Here is the first chapter of When a Daughter Became a Woman. This story is somewhat a sequel of my other story Liberty Kids: After the War, but not entirely. I hope you enjoy this first chapter!

When a Daughter Became a Woman

Chapter 1: Apprentice (James' POV)

Having a child is difficult. Raising a child is even harder. It is especially difficult when that child is an eighteen year old, red haired, blue eyed girl. And that girl is your daughter…Well Sarah's and my daughter—Anne.

Anne was her mother's twin. They had the same face and hair. She was taller than Sarah though. The one thing Anne did get from me…was her eyes. They were the same color as mine, a sea blue. That was my one, small piece of her.

Sarah and I owned the print shop…Dr. Franklin had given it to us after he died. Sarah and I were married also. Henri was back in France with Lafayette, to visit him because he was ill. Moses was running his school for children of any race. So the only people in the print shop were Sarah, myself, and Anne.

Sarah's and my son, James Jr., was in Europe, writing about the conflicts between Britain and France. Sarah did not want him to go, but I reminded her that when we were his age; we were going around the country, writing about the war, and nearly getting captured or killed along the way. Finally Sarah agreed and James Jr. left. He has been gone for a few months now, and Sarah and I are fine. Anne was upset about not being able to go, but Sarah and I needed her here. And there was another reason…

Anne…she was a handful. She was stubborn and opinionated like her mother. She was a journalist from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Anne was able to read and write by the time she was seven, which led to her wanting to run the newspaper someday. Anne was curious, and she was not afraid to speak her mind. Which was not a bad thing, but in Europe, it was. In Europe she would be considered 'uncivilized' for a woman.

I was at the printing press, printing the last few papers for the day. Anne was out running an errand, so Sarah was helping me.

"Sarah," I said as I put the ink onto the letters. "I am hiring an apprentice."

"Why do we need an apprentice?" asked Sarah.

"I need someone strong to help. Anne, you, and I are barely going to get these papers out on time. We need an extra set of hands."

"You are right. We have been a bit behind. When is the apprentice arriving?"

"He should be here tomorrow."

"Well then I need to get a room ready. James, what is his name?"

"His name is Nathaniel Dixon. He is from North Carolina and he is nineteen."

"Well then, you will want to keep your eye on Anne."

"Why?"

"James, Anne is eighteen. The same age we were when we started courting…do you not remember?" asked Sarah as she hugged me and then kissed me.

"Yes," I answered against her lips.

Then I kissed her again and Sarah sighed. She put her arms around my neck and pulled me closer to her. I wrapped my arms around Sarah's waist and held her close to me. It was moments like this that reminded me of why I married her.

"Mother! Father! What are you doing?" asked a voice behind me. I turned and saw Anne, standing in the doorway to the print shop; with her journal in her hands.

Sarah and I stepped away from each other. Sarah's face turned bright red. Anne ran her hand down her face and rolled her eyes. I laughed and Sarah gave me a glare.

"Anne your mother and I have some news," I said.

"What is it father?" asked Anne.

"We are hiring an apprentice," answered Sarah for me. "He should be arriving tomorrow."

"An apprentice?" questioned Anne. "Father, do we truly need an apprentice? We have been doing fine. We do not need to bring in some stranger; who we do not know if we can trust."

"Anne we need help! Your mother, myself, and you cannot run this paper on our own. We are barely getting this week's newspaper done on time! Not to mention the last few weeks. We need someone strong," I replied.

"But father, you, mother, and I are strong."

"Anne, you and your mother are strong at heart and in mind. We need someone strong physically."

"Father, mother and I are strong physically too. You are as well!"

"I need someone who is stronger physically. I need—"

"Do not say it father. Do not say another word. I am going to go, and work on my article."

With that Anne walked up the stairs and disappeared. Once she disappeared Sarah walked over to me and hit me on the side of my head. Then she walked off towards the kitchen. I rubbed my head and turned back to the printing press…at least it would not hit me…hopefully.