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butterflystrands · 11 months ago

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Being Firm

The American Dream: Chapter 4

Summary: Funny still struggles to adjust to life at home while his mother tries to ease the tension. Although, her schemes to get him remarried may have given him just what he needed most.

Rating: SFW

Word Count: ~5k

Notes: Inclusion of OC, minor swearing, minor religious references, war, talks of injuries, some casual sexism/enforcement of Victorian era gender roles and ideals.

Read on my AO3 here! "The American Dream" Masterlist here!

Taglist (Please let me know if you'd like to be added!): @bruabbina

The days in the Valentine household were nothing short of awkward and painful since that night. Neither man said a thing to the other, refusing to meet eyes as they silently ate their breakfast. Funny’s mother had known something happened, but whenever she asked, both men immediately shut the conversation down and told her it was none of her concern. She needn’t worry about their ‘silly’ argument, they’d insist.

She would sigh as once again, breakfast was dreadful and dull. She felt her appetite leaving as her eyes flicked between her husband and her son, both of whom had clenched jaws and were gripping their cups too tightly. She took the moment to try and start another conversation.

“Well, darling, it’s been a few days since you came back. Do you have to return to-”

“I am not going back. I was discharged. Honorably,” Funny sharply responded as his eyes narrowed at the colonel, not caring about hiding the truth anymore. “I will be here and raising my daughter.”

His mother blinked and stared at her son in shock, leaning towards him. “R-really? You won’t be going back to the army?”

“No,” Funny replied, taking a sip of his water. “I will remain close by.”

“Oh, that’s…” his mother gasped, placing a hand over her heart with wide eyes. A faint smile pulled at her lips before Valentine interrupted.

“Deplorable,” Valentine said. “You have more years of service in you, more time to serve the country, and yet you decide to do something this ridiculous?”

“My daughter does not exactly have a mother, sir.”

“Your mother and I-”

“No. End of discussion,” Funny stated, his hands returning to slice the bread roll his mother so lovingly laid on the table with his utensils.

“Don’t you dare-”

“For God’s sake, sir, what would you like me to do now?!” Funny shouted, his temperament reaching a boiling point as a loud crack echoed in the now silent dining room. He glanced down to notice his porcelain plate was shattered into three uneven pieces, making him toss his knife beside the plate in resignation. “My decision is final. I am not going back. I have made my choice to stay here and begin anew in politics, so help me God.”

His mother had never seen him yell like that before, even when he was a young boy. The change in him had startled her, but briefly had reminded her of her late husband. He had a commanding presence, even when not angry. She watched as her son’s face tensed, his sharp features revealing a bold and empowered sense of self from this argument.

He is… he is completely serious, isn’t he?

She shakily grabbed her cup and took a sip to calm her nerves. She was anxious due to the argument and tension within the house but another, smaller part of her was elated. She dare not voice that sentiment aloud, she thought, lest her husband react even worse than before.

Again, her lips curved up, knowing her boy would finally be home, alive, and not in a body bag. Alive, well, and not buried beneath the earth or with horrid wounds so awful he would look unrecognizable.

No, the boy before her was a man, a vision of strength and power that understood the importance of home. She would no longer have to pray to God every night, begging to see him one last time in case the lord took him away like war did everything else for her. Her boy would be safe and home, where she would be able to see him and watch as he raised his family, too.

It was a shame his wife died, but thank god, He had spared the young baby and let her remain. Her son had a chance to have the family she dreamed he’d get. Her heart panged at the fact that he was a widower at such a young age, but that could easily be mended. There was plenty of lovely girls in the area who would love to have a man like Funny and be able to raise her granddaughter properly.

She hummed to herself as she thought of who would make a good wife for him. She considered the ladies at the church, knowing their daughters were at the age to look for suitors and settle down. And what a wonderful opportunity she was given- she could throw a welcome back feast for him and have him introduced to his potential pick of the finest, god-fearing women he could have!

Her thoughts were expelled as Funny furrowed his brow in worry and stared at the door that led to his and Mary’s room.

“She’s upset,” was all he mumbled. His mother and Valentine raised a brow.

“I don’t hear a damn thing, son, what are you-” Valentine began, before shrill wails came from the room. His mother made a motion to stand up, but Funny stood up and urged her back to her seat.

“I’ll handle this, mother,” he insisted.

“Nonsense,” she commented and walked to the room, picking up her granddaughter. Funny followed shortly after, an apprehensive look on his face as he watched his mother try and cradle his daughter. “Oh, you poor thing, it’s alright.”

“I’ll go make her a bottle,” Funny said, his eyes still not leaving his mother as he walked to the kitchen to prepare. When he finished preparing the bottle, his mother took it and sat on the rocking chair. Funny again stood nearby, watching like a hawk as she cooed to the still crying child. She tried to place the bottle to Mary’s lips, but Mary threw her head back.

His mother was taken aback by such a quick action and gently repeated the action.

Again, Mary nudged her head away.

A third time, and one that ended in failure. She frowned and looked at her granddaughter sternly.

“What a colicky little thing,” she huffed, attempting to feed the baby again. “It’s like she doesn’t even want to eat.”

“You’re being too harsh,” Funny grimaced. He extended his hands to reach for Mary but his mother adjusted herself away from his grasp.

“You should return to eat.”

“I will not. My daughter is hungry and as such, I will be the one to-”

“Darling, if your daughter is like this, chances are, she’s even worse with you. It’s a wonder how you’ve even fed her at all this time.”

Funny’s face darkened. “My daughter is perfectly fine and I can feed her just fine. She is easy to care for.”

Mary’s cries grew louder as she began arching this way and that in her grandmother’s arm. “My lord, she’s so fussy!”

“Give me-” Funny managed as he took his daughter back from his mother and pressed her against his chest. “Sh, sh, sh, it’s okay.”

His mother watched as Mary’s crying seemed to lessen into minimal hiccups and sobs. How was he instantly calming her down with nothing, yet anything she did ended up in more tears and frustration?

“I guess she’s only used to her father right now,” his mother commented, a hint of bitterness in her tone. Funny gently placed the bottle to Mary’s mouth, and Mary accepted it easily, as if she hadn’t fought it off minutes prior. Funny didn’t respond to his mother’s obvious attempt at pity, instead exhaling in relief as his heart felt soothed with Mary in his arms again.

His mother shook her head. “You mustn’t coddle her too much. Anymore than that and she’ll be a spoiled child, dear.”

“I’m not coddling her, I’m simply feeding her.”

“I’d argue the opposite. Look at her, she won’t even accept food from anyone else unless it’s you,” she pointed out accusingly. “If she’s having this attitude at barely a month old, who knows how long it will fester! You can’t be allowing that behavior.”

“Mother, she is a baby, that’s ridiculous-”

“You say that now, but Mrs. Blackwood’s daughter behaved the same way, and look at her! The girl is a wreck! A spoiled, selfish brat who will cry all throughout the sermons. You don’t want your daughter to end up like that, do you?”

“Mrs. Blackwood’s husband is also a drunkard who gambles everything away, last I checked, mother. The situations are not comparable.”

“It may not seem that way, but without a mother, she won’t be able to behave properly. It’s just not suitable for a man to raise a child, especially not a daughter,” she lowered her voice, desperately trying to get Funny to listen to her.

“And what do you suggest I do? Be like old Mister Stratford down the block who dropped his kids off at the corner and have never been seen again? That’s preposterous!”

“No, I’m only saying, it’s in your best interest to perhaps consider remarrying,” she said. “I know you’re in your mourning right now, I understand completely. But why not think of your future house? You’ll be away from all that racket in the army and be able to continue your legacy if Mary doesn’t make it past winter.”

Funny’s jaw dropped at how brazen his mother was being. “Why would I be thinking of marriage now? How can you tell me to just be so detached from my little girl when-”

“I know, darling, I felt the same way, but when your father died, I was all alone. I didn’t have anyone to turn to for help except for-”

“Yes, I know. Except for him,” Funny finished. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I will not be abandoning my daughter.”

“I’m not asking that from you. But… there is an expectation,” his mother began again, a slight grimace on her face. “An expectation for you to remarry, to have a wife who can help you. You shouldn’t be waiting so long. Mary needs a mother, a woman to raise her and teach her the right way to be. You will not be able to in a way a woman can. Do you want your daughter to forever be straddled with the knowledge that she would be practically unmarriable if left with only you?”

Funny’s heart clenched as he looked down at Mary, who was quietly nursing her bottle. He shut his eyes and sighed, then shook his head.

“No, mother, you can’t just say something like that. I know I can do more than that for her.”

“You’re young, darling. Grief takes a hold of us in ways that is hard to imagine. But it is our job as parents to put our children first, to raise them properly in an honorable way. Don’t set her up for failure only because of grief.”

You don’t get it- he wanted to say. You just don’t get it!

No one understood. Grief? What was there to grieve? He couldn’t grieve. His wife passed. But she died in a way very few could ever say they could- honorably, with dignity, and for the sake of the future of the country.

Grieve, they say. But why would he grieve? He didn’t want to avoid remarrying out of some ‘mourning’ period or sense of guilt towards his late wife. There was none, because she died the perfect death. Her life was spent culminating her skills and ideals until that moment in the Devil’s Palm, where she sacrificed her life for their daughter and country. What more could anyone ask for? She had something very few American-born citizens could say they had.

But remarrying? Why would he need to that? Mary was here, in his arms, and he had felt a connection unlike anything he had ever known before. Holding her against him, he felt an emotion that was indescribable and incomparable. He couldn’t imagine anyone else being in her place, couldn’t ever conceive of a world where she wasn’t there, and he sure as hell could never think of someone else taking care of his daughter that wasn’t him.

Failure? Would he really be a failure of a father? He scoffed at such a notion. As if he needed another wife to do what he was already capable of doing on his own. He had grander ambitions and desires, plans that he needed to be focused on, why would he waste that trying to go marriage hunting like a desperate bachelor? He was fine on his own.

His mother certainly didn’t seem to agree and placed an encouraging hand on his arm.

“I’m going to be hosting a party soon, to celebrate your return. I’ll have the neighborhood come by and a few ladies from church as well. Their daughters will be there, and I believe it will be a lovely time. I know it’s a bit difficult to adjust since you’re home, but it might be worth a shot. Your stepfather and I will not force you, of course, but give it a chance, will you? Who knows, you might find a lovely woman there.”

Funny knew his mother would pull something like this eventually. Of course they would throw a party, that was a given to let everyone he was back. But of course she would intend on pairing him off immediately, especially with one of the girls from church. He hadn’t seen them in years, not sense his departure to the military. He could hardly imagine what they’d look like now compared to their scrawnier, immature appearances from before.

There would be no convincing her otherwise, especially not when she most likely informed the ladies of her plans already. So with a gentle sigh, he nodded along to his mother.

“Yes, mother. I’ll try for you,” Funny responded.

“And for Mary,” his mother added, pointing at the little girl who was quietly drinking her bottle.

The day of the gathering had arrived and Funny, for the fifth time this day, found himself looking in the mirror, thinking about trite this whole affair was. Frankly speaking, he would rather have been in his room, poring over books and materials to figure out what he had found in the Devil’s Palm. But alas, here he was, adjusting his purple cravat that matched his mother’s dress.

“You know, I must say, your hair is just lovely, darling,” his mother commented as she extended her arm up to smooth his curls.

“Thank you, mother,” he replied, a tense look on his face as he gazed back into the mirror.

“Don’t look so upset,” she said as she gently pat under his chin, looking into the mirror alongside him. “You have nothing to be worried about.”

He wanted to tell her it was not worry on his face. Worry was the last thing on his mind.

It was contempt for this position and the utter annoyance he felt at having to see those women vye for him as if he was a golden ticket for them to escape their controlling households. He didn’t think highly of having to force a smile and pretend he cared about courting them, as callous as it sounded.

But I suppose if I am to join the political world, I can’t be a blunt soldier anymore, now can I?

Being in the army had taught him that one had to be rough around the edges to gain respect with the men and cooperate with them. Talking with soldiers who would become your brothers in arms invited a more casual and often unsophisticated air unbefitting of normal society. These were men you most likely would not see tomorrow if God so chose to take them.

And back home, one could not do the childish and crass things one would do in the army tents alongside their fellow soldiers. Funny reminisced on how his late wife scolded him for getting drunk again and collapsing on the beds so she could help him. It was his piss poor attempt at getting more of her attention, but even she could not deny the smile on her face as she forced him to drink more water and tugged on his ear.

The women here would not understand that sort of simplicity. They never would be satisfied with something like what he and his wife had before. It was not a life a ‘proper’ citizen would ever go to, but it was something the two of them chose to do willingly. Even if it meant running straight to their deaths, he and his wife didn’t mind that option. Would the women in church ever understand sacrificing oneself like that?

He shook his head. No more of that nonsense. If he was to climb the ranks and make his country prosper, he needed to do much more than think like a common infantry. He had to think higher, think of the bigger picture. Become a commander. He exhaled and steeled himself.

Enough games, Funny. Show them how much of a man you have become since leaving. Show them you are the man they are looking for.

His mother chuckled after he finished his mental peptalk. “Much better.”

“Yes. Shall we go greet the guests?” “We shall.”

Colonel Valentine was sitting at the table, his knee unfortunately not allowing him to stand as much as he would have liked, all while drinking from a flask. Funny paid him no mind as the older women from the church streamed in, excited and nostalgic looks on their faces as they finally saw him after so long.

“Oh my! You’ve grown taller!”

“Thank god, we were all praying for you, you know?”

“And how strong you look, my boy!”

“It seems like it was only yesterday you were just a babe.”

“How time flies… what a wonderful man you’ve become.”

He placed a hand on his chest and gave a grateful smile to the ladies. “Thank you, it truly means so much to see you all again. I’ve missed home quite a bit since being in the army.”

The ladies chuckled at his polite mannerisms, grinning in delight as they looked at one another in a challenging manner. Funny could tell right away what they were planning. Eyeing each other to see who’s daughter would be able to catch his eye first.

One of the ladies, a more brazen sort who was known for her loud mouth, stepped forward and placed a hand over Funny’s. She gave a sympathetic frown and patted his hand. “Your mother told us about the unfortunate news, too. How dreadful that such a young lady was taken from this world so soon.”

Tactless.

But Funny forced his lips to curve upwards and shook his head. “Yes, that is true, my wife gave her life to bring my daughter to this world.”

“A daughter?” The woman clicked her tongue. Funny had to nearly fight the glare from forming on his face and quickly bit the inside of his mouth to stifle a snarky remark.

“Yes. A daughter. Mary, in fact,” Funny restrained, a thinly veiled threat in those words.

“Oh? Like the Virgin herself? My… what a wonderful name,” the lady corrected. The other ladies nodded in agreement. They glided past him to get a look at Mary, who was dressed in a purple dress as well and laying silently in the bassinet. The murmured compliments and praises, before Funny caught mention of some disparaging comments.

“That nose…”

“...darker than he is…”

“His wife was probably-”

He couldn’t take another second of that nonsense and walked away to get some water. Lord knows he wanted to drown himself in some beer, but he couldn’t begin drinking so heavily this early on. As he began to drink and ponder on their words, he was broken out of his thoughts by a woman clearing her throat.

“Excuse me? Funny?” He glanced to his side and noticed the woman addressing him.

“Ah, Margaret,” he acknowledged her, giving a polite smile. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Yes. It’s been so long. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to see you again,” she giggled, twirling her red hair with a delicate finger. “I bet my mother was chatting your ear off again?”

“Yes,” he hid his grimace with an unpleasant beam. “She certainly knows how to make an entrance, as usual.”

“Oh, don’t mind her. She’s always prattling on about something. Although…” Margaret trailed off. “I’m sorry to hear about your wife.”

“Thank you. It is a shame she is unable to be here now.”

“And do you have your eye on a potential lady, by any chance?”

Just as tactless as her mother.

“No, not really, Margaret.”

“Well, that’s a bit strange, don’t you think? You are quite the handsome man. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

“You think so?”

“I do,” Margaret nodded, stepping closer to him. “You always were handsome, you know? And I do remember you being the first man on the job that anyone could rely on.”

“Thank you for thinking so.”

“I’m just saying what everyone is thinking, darling,” she batted her eyes at him. “And I know how lonely it can be after losing someone so dear. But I am always happy to lend an ear for you.”

And a mouthful, as well, he thought, internally rolling his eyes.

“I appreciate it, Margaret. I have to excuse myself to greet the rest of-”

“Let me join you! I haven’t said my hellos to everyone either!”

For God’s sake, woman, won’t you please give me a break?

He didn’t bother to argue as Margaret stood by his side, a bright grin on her face as she joined his greetings. She always was pushy, much like her mother, even when they were children. He had hoped she would not be as clingy when he came back, but it seemed it had only gotten worse. It didn’t help that any of the other girls whom Funny tried to approach and greet were quickly met with Margaret overtaking the conversation and redirecting the attention to herself.

To say it had taken him aback would be an understatement, and after the fourth time, he was getting worn out of hearing her try to assert her place beside him amongst the other guests. He was close to commenting about his dislike of that to her before something in his brain clicked, and he instead chose to simply watch her.

She has a quick mouth. She knows almost always the right thing to say to get attention onto her, for better or worse. By the time she’s done, they’ve practically forgotten about me and are embroiled in conversation with her.

Kissing ass had never been his strongest suit. He liked doing things on his own and never relying on others. But that wouldn’t get one far as a politician. He had bigger ambitions now than dying on the field. This new goal was grander than anything he had truly thought possible. No longer could he be that stoic boy who just went along with orders. He’d have to become something akin to Margaret, someone who commanded attention of a room, even if the thought exhausted him to conceive of.

Margaret made it look simple. Even threats and backhanded compliments from her sounded like a pleasant conversation about the weather. It fascinated him, really, how his perceived annoyance with Margaret ended up being able to give him some useful demonstration. Obviously, he couldn’t be as tactless as her, but he got the main point after watching her give a sickly sweet smile to Laura from down the street as she informed Laura of the fact that Funny had escorted her around.

How beguiling…

As they made their way around the rest of the guests, Funny made his last stop towards Mr. McElroy, who just so happened to be-

“Father!” Margaret jumped. “Are you enjoying the party?”

The portly, older man chuckled at his daughter’s enthusiasm and nodded.

“Yes, darling. And I assume you are enjoying it as well?” He said, raising a brow towards Funny. Margaret wrapped her arm around Funny’s and hummed in agreement.

“Of course. Funny is such a gentleman, aren’t you, darling?”

Funny sputtered a cough at the way she called him ‘darling’ in that tone, but quickly recovered. He extended a hand to Mr. McElroy and greeted him with a smile.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“Bah, the pleasure is all mine, boy. You’ve grown well. It seems the army really has served you well,” the red-haired man complimented. “And from what the colonel says, you’re staying home permanently?”

“Yes, that is true. I was discharged and now I shall remain home.”

“Oh, father, did you know Funny has a little girl now? Mary’s her name,” Margaret interjected.

“A daughter? Splendid,” Mr. McElroy sagely nodded. “Daughters are always a man’s greatest treasure and biggest weakness.”

“I can only imagine. I see my Mary and want to give her everything in the world,” Funny’s face softened, thinking of his child.

“I’ll tell you, young man, that feeling never goes away. Don’t take her youth for granted. Before you know it, another man will be taking care of her and you will hear the word ‘papa’ one last time before it is never uttered again.”

Funny let Mr. McElroy’s words sink in. He hadn’t really thought that far ahead, after all, his daughter was barely a month old. But the thought of her being a grown woman and eventually not needing him made his heart pang in despair. Something about seeing his newborn as anything but a newborn made him somber.

“Thank you. I can’t imagine how that must feel.”

“Well, when the man is good, you’ll feel nothing but pride for seeing your girl and the life she will lead. It is a blessing watching a daughter grow.”

Funny felt a pleasant joy overtake him hearing the man’s words. It was nice hearing how a daughter was a wonderful blessing to a father.

Before Funny could comment once more, Margaret waved her hand. “Oh, but I’m sure Mary would love a brother, wouldn’t she? After all, a girl needs someone to protect her.”

Funny clenched his jaw. “That can be discussed at a later time. For now, I do need to reconsider employment and housing.”

Funny’s eyes narrowed as he remembered that Mr. McElroy was the owner of a law firm in town. Mr. McElroy, despite his rounder features and jovial attitude, was supposedly a terrifying man in the courtroom. Much like his daughter and wife, he could turn any argument around with just a few words. Some even said he was so convincing, he could easily sell you the dirt on the ground or the air you breathed.

A man like that would surely be of use to help him navigate the political world. One where the battles were not done in a field with guns drawn, but in a closed room with words.

“But Funny, don’t you think-” Margaret began.

“Ah, Margaret, darling, not right now, okay?” Funny replied in a gentle manner. Margaret seemed giddy by his tone and fanned herself.

“It is good that you are a planner, young man. I admire that in men, versus the fools who rush off and hope to strike gold,” Mr. McElroy stated.

“Yes, especially since I now have a daughter to care for, I need to be extra careful,” Funny said. “She doesn’t have a mother anymore, so I am the only one she can rely on.”

Got you.

Much like Funny had hoped, his last sentence incurred some pity from Mr. McElroy. The man’s brows furrowed and his smile turned upside down.

“Right. My apologies. I am sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m ready to settle down here again and make an honest living for my daughter.”

“Do you have any ideas?”

“Noting concrete, unfortunately. But I would like something close to home, so I can easily return home and not worry my poor mother and child,” Funny added. The firm was a few blocks down, a short walk that could take barely even ten minutes. But he needed to add in a bit more fuel to get his way. “I did manage to talk to Mr. Moore about working for his firm, but it is quite a hike.”

“Bah! What does that Moore fellow know?” Mr. McElroy glowered at hearing his rival’s name. “That man couldn’t argue himself out of a paper bag! Certainly not a place for a bright man like you.”

Funny had to restrain the smirk that nearly formed on his face. Of course, he hadn’t talked to Mr. Moore at all, but knowing the two’s strained relationship certainly helped a bit.

“You’re too kind, sir. I’m honored you think so highly of me.”

“Course I do, boy. I’ve watched you grow all these years. You’ve done a lot for the country too, so the least I could do for one our own is offer you some help back.”

“Really?”

“Yes. My old apprentice has moved on to greener pastures, or so he thinks,” Mr. McElroy explained. “I’d be happy to take you on board. So long as you don’t go running back to Moore.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, sir. When can I begin?”

“And that’s an attitude I like to see. Already so eager to work and start the job. Tell you what, join me for a meal on Tuesday, and we can discuss more, then. I won’t bog you down with the details today.”

Funny’s smile widened. “Thank you, Mr. McElroy.”

“Ah, none of that,” the man waved. “Call me Gideon.”

Margaret squealed and gripped Funny tighter. “What wonderful news! I know Funny will impress you, father!”

“I certainly hope so,” Gideon said.

Funny placed a hand on his chest and gave a polite bow to him. “I can’t thank you enough, sir. It means a lot to me and to my daughter, too.”

“Nonsense. It’s nothing. Now, run along, you two. Have fun and enjoy the party instead of wasting it on an old man like me.”

Funny agreed and began to walk away, the smile still stuck on his face. He could barely hear Margaret’s excited rambles in his ear as they made their way around.

Perhaps fate really was on his side.

#on this blog we stan mrs.valentine and margaret <3 #mutuals writing

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