Chapter 89: Chapter 89

Chapter 87: The purchase

"She is asleep..." Austin announced.

"I can't say the same for your little rascals. I always knew any offspring of yours would be exasperating.."

"Walter?! How can you say such?"

"Honesty Rosie, these two are about to be worse than the trouble we had with Bertha and Austin."

"Well, it's a good thing you're not their parent." Austin replied. Walter suddenly hurt. "But I am their grandparent, without my existence you neither them would exist."

"That isn't the same song you were singing these past few months, I reckon."

"I had no knowledge... that mulattos were normal like you and I. No knowledge at all. It seems for a long time, I had been brainwashed to assume they'd come out disadvantaged or as dark as coal." Walter then turned to the infant he was holding frangibly nursing him back and forth as he sat on his Georgian arm chair. Austin's mother held the other twin who was seemingly asleep. Austin appreciated the help, especially for Merri, if it became all too much for her she could suddenly loathe the thought of motherhood. Austin was surprised she said she loved him. She loved him? Even till this moment he could not register the thought.

"Name them already..."

"They have names, Merri and I decided before they were even here."

"Oh... look at you two planning and actually being good parents..." Walter added awkwardly.

"It's Lennox and Lionel."

"Goodness, you had to pick out your mother's ridiculous name?"

"Merri wanted to name him after me and no I do not think it's ridiculous."

"This has brought me so much happiness, I will be sure to thank her." Rosie added ignoring her husband's snide comment. Frankly she had begun to be sick of him but she felt powerless. Divorce or leaving was immensely frowned upon. She was afraid of leaving. Walter Cunningham was all she had ever known for years and years on end. The thought of returning to her home country did not sit well with her. Her life was here, her children were here as English as could be. Nothing close to German. Their lives were here in Britain, she did not want to be selfish. She felt horrid for not feeling any ounce of love for Walter. Her love for him had watered down over the years. She would not admit that the more he spoke and let out his thoughts. She realized how dull and narrow minded he actually was. They had only known each other for two months or less before he proposed. It was very normal to propose to someone you barely knew. He was a gentleman, until she could not fall pregnant after Henry. He became cold and seemingly always frustrated. She refused to acknowledge his underlining horrid traits. He was a good father, a good husband but his attitude was unbearable at times. More selfish than anything else. The many nights she'd cried herself to sleep because she could not fall pregnant. The judgement his family brought upon her for this. Rosalind had been through so much but told herself, she has made it this far. There is no turning back. For a while, that's all she told herself. What life was there for someone as old as she was? She'd say to herself. She could not flamboyantly leave a life she'd lived for so long, her younger days were over. All she wanted to see her children happy and secure in their current lives. This was the happiest she'd been, Austin. Rosalind had never thought her son would be here standing before her as a father. His cold demeanor melted.

"Name her child after you...! This girl has no thought process, I reckon but then again I do not expect much from niggers." Walter let out a sardonic laugh. "But ofcourse let us all have this time to discuss the bigger issue before she awakens from her slumber."

"It's not any slumber if she recently gave birth." Austin's mom added, getting more and more annoyed by his irrational opinions.

"We need to keep the children and kick her to the curve. She does not deserve this. She does not deserve any of this. Thank goodness she has done her duty but now she needs to leave."

"This—this is why I will make sure you never see them again." Austin replied sadistically. "Bring my son!"

"Pardon?" Walter said defensively holding the infant wrapped in a blanket. "You mean my property obviously since I own Merrigold?"

"You're a despicable person Walter. I do not know what I ever saw in you." Austin's mother said outrageously handing Austin the other twin. Tears flowing her eye to eye. She had, had enough.

"Be quiet while I speak, as the man of the house."

"The man of the house, you can surely head this house by yourself because I will be leaving with Austin. I will be leaving for Manchester, Merrigold needs my help as a mother."

"Manchester? What Manchester home does he have? Did Austin not inform you that he is penniless?" Walter chuckled. "Like mother like son, you're all dim witted. Should have known what to expect when I married a leggy german blonde."

"You can insult me all you want but for you to say something like that about mother is very malicious. I hope you forever stand by those words. You will die miserable and all alone. I hope your slaves throw you in a ditch when none of your children or relatives show up then you wonder and question if you're the example of a rightful Christian who will surely surely make it to heaven." Austin laughed, it stung.

Walter took a gulp.

Austin's mother abruptly left the room in tears. She could not bare any of this. "I will go check on Merri."

Without a word, Walter stood up and gave Henry the infant he had been holding. Austin's mother had tied two different colored wool on each of the twins wrist. The white wool was Lennox and the blue wool was Lionel. They slept for a long while, Austin watched them sleep right next to their mother. Nothing could take away the happiness he felt at this very moment. This—this was all he'd ever wanted. They were so delicate, more so when they blinked oblivious to the world they were born into. Austin was surprised, Merri had knitted so many cute bottoms, gloves and tiny little shoes. All so adorable. Bertha has dropped off her kids baby clothes that she had kept for Merrigold. It was very helpful.

Soon Merrigold's brother and Thomas were present to check on Merrigold and meet her kids. They swore if they had known, they would have came sooner. Removing their hats in Austin's presence not even Austin wanted their respect. He felt guilty, this was the only family Merri had and Austin could not earn his respect because he had already done enough damage. James did not pay Austin any attention, he just needed his younger sister to be alright. Thomas only tagged along, as much as the daunting feeling hurt looking at the little infants. A replica of a man he hated with all his might. Thomas thought he'd be able to handle the pain and hurt but looking at them pierced right through his would. He swallowed a lump on his throat that he did not know he had been holding all the while in Austin's presence.

"I'm an uncle, unbelievable!" James whispered softly watching the little ones sleep adorably. Puckered lips slightly open revealing their toothlessness, tongue slightly out. Their tiny mucronate nose that so much so resembled their father. Tiny black hairs on their small heads still straight.

"Congratulations to you both." Thomas let out.

"You're an uncle too, if you want to be!" James added trying to lighten the mood.

Thomas only gave a slight smile before the sadness settled back in. The thoughts of Faith and where she was with his child. He had given up on the thought that they'd ever cross paths atleast not in this life.

"Thank you, Thomas." Austin replied subtly his hands in his pockets. He did not have much to say, he did not have the desire to banter or be cruel the way he had been before. He had only done so because he was not secure. He was never secure in Merrigold's life but Thomas had always been and that bothered Austin.

"May I have a word?" James added.

"Of course!" Austin cleared his throat leading him out. Leaving Thomas to watch Merrigold sleep with her babies by her side. It was an adorable scene but it stung Thomas. Those would never be his children. The fact remained she had shared the biggest part of her life with Austin. The start of motherhood, parenthood. They shared that together. Thomas felt alone, trying his best to be happy for them. Trying his all to forget about the hurt.

Leading them out into another room. James made Austin nervous. This was the brother of someone he loved so much. He only wanted to be on good terms and nothing more. "What happens now?" James questioned.

"We stay here... until father allows me to buy them." with a sigh, he added. "I reckon she'd never want to be away from you. Her life is here in Liverpool."

"Of course."

"I'd like to apologize for all the pain I've caused..."

"I have no resentment towards you so long as you care for the responsibility you created. She needs you, your father hasn't been the least nicest to her. She deserves none of that treatment. I'd prefer anyone other than you Master—"

"Austin, simply Austin. If it were all different m, we'd be brother's in law." Austin attempted to make a banter but James only stood surprised.

"You'd want to marry my sister... as she is—"

"The mother of my children? Yes. Infact all I'd need is your permission and gather a few friends and family. I will marry her. I plan on doing so even if it isn't by law."

"You must love her very much..." James added clearing his throat.

"With my life, can't imagine any of it without her presence."

"I see."

"Yes."

"Well Thomas is still a tad bit hurt, I apologize if he comes off as upset. I reckon he has every right to be, you stole Merrigold's heart. Someone he had loved for years as well but ofcourse he will be alright with time."

Austin aimlessly laughed feeling awkward. "I've been meaning to... apologize to him. I find it hard, my pride hasn't been making it easy. I've had a lot on my plate but I owe him an apology."

James nodded. "As you should, Mast—I mean A-Austin—" they both chuckled. "It takes a lot of getting used to, give me time...eh Austin?"

"Yes, I'm no better than you at all."

James nodded. "Everyone deserves second chances. I never condoned anything you did to Merri or Thomas... but if Merrigold has chosen to forgive you then there's only so much I can do. Especially with the my nephews here."

"I want to try my best to raise them in a neutral environment with Merrigold. One that is none-biased."

"That makes me happy."

There was silence as the two men concluded.

"I-thought to look for your parents..."

"What?! That is impossible where could you possibly start... it has been years..." the man questioned, stunned beyond words. He had told Merrigold to forget about it many many times. To erase such thoughts of ever reuniting.

"Your mother... remains at her old plantation, she has been there for years."

James eyes watered, something that never ever happened. Embarrassed he quickly wiped them clear.

"I do have sad news...?"

"Tell me already Mast— I mean uh-Austin..."

"I visited her, spoke to her... she very much resembles Merrigold. After visiting nearly seven Jones plantation, when I saw her... I knew."

James smiled, still unable to hold his tears. "She mentioned that you and Merrigold do not share a father. She isn't aware where they're either. Presuming they're no more. I was honestly lucky to find your mother, she has been through so much but she is still here."

"Merrigold remains my sister, it does not move me at all. I'm only delighted that our mother is well."

"I'm glad." Austin gave him a pat on the back. He was not sure how to comfort another man. One who more or so intimidated him. "Her name is Jenny well that was her given slave name. She mentioned that she has lost count of the amount of children she had over the years. They had her breed as many as she could and just as they were old enough to work, they'd sell them off. William managed to buy her off on my behalf. The owners rendered her useless now as she is no longer fertile, it was a rather easy purchase."

James could not hold back as he hugged Austin. This meant so much to him more than anyone would ever know. Austin was surprised for a bit before he returned the gesture. "Thank you!" James stuttered amidst tears. "I never thought my mother would be able to meet my daughter or my wife or the life I've made for myself."

"Please, I feel I should have done more. I plan on surprising Merri, I hope she takes it well."

Pulling back with a grin, James shook his head. "Takes it well? She will be over the moon."

Austin smiled slightly unsure.

"Austin, as horrible as this ought to sound. I will wholeheartedly admit, I'm glad you came in our lives even if it caused havoc at first. I'm happy for my sister, she deserves this."

Eavesdropping Thomas shook his head, Austin was always a mile farther than he was and perhaps this was why Merrigold loved him regardless. The man was thoughtful, Thomas genuinely wished them well regardless of the ache of jealousy.