We traveled overnight to my parents home for Christmas. The trip was made shorter, because we slept on the steamboat.  All three of us were freezing when we arrived at my parents home.

Mother and daddy both embraced me, and daddy shook my husbands hand.  The staff unloaded our trunks, as the men went to the parlor, while I was with my mother in the sitting room.

"I've not heard of a pregnancy yet."  She stirred her tea and set the spoon down.

"Not as far as I know."  I replied.  She doesn't need to know we waited so long to consumate.

"I heard about your ordeal.  I hope they string that man up.  Horrible people exist no matter how much the Bible teaches us not to judge, we must do so in order to survive."

"I agree mother.  It won't be long, and I'm afraid we will be forced to send our help north."

"We will celebrate Christmas tonight, but tomorrow morning you will head back.  It's not safe for your household be gone long."

"Agreed."  I set my tea cup down.  "I'm a bit tired from our trip.  I think I may lay down for a bit.  Mae is looking forward to your company." 

Mother stood and kissed my cheek. "I'm proud of you, dear.  You've become a fine wife for Mr. Westlake."

"Thank you Mother." 

My mother is always formal, but in no way your typical woman of means.  She and father are abolitionist.  Living a secret life under the cover of the darkness provided by the night sky.  They sneak innocent human beings out of slavery and toward freedom, knowing the consequence of death await them if caught by the wrong people.  The same as my husband does, and many others living along the mighty Ohio River.  They call it the underground railroad.  This railroad doesn't discriminate.  The wealthy, the poor, and people of all walks of life help if they can, and no help is turned away.  Social status means nothing in the underground railroad.  These things Oliver have taught me, gives me a better understanding of my family.

A few hours rest was all I needed to feel fresh and new.  Mae helped me into my formal Christmas dress.  It kills me that she cannot attend.  My parents cannot risk being caught as sympathizers even by their very own neighbors and family.

The ballroom was fantastic.  My mother has a talent for entertaining, but nothing compared to walking downstairs and seeing my groom. 

"Naomi."  He breathed out, then leaned down into my ear and whispered.  "You are strikingly beautiful, but I much prefer your wild look." 

I blushed because, what he means is, he likes my hair down and my body naked.  "I must agree." I said and smiled.

"Mr. Westlake, I have someone for you to meet."  My mother whisked my husband away, and I got into the spiked punch. 

"I must say marriage suits you."  I turned and saw my close friend.

"Jeremiah!"  I jumped into his arms, and he squeezed me tight.  "I've missed you." 

"You should be more careful now that you've taken a husband.  People might talk."  He chuckled.

"When have I cared about useless talk?"  I gave him a sly grin. 

"True, how is he treating you?  Or should I ask how you're treating him?"  He laughed.

"I'm different with him.  I don't defy him, because he doesn't restrain me.  He treats me beautifully and I'm very happy."  I assured him I'm in good hands. 

We danced under my husbands watchful eye while he spoke with other men just like my father.  Business first, then fun.  That is how I always saw my father. 

The music stopped, and my father tapped his glass.

"Attention ladies and gentleman.  First,  I'd like to say Merry Christmas to you all.  Secondly, thank you for joining us for this most joyous occasion.  Christmas is about love for others, kindness, and giving, which brings me to my next announcement.

My sons and sons-in-laws, along with myself, have all agreed that we will, as a family of brave men, all will join the Unions efforts to grant freedom to our colored brothers and sisters.  This is our chance to liberate.  If the war breaks out, we will join the efforts, and I do encourage you, the brave men I know you are, to follow us to the front.

It's times like these that remind us of our own blessings, but it's also a time to think about others.  These families are separated and sold off like livestock, beaten, and whipped until they are on the edge of death, and other atrocious acts are delivered upon innocent human beings.

This is my wish for you this Christman.  I wish for your heart to create a passion to drive you to the front and fight for all Americans freedoms.  Again, thank you for coming, and please do have a blessed Christmas."

Everyone clapped, and my entire body went numb.  How could they?  How could they just announce that, but not tell me first?  No, not all of them.  Please God, not my husband.  I can feel the tears reach the surface, and I ran outside to catch my breath. 

"What did you think would happen when you marry an abolitionist?"  I turned and saw Robert Whitaker leaning against the wall.

"Robert."  I nodded, and turned away. 

"Naomi, you and your father turned down my proposal.  I could have saved you from all of this, but your father threw you to the wolves." 

"I didn't love you or like your family.  Owning human beings is atrocious, and I'll never take part." 

The Whitaker's are an old southern family that moved north to invest in the upcoming railroad lines that will go to the west.  They have a plantation in Kentucky, and a hardware manufacturing plant in the next town over.

"What is her name?  Oh, yes Mae.  You flaunt your little slave around, and brag that she is your friend.  Last I checked she's nowhere to be seen when higher society is watching.  You may fool others, but I know your family, Naomi.  Their homes will be raided first once the Confederate Army takes the river." 

I turned to move past him, and he grabbed my arm hard enough that I will have a bruise tomorrow.  "Don't worry, when your man is tortured and killed, I'll still take you as my wife.  Only then will I taste your sweetness." 

"Get your hands off my wife!"  I turned to see Oliver standing in the doorway, but Robert only squeezed harder. 

"You heard the man.  Let my sister go!"  My brother Louis walked up from behind my husband.

Robert laughed.  "In a few months time, not one of you fools will be around to protect her or your other women.  I was just telling your wife how I can't wait to taste her soft skin and the wetness between her legs."

SLAM!  My arm was pulled downward after my husband slammed his fist into Robert's face.  He then kicked him in his stomach. "You better pray to whatever god you follow that I never see or hear from you again.  Don't ever approach my wife, and if I am dead from war, I'll haunt you until you beg for death."  He kicked him again and pulled me into him.  "Did he hurt you?" 

I'm no longer shivering.  My adrenaline has pumped into my body, and I'm speechless as Oliver checks my arm.  "He left another mark on you."  His nostrils flared, and he turned to the groaning man laying in the grass. 

"I should kill you with my bare hands!"  He kicked him one last time, before leading me away to the warmth of my parents home.

I pulled away from him.  "When were you going to tell me?  You committed with my father?"

"I'm doing what I have to do, Naomi.  Not just for our friends and family, but for you and our future children.  If the south wins, we lose everything, including the ones we love. We will no longer have a home, land, or the means to survive. Bub and Mimi will be pulled back into slavery, and it's up to men like me to save us."

I cried.

"You can't go."

He pulled me into his arms.  "It's not even set in stone.  The war may never come, but we need to be prepared.  Isn't that what we have been doing?  Preparing you?  You've known I plan to enlist since the beginning."  He kissed my head.

"I can't lose you or my father."  I cried. 

"You won't. Come on, let's retire for the evening."