Chapter 59 - A New Era

Owen was growing fast and was now toddling around the place. As his hair had grown his mother's red had been combined with his father's black.

He was certainly a kid who would be noticed.
Merlin was proud watching the little chap grow up and knowing that he had secured the River family inheritance with Owen's birth.

He also loved watching his Dad play with Owen, Albin had been getting more and more frail recently. Merlin felt it had been the right decision to have children very soon after they married. 

Evelyn had given birth to a second son and named him Benjamin.

After Benjamin's birth she decided that she wanted to lose weight and try and fit into her pre-pregnancy clothes, this in mind she managed to convince her Dad to help her. 

Albin was too frail to do much exercising himself these days, but was great as a personal trainer. In just a few short months with her Dad's help, she was much slimmer again.

Freya was still spending her spare time inventing, although she didn't get as much spare time as she used to. Her days were now filled with harvesting vegetables, learning about cooking and caring for Owen. 

Freya had made a few clock work toys which she sold at the local shop. She hoped one day to have the time to design something really big and innovative.

Gwen had now graduated and left school, it was a great for Freya to have more help at home.

Martha had started toddling around. Her River genes appeared to be shining through. She had the strong jaw line and nose inherited from her great grandfather, Laughing Bear.

Before they knew it one evening, Freya felt the familiar labour pains and Merlin was rushing her to hospital

Whilst the rest of the family went to bed. All wondering if they might receive a call in the early hours of the morning telling them all about the newest member of their family.

However Albin couldn't sleep. He wasn't worried about Freya, he felt she would be fine. Yet he felt restless and decided to go for a walk.

He took a familiar walk, one which led him to the fisheries. This was where his dad Laughing Bear had taught him to fish. 

It was the place the men went to be men. It reminded them of their caveman past and connected them to their ancestors. He had taught his son Merlin to fish there when he was a boy.

As he walked there tonight he saw a bright white light. On walking closer he realised it was the unicorn. Albin hadn't seen the unicorn in weeks and he had started to wonder if he had imagined it.

Albin approached the unicorn and began to stroke it. He felt as if the unicorn was communicating without speech and asking him to ride him. So cautiously he mounted the shining beast.

The unicorn shook its head and then started to walk, quickly beginning to trot and then suddenly breaking into a canter.

Albin clung on feeling exhilarated and found that the unicorn appeared to be taking him home. When he reached home Albin dismounted and watch it fall fast asleep in his field next to his horse, Caesar.

Albin felt that the unicorn had decided to come and stay. He strode to bed excited at the new member of his household and looked forward to telling everyone about it in the morning.

Next morning Charli awoke to the telephone. She jumped up leaving Albin in bed and grabbed the receiver. It was Merlin calling from the hospital. Freya had had a little girl, they had decided to call her Harriet. 

Mother and baby were both well. Charli grinning widely walked back into the bedroom and round to Albin's side of the bed shaking him. This had no affect and she said his name and touched his hand. His hand was ice cold and she realised as Harriet had been making her entry into the world, Albin had been saying goodbye.