I finished sewing Jack's name into the long red scarf I made for him a few years ago. I frowned as I looked at the imperfect embroidery. It was a bit crooked, and that upset me. I sighed, looking for something to cut the string.

"Molly!"

I quickly hid the scarf as my mom opened the door to my room.

 My dad stepped into view behind her. "Molly, we know you're unhappy about marrying Williamson right now, but he's best for you."

"Not if I don't love him."

My mom rolled her eyes. "You will in time. Molly, how many times are we going to have to go over this. You're no longer a child."

"Then why are you treating me like one?"

"Because you love the wrong boy!" My mom's eyes widened as she froze.

I froze too. Air finally entered me again when my dad cleared his throat.

My dad stepped forward. "What your mom means to say is that Jack isn't the one for you. He cannot really take care of you with the financial situation he has, unlike Williamson."

I hesitated to stand up. "How did you know I love Jack?"

My mom rolled her eyes and held out a hand with my ring in her palm. "I found this while you were taking care of the cows yesterday."

"But how did you know Jack gave it to me," I asked slowly.

"I'm not stupid. You make it very obvious that you fancy him. But this ring better be a little game of his." My mom stepped closer to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It is a game, right? He didn't actually propose."

There was a knock at the door. To avoid answering, I snatched the ring and ran out to the door. My shoulder fell as I opened the door to Jack, possibly making the situation worse.

Jack paused. "Something wrong?"

My dad sighed. "It'd be best if you go home right now Jack."

"She's not marrying you!" My mom entered the room. "She's going to marry Williamson!"

Jack blinked. "Wh-what? But I," he pointed to himself, "I proposed to her. Molly said she wanted to marry me." He looked at me. "You didn't change your mind, did you?"

I shook my head. "Of course not."

Jack paused, his eyes shifting. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "As Molly's fiance I believe I have a say in this."

"You are not her fiance!" My mom let out a small laugh. "You can't even support your own family."

Jack smiled and held my hand. "I can support Molly and myself for a while. My family doesn't really need me. But after I marry Molly, I can support OUR family."

"With what work," My dad asked.

"Well," Jack answered, "for the past year I've been working in another village on and off for quite some time. I've saved enough money for some land I already bought three months ago AND a house I'm going to build. I'm going to have that house done by spring." He looked at me. "By the time we marry."

My dad nodded. "And where is this land that you bought?"

Jack smiled. "The empty spot next to one of the houses the land lord owns between this house and my dad's. Burgess said that it was the cheapest piece of land since no one claimed it. And it has very fertile land. I won't have to use fertilizer. It also keeps me close to my sister."

 I smiled, knowing his sister would visit everyday.

"But then Molly would--"

"Edna.." My dad placed a hand on my mom's shoulder. "I trust the boy."

"But Molly would still have to work."

Jack stepped forward. "No. I'd take care of it. I know the land better than her anyway."

I let out a small laugh, and Jack winked.

Jack smiled at my parents. "Besides, nothing is going to be perfect no matter what Molly does, but I also know that at least I will take care of Molly no matter what happens or comes our way."

My mom's shoulders fell. "You have two months to prove to me that you can do this. Hear that? You'll only get TWO months to prove my daughter will be taken care of by you."

Jack smirked. "Okay."

                                                 ~~~~~~~

"Did you really mean all that?" I yawned in my bed while Jack snuck in through my window.

Jack grinned. "Yes." He kissed my forehead as he lied beside me. "Every word of it."

I smiled and snuggled against him. "Good."

"Good?" Jack let out a small laugh. "Pushy."

"Well, I'm just making sure." I took a deep breath. "My mom is pretty convinced that Williamson is the best choice for me right now."

"Well, I'm sure." Jack wrapped an arm around me. "Molly... I think I'm better than Williamson for you. I feel like he wouldn't try to understand you. He'd probably just try to dress you up like all the girls he showed off as a trophy when I worked in his village or town or whatever it is. And I don't want that for you. I want someone to know that you think spiders can speak english and connect with peoples' minds without judgement."

I closed my eyes and pressed myself against Jack more. "I feel like we can conquer anything. I feel that with anyone else, that love wouldn't survive... I need you Jack."

Jack kissed the top of my head. "I need you too, Molly. That's why I stood  up to your parents today. I need you, and I can and will only love you." His forehead touched mine. "I love you, Molly."

"I love you too, Jack."

Jack held me closer and tighter against him. "It's getting cold, but I'll keep you warm. Together, we can get through anything." He smiled. "I promise. I mean I stood up to your mom today."