Knight Parade Eighteenth Chapter New Beginnings

Chapter Eighteen:

New Beginnings

The winter is cold and long and some died in the area as they were not ready for what a real winter without heat and clear roads meant. But spring comes as it always does. It is a muddy mess as the snow melts and the river rises creating almost more trouble traveling into town then the snow drifts did during the winter. But it is on one such early spring morning where there is still a nip of winter in the air that Mike makes ready for town with an idea and a mission. He has discussed it with Tony and he is hesitant but in agreement and is willing to help Mike procure what he needs. Tony also helps Mike think through the logistics of the thing he needs to do.

Mike saddles up early and bundles well against the early spring morning chill and is off to town. It is a big day and he needs to start early and has to have the time to work up his nerve. Which of course he has spent the weeks working on since the decision he made that cold winter night. Mike makes the regular maneuvers in order to get into town but the ground is no better than a lake of mud in some places and it greatly impedes his progress in getting to town. As luck would have it he is unable to avoid the town guard as he hoped to do and as he is about a quarter mile from town he sees them coming. They are having as much trouble with the mud as he is but they are going to catch up to him. There is no way around that and Mike slides his special package as far under the saddle of the horse as it will go. Despite the protests from the horse that is not too keen to have a foreign object under the saddle. Mike keeps it in place as best he can and as the guard approaches he notices he is going to have a special visitor this morning.

"Why," he thinks to himself, "On today of all days. Why do I have to run into this friger."

But it is Ryan, he looks leaner, even with heavier dress on, and at first he does not recognize Mike. Mike has definitely changed over the last months. Mike is much leaner and holds himself with greater poise. His dark brown hair almost reaches his shoulders which he regularly wears in a pony tail. While doing chores or working out to keep it out of the way and also because it looks darn cool. His full beard also looks very cool but Claire is not quite as sure. He also looks powerful, he knows it and so do others around him.

Ryan calls out in a loud commanding voice, "Halt and dismount rider! We do not take kindly to strangers around here."

Mike responds even more loudly and as sarcastically and he can, "I am no stranger you stupid piece of crap." Mike reaches down to both his blades as he stares down Ryan. Mike thinks to himself, " Give me any friging excuse today witch and I will cut you up."

Ryan rides up close to Mike and commands, "Dismount before I cut you down where you are."

Mike laughs openly at this use of grammar and responds, "Where I are. What the frig is wrong with you jack ass, learn how to talk."

Ryan then knows who he is talking to, the voice and level of hostility gives Mike, pompous little frig he is. Ryan replies snidely, "So on our way to see our girlfriend I presume dumb crap."

Mike becomes much more serious as he stares down Ryan saying, "What I am doing here is my own business and you can stay the heck out of it. You have no right to detain me, you know the deal."

Ryan does know the deal. Mike's Grandfather had "bought" the favor of the town government with a generous donation and a supply of goods from the farm.

Ryan knows that he cannot win this battle and Mike's presence and determination quite frankly scare him a little. Ryan answers, "Get out of my face, crap for brains and I do not want to hear of any trouble from you."

Mike has thought of another witty comeback such as, it's hard to hear with all that crap in your ears. Or that pile of crap in your head hears what it wants to anyway. But he thinks it wise not to piss on Ryan too much, he doesn't need today ruined for any reason. Mike rides through town and directly to Claire's house. By now it is mid-morning, it has taken much longer to get into town than usual and much longer than Mike has anticipated. But he is here and that is what is important. Mike is pretty sure that Claire's folks will both be at work. He rides up to the door and as he dismounts he hears the door open.

Claire says very seductively from the front door of her house, "Well to what do I owe this wonderful surprise from this handsome stranger?"

As she casual walks toward him with a very sly smile on her face. Her beautiful brown hair blowing in the cool spring air.

"Darn, she is beautiful," Mike thinks to himself. "I am the luckiest guy in the world."

As she meets him they wrap their arms around each other and engage in a deep kiss of greeting.

After the kiss Claire says in an extremely please voice, "This is certainly a surprise I did not expect to see you."

Mike smiles at his love and says in a purposely serious tone, "Well I had something on my mind that I really wanted to talk to you about."

Mike had not planned on asking her right away. He wanted to spend some time together catching up on the last few weeks they have been apart. But he is much too excited to wait and it really just comes pouring out of his mouth.

Claire still being very flirtatious asks, "And what would that be my love?"

Mike cannot help himself, tears start to form in the corners of his eyes. He hates to admit it but he has always been a crier. He never cries in front of anyone and if anyone found out he would be mortified but again he cannot help it and of course Claire becomes very concerned, very quickly.

Claire's tone changes to very serious, very quickly. "Baby what's wrong, is everything OK?"

Mike cannot fight the tears as they come running down his cheeks.

He nods to her as he begins to blab through his tears, "Baby this winter has just sucked. I hate to be away from you, it was like there was this pain in my stomach. Something so dear to me was missing and it just physically hurt. I don't, ever, never frigin again want to go through this."

And with that Claire starts to cry too, "I know love, I missed you so much. I couldn't eat or sleep. It was so hard Mikey but I love you and would do anything for you."

She is scared to ask but she has to, she is afraid of what he has in mind. "So what do you want to do about it," she asks looking at his face through her own tears.

She is terrified that it is all too much and he wants a break but then her reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. The rush of emotions that overtakes her almost makes her faint. The tears came faster now as Mike opens the box and pulls out an antique looking ring. It has a gold band with etchings of some sort around it and a single diamond flanked by two small pearls. It is a ring that his Grandfather had bought for his Grandmother when they were first married and they have agreed to give it to Mike until he can get something better for his young bride.

"Claire," Mike starts as the tears continue to pour down his face, "I never want to be without you. If you will have me I want you to be my wife."

Claire is completely blown away. She is sure she is dreaming. She has wanted this more than anything, since their first kiss she wanted to be with Mike, and only with Mike. She has to pinch herself to make sure she is not dreaming. Yeah so I know that is a dumb ass thing to say and Claire knows it's a dumb ass thing to do but this is one of those cases she is in such shock she has to do it just to check. She has wanted this, yes but never dreamed of even mentioning it seriously to Mike. He seems so preoccupied with helping his family and friends. He seems so driven on his mission and she loves him for it. But she did not think he was ready to commit to her. It seems he has something to finish before they were going to get to this part of their lives.

Claire just begins to scream her answer, "Oh Mike, oh Mike of course! Of frigin course, I love you and want nothing more than to be your wife."

With that she begins to sob uncontrollably as does Mike and they embraced each other. After what seems like an hour of hugging, kissing and crying, Claire pulls away and asks, "So what now?"

Mike takes a deep breath before he explains this, he has given it a great deal of thought, and answers, "Well, I was thinking of talking to your folks and then talking to my folks and going from there. I guess I do not see the point of a long engagement.

Claire laughs and hits Mike saying, "You just want to get laid."

Mike laughs, nods and responds, "That is kinda beside the point but yeah that will be nice too." He embraces her again and kisses her.

The rest of the day they spend talking and working in the house. Claire has complete responsibility for the home as both parents are working. She cooks and cleans and makes sure the family has stored provisions and does any marketing that needs to be done. She also makes clothes for herself and her folks and basically keeps things running. When Claire's folks came home Mike helps get the meal ready and serves it. It is no surprise that Mike is around, Claire's folks, Tom and Lisa, have becomes very accustomed to him. Before they began to court Mike had hung out there with their group of friends on many different occasions. They eat and make small talk. Mike asks about the work in town and Tom asks about Mike's family and how things are on the farm. Then comes the end of the meal and Mike speaks up more than he has already saying in a commanding voice, "If I may, Tom and Lisa, I would like to discuss something with the both of you?"

Tom is taken back by the sudden change in Mike's attitude. "Yes Michael," he says with a rather condescending tone as he leans forward in his chair and concentrates on Mike.

All at once Mike begins to lose his nerve and confidence and says weakly, "Well sir, Claire and I, that is, I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."

With that Mike sits back in his chair, and then the soft voice comes into his head very clearly saying, "Sit up jack ass, if you want to be a man then act like one. You are not a child that sulks in his chair!" Mike then sits up as straight as he can carrying himself as he does into battle, determined and fearless.

This change is very apparent to Tom and Lisa. Mike with one motion seems to take charge of the situation. Tom then looks at Lisa and Lisa returns the look seeming rather concerned.

Tom breaks the silence, "Well Michael, I cannot say that I am completely surprised. Lisa and I have noticed how your two are together and I will be honest with you. If you would have asked us this before this world of ours changed I would have laughed at you. I would have called you fool hearty and most certainly not ready for marriage. I have always liked you Michael even before you and Claire started to court. You were always very polite and had a firm handshake. You can determine a lot about a man from his handshake and yes I do believe you are a fine young man. I also have a great deal of respect for your father and Grandfather both good men, smart determined men. And the world has changed. We had dreams for our baby girl. Of course we wanted love and a strong family for her but we also wanted college and a career. She is smart, determined and tough, but you know that. It is what attracts you to her. But I know now that she will not go to college and have a career. You see Mike, right now all we want for our little girl is to survive and I believe she will have the best chance of survival with a strong husband and dedicated family. I know you can offer her that, what do you think Lis?"

Lisa, who has been looking fondly at her own husband now turns her attention to Mike. She says in a very soft and concerned tone, "I do not know Tom. We have talked about this and I agree with where we want our daughter. And Mike you are a fine young man but I am concerned. You are both very young and you have not been together that long. I am not sure if you are ready to face our new world, and if you can handle it, being newly married. It's no picnic you know. It is hard work and takes time and dedication. I must ask how you plan to live and take care of our daughter."

This was one question that Mike had anticipated and practiced over the past weeks. He begins, "Yes mame, I have spent all winter thinking about just such things. You both know I am now living on the family farm and I work every day, dusk till dawn doing what needs to be done of the farm. The farm is doing great. We have more than enough food for ourselves and we sell surplus at the town market. My plan is, if everyone can agree, to live on the farm with Claire and take care of her. She will of course work with us. There is more than enough work to do and I will have no problems providing for her."

Lisa nods and smiles at Mike and continues, "You have always been a very thoughtful young man. I have no doubt that you can care for our daughter and that you do love her. Are your parents in agreement on this Michael?"

Mike was also afraid of this question, worried they may think he would play them again his own parents, and answers as firmly as possible, "I have not spoken to them mame, I did not want to put the cart before the horse. I wanted your blessing first and then I would speak to my parents."

Lisa gives Mike a sly knowing look, nods again, and responds, "Very well said, and thought out, young man. This way if you get us to agree you can use it as leverage aginst you own parents. But don't worry I am not chastising you, I am applauding you, well played. So I guess if your parents agree I believe Tom and I will support this idea. Now I want to ask that you wait three months before we plan for the wedding. This will give yourselves more time, and the rest of us more time, to get used to the idea. We reserve the right to withdraw our blessing should your parents not agree or we see something happen we are not in support of, OK?"

Claire has started to cry during the last part and gets up to hug her mother saying, "Of course mom. Thank you so much, you cannot know what this means to us."

Mike also begins to get tears in his eyes and he agrees, "Yes, thank you both so much. I will not disappoint you."

Tom answers, "If we thought you would Mike we not agree to this, welcome to the family son," and he gets up and gives Mike a big hug.

"One down, and one to go," Mike thinks to himself.

He was scared to ask Claire folks but not as scared to ask his own. If Claire's folks had said no then they would have been the bad guys. But if his folks say no then they were the bad guys and he did not want to have to live with the bad guys. Mike could have lived with the fact that Claire's folks may not like him. Frig um, but if it turns out his folks don't like Claire. Well, then he will be really frigin mad, frigin mad indeed.

After this discussion Mike needs to get going. It is dark already as the days have not yet grown long enough to eat supper and still have light left. He needs to get back to the farm. Grandpa can only cover for him so long. But he and Claire have one errand left to run, they take off for base. All the boys are there finishing up a training session.

Justin is very happy to see his good friend and greets both Mike and Claire heartily as they walk in, "Well frig me sideways. What the heck are you doing here son? Long time no see brother, long time no see." The others shout their greetings to Mike and Claire but Mike cuts them short.

Mike says with a slight hint of nervousness in his voice, "Sorry boys, I need to roll but first I have news and then a big favor to ask."

Tim looks at him curiously and says, "Shoot brother, what's going on?"

Mike is almost more nervous to tell his friends than his parents as he answers as the words tumble out of his mouth at break neck speed, "Ahh yeah, I have asked Claire to marry me and she has said yes and her folks have conditionally agreed to it."

Nick recoils in shock, at the news and also at the speed that Mike can talk, "Well no crap. Our little boy is growing up," as he sniffles with a fake cry.

Pete walks over to Mike, pats him on the back and says sarcastically, "And now you can get laid, good for you brother."

Justin breaks in trying to defend the happy couple saying, "Well I think there will be time for the crap giving later but in all seriousness brother, and sister, congratulations. No two people deserve this more." The rest of the boys add their approval and congratulations.

Mike begins to get teary eyed again but there has been enough crying for one day and he tries to suck it up as he continues, "Well, we have to ask my folks about it yet and that's where I need the favor."

Tim cuts in immediately happy to help out where he can and responds, "We will give Claire a proper escort to the farm, not a problem."

Mike is always impressed at how well his boys know him and he replies thankfully, "Can you have her out as soon as possible, before noon tomorrow if it works?"

Justin adds reassuringly, "Of course brother she will be there."

Mike smiles again at his friends and concludes, "Thanks boys, gotta roll." With that Mike and Claire make their way back to her house, say their goodbyes and Mike makes his way back to the farm.

As Mike finally makes his way back from the horse shed to the main house Tony is on the porch having his usual night cap smoke.

"Smoke boy?" Tony asks he extends Mike one of his hand rolled cigarettes.

Mike smiles as he takes the cigarette and answers, "Of course, thank you my good man." Mike takes a match and lights the smoke.

Tony takes a long drag on his cigarette and asks, "How did that go for ya boy?"

Mike also takes a long drag and replies, "Better than expected Grandpa, they said yes. As long as my folks say yes and we wait three months to make sure we are committed to the thing. They will go along with it."

Tony smiles and pats Mike on the back saying, "Well, congratulations boy. She is a great girl and you two are very lucky to have each other."

Mike puts his hand on Tony's shoulder and answers, "Thanks Grandpa that means a lot to me."

The two finish their smokes and move off to bed. Mike does not sleep easy that night. First off, he has a lot on his mind obviously, in regards to Claire. But after he finally does fall off to sleep the dream comes back. It has been awhile since the dream has reoccurred and Mike has not even thought about it in some time. But it comes as it always does but this time it is Tim and Claire that are trying to hold Mike from falling over the cliff. It is both that cannot save him. This time Mike does hit the bottom but opens his eyes and again there is someone there just before he wakes with a scream from the dream. After that Mike tosses and turns until it is time to get up. Just before dawn he gets up, heads downstairs and grabs some food before starting chores for the day. Mike walks through his morning with a very nervous anticipation. His mind is not completely on what he is doing and a small pain in the pit of his stomach grows more intense as the morning moves along.

By dinner it is so intense that he simply cannot eat. Mike e tries to get a couple of bites down but excuses himself early. He goes outside for a ride to the north property to watch for his friends and to sneak in a smoke. He hasn't long finished his smoke when he sees riders in the distance and his heart leaps. He knows it is his friends. He forces the horse at full gallop toward them and as he comes upon them Justin greets him first very officially, "Your caravan has arrived good sir in delivery of your lady."

Tim, Nick and Pete have also made the trip with Claire and all greet Mike. Claire dismounts and walks over to Mike and his horse. She asks flirtatiously, "How about a ride good looking?"

Mike laughs and answers as he reaches out his hand to her, "How could I ever say no to that face?"

Claire responds as she mounts the horse behind Mike, "Yeah you get used to that. You have years of that in front of you."

Mike could not be happier about that as he answers, "Sounds good to me, can't wait."

Pete takes up the reigns of Claire's horse and leads it to the farm place with the rest of the group. Tony is the first to notice the visitors to the farm and meets them half way to the main farm house. Tony raises a hand in greeting and shots out, "Well met young folks. How are we doing today?"

Justin also raises a hand in greeting and replies, "Very well sir and yourself Tony?"

Tony answer heartily, "Very well young man. Good to see you all, and good morning to you Claire my dear."

Claire answer shyly, her nervousness at entering Mike's family is evident, "Morning Grandpa, good to see you."

Tony turns to address Mike, "Your folks are still in the main house with Grandma. I assume you want to talk to them son."

"Thanks Grandpa. You know I have taken on guards, weird creatures and strange men in black but I have never been this scared." Mike responds as he tries to muster his courage.

Tony nods and smiles replying, "As you should be young man. But don't worry, things will turn out the way they are supposed to, they always do. I will be there to help if you need it."

Mike exhales slowly and says, "Thanks Grandpa."

Tony then turns to the rest of the group and instructs, "Well my young friends why don't you take the horses to the back shed. I will have some sandwiches brought to you as I assume you have not had any lunch."

Pete interjects excitedly at the chance to get some food, "Yeah starving is about right. Thanks Tony."

Mike, Claire and Tony make their way to the main house. They leave the horses out front and enter the main house. Mike's folks and Grandma are cleaning up after the noon meal and Grandma turns around when she hears the door open. Grandma greets them warmly, "Well Claire, it's very good to see you. How are you dear?"

Claire answer in the most polite voice she can muster, "Very good, thanks Grandma."

Grandma begins to scuttle around saying, "Well let me get out some pie and milk so we can have a snack. How would that be?"

Mike answer his Grandmother kindly, "Great, thanks Grandma."

Larry also greets Claire asking, "So what do we owe this visit too Claire?"

Mike then interjects, his nerves beginning to get the better of him saying, "Well dad there is something Claire and I wanted to talk to you and mom about."

Mike's folks make their way to the table and Mike's mom, Deborah, notices the ring on Claire's finger.

"Oh," she says and brings her left hand to her mouth, "I see."

Mike really had not wanted them to find out this way but just goes with it saying, "Yeah, mom and dad, I have asked Claire to marry me and she has said yes. I wanted to get your blessing."

Mike's folks have sat down. Mike and Claire are still standing holding hands tightly and Grandpa and Grandma are listening in the kitchen getting the pie ready to serve.

Deborah at once begins blabber on saying, "Oh Michael, you are both too young. I don't know, Larry?"

Larry at once takes over in "dad" mode beginning to dictate to his son, "Michael I know you two have been apart much of the winter and absence makes the heart grow fonder. I think this is slightly rash on both your parts. I can't allow this right now, give it a couple of years if it's worth having its worth waiting for."

Mike immediately goes on the defensive as the blood begins to rush to his face and he instinctively reaches for his blade that are not there, "Dad, this is not something I haven't thought about or am jumping into. I work hard here every day and can take care of myself and Claire. We work together as a family here and we are more secure than most the people around us or in town. If you haven't noticed dad I have grown up a lot in the last few months and think I can make this decision."

Deborah tries to calm, the situation a little saying, "Sit down the both of you and do not raise your voice Michael." With that Mike and Claire do both sit down.

Mike does try to calm himself for his mother's sake saying, "I am sorry mom. I don't mean any disrespect but I feel like you're treating me like a child."

Larry has yet to try and calm down and comes back again condescendingly, "You are still young Michael."

Mike tries to remain calm but again feels the anger rise within him answering, "Yes dad, but I am not a child anymore. Things have changed and two are better than one right. We love each other and can take care of each other."

Larry turns to Claire trying to get some more ammunition and asks, "What did your folks say Claire?"

Claire answer softly not wanting to further upset her possible future father-in-law, "They agreed with some stipulations. The first was that you both agree and then we wait three months before we get married."

Deborah is still obviously flustered and says quietly, "I see." She sits back thinking very hard about something.

Larry shakes his head replying, "Three months is not long enough. Give it some time, the both of you, a couple of years."

Mike's anger was now approaching boiling point again, "What if one of us, or both of us, are not here in a couple of years dad. Things have changed, people die for no good reason other than pissing off the wrong people. I think we have the right to live our lives while we can."

Larry has to pause at that for a second and comes back with, "You have been dating, what, five, six months. You barely know each other, you need more time."

Mike is now getting very irate and he sits up very straight with his chest out. He glares with a look in his green eyes that only those that he has faced in battle have ever seen. For a split second Mike's folks are taken back by their son, he is no boy any more. In fact, he looks very much like a dangerous man.

Mike begins to lecture his parents, "Claire and I have been good friends for at least three years and knew each other before that. You and mom knew each other what, a couple of months before you got married?"

That is the last straw for Larry as his face becomes very flush he begins to raise his voice at his son saying, "This is not about your mother and me. Times were different, circumstances were different."

Both Mike and his father are standing now, staring at each other. Claire and Mike's mother are trying to calm their respective men. That's when Tony steps into the fray.

Tony says very sternly to the two men, "Now you will both sit down and you will both use respectful voices in my house."

Both Mike and his father look very surprised and both sit down slowly.

Tony continues, "Mike will take Claire outside for a moment. Please, your Grandmother and I need to have a word with your parents."

Mike looks at Tony and then at his parents and he takes Claire by the hand and walks outside. After the door closes Grandpa and Grandma sit down in the chairs vacated by Mike and Claire.

Tony is not happy at this turn of events and becomes uncharacteristically harsh saying, "Do I really need to remind you of what happened when you and my daughter got married. You had been dating for two months and then discovered my daughter was pregnant. Then you decided to elope quickly and drop out of college to get jobs to take care of the coming baby. Then after you lost the baby and your jobs, your mother and I allowed you both to move in with us until you got your lives together. Now I know the loss of the child was hard. We went through the same thing and I am so very proud of the both of you for getting back to school and staying together. But I was so mad at both of you and so ashamed for so long. You both know I love you very much and I love Michael. You need to understand that he is more of an adult right now than the both of you were when you got married. Now both of you are too young to remember, and I was very young too, but when WWII started many young people, Mike's age and younger were getting married at an alarming rate. Many parents objected but you have to understand these young men did not know if they were coming back and many of them didn't. They took one chance at love and marriage even if it was just for a short time. Now whether you two like it or not we are at war. Yes things are OK now. We are relatively safe but that could change in a heartbeat and you both know it. For goodness sake, let these young people have a chance at love. How would you feel if Mike were to die in six months, a year, and never had that chance? I gave you both a chance when I didn't want to and I really think you should give Mike a chance too."

After that lecture Deborah is crying and Larry looks utterly embarrassed and he gets up and walks into the kitchen and Deborah follows him. Placing a loving hand on her husband's shoulder Deborah says, "You know he's right hon. We did a good job raising Michael and we have to start to trust his judgment sometime."

Larry shakes his head and answers, "I know hon, and yes I now he's right. I am sorry that I forgot what we went through. I would not change those years for anything but it was so hard hon. Remember how hard it was for us and I don't want it to be hard for my son. I want better for him."

Deborah puts her chin on her husband's shoulder and continues, "I think it would be hard to find better than Claire. We know her, we know her family, they're good people. Michael will be here, we can still protect him. I know that is what you are afraid of."

Larry nods then walks out of the kitchen and to the front door. He opens it and asks for Mike and Claire. They come in holding hands and looking very apprehensive.

Larry's tone has changed significantly and he quietly asks, "Sit down, the both of you please. Mike, I am sorry son, I did not mean to yell. You caught me off guard and you know how much I love surprises." He smiles and Mike smiles back at him. Remembering a surprise birthday party they threw thrown for him almost five years earlier where Larry had actually punched his brother Dean he was so mad about the surprise.

Larry continues remorsefully, "Your Grandfather, in all his wisdom, reminded your mom and myself of some things we had forgotten. Claire please forgive me also. Deborah and I think very highly of you and could not ask for better for our son. We also will agree with this union with some stipulations. You will wait the three months and your mother and I will have to give this some more thought to make sure it is best for you both. If your Grandfather can agree, we will have some sort of living space here on the farm for your home. You will both have to work for your keep here. I know I don't need to say it, Mike you work harder than two men here. I just want to make sure you know what is expected and with that, Claire, welcome to our family. It is a pleasure to have you."

Claire, with tears running down her cheeks gets up and hugs Larry and Deborah. Mike is now crying too and walks over and joins in the group hug.

Grandma, with tears running down her face, turns to her husband and says, "You did a good thing Tony. They remind me so much of us. We did good hon, we did real good."

Tony nods and smiles putting his arms around his wife saying, "We sure did hon, we sure did."

The rest of the boys rejoin the group and they all socialize for most the early part of the afternoon until it is time for the group to get back to town. It is also time for Mike and his family to finish up chores. Mike and Claire say their goodbyes and Mike and the Parade agree to meet in three days to do some more training and just discuss what is going on after the long winter hiatus.