Family Legacy (Part 1)

This story is about the lives of James Hiller, Sarah Philips and their future daughter. Part 1 is about the engagement and marriage of James and Sarah. Part 2 will be about their daughter's life.

Rated T for Teen

Disclaimer: I have used characters from Liberty's Kids and references to some episodes of the show. However, the characters of Charlotte Hiller and Joseph Harrington are my own creations. THEY MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY WAY! Note: The ages of the characters are inaccurate to the show. I made them younger than they would have been according to the show

April 1779

Sarah looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had decided to plait her hair and then loop it into a bun on the top of her head. It made her look older than her 19 years. She was wearing her blue gown, the one with the pink petticoat and stomacher underneath. She had worn the dress once to a soiree given by General Benedict Arnold. She nodded in satisfaction at her reflection.

It is not like James to ask me to go with him to a formal event, she thought to herself. James had invited her to go to the mayor's yearly gala. Very unusual. He had matured quite a bit since falling in love with her two years ago, she had noticed.

She grabbed her thin, blue silk shawl and walked out of her room, closing the door behind her. She walked down the two flights of stairs to the print shop, where James was waiting for her. He was wearing a white shirt, his green vest and breeches, a cravat and his brown suit coat. He had also polished his black shoes to a brilliant shine. As she looked at him, she noticed a smile on his face and a glimmer in his eye.

"You look stunning," he whispered to her when Sarah had finally approached him.

"Thank you, James. You look fine too." He took her arm in his and escorted her out the door to the borrowed carriage waiting for them. He helped her into her seat and then took his. A moment later she looked over at James and noticed something strange.

"James, are you alright? You're sweating."

Her question seemed to snap him out of some sort of reverie. "It's hot out here, that's all." Sarah was confused by his response. It was warm for April, but not what she would call hot. He might be nervous about the party, she thought.

Ten minutes later they were parking the carriage under a tree and getting out of the carriage. James and Sarah walked into the grand mansion. A servant told them that the ballroom was at the end of the grand hall to the left. James and Sarah walked down the long hallway. The hall had gold pale green paper on the walls and the wood floor was polished. The ballroom was even more stunning. The light from the chandelier made the gold coloured wallpaper shine. It was another room with polished wood floors and red velvet curtains on the walls. There was a string quartet playing some lovely music.

After greeting their hosts, James and Sarah walked out onto the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, Sarah?" James asked, looking a tad nervous.

"Of course, James." She gave him a smile, hoping it would give him confidence. He placed his left hand on her waist and took her left hand with his right. Sarah's other hand was on his shoulder. They began to dance, turning in elegant circles and tight turns. Sarah felt as if she were floating on a cloud. How wonderful to be at formal party with the man she loved.

All too soon, the dance was over. James looked even more nervous now and Sarah could not figure out why.

"How about a walk in the garden?" James asked her suddenly. Sarah nodded and they walked out the French doors to the garden. The garden had a large marble fountain in the middle and many roses bushes around. The sun had recently set, so now the starry night sky was over their heads. It would have been the most romantic night of Sarah's life, had James not seemed so on edge. They both walked over to the fountain and sat on the edge of it. James looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes and love radiating from his face.

"Sarah, I have a confession to make to you."

"What would that be James?"

He swallowed and took a breath. "I lied when I told you when I told you I was hot. The truth is that I am really nervous."

"James, my darling, I figured that out already. A grand party like this would frighten anyone."

James looked confused. "It's not the party bothering me. It's…something else."

"What is it?" Sarah asked, her curiousity piqued.

James swallowed again and took a deep breath. "Sarah, you are the kindest, smartest and most beautiful girl I have ever met. And…" He stood up then, walked in front of her, took both of her hands and knelt on one knee on the cobblestone path. "…I would be the happiest man in the world if you would marry me." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring with a round diamond in the middle and a sapphire on each side of the diamond. Sarah's hand flew to her mouth and tears welled up in her eyes. She could not believe this was happening! She had been wondering when this day would come and now it was here.

"Of course I will marry you, James," Sarah said, as tears rolled down her face. James placed the ring on her left hand and then they both stood and shared a kiss.

Later, at home, Sarah was lying on her bed in her white nightgown, admiring the diamond on her hand. How could he afford this lovely ring? She wondered, then decided that she probably did not want to know. He had probably sold something or worked nights in the shop. She heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

James opened the door and walked in. Sarah sat up and smiled at him.

"What are you doing?" James asked.

"Admiring my ring. It really is very beautiful."

"Glad you like it."

A moment of silence passed before Sarah asked James what he came in for.

"I just wanted to talk." Sarah smiled and patted the bed, inviting him to sit. "Do you really have to go to Ohio Territory tomorrow? I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too, James. But I must go. I need to find my father, especially considering our engagement."

"I just wish I could go with you to protect you. It's such wild country."

"I know, James. But Moses needs you here to help with the paper."

James nodded. "You really are the most beautiful woman in the world." Sarah blushed and he kissed her deeply and passionately.