Child Of My Heart (4/12) - Mag7/Highlander
Title: Child Of My Heart (4/12)
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom: Magnificent 7 and Highlander
Beta: Much thanks to ithildyn
Prompt: #57 - Lunch for Crossovers100. My table is here
Rating: PG, Gen
Characters: HL: OFC Charlotte Sparrow (AKA Pearl Black); Mag7: Ezra Standish and the rest of the seven
Summary: Charlotte finally meets the rest of the seven.
A/N: Charlotte is an Immortal and an original character created by ithildyn. The rest of Charlotte’s stories can be found on ithildyn’s journal Here
A/N2: For time line purposes, this chapter takes place right before "Witness"
Chapter List
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11; Epilogue
Child Of My Heart, Chapter 4
Thirty days had come and gone. Charlotte was pleased that Ezra showed no signs of leaving his position as a lawman in Four Corners. He dutifully arrived every Sunday to share lunch with the family and stories of his adventures in town.
Ezra had returned to using Standish, a familiarity for which she was grateful. She had reminded him that she was still going by Pearl Black, the alias she’d adopted upon leaving Richmond. Since he’d spent his life switching names as easily as his coat, Ezra hadn’t blinked an eye when she’d informed him of her additional guise as a widow these past ten years. As much as his easy acceptance of her altered biography saddened her, she knew that if he ever did become Immortal, Ezra’s ability to shed names and identities would serve him well.
Leaving Jemma and Timothy to watch the younger children, she and Jess had taken the wagon and set out for town that morning. At thirteen, Jess was itching for more responsibility, and the isolation of the ranch could sometimes be stifling. Accompanying her for a supplies run was the perfect opportunity for him to use up some of that restless energy.
Her real motivation in traveling to Four Corners, however, was to meet the men who had won Ezra’s loyalty. He refused to refer to them as friends but she knew that they had become important to him. She’d told Ezra to bring them by for lunch but he’d yet to extend any invitations. Charlotte was sure he hadn’t shared her existence with them. Privacy was one thing, but she was family and if something did happen to Ezra, they should know to contact her.
Charlotte had therefore decided she was going to extend the Sunday lunch invitation herself.
As she steered the horses down the main street, she kept an eye out for Ezra. Truthfully, she wasn’t surprised that he was nowhere to be seen. His habit of playing poker well into the wee hours meant that rising early was something he only did when necessary. He’d groused more than once about Mr. Larabee’s lack of consideration for his schedule.
She pulled the wagon to a stop. “You have the list?” she asked Jess, who nodded emphatically and showed her the precious paper. He was excited to be given the responsibility of purchasing their supplies while Charlotte set about achieving the second reason for her visit. She watched him climb down from the wagon and enter the store.
“Howdy, Ma’am. You must be new in town.”
Charlotte turned toward the greeting to find a tall, mustachioed man, with a huge smile on his face and his hand extended as an offer to help her down from the wagon.
She took the proffered hand. “Thank you kindly, Mr. -”
“Wilmington,” he supplied. “Miss-“
“Mrs. Black,’” she said, returning his infectious smile. “Mr. Wilmington, it is so nice to finally meet you. You are exactly as my cousin described.”
Buck’s smile never left his face, but Charlotte could see the worry behind his deep blue eyes. He seemed to be mentally cataloging anyone named Black and if he should worry why Charlotte knew of him.
“Cousin?” he asked warily.
“Why yes,” she said airily. Ezra had said that Buck was quite the ladies man and she wasn’t above a little teasing. “I was never mentioned?”
When Buck shook his head, she continued. “That is odd. Ezra has told us so much about you and the other men he rides with.”
Buck gave a hearty laugh mixed with relief. “Ezra’s your cousin? Boy never said a word.”
She chuckled with him. “Well, Ezra tends to be very private, but I am surprised you didn’t know he had family nearby.”
“That’s Ezra,” Buck said. His smiled turned a bit lascivious. “I’ll have ta speak to him about keeping his beautiful cousin a secret. Will Mr. Black be visiting town anytime soon?”
“I’m afraid Mr. Black passed some time ago.”
“I am so sorry to hear that.” The breathy tone of his voice indicated that he wasn’t really that sorry to hear it at all. “Why don’t I see if I can help you find Ezra,” he added, offering his arm to her.
“I’d appreciate your assistance, Mr. Wilmington.” Charlotte had to suppress a giggle at the thought that Buck was flirting with her. Ezra was right; the man had no shame when it came to his conquests of women. Still, she never minded a little harmless flirtation. She wasn’t about to fall under Buck’s spell, though as she looked up into the handsome smiling face with his sparkling blue eyes, she understood why so many women would.
Buck led her down the street toward the saloon. He pushed open the batwing door and held it as she stepped inside. “Ezra keeps a room upstairs,” he explained, ushering her over to a table where five others sat talking and drinking. Ezra was nowhere to be seen.
“Hey fellas, this here’s Ezra’s cousin,” Buck announced to the group.
Charlotte knew them immediately from Ezra’s descriptions, but allowed Buck to introduce them properly.
Space was made for her at the table as JD was sent upstairs to wake their missing member.
“Where ‘zactly is your spread?” Vin asked.
“About an hour south by horseback,” she said. Anticipating their next questions she continued, “I’ve been there almost ten years. I haven’t had much call to come to Four Corners for supplies, as Doña Ana is equally close and I must say has a better reputation. I understand this town is much safer now that you gentlemen have been employed.”
There were appreciative smiles around the table. “We just do what’s needed,” Nathan said.
“Iffen you’re that close we should include your spread on some of our patrols,” Vin said. “We check on places ‘bout that far out all the time.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.” Charlotte was touched by his concern. “Ezra comes by every Sunday, so there’s really no need.”
“So that’s where he disappears to on Sundays,” Chris said. “Let me think he was running off to some poker game at Eagle Bend and trying to avoid his duties.”
“I find that surprising. Ezra has constantly been such a help to me, but then I always use pecan pie as an incentive,” she said, eliciting a few chuckles from the men.
“Did you two grow up together back east?” Nathan asked.
Ezra had mentioned that he and the healer had gotten off on the wrong foot. Nathan automatically assuming that because Ezra was from the south that he held something against the man because of the color of his skin. Charlotte understood the unspoken aspect of Nathan’s inquiry and decided to take the opportunity to settle Nathan’s mind not only about her but Ezra as well.
“He stayed with us in Richmond many times. In fact the last time I saw him was almost ten years ago after my husband had passed. He was so helpful when we were forced to leave town because of our involvement in the abolitionist movement.” Charlotte spun the truth in with the lies of the life she’d created upon moving to New Mexico. There had been no Mr. Black, but a widow was the safest persona for an unmarried woman with children in the west.
“Ezra was an abolitionist?" Nathan asked, incredulous.
Charlotte nodded. It was the truth and Maude hadn’t liked it all. There was no gain in political activism she’d insisted when she’d come to take Ezra away that last time. “I always dragged him willingly into my causes.”
Ezra was going to be upset that she’d revealed he had a conscience about such things, but she had no qualms about dismantling the pampered gambler persona he’d created. It’s for his own good, she told herself.
“Man’s full of surprises,” Nathan observed. The others nodded their agreement.
“Still don’t explain why he kept such a lovely creature such as yourself a secret,” Buck mused.
“So that I wouldn’t find you roosting in my cousin’s parlor uninvited,” Ezra said as he joined them at the table.
“Now, Ezra, I’d never force myself on your cousin uninvited,” Buck teased, indicating that he fully expected to be invited.
Ezra rolled his eyes as he greeted Charlotte, who had risen to face him, with a chaste kiss to the cheek. “What are you doing in town? You should have told me if you needed something and I would have delivered it on my next visit.”
His stiff demeanor indicated that he was uncomfortable with her presence. The life of a conman was one unencumbered by connections. Having family in town meant that he was more tied to Four Corners than any of them. He continued to keep himself separated from the men at the table and she was determined to put an end to that.
“Ezra, your friends have been most gracious to entertain me as we waited for you.”
“Yes, they are quite the gracious group,” he replied drolly. “If you gentlemen don’t mind, I’d like to steal my cousin away for a visit.” He took her arm. “Shall we?”
“Just a moment, Ezra,” Charlotte said, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from dragging her away. “Since you have failed to mention me, I can easily assume that you’ve failed to invite your compatriots to Sunday luncheon as I’ve repeatedly asked you to do.”
She ignored the glare Ezra sent her way as she addressed the men at the table. “I would so enjoy getting to know you all better. Would you join me and the children for a meal this Sunday?”
She could feel Ezra stiffen next to her as the chorus of acceptance rang out.
“Saw your boy in the wagon,” Buck said. “Can’t believe you have a child that old.”
Buck never stopped it seemed.
“Actually I have six, the eldest, my daughter Jemma, is eighteen.” Charlotte made no apologies for the warning in her voice as she replied to Buck’s inquiry.
“She’s knows you already, Bucklin,” Vin teased.
Charlotte realized she needed to have a talk with her daughter before Mr. Wilmington graced their doorstep.
“You must have been a baby yourself when you had her,” Josiah observed.
“They are all adopted,” Charlotte replied, grateful she didn’t have to explain her youthful appearance in regard to the ages of her children.
“My cousin has a distinct propensity for picking up strays.”
“That include you too, Ezra?” Chris quipped. A round of stifled laughter came from those gathered.
“And y'all as well,” the gambler quipped back. “She loves children.”
Charlotte was heartened by the interplay between Ezra and his friends. And they were his friends; she surmised it was up to her to make him see that.
“Until Sunday, gentlemen,” she said as she finally allowed Ezra to lead her from the saloon.
Author: strangevisitor7
Fandom: Magnificent 7 and Highlander
Beta: Much thanks to ithildyn
Prompt: #57 - Lunch for Crossovers100. My table is here
Rating: PG, Gen
Characters: HL: OFC Charlotte Sparrow (AKA Pearl Black); Mag7: Ezra Standish and the rest of the seven
Summary: Charlotte finally meets the rest of the seven.
A/N: Charlotte is an Immortal and an original character created by ithildyn. The rest of Charlotte’s stories can be found on ithildyn’s journal Here
A/N2: For time line purposes, this chapter takes place right before "Witness"
Chapter List
Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11; Epilogue
Child Of My Heart, Chapter 4
Thirty days had come and gone. Charlotte was pleased that Ezra showed no signs of leaving his position as a lawman in Four Corners. He dutifully arrived every Sunday to share lunch with the family and stories of his adventures in town.
Ezra had returned to using Standish, a familiarity for which she was grateful. She had reminded him that she was still going by Pearl Black, the alias she’d adopted upon leaving Richmond. Since he’d spent his life switching names as easily as his coat, Ezra hadn’t blinked an eye when she’d informed him of her additional guise as a widow these past ten years. As much as his easy acceptance of her altered biography saddened her, she knew that if he ever did become Immortal, Ezra’s ability to shed names and identities would serve him well.
Leaving Jemma and Timothy to watch the younger children, she and Jess had taken the wagon and set out for town that morning. At thirteen, Jess was itching for more responsibility, and the isolation of the ranch could sometimes be stifling. Accompanying her for a supplies run was the perfect opportunity for him to use up some of that restless energy.
Her real motivation in traveling to Four Corners, however, was to meet the men who had won Ezra’s loyalty. He refused to refer to them as friends but she knew that they had become important to him. She’d told Ezra to bring them by for lunch but he’d yet to extend any invitations. Charlotte was sure he hadn’t shared her existence with them. Privacy was one thing, but she was family and if something did happen to Ezra, they should know to contact her.
Charlotte had therefore decided she was going to extend the Sunday lunch invitation herself.
As she steered the horses down the main street, she kept an eye out for Ezra. Truthfully, she wasn’t surprised that he was nowhere to be seen. His habit of playing poker well into the wee hours meant that rising early was something he only did when necessary. He’d groused more than once about Mr. Larabee’s lack of consideration for his schedule.
She pulled the wagon to a stop. “You have the list?” she asked Jess, who nodded emphatically and showed her the precious paper. He was excited to be given the responsibility of purchasing their supplies while Charlotte set about achieving the second reason for her visit. She watched him climb down from the wagon and enter the store.
“Howdy, Ma’am. You must be new in town.”
Charlotte turned toward the greeting to find a tall, mustachioed man, with a huge smile on his face and his hand extended as an offer to help her down from the wagon.
She took the proffered hand. “Thank you kindly, Mr. -”
“Wilmington,” he supplied. “Miss-“
“Mrs. Black,’” she said, returning his infectious smile. “Mr. Wilmington, it is so nice to finally meet you. You are exactly as my cousin described.”
Buck’s smile never left his face, but Charlotte could see the worry behind his deep blue eyes. He seemed to be mentally cataloging anyone named Black and if he should worry why Charlotte knew of him.
“Cousin?” he asked warily.
“Why yes,” she said airily. Ezra had said that Buck was quite the ladies man and she wasn’t above a little teasing. “I was never mentioned?”
When Buck shook his head, she continued. “That is odd. Ezra has told us so much about you and the other men he rides with.”
Buck gave a hearty laugh mixed with relief. “Ezra’s your cousin? Boy never said a word.”
She chuckled with him. “Well, Ezra tends to be very private, but I am surprised you didn’t know he had family nearby.”
“That’s Ezra,” Buck said. His smiled turned a bit lascivious. “I’ll have ta speak to him about keeping his beautiful cousin a secret. Will Mr. Black be visiting town anytime soon?”
“I’m afraid Mr. Black passed some time ago.”
“I am so sorry to hear that.” The breathy tone of his voice indicated that he wasn’t really that sorry to hear it at all. “Why don’t I see if I can help you find Ezra,” he added, offering his arm to her.
“I’d appreciate your assistance, Mr. Wilmington.” Charlotte had to suppress a giggle at the thought that Buck was flirting with her. Ezra was right; the man had no shame when it came to his conquests of women. Still, she never minded a little harmless flirtation. She wasn’t about to fall under Buck’s spell, though as she looked up into the handsome smiling face with his sparkling blue eyes, she understood why so many women would.
Buck led her down the street toward the saloon. He pushed open the batwing door and held it as she stepped inside. “Ezra keeps a room upstairs,” he explained, ushering her over to a table where five others sat talking and drinking. Ezra was nowhere to be seen.
“Hey fellas, this here’s Ezra’s cousin,” Buck announced to the group.
Charlotte knew them immediately from Ezra’s descriptions, but allowed Buck to introduce them properly.
Space was made for her at the table as JD was sent upstairs to wake their missing member.
“Where ‘zactly is your spread?” Vin asked.
“About an hour south by horseback,” she said. Anticipating their next questions she continued, “I’ve been there almost ten years. I haven’t had much call to come to Four Corners for supplies, as Doña Ana is equally close and I must say has a better reputation. I understand this town is much safer now that you gentlemen have been employed.”
There were appreciative smiles around the table. “We just do what’s needed,” Nathan said.
“Iffen you’re that close we should include your spread on some of our patrols,” Vin said. “We check on places ‘bout that far out all the time.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.” Charlotte was touched by his concern. “Ezra comes by every Sunday, so there’s really no need.”
“So that’s where he disappears to on Sundays,” Chris said. “Let me think he was running off to some poker game at Eagle Bend and trying to avoid his duties.”
“I find that surprising. Ezra has constantly been such a help to me, but then I always use pecan pie as an incentive,” she said, eliciting a few chuckles from the men.
“Did you two grow up together back east?” Nathan asked.
Ezra had mentioned that he and the healer had gotten off on the wrong foot. Nathan automatically assuming that because Ezra was from the south that he held something against the man because of the color of his skin. Charlotte understood the unspoken aspect of Nathan’s inquiry and decided to take the opportunity to settle Nathan’s mind not only about her but Ezra as well.
“He stayed with us in Richmond many times. In fact the last time I saw him was almost ten years ago after my husband had passed. He was so helpful when we were forced to leave town because of our involvement in the abolitionist movement.” Charlotte spun the truth in with the lies of the life she’d created upon moving to New Mexico. There had been no Mr. Black, but a widow was the safest persona for an unmarried woman with children in the west.
“Ezra was an abolitionist?" Nathan asked, incredulous.
Charlotte nodded. It was the truth and Maude hadn’t liked it all. There was no gain in political activism she’d insisted when she’d come to take Ezra away that last time. “I always dragged him willingly into my causes.”
Ezra was going to be upset that she’d revealed he had a conscience about such things, but she had no qualms about dismantling the pampered gambler persona he’d created. It’s for his own good, she told herself.
“Man’s full of surprises,” Nathan observed. The others nodded their agreement.
“Still don’t explain why he kept such a lovely creature such as yourself a secret,” Buck mused.
“So that I wouldn’t find you roosting in my cousin’s parlor uninvited,” Ezra said as he joined them at the table.
“Now, Ezra, I’d never force myself on your cousin uninvited,” Buck teased, indicating that he fully expected to be invited.
Ezra rolled his eyes as he greeted Charlotte, who had risen to face him, with a chaste kiss to the cheek. “What are you doing in town? You should have told me if you needed something and I would have delivered it on my next visit.”
His stiff demeanor indicated that he was uncomfortable with her presence. The life of a conman was one unencumbered by connections. Having family in town meant that he was more tied to Four Corners than any of them. He continued to keep himself separated from the men at the table and she was determined to put an end to that.
“Ezra, your friends have been most gracious to entertain me as we waited for you.”
“Yes, they are quite the gracious group,” he replied drolly. “If you gentlemen don’t mind, I’d like to steal my cousin away for a visit.” He took her arm. “Shall we?”
“Just a moment, Ezra,” Charlotte said, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from dragging her away. “Since you have failed to mention me, I can easily assume that you’ve failed to invite your compatriots to Sunday luncheon as I’ve repeatedly asked you to do.”
She ignored the glare Ezra sent her way as she addressed the men at the table. “I would so enjoy getting to know you all better. Would you join me and the children for a meal this Sunday?”
She could feel Ezra stiffen next to her as the chorus of acceptance rang out.
“Saw your boy in the wagon,” Buck said. “Can’t believe you have a child that old.”
Buck never stopped it seemed.
“Actually I have six, the eldest, my daughter Jemma, is eighteen.” Charlotte made no apologies for the warning in her voice as she replied to Buck’s inquiry.
“She’s knows you already, Bucklin,” Vin teased.
Charlotte realized she needed to have a talk with her daughter before Mr. Wilmington graced their doorstep.
“You must have been a baby yourself when you had her,” Josiah observed.
“They are all adopted,” Charlotte replied, grateful she didn’t have to explain her youthful appearance in regard to the ages of her children.
“My cousin has a distinct propensity for picking up strays.”
“That include you too, Ezra?” Chris quipped. A round of stifled laughter came from those gathered.
“And y'all as well,” the gambler quipped back. “She loves children.”
Charlotte was heartened by the interplay between Ezra and his friends. And they were his friends; she surmised it was up to her to make him see that.
“Until Sunday, gentlemen,” she said as she finally allowed Ezra to lead her from the saloon.