William was conflicted watching and listening to Edward and Keziah: he knew they'd made the correct decision having her come home to her father; yet at the same time, having Edward with her like this meant that Keziah needed William less.  And that was only more of a conflict: he'd actually expected Keziah to jump with joy at his awkward, vague marriage proposal, and when she didn't he was surprisingly devastated; and yet, he should have been thinking about how to get to New York, to his ancestor, to that rifle so that he could get home to the 21st century.

He had turned to stare at the flames dancing in the fireplace to consider his future when he felt movement very near him.  Edward was within reach of him, staring into his eyes with Rose Anne in his big, powerful hands.  The older man studied him for a moment, then offered out the tiny child.  

"[i]Oh[/i], no ... I'm good," William said, laughing.  There'd been a reason one of his Militia escorts -- a father of six himself -- had been responsible for Rose Anne's care on the walk to Lexington.  "I, um ... I would -- I would probably drop her on her head--"

"Coward," Edward snapped, moving toward a withdrawing William until the man came against the cabin's wall.  He nearly showed the child into the wide eyed man.  He gave the younger man instructions on how to properly hold an infant, and after William finally had Rose Anne comfortably and securely in his crossed arms, he said almost in a whisper, "If you are going to one day be a father ... you should know more than how to simply [i]make[/i] one."

William looked to the man in surprise, which caused Edward to smirk devilishly.  The younger man said quietly, "I can't figure you out, Edward.  I just can't."

They stood together for a long moment, admiring the baby before she began to get fussy.  William tried to [i]unload[/i] Rose Anne but instead ended up with a bottle provided by Edward, who again reminded him, "More than just making one, son."

William had avoided looking to Keziah during the exchange with her father, not sure how she would feel about Edward's intrusion into the very odd situation.  But, finally, he looked up from the tiny thing to see her [i]auntie[/i]...