Ch 36 Jacob’s Betrothal 1

Jacob's POV

It is the beginning of November 1675, and I decided to finally propose to Anna, the love of my life. We have known each other since our school days. I remember talking to her while she waited for her father to pick her up. We found that we had so much in common. When she heard that my father was a well-known tailor in Boston, she told me that she loved to sew. I told her that my father has taught me how to become one, but it was not my passion. I enjoyed working with wood instead, so even though I could become a tailor, I decided to become a joiner (furniture maker).

When her father arrived, he offered me a ride, but I told him that Benjamin usually accompanies me home, and that I would have to check with my parents to plan. I asked him if it was okay to take Benjamin home too. He said that would be fine. I told him that I would tell him the next day if I got permission. I asked my parents, and it was fine with them, so the next day we started getting rides home from Mr. Wilson. Anna and I would talk and joke in the carriage on the way home. Benjamin noticed how much I liked her and would tease me about it when we got home. My mother noticed it and reprimanded Benjamin for his teasing. My mother knew I liked Anna, and that one day we would end up together. She did not say anything until I mentioned Anna at Hannah's dinner during her courtship. My parents were concerned that I was too young to think about the future, but I knew that Anna would wait for me. I promised my parents that I would finish my schooling and apprenticeship before pursuing her hand.

Now we have been courting for over a year, and I love her more with each passing day. My career is established. I have my eye on a piece of land, and I am ready to marry Anna and have lots of children. It has been a couple months since I have seen her.

I saw her in September when we invited her to the Hurd Estate for a weekend visit. She lived in the next town over, and it was often difficult to see each other every day, but we planned to visit often. 

 At dinner that week, Benjamin, and Eliza announced that she was with child. I suspected that she was because they were always making love. She wanted to have lots of children too. We were elated for them. 

 After dinner, I took Anna to my new expanded bedroom that I just finished. I told her that it would be where we started our marriage when the time came. She blushed at the thought of us being intimate. I thought it was adorable.

Now I am in the carriage I borrowed from my father to go visit Anna in Charlestown. My parents knew I planned to propose marriage today, so my mother prepared a basket full of food. There was left over cold turkey, pumpkin muffins, cranberries, and apple cider. I can not wait to see Anna.   It feels like such a long time since I have seen her.   I miss her a lot.

As my carriage stopped in front of her home, she came rushing out of her house with here apron covered in flour. She did not care. She jumped into my arms, hugged, and kissed me.

The kiss was short and as we stopped, I looked at her and said, "Umm... You might want to change." She looked down, and I was brushing the flour off my cloak.

She blushed in embarrassment and said, "I am so sorry, Jacob! I have been baking bread and was so excited when you arrived that I forgot to take off my apron. I missed you so much!" She was giggling.

I chuckled and said, "I missed you too, Anna. No worries. Now hurry and change!"

As I entered the house, I could smell the aroma of fresh baked bread. My mouth was salivating. I could not wait to sink my teeth into that bread, so I told her as she came out of her room.

"I brought a small lunch for our picnic on Breed's Hill today. Take the bread with you and a knife, so we can eat some."

She said, "I did bake it for you. I knew you were coming today." She grabbed what we needed and put on her cloak, so she would not be cold on this chilly November day.

We took the carriage even though the hill was only a couple blocks away. It was chilly today, so I did not want her to catch cold.

When we arrived, I took the blanket, the basket, and bread and set up the picnic lunch on the flat area on the hill overlooking the Charles River. You could see the town of Boston from the hill, and the trees were gorgeous. They were all changed to red, yellow, orange, and brown colors. They still had quite a bit of foliage on the trees. We looked out over the river and our breath was taken away by the beauty around us. We looked at the wonderous creation of the Almighty God in awe. We said a prayer to God thanking him for his creation and the food in our basket.

I took out the turkey and cut the bread. We made little finger sandwiches. I took one sandwich and hand fed Anna. I watched her chew with relish. She fed me a sandwich and I licked the crumbs off her fingers. It was an intimate moment, and she looked at me with love in her eyes. I fed her some berries and gave her a drink of cider. She did the same.

When we were finished, she lay on the blanket with me with her head on my shoulder. I guided her face to look at my eyes and said, "Anna, we have been courting for a year now. We will start a new chapter in our relationship. I have loved you since we were children, and I can not live another day without you in my life. When you are not around, I miss you so much. I think about you all day long. I want you to be with me forever. I want you in my bed and by my side. Will you do me the honor of becoming my life partner and wife?"

She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Yes Jacob! I have been waiting for this moment for years! I love you so much!"

Our lips met and before we knew it, I was laying on top of her. The kiss was hot and passionate, and I had to stop before I gave into my urges and sinned right there on the Hill. My love for her as so deep that I almost lost control. We stopped and we were panting. I got up and straitened my clothing and helped her get up as well to straighten hers. I tried hard to hide the tent in my breeches that formed from that moment. I knew that we were in trouble if I bundled with her.

 I cleared my throat and said, "Anna, I love you so much. Please accept my apology for what might have happened if we did not stop just now. It was not too gentleman like. I want you to know that we might not bundle because I do not think I can handle my passion for you. I want to make you mine so much. I will wait until our wedding night. Let us go tell our parents about our betrothal."

She looked at me and said, "Jacob, you do not have to apologize because you did nothing wrong. I love you too. Do not worry about our passionate moment just now. I was enjoying it too. We stopped and that is what is important. Yes, we will wait until our wedding."

We both got into the carriage and went to tell our parents...