EMMA WOKE UP the next morning and raised her head slowly to find Clayton staring at her. “How long have you been awake?”
“About an hour,” he said.
She ran a finger down his cheek. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because you needed to sleep.”
“What time is it?”
Clayton glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s eight o’clock.”
Emma rolled off him and tried her best not to elbow or kick him. The sofa just wasn’t quite big enough for the both of them.
“You really can sleep anywhere can’t you?” he joked.
“Apparently so. Of course, you are very comfortable to sleep on.”
He smiled and kissed her. “I’m happy I could be your mattress for the night.”
“I’m hungry, are you?”
“Yes. Why don’t you wake Gwen and get dressed and we’ll go downstairs. We won’t wake Jamie and Sophie until later. Although, I’m a little tempted to do it now.”
“That’s because you’re an evil man.”
He chuckled. She went into the bedroom and woke Gwen. They dressed quickly and joined Clayton to walk down for breakfast. Christopher joined them just before they ordered and the small group enjoyed a simple meal. Emma was surprised to see Jamie and Sophie walk into the restaurant at nine.
“I was certain he said ten. Didn’t he say ten, Emma?” Clayton joked.
“Oh was it ten? I thought he said eleven.”
“Nice. Keep going, you’re both very funny,” Jamie said sarcastically.
“Join us for breakfast, won’t you?” Clayton mocked.
“Yes, I believe I will. Thank you.”
Jamie ate quickly and then it was time for the guys to work. He leaned down and kissed Sophie’s cheek and whispered, “Don’t get into any trouble, love. We’ll meet you here in a few hours.”
“Trouble? What kind of trouble could we possibly get into? Other than to spend your money.”
Clayton kissed Emma’s palm and raised an eyebrow. “Stick to a budget, sweetheart.”
“Yes, dear.”
Once the men were gone, the girls decided to have another cup of coffee before they did anything else. “What time was Christine planning on arriving?” Emma asked Sophie.
“She was expecting to be here by eleven. They said they’d meet us for lunch and then we’ll all go to the cemetery.”
“Shall we shop?” Gwen suggested.
“Yes,” both the girls said in unison.
They set off for a few of the boutiques near the square and purchased more than might have seemed possible in their limited amount of time. The girls arrived back at the hotel just before eleven and found Stephen and Christine waiting in the lobby.
“How was your trip?” Sophie hugged Christine.
“It was perfect.”
“How long have you been waiting?”
“Not long,” Stephen said.
“Have you been shopping?” Christine asked.
“Yes, but we couldn’t do anymore,” Emma said. “Too hot.”
“Yes, it’s unbelievably warm.” Christine fluttered her fan. “Today is a real Indian summer day, isn’t it?”
“Perfect day for Lincoln’s speech,” Sophie said.
Jamie arrived a few minutes later and mapped out how the day would go. They sat down for lunch and waited for Clayton and Christopher to join them.
“Were they planning on arriving today?” Sophie quipped. “I’m starving.”
Jamie squeezed Sophie’s hand. “They’ll be here any minute, but you should eat something now. I’ll get you some bread.”
Sophie nodded her head and Jamie went off to find her something to snack on.
“I wish I had a camera,” Sophie whispered to Emma.
“I have mine, and I’m going to try and use it inconspicuously. I’m hoping no one will see it and freak out.”
“Yes, we need Hannah right now with some of her spy gadgets.”
“So true,” Emma said a little sadly.
“You miss her, don’t you?”
“Yeah I do. I miss dancing with her.”
“You should dance some more, Em. Keep yourself limber and strong.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Christopher and Clayton walked into the dining room at that moment and made their way to the table. Clayton leaned down to give Emma a quick kiss on the cheek.
“How is everything going?”
“Better than expected. We have scouted a little place at the cemetery that will be a perfect view. We’ll make our way over to it as soon as we’re done eating.”
“Sounds great.”
Jamie returned with some warm bread for Sophie. They ordered their food and ate quickly, then the group left the hotel and made their way to the cemetery.
“I’m so excited.” Sophie grabbed Jamie’s hand.
“This is pretty incredible.” Jamie raised her hand for a kiss.
Clayton led them over to the spot he’d reserved for them and Emma grinned at her sister. They had a perfect view.
“Will this work?” Clayton asked.
“It’s better than we could have expected,” Sophie said. “Thank you.”
Clayton kissed Emma quickly and then he and Christopher went back to work. The area was getting crowded and both Emma and Sophie were once again thankful for the prime spot Clayton had found them.
“What happens now?” Emma whispered.
“Edward Everett will speak first.”
“Is he any good?”
“Reports indicate that he’s going to speak for a long time,” Sophie whispered.
“I was afraid of that.”
“He’s not so bad, apparently. Just long winded.” Sophie giggled.
At two-thirty, Clayton returned. He took his place next to Emma and then finally it was three o’clock and Emma grinned as Sophie’s hero stood to speak. Emma reached over and took her hand. Tears fell slowly down Sophie’s face and Emma smiled at her again. She then looked at Clayton and he put his arm around her waist.
She thought about this incredible life and didn’t bother to question it anymore. She had her sister back and was spending her life with the man of her dreams.
“I’m glad I found you,” Clayton whispered.
“Me too. I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweet.”
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”