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The Decades Challenge: The Ashford Legacy

current decade: 1890's recent / chronological

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The Ashfords First Harvestfest 🥕🍗

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It's time for Ernestines birthday! Bridget had begun to notice that her eyesight wasn't what it should be, so she and George decide to get her a pair of glasses. Ernestine thinks they fit her quite well.

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To commemorate their growing family, George and Bridget decided it was finally time to have a family photograph taken. It now sits perfectly on the wall, next to George and Bridgets wedding photograph. They hope it will stay in the family for generations.

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William occasionally has to miss school to help out his parents at home. On those days, Benjamin is seated next to a girl called Tilley. At first they didn't speak much. Benjamin did not imagine he could have much in common with a girl.

As time went on, however, he learned that Tilley was actually fun to be around. He did prefer the company of William, but he was no longer bored on the days his friend was missing.

One day, as him and Tilley were talking during their break, he even thought that maybe the three of them could all be friends.

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Weekends at the Ashford home.

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Benjamin finally has his first day of school. He hasn't been able to talk about anything else these past few days. His parents are sure he will do very well.

He is placed next to another little boy his age. Benjamin learns that his name is William, and that the two have much in common. William tells Benjamin all about his 5 siblings, and how easy it is to be forgotten amongst them. Benjamin almost feels bad, to complain, when he only has Ernestine.

The two spend the entire afternoon after school playing and sharing stories. Benjamin is happy to have finally made a friend.

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It's time for Benjamins birthday. Now that he is older, it's time for him to start pulling his weight around the farm.

Benjamin is happy to help out. He likes the extra time he gets to spend with his father, and they both feel like it is bettering their relationship.

The young boy also starts preparing for school. He will have his first day soon, and he is eager to meet other children his age, and maybe make his first friend.

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Ernestine has her birthday! The farm has produced some extra spending money for the family, so she is gifted a beautiful and expensive dollhouse by her father.

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When Thomas received word that a family had moved into their old cabin, he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing - finally, after so much toil and effort, people were slowly starting to move into the Bay. On a fine day the family travelled back to their old home, eager to meet their new neighbours. Iain and Claire MacKenzie were a young Scottish couple, looking for a fresh start in America with their daughter Caroline. Thomas was quickly taken with Iain's frank, open nature, and the families got on very well indeed. Both sets of parents were pleased with the prospect of friends for their children, and plans to visit again were quickly made.

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Back in the city, Laurence returned the favor and took Dulcie round to meet his people. First the boys at the station, ever so boisterous and more brothers than friends, and then his beloved older sister, whom he spoke of with unmistakable pride. Dulcie sailed through it all in the highest of spirits, bright-eyed and rosy-cheeked.

So much so that she scarcely minded when a sharp call of “George!” sent Larry hurrying off to work, leaving her to wait. While she did, an older gentleman approached her, she'd seen him in the waiting area, noticed how he'd ignored the scornful looks directed at a man of his colour dressed in a suit and not a uniform.

“I know you,” he said.

Dulcie bristled at once. “You don’t,” she replied since she had a beau now, after all. But he only smiled and corrected her.

“Not like that. I’ve seen you in Midsummer's and the Scottish play, at the theatre. You’re very good, my dear but you could be even better.”

He pressed a card into her hand and walked on, leaving Dulcie glowing so fiercely she hardly knew what to do with herself.

Then Larry came back and before her happiness could cool, he took her home with him, dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. In all her life, Dulcie had never known a joy so large she thought it might lift her clean off the ground!

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After the birth of Ernestine it seems that she is the only thing her parents have eyes for. Outside of work and taking care of her, there is not much time left in the day for anything else.

Benjamin tries his hardest to get his mother's attention, but she is so busy with her daily tasks, that she hardly even notices him. Young Benjamin does not understand, why everyone seems to have time for anything other than him.

The only time he's deemed worthy enough of attention, is when he causes trouble. So Benjamin causes trouble a lot... Bridget is heartbroken that her darling boy has turned into such a little devil, and can't seem to understand why.

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After a long pregnancy, Bridget finally gives birth. This time to a baby girl, that the couple decides to name Ernestine Hazel Ashford. Bridget is overjoyed to have a daughter, and especially one, that looks just like her.

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When asked if he is excited to have a new sibling, Benjamins answer is a firm no! He has gotten used to the luxuries of being an only child, like having a room all to himself and getting both of his parents undivided attention.

George is a great father, and makes sure to spend extra time with Benjamin before the new baby comes, even if it means neglecting the farm a bit.

Bridget tells him that the new baby will not mean that they love him any less, but Benjamin is still not convinced. She fears for her kids future relationship.

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It's time for Benjamins birthday. Bridget and George, who were both raised with strong values of faith, decides to take him to church to celebrate. Now that he is old enough to understand, they hope to take him more often.

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Hazel! You… you look beautiful,” William said, the moment he saw Miss Avery, his cheeks flushing red. “I mean… What did you want to talk about? Is everything alright?”

Hazel, with her own cheeks already being red, caught his arms, and without thinking she blurted out:

“Marry me.”

Her words were followed by a far too long moment of silence, during which a million conflicting emotions passed over William's face.

“W-what?” William stuttered even redder, but Hazel wasn’t afraid. Not anymore. Well… at least not that much.

“Marry me William. I love you. And… and I think you love me too, and I cannot wait any longer. I know that otherwise, my mother will finally find me a husband by herself, and I don’t want that. I want you. I want to be your wife and spend my life with you, and I know that I am being way too bold right now, and I know I am not romantic, but I love you and… and… and If you don’t share my feelings that is alright, but-but…”

William held her closer, their foreheads touching.

“I love you too, Hazel. I do, but I was too scared to say it out loud. I've always dreamed of love, but I could never think I would be so lucky as to have a love with your face and mind. Of course I want to marry you, but there is just one thing.”

Her heart stopped.

“What is it?” she asked, already prepared for the worst. Oh God, he was dying wasn't he? Or, worse, his parents hated her….

William continued.

“I just got a teaching position in Copperdale. I could marry you right away, but that would mean you would have to leave Henford-on-Bagley with me.”

Hazel thought for a second. Leave this town? Her sister? Her mother? The thought was scary but at the same time weirdly tempting. She would still visit her family, of course, but at the same time… she would be free from her mother, who although she loved her very much, was so tiring! And she would meet new people in a place where no one knew her as that awkward girl with her nose stuck in books.

“That’s all right,” she whispered. “I will marry you, and I will move to Copperdale.”

William smiled, and they shared a kiss, a confirmation of their feeling.

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Bridget is thriving in her new role as a mother. She loves Benjamin dearly, and finds taking care of him much more natural than she expected. It is not hard work at all, although she barely gets any sleep or time to herself.

Not long after, however, Bridget finds herself with child once again. George could not be any more happy, but Bridget secretly has her doubts. Two babies? One more mouth to feed? After all the young couple is not wealthy, by any means.