I awoke with a start the following morning to a loud pounding on the door. Down the hall from Sawyer's room, I heard a loud thump followed by a string of curses. I giggled; while he had been blessed with copious talents and virtues, Sawyer could not move gracefully or carefully to save his life. The string of curses echoed down the hall as Sawyer stumbled down the stairs to the front door. I heard muffled voices, followed by footsteps entering the house. I rose from the bed as they climbed the stairs and approached my room. The door opened as I drew my shawl protectively around my exposed cleavage. I knew it was ill-advised to wear such a scandalous nightgown to bed. Sawyer's face reddened as he took in my appearance and he looked to the wall as my neighbor, Madam Harding, entered the room, clutching an envelope. When Sawyer did not explain her presence(I blushed nearly as heavily as he did upon the realization that I had left him speechless), she cleared her throat and began to speak.

"Good morning, Miss Weatherbury. I have a letter for you. Your mother wrote it a while ago and gave it to me with instructions to only give it to you if she passed before you turned 18. And since you turn 18 today..." she explained, holding out the envelope.

Aye, I had forgotten it was my 18th birthday today.

"Thank you, Madam Harding. I am glad you remembered to deliver it to me. I shall read it when I have time," I stepped forward and took the letter from her.

"Of course, lass. Happy birthday, and have a good one." Madam Harding smiled as she grasped my hand in hers before sweeping out of the room.

I dropped the shawl as Sawyer approached with curiosity.

"A letter from your mother?" He echoed.

"It would appear so. Do you mind leaving me be to read it?" I requested.

"Aye, I shall be downstairs if you need me."

I nodded as he left the room. I gingerly tore open the envelope and unfolded two pieces of paper. One was a document of some sort. I set it aside and began to read her letter, feeling tears pricking my eyes as I recognized her neat handwriting.

My dearest Gracelynn,

If you are reading this, I am no longer with you, and for that I am sorry. Now, I have news for you. Shortly after your father died, I spoke with Sawyer's father, Kennedy. We talked of you and Sawyer reaching the age of marriage, and we had an idea.

You and Sawyer are such dear friends, and we have noticed that you two have feelings for one another outside of friendship, even if you two have not noticed yet. Do not be embarrassed; Sawyer is a kind, caring, handsome young man. He reminds me of your father. Kennedy and I talked and we decided to go to Mayor Thatcher and get a document signed to request that you two be married once you are both 18, if we were no longer around. Of course, you do not have to go through with this, and neither does Sawyer. His father and I simply thought it would be a good idea since you both work together so well as friends(though I suspect you two have privately engaged in acts that would label you as more than friends. Do not be ashamed if I am correct; your father and I shared a bed multiple times before we were married).

At this, I tossed down the letter, my face feeling as though it were on fire.

"MOTHER! Even in death, you tease me," I hollered, then added in a quieter voice, "we have only slept in the same bed and held one another, nothing more."

Once my face was no longer aflame, I picked up the letter and continued reading.

I certainly do not wish for you to end up with anyone else, because you and Sawyer are a wonderful match. No one could care for you the way he does, certainly not Adrian Thatcher, who I know wishes to snatch you up once you turn 18, just as he tried to do with your sisters. I would die before I let that happen. And Kennedy feels the same about Petunia Gardenia with Sawyer. I find myself agreeing; that woman is insufferable. So enclosed in this letter is the document Kennedy and I signed. Once you are 18, should you wish to go through with this, you and Sawyer will take this document to the mayor, who will have no choice but to sign. Even if Matthew Thatcher is no longer mayor when you reach 18, there is absolutely no way this document can be overwritten, unless a god or goddess descends from Olympus to object, or if an immediate family member over the age of 18 wishes to object. As I am your last surviving family member and Violet is only a child, there will not be any problems with getting this document approved. Not even Adrian can deny the request of this document. Kennedy has a copy and a letter for Sawyer as well.

My darling daughter, I only wish to see you married if you are happy and in love, so whomever you choose, I hope you are truly in love with them. I do mean them; I do not care if you share your life with a man or a woman, so long as you are happy. And whoever you fall in love with had better be in love with you too, or they will have to suffer my soul haunting them for the rest of their days. Kennedy and I hope that by now, you both have fallen quite hard for one another and wish to share the remainder of your lives with one another. We think you would be so perfect together. Once more, it is up to you both whether or not you sign this document and marry, but we hope you do.

I only have a few parting words for you, my daughter. My darling, I have watched you grow and blossom into a strong, skilled, intelligent, well-spoken, headstrong, beautiful woman. I could not be any more proud of you than I currently am. I hope you know that I love you and no matter where I am, I always will. Your father, sisters and I will be watching over you to make sure you are safe, We are all so proud of you, Gracelynn, and we all love you dearly. We always will. I only wish I had letters from them to you, but my words will have to do. Go forth and change the world, my child. If anyone can do it, it is you. Know that you are loved and you are watched over. I send you all of my well wishes as you begin this new chapter of your life.

Love always, your mother,

Betty Weatherbury

Tears openly rolled down my face as I refolded the letter and tucked it back into its envelope. Clutching it to my chest, I laid back onto the bed and began to sob. I would not have to marry Adrian, and there was nothing he could do about it unless the gods themselves interfered. I was not aware that Sawyer had entered the room and joined me on the bed until I felt his hands on my shoulders.

"Gracelynn, what-"

"I am overjoyed. I do not have to marry Adrian. She made sure of it. There is nothing he can do. I am free of him. He cannot touch me," I laughed through tears, sitting up and pressing my face into his neck.

"That is the best news I have heard all week. I could not be happier for you, truly. There has never been a better birthday gift.."

"Aye, I cannot disagree. This is perfect."

He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, holding me close. I felt like flying. Sawyer released me, and I could feel him fighting to keep his eyes on my face.

"Since it is your birthday, do you have any requests for breakfast?" He queried, still red in the face.

"Only that you share it with me," I flirted boldly, before rising from the bed and making my way downstairs.

Violet was already downstairs, lighting a fire to begin breakfast. When she saw me, her face lit up and she charged me, wrapping her little arms around my waist.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRACELYNN! YOU CAN FINALLY MARRY MY BROTHER!" She hollered.

"Violet Irving, the things you say! You cannot possibly wish to repulse your poor brother this early in the morning!" I gasped, flustered.

"Indeed, you have most likely just woken the entire village," Sawyer agreed as he entered the kitchen, "though I must disagree with you, Gracelynn. I do not find the idea repulsive at all."

He winked at me as he made his way to the pantry and I felt my heart flutter. Violet released me and followed him, returning quickly with a cake decorated with flowers and my name. I covered my face with my hands, sinking into a chair at the table.

"You did not," I rasped as Violet proudly set it down in front of me.

"We did! The cake was my idea, but Sawyer wanted to add the lilies. I had no idea they were your favorite flower!" Violet chirped, clearly proud of herself.

"Yes, the cake was Violet's idea," Sawyer admitted before pulling open a cupboard in the kitchen and reaching to the very back, "but this was my idea."

He produced a small wooden box engraved with a familiar crested songbird and placed it in front of me, once again bright red and unable to meet my eyes.

"You hound dog, making me cry on my birthday. How dare you?" I chastised teasingly before opening the box.

Inside sat a necklace with a silver charm of a bird in flight, colored black, white, and various shades of blue with tiny gemstones. A blue jay. I was reminded of my father telling me that he could not wait to see me grow up on my 13th birthday, "soon, you will be old enough to spread your wings and fly, my little blue jay." And again as he was in the infirmary, infection and blood loss claiming his life, "My blue jay, you need to be strong for your mother and sister. Can you do that for me?" His nickname for me as a child. I had nearly forgotten.

And when I cried for the second time that morning, it was not out of grief for my father. It was out of overwhelming love for the man that proved time and time again that no one knew him like me.

POV Zachariah Ubert

Damn it all. While I had expected that the friends of mine still loyal to Matthew Thatcher would be afraid of the possibility of facing Adrian Thatcher's wrath, I did not expect ALL of them to refuse my offer of helping me discover the truth of Matthew Thatcher's death, no matter how much persuasion I used. Curses. I had hoped at least three would help me uncover the truth, but they feared Adrian more than they hated him. Curse that man forever. The maids did not know anything either. Our plan had failed. Gracelynn would be devastated. Adrian will remain in power. William Molinaro and I would be forced to only be able to love one another in secret, forever.