MaxRideFan35 gave me this story to finish. She's quitting . I have about a paragraph written so far. I decided to post while I could.

Chapter one and two are not mine to claim though I hope you review it will help me get into writing this.

Chapter 1

December of 1781

It had been almost two months since the British surrender of General Cornwallis. Williamsburg was rebuilding itself and celebrating their new independence.

Felicity Merriman found herself busy in her father's store again. A lot had changed after six long years of war. Now, Felicity was seventeen years old- a grown-up, as Nan called her. Nan, who was thirteen, helped her mother at home.

Glancing out the window, Felicity noticed it was snowing. The white flakes had already dusted the whole city white the day before. Shaking her head, she tried to focus on dusting the shelves in front of her. Although she wasn't a little girl anymore, Felicity hadn't completely outgrown her impatience and imagination.

"Lissie! It's closing time!" she heard her father call from behind her.

"I'm almost done!" she called back, shaking out her rag. When she turned around, she noticed how her father had aged over the years. With their old apprentice, Ben, gone to war, all the responsibility of the store landed on Father's shoulder's once again. There were few apprentices left in Williamsburg.

Felicity wondered if she'd see Ben now that he had completed his apprenticeship. She had received a letter two weeks past saying that he had been wounded in the arm and was recovering in a hospital.

Dear Lissie, (it read)

How is my horse-loving friend? I am happy to know that the Patriots have defeated the British on October the fourteenth. At the time, I was not fighting. I was shot in the arm in September and taken to a hospital about thirty miles west of my hometown of Yorktown. I am to return to Yorktown in a few days as I am almost fully recovered.

Best of luck to you!

Yours sincerely,

Ben Davidson

She was very glad that Ben hadn't been injured more severely. There were many families in Williamsburg who would never see their sons or fathers again.

"Felicity, are you daydreaming again?" Father smiled, opening the back door up for his eldest daughter.

"Aye, Father. I guess I am." Felicity smiled sheepishly, stepping out into the cold out of doors.

A day had passed, and Felicity fidgeted on her chair at the dinner table. Mr. and Mrs. Merriman were talking when the subject of Christmastide came up.

"How many more days?" asked 9-year-old William excitedly.

"Today is December the 9th... sixteen more days." Felicity answered, starting to grin too. Christmas was always the most joyful part of the year.

"Was I a good girl this year?" asked 6-year-old Polly seriously.

Mrs. Merriman smiled at her youngest. "We will see what you find in your stocking come Christmas morn."

Felicity took a large bite of roast beef. How grand it was to have meat again! She would never take plain old beef for granted-

"Felicity! Must you eat like a horse?" her mother reprimanded, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"No'm." Felicity swallowed, "I suppose I am watching Penny and Patriot too much?"

Just then, their was a hesitant knock on the front door. Father frowned in confusion, looking at Felicity's mother. She shrugged and started to stand up to go to the door.

Edward Merriman stood up and left the dining room. Felicity strained her ears and heard the door opening and a gasp of shock. She leaned over as far as she dared, trying to see into the entryway.

Father led a tall, striking man- with a bandage on his arm- into the dining room. At the first glance, Felicity saw chestnut-colored hair, friendly hazel eyes and a tan rugged face.

"Ben!" she said in recognition.

William and Nan jumped up out of their seats, paying no mind that they were not excused. "Ben, you're back!"

"Aye, I am." Ben laughed, as he had grown quite attached to the Merriman family while learning his apprenticeship. "Finally."

As their old apprentice shook hands with her parents, Felicity just stared on with shock. Yes, many things changed throughout the Revolutionary War; and usually for the worse. Ben Davidson was one of the few things that did for the better, Felicity thought, blushing.

Then Nan and William hugged him, and Felicity forgot her astonishment and hugged him too. This wasn't like when she was a mere girl of nine though. Although she was only in his embrace for a few seconds, she felt a strong attraction to him. Her heart was pounding and her head was spinning like her stays were tied too tightly.

"Lissie." Ben smiled. "It is good to see you."

"You too, Ben. I'm glad to see that you have recovered." she said, turning her face a little bit so no one could see her blushing face.

Then, she wondered to herself; how can the slightest glimpse of my old friend make me so jittery?