When their breakfast was done Coster hitched up the horses to the wagon while Nicole wrapped up Nico to protect him from the cold winter air. Soon they were off to their neighbors to see if they had any baby items such as clothes, toys and if possible, furniture since they had none. Nicole sat beside Coster holding Nico as they traversed the thick snow-covered roads as they traveled, she worried as to what kind of reception they would get from their neighbors Since their child is “white baby” as many of their neighbors at least the ones they would be welcomed at were also freed slaves. The first home they reached after traveling for almost twenty minutes was a young couple with two boys not more than five and ten years of age. At first, they were welcomed warmly into their home to warm by the fire and speak as to their needs. The couple who was generous at first soon turned sour once they saw Nico’s skin color. The gentleman of the house kindly yet forcefully told them to leave as they did not want a ‘demon’ baby in their home. Even thou Coster explained their situation the man stayed firm as in his mind all “white men” are evil. Not wanting their baby to hear such evil talk Nicole took Nico out of the home and sat down on the wagon waiting for Coster who quickly followed. This situation was repeated at several neighbors as many were abused in one way or another by the white men and women. It was not until they reached their last neighbor who lived a few miles out of the town of Brooks. At this home they were greeted by a single woman and her son. After enduring many neighbors who were so hateful, Coster took Nico from Nicole and showed her up front their white baby. She only smiled at them and told them to come into her home, neither Coster nor Nicole expected this kind of reception after all they had been given before. Nicole explained to her as to why they had a white baby, and all the woman asked was to hold him. Something they did not expect.

“He’s precious. I can’t see why anyone would leave him behind to die.” she said as she cradled Nico - who was sound asleep.

“I’m sorry, we never introduced ourselves. My name is Coster Gage, and this is my wife Nicole Gage and our son Nico.” Coster sighed in relief as he was finally talking to someone understood.

“Pleasure to meet you. Especially you, Nico.” she smiled stroking his face. “My name is Sarah and this is my boy Liam and my daughter who is asleep right now in the bedroom is Faith. I assume you’re wondering why I don’t kick you out like the others probably did. It’s quite easy to explain. You see both of my children have a white father who died three years ago of the fever. So, I too am an outcast among these people simply because of my children. Needless to say, I understand where you are coming from.” Sarah explained while handing Nico back to Nicole so that Liam could sit upon her lap.

“It’s hard to believe those people can judge our children because of the color of their skin. I am glad to find a friend such as yourself who can see beyond that.” Coster sighed putting his arm around Nicole.

“People like us need to stick together but I believe you came here for more than just ffriendship.” Sarah mentioned politely.

“Yes, though I am ashamed to say this.” Nicole said sitting back in the chair “You see we are unprepared for a child and all we are looking for is some toys, clothes and any furniture so that he could have something until we are able to afford them ourselves.”

Sarah sat back in her chair holding Liam thinking of what to do as she still had young children. Yet she could not turn her back on a request made out of love for a child. “I can’t give you much but I can give you Liam’s baby clothes, he has long since grown out of them. Along with his crib and a few wooden toys. It’s not much but it’s all I have to give as my children are still young.” Sarah explained politely.

“It’s more then we could ask for, as we have nothing except what was left behind along with our son. We will pay you for them when we get the funds ahead. Or if you like we can trade some items with you. You see the homestead that we took over has cows and chickens. If you like I can bring some fresh milk and eggs over to you. That way we are not owing anything to you.” Coster suggested.

“I think that’s fair goods for goods and lord knows I can do with some milk and eggs. I can barely afford much on what I make. If you like to come with me, I’ll show you where they are so you can load them onto your wagon.” Sarah agreed while putting Liam off her lap and taking Coster to the backroom where the items were being stored.

The moment Coster saw the homemade clothes, toys, blankets it was the most wonderful thing to him. But no sooner his eyes saw the crib in the corner, to him it was the most beautiful piece of work one that someone put a lot of time and love in.

“These are perfect, I know my son will love them.” Coster said joyfully while running his hands over the crib which made Sarah smile as she was quite pleased that someone else would enjoy the crib her husband made.

“I have to tell you that I admire what you are doing for Nico. Not many people would accept a stranger’s child as their own, especially a white baby. I just hope that you love him like your own. Believe me when I say that it will be difficult raising a white boy around these parts. The people here are set in their ways of how the world works regarding race. I just ask that you raise him right and don’t let anyone take him away from you.” Sarah spoke quietly so that Nicole could not hear, since she was only a just a few feet away. Sarah’s words spoken were not of fear or hatred but one of a mother.

Coster looked at her with confusion before seeing that she did not say it out of hate but love. The confusion on his face soon turned to a smile. “He may not have mine or Nicole’s blood coursing through his veins, but he is our son from the moment I first laid eyes on him. You don’t know how long and hard we tried to have one of our own. But we could never have one and to have that little boy waiting for us in our home was a gift from the angels. The moment we saw him, I knew that he was ours and that we would be the best parents that we can be. We’ll raise him good and proper. I promise.” Coster whispered softly to her like a proud father before he grabbed the items and walked out of the house. He loaded them into the wagon then covered them up so that they would not get damaged by the snow.

Sarah went over to Nicole after Coster left, and knelt in front of her “Coster will be a good father and you will be a good mother, just never let that love fade.” Nicole looked at her and smiled as she saw the good in her words. “You should take Nico to see Doctor John Walsh just to make sure that he’s healthy. He’s a good man and a good doctor. Don’t worry, he won’t care about the color of your skin as his wife is like us. He will understand the situation and will not say a word to anyone.”

“Thank you.” Nicole nodded her head before getting up to leave as Coster was ready to leave so that they could get their supplies and get home before dark.

“I will be by tomorrow morning with your milk and eggs.” Coster spoke kindly while helping Nicole up on to the wagon.

“Take care, Sarah. I hope to see each other again.” Nicole spoke fondly.

“Be sure to take Nico to see the doctor. Going a day without food couldn’t be good for him. The Doc is just up the road not more than a few minutes out of town just follow the sign.” Sarah said whole heartily.

“Hup.” Coster yelled to get the horses going and headed for town.

As they reached the village Nicole had Coster drop her off at the doctors while he got the supplies. This way she could get the doc to look at Nico to make sure that he is alright and hopefully see if they know anything as to who woman was who gave birth to him and why she abandoned him. Coster dropped off the two just down the road from the docs not more than two minute walk as he wanted to get the supplies and leave the town as quick as he could. Once in the town, Coster headed to the sheriff’s office in order to register their homestead in their name.  This way it made it legal in their eyes. At first the sheriff did not believe him but when he showed him the note and the deed that was tacked to the door. He had no choice but comply with Coster simple request. Once he was finished at the sheriff’s office, he headed to the lumber mill to collect the lumber in order to fix up the house, as well as build some new furniture for themselves and for Nico. This way they could truly make it a home of their own. When he was done, he systematically went through the list of things that they needed to buy for their new life.  All he had left to do was to go to the general store to get the rest.

As he went about his business the people of the town stared at him as if he had a disease. Some even went out of their to avoid him as the people were not accustom to seeing freed slaves mixing with the “whites’ so casually. Even though several freed families had settled in the area, most of the townspeople still believed in the old way of thinking. As it was the same for the area and the time, some did not see it this way but had to hide it in order to avoid persecution by their neighbors. Those who felt this way smiled at Coster as he drove to the general store. Trying to reassure him that he has friends in the town no matter how few. Once outside the general store Coster tied his team to the post before proceeding into the store. Once inside the store Coster did not waste time wandering the store instead he collected the items he came for. These items were fabric, feathers, blankets food and a stuffed animal for his son. The woman who ran the store was an old woman of sixty but despite her age she was very polite to him. She wrapped up his items and he paid for them. Though nice to him she did ask quite a lot of question which were innocent one but there was a lot none the less. Coster tried to avoid answering the questions apart from a simple yes or no. Until all was wrapped and loaded onto the wagon. With the items loaded he took off out of the store and headed out of town to meet up with Nicole at the doctors. She should have been done by now as he left her over two hours ago.