to time, I’d suggest going to Deep Gulch. Rosa will let us know where you are, but if the church is being a pain, go there and we’ll head that way. If need be, we can see about arriving first and staying hidden with the clan.”

 

“The mine would be the easiest place for her to hide,” Ayla said. “The clan holds that tightly, and it isn’t going to have visitors. The train runs near it, too, making it easy for her or us to get off there, especially since you own the railroad.”

 

“Good points,” Sonya nodded. “It won’t be for another nine months, but I’ll make sure that, if you can come back, we’re safe.”

 

“Goodbyes always hurt…” Fiala whispered, her voice choked up.

 

Ayla, Sophia, and Lia came over to the trio on the sofa, hugging and kissing their wives. All of them blamed the church for the fact that Doc had to leave, and with him leaving, they had to go, too. They were still saying their goodbyes when the carriages came back from Furden for them.

 

Fiala held Suzanna to her chest while she cried silently, watching the carriage with her family roll down the drive. Sonya held her waist, crying, as well. She now knew what Fiala had felt at the start of the year when Doc left the first time. Petal stood behind them, gently rubbing their backs, her own eyes locked on the carriage.

 

Doc held Ayla and Sophia to his sides as the three of them sobbed. The goodbyes were getting harder, but life didn’t care what they wanted. Apoc surely didn’t care about what Doc’s family wanted, and he had to leave for the safety of those he loved.

 

“We’ll be back…” Lia said, her own voice hitching. “When the time comes, Doc, all three of us would like to join our fellow wives in motherhood… but we can wait until it’s time.”

 

Looking at Lia, he nodded. “I’ll gladly give you all that you want. If I have to continue running after Pale River… Ayla, Sophia, I can have you go back to them with your own children growing.”

 

The two beside him pressed into him tighter, murmuring their love as they kissed his face and neck. They’d been wanting to ask for just that, but also didn’t want to deny him their help. To hear him offer it filled them with love.

 

“They accept, Doc,” Rosa said softly. “Lia will wait until you can set down the burden you carry.”

 

“Yes. I will be your protector until that day. When that day comes, I will again set my guns aside, but this time, I will pick up a child to care for, instead,” Lia said thickly.

 

Doc met her jade eyes— they were wet, but not spilling tears. “When that day comes, you’ll have twins, at the very least.”

 

Lia’s smile was bright as a tear slipped free. “I will revel in that day, my dear husband.”

 

They wiped their faces when they arrived at the train depot. The train to Deep Gulch was waiting on the auxiliary track, having been prepared for their arrival. As everything was loaded on, Doc looked back toward the city. He would be back in time— he knew that, but the pain of leaving was even higher this time.

 

“Doc?” Posy asked, coming off the train to take his hand. “Are you okay?”

 

“Saying goodbye is hard, Posy,” Doc said softly. “I’ll have to tell you goodbye in a day or two.”

 

“Not goodbye, Doc. Just farewell. I know you’ll be back,” Posy said with a serious expression. “It’s what helps me when I have to leave, or if another person has to. ‘Farewell’ gives me hope that I’ll get to see them again.”

 

Doc’s lips twitched as he scooped her up to hug her. “You bright, precious, wonderful little flower.”

 

Posy giggled as Doc spun her around, clinging to her father with all her strength. He might not have given her life, but he was the father of her soul. It was because of him that her mother would live decades longer. Her purpose in life was set: to help Luck bring light back to the world. Doc had given her that purpose, and she’d claimed it as her own. Together, as father and daughter, they would show the world how people should live.

 

Setting her down, he took her hand. “It’s time to step forward again, Posy.”

 

“I know,” Posy said, squeezing his hand.