1890s: Frank proposes

 

This week, January and February rolled around and it started with a New Years Day Ball hosted by the Duncan and Sinclair-families. Everyone who is anyone is Willow Creek was invited. There was an assortment of food and drink, the furniture had been moved to the sides and a pianist was hired. 

Matthew Godeau (who showed up without his wife, no less), must have had a few too many drinks. He started flirting with more or less everyone, and had dance moves that one had ever seen in polite society before. But as the richest man in town, he does get away with most things. He's just a bit... different, but now a family man with a young son, and so utterly respectable none the less.

Frank only had eyes for Emily, and it seemed the feelings were not just one sided. Sneaking out of the house, they danced by themselves instead of in the scrutiny of society.

After their dance, the two spend the rest of the night talking in the family gazebo, and as the night reaches its end, Frank even manages to steal a kiss.

The next night, as everyday life returns as the Christmas holidays are at an end, Joseph finally finds the time to ask his wife on a date. They take the steamboat to Magnolia Promenade to visit the new restaurant that has opened there, and after they experience, for the first time, moving pictures, for in Louisiana, the first ever US movie theatre, the Vitascope, opened in 1896. It is now Willow Creek and Magnolia promenades turn. Joseph and Abigail are amazed at the new experience, especially Joseph who is quite interested in all these new changes and has started writing quite a few bestselling Science Fiction stories.

At home, life continues to revolve around the children. Anna learns to go to the potty, discovers that she loves books, but dislikes her sister getting attention. What's the big deal about sitting up or rolling over anyway? She's been able to do that for forever!

Joseph, on the other hand, is still determined to be healthier. He, therefore, joins the newly opened Newcrest Athletics Club, another new addition to town, inspired by the (slightly bigger) New Orleans Athletics Club that was founded in 1872. Of course only men are allowed inside. Why would women want to work out? Silly notion.

While Joseph is away training, the Charity Club has it's first meeting of the year. It's the first meeting that Abigail is expected to be apart of after having been invited to the club. Abigail was not sure what she expected, that they'd talk about charity perhaps? Instead they mostly seem to be gossiping, bragging about their children or being jealous of each other. Shouldn't they be planning for the grand charity ball on Independence day? It's only six months away and will be the debutant ball for many young ladies. It seems not.

Abigail returns home in time to read Anna to sleep, which feels much more meaningful.

As the weekend rolls around, it's almost Valentine's Day and Joseph has planned to repeat the date with his beloved Abigail. However, Frank has other plans. He and Emily has been finding time to see each other, taking walks, going ice skating and building snow men, and on Valentine's day, he is sure of himself. He is almost an adult now, a teenager! Why should he wait with making up his mind about the girl he wants and risk someone else beating him to it? He goes down on one knee and proposes to a delighted Emily who happily accept:

Obviously, Joseph cannot go anywhere that night. Instead, Emily is asked to stay for dinner, and congratulations are extended. Abigail is rather pleased with this turn of events. Sure they are both young, but a wedding does not have to be right away, they can wait a few years until they're both older, but it is good to have it settled. Provided Frank gets the blessing of her father of course, but that can surely not be a problem, he's such a delightful boy after all.

While the others are thinking about when and how and if, Frank settles for being in the moment. As he sees Emily off, he takes a moment to just be happy:

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