D1 - Afternoon - First Picnic

[Charlotte Quessy]

The buggy left the boarding house few minutes ago and the children enjoyed to go picnic in the forest for the tea time. Katie lead the direction about where they need to go for be not too far of their secret tree. They finally arrived in a clearing and Katie pointed a place with some shadow for the picnic place.

"We will be back for the tea Mrs. Quessy." Katie said to the woman. "Let me show you our tree!" she exclaimed Carl and Lottie. And the children ran with Katie and Sam for discover around the place. In despite Kaite was the youngest child, she not let her place for lead the kids!

They were now in the wood, without the paretns around and was in direction of the big tree where the girls made their secret place.

Charlotte looked the kids happy while running together. She hoped that Carl would like this and will not do anything stupid again. She stood up for give Tilly to her father before down from the buggy.

Taking Tilly into his arms he climbed down and offered his hand to Charlotte to help her come down from the buggy. Lottie had ran ahead with the children and was enjoying herself for the first time since they came there.

Charlotte hesitated few seconds, but finally accept Tom's hand and stepped on the grass. She thanked with an head sign while looking around. "You should maybe put Tilly here or here,' she said while glanced the few tree's shadow around them. She bits her lips and thought about Tom must already knew what the best was for Tilly and she should not suggest what a parent should maybe do with its children.

"Ahh, I did not notice that shade, thank you Charlotte" Tom answered, "To be frightfully honest, I'm very glad you are here, I think you helping me with these children is something ive needed for a while...i'm not great with my children, i didnt really know how to look after a baby my wife did most of the work as i brought the money to live on into the home, when she passed away and i was left with a baby and a young child i didnt know what to do....i think it just came naturally, but it really helps having your opnion..." He was taken aback because of what he admitted to a woman he hardley knew.

"I'm sure you did well Mr. Smith. The parents insinct is probably the best for their children, there is unfortunatly no maunal for learn how to be a parent." Charlotte thought about the words and voice he said about his wife and had the heart squezzed. Lottie was a beautiful girl and seem more have from her mother than his father physicly. It should be hard to lost someone that we love... tought Charlotte.

"You move your little familly in Colorado Springs for a job?" she asked.

"Yes" He continued to talk as he laid down the sleeping two year old. "We needed to move on from the heart ache, from people staring and from people muttering things about you behind your back, but yes...mostly for some money...we not coping very well but have been fortunate to have been given the chance to prove my worth and earn a little money off the pay in the boarding house...." Tom said. He smoothed Tilly's curls from her face and turned to look at Charlotte with a sad smile.

Charlotte dressed the tablecloth on the grass, than glanced around to try to know where the kids where now. Not that she was worried for them, but just because. She put the basket on the tablecloth before sat down. "It seem a good place this town. I think Carl and I would enjoy the time we will pass here..." she told, while knowing she was hired only for few months and didn't knew where she will be send next school year. Her eyes continue to seek around, avoiding Tom's glance.

Tom nodded sat down oppsite Charlotte, with Tilly in between them."I hope your time here is very enjoyable" Tom paused "Your Carl is very handsome, strapping young lad..."Tom smilied, wondering is his son would have been like Carl. "Boy's can be a hand-ful but are wonders when they smile at you with thier love!". The man looked down at the basket and then up looking for the children, hoping Lottie was having a wonderful time. "You must be a very good teacher Miss!" he admitted.

"I know it's not in my interest to tell this to my student's parents, but I must admit I didn't teaching since near ten years now... I just hope parents will not mind of that. Everything hapenned so fast since the last months and I really need this job." she sighed while thinking to Carl fight in the street. She hoped that would not affect her relation with other parents. "But kids are so curious, just have to find a point of interest and they are with you for a while, that is the key!"

Tom was taken with Charlotte and could hear the passion in her voice when she spoke about her teaching and the children. "It's okay, I'm sure parents will not mind, as long as thier child is happy and wanting to go to um...school then they should be pleased....School is somewhat...um.." This stunted Tom as he wanted to go on and ask what type of things Lottie will be doing there, but he couldnt ask without admitting he hadn't go to school fully himself. "Ah...Yes children are curious these days sometimes is a good thing but other times it lands them in trouble...but i say, they learn from the trouble and not to do it again there after...." The man leaned back on his elbows and looked up at the clear sky.

[Charlotte Quessy]

Tom looked over at his youngest who was still asleep and then at Charlotte. "What made you become a teacher if you dont mind me asking" he asked gently.

Charlotte laughed to herself after thougt few seconds about it. "Well, it seem to be the only thing I always made that I can remember. When I arrived at the orphanage, I was on my 12 years old. People who came prefered usually adopt babies or toddlers, so I was more often helping the nuns with the school, specially for reading and writing for the younger children. And you know the end of the story." Charlotte sighed, she didn't had the more interesting story.

"That's very intresting and unique" Tom said looking out at the wonderful site that lay infront of them.

"My wife....we i mean she was wonderful with the children just like you are, our little boy was such a joy and was a quick learner...." He paused and looked down at his youngest sighing gently. "I think Lottie will be a great teacher miss, just like you i hope" He quickly responded again by saying. "So um...school for learning writing and reading then....sounds alright" Tom bit his lip and looked down at the ground, he had his fingers tracing a pattern on the clothe. "I Hope she likes it, i want her to do well and i want my wife to be proud of her....like you know...like i brought her up well and things...she was first and my princess" He said thinking about his oldest daughter and smiling proudly as he spoke of the little 7 year old. "Im actually very pleased your the teacher...."

Charlotte grinned slicy, not sure of what answer then glanced to Tilly.

Tilly stirred and turned onto her front, she put a thumb into her mouth and one hand out infront of her. The 2 year old went back to the land of nodd.

Charlotte smiled by saw the little girl while thought is was so easy when they were so young. She back to the conversation with Tom.

"All children can achieve what they want, and reading is a keys to be able to learn anything after. I notice that the town didn't have a library." she smiled down, she would have to spend money to travel to Denver for purchase books instead of borrow them.

Tom looked out at the field and heared her speak fondly of reading. Nodding slightly, wanting to understand the pleasure of reading a book or a map but not having the idea what she felt for the objects he bascally just nodded for the polietness. He wasn't going either say that reading wasnt his strong point.

"Well maybe in the near future a Library within this town could be wonderful to people like you who enjoy those wonderful paperbacks." He added.

"Maybe," she smiled back. "We are here for nine months only, so I think I could survivewithout library."

Tom looked at her and his eyes looked at her expresstion. "Sorry miss, but did i hear you correctly, your here for just 9 months..." He bit his lip. "Well that is a shame....for i was sure that my daughter would have achieved well with you here for all of her school days..." He paused, he didnt know why he felt strongly for her having to teach his Lottie, but he just did, he didnt even know why he felt sad that the two friends he had was leaving in just 9 months when he himself didnt know if he was going to be around then either.

She looked to the purple flowers in the grass not far of them.

"The town teacher is Mrs. Slicker. She will be back for next year. If you don't mind, I think I will collect a bouquet of flowers for Miss. Savigny, for the dinning room?"

"Sounds like a lovely gesture towards the lovely lady" He bowed his head gently. "I would offer my help and help you with your flower picking miss, but i wouldnt want my little one waking up without anyone here" Tom looked down at his daughter and then up at the young woman. "but please miss let me help you up, it is only a polietness that a gentleman can do that" He stood up and offered his hand to Charlotte.

Charlotte was frightened slightly before accept the hand. "Thank you Mrs. Smith. The galentery still has its place in the West."

She walked to the flowers fields and begin to pick up some of them and a long grass for try to attach them as a bouquet. 'Not ot bad' she thought to herself'. She glanced around few seconds, wondering what the kids were doing at this time.

She walked back to the picnic emplacement with her bouquet and noticed that Tilly started to awaken.

"I'm not sure that she will wait the other for her drink." Charlotte while put the flowers side of the basket and search for Tilly drink.

Tilly turned over and looked up at the two adults. A Small smile came on her face and her hands reached up to rub her eyes free from sleep.

Getting up, she stood for a minute shakily, before Tom took his daughter into his arms and held her gently, she fell to the ground.
Holding her close Tom nodded towards Charlotte about the drink.

He leaned over to go and collect the child's blanket that lay on the floor, Tilly then sat down and crawled over to Charlotte, putting a small hand on the woman's face. "Hiya" She whispered, her small blonde ringlets now free from the hat that lay next to the blanket.

"If they could all be so quiet and tender like this little angel, I would like have a thousand of them!" Charlotte said while give the milk to Tilly. "And I'm sure you will not be involved in a fight when you will be older..." she said, more to herself than for Mr. Smith, while sighed.

Tom listening to Charlotte talk. Smiling he laid his eyes on to his daughter who sat there.

Tilly took the drink into her hands and smiled up at Charlotte. "Ta!" she began to sip it and drink it down.

Her mouth now having a milk dribbling down it she placed the cup down carefully like her big sister had tried to taught her.

Getting up carefully she held onto the woman and stood infront of her. "off" she asked lifting her foot up, wanting her shoes off, so she could run about in the grass barefoot. "mease...off" She giggled.

Tom folded the blanket and thought about his wife, he was brought out of his thoughts by the slightly giggle that came from his daughter. "Have you ever wished you had a daughter?" he asked laying back looking up at the blue sky.

[Charlotte Quessy]

"Who wouldn't wished it? I mean, it's probably the dream of all little girl to have later a little princess to take care and all..."

Charlotte replied, while thinking about how it could be wonderful, but remember her past life and thought it woudl probably better that she didn't had a daughter with her late husband.

While seeing Tilly, Charlotte smiled to Tom. "Every children have this things in common." Charlotte said while removed instinctivly the shoes to Tilly. While put a first shoe on the grass, she asked, annoying to not asked to Mrs. Smith before. "That is ok?" she said while put the second shoe on the grass.

"That's fine!" Tom said not really looking over but up at the sky. He trusted Charlotte with Tilly and knew that she was doing right with his daughter. He closed his eyes and drifted off, he hadnt much sleep since having the youngest as a baby, feeling tired he thought he could catch a few zzz as Tilly was in company.

Tilly put her small hands on Charlottes face and kissed her cheek. "ta" She then ran towards the flowers giggling as the grass tickled her feet, "BooBoo" she said pointing a flower, going over she bent over it gently and picked it but the head fell off, "oppssy"

Tilly threw it and picked another, running over to charlotte she squealed falling over gently landing infront of the lady, giggling gently she lifted the flower to Charlotte. "youuu" She smiled. "preeeeet" she said trying to say pretty about Charlotte.

Charlotte smiled to the child - she was to sweet to look. "You," she said while pointing Tilly, "you will break hearts when you will be older!" she exclaimed while tickle her belly. They played together few minutes when she the child said "Wooooo", amusing. Charlotte turned to see what Tilly tried to said and frozen.

"Tilly..." see whispered while bring the child on her chest. "Tom?" she whispered, but knew that the man would not heard her.

"Woooo..." Tilly said again.

"Shhhhhh" the teacher said softly to the child. Charlotte didn't know what to do, but was scare. A wolf walked around the food basket and Tom.

Tilly looked at the wolf, her hands clapped together, amused at what she saw. She looked curiously at the furry wolf.

Putting her hand out she tried to do what her sister taught her when you call cats. "pu pu pu pu" she said making her little hand move gently.

The little 2 year old looked up at Charlotte, her curls falling down her back gently. "woooo" she giggled gently, but stopped feeling a sudden emotion from Charlotte that she didnt feel before. She turned in Charlottes arms and hugged the lady, laying her head gently on her shoulder.

"Papa..." she googed and pointed back to her father.

Charlotte didn't knew what to do. The wolf stepped around the basket, like searching for something, but not paying attention to Tom - for the moment.

"Tom?" she whispered, but without success. She didn't want to bring the wolf attention on them. She pick-up a small rock n the grass and try shoot it near Tom when the wolf shown his back to her.

Tom awoke quietly, yawning he turned to look at Charlotte and his baby girl. "so sorry i just fell asleep" he said through a yawn. He turned to sit up and his eyes went wide. "Um..." The man didn't know what to do, there starring into his own eyes were a wolfs.

"Look Charlotte, I will distract him....you and Tilly go...i'll catch you up" The father of the child, spoke slowly, so it wouldnt disturb the wolf, all his concern was now on his baby and the woman who he have made a friendship with. He had to put them first. "Bye babby" He said looking at Tilly.

"No, Tom!" whispered Charlotte worried. Suddently her thought left to the children. 'Where are they now? Did they meet the wolf? There is more wolfs around?'

Charlotte glanced around but found nothing to use against the wolf if something happen.

** Tag Tom or anyone else passing around, Sully, ... **

[Tom Smith]

Tom looked around and saw the concern in Charlotte's eyes. Something clicked in his head and he nodded towards the lady. "Listen...." he said slowly as not to disturb the wolf. "i-i will get up and run in the direction of the woods....you take Tilly and go find the other children...." This time the man would not take no for an answer. Tom didn't want to lose his children, they were his future. Getting up ever so slowly, the man put a hand out towards the wolf.

Tilly watched, her eyes wide. "no pla..." she said trying to let her father know that you don't play with Wolfs. She looked into Charlotte's eyes, there and then the youngest child of 2 said "mama..." and hugged her tightly.

OOC- i've tried to make this lil scene more fun, by making Tilly call charlotte Mama...lol!!!

[Charlotte Quessy]

Charlotte stunned at first when she heard the little girl and didn't expected this, forgotten Tom plan during few seconds.

"Shhhh...." she whispered while stand up with Tilly in her arms, then step back in the direction where the kids left them previously.

(OOC for Tash - You can do what you want with Wolf, I'll be back after with Katie!)

[Tom Smith]

Tom moved closer to the wolf, his head turned up to hear his child call Charlotte mother and when he was about to correct the little girl he noticed the wolf turned his attention towards the woman and child. "NO!" he said outloud, putting a hand out towards the wolf. "come to me....come to me" he said slowly approching it, all he knew was to try and grab the wolf now, but once he would get it, he wouldnt know what to do. Confused the young man approuched carefully as he watched the Wolf dig into the food that lay there untouched.

Tilly looked up to Charlotte and put her fingers on her lips to say shhh. But stopped as she turned to watch the wolf. "Doggy" she said this time.

Tom shook his head. "you two, go collect the children...if Tilly is to much for you, you can leave her in the wagon" he whispered.

[Charlotte Quessy]

Unsure, Charlotte continue to stepped back and started to walk when she was behind a tree. She didn't noticed if the wolf was following them - what she doubt due that she didn't heard Tom yelling to them. She listen carrefully and heard some noise and finally recognize her son voice.

"Carl?" she asked, but didn't see him.

She waited few seconds and the boy arrived side of her (after he climb down the tree near there).

"Ma?" he asked not sure why she not waited them at the picnic and why she had the baby girl with her.

"'You should not stay here, not the other children. There is a wolf who walking around here." she explained to Carl.

"A wolf?" the boy repeated.

"Yes the animal was turning around the basket and..." Charlotte was interrupted by Katie who jumped near them.

"Did I heard Wolf?" she asked surprised at first.

"Yes it wa...." Charlotte didn't be able to complete her sentence that Katie was running in the picnic direction.

"Wait, Katie!" she shouted, but Katie was continued to run where Tom was.

** Tag Tom **

[Tom Smith]

Lottie jumped down after Katie and watched her running off. "whats going on?" the little 7 year old asked. Looking up at her little sister in the arms of the woman she squinted. "where's my pa?" she asked and ran after Katie without waiting for an answer.

Tilly sat the lady's arms her face now showing sadness and she began to cry. "ma " she placed her head against the woman and cried.

---

Tom looked around him and then back at the wolf. "Stay.,..." he said camly, happy that the adult and child was not there. Hearing footsteps he took his eyes off the wolf for a second to turn to see who it was. "katie....don't..." he said putting his hands out.

[Charlotte Quessy]

"NO!" shouted Katie to the man.

The animal heard the familiar voice and turned to his young master. Wolf run toward Katie then turned around the little girl.

She stood down for look the animal for se if everything was fine.

"Everything is fine?" asked Samantha behind her with Lottie.

"Yes Sam, I think." Katie replied. "Wolf seem search for me." Katie noticed the face of the newcomers. "No worries, Wolf is my pet."

(tag Tom - we can close after for go on the day 2 - morning in the bH, preparation for the first school day).

[Tom Smith]

"oh" Was all Tom could say. He nodded towards Katie and watched as his oldest daughter joined the two little girls and himself. "hey!" As he watched his daughter run towards him and hug him. He kneeled down to her height and looked between the three girls.
"Well Wolf is a very nice looking pet" Tom explained. He patted the wolf gently on the head and looked at them. "So Lottie your new friends...I'm Tom...Lottie's dad...It's nice meeting you young ladies...I must go and tell Miss Quessy something nice" He stood up and bowed his head and walked off towards the teacher and his youngest daughter.

"It was one of the young girl's pet. " He explained gently towards charlotte. "Thank you for your hospitallity today miss...."
He smiled as he watched his youngest nodded. "Yes mama" ....
(Ready for day 2... )