DEBBIE CHAPTER 6
The next morning all the boys except Kid who was traveling, Rachel and Teaspoon went to town to wait for the stagecoach. It arrived on time at ten o'clock and as soon as Debbie saw her four friends getting off, she threw herself into their arms. They was Laura, with red hair and big, laughing eyes; Miria with short brown hair, shy but determined; Catia with long light hair, also very reserved and finally Lorena, with semi-long light brown hair and together with Laura, the most exuberant. It seemed that the five girls no longer wanted to break free from their embrace. At one point there was a cough: it was Cody who was impatient to be introduced. Debbie motioned for her friends and Buck to come over and introduced them one at a time, leaving Buck for last.
"And this is Buck, my wonderful boyfriend ..." and she showed the ring. Suddenly a cry of joy rose from the four girls!
"But you didn't write it to us! Congratulations!"
"I didn't write it to you because it happened on my birthday. But come on, we leave the luggage at the hotel and then come to the station, we will explain everything once there. How nice to see you girls, I couldn't wait "
"Us too", said the women in chorus. The boys obviously offered to help carry the luggage to their rooms. They took half an hour to cool off and then left with the gig that the boys had hired for the occasion.
Arriving at the station, they took the girls for a ride but then Laura said: "So, can you explain us how things stand between you and this hunk or not?"
Buck blushed, he was not used to such impudence. Debbie smiled and they entered the bunckhouse. The boys and Buck went back to work because they wanted to leave Debbie alone with her friends to allow them to talk for a while. Debbie explained how things had gone and her marriage plans and the girls were thrilled. They were delighted to be able to attend at least one of Debbie's two weddings.
"I can't believe it", said Lorena, "you're getting married! We are so happy for you. But your family? Obviously you still don't know, do you? "
"No and I'm afraid my parents won't be happy, but I don't care, Buck is the man I've always dreamed of and nothing and no one will take me away from him"
"Well, I must say that his friends are also not bad ..."
"Laura!" Catia exclaimed pretending to be scandalized.
"Come on, don't tell me you haven't given us a thought?"
"Well, actually, Noah is pretty good", Miria exclaimed.
"Well, we already memorized the names huh? I foresee fifteen very interesting days… "Debbie chuckled.
She then began to prepare lunch helped by Rachel who had joined them and so they took the opportunity to get to know each other a little better. During the lunch, the five girls told many anecdotes about their friendship, but the couriers were not far behind and tried to show off by telling all their adventures, including Noah who usually did not like these gossip. The only one who remained a bit on the sidelines was Ike who sometimes intervened with the help of Buck and the boys but could not keep up with the others. Laura noticed this and tried to involve him a little more in the discussions by asking for help from Buck and Debbie, who by now had learned all the sign language from Buck and was able to communicate perfectly with Ike.
In the late afternoon, the girls decided to go back to the hotel and all the couriers offered to accompany them, so much so that Teaspoon had to stop them in order not to run out of couriers. Ike, Noah and Cody went who wouldn't let anyone hold him back.
That evening, after dinner and after being with Buck for a while, Debbie retired to her room. She had a rather difficult task to accomplish: writing a letter to her parents informing them of her marriage to Buck ...
The next day, Debbie took advantage of the fact that Buck had a rush to go to town and spend the day with the girls who wanted to know all the details of her life in Sweetwater and her relationship with Buck. Debbie recounted everything in detail and then inquired about their life in Italy. The girls confessed to her that they greatly envied her courage and that they too would have liked to make the same choice as her.
"You can never say girls, also because I have seen certain looks between you and the couriers that give me hope".
The girls blushed and said nothing. They decided to go to some store to buy something for the wedding, even though they weren't quite sure what. Debbie shouldn't have worried about the dress because the Indians would have it all ready, but the girls insisted on getting her to buy some provocative underwear for her wedding night. Debbie agreed and then confided in them, saying that she and Buck had actually been together before. The girls showered her with questions but she obviously kept herself vague, she didn't want to share with anyone the feelings and emotions she had shared with Buck. The girls also made some purchases and then made an appointment for the next day, the eve of the wedding.
Buck came back in the evening and got Debbie to tell her about his day, then said: "We haven't talked about the honeymoon ..."
"Well, I think for now we will have to forget it, without a regular marriage certificate we could not go anywhere, but I would like to spend a few days alone with you, maybe having some picnics by the river or something like that"
"I agree, while for next year I would like to make you a proposal"
"We feel!"
"Would you like to go to Italy? You could go back to your country and I could get to know your traditions better. I'm not saying to stay in your village all the time, we could go around the big cities "
"It's great Buck, it's a wonderful idea, thank you"
They kissed.
"Listen, is there anything in particular that I have to prepare for Saturday?"
"You heard my brother, you don't have to think about anything, except our souls that will be united forever"
She smiled at him and they kissed passionately. They went to sleep.
The next day they spent the day with Debbie's friends, then they organized themselves to go all to the Kiowa camp without arousing much suspicion. It would have been strange to see all those people reach an Indian camp together, so they decided to get there at different times and Buck gave everyone directions on how to get there. They decided that couples would be formed who would go individually to the camp: Kid and Lou, who would wear a girl's dress for the occasion; Buck and Rachel; Laura and Ike, who had begun to make friends thanks to the recklessness of the girl who had wanted to learn some signs; Noah and Miria; Jimmy and Lorena; Cody and Catia and finally Teaspoon and Debbie.
Everything was ready for the big day. Debbie couldn't sleep at night and Rachel decided to keep her company, telling her how happy she was on her wedding day and how wonderful life had been with her husband Henry, before he was savagely killed. Debbie calmed down and was able to sleep for a few hours.
The next morning, Teaspoon and Rachel kept their boyfriends away because it was traditional for the groom not to see the bride until the ceremony, while the boys went to pick up Debbie's friends.
In the afternoon, according to the agreements, one by one the gigs left for the Kiowa camp. When Buck arrived, he was literally kidnapped by Red Bear who entrusted him to the tribe for preparations and then dedicated himself to welcoming all of his brother's friends.
Last came Debbie and Teaspoon.
Traditionally, the Kiowa marriage took place in a simple way, through the drafting of a contract; the man's friends brought gifts to the bride's family and the woman's brother and father helped the girl decide. In the case of Debbie and Buck, of course, this practice was not followed.
Debbie was entrusted to the women of the tribe who prepared her for the ceremony: they made her wear a light dress up to the feet, tied at the waist with a belt and ending with fringes. The top resembled a beaded poncho. They tied her hair in two braids that fell in front and made her wear a pair of earrings typical of the tribe. As shoes, they gave her leather moccasins, also decorated with fringes and beads. When she was ready, one of the women went to tell the others.
Buck, who was also wearing a typical Kiowa robe, like his brother's, gasped when he saw it. Even in an unusual dress for her she was beautiful.
Debbie was accompanied by Teaspoon near Buck.
The shaman placed a stick on the ground in front of the couple, which represented the limit between single and married life. After saying the blessings, the sprinkling of "sacred smoke" was practiced and Debbie and Buck exchanged drinks; the couple was then invited to jump over the stick, which happened amid the cheers of the tribe, which was joined by the friends of the two young men. Then the newlyweds were escorted en masse to the new tepee, where Debbie was invited to light the fire and sat down to the side, the seat normally occupied by a wife.
The marriage was officially concluded. Debbie and Buck were left in the tepee to have their privacy, while outside the celebrations continued, which usually lasted several days, depending on the degree of importance of the couple, but which, given the exceptional nature of the situation, ran out in the evening.
During the festivities, Teaspoon chatted a lot with the Red Bear and the boys and girls enjoyed taking part in the tribe's ritual dances. Late in the evening, they all left for the station and the boys took Debbie's friends back to the hotel. They would all meet the next day to celebrate the newlyweds again.
Meanwhile in the tepee, after everyone had gone out, Debbie and Buck approached each other and hugged and kissed tenderly.
"That's it, now you are unofficially Mrs. Cross"
"Officially you mean! For me this was a real marriage, I don't care that we have to wait a year to do things according to the law, from today you are officially my husband. It was a beautiful ceremony and I am happy to have made this choice "
"Me too and you are beautiful dressed like this"
"Thank you, you too have your charm with this clothing"; she teased him a bit because she knew Buck didn't feel comfortable in those clothes.
They decided to sit and cuddle until the celebrations were over. When they felt that everything was calm and quiet outside and they realized that everyone was gone, their kisses became more and more passionate and they were overwhelmed by desire. Buck undid the belt that tied Debbie's dress and pulled it off her and she took off his dress. They lay down on the bed of skins that had been prepared for them and in the light of the fire they made tender love for the first time as a husband and wife. Their souls and their bodies merged overwhelmed by a desire and a passion that few in life can feel and they spent the whole night enjoying this wonderful love.
The next morning, they put on their usual clothes, got out of the tepee and went to greet Red Bear and the members of the tribe.
"Thanks for everything brother, it was a beautiful ceremony and I hope that somehow you will be able to be present again next year, even if I know it will be difficult"
"Difficult not to say impossible, brother. The important thing is that I was able to attend the most important part for me and for this I think I have to thank you, sister, because I believe that the idea was more yours than his "
"Well, yes, but Buck immediately agreed. Thank you very much for the hospitality of our friends too. We are indebted to you and extremely grateful "
They hugged and greeted each other. Debbie and Buck got into the gig that had been left for them and set off for the station.
When they arrived, it was almost noon already and they were literally mobbed by the boys and girls who had been invited to lunch.
They were escorted to the hut and studded with questions, to which the two newlyweds answered in moderation.
After lunch, Debbie and Buck apologized and decided to go for a walk by the river to get together and enjoy their short honeymoon. They spent all afternoon there chatting, planning their future life, bathing and loving each other passionately.
Meanwhile, at the station, Debbie's friends and the boys were bonding a lot and perhaps something more than just a friendship was being born.
In the evening, it was difficult for the two young people to separate, now that they were married, but they knew it was right.
The next day they still spent the morning together, but then Debbie knew that her friends expected to have her all to themselves and she joined them in town, accompanied by Lou who was becoming very friends with the four girls.
Of course, the women wanted to know exactly what her wedding night was like, but Debbie remained vague because she didn't want to share her emotions with anyone. She was soon able to change the subject and find out about how the celebrations went and what her friends thought about the pony express couriers. The girls had to confess that they were very attracted to boys and that surely, once they left, they would try to keep in touch with them.
Meanwhile, Buck was also put under siege by the boys, but, thanks also to the help of Ike and Kid, he told the bare minimum, ignoring Cody's insistent questions.
"Guys, leave him alone, in his place you would tell these intimate things?", Intervened Kid.
"Obviously yes", Cody exclaimed.
"You're still the same idiot", Jimmy scolded, "of course we'd keep the details to ourselves. Sorry Buck, it's just that we all envy you "
"Well, if you play your cards right, from what I have seen, you may soon have a beautiful girl by your side ..."
This joke from Buck was enough to get them to stop and get them back to their work.
The two weeks that Debbie's friends stayed in Sweetwater flew by and when the day of departure came, all the girls had tears in their eyes but the boys were also sorry. They hoped to see them again soon, even if they thought it was unlikely.
"Girls, thanks for everything", Debbie said, "we'll definitely see each other on our honeymoon in Italy. Please, if and when you talk to my parents, let them know how happy I am. I haven't received an answer from them yet, but I'm afraid they won't react well when they know that I got married anyway without their consent "
"Thank you dear and don't worry, you will see that in the end everything will be fine with your family. We will miss you very much ". This last sentence was addressed above all to their new friends.
The diligence set off, leaving a streak of melancholy in everyone.
Over the next few days, Debbie and Buck began organizing the religious wedding and planning the construction of their home.
They decided to go on Sunday to talk to the Reverend to tell him their decision and meanwhile Debbie explained to Buck how she wanted their home. Based on these indications, the boy consulted with Teaspoon and the others to figure out where to start building it. Once everything was decided, Buck began purchasing the material to lay the foundations. As soon as he and the boys were free from their work, they dedicated themselves to building the house.
Debbie was often with Lou and Rachel to decide on the furniture and began to go to some shops to buy everything needed to furnish and decorate the house.
The Sunday following the departure of Debbie's friends, as decided, the two boys, after the religious service, asked the reverend to speak with him and explained their intentions. The man was very happy with their decision, confirmed and recorded the date and then told them: "I do not assure you that you will not encounter difficulties in your path, the mentality of the people is still very backward, but with your love you can do it. . Even when you have children you will have to fight for their rights, but if there is anyone who can win this battle it is you ".
The two boys thanked the reverend and went home happy.
During the week came the letter from Debbie's parents who, as she had imagined, were absolutely opposed to her daughter's behavior and advised her to reconsider while there was still time. Debbie, even though she knew she was giving Buck pain, wanted to tell him.
"I'm sorry honey, I hope to be able to convince them, otherwise we'll have to do without them"
"It is natural that they react like this, they do not know me, they only know that I am a half-breed who immediately started to trick their little girl, inducing her to marry her according to a wild ritual"
"But is not so"
"I know, but it's how they see it"
"You'll see that I'll be able to change their minds"
"I hope for you"
In that instant Buck decided he would write to Debbie's parents to try to plead her case. Debbie also wrote the answer to her family right away, trying to explain the truth again and hoping for a change in their attitude.
One day, while the boys, Debbie and Rachel were in town, Kid said he was going to the bank to collect some money because he had to shop. Meanwhile, the boys went to Tompkins's shop to have a look as Debbie and Rachel selected some fabrics to make the curtains for the new home. Suddenly shots were heard and a great confusion arose. The couriers, Debbie and Rachel rushed out of the store, immediately joined by Teaspoon. A bank robbery was in progress and Lou's blood ran cold because Kid was in there. Suddenly two bandits came out with a hostage: Kid was their pass. One of them yelled: "If you don't let us go, we'll make a hole in the boy's head."
Teaspoon interjected: "And who tells us you won't kill him anyway if we let you go?"
"Nobody, but you have no other choice", replied the bandit.
Teaspoon nodded yes and told everyone not to shoot, but at the same time, he made it clear to the boys to be ready.
They let the bandits go but after giving them a little advantage, the boys and Teaspoon set off in pursuit. Meanwhile the other citizens went to the bank to see if there were any injuries, but luckily they were all fine.
As Buck was getting on his horse, Debbie yelled: "Be careful" and he waved back.
Rachel and Debbie returned to the station to await news and the boys set out on the trail of the outlaws. Buck studied the footprints and realized which direction they were headed. They parted ways to be able to surround them. When they reached them, a violent shooting ensued, during which Kid was wounded in the leg and fell from his horse. Jimmy took the opportunity to throw himself on him and take him to cover, also being wounded in the arm. Teaspoon and the others managed to disarm the bandits and retrieve the loot, but the two attempted to escape and were killed by Lou and Ike.
Immediately Lou ran to Kid and Jimmy and as soon as she made sure they were okay, she didn't hold back from kissing Kid. The two young men were helped to mount their horses and were taken to town where they were medicated and then returned to the station where they were greeted with apprehension by Debbie and Rachel.
Kid and Jimmy were off for a few days and the boys also covered their shifts.
Recovering from his injury, Kid made an important decision: he had been too afraid of dying and losing Lou, so he decided to take the plunge. He went to town and bought her a ring. He decided he would give it to her at dinner the next night, but they would go to a nearby town so as not to reveal that Lou was a girl.
"Lou, this thing really scared me, I realized that life is precious and I'd like to spend more time with you. What would you say if we went to dinner together tomorrow night? "
"Oh Kid, I'd love to, but how do we do it?"
"I also thought about this: we will go to Seneca, so you don't have to worry about being recognized"
"I Agree"
The next evening they did as they had planned. When they returned, Debbie and Buck were still out on the porch discussing some details about their home and saw that the two boys were particularly happy.
"In my opinion, those two could tell us something important tomorrow ..."
"Are you saying?" Buck asked.
"Oh yes.."
The next morning, in fact, at breakfast, Kid asked for a moment for attention: "Guys, Lou and I have to tell you something"
"When is the wedding?" Debbie asked.
Kid looked at her stunned: "How do you know?"
"We saw you come back last night and I guessed ..."
"Well, yes, the experience I lived made me understand that I don't want to wait any longer. I love Lou and I want her to be my wife "
"And I accepted"
"Congratulations!" They all exclaimed, then Debbie and Rachel hugged the two boys.
"And when is that?" asked Teaspoon.
"In a month", Lou replied, "we don't want to wait and we will make do for now in a cottage nearby, then little by little we will see to build a house"
"Well, now I have two weddings to arrange", Rachel exclaimed.
"Teaspoon, we'd love it if you did the ceremony", Kid asked.
"I? Oh well. Yes, I would say yes "
"Great", Kid reiterated.
"Now we would need the bridesmaids, witnesses and the bride's attendant", Kid continued.
"Well, the bridesmaids are already discounted", said Lou looking at Debbie and Rachel who smiled at her, "while I would have thought of Ike as a date"
Ike signaled that he accepted with pleasure and Lou and Kid thanked him.
"As for the witnesses, obviously all four of you guys", Kid said.
Rachel and Debbie offered to take Lou to Seneca to choose the dress and they decided they would go next week.
Meanwhile, construction of Debbie and Buck's house continued. The girl had very clear ideas: outside it would be made of white wood, with a small veranda in front where she would place a swing for the summer evenings. Around the porch he would grow a climbing plant that would cover most of the pitched roof. The windows would have been paneled, in English style and the entrance door would have been very wide. The veranda would also continue on the right side of the house where she would place armchairs and a coffee table.
As soon as you entered, on the left there would be the kitchen, habitable, while on the right the living room. In front of the door there would be a wooden staircase that would lead to the upper floor.
The living room would have a sofa leaning against the wall of the staircase, a coffee table in front of the sofa, another sofa towards the window and in the wall between the two sofas there would be a fireplace for winter evenings.
The kitchen would have a long wooden table in the center, so they could invite their friends to dinner, and at the bottom there would be a brick decorated wall with a stove that also doubled as an oven and shelves with all the utensils placed on it.
Climbing the staircase, there would be a landing that would lead into a corridor that extended along the two sides that led to the bedroom on the left, while on the right to a future children's room. The bedroom would have the bed positioned on the back wall and in front of it Debbie would have placed a wooden bench on which to put her clothes maybe. On the left wall they would put a dresser and a wardrobe: Debbie couldn't bear to keep her clothes in the trunks. Next to the bed she would place two bedside tables with two lamps. On the right wall a door would open that would lead to the bathroom: she wanted a room to wash herself in the house, with a bathtub to take a hot bath and more ...
Buck and the boys would have had their work cut out ...
The following week, as agreed, the three women went to Seneca to buy Lou's dress and Debbie took the opportunity to take a look at some dresses as she would soon have to choose it too.
Lou chose a very loose white dress, which made her look like a porcelain doll. The three women spent a beautiful day together and took the opportunity to make some purchases.
Debbie some time later received a letter from her family: they absolutely did not agree with her choices, but they knew that she would not easily change her mind, so they told her that despite everything they would be present and would give her their blessing. She ran to Buck to tell him and he was very happy, but he didn't want to tell her that he had written to her parents, he didn't want to spoil that moment.
Debbie decided to reply immediately by communicating her happiness to them and also took the opportunity to reply to her friends who had written to her that they felt a lot of nostalgia for her and the boys.
Debbie then went out to deliver the letters to Noah who would be running the next day and saw that when the boy noticed the letter addressed to Miria she sighed.
"You miss a lot, right?"
"Thing?"
"Miria, I can see how you behave when I talk about her and when you read her name"
"Well, yes, you know I don't really like talking about me, but I was fond of it and I'd like to see her again"
"But did you write it to her?"
"Well, no, we exchange a few letters every now and then but I don't have the courage"
"Don't be silly Noah, if you don't tell her you'll never have a chance"
"But she lives overseas, what chance do you want us to have?"
"Listen to me, I'm not stupid, I noticed how much you guys have become attached to my friends. If you want something good to happen, you don't have to be ashamed of your feelings, write them what you feel and who knows what will happen. Talk to the others too, listen to me "
"Thank you, and to say that at first I misjudged you"
"See, miracles happen" and she went smiling.
The day of Lou and Kid's wedding arrived. The two boys were very excited and the ceremony was beautiful and moving. Debbie wore a green dress with a full skirt and a lace cutout bodice, Rachel a white silk blouse and a brown skirt. The boys wore the suit for special occasions, obviously as well as Teaspoon. Buck and Debbie continued to look at each other throughout the ritual because they couldn't wait to cross that threshold too and to formalize their already partially consecrated love in front of everyone.
The party was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed dancing and eating. The couple, at the end of the celebrations, withdrew and everyone went home. Buck and Debbie told the others that they would stay a little longer to take a walk in the fresh air but in reality they went to the cabin near the Red Bear camp, where they had been previously, and made love passionately.
Over the next few days, the couple stayed away from work to enjoy their honeymoon, while the other boys alternated their runs with the help of Buck and Debbie in building their home.
Debbie had written a letter to her friends to tell them about Lou and Kid's wedding and had taken the opportunity to point out that the boys missed them very much.
It was Christmas time and Debbie asked Lou and Rachel to accompany her to Seneca to buy a gift for Buck. The women gladly accepted and Lou took the opportunity to choose a gift for Kid. Debbie chose a leather photo album in which she had a dedication engraved: "To my love to remember the beautiful moments spent together". She wanted to fill it with photos of their future wedding. The three girls had lunch together and spent a pleasant day, planning to do it more often.
On Christmas Eve, Buck convinced Debbie and the boys to go to town in the afternoon to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. Debbie thought this proposal odd, as Buck didn't really like being around people, but she thought it was still a good idea. When they arrived in Sweetwater, around 3 pm they all found themselves near the place of arrival of the stagecoach. When it stopped, Laura, Catia, Miria and Lorena got out with an insurmountable pile of luggage. Debbie ran to meet them and at that moment she realized that Buck knew of their arrival and wanted to surprise her and his friends.
"What a joy to see you, I don't believe it!" Debbie said.
"Well, you will have a lot of time to get used to our presence, we have come to stay", said Laura.
"What? Are you serious? "
"Yes, we wanted to follow your example. We wrote to Buck who helped us organize everything and find a house not far from where you will live. Now we just have to look for a job "
"Oh Lord, I'm so happy"
"Thanks Buck, I love you to death", she later said to her beloved.
The girls then immediately turned to the couriers, who could not believe their eyes.
They accompanied the girls to their new home and made an appointment to spend Christmas Eve together, obviously with the presence of Kid and Lou as well.
The girls had many packages because they had brought gifts for everyone from Italy. After dinner, cheered up by stories and laughter, it was time for the distribution of gifts. They brought Debbie a new latest fashion dress that the girl really appreciated. Debbie then took the opportunity to give Buck her gift: he was very happy and in turn gave her his: a bracelet identical to the one she had given him, with their names engraved inside, to enshrine their relationship again. Debbie was delighted.
The next day was spent all together in joy again. After the holidays, Debbie took her friends to town to look for work and Lou joined them too, who didn't want to live the life of the housewife, she wanted to work as she always did. Lou and Lorena found work in a clothing store, Miria was hired as an assistant cook in the restaurant where Buck and Debbie sometimes went; Catia was hired by Tompkins who needed help in the shop and Laura was hired as the doctor's assistant. The girls couldn't be happier.
The following week a dance had been organized in the city and everyone went there. It was the occasion to unblock the relationship between the boys and the girls and finally the couples were officially formed: Laura and Ike; Miria and Noah, Lorena and Jimmy and Catia and Cody. Debbie had pushed the boys to express their feelings to her friends, reassuring them that they too felt the same. Debbie couldn't be happier.
Time passed happily and Debbie and Buck's house was almost ready, just a few last touches missing.
One day, while the two lovers were arranging things inside, Debbie went up to the bedroom, where she was starting to move the winter clothes that she would put back after she was married. Buck joined her and hugged her from behind, turned her towards him, kissed her and pushed her little by little towards the bed.
"Buck Cross, what are your intentions?"
"In your opinion?"
"But it's bad luck before the wedding!"
"You are already my wife, remember? What can go wrong? "
Debbie let herself be overcome by those beautiful dark eyes and those lips that hinted at a little pout that she adored and the two indulged in passion by inaugurating their bedroom.
A few weeks before the wedding, Debbie and all her friends, including Rachel, took a trip to Seneca to purchase the girl's wedding dress. The shop owner showed her so many and all beautiful that Debbie just didn't know which one to choose. After many tests and advice, she chose a strictly white one, with slightly uncovered shoulders and ruffles that served as sleeves and joined at the neckline fastened with a bow, the wide skirt with flounces at the bottom and organza decorations in the center, satin gloves that covered the hands. She was delighted. She would only have part of her hair, braided with fresh white roses.
Three days before the wedding, Debbie's parents and sister arrived in town. Only she and Buck, who was very upset because he wanted to make a good impression on his future in-laws, went to welcome them. When they arrived, Debbie hugged everyone and introduced her boyfriend. He immediately understood that her mother was not happy and felt a great pain, but she knew she was right. They accompanied them to drop off their luggage at the hotel and then went to the station, where they met everyone else and said goodbye to Debbie's friends they already knew. Then she and Buck took them to visit their new home and at least they received positive reviews on it.
Buck then decided to leave them alone so they could finally talk in person.
"Why do you persist in not understanding? Buck is a wonderful guy, educated, intelligent, kind and respected. He had a hard time getting accepted but now everyone respects him and has understood what he is worth "
"Do you know how many problems you will have to face as soon as you leave here? In the city they may have accepted it, but the world is not yet ready for mixed marriages and your children will also pay the consequences. We didn't expect this when you told us you wanted to rebuild your life in America ", the mother said.
"Did you prefer that I stay in Italy and live an unhappy life with a man I didn't love? When you get to know him better, you will understand why I chose him "
"Life is yours, but you have failed us", added her father.
"Right, life is mine and I'm satisfied with what I have"
"We would like to talk to him alone, please", the father asked.
"i Agree"
Debbie came out very sad and went to call Buck: "Honey, they want to talk to you." He didn't flinch and went into the house.
"How did it go?" asked the girls.
"As I expected, they will never accept it, patience, our life is here with those who appreciate us"
"I'm sorry", Rachel said hugging her.
"Buck, we wanted to thank you for writing to us. I hope you understand that we are not angry with you ", Debbie's father began," but put yourself in our shoes, we do the best for our daughter and we know that you will face problems and suffering "
"I love your daughter as I have never loved anyone", and it cost him a lot to talk like that, given his shyness, "and I know there will be difficulties, but we will overcome them together. We complement each other, support each other and solve any problem together. I just hope that sooner or later you will be able to accept me because she suffers a lot because of your attitude "
"We don't do this out of nastiness, we're just worried and we really appreciate your words. We hope we are wrong and that you are really able to live peacefully. Now let's go back to the others, I don't want to make my daughter shake more than necessary "
They caught up with everyone else and stopped for dinner.
The next two days were hectic with preparations and Buck and Debbie had very little time to be together.
The previous afternoon, in order not to violate traditions and therefore to remain separated in the evening, they decided to exchange their wedding gifts: Debbie had bought a gold watch for Buck, while Buck had a necklace with earrings with a cameo. Debbie would wear them the following day.
In the evening, Debbie and the girls, along with her mother and sister, had a party at Rachel's house and all gave her their gifts: some of the things for the house, some a photo frame for the wedding photographs, in short, Debbie she couldn't stop unwrapping gifts, and the same thing happened to Buck in the bunckhouse.
Then everyone went to sleep to prepare for the big day.
The next morning Buck woke up very early and was very nervous: not because he had to get married, it was the thing he wanted most in the world, but because he didn't like having all eyes on him. Rachel arrived early in the bunckhouse because she knew she would need help and that it was best not to rely on the boys. She hugged him and said: "Are you ready?"
"Yes and no. I can't wait for Debbie to be officially my wife, but you know I don't like being the center of attention and then her parents don't put me very much at ease "
"You will see that the moment she crosses the threshold of the Church, all anxieties will vanish"
"I hope"
"Come on, now I'll make you breakfast, then I'll help you get ready and then I'll go get ready. While I'm cooking something, start changing "
"Thanks Rachel"
"It is a pleasure"
Meanwhile the boys woke up and began to tease him: "Eh Buck is getting married, Buck is getting married!", hummed Cody.
"Leave him alone, come on, I'd like to see you in his place and if I know you well, I don't think you're too far from this step ..."
This comment was enough to get them to stop.
Debbie, for her part, had slept very little, was very excited and couldn't wait to get to the church. Her friends were preparing her and in the meantime Teaspoon had gone to town to pick up her mother who, when she saw her, couldn't help but get excited. She was radiant and beautiful, like all brides.
When she was ready, they all went out and headed for the city. When they arrived, Buck, accompanied by Rachel, was already inside, while the boys, Debbie's sister and her father were waiting for her outside.
When he saw her, her father too couldn't help but get excited and tell her she was beautiful. The boys gasped, immediately scolded by their jealous escorts!
Debbie took her father's arm and very excited entered the church with the wedding march. Her friends, Lou and Rachel were all moved and when Buck saw her he gasped. Debbie's father told him: "I entrust her to you, make her happy"
These words made Debbie and Buck happier than any other wishes and gifts.
Buck took her hand and said with an adoring look: "You are wonderful and I am the happiest man in the world to become your husband"
"I am the luckiest woman I am sending to marry you." Then they went before the reverend.
The ceremony was simple but moving and Debbie's eyes were tinged when she said the fateful "Yes". Buck was visibly excited too.
They left the church with applause, good wishes and rose petals pulled by Debbie's friends who had spent most of the ceremony alternating their gaze between the spouses and their boyfriends, naturally reciprocated by the boys.
The reception took place in full joy and happiness. Debbie and Buck danced to exhaustion and had lots of photos taken both in the church and at the banquet because they wanted to capture every moment of that day. The bride danced with all the couriers, Teaspoon and of course her father and Buck did the same with Debbie's girls, mother and sister. When it was almost time to say goodbye, Buck approached the orchestra and asked for a moment for attention: he had prepared a surprise for Debbie: he wanted to dedicate a love song to her, so that it was their song. Visibly moved, he began the first notes and Debbie cried with joy, but at the same time she too approached the orchestra and accompanied Buck in singing: she too had had the same idea and had chosen the same song. The orchestra had said nothing to the couple, so as not to spoil the surprise. It was very exciting, the voices were trembling but they left everyone stunned: another passion that united them.
After the applause and compliments, it was time to launch the bouquet, consisting of white roses: the unmarried girls positioned themselves in the hall and Debbie threw it: it fell into Lorena's hands and Jimmy was teased by all the boys to tears. Then the couple said goodbye to everyone and set off for their new home. When they arrived, as usual, Buck picked up Debbie and made her cross the threshold. They went to the bedroom, tenderly and sweetly undressed each other and spent their first night as official spouses making and making love again passionately, as if they couldn't get enough of each other. It was the beginning of their wonderful life together.