HURRAY! FF is back and working! Well, I have good news and bad news:

The good news? It's my 30th birthday! Woot woot!

The bad news? This is the end of Birmingham!

So, thank you dearly to my Beta, Cherry, whom I love more than life and to my pre-reader, Cinny, who rocks my freaking world!

Readers- I am beyond grateful that you gave this story a chance. ILY, always. Without further ado...here is the end. Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty: Finally

"We, the people." It is a very eloquent beginning. But when that document [the Preamble to the US Constitution] was completed on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that "We, the people." I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, just left me out by mistake.

But through the process of amendment, interpretation and court decision I have finally been included in "We, the people."

~Barbara C. Jordan

(EPOV)

They say it's easier to kill a man's spirit than to actual kill the man himself.

I learned that the hard way, when we finally made it back to Birmingham from Washington.

Our hearts were filled with joy; the kind that grew with every mile, each beat thumping with the possibility that change was a' coming. That speaker gave us hope, and with that hope came courage and the likelihood that our battle with racism was over.

He was wrong in a way. It took a lot more than hope to transform the hearts of men who'd rather see us dead than see blacks be free like whites.

James turned down our road singing, and we were singing too. It was a song from the march and we were so busy trying to outshine the person beside us that no one noticed our house until we pulled up right in front of it.

Ma screamed first, and then me, and possibly Pa, but I can't remember 'cause all I saw was him reaching for the bus door. Ma beat him to it, running across the yard, but there was nothing to run to.

We were gone for just two days and our house was burned to the ground.

A cross stood in the yard, draped in a white cover and labeled with three letters that were all the same: KKK.

I smelled the smoke as it rose from the ashes, filling the air with the unmistakable stench of hatred. Everything was gone: the porch, the roof, the walls, everything. Broken glass was scattered along the barrier, and even the strongest of wood was jumbled in heap of rubble.

Pa grabbed Ma before she could run any closer and they both fell to the ground, crying and hugging.

I knew Ma wasn't upset about the house itself, but the things inside of it. Most of the furniture we had was from her parents, along with photographs of herself when she was just a child. A house could be rebuilt, but memories had a way of fading if you didn't have anything to remember them by. Pictures couldn't be replaced and neither could the quilt that Grandma made with her needle and thread.

"It's all right, Esme. It's all right." Pa tried to soothe Ma, but there wasn't anything he could say that would make her feel better. Her face was red and swollen with tears and she clasped onto Pa for support. She wasn't a silent crier either, and I swore all of Alabama heard the grief that came from Ma's soul. Her thick lashes clumped together, just barely covering her bloodshot eyes. Her hands opened and closed, rhythmically clenching as if it were the only solution to somehow ease her pain.

Pa took her right side and I took her left, and together we helped her back onto the bus. Victoria held onto Ma, whispering quiet words in her ear. James was less considerate with his choice of words, and he cursed with a vocabulary that made even Jessica hold her hands up to her ears. He threatened to sue the county, the police department, the state, and even the nation. He vowed to find the racist bastards and I quote, "light their white asses on fire and see how they liked it."

Scarlett rubbed my hand in circles, her ring shining in the midst of tragedy. It was the only thing that kept me from getting upset too, and eventually I just laid my head in her lap. She strummed her fingers through my hair, humming softly to herself. It calmed me down, and I concentrated on staring at the seat in front of me until I closed my eyes.

We remained that way until we arrived back at her uncle's house, every person contemplating his and her own silent thoughts. James was nice enough to offer my family and I to stay with him as long as we liked.

We were grateful, of course, but there was just one little problem.

It wasn't home.

.

.

.

"You sweep the floor," Victoria said to Jessica, "and Lincoln, you wash the dishes."

It was sometime after breakfast, two days after we'd started staying with Scarlett's family, that good news arrived. The adults sat in the living room as James and Pa discussed NIC matters.

"I don't wanna sweep!" Jessica whined, stomping her feet. "I wanna dry the dishes."

"Shut up and do it already," Jasper replied and he swat his sister with a dishrag.

"Cut it out!" Alice yelled, shoving Jasper to the side.

The next thing I knew, Jasper lunged for Alice, but she dodged him and he ended up running head first into my chest. Scarlett got mad and jumped onto his back and Jessica screamed, punching Jasper on the arm. The five of us ended up in a pile, our limbs tangled when the doorbell rang.

We could hear Victoria answer the door, but I was too busy trying to wrestle Jessica away from biting Scarlett.

"Get off of me!" Scarlett screamed.

"You taste like candy!" Jessica mumbled with a full mouth.

More words were spewed and just as I finally put Jasper in a headlock, my eyes traveled to the shiny black shoes that stood in front of us.

"Why Miss Scarlett, that's no way for a lady to welcome her favorite old man."

"Jenks?"

Scarlett glanced up, and right in front of us stood a grinning Jenks, all white teeth and wearing his black suit like he hadn't missed a day.

"Jenks!" Scarlett squealed and scrambled from our grips, running to Jenks with open arms. He laughed as she squeezed him tightly and caused him to stumble several steps back. "You're here! How did you —?"

"I got a letter from the president stating that I be released immediately," Jenks explained. "I reckon you don't know where that came from?"

Scarlett shook her head, confused. "It wasn't me."

"I did it," I admitted, loosening Alice's hold from my arm. "I had no idea he'd actually read it though."

"You wrote a letter to the president?" Scarlett asked in awe.

"Well, sure," I replied, shrugging. "It was my fault he was locked up to begin with. I couldn't live with myself if he was stuck there. I was hoping I could get him out. I'm glad it worked."

"Thank you," Jenks responded. "That's mighty kind of you."

"Aw, it won't nothing," I grinned shyly. "We're just glad you're back."

"Are you thirsty?" Scarlett questioned, tugging on his arm and leading him to the kitchen table. "What was it like? Did they feed you there? Were they cruel? Did you miss us?"

"Calm down," James chuckled, standing at the kitchen doorway with the other adults. "Let the man relax."

"I don't mind," Jenks offered. "I'll tell you all about it …"

We all stood around Jenks and Victoria offered him a glass of orange juice. He told us about his nights in jail, how he met other activists, and how the guards were nicer than he thought.

"That was awfully kind of you, Son," Pa whispered in my ear. "You did a good thing."

"Thanks, Pa," I answered sheepishly, brushing off his compliment.

But I was proud of myself in a way. We may have lost a lot, but we gained something greater. Having Jenks released was better than having all the houses in the world.

.

.

.

"Scarlett."

"Scarlett."

I roused her from her sleep in the middle of the night, shaking her shoulder. She groaned, turning over and tossing her arm over Alice.

"Scarlett," I hissed. "Wake up."

After several more nudges, she opened her eyes, rubbing them and searching in the darkness.

"C'mon," I whispered. "Get up."

"What's wrong?" she mumbled.

"Nothing," I grinned. "It's midnight, remember? You were supposed to meet me. But everyone's sleeping so be quiet."

I helped her out of bed and we snuck out of Alice's room. Scarlett followed me down the stairs and into the last spare room on the first floor. I shut the door behind us, locking the dead bolt.

"Sorry," she muttered. "I fell asleep."

"It's okay," I whispered, wrapping my arm around her in the large bed. "I just wanted to spend some time with you. It's always crowded around here."

"Yeah," she yawned, curling into me. "But a happy crowded. I'm glad Jenks is back."

"Me too. I feel bad he stayed in jail as long as he did."

Scarlett turned her body around so she was facing me, and traced my jaw lightly. "It's not your fault. He told you so, remember?"

"Maybe, but I still feel responsible. It's been weighing on me. I don't know how to pay back a sacrifice like that."

"You're not supposed to. A sacrifice is like a gift. Jenks is a good person. He wanted to make sure you were safe and you were. Besides, it's done and over with. We've got lots to look forward to."

"We do," I smiled sadly. "Only I'm not so sure how it's supposed to all work out. Our house is burnt to smithereens and even though we still have our truck, Pa can't drive to work an hour away every day. It's a mess."

"Hey," Scarlett said gently. "It'll work out, okay? Don't worry so much. I'll be here, I promise. I already called Father today and told him. He's all right with me staying a little longer."

"You've got school starting soon," I reminded her.

"Three weeks. Until then, I'm all yours. We'll figure the rest out later."

"Okay," I sighed, half-defeated. It always seemed like we were on a timeline and the world was out to get us. Maybe Scarlett was right —it would work itself out. I just didn't know how and I was sure Pa was just as stressed out as I was.

Scarlett always had a way of making me forget my worries and she kissed me softly, wrapping her legs around mine.

"I have a confession," she murmured against my lips.

"What is it?" I questioned softly.

"I thought I lost you. The day we got back to Birmingham, I mean. The look in your eyes … I don't know. It was like your life was over. And then you just laid there and I wasn't sure you could handle this … us … anymore."

I stared at her blankly, wondering why she would ever entertain such a thought. I leaned forward, kissing her deeply and letting my tongue brush across her pink bottom lip. "You didn't lose me, Scarlett, and you never will. I think I was in shock—more for my parents than for me. It felt like we'd conquered the world in Washington, and then it was like we came back and it was worse than ever. I didn't mean to scare you. You're the most important thing to me, always."

I brushed my fingertips across her cheek and we pressed our foreheads together. I gazed at her intently, vowing to myself that I would never let her think I wasn't in this fully. Emotions raced between us, sparking love and devotion than outweighed any bad that would ever threaten our relationship.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you forever," I replied. Scarlett smiled and it was like everything that divided us didn't matter. We had so many things that could keep us apart—our races, our classes, our age—but I knew it didn't make a difference when we had each other.

I lifted her nightgown lightly, just enough to expose the skin across her stomach. She closed her eyes, humming as I placed soft kisses along her collarbone. My hands roamed up and down her body and she placed hers around the nape of my neck. I started to pull her nightgown off, but paused.

"May I?" I asked, searching her eyes for permission. She nodded, and I pulled the silky material above her head. I laid it on the bed beside us, gazing at her exposed breasts in the dim light of the moon. "You're so beautiful, Scarlett."

I brought my lips closer to her, sprinkling kisses along the dip in her throat. I hovered between her breasts and she gasped when I made contact with my fingertips. Her nipples hardened and I rubbed the buds gently with the pads of my thumbs. Her head fell to the pillow and her body arched towards me. I used the opportunity to stick my tongue out, swirling it around one nipple while using my other hand to massage the opposite breast. She gasped as I sucked gently, digging her nails into my skin and writhing. Her reaction made me groan and I felt myself harden immediately.

"How does it feel?" I murmured, switching to her left breast and pulling her nipple in my mouth.

"Good," she replied breathlessly.

"Just good?" I asked, hesitating and raising an eyebrow.

"Perfect," she corrected. "Please. Don't stop."

I smiled and nodded, kissing her neck and allowing one hand to travel between her legs. I caressed her softly, but the outside of her damp panties was driving me crazy. Moaning, I rubbed her in slow, steady circles, concentrating on not coming right then and there.

"Scarlett, baby," I choked out with a gritty voice. "You're so wet."

She grabbed my face, kissing me roughly and I slipped my hands into the thin material. She gasped involuntarily in my mouth as I pressed firmly and rubbed circles around her soft curls below. Her legs spread apart, giving me better access, but she moved her feet up and down the sheets. When her legs started to tremble, I increased the pace of my hand, and licked my way back down to her chest. I licked her nipple again, flicking it with my tongue as she grabbed the bed sheets, twisting them in her fists.

Scarlett whimpered, and I felt the heat coming from her body. She was beyond beautiful like this: her eyes closed, her skin flushed with desire, and her hair splayed out across the bed. I was grateful she was mine and even more so that I was able to make her feel this way. She breathed erratically, singing my name, and jerked her hips upward. I used my other free hand to flick her abandoned nipple at a quickened speed and she cried out, writhing beneath me as her entire body quivered. I groaned, watching her ride out her orgasm, her checks flushing the color of budding roses. I didn't stop with my hand as the sensations ran through her, her legs trembling as if she were having muscle spasms. Finally, her cries quieted and I kissed her softly on the lips. I kept my hand between her thighs, caressing the fine hairs softly.

I didn't say anything, not wanting to ruin the moment, and allowed her to catch her breath. I moved slowly, letting my fingertips leave a wet trail up her stomach, past her belly button, and between her breasts. I stopped right at her chin and slipped my fingers in my mouth, tasting her with my tongue. Her eyes widened as I pulled them out, placing them just over her lips. She opened her mouth slowly and I watched in amazement as she licked her own juices from my fingers.

Need coursed through my body and seeing her do something so damn erotic made me smirk with pleasure. "Damn, baby. That was … was …"

"Sexy?" she asked, matching my crooked grin with one of her own.

"Hell yeah," I growled and she giggled as I rolled over top of her, holding most of my weight. I smothered her in kisses, kissing anywhere and everywhere I could. Our clothes came off along the way and it took everything in me not to take her then and there. I didn't have much, but when it came to Scarlett, I felt a sense of possessiveness. I would go to the ends of the earth for her, do anything for her, just to keep us together. Buried underneath me, I watched the excited nervousness and pure desire flicker in her eyes. She was absolutely everything to me and one day, when the rest of the world acknowledged it too, she would be mine.

"I'll go slow," I promised. It wasn't our first time, but our moments alone were few and far between. As much as I needed and wanted her, I didn't want to scare her away. Scarlett was strong when she wanted to be but when it came to us, that bravery tended to wither. I felt my erection harden between her legs when she shook her head.

"Don't," she whispered.

"Scarlett —"

She placed a finger on my lips, shutting me up. "I want you, okay? Just love me. Love me like … like you aren't allowed to."

She didn't know what she was saying. She wanted me to love her like when she found me in the back of Ma's truck. She wanted me to have her like treehouse secrets and a father forbidding a Negro from loving his little white girl. She wanted me like races through the backstreets of the city and fights in alleys and marches that demonstrated for freedom.

She wanted me like Birmingham wanted segregation and how I wanted her.

It was indescribable how I felt in that moment, with my girl begging me to have her physically when I already had her emotionally. I loved her inside and out, more than hate drove riots and more than bigotry drove men to burn houses. Need flared within me, coursing through my veins, and I felt like everything we'd been through, we were.

And so I kissed her, like a black man should never kiss a white woman.

I kissed her like tomorrow wasn't promised and all we had was now. I pressed my forehead against hers, using my hand to stroke myself and line up between her quivering thighs. I kept my eyes on hers, groaning as I felt the warmth and wetness against my erection. I pushed the head in slowly, wincing at how good it felt, but never letting her leave my sight. Scarlett had no patience and cupped her hands on my backside, pushing me inward. I half-growled, not prepared to feel her walls clench around me.

"Fuck Scarlett," I moaned, and she whimpered as she kissed me passionately. I drew both of her hands above her head, thrusting gradually with my hips. She was so damn tight and I used the moment to capture a mental photograph of her gazing at me with adoration.

Trying to keep an ounce of self-control was downright impossible. She purposefully bit on my bottom lip, causing me to plunge into her faster. I couldn't move fast enough or fill her as deeply as I wanted to.

I had no idea what I was doing, but primal instinct made me want to change positions. I pulled out of her quickly, the cool air sending shivers across my cock. I flipped her over before she could ask any questions, arranging her so that she was on her hands and knees. She looked back at me, completely trusting me without a hint of doubt in her features. I placed my left hand on the curvature of her back, aligning myself right at her entrance. I pushed in again and this time we both moaned simultaneously.

I gripped Scarlett's hips firmly, pulling her body to mine and then pushing it away. She was making sounds I'd never heard before and her head fell forward, her hair cascading down like a curtain. I reached forward, moving the tresses over her right shoulder.

"Look at me, baby," I pleaded. "I need to see your face."

She obliged, staring at me from her left side, and it made everything that much more intense. Scarlett was completely mesmerizing and she moaned each time I plunged roughly into her. Our bodies shook the bed and the sound of our skin slapping filled the open room. I slid in and out of her wetness, with beads of sweat dripping from my forehead. They fell onto the smooth arc of her spine, dripping downward.

"You're so damn perfect," I panted, watching her eyelashes flutter. She only clung to me harder in response, making my knees go weak. She had no idea of the effect she had on me, how every little thing she did made me love her even more. "We're perfect. Nothing can separate us, ever."

"Never ever," she whispered and one hand wandered across her delicate skin to massage her breast. I kneaded it firmly, thrusting into her at a frantic pace while her legs trembled beneath me. The feeling of her at this angle, of us and fulfilled promises, was too much to handle. She dug into the sheets, rocking back and forth as I increased my motions.

I worshipped her, adored her, with every fiber of my being. There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for her, now or in the future. I remembered who I was —or who I pretended I wasn't —and Scarlett was the one to change that. She'd made me realize I didn't need to be someone else, just myself. It was for reasons like that I would always need her in my life. This was much more than raw, physical need; it was the combination of lust and love that drove us together in ways most people didn't understand.

I was too much of a gentleman to say so, but I loved how she allowed me to take her with no reservations. We loved roughly, in a way that could only be described as fucking. I fucked away the pain and the hell we'd been through. I fucked away the racial tension, the division that was granted upon us by the state of Alabama. I fucked away our past, our moments of uncertainty, and every time we'd allowed undeserved hatred to come between us.

I fucked her like I loved her —hard and with every ounce of my soul.

She tensed in mere seconds, crumbling as I grazed my hand between her legs and across her swollen bud. She squeezed me tightly until I couldn't even gather the thoughts in my head. It was powerful, the way she let go and her body convulsed with pleasure. I wasn't far behind her, and as soon as I felt her bend, I held onto her waist, thrusting once more and holding her still to me. My vision was blurred and her figure danced in a haze of peach skin and brunette curls.

Breathing erratically, I finally pulled out slowly, completely spent and exhausted. I wrapped my arm around her and together, we fell to our side, our bodies molded together with sticky perspiration. I went to brush her hair to the side and felt a tear fall from her eye.

"Scarlett?" I placed a hand under her chin, turning her to face me. Sure enough, she was crying, and I swept her hair away so I could look at her clearly. "Did I do something wrong?"

She shook her head, wiping away her tears. "No, no it was perfect. I suppose I am …"

She trailed off, unable to find the words. I placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Overwhelmed?"

Scarlett nodded, curling into me. "I love you so much. I'm just wondering when this stops."

"This?" I questioned, frowning at her statement. "You mean us?"

She didn't say anything and I felt her rapid heartbeat against my own.

"It doesn't," I told her firmly. "This—you and I and this love we have—it doesn't stop. We keep it going because we have to. I am nothing with you, Scarlett Isabella. Nothing. Do you understand me? You are my fucking world and I'll be damned if fear is gonna break us apart. Hell, we've beat everything else. The future is nothing, okay?"

She nodded again, but I wanted to know what changed her mind. "Hey, you're the one that told me we'll figure everything out. Why the change of heart?"

"You said you were … um … doing me like you loved me," she said softly, always the one to be proper in her speech.

"I said that out loud?" I asked in shock, thinking I had only thought those things.

"Yeah," she murmured. "And if you did that, then you must love me a lot."

I laughed, burying my mouth in her hair to muffle the sound. "Yeah, I do. So don't be overwhelmed, all right? I don't know how else to love you, Scarlett, except with all my heart."

She blinked, another set of tears running down her face. I let them fall and instead reached for her diamond-clad hand and kissed the ring.

"You're my princess, baby," I whispered, pulling her to me and entangling our limbs together. "You've gotta start believing in happy endings."

Scarlett didn't say anything else and soon after, I heard her breathing even out as she fell into a blissful sleep.

I didn't want my girl questioning our future, and it made me feel like less than a man to know she had every right to. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I was going to figure something out.

And this time, it wasn't going to involve her Uncle James and cigars that left my lungs screaming for air.

.

.

.

I snuck out early the next morning, leaving a note for Pa and grabbing his truck keys from the bowl Victoria left near the coat hook. I knew he'd be angry, but I had to do something about Scarlett and my situation.

I drove down the long highway back to Birmingham, musing in my own thoughts. I kept myself occupied by thinking of everything I was going to say and watching the sunrise in the distance. I made it to the city in a little over an hour, the truck rumbling and fighting along the way. I arrived at the thrift store just in time to see Nessie unlocking the front door. She seemed surprised by my arrival, but waved me inside as I parked.

"Hey ya, Lincoln. Everything okay?" she asked, putting her purse behind the counter.

"It's good. I, uh, had a favor to ask you, though, if you had some free time," I rushed out.

Nessie grinned, unlocking the register with a small key. "Oh Lord, nothing ever good happens when folks ask for favors."

I laughed nervously, leaning against the glass case. "It's not bad, I promise. I was just seeing if you had an opening for a job or something. I don't know anything about retail, but I'm a hard worker, just like my Pa."

"I don't doubt it," she grinned, "but we have two problems. One, I don't own this place, I just run it. Mr. Paul is the owner and you'll have to ask him. And two, you're still illegal."

I sighed, knowing the second issue was going to be the biggest hurdle to overcome. "I know, I was going to cut my hair and see—"

The phone rang, interrupting our conversation, and Nessie held up an apologetic finger signaling me to wait. She answered it with "Hey Mama, what you doing calling me so early?" and then her mouth dropped open.

"Mama, hold on—I know, just … hold on!"

Nessie looked at me, dropped the phone to the counter, and ran to the back of the store. I just looked at her in bewilderment and she stopped in front of the door to a room labeled "office."

"Lincoln, you gonna follow me or what?"

I nodded, chasing after her into the small room as she turned on a television. She adjusted the antenna and we stood back as the president blared across the screen.

"Citizens, today marks the dawn of a new era. I've received countless letters from people all over the southern states, including ones from a Mr. Masen, who resides in Birmingham. People like him have begged for change and today is that day. Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama and—" The screen scrambled and Nessie hit it with a firm fist. "—are now free citizens with every right, provision, and law granted to them by the United States of America. This victory is deemed one of many to come. As I continue to work on the laws for interracial marriage, consider this a new day for—"

I blinked, unable to decipher the president's message clearly. Nessie wrapped me in a hug, screaming and jumping and hollering all sorts of nonsense.

I just stared at her and then back to the screen, which eventually went black.

"What did he say?" I asked quietly.

"YOU'RE FREE LINCOLN!" she screamed, hugging me tightly. "Oh my word, boy, you are now a legal citizen! Can you believe it? It's a good thing Mama wakes up early to make her buttermilk biscuits 'cause I would have missed …"

Nessie rambled on, yacking away, but I stood there, not moving.

Free?

I was free, just like that?

I blinked once, twice, three times.

And I still couldn't move.

I'd dreamed of this day for many nights, every single time I crawled into the dumbwaiter in Ma's kitchen. I thought about it as I hung from a tree, struggling to gasp for a single breath. I considered how I would feel and how I'd jump for joy when and if the day ever came.

But I couldn't get my feet to budge.

Instead, a lump found its way in my throat, suffocating me and cutting off my air supply.

My eyes shined with tears and one by one, they fell. I watched them go down, down, down to the dirty linoleum floor, beating like drums in my ears. How long had I waited for this moment?

16 years, 7 months, 23 days, and every hour and minute and second in between.

I cried like the Negro had been beaten out of me, like the white was too proud to stand on its own. I cried for every single time I wished I could be in the open with everybody else. I cried like Ma never had to hide me, like Pa never had to work in a cotton field to support his illegal son.

Oh, I cried and shame filled my soul, but I was too overcome with emotions to care.

Something came over me and I fell to my knees, sobbing and covering my eyes. Nessie ran towards me, wrapping me in her arms and rocking me back and forth. "It's all right, sugar, let it out. You just let it all out."

I did. I knew she had her own parent on the phone, but she didn't leave me. I bawled right into her bosom, weeping with unthinkable, unspeakable joy.

"You're free, Lincoln, free as whites and blacks and everything you are," she whispered. "You let it go, honey. I know it's been hard, harder than anything I've ever been through. So you let it all out. Nessie's got you. Nessie's got you right here and I'm not going nowhere."

I don't know how long we stayed there, crying and hugging, but I do know when I finally stopped, it still didn't seem quite like enough.

.

.

.

I should have went back to James and Scarlett after that. Ma and Pa would have been enthusiastic about the turn of events, but I had one more trip to make. It led me through a gated community and left me standing in front of a pristine white house with a brass doorknocker.

I rang the bell instead, waiting and tapping my foot until Scarlett's mother answered the door, garbed in a silk robe.

"Lincoln Masen?"

I nodded and she waved me in across the marble floor and expensive furniture. "I do apologize for not being dressed. It's quite early. Is Scarlett with you?"

I shook my head, debating sitting down but deciding against it. "She's still in Meadow Hills. I'm here to speak to Charles."

"Oh, um …" Renee glanced around nervously, trying to think of an excuse. "He's still sleeping. Are you sure it's a good idea? I mean—"

"Ree, is that the mailman?" Charles came down the stairs, occupied with tying his robe belt. "I've told him again and again stop coming this damn early—"

"Hello, Mr. Swan."

Charles seemed shocked by my appearance in his living room, but he quickly gathered his composure and walked around the railing to stand next to his wife. "Is Scarlett with you? Is she okay? She's not hurt, is she?"

Despite his feelings towards me, he was genuinely concerned about his daughter's well-being. I calmed his fears and immediately interrupted him. "She's fine, probably still sleeping. In fact, she doesn't know I'm here."

They both stared at me, not knowing what to make of my arrival. The sofa was starting to look better and better. "May I sit down?"

"Say what you have to say already," Charles spit out.

"Why of course. Take a seat. Do you want anything to drink?" Renee was much more welcoming.

"I'm fine, thank you." I cleared my throat, trying to retrieve the speech from my head, but somehow it all went to hell. I couldn't remember a single word and all sense of articulation went out the window.

I sat on the plush soda, fumbling with my hands. "Well, as you know, I love your daughter very much. And she loves me."

Charles scowled, but didn't interrupt.

"And on our trip to Washington, I proposed."

Charles' face turned extremely red and if it weren't for Ma's expression from being mad at Pa, I wouldn't think it was possible for whites to turn that color. Renee placed a hand on her husband's knee, which I think was to keep him from punching me in the face.

For that I was grateful.

"She said yes, by the way. I know it's not legal so we are willing to wait, but as of this morning, biracial persons are no longer prohibited."

"WHAT?" Charles could no longer hold in his outburst and he stood up, pacing the floor.

"Dear, sit down before you have a heart attack." Renee rolled her eyes and patted the seat next to her.

"I am," Charles said, falling into a slump on the loveseat. "I am having a heart attack."

"Lincoln, did you come all the way here to just gloat in Charles' face?"

I looked at him, and as much as I wanted to, that wasn't my purpose. In fact, things were about to get much worse for him.

"No, I am not here to gloat. I'm here to make a business arrangement."

It was like the sound of cash register dinged in Mr. Swan's ears and he perked up. "Is that so?"

"Sort of," I replied bravely. "Several days ago, my family's house was burned to the ground—" I held up my hand as Charles began to defend himself. "—and yes, I know it wasn't you. However, now we are without a home. I know you're probably wondering why you should give a shit … but I'm going to tell you why you should."

I dug into the back pocket of my trousers, pulling out a formal letter from the White House. "I have here a letter from the president himself, proclaiming the immediate release of Jacob Jenks from Birmingham County Jail. He's out now, safe and sound, but in the last paragraph it states that the falsely accused has the right to surrender his complainant to be upheld by the strictest verdict of the law."

"What does that mean?" Renee asked in a worried tone.

"I'll tell you what it means," Charles said angrily. "It means he's blackmailing me! If I don't do what he asks, he'll turn me in for getting Jenks arrested!"

"Precisely," I smiled. "I know your buddies at the police station would rat you out, but as it turns out, I'm friends now with some powerful people. The president even mentioned me by name on the television. As you can imagine, this will not end well for you."

I expected Charles to explode, to find his gun and shoot me, or to at least threaten me with violence. Instead, he opened a book on the coffee table, pulling out a checkbook and a pen. "How much do you want?"

"Me? Not a dime," I said honestly. "But for once, Charles Swan, you are going to do some good with your money."

I laid out the plan in explicit detail, telling him the who's and where's and why's. He listened carefully, cringing ever so often, but in the end, signing our handwritten contract.

"You've got a lot of nerve, boy," Charles said, handing me the pen.

I shrugged, signing the paper myself. "You gain a lot of courage after you hang from a tree for hours on end. Besides, I meant what I said that day. You've got to love Scarlett more than you hate me. Can you do that?"

"I guess I don't have a choice now, do I?"

I shook my head, taking the paper and standing up. "We all have choices, Charles. It's when we make wise choices that separate the animals from men." I held out my hand, pointing it outward to him.

He stared at it, but this time he didn't linger. He shook it firmly once, then dropped it.

"Is it too soon to call you Dad?"

Renee grinned, then snorted, hiding her laughter behind her hand. Charles scowled and pointed to the door. "Goodbye Lincoln."

I winked, smiling and walking towards the entrance.

Yeah, today was a good day indeed.

.

.

.

FOUR YEARS LATER

Charles kept his end of the deal.

A donation by an "anonymous wealthy citizen" built a new neighborhood, right on the edge of town. The one story homes were filled to capacity, one of them including my parents, and people of all races lived there rent free.

Jenks was able to have his record cleared and he spent many of his days as an old man, telling stories about life as a child slave to anyone who'd listen.

Pa quit his job as a cotton-picker, using his brute strength instead to order people to sign petitions for whatever the new cause of the month was for NIC: equal pay, women's rights, and the influx of black politicians. He was quite compelling when he wanted to be.

James was right alongside him, and together they were a force to be reckoned with. The state called them the Bully Brothers, and neither one would disagree with that fact.

After Alice graduated she moved to California, and the last I heard she was singing in a band and traveling across the state in a van. She came home only twice and when I saw her, she was all about love and pot and harmony. Strange, indeed.

Ma and Victoria hung out often because their husbands did and spent most of their days sipping lemonade on the porch and gossiping.

Jasper was still around, and he did well in school, always the president of this club or another. Jessica was older now, still chubby like she was long ago, but she was beginning to slim down. Rumor had it she was in love with Jasper's best friend, but until she decided fudge was not a lover, it'd be awhile before he even knew she existed.

Nessie, of the Olden Golden Thrift Shop, finally opened her own jewelry store. She called it Izzy's, after Scarlett's middle name, and she seemed to be doing quite well for herself. I heard business was booming and she was even featured in the Birmingham Gazette.

Scarlett and I, well, we spent a few years having sex in unwedded bliss.

No, I'm kidding. Well, partially.

In Scarlett's junior year she moved back home and until Charles finished remodeling the new neighborhood, we had a tough time seeing each other. I was all the way out in Meadow Hills, but we visited each other when we could. Charles loaned me a used Aston Martin, and I drove back and forth every weekend. When she graduated from high school she went to Samford University, where she still attends today. She switched majors every semester, but eventually settled on accounting. Or maybe it's nursing.

I wasn't so sure anymore.

We were too busy making out in the back of my car on the weekends to really focus on her studies. I had faith in her though. She'd graduate … someday.

I found my own way and it was in the place most people last expected—with my future father-in-law.

Charles Swans' factories were booming and even after times changed, he figured people still needed their textile goods, so he made two more factories. After a lot of prompting, I became one of the youngest—and the only—African American men to ever own a business in Birmingham. Charles signed over the rights, so no matter how mad he got at me, I'd have that business until I died. It was a way to ensure Scarlett would always be taken care of and I gave a certain percentage of the revenue to Jenks. He deserved it, after all.

Now it was June 12 and I hopped out of my car, arriving at Ma and Pa's house. Scarlett was already waiting for me on the porch and she squealed, running to me in a bright graphic dress and shiny, white, knee high leather boots.

"Lincoln!"

I was happy to see her too, but she looked awfully excited. "What?"

"You're never gonna guess! Go on, guess!"

"What?" I sighed, less than enthusiastically.

She squealed again, grabbing my hand and dragging me into Ma's house. Victoria and Ma looked mighty happy themselves, but they didn't give me a single hint at what was so exciting.

"Look! At the calendar," she pointed.

I stared, looking at the Monday date. "Yeah, it's the beginning of the week and I'm exhausted. So?"

"Look at the year," she shrieked.

The blur of '67 filled my sight. I really needed to get glasses and soon. "Yeah?"

"Remember this day, Edward Lincoln Masen! 'Cause today is the day you and I are getting married!"

"What?" I turned to her in shock and she nodded.

"They did it, baby! The Lovings won the Supreme Court case! We can get married!"

"Really?" I grinned, not believing the good news, and picked Scarlett up, spinning her in a circle.

"We can get married, Lincoln! Well, not here, yet, but in Virginia. They said folks were already lining up at the courthouses."

"We're getting married!" I laughed, dancing in the middle of the kitchen and dipping Scarlett onto her back for a kiss. Ma and Victoria followed in behind us.

"I guess you told him the news?" Ma asked.

"Sure did!" Scarlett grinned. "We'll pack tonight and make it a trip to remember!"

"How about you, Ma?" I questioned, turning towards her. "You and Pa getting married too?"

Ma shook her head, smiling. "We already are in our hearts baby. Besides, until Alabama gets their act together, we won't join in unity. I refuse to drive all the way up north. It won't even count when you two get back to Birmingham."

"Okay, Ma, you don't have to be such a realist," I told her, rolling my eyes. "We don't care, do we Scarlett?"

"Nope!"

We kept on dancing, jiggling and hopping and doing some weird move Scarlett saw on the big screen. She was a fancy one, that girl, but she was all mine.

.

.

.

We didn't get married on the 12th, or on the 13th either. Scarlett stayed at Ma and Pa's house with me instead of the dormitories. We woke up early the next morning to tell our families goodbye but when Scarlett went to wake Jenks up, he didn't bat an eye.

He passed away sometime that night, leaving to be with the Lord.

So we stayed in Birmingham, planning his funeral. Scarlett said she'd made a promise to lay him to rest in Georgia, so that's exactly what we did. Later that week we buried him on a planation next to his folks. Scarlett cried the entire time and when she read the eulogy, she mentioned cookies that didn't entirely make sense.

We waited another few weeks to get married, 'cause anytime sooner didn't seem right. We finally made the trip on August 19th, with both of our families traveling with us. Charles, as much as he despised me, fought for his daughter to have an expensive wedding. She didn't want one and insisted we marry in the courthouse.

It wasn't anything special, no groomsmen or bridesmaids, just us standing in the judge's office saying our vows in front of our families and God. Scarlett did have a bouquet in her hand, or as Ma likes to call them, weeds.

We didn't feel any different afterwards and we knew Birmingham wouldn't recognize us as legally married, but we didn't care. I was going to spend the rest of my life with the girl who found me hiding in the back of a Chevy.

The next day, after Ma went inside, Pa hesitated at the front door. "You show her yet?"

"Not yet Pa! You're ruining the surprise!"

He laughed, his stomach rumbling as he slammed the door behind him.

I continued strolling past their house, holding Scarlett's hand.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," I replied, grinning.

The night sky was darkening and only the street lamps illuminated the sidewalks. We walked past several homes until we made it to the end of the street. I stopped at the last house, the white one with blue shutters, and paused.

"What's this?" she asked cautiously.

"Our home," I answered, pulling out a key. "It's the last one left but the donor's been saving it until today."

"You know who the investor is?" she asked in shock.

"Scarlett, baby, I know a lot of things," I replied, winking. She giggled, following me up the three steps and through the front door. It was already decorated, filled with furnishings to her liking. Each room was painted in pale colors with bright accents and flowers and there was even a miniature gold chandelier in the dining room.

I swept her into my arms, carrying her into our master bedroom. Scarlett's eyes widened at the soft chiffon curtains and detailed bed with a handmade canopy. "It's like … like …"

"A fairy tale?" I finished for her. "Yeah, I had a few guys come in and install the railing and we used silk for the—"

She interrupted me, pressing her lips against mine. "I can't believe you did all this."

"Yeah, but there's one more thing."

I set her down on her feet and held her hand as we walked out the back door. The patio was set up for backyard entertainment, but for now we walked across the lush, green grass.

In the very back, high up in an oak tree, stood a miniature version of our home.

"A treehouse!" she gasped. I nodded, allowing her to climb up first. When we got to the top, we ducked down, sitting on the freshly painted planks of wood.

Inside was the same blanket we used to lie on, and our book, The Kingdom of Haitha, bound in leather with its worn edges. She picked it up slowly, feeling the supple leather beneath her fingertips. "How'd you find this?"

"I didn't," I confessed. "Your father did after you moved into the dorms. I guess he finally discovered our secret hiding place."

She winced. "He wasn't mad, was he?"

I shook my head. "Naw, I think Charles is in a place of impartiality. He's not mad or happy, he just is."

"That's the best we can hope for then," she replied, flipping through the book. "This is really special, Lincoln. Thank you."

I shrugged off her appreciation. "It was nothing. I just want you to know I still think of you as my princess."

"Then you're still my knight," she countered as I pulled her into my arms.

"Wait, a knight? I haven't at least made it up the ranks to prince?"

"Sorry, oh mighty Lincoln," she said sarcastically. "That title's been taken."

I frowned, filled with jealously. "And by who may I ask?"

Scarlett smiled, taking my hand and placing it on her stomach. "Your son. Or your daughter. I don't know yet."

"What?!" I jumped up, forgetting all about the low ceiling and bumping my head. I didn't even feel any pain and I touched her stomach, rubbing it back and forth. "Really?"

"Yeah," she grinned, sighing in contentment while I squealed like no man ought to.

"WE'RE HAVING A BABY!" I yelled as loudly as I could and somewhere in the distance, a dog howled.

"Hush it, will you?" Scarlett said, smacking me across the chest. "I haven't told anyone yet!"

"Oh, sorry!" I said, not really apologizing. I didn't care who knew, I was the happiest fellow that ever lived.

I laughed, filled with joy as I laid on my back and pulled her down with me. She grinned with the same wide eyed beautiful brown eyes she had the day that I met her. She toyed with the skunk necklace, spinning and turning it in her hands. It was a bittersweet moment, a reminder of our love and of the passing of Jenks.

"Don't worry, Scarlett," I told her, sweeping back the strands of her hair. "He's in a better place now."

Jenks was somewhere where skin color didn't matter and he was dancing with the angels. Here in Alabama, my heart was dancing with him and I had an angel of my own.

The love of my life pointed out the window. I followed her gaze and together we stared out past our treehouse, past Birmingham, and into the night sky towards the North Star.

"Yeah," she smiled, placing her hand between us and kissing me deeply. "I know."

~~~~The End~~~~