Chapter 22: Sweetest Sixteen

July

July 12th, 1666

Half-Eight in the Evening

It is to be my birth-day soon and I happily wait for it. We are to be using space by the River Wey and I am to see many of my friends whom I haven't seen lately. including several who weren't at the Masque. I am so excited to share my day with every-one, and things are going very well with Augustus. I am very content.

I've been thinking it over lately and I must say this past six months have been remarkable! My life was so dreary then and Augustus was miserable too. It's like we came together just in time to save each other. I'm so grate-full for him.

Getting older does not feel like so much pressure any-more. I feel like I have more things to look forward to than I ever have. Things are going so well with him, but not so with all aspects of my future.

Alas, my parents are still fairly insistent that I "take the business", but I want to carve out my own future. I genuinely want to do two things: write and help people to make their lives better. I'm not sure how those two things will come together as some sort of career but I do genuin-ley want to do so.

If I can write, help others and be with Augustus, I shall be perfectly content. I don't need excessive money or fancy things. I just want to be happy.

~*~

During the day of his birthday, Will's home was happily buzzing with activity. Food for the party was cooked and prepared all day long. Back and forth went carts of decorations and outdoor furniture to a clearing by Wey River. Will helped with the supplies, but was shooed out of the kitchen three separate times, lest he get a glimpse of his birthday cake.

He bounded excitedly from place to place, eager for festivities.

In late afternoon, family and friends began to gather. H'orderves were served, conversations and happiness lit up the evening.

"Fancy meeting you here." A happy, light voice chirped.

Augustus turned around and his face lit up. "I didn't know you were coming!" He excitedly embraced his mother.

"Well, we wanted to see you and Mary again. This was the perfect occasion to surprise you. You seem like you're doing well."

"It's been great here; except I've missed you of course. But I am doing well...I'm learning to read! And write!" He proudly exclaimed.

"That's wonderful!" Caroline exclaimed, clasping her hands in delight. "I've always wanted to read."

"I'll teach you sometime, when I get good enough."

"I'd love to try that." She agreed with a nod.

"So how've you and father been? Gotten better, I hope?"

"Quite well. I found a steady job as a seamstress! Your father found better labor work too."

"Can we come back with you?" He pleaded with hopeful eyes. Was that why they had come?

Caroline sighed as she looked down at her son. She had to protect her children, and right now that still meant not living with them--yet.

"To be completely honest, the region where we found work in the City isn't particularly safe for you children, and we don't want anything to happen to either of you. Once we save up enough, we'll find a better place for all of us."

Will found Augustus and was also happily surprised to see his parents there.

"Well, you've found quite the company!" Will cheerfully said, happily grinning as he approached Augustus and his mother.

"Happy birthday, Will."

"Thank you Mrs. Black, it's lovely to see you again." He hugged her warmly. He had always appreciated Augustus's mother; she was very similar to Augustus.

Caroline noticed a significant difference in her son and by mere observation knew Will was the source of his returned spirit and improved mood.

She noticed things a mother always knows: her son wasn't sleepless and anxious like he had been six months ago, and he had been eating better too. She learned by the way the two interacted; even in a single moment.

"I really appreciate all you've done; you've given him a new home." Caroline said gratefully.

"Well, it's my parent's house." Will humbly replied.

"Yes, but you made it a home for him. He was outright miserable when we first came here. It was a big change, and he's so sensitive."

"I know. He's done a lot for me too. More than I could say, really." This was completely true.

He avoided elaborating because he didn't want an awkward scene. He also had a hard time defining just how good Augustus had been for him.

"I'm sure you know you've always been like family to us."

For a wondrous second, Will's heart soared as he felt so welcomed and loved.

"You all have." She said brightly.

Suddenly, Will was dying to tell Caroline how much he loved her son and how devoted they were and how so many of his positive traits existed thanks to his parents. But he hesitated out of fear, and was actually relieved when he lost his chance.

"Hope we're all smiles here." Richard chirped as he came up behind Will, handing his wife a glass of punch, kissing her cheek.

"Thank you so much for coming!" Augustus warmly hugged him. They shared a smile, and Richard turned to Will.

"Happy birthday, Will!"

"Thank you. It's great to see you again. Glad you both could make it." Will replied as they shook hands. "What a lovely surprise."

Augustus looked around, thrilled. His parents were there; Will was happy, everything was going well.

"Now I have everything I've ever wanted." Augustus murmured instinctively. Grateful for being surrounded by those he loved the most, he gazed lovingly at Will, who clearly returned the sentiment.

The moment of sweetness lasted and lasted. Caroline could see how content he was.

"What ever do you mean, my love?" She asked with a sweet smile, observing the boys held stare.

But the moment ended, and he didn't get to answer her.

"Will!" Lily shouted, trying to signal to her brother over another conversation as she squeezed through the crowd. "They're starting."

He walked over and stood next to his parents as his father made a toast in his honor:

"Yes, thank you all so much for coming! Tonight we celebrate my son, William. Sixteen already. He's well on his way to leading his own life, by going off to boldly shape his destiny!"

He turned to his son, drink in hand, and proudly declared:

"You're a man now, and all the better for it. Huzzah!"

"Huzzah!" The crowd joyously echoed, toasting with their mead.

"Happy birthday, son." He clapped him on the back in casual affection, grinning.

"Happy birthday, dear. We love you." His mother kissed his cheek and spoke again: "And now, we have a little something for you."

They stepped back and revealed his surprise.

"Sarah..."

She looked absolutely stunning!

She proudly wore the latest fashion from Italy: her light orange gown of pure silk was the same as her original design. It had a deeper neckline than her everyday attire, and had brown, sparkling detailing. Her curly light brown hair was swept up, with a few loose curls gently cascading down to frame her pretty face. Her skin was perfectly dewy and sun-kissed in the soft glow of the fiery lighting. Will instinctively bent down and daintily kissed her hand.

She gave him a wide, radiant smile as her eyes sparkled.

"Happy birthday, William." She wished to him.

He smiled back and warmly thanked her.

After a moment, he felt eyes on him and looked around curiously. He quickly realised something: everyone was waiting for some kind of affection.

But what to do? Will didn't think they had to kiss, they weren't even engaged yet.

He settled on a gentle hug. It did feel good to embrace her. They had become friends instead of resenting having to be together. They related to each other over the boys they fancied. It was a common ground he was happy to share. It felt good for his feelings be even a little similar to someone else's.

At first he laid his head on her shoulder, his eyes closed for a moment, enjoying her comfort.

But the comfort didn't last. He opened his eyes and looked directly at the only person he saw. The person he wanted to show these romantic affections to in front of everyone on his birthday. But he obviously couldn't.

Yes, despite dozens encircling them, it was Augustus who stood out. He looked about as disappointed as Will felt.

Although he could feel all the eyes watching him, he only saw one face.

After they finally broke from their hug, Will stammered:

"Um, would you excuse me?" He flustered.

"I'm...getting quite warm."

"Of course." She politely replied. "I should get a drink before we eat. And I promise, no wine!"

They shared a chuckle with her fluttering timbre.

"Ooh, that punch looks delicious..." and trailed off after her punch.

Will practically ran off, dashing down the hillside to breathe in the cool air by the fence next to the river. He soon noticed he wasn't alone. His uncle was there, staring at the stars.

"Aah, William," He said, hands clasped behind his back, noticing his Godson before he even turned around. "You all right?"

"Fine, I s'pose." He sighed in relief.

"Why did you come down here?"

Uncle Deus turned, and leaned against the fence. "When I heard your father's speech, about you 'leading your own life'. I left, because that was a lie. I know that's not what he wants for you at all. I don't care for my brother's boasting, insincere proclamations. Is anything wrong?"

"Well, Sarah's here, but I don't think I can take much more of this between her and Augustus."

"How so?" His Uncle asked, squinting.

He felt insecure about bursting into this rant, but he had to say something.

"I feel like I have to do everything all at once: on the one hand, I am incredibly happy with Augustus. On another I am trying, rather desperately, to like Sarah, even just a little for the sake of my future. Every single day I have to go back and forth between doing what I want and doing what they want and it's exhausting!" He sharply sighed. He was trapped in an endless loop.

He began to pace, over and back. "Some days I'm terrified of what my parents think, some days I don't care at all. The worst part is I don't see how anything is going to stop this. Back and forth over and over again!"

He looked up at Uncle Deus with dread. "Will I have to marry her even if I'm in love with Augustus? Will I have to lie, and recite wedding vows that she and I both know mean nothing? Will I have to give her children even if I don't love her? And the worst part is if I don't want every single thing my parents want for me, I am somehow a disappointment when I just want to do things the way I want to! I can't live like this anymore! Wh--what would you do?"

"I know you're scared." His Uncle replied, a hand on his shoulder. "But you're not deciding everything right now. You're not getting married tomorrow. You just need to stop pressuring yourself so much. I'd start by being more social--don't let your parents isolate you. They try much too hard to keep you in their sights."

Uncle Deus kept his hand on Will's shoulder and gestured to the skyline before them.

"You're forgetting that there's an entire world out there, just waiting for you to affect it. That's why I led you three into the City a few months ago. You needed exposure to something different. The world needs your talents, from all three of you."

"How can you be so sure?" Will asked.

"Because I know how much potential you have!" He exclaimed, gripping Will's shoulders.

"There is so much to life beyond your parent's expectations, but they'll do anything to keep you from seeing that. But the truth is," He looked down at Will with a sense of importance, "the world is changing William; and I intend to change with it."

"You're the complete opposite of Mother." Will lamented, shaking his head.

"You've known her for decades. Why is she so interested in control?"

"I know as much about that as I do about the thoughts of a seagull."

"What?" He replied, crinkling his brow.

"My point is, I'm never going to know and therefore, I'm never going to care. You can't control what someone else does. However," he looked to the stars again, "if enough self-discipline is acquired, you haven't got to care about anything she thinks." He turned and looked down at Will, gravely serious.

"I only want one thing for you this year."

Will looked up, not sure what to expect. He scrutinized his uncle's face and saw that his eyes were looking through him, seeing all his insides, seeing everything which made him vulnerable.

"Live your life on your own terms." He said, slowly shaking his head. "You're too young to be this unhappy."

Will averted his gaze. How did his uncle seem to notice everything? "

"Th--thank you." He mumbled, clinging to him as though he were still a child.

"Well, I'm still giving you a present." His uncle replied, grinning down as they pulled apart.

He rolled his eyes jokingly; his jovial nature reappearing out of nowhere.

Will grinned. At last! There was something to break up all the heavy, mixed feelings. Even the last half hour was emotionally exhausting.

Will regained poise as his uncle rooted through his satchel. He handed him a book titled Symposium, and Will mispronounced the author's name "Plaa-to?"

"Plato." He corrected. "We've been mostly focusing on contemporary thinkers, but it's high time we delved into the culture of the Ancient Greeks. It's a story about people going to a party who discuss the philosophy behind love. Look for a passage about 'Achilles' and 'Patroclus'."

He stood tall, a sense of importance casting over his words and his confident stance.

"They were two amazing men from Ancient Greece; very much devoted to each other, and Plato believes, in love. This pairing is used as an example by one of the party-goers as the perfect union. How all love should be."

He then handed him a copy of Homer's Iliad. "This one explains their full story, which is part legend and history. Their love, dedication and sacrifices to each other changed the history of their culture during one of the biggest wars they ever waged."

"Alexander the Great himself, while making his way through the Far East, had his entire army stop at the tombs of Achilles and Patroclus to praise and honor these men. They weren't outcasts or scapegoats." He shook his head, as though engaged in an effort to shoo away Will's self-doubt. "People admired and worshiped them. They were heroes."

Will's eyes widened. There were men who were in love...and respected?

Will's voice was gentle and sincere as he looked up at Uncle Deus again. "Don't even know what to say."

"Haven't got to say anything, I know how grateful you are." He smiled down at him. He paused for a moment, almost appearing to deliberate something, but he looked up at the party, noticing people were starting to sit for dinner.

"Looks like they're ready for supper. Now quit looking so serious! You get up there and enjoy that birthday of yours! Go on." He gave him a playful nudge.

Will folded his arms in mocking seriousness. "I am not going anywhere until you promise to come and eat cake with me after supper."

"Bribing me? With cake?" He whined in pretend complaint.

"Yes. And if the situation were to arise, you cannot refuse ice cream." The ruse continued.

They laughed, and Uncle Deus put a hand on his shoulder as they walked together back up the grassy knoll to enjoy dinner.

But heavy emotions came back to Will when he ended up sitting with Sarah sitting on his one side and Augustus on the other, a literal reminder that he was between them yet again.

But with his new books carefully hidden under his chair, lest his parents see, Will felt empowered by his Uncle's encouragement. He had a new philosophy to explore, and a romantic paring he could relate to, which until moments ago, he was certain simply didn't exist.

EWith his new feelings and knowledge, he suddenly did feel older. But it didn't feel as cumbersome as before. His parents made every moment in his life some type of albatross. His uncle simply cleared that aside with one fell swoop. From then on, his birthday was just about perfect.