DEBBIE CHAPTER 7
The next morning, when Debbie opened her eyes, she found Buck still unclothed beside her with a tray full of all the delicacies next to her and a red rose beside her plate.
"Good morning Mrs. Cross", he told her in a whisper.
"Good morning hubby, what a beautiful morning vision! My stallion bringing me breakfast in bed "and she smiled.
Buck blushed a little and then kissed her tenderly. They ate breakfast and then fell back between the sheets. In the late morning they got up and then went to the veranda to enjoy the morning air. They remained there embracing and kissing for a while and then went to the bunkhouse where they knew that Debbie's friends and relatives were waiting for them and they would leave that same evening.
They all said goodbye and obviously had to deal with Cody's jokes, which were immediately muffled by the arrival of Debbie's parents and sister. The latter had noticed that Ike and Laura were looking at each other in a particular way. Debbie approached her friend and said: "Don't you have to tell me anything darling?"
"Well, actually yes but this day is all yours"
"Absolutely not, I would not be at peace due to curiosity: so, what happened?"
Laura stealthily showed her a ring on her finger: Ike had made the proposal.
"Oh my God, I'm so happy for you!"
"Sch! I don't want to let you know right away! ", but it was all in vain, Cody had caught their words:" What don't you want to let people know? "
Laura sighed and looked at Ike who nodded to her.
"Ike and I are getting married."
"It's wonderful", all the girls exclaimed in chorus. Buck hugged Ike instinctively because he knew how important Laura had become to him.
"Looks like my boys are getting their heads one by one", Teaspoon noted.
Everyone laughed and then asked the two newly engaged when the wedding would be celebrated: the answer was within a month.
Lunch was very cheerful and in the afternoon Buck and Debbie returned to their home to enjoy their honeymoon, awaiting their departure for Italy the following week, when school would finish. They made an appointment with Debbie's relatives at 5pm for departure. Before leaving, Debbie said to Laura: "Don't think you are doing this, ask me I want to know the details. Appointment all with me tomorrow after lunch ". Buck and Debbie spent the afternoon in their marriage bed enjoying the joys of marriage. Debbie's parents and sister went back to the hotel to fix the last things and the boys celebrated Ike and Laura.
Noah asked Miria if she wanted to take a walk with him to get away from the chaos a bit and Miria, who like him did not like confusion very much, agreed. The two boys moved away a little while remaining silent, then Noah took courage and said to her: "So, it seems that your friends have all been infected by the marriage: Debbie we have lost her for a while, Laura is getting married and Lorena took the bouquet. What do you think about it? Have you ever thought about building a family by coming here? "
Miria was very embarrassed. She loved Noah and he was obviously the reason she moved to America, but she didn't know if she should tell him so openly. She decided to take courage and replied: "Yes, I would very much like to build a family, if the right man would propose it to me". Miria did not believe the words that had come out of her mouth: she, so shy and introverted, had just made it clear to Noah that she expected something from him. But Noah, who needed only this, said: "And if a nice black guy asked you to share your life with him, what would you answer?". Miria didn't believe what was happening, but she didn't want to give it up, so she continued the game: "Let's wait for you to ask me and then I'll consider how to answer", she said smiling.
Noah didn't have to repeat it twice: he took her hand, knelt down and said: "I don't have a ring, I didn't plan all this, but I understand that I want to build a life with you, so if you wanted to honor to spend the rest of your life with me, tomorrow I'll go immediately to take the most beautiful ring in town and put it on your finger, I promise. "
Miria knelt beside him, took his trembling hands and kissed him tenderly, whispering a shy Yes. They knelt there kissing while tears of joy fell on Miria. They decided not to say anything that evening, it was as if the girls were stealing the show from each other, but they knew that no one would complain because they felt like sisters and wanted each other's happiness. They planned to go to town together in the late afternoon, to buy the ring together, although Miria kept telling Noah that it was not necessary, and then within two days they would break the news to everyone. In fact, Miria knew that the next afternoon, at Debbie's house, she would not be able to remain silent.
As agreed, at 5pm Buck, Debbie and all the boys and girls gathered in town to greet Debbie's parents and sister, then took the opportunity to shop and Noah and Miria stealthily went to buy the infamous ring.
In the evening, Debbie made Buck dinner and treated him like a prince. He wanted to help her but she replied: "There will be time to help me, today is our first dinner in our house and I want you to enjoy it completely". He smiled at her, but told her that she couldn't stop him from helping her clean up: "We promised to share everything and this is also part of the deal."
Debbie kissed him and then they had dinner chatting cheerfully and commenting on the future marriage. Buck was delighted for his friend and Debbie was equally happy for Laura. After dinner, while Debbie was putting away the last dishes, Buck hugged her from behind and began to kiss her passionately. Debbie turned, returned his kisses and in no time they found themselves in the bedroom making love. They loved their new life, their home, their family and most of all they loved each other madly.
The next morning, Debbie woke up first and was enchanted to look at Buck's sleeping face who, perhaps feeling observed, opened his eyes and seeing her staring at him said: "Good morning honey, how nice to see your beautiful eyes first awakening".
"I can't stop looking at you", she replied, "I still struggle to believe you are my husband. Such a wonderful man of my own! ".
He drew her to him, kissed her and they made love again. They stayed for a while in bed to cuddle, then got up, had breakfast and Buck went to help the boys with the work.
In the afternoon, after lunch, as agreed, the girls reached Debbie at her house: they studded her with questions about her new life and after she had answered hastily, they shifted attention to Laura who was forced to tell them in detail Ike's proposal: after the banquet, they had moved away a little and he had suddenly dropped to his knees and without words he had taken her hand and put the ring on her finger. Laura said yes and they kissed and hugged. Lorena noticed that Miria was particularly involved and excited and told her: "How excited you are, it seems that the proposal was made to you instead of Laura!". Miria blushed. "Miria, don't you have to tell us something too?", Catia intervened. Miria did not speak but her expression and her joy spoke for themselves.
"Don't think you're doing this!" Debbie exclaimed. "You will not leave this house until you have confessed everything to us."
Miria gave in and told what had happened the day before, but made her friends promise not to divulge the news for a while. They all promised and embraced her. Debbie was very happy: all her friends were gradually settling down with some smart guys.
When the girls were gone, Buck went home and Debbie obviously informed him about the news. "Wow, we're going to have to attend several weddings apparently! We have set a good example ". Debbie hugged him and kissed him, then said: "Yes, but none are as lucky as I am. I married the best man in the world and also the most beautiful ". Buck blushed a little and she teased him for his shyness. "And I'll tell you more, not only are you the most beautiful, but you are also wonderful in the bedroom." This statement made him blush and she kissed him tenderly, teasing him a bit.
After school was over, it was time for Buck and Debbie to leave for their honeymoon. The night before, everyone was invited to their home to say hello and Noah and Miria took the opportunity to announce their wedding. Obviously the joy was great. The date for the double wedding was set for the return of Debbie and Buck: early August for Laura and Ike and mid-August for Noah and Miria. The evening was very pleasant and there was talk of the preparations for the double wedding.
After everyone was gone, Debbie and Buck sorted out the last things for the departure and then went to bed. They were very excited, Debbie for her honeymoon, Buck also because he had never seen Italy. They made some plans and then ended up as usual in each other's arms enjoying their love.
The following morning they were accompanied to take the stagecoach and they all greeted each other with kisses and hugs. Their honeymoon would take place around Italy: they would visit Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan and then stop at Debbie's town to say goodbye to her family. They would be gone three weeks. In the diligence they continued to chat and make plans and often interrupted their words with sweet kisses. They were so cute that an elderly couple traveling with them said: "You are a really nice couple, happy birthday, from what we understand you are on your honeymoon".
"Yes, let's go to Italy, she's Italian!" Buck said.
"How nice, we've never been out of America. Maybe for our 50 years of marriage ... "
"50 years? Wow! We wish we reached that milestone! What's your secret? "Debbie asked
"Lots of love, respect and mutual patience. From what we see, you are on the right track, the ingredients are all there "
"Hopefully", Debbie exclaimed.
After a few days they embarked for Italy and during the trip they spent a lot of time in their cabin, it was their favorite pastime.
"At this rate, we'll be back from our honeymoon in 3!" Debbie said.
"Why not? It would be nice!"
"Yes, many little Bucks running around us"
"Or many little beautiful ladies like you"
They smiled and resumed making love.
The first stop was Rome: Debbie guided Buck around the archaeological finds of the ancient Roman civilization, explaining everything she had studied. Buck watched her with admiration and interest. He loved the passion she put into her work and on that occasion she was really a nice and sweet teacher. They often dined in ancient Roman taverns and tried the typical dishes of the tradition. Buck, as a good fork, appreciated everything.
They then moved to Florence and here too they visited the city in detail and enjoyed all the characteristic features of the beautiful Tuscan town. Debbie both in Rome and in Florence took the opportunity to buy gifts for her friends and in Florence she bought some linen to give to Miria and Laura for the wedding. In a shop, while Buck was looking at some items, she decided to secretly buy him a new belt for his pistol, as his was a bit worn. She would give it to him that very evening.
Back at the hotel, they were so tired from walking all day that they decided to relax with a nice warm bath before dinner. They slipped into the tub of hot water, lathered each other, made love tenderly and then, while Buck was getting dressed, Debbie replaced the belt with the new one.
"What about this?" Buck said when he saw it.
"My gift for our honeymoon".
"Thanks, you are very sweet. I wanted to give it to you tonight, but since we're on the subject… ". He took a small package from his jacket and handed it to her.
"Oh, what is it?"
"My present"
Debbie opened it and found a beautiful brooch that she had noticed in the store that afternoon.
"Thanks love, I liked it so much!"
"I know, that's why I chose it"
They fell back into each other's arms and were so late that they opted to have dinner brought to their room, dinner that cooled down ...
The next stop was Venice and it was perhaps the most romantic moment: they rented a gondola and went around the Grand Canal passing under the bridge of sighs, kissing as usual and swearing eternal love. They visited Murano and Burano where Debbie bought many souvenirs for herself and her friends and Torcello where she told Buck the story of Attila's throne. They went to visit Goldoni's house and walked hand in hand through the beautiful streets of the city.
They left Venice and went to Milan and here Debbie played at home: she knew it very well and took Buck to the most characteristic places.
They spent the last three days before they left with Debbie's parents, to whom they had brought presents. Finally the two newlyweds noticed that the attitude of the couple had changed towards Buck and when they left they were both happy and relieved. Debbie knew they hadn't fully accepted him yet, but at least they were trying.
The return journey was like the outward journey and when they arrived in Sweetwater, they found all the troops waiting for them.
Debbie's friends hugged her and kidnapped her right away because they wanted the details of the trip but Rachel interjected: "Hey, let her breathe, you have plenty of time for stories. Now let's go back, you will be hungry and tired! "
"Indeed, Rachel, your stew is welcome!"
They went to the station and while Rachel with the help of Lou and the girls was preparing lunch, Buck and Debbie went home to arrange their luggage and get gifts for their friends: they had also taken small thoughts for the boys and Teaspoon.
The lunch was accompanied by the stories of the trip and at the end, there was the distribution of gifts, with the exception of those for the wedding: Debbie wanted to give them to her friends in a more intimate moment.
"How did things go here?" Buck asked.
"Unfortunately, the winds of war are starting to be felt and I don't like the situation at all", Teaspoon said.
"And the telegraph is gaining momentum and I fear the future of the pony express will not be bright", added Cody.
"Let's hope things don't suddenly fall apart", Lou observed.
"I'm afraid it will", Teaspoon retorted.
"What will become of us if the pony express dies and if the Teaspoon war breaks out?" Kid asked.
"I don't know son, I just don't know. I believe that each of us will have to make our own choices. I'll have to go home "
Everyone remained silent. "But now we have happier things to think about! In a week our Ike is getting married, followed by Noah. Let's focus on that ", Teaspoon added.
"Right", Rachel observed.
Debbie and Buck inquired about how the preparations were going and offered to help out the next day. First they had to recover from the long journey.
They went back to their house and spent the rest of the day arranging things a bit at home, then Buck surprised her by saying: "Tonight you won't have to cook, I want to prepare you some typical Indian food"
"Thanks Buck, I gladly accept the offer, you know I don't like cooking!".
"I know, in fact I didn't marry you because you know how to cook"
"And why then?"
He approached her tenderly, took her head in his hands, kissed her softly and said: "Because you are my destiny."
Debbie got tears in her eyes. He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Their souls merged as always when they made love.
Buck then stood up, put on only his pants and bare chested and bare feet went into the kitchen to tinker for dinner. She wore only his shirt and wrapped herself in his perfume. She went downstairs and sat down to watch her man as he fiddled with the pots and food. He made her a yellow squash soup, Succotash Mohegan, a vegetable platter with courgettes, spring onions, peppers, garlic, wheat, beans, chicken broth and chopped parsley, quail with peanuts and sunflower seed pie. Debbie was amazed and asked him: "Sorry, but we just got back, how do you get all these ingredients?"
"Well, I asked Rachel for help, I wanted to surprise you!"
Debbie got up from her chair, hugged him and kissed him, then whispered in his ear: "Watch out, I could get used to it."
"No problem, I would do anything to make you happy, but now let me cook, otherwise we won't have dinner anymore"
"At your orders!" Debbie said jokingly. Then she set about preparing the table. They dined quietly and Debbie praised Buck's culinary arts.
"We could organize a dinner with the boys to celebrate the two weddings and take the opportunity to let them taste your dishes"
"Yes, if you want it's fine"
"Perfect, we will inform them tomorrow"
When they had finished dining and arranging, they sat down in the living room crouched on the sofa to cuddle and talk for a while.
"Buck, what are we going to do if war really breaks out and the pony express closes its doors?"
"I don't know, but they certainly wouldn't want me in the army, they wouldn't consider me worthy"
"And luckily, I don't want to be widowed so soon"
"I don't really know what we're going to do, we'll try to tackle the problem right now, don't worry"
She squatted against his chest. They stayed there for a while and then went to bed, but they certainly didn't go to sleep right away ...
The next day, Debbie met her friends to continue the preparations and informed them of the dinner that would be there to celebrate the brides. The girls accepted with enthusiasm.
In the afternoon, they met again at Debbie's to work out more details and the girl took the opportunity to deliver her gifts to the brides. They were delighted.
On the evening of the dinner Buck again surpassed himself in preparing the typical Indian dishes: everyone was amazed and congratulated him.
The days passed quickly and Ike and Laura's wedding day arrived: the boy was more excited than the bride and Buck tried to support him as best he could. The ceremony was performed by Teaspoon and during the banquet everyone enjoyed themselves. Ike and Laura had rented a ranch near the station and settled there.
Two weeks later it was Noah and Miria's turn and the ceremony was very simple because Miria didn't like pomp. There was also the launch of the bouquet again which ended up in Lorena's hands again. The boys could not stop making fun of Jimmy who, however, could not decide to take courage in both hands and take the plunge. He loved Lorena very much, but he was afraid of making her suffer because of his reputation and he also wanted to stall to see what the future might hold. Cody and Catia were also very close, but Cody still didn't feel ready to start a family and for now Catia was fine with that.
The two couples opted for a one-week honeymoon in San Francisco for Laura and Ike and in California for Noah and Miria. They did not want to stay away longer so as not to damage the company in an already delicate moment.
Meanwhile, things were not going well in America, the rumors of war became stronger and stronger and soon it was realized that what was happening was now a reality.
In October the company was declared bankrupt and the pony express closed its doors.
The boys gathered to make a decision: Cody decided to enlist and did not want to marry Catia before leaving, he preferred to leave her free in case things went wrong. Jimmy ended up working as a driver of transport wagons and as a scout for the Union army: he too preferred to wait to get married at the end of the war: he cared too much for Lorena and was afraid of making her suffer. She accepted his decision but followed him on his path. Buck, Ike and Noah knew they would have no future in America and made a decision: they would go to Italy to seek their fortune.
Debbie was very torn, she had left Italy first among the girls because she wanted a different life, but she knew that for the sake of her husband she would have to give up.
Kid and Lou continued to manage the ranch they had set up, while Teaspoon returned home, taking Rachel with him: a deep affection was born between the two, a platonic love that had led them to bond a lot. On the other hand, Rachel did not have a family and decided to follow the man to the South.
The night before they left they all met at Lou and Kid's ranch for a farewell dinner: they promised each other that they would meet again and that they would never get lost. They were a family and nothing could have separated them forever.
When the three couples left for Italy, Debbie smiled bitterly, she knew what the gossips would say: they left to try their luck and came back with an Indian, a mute and a black, just a good deal. They didn't know how much that Indian, that mute and that black were worth….