Epilogue
Lottie and Rico had been seeing each other whenever they could. They deeply loved each other. When Rico was on his missions, Lottie sent him letters. Rico would reply with telegraphs because he said his handwriting was too messy to read.
"Oh look, Daddy! Rico received my letter again!" It read:
Dear Charlotte,
My horse ran away today. No thanks to those damn outlaws! I walked the hot range all day with my saddle over my shoulder. I wanted to give up and go back to town, but then you came into my mind. The thought of you always give me strength. What I mean by that is because you're so determined. I'm in a different town at the moment by the time you get this. I saw some dresses in your color in the store windows. That got me missing you again. Perhaps I'll visit you once I finally bring that sheep rustler to justice. Stay cute for me!
- Love Rico
Lottie decided to write back to him.
Dear Rico,
I think you work too hard and too much like Tia. I mean that in the good way. If you're back in town again, I could always be there to cuddle with ya! It's borin' without you! I love hearin' your cowboy tales about the man with no name, Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry and Bass Reeves. I hope the rustler gets what he deserves. You're the best bounty hunter and boyfriend in all the pecos!
- Love Lottie
A week had passed. Rico picked up Charlotte one afternoon. "Cowboy please tell me where we're goin'!" Lottie begged. "Be patient, Charlotte." Rico reminded. "We've been travelin' this desert for half an hour and you can't tell me where we're goin'? And why did you tell me to bring a spare outfit?"
"You've never been camping before, have you?" Rico surmised. "No?" Lottie replied sheepishly. Rico got off the horse. "Well, here we are." he commented. "I didn't know you were me takin' campin'!" Lottie beamed as she helped herself off of the horse to run into her boyfriend's arms. "Surprise." Rico said as he held Lottie tightly. "I may not sleep in a tent, but sleeping on the ground is much better if you ask me." Rico added as he pulled out blankets from the saddle bags. "Sleepin' on the ground is great!" avowed a voice. A small gray jackrabbit with a missing foot hopped out of the saddle bags. "Howdy y'all!" it greeted. "Lucky Jack!" Lottie exulted. "How did you get here?" Rico badgered. He wasn't happy that a wild animal had stowawayed in his saddle bags while spending time with his girlfriend. "Oh don't be mad pilgram, I knew you were goin' to visit your "Louisiana Woman" and take her camping, but little did you know that you're in coyote country. Yep, coyotes are out and about this time of year. And Rico, I know you don't know much about coyotes. That's why I came along!"
Rico folded his arms. "If I see one, I shoot it down. Now how about you go back home and—" Rico paused as he witnessed Lottie holding Lucky Jack in her arms. "Aww come on Rico darlin', he won't bother us!" Rico sighed, "Fine, just stay away from my woman or I'll keep that other foot of yours as a good luck charm!" he warned. All afternoon until sunset, Lucky Jack helped fetch firewood. Rico did all he could to get a fire started. Lottie was busy changing into an outfit that was appropriate for the occasion. After struggles and patience, the fire was a blaze. "There it is Charlotte! A nice fire! Uh, Charlotte?" Rico called out for her. "Right here, Nebraska Man!" Lottie stepped away from where she had changed. She was in her rodeo outfit. Rico was smitten at the laying his eyes at her. "My boss was right. I gotta pistol packin' mama." Rico wrapped his arms around Lottie. "Woman of mine, I love it when you dress up like that." Rico professed after kissing Lottie. That was interrupted when howling was heard from a distance. "Coyotes."
"We'll be safe right?" Lottie worried. "Yeah." Rico assured. "Those demons are gonna have to get through me before they touch you!" Rico let go of Lottie as he took out his rifle and loaded it as proof and to be prepared if they did run into a coyote. "My knight in the form of a cowboy!" Lottie swooned. "Like Paladin." Rico said as he put away his rifle.
"Paladin? Who's Paladin?" Lottie questioned. "I never told you about Paladin?" Rico marveled. Lottie shook her head. Just then Lucky Jack came back with some firewood. "Sorry I took so long." he panted. Lucky Jack was covered in cactus thorns, claw marks and a rattlesnake was biting on his pegleg. "I got some bandages for that." said Rico. He checked the saddle bags for a first-aid kit. Rico gently pulled out the cactus thorns from the unlucky rabbit. "I feel like Ray and you're Louis." Rico mumbled. "Who are they again?" Lucky Jack asked as he held as still as possible. "Oh my lord!" fangirled Lottie. "You saw my movie!" Rico was embarrassed. "Oh yeah, now I remember! He sure did! He loved it! He would whisper the lyrics of one of the songs under his breath! Rico almost passed out all smitten when someone mentioned your name! He even got—" Lucky Jack spilled. He was muted when Rico covered the animal's mouth with his gloved hand. "Wanna lose that other foot, rabbit!" Rico taunted. "Don't be ashamed honey," Lottie said, kissing Rico on his cheek. "I found myself doin' the same thing!" Rico was still embarrassed. "That's enough Louisiana Woman."
As the sun set, Rico took care of Lucky Jack. Lottie tought herself to keep the fire going. "Thanks partner. I also brought cactus fruit with me." Lucky Jack contributed. "That's nice." Rico grinned. Then his attention was taken to Lottie. "Charlotte, you know about keeping fires alive?" he perplexed. "I just gave it wood." Lottie said. "Ya did a nice job. You can cook right?" Then Lottie started to babble. She knew nothing about cooking. "I got it!" Lucky Jack put the cactus fruit on a stick and then put it next to the fire like roasting marshmallows. "Come on, Charlotte. You haven't eaten all day." Rico sat by the fire then took the cactus fruit and marshmallows on a stick to cook it properly. Lottie followed his steps. She pretended to know what she was doing. "I can't believe you have marshmallows!" Lottie exclaimed.
"There's stuff to make s'mores, too."
"S'mores?"
Rico dropped his marshmallow and Lucky Jack almost choked on his cactus fruit at the shock that Lottie had never had s'more before. "Goddammit, Charlotte!" Rico chastised. He got up and took Lottie by the hand. He led her to the saddle bags as he mumbled to himself. Did I say somethin' to piss him off? Lottie thought. "Hold this." Rico tossed a box of chocolate and gramcrackers to Lottie. "You don't know how to live!" he scolded. Then he led Lottie back to the fire. "Woman, watch closely now." Rico instructed as he sat by the fire and Lottie joined him. "All ya gotta do is cook a marshmallow like you normally would. You know how to do that, right?" Lottie nodded her head nervously with the red showing in her cheeks. "Yeah!" she nervously replied. Rico waited patiently for his marshmallow to cook. "Now when it's done, you take a gramcracker and put chocolate on it." he informed. Lottie did what he said. "Then take your marshmallow and another gramcracker. Squish those together." Lottie was confused with the final step. Why would you squish it together? "Would you look at that!" Rico complimented. "That's what I call fine cooking. You know what, how about I feed you mine?" Rico stuffed his s'more in Lottie's mouth before she could answer. Lottie couldn't believe what she was tasting. "Oh my god! How come they don't sell this in stores." Rico laughed, "If they did that, the cowboy tradition wouldn't be a tradition anymore." Lottie fed her s'more to Rico. "At least you didn't pull that one out of your bra." he jested.
Rico and Lottie fed each other s'mores all night until they both couldn't eat anymore. "Y'all over did it." said Lucky Jack. "The little lady never did anything like this in her life before. Right, Charlotte?" Lottie nodded her head. Rico assumed Lottie was tired and her stomach was hurting from eating too much. He held her close to him. "Will you tell me about Paladin?" she requested with a yawn. "Ok. He was a gunfighter. He stayed at a hotel in San Francisco. Did I mention he was rich? Whenever he read the newspapers about a recent event, Paladin would mail his clients his card. On the card, there was a picture of a chess piece and the words "Have gun, will travel"—" Rico was interrupted by the howling of coyotes.
"Like a bounty hunter, we have guns and we travel. But Paladin was no bounty hunter," Rico continued. "He did good things for the poor. He didn't care if they could pay him or not. His gun was custom made too. He became so popular, folks wrote a song about him. He sure was a knight without armor. That's all I know." Lottie snuggled closer to Rico. "I bet he was gentle like you." Lottie flirted. "He was gentle alright." Lucky Jack got up. "Where are you going?" Rico inquired. "To get more firewood." Lucky Jack quickly replied as he gave Rico a wink. Then he was gone. "It's kinda cold." Lottie spoke softly. Rico gave her his coat. "Lucky Jack will be back soon." he murmured. Howls couldn't be ignored. Lottie hid her face in Rico's coat. She felt safe when she did that. The howls of the far away coyotes struck fear into Lottie. She was uneasy. Sure she had a strong and badass cowboy by her side, but she just couldn't sleep at the fear of being attacked or eaten. Then the craziest idea hit her.
"What was the song like?" Lottie questioned in a whisper. "What song?" Lottie giggled, "About Paladin silly!" Rico blushed. "Charlotte I can't and don't sing. You should know that already!" Lottie looked up at her cowboy. "Then say the lyrics." Rico was already embarrassed. He wanted to tell her no. But Rico couldn't say it to Lottie's innocent eyes looking up at him.
"Ok. Just this once!" At least Lucky Jack wasn't around to hear him. Rico began to whisper to Lottie.
Paladin, Paladin,
Where do you roam?
Paladin, Paladin,
Far, far from home.
"Have gun will travel" reads the card of a man. A knight without armor in a savage land. His fast gun for hire heeds the calling wind. A soldier of fortune is the man called Paladin.
Paladin, Paladin,
Where do you roam?
Paladin, Paladin,
Far, far from home.
He travels on to wherever he must. A chess knight of silver is his badge of trust. There are campfire legends that the plainsmen spin.
Of the man with the gun, of the man called Paladin.
Paladin, Paladin,
Where do you roam?
Paladin, Paladin,
Far, far from home.
Far from home.
Far from home.
Then Lottie was asleep. Rico sighed. He hoped to never do that again. He noticed Lottie had a smile on her face. That made him smile too. "What are you doing to me, Charlotte?" Rico went to sleep.
The next morning.
Lottie found herself in a cowboy's arms. Rico was still asleep. He does look sort of cute when he's asleep. Lottie thought in awe. He had a small smile on his face. "Mornin' Miss Charlotte." Lucky Jack started the fire. He was boiling water to make coffee. "How did you—" Lottie stammered. "I have my ways." Lucky Jack replied. "Ya smell somethin'?" Lucky Jack's tail was on fire! "Dangnabbit!" Lucky Jack shouted. Rico woke up startled. "What in blazes?" Lucky Jack was running around in panic to put out the fire on his soft cotton ball tail. "Put it out! Put in out!" he screamed. Rico took his time to get up and help out the rodent. He took Lucky Jack's cup of coffee and poured it on the unlucky rabbit like it was nothing. The liquid was still hot. It burned the critter's skin a bit. "You ain't very lucky are ya, rodent?" Rico snickered. "Very funny, Nebraska Man. Sure I'm always in a pitch, but I had my lucky days." Lucky Jack retorted. "Are you alright, Lucky Jack?" Lottie inquired. "Sure am. Just suffering 1st degree burns is all. My ol' tail has been through everything I've been through, but it still holds together!"
"Eventhough some cows ripped it off." Rico added. "That's enough y'all." Lottie interrupted. "You big mouthed woman." Rico exasperated. "What?" Lottie asked puzzled. Rico walked to where she was standing. "You forgotten something." Rico kissed Lottie on the mouth. "You forgot to kiss me." Lottie laughed. "It's you who forgot to kiss this angel good mornin'!" she corrected. "Then I'll do it again!" Rico boasted as he kiss his spoiled girlfriend like he said he would. Lucky Jack covered his eyes in slight disgust but to also give the pair some privacy. "You look good in my coat." Rico complimented. Lottie just now realized she was still wearing Rico's long brown coat. It was a heavy and big on her. Rico grinned, "It makes you look cuter than you are." Lottie turned pink. "Your messy hair looks cute too!" Rico slightly frowned. "I'll have you know, Louisiana Woman. My hair is not messy! I got the hair of a handsome Prince Charming!" he upheld. Lottie started to mess up Rico's hair. "Just admit it, Nebraska Man. If the real and handsome Prince Charming saw your messy hair, he would shoot you down in a heartbeat!"
"That's enough Louisiana Woman. I better take you home soon. You know how your dad is." Rico turned around to gather his things. Lottie sighed. "Ok... messy hair cowboy!" Rico turned around back too Lottie. Embarrassed and annoyed. Lottie ran away. Rico caught her.
"Got ya bandit!" he held Lottie. They both laughed as Rico spun Lottie around until he fell on his back. They were both ok. They still laughed, until Lottie kissed Rico on the mouth. "I love you!" she said. "I love you too, sweet Charlotte!" Rico breathed as he kissed his woman. Lottie helped herself up and then she helped Rico off the ground. "Uh. Here's your coat." Lottie shyly jabbered as she took off Rico's coat. "It has a lot of dust by the way." she added. "I can't remember the last time I've washed it." Rico casually replied. "Gross! Don't they have washing machines in the west?" Lottie gagged. "Yeah, but not like yours. I keep myself clean, in case you're wondering about that. I never have time to do lady's work because of my job." Rico explained. "Oh. I'm sure someone could help you out like that..." Lottie blushed. "Come on. Let's take you home." After supplies were packed up, he took her home with Lucky Jack riding with them.
As the seasons passed, Lottie and Rico continued to date. Somedays Lottie would let Rico lay his head in her lap as she would make a flowercrown to put on his head. She would then tell him that he was her prince and they would kiss each other in the flower field. On others, Rico would try to impress her with his cowboy ways. He took her to hoedowns eventhough he couldn't dance well. There was also times where he would show her around town better than he did before. Of course Rico would let Lottie ask away at questions and not avoid them all. Sometimes, Annie, his ex, would catch the two together. Rico didn't pay no mind to her anymore. Rico would also sneak away in an abandoned barn just to kiss his new woman. Or teach her to ride horses. Slim, the Willies and Wesley would make fun of him. The cold-hearted and dark Rico was now a soft tender-loving cowboy. At least they didn't call him a coca cola cowboy or drugstore cowboy. Rico couldn't help that he had fallen in love with a woman completely different from him. He loved Charlotte very much. And Charlotte loved him just the same.
When 2 and a half years had passed, something wonderful happened one afternoon. Lottie was getting ready for her cowboy to whisk her away on his horse. "Lottie! Someone's here!" Tianna called from downstairs. Tianna was there to make dinner for Mr. La Bouff because the cook was sick. Lottie rushed downstairs. "Oh Tia you have no idea how much he spoils me!" Lottie gushed. "I know he treats you right." Tianna said as she continued to cut chicken. "That guy is too serious." Travis blurted from the living room as he stuffed himself with chocolate pie. "Travis quit eating the dessert! It's too early! Why don't ya help Mr. La Bouff roll up that garden hose?" Tianna nagged. "Tia you are so motherly." Tianna blushed. There was a knock at the door. Lottie rushed over to open it. "Howdy, Louisiana Woman." Rico greeted as he tipped his hat to Charlotte. Lottie was about to jump in his arms. Stella beat her to it. Rico fell on the ground as Stella happily barked and licked Rico. "Damnit Stella! Charlotte control your dog! I already got a skiddish animal on my hands!" Lottie just laughed. Stella stopped licking Rico. The bounty hunter helped himself up and dusted himself off. "I missed you!" Lottie exclaimed. "I miss you everyday." Rico blushed. Then he picked up Lottie bridal style like always and took her to Buck, who was waiting outside. "Love birds!" Buck playfully teased. "Shut it you crazy horse!" Rico snapped. "Let me guess, the other horse was tired out?" Lottie guessed. "Yep. Skiddish here is the only horse the sheriff had on him." Rico replied in annoyance. Buck rolled his eyes. "He's got it crazy for ya, little lady!"
"Really?" Lottie shouted. "Charlotte, I told you that horse is plum crazy!" Rico articulated. He then helped Lottie upon the smartmouthed horse. "Oh Rico, remember when you and me were out ridin'?" Lottie asked in recalling her nostalgic romance. "Yeah," Rico replied. In his tone, he seemed very fond of the memorie. Rico helped himself on Buck. "I think you might like where I'm taking you." he said. "Where would that be?" Lottie curiously asked as she was flapping her hands excitedly. "It's a surprise." Rico noted sleekly. Lottie hugged Rico as they left the mansion behind. "I love your mysterious unpredictable ways." she sighed romantically. Of course Lottie couldn't see it. Rico turned pink and broke a sweat. "And I love you and that sweet personality of yours." he mumbled a bit.
Later
The pair had arrived at a gazebo near the bayou. Lottie was delighted. It was so fancy and high-class. She never expected her boyfriend would do something like this. "You surprise me everyday, cowboy!" Lottie exclaimed. That was also what she loved about him. He was full of surprises. That was his charm. You'd never know what he'd do next. "I don't know about that, Charlotte." Rico doubted. He held her hand as he led her to the gazebo. There was a well set table with a fancy tablecloth over it. Being a gentleman, Rico seated Lottie. Lottie giggled. "This is so much fun!" she chirped. "Wait here." Rico told her as he left her for a moment. Rico came back with a box. "I hope like cupca—" As Rico opened the box, the cupcakes were smushed. "Son of a—! I knew they would be like this if I put them in the saddle bags!" Lottie took out a pink cupcake. The icing was raspberry flavored and the cake was dark-chocolate with strawberry filling inside. There was white flower shaped sprinkles on the treat. "It's not about the looks, it's about the taste!" Lottie beamed as she stuffed her face with her cupcake, getting icing and the strawberry filling all over her mouth. "Thanks, Charlotte. I can't really cook. I got these at the bakery in town. I'm glad you like them." he said as he wiped the frosting off of her mouth in the gentle way. Rico picked out a cupcake with a very dark shade of blue icing, topped off with strawberry syrup. It was also chocolate and had a raspberry filling inside. It had no sprinkles. Only a white wrapper with red roses printed on it.
Time passed with the two chatting and spoiling themselves with rich sweets. "Um. Charlotte. There's something very important I must tell you." Rico said. He was serious about it. "What is it about?" Lottie nervously smiled. "Listen close, ok? I want this to be a sercet between you and me for now." Lottie was anxious to know what it was. Rico only looked at her with his intimidating eyes. What does he have to tell me? Was it something I did? Is it something about him? Lottie questioned herself in thought as her stomach churned. "Charlotte, eversince I've met you, you've taught me how to smile, laugh, care, how to be kind to others. Those are things I could never do or teach myself." Rico began as he reached for something in his coat. "I never felt joy like this eversince I was with my ex. When I was with Annie, that was fake love. But this is real love. The only real love I've felt for you and you only..." He paused right there to take out whatever it was from his coat. Rico got out of his chair. He knelt down in front of Lottie. He took her hand. The item that he was almost hiding from her was a box.
"Will you be my Angeline?"
He confidently asked as he opened the box to reveal a ring. Rico put it on Lottie's ring finger. Lottie was already getting emotional. "YES!" she shouted. "Of course I'll marry you!" She jumped in his arms as tears ran down her face. Both were on the white wooden floor exchanging kisses. "I love you Charlotte La Bouff!" Rico confessed as he held his fiancee tightly and close. "I love you Rico... whatever your last name is!" They continued to kiss like never before.
Lottie didn't believe it. Her childhood dream was finally coming true! She was getting married! Married to a cowboy! For real this time and not like what happened in her movie. She didn't care if he was royalty or not. It was the man she fell in love with. Lottie did learn she couldn't always get what she wanted. Eudora made her dress. Tianna prepared the food. Big Daddy, Rico and Alameda Slim helped pay for everything. Rico went on missions to hunt outlaws for bounty like he usually did to pay for the wedding. He never rested. Lottie and Rico could never wait patiently to see each other until the special day would come.
Until it finally did. Lottie had her hair in a bun with pink flowers in her hair. Her dress was a mix of white, pink and a little green. It also had a bow with a long ribbon that looked almost like a flower. Lottie stayed in her dressing room. She felt like having a mental breakdown. She was happy to finally get married to someone she loved. She was so uneasy at the same time. The last "wedding" was a catastrophe. "TIA WHAT IF HE LEAVES ME AT THE ALTER? WHAT IF SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS? WHAT IF—" Tianna hushed Lottie. "Lottie, none of that is gonna happen! Rico loves you! Quit thinkin' the worst and get yourself together!" Tianna wiped a tear from Lottie's cheek. "You're getting married! There's no need to cry!" she consoled in the motherly way. "Cowboys do make great husbands after all." Tianna fixed Lottie's hair. Big Daddy opened the door. "Charlotte, we're ready for ya." he spoke softly. "It's show time." Lottie affirmed. She fixed her dress to make her breasts look big. Tianna gave Lottie the bouquet from her wedding. Lottie did caught it when Tianna married Naveen. "He's gonna love ya." said Tianna. Lottie took a deep breath.
She stepped outside the dressing room. She made her way to the aisle. The music was played by Louis the alligator. Everyone, including most of Lottie's relatives were here. They couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. Rico softly smiled at her. He still had his hat on with a white fancy tuxedo. The only thing that stood out was the black rose. Big Daddy looked like he was about to cry as his precious daughter was now grown up and getting married. Tianna, Holli, Aurora, Thumbelina, Odette, Belle and Snow White were the bride's mates. Alameda was the best man with Mr.Weasley, Sheriff Sam Brown and Junior at his side. Lottie was finally at the alter with her man. "Well I'll be! Miss Lottie finally got herself a pistol packin' papa!" Mama Odie exclaimed as she took out a bible. "Dear loved ones," Mama Odie began. "We're gathered here today in holy matrimony to see these two express their love for each other. To take care of each other, heal one another, celebrate one other. Today Charlotte La Bouff and Rico..."
"Um, dearie, what's your last name?" Mama Odie inquired. "Not even I know that, but Rico is fine." Rico replied. "Alright then." Mama Odie continued. "These two are to get married. Now, do you Rico, take Charlotte La Bouff to be your wife? To protect, love, care, heal and be by her side until death?" Rico did not hesitate. "I do!" he proclaimed. "Now do you, Charlotte La Bouff, take Rico to be your handsome husband? To protect, love, care, heal and be by his side until de—"
"I do!" Lottie shouted on top of her lungs. "Ok! Now if someone would hand us the rings!" Phil Willie ran up to the bride and groom with a pillow that held the rings. Everyone tried to hold in their laughter. "Phil," said Alameda. "Why in blazes are you dressed in a bear costume!?" he roared. "Because y'all picked me to be the ring bearer!" Phil explained with a grin on his face. Rico took the rings and a silver coin that was on the pillow. He knelt down. "Put this in you're shoe." he said. "Why?" Lottie questioned with a giggle. "It's a cowboy tradition where when someone gets married, the bride must have a coin in her shoe when everyone brings gifts of good luck to the newly wedds. You must keep it for the whole ceremony." Lottie allowed Rico to take her right shoe off and put the coin in it. He then put the shoe back on her right foot like in Cinderella. Next, Rico put on his ring on his finger. He took the other. "With this ring, I'd be wed!" he said as he slid the ring on Lottie's finger. "By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you cowboy and wife! You may now kiss the bride!" Mama Odie concluded, closing the bible shut. Lottie jumped in Rico's arms and covered him in kisses. Everyone cheered and even Sam shot his gun with a yee-haw. The cowboys threw their hats in the air. Everyone clapped their hands.
Lottie threw the bouquet behind her. The single ladies pushed each other out of the way to catch it. The bouquet landed in Holli's arms. Holli wasn't even paying attention. She blushed at the fact it would be her turn to get married. She glanced over at Thumbelina, who was distracted playing with Rusty and Stella. "Someday." Holli whispered under her breath as she blushed a bit and hid her face. Rico and Lottie joined hands. They ran out of the church as birdseed was thrown at them. Rico saddled up his horse. He and Lottie rode away into the sunset to celebrate the rest of the ceremony at a barn where everyone would dance, eat cake and bring gifts.
"Alright now. Big smiles!" Mr.Wesley adjusted his camera. It took him a while because he was so short and had to stand on a stool. "Are ya gonna smile this time for our wedding photo, Rico?" Lottie hinted that she wanted him to smile just this once at this special time. "Woman of mine, I don't smile." Rico confirmed. "Damn! The camera isn't working! Hold on you guys. And keep that pose!" Wesley demanded. "Come on honey," coaxed Lottie. "I love your sweet smile! Quit stallin'!" Rico remained the way he was. "You asked for it cowboy!" Lottie kissed Rico. He couldn't help but smile. There was a white flash. "That's a keeper!" Wesley revealed the picture. Rico did smile in the photo. Wesley laughed. "And you got a kiss mark on your cheek too! I'm showin' this to the guys!" The little man ran away. "Wesley if you show that photo, I'll make sure another crazy horse knocks you out again!" Rico chastised as he ran after Wesley. "Alright y'all," announced Tianna. "How about we eat cake instead of chasin' each other around the farm over a photo?"
Tianna had prepared a 7 tiered cake that she and Naveen had made themselves. "It's whipped white frosting, with black edible flowers that taste like licorice. Rico, Lottie told me you liked black licorice. There's also sugar sprinkles and red velvet for the cake. Gluten-free and peanut-free if any of y'all have a food allergy." Tianna described with pride. "I hope it's just what you two pictured." Naveen disclosed as he almost broke a sweat. Lottie was already digging in. "I think I'm gettin' a toothache." There was plenty of cake to go around. "For once I don't mine putting a flower in my mouth." Rico shared as he took a bite out of the edible flowers. Lottie started to feed Rico her piece of cake. "Woman—" Rico said as he chewed. "What are you trying to do to me?" Lottie continued to feed her new husband like a baby. "This is what couples do right?" she hinted.
"Don't tell me you're gonna stuff that cake in your bra." he chuckled. Rusty playfully chased Stella. She ran under Lottie's feet causing her to fall on the floor. "Charlotte!" Rico was about to help his wife when Rusty ran after Stella. Rusty unintentionally knocked Rico down as he ran by him. Rico fell on top of Lottie by accident. Lottie giggled as she was met face to face with Rico. He laughed with her too. They helped each other up. Sam ran after his dog. "Terribly sorry M-miss Charlotte— I mean Mrs. La Bouff. Or Mrs— Whatever Rico's last name is." Sam apologetically stammered and taking his hat off in respect. "Don't worry about it! I think Rusty has it for Stella!" Lottie conjectured. "Come back here you lovely bright star!" Rusty flirted. "Ya gotta catch this outlaw dog first!" Stella smiled as she ran from the orange hound.
When someone decided it was that time to dance, Louis and Alameda took the liberty of playing music. Rico danced with Lottie all night. "Honey, I gotta ask you somethin'," Lottie uttered as Rico spun her around. "Why were folks starrin' at us when you and me were together?"
"Well Charlotte, a high class lady of your kind seen with someone like me is considered unlady-like and unproper. Like I said before. You deserve a prince, not a cowboy." Rico Conceded. "But I don't need a prince to be happy. I got you. You're the man I fell in love with."
"Charlotte, no words can describe what a woman you are." he breathed. "No words can describe what a man you are! Except handsome, knowledgeable, brave and mysterious as you are." Lottie stated. "After all we've been through, there is nothing that will come between us." Rico added. He held Charlotte tight and raised her in the air like those fancy dances he learned from Slim.
"My Louisiana Woman!"
"My Nebraska Man!"
Lottie and Rico finally had their happy ending. The dark beginning was all forgotten. This overwhelming joyful night was cherished by the both of them. Who knows what would happen next in their lives. That wasn't important now. They were together, married and happy. It would stay like that until death do them part.
The End.
It's officially here everybody! They are married! Another happy ending like your average Disney movie! I'm sorry this took so long. I couldn't decide what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to scratch out. Writing is hard, ok? Just to make it clear, Rico was never singing The Ballad of Paladin. He was just whispering the lyrics because he can't sing. The song is from the western TV show, Have Gun - Will Travel from 1959. Rico was so-called singing the full version of the song, sung by Johnny Western. I highly recommend the show if you love vintage culture or westerns. I don't own the song, show or movies mentioned in here. Another reminder, Jujubee-Edits on you tube and tumblr gets credit because part of this was inspired off of his videos and edits. He gave me permission to write this story too. Thanks Jujubee for letting me write it. I hope you enjoyed reading while I enjoyed writing. Have a nice evening and Merry Christmas.