For All Time fic, 'Soon We'll Be Home' (complete)
Soon We’ll Be Home
By Missbevcrusher
Rated [K]
Word count: 1346
Synopsis: Charles and his family return from a trip to the big city.
This was written for obsessive_a101, who submitted the theme “family outing on the railroad.”
Please note, this story is not betaed. If mistakes remain, they are entirely my own.
Dusk was drawing near, and the sun was hovering over the horizon. The slanted rays filtered through the window, bathing the train coach in yellow and orange hues. Every now and again, they would speed by some trees, their jagged shadows blocking the light in quick succession.
Rocked by the gentle sway of the train, Charles glanced at his step-daughter’s slumbering form, and smiled. Her little feet were curled up on the seat, her mouth hanging slack. Poor thing, he thought affectionately. It had been a long day, and she was tuckered out.
Having removed his jacket earlier, Charles carefully placed it over her arms. Granted, it wasn’t a blanket, but he figured it would do. Though he had taken care not to wake her, Mary stirred a little, and yawned before settling back against the side of his arm. She slept.
Running a hand on the back of his neck, he looked out the window. Beyond the glass, the scenery passed swiftly. Although the view consisted mostly of trees, Charles would see patches of farmland every now and again-from pastures and planted fields, to barns and homesteads.
In truth, he really enjoyed the train, had always been fascinated with them. He had even collected model train sets at one point-in a life and time that seemed a distant dream now.
His thoughts funnelling to the present, Charles glanced across the center aisle to see his wife engrossed in a book, her fingers poised to turn to the next page. Upon boarding, she had offered the window seat to her mother, who was now snoring softly, with her needlework on her lap. Save for the four of them, this particular train coach was practically empty. It made for a quiet ride-a welcome contrast from the hustle and bustle of St. Louis Union Station.
Normally, they would have been back in Somerville before lunch. But there had been mechanical problems, and the train had departed much later than usual.
Stretching on a sigh, Charles allowed his thoughts to drift to the past several days, to all the things they had done, all the things they had seen. His family had never really had a chance to travel before, so this trip had meant a lot to them. And to him as well.
“What are you thinking about?” Low and smoky, Laura’s voice drew him out of his thoughts. When his eyes met hers, she explained her query, a curious smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. “You were smiling.”
“Was I?” He shrugged. “I guess I’m just reliving our trip.”
A hum as her response, Laura set her book aside, said, “It was wonderful, wasn’t it? The carriage rides, the art museum, the Old Courthouse near the waterfront…”
“The botanical garden wasn’t so bad either.”
At the mention of that afternoon, Laura’s face lit up, and her smile broadened. “I had such a good time there.” Her gaze shifted to her daughter just then, and her voice lowered a notch. “I think Mary enjoyed it as well.”
“She had a blast,” he agreed, recalling how much they had laughed that day.
As the train continued on, a comfortable silence settled between them. Shifting in her seat, Laura placed her elbow on the backrest, and leaned her head on her palm, observing him. “You’re really good with her, you know that?” She nudged her head, indicating Mary.
“Yeah?” Pondering what to say, he smiled humbly. “I try to be. She’s an amazing kid.”
To be honest, it wasn’t hard to love Mary. She was bright and funny and strong-headed. There was so much of her mother in her. Ever since he and Laura had gotten married, the little girl had taken to calling him “Papa.” Words could not describe how wonderful that was.
Although he and Laura were trying for a baby, Charles already felt content with his family unit, his girls as he liked to call them-Laura and Mary and, yes, even Mrs. Clark.
Seemingly lulled by the movement of the train, Laura closed her eyes, and drew an extended breath. He watched her, unable to look away.
God, this woman was lovely. Lovely and caring and… He searched for all the wonderful words that would describe her, but realized there were too many.
“Tired?” he asked after a time.
Laura hummed on a nod, and slowly opened her eyes. “As much as I enjoyed this trip, it’ll be nice to get home, and sleep in our own bed.”
He couldn’t argue with her there.
Blinking a few times, she sat straighter. “I’d rather not sleep now. We’re probably almost home.”
It was getting progressively darker outside. Nevertheless, Charles thought he recognized some of the scenery. “I think you’re right. Oh hey, I have something to show you.”
At this, Laura perked up. “You do?”
Charles reached for his leather satchel, and started undoing the buckle. “I was going to wait until we got home, but I figure it’ll keep you from dozing off.”
A few seconds later, he produced a sketch pad, and handed it over.
Across the aisle, Laura started flipping through it, until she found his latest drawing. For a long moment, she simply contemplated the image. A smile had formed, and her eyes were bright with moisture. When she opened her mouth to speak, her voice faltered. She had to clear her throat. “Charles, this is…” Visibly moved by the image, Laura placed a hand to her heart.
The drawing he had rendered was a recent memory-the afternoon they had spent at the botanical garden. There were trees and flowers in the background, a couple of songbirds, too. Near the upper corner was a bench, onto which he had sketched Mary and her grandmother. Last but not least, near the very center of the page, was his wife. She was walking towards the bench, with her gaze thrown over her shoulder.
In a way, it reminded him of the first drawing he had made of her-a drawing Laura had never had a chance to see. Though similar, the expression on her face differed from the previous one. Her smile was fuller, and there was a definite sparkle in her eyes. She looked happy, he decided, much like now. It stirred his heart to see her like that.
“I love it,” she breathed at length, “When did you...”
“Last night, when you were sleeping.”
A second went by, and then another. “We’re going to have to frame this,” Laura said, her fingers whispering against the paper as she gently closed the sketch pad. “Or at the very least, place it in an album. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I was thinking of drawing a few more.” After all, there was much to remember about their trip.
“That’s a wonderful idea.” No sooner had she said this, the door at the back of the train coach opened.
“Somerville! Next stop Somerville!” The conductor’s voice jolted Mary from her slumber.
As for Mrs. Clark, it took a bit of a nudge to wake her. “Mother, we’re home,” Laura said, gently.
Most of the passengers were stirring at this point, stretching their arms and legs as the train whistled to warn of its approach. It slowed gradually, with heavy metal friction. As it came to a stop, they all rose, and gathered their things. When Charles exited onto the platform, he turned to help his mother-in-law off the train. Then came Mary, and finally Laura.
“Look! It’s uncle Walt!”
Charles looked to where Mary was pointing. True enough, Walt was sitting on the wagon, waiting for them. As he lifted his hat, they all waved to him.
With their luggage in tow, the four of them made their way over. It was good to be back in Somerville, to see familiar faces-family and friends and acquaintances alike.
Once they had all climbed onto the wagon, Walt picked up the reins. “Ready?” he asked.
Sitting at the back, with Laura and Mary beside him, Charles nodded. “Let’s go home.”
So there it is, the third story that I promised following my "fic on demand" post. Sorry it took a little while. I struggled with the ending a bit lol. For the other requests, I will indeed try to get to them sooner rather than later. However my next fanfic update should be an additional chapter of "And Then I Met You". Hopefully I won't hit any snags.
Anyhoo, thanks for reading. It means a lot.
By Missbevcrusher
Rated [K]
Word count: 1346
Synopsis: Charles and his family return from a trip to the big city.
This was written for obsessive_a101, who submitted the theme “family outing on the railroad.”
Please note, this story is not betaed. If mistakes remain, they are entirely my own.
Dusk was drawing near, and the sun was hovering over the horizon. The slanted rays filtered through the window, bathing the train coach in yellow and orange hues. Every now and again, they would speed by some trees, their jagged shadows blocking the light in quick succession.
Rocked by the gentle sway of the train, Charles glanced at his step-daughter’s slumbering form, and smiled. Her little feet were curled up on the seat, her mouth hanging slack. Poor thing, he thought affectionately. It had been a long day, and she was tuckered out.
Having removed his jacket earlier, Charles carefully placed it over her arms. Granted, it wasn’t a blanket, but he figured it would do. Though he had taken care not to wake her, Mary stirred a little, and yawned before settling back against the side of his arm. She slept.
Running a hand on the back of his neck, he looked out the window. Beyond the glass, the scenery passed swiftly. Although the view consisted mostly of trees, Charles would see patches of farmland every now and again-from pastures and planted fields, to barns and homesteads.
In truth, he really enjoyed the train, had always been fascinated with them. He had even collected model train sets at one point-in a life and time that seemed a distant dream now.
His thoughts funnelling to the present, Charles glanced across the center aisle to see his wife engrossed in a book, her fingers poised to turn to the next page. Upon boarding, she had offered the window seat to her mother, who was now snoring softly, with her needlework on her lap. Save for the four of them, this particular train coach was practically empty. It made for a quiet ride-a welcome contrast from the hustle and bustle of St. Louis Union Station.
Normally, they would have been back in Somerville before lunch. But there had been mechanical problems, and the train had departed much later than usual.
Stretching on a sigh, Charles allowed his thoughts to drift to the past several days, to all the things they had done, all the things they had seen. His family had never really had a chance to travel before, so this trip had meant a lot to them. And to him as well.
“What are you thinking about?” Low and smoky, Laura’s voice drew him out of his thoughts. When his eyes met hers, she explained her query, a curious smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. “You were smiling.”
“Was I?” He shrugged. “I guess I’m just reliving our trip.”
A hum as her response, Laura set her book aside, said, “It was wonderful, wasn’t it? The carriage rides, the art museum, the Old Courthouse near the waterfront…”
“The botanical garden wasn’t so bad either.”
At the mention of that afternoon, Laura’s face lit up, and her smile broadened. “I had such a good time there.” Her gaze shifted to her daughter just then, and her voice lowered a notch. “I think Mary enjoyed it as well.”
“She had a blast,” he agreed, recalling how much they had laughed that day.
As the train continued on, a comfortable silence settled between them. Shifting in her seat, Laura placed her elbow on the backrest, and leaned her head on her palm, observing him. “You’re really good with her, you know that?” She nudged her head, indicating Mary.
“Yeah?” Pondering what to say, he smiled humbly. “I try to be. She’s an amazing kid.”
To be honest, it wasn’t hard to love Mary. She was bright and funny and strong-headed. There was so much of her mother in her. Ever since he and Laura had gotten married, the little girl had taken to calling him “Papa.” Words could not describe how wonderful that was.
Although he and Laura were trying for a baby, Charles already felt content with his family unit, his girls as he liked to call them-Laura and Mary and, yes, even Mrs. Clark.
Seemingly lulled by the movement of the train, Laura closed her eyes, and drew an extended breath. He watched her, unable to look away.
God, this woman was lovely. Lovely and caring and… He searched for all the wonderful words that would describe her, but realized there were too many.
“Tired?” he asked after a time.
Laura hummed on a nod, and slowly opened her eyes. “As much as I enjoyed this trip, it’ll be nice to get home, and sleep in our own bed.”
He couldn’t argue with her there.
Blinking a few times, she sat straighter. “I’d rather not sleep now. We’re probably almost home.”
It was getting progressively darker outside. Nevertheless, Charles thought he recognized some of the scenery. “I think you’re right. Oh hey, I have something to show you.”
At this, Laura perked up. “You do?”
Charles reached for his leather satchel, and started undoing the buckle. “I was going to wait until we got home, but I figure it’ll keep you from dozing off.”
A few seconds later, he produced a sketch pad, and handed it over.
Across the aisle, Laura started flipping through it, until she found his latest drawing. For a long moment, she simply contemplated the image. A smile had formed, and her eyes were bright with moisture. When she opened her mouth to speak, her voice faltered. She had to clear her throat. “Charles, this is…” Visibly moved by the image, Laura placed a hand to her heart.
The drawing he had rendered was a recent memory-the afternoon they had spent at the botanical garden. There were trees and flowers in the background, a couple of songbirds, too. Near the upper corner was a bench, onto which he had sketched Mary and her grandmother. Last but not least, near the very center of the page, was his wife. She was walking towards the bench, with her gaze thrown over her shoulder.
In a way, it reminded him of the first drawing he had made of her-a drawing Laura had never had a chance to see. Though similar, the expression on her face differed from the previous one. Her smile was fuller, and there was a definite sparkle in her eyes. She looked happy, he decided, much like now. It stirred his heart to see her like that.
“I love it,” she breathed at length, “When did you...”
“Last night, when you were sleeping.”
A second went by, and then another. “We’re going to have to frame this,” Laura said, her fingers whispering against the paper as she gently closed the sketch pad. “Or at the very least, place it in an album. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I was thinking of drawing a few more.” After all, there was much to remember about their trip.
“That’s a wonderful idea.” No sooner had she said this, the door at the back of the train coach opened.
“Somerville! Next stop Somerville!” The conductor’s voice jolted Mary from her slumber.
As for Mrs. Clark, it took a bit of a nudge to wake her. “Mother, we’re home,” Laura said, gently.
Most of the passengers were stirring at this point, stretching their arms and legs as the train whistled to warn of its approach. It slowed gradually, with heavy metal friction. As it came to a stop, they all rose, and gathered their things. When Charles exited onto the platform, he turned to help his mother-in-law off the train. Then came Mary, and finally Laura.
“Look! It’s uncle Walt!”
Charles looked to where Mary was pointing. True enough, Walt was sitting on the wagon, waiting for them. As he lifted his hat, they all waved to him.
With their luggage in tow, the four of them made their way over. It was good to be back in Somerville, to see familiar faces-family and friends and acquaintances alike.
Once they had all climbed onto the wagon, Walt picked up the reins. “Ready?” he asked.
Sitting at the back, with Laura and Mary beside him, Charles nodded. “Let’s go home.”
So there it is, the third story that I promised following my "fic on demand" post. Sorry it took a little while. I struggled with the ending a bit lol. For the other requests, I will indeed try to get to them sooner rather than later. However my next fanfic update should be an additional chapter of "And Then I Met You". Hopefully I won't hit any snags.
Anyhoo, thanks for reading. It means a lot.