Christmas morning was busy for the Wilson's. Henrietta had Lydia up at the crack of dawn. The two scrubbed everything down and made sure all the decorations were perfect. Emanuel made sure there was plenty of wood inside to last all evening for tonight was going to be frigidly cold. After everything was placed and the food was prepped, Henrietta went to work on Lydia. Her hair was pinned up with a white hat placed on properly. Her dress was a beautiful violet red color with white trim around the neck and sleeves. She finished the look with white gloves, her grandmother's necklace, and a pair of earrings. 

"Stunning! Absolutely gorgeous!" Henrietta exclaimed.
"Thank you Mother. Do you think Cap will like it?" 
"Honey, Cap would love you if you wore rags."
"I know. I just can't help but worry."
"Well don't."
"Mama what if he wants a woman like his Mother? A strong woman who can run a farm and raise a big family?"
"Jeanie, you know better than that. Cap knows what kind of woman you are. You are a strong southern lady. Any man would be lucky to have you. And when it comes to raising a family you can do that. You can cook, clean, and sew. You're smart and I'm sure you would catch on quick to the farm life if that's what you want. You know, Cap might have mentioned that if you wanted to move back here he would."
"He would never leave his family. I wouldn't ask him to."
"You always said you would never leave. Now you're in love and you'd go anywhere with him. He'd do the same for you."
"I can't take him away from the hills Mama. It's who he is."
"I understand Jeanie. Now, it's almost 9 o'clock. Go wake the boy up for breakfast."
"Yes Mama."

Lydia filled the pitcher with water she boiled earlier. She carried the pitcher to Cap's room and peeked in to make sure he was decent. She found him still fast asleep. Lydia quietly walked in and filled the washbowl with the water. She sat the pitcher down and opened the curtain so the sunlight filled the room. Cap did not stir and Lydia smiled at his sleeping form. She sat down on the side of the bed and gently shook his shoulder.
"Cap, breakfast is ready." Cap groaned and his eyes fluttered open.
"Mornin' Lyd. You look awful pretty."
"Good morning Cap. I filled up the washbowl. You better go while it's still warm."
"Yes ma'am." Cap sat up and pecked Lydia's cheek. Lydia blushed and Cap went to the washbowl.

"You know Father is going to introduce you to everyone so he can show off his new son."
"I reckon so. I better not catch that ol' Senator boy smooth talkin' ya."
"Is that a hint of jealousy Mr. Hatfield?"
"You bet your ass it is." Cap washed his face.
"There will probably be other girls there much prettier than me."
"Darlin, there ain't a girl as pretty as you on this side of the Atlantic."
"What about the other side?"
"I don't know. I've never been there." He joked.
"Thanks. We aren't going to Europe for our honeymoon."

Cap dressed in his grey vest with a white button-up underneath. He wore his black trousers and even shined his boots.
"You clean up well." Lydia complimented.
"Got that from my Uncle Jim too." He said.
"I actually miss the old grouch."
"He can grow on ya. Come on, let's go eat."

"Guest should be arriving any minute." Henrietta said as she double checked everything.
"Cap, Lydia, I need ta talk ta ya." Governor Wilson said. 
"Yes sir?" Cap asked.
"When Senator Price and his boy walk in I want your arm around 'er. I wanna see the look on Kane's face."
"Planned on it sir."
"You two are awful. The poor boy will never show his face in Charleston again." Lydia said.
"Exactly sugar!" Emanuel stated.

The first person to show up was the Lieutenant Governor followed by the Attorney General. Commissioners, Representatives, and Supreme Court Judges came as well but Senator Price still had not showed up. Like Lydia predicted, Emanuel introduced Cap to all of them. Every single one. So far Cap was making a good impression on everyone. He gave them all a nice firm handshake and made eye contact. Lydia was proud of him for holding his own. 

Right before dinner was to be served, the last two guests arrived. Senator Price strolled in with his son Kane at his side.
"Hello Mr. Price! Good ta see ya!" Governor Wilson greeted. Hearing the name Price, Cap went to Lydia's side and put an arm around her waist and pulled her closely to him. She smiled up at him.
"Cap, you know he won't do anything but talk." Lydia said.
"Yeah but some people talk too much."

"Come meet my family Kane." Emanuel said politely.
"Yes. Is dear Lydia here?" Kane asked.
"Dear engaged  Lydia is here." 
"Engaged? She's already accepted my proposal?"
"No. She found herself a fine young man."
"We'll see about that."

Emanuel approached his family with Senator Price and Kane.
"Kane, this is my wife Henrietta, my daughter Lydia, and my future son-in-law Cap Hatfield."
"Good to see you again Henrietta." Senator Price kissed Henrietta's hand.
"Why Lydia, you're much prettier than I imagined." Kane complimented.
"Thank you." She replied.

"Would you dance with me?" Kane asked.
"Actually I promised Cap the next dance. Maybe the next one."
"Actually she promised me all the dances. Come on Lyddie." Cap ushered her away. 
"Ah young love. Dinner is almost ready Gentlemen." Henrietta tried to ease the tension.

"Maybe the next one?" Cap said as he twirled Lydia around the dance floor.
"I was being nice."
"I know. I wasn't."
"I know. I don't expect you to."
"Good. We're on the same page."

At the dinner table Cap pulled out Lydia's chair and sat down by her. Kane swooped in and sat on the other side.
"Lovely home you have here Ms. Lydia." Kane told her.
"Thank you Kane."
"I mean it! It's real nice. Almost as beautiful as you." When Kane said this Lydia noticed Cap flex his knuckles. She rested her hands on his.
"It is beautiful. I'm having a real hard time deciding if I want to get married here or back home in Logan County." Lydia said.
"I have a nice home myself. You could get married there on one condition." Kane offered.
"I'm much obliged you'd let me and Cap be wed at your home. I'm sure if we decided to my Daddy would pay plenty." She played along.
"Well you see Lyddie, I'd only let you get married there if you married me." 
"That's enough of that. Lydia is my fiance. Leave her alone." Cap said while trying to maintain his temper.
"I'm just letting her know she has other options."
"I'm fully aware of my options Mr. Price and after much thought I decided Cap was my best option."
"Why?"
"Love."
"Love doesn't put food on the table or fine clothes on your back."
"No but it makes me happy."
"Anyone can make you happy." Kane said.
"You couldn't."
"How do you know if you don't give me a chance?"
"Because after I met Cap no one could make me happy like he has made me."
"You're not in love with him. You're in love with the idea of him. You just think his way of life is exciting." Kane tried to persuade her.
"Now let's not ruin the Governor's party." Cap finally chimed in.
"I'm not going to ruin anything."
"No but I will when I spill your blood all over Ms. Lydia's lovely home if ya say anotha word ta 'er." Cap whispered in a menacing way so no one else would hear. 
"Don't you see how violent he is Lydia? Why would you want to have anything to do with the likes of him?"
"Leave it be before I tell him to paint my room red." 

"Lydia dear, when's the wedding?" The Lieutenant Governor's wife asked her.
"We haven't set a date yet ma'am but I've always wanted to be a June bride." Lydia admitted.
"How lovely. I expect an invitation."
"Of course ma'am. I'm sure all of you well get one when the time comes."
"Will it be here?"
"I don't know-" Lydia started but was cut off.
"I think it'd be nice ta have it at Cap's place. He has a nice field that would hold more people than mine. And it'd be a fine sight for all of ya ta be in Logan County." Governor Wilson said and shot a wink at Cap. Cap knew what he meant. Having all the West Virginia officials on his property would sure stop the McCoy's dead in their tracks. 

After dinner, Cap and Lydia followed Emanuel around to mingle. 
"I'm gonna go get us some drinks." Cap whispered to Lydia and walked off. As soon as Cap was out of sight Kane came up to her.
"Can I have this dance?" Kane asked her.
"I'm fine thank you."
"Come on now." Kane took her arm and dragged her to the dancing area. Lydia stepped a good distance from him so he could only touch her shoulder. Kane pulled her closer and put a hand on her waist. As the song went on his hand went lower.
"That's too low Mr. Price and if you want to finish this song I suggest you act like a gentleman."
"Why should I? You're marrying a barbarian."
"Cap is not a barbarian. You do well to learn a thing or two from him." Lydia fought her way out of his arms.
"Calm down now." Kane tried to grab her again but Cap grabbed Kane's shoulder and pulled him back. A fire was in his eyes that had never been there before. Seeing another man's hands on Lydia sparked something new in him. 

"I warned ya." Cap growled.
"What are you going to do about it cyclops?" Kane pushed. 
"I'm not gonna do anything in here. Let's take it outside."
"Scared you'll get whipped in front of Lydia?"
"No. I don't fight in front of women." Cap said.
"Take it outside. What a fine idea son! Come now you two." Governor Wilson butted in and lead the way. Lydia tried to follow but Henrietta stopped her.

"Cap, hand me your gun. Are you armed Kane?" Emanuel asked. Cap handed him his pistol.
"No. I don't own one." Kane said.
"Figured so. Now, this is gonna be clean. If you pull a knife on my boy I'll haul you to the jail myself." Emanuel warned Kane.
"What about him?" Kane asked.
"I gotta feelin' he ain't gonna need one. Go ahead. Duke it out." Emanuel stepped out of the way.

"Mama, Daddy can't let them fight!"
"I believe he's been hoping for this. Wants to watch Cap win." Henrietta confessed.
"That's ridiculous! I gotta stop him! He'll kill Kane!"
"Your Father won't allow that."
"He won't be able to stop him. I know Cap."
"Perhaps your right. Go." At that Lydia stormed outside. She saw Cap pounding Kane into the dirt.
"Cap, you have to stop now. He's had enough." Lydia put her hand on his shoulder. Cap gave in and stopped. 

"I guess the parties over." Senator Price said.
"No rush Senator. Just make sure your boy keeps his hands off my daughter." Emanuel said.
"I don't think that'll be a problem now." The Senator replied.
"No sir. He won't even think about it." Emanuel agreed.

Later that night Lydia was sitting with Cap in his room.
"Hold still." She said as she cleaned up his lip.
"How was I suppose ta know he use ta box in school?" Cap whined.
"You still won. Just got a busted lip in the process."
"Maybe he'll tell all the other boys ta stay away from ya."
"He won't be able to say much without his front teeth." 
"Good. Can't say anything else to ya."

"Let's go home tomorrow." She said out of nowhere. 
"Three days early?"
"I miss it."
"You sure? We can stay if ya want."
"Cap, I miss home. We can stay here if you want but if not I'm ready to go home."
"Your parents won't like it."
"I already talked to Mother about it. Father won't mind."
"Alright. We'll leave after breakfast." 
"Good." She kissed his cheek.

"Thanks for cleanin' me up."
"No problem."
"Goodnight Lyd. I'll see ya in the mornin'."
"Goodnight Cap."

Lydia went to bed excited. She missed the Hatfield's and their home. Sure she would miss her family something awful but she knew she would be back. She was worried though. Worried about what Devil Anse needed Cap for on New Year's. She could only pray it would not involve bloodshed. Maybe it would be a good idea for her to go visit Mr. Randall McCoy herself.