Author's note: Well, we've finally arrived to the wedding! I want to note that the Lakota marriage blessing I used here I found online. It claims to be Lakota, but evn if it's not, I loved the sentiment in it and thought it would be perfect for the situation. Thank you to Shannon for beta-ing this chapter for me, I always value her help and insight. Only a few more chapters left until the conclusion. For now, enjoy!
Chapter 8
Morning came sooner than either Kid or Lou would have liked. The August day dawned brightly with sunlight streaming into their tipi from the smoke flap as well as the door. Lou had been sleeping soundly for the first time since she had left Rock Creek, thanks to the strong man curled around her. Sometime in the night, she remembered him waking her with kisses and caresses, making love once more as they clung tightly to the other before returning to sleep. Now, seeing the sunlight filtering into their temporary home, she was filled with dread for the coming morning. Refusing to think about the fate that lay before her, Lou pushed the depressing thought of her impending nuptials away, preferring to enjoy the feeling of Kid's arms around her. Her back was tightly pressed up against his chest and she could feel the short hairs on his thighs tickling the backs of her legs. Moving her hand over her still flat stomach, she was surprised to find his larger hand there, unknowingly cradling the product of their love. Usually, she thought, his hand was cupping her breast as they slept, but since they were expected to part forever this morning, she allowed herself this tiny moment to believe they were a family and that he was keeping them both safe in his protective hold.
The thought that he might never get to hold their child filled her with an overwhelming sense of dread. Unable to distance herself any longer from the fate that lay before her today, Lou felt the first tears start to fall. The chief had granted them one last night to say their goodbyes, but she refused to believe it would be forever. They had worked so hard to get back together, she knew it just couldn't end like this. Despite her best efforts to control her tears, her body was softly quaking.
All too soon, Kid's arms were tightening around her, his voice whispering in her ear, "Shhh, sweetheart, it'll be fine. You won't be marrying him today. We'll be leaving here together, you'll see." As he said the words, though, Kid wasn't sure who he was trying to convince, him or her. There really were no more words to say at this point as the couple waited for the day to start and their fate was revealed.
Lou rolled over in his arms, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him with all the love and fear she felt in that moment. Soon their passion was building to a frenzy as their lips and hands devoured the one in their arms.
The flap to the tipi was thrown open, admitting Magaskawee into the lovers' abode. The sight of her friend locked in a passionate embrace with her love, brought tears to her eyes. As far as she knew, her mother had been unable to break the agreement Lou had made with the chief to marry Matoskah. The wedding was still set to go ahead as planned. Having heard her mother's vision for herself as she relayed it to Lou, Magaskawee knew the chief was making a mistake, but she hoped the two before her had figured out how to fix things. Walking over to where they lay wrapped in each other's arms, she kneeled down, gently tapping Lou on the shoulder, whispering, "Louise, it is time. We must begin preparations for your wedding today."
Sniffling, Lou nodded her head, asking, "Give me a minute, please."
"I will wait outside with my mother, but do not take too long. There is much to do today," she replied before slipping from the structure.
Holding him close for the last time, Lou whispered, "I love you, Kid, but I have to go." She turned her watery brown eyes to his own sad blue ones.
"Lou, please, don't do this." Kid still had no idea how he was going to get her out of this, but he knew he had to try. No, he couldn't try, he had to succeed. Because anything less would be unbearable. She placed her hands on his cheeks and pressed her lips firmly to his before slipping from their bed. He could taste her tears against his skin and felt the dampness they left behind. Watching as she slid her deerskin dress up her lithe body, Kid threw back the blanket and quickly donned his long johns and pants, deciding to leave his shirt on the ground where she had tossed it last night. She was shoving her feet into her moccasins, brushing the tears off her cheeks as she tried to ready herself to face the man she was to marry. Leaving Kid behind was the hardest thing she would ever have to do and she didn't know how she was going to survive today. "Lou, look at me," Kid pleaded, taking her hand in his, her gaze never leaving the ground by her feet.
She couldn't turn around and look at him for fear that she would never leave if she did."I can't," she whispered, "I'm sorry." Pulling her hand from his, she fled from the tipi.
Outside, Lou nearly ran over Magaskawee in her flight from the man she loved. Curly, who had been standing beside his wife, managed to grasp Lou by the arms before she fell to the ground. He took in her splotchy, tearstained face, and generally dishevelled appearance and realized he needed to help his friends make it through today. "Magaskawee," he said, "We must help them."
"Yes, we must," she agreed, placing her arm around Lou's quaking shoulders and leading her away to the chief's tipi where she would spend the morning preparing for the wedding. Eyota gave her son-in-law a penetrating stare before following her daughter and their guest off to the other end of the village.
Curly watched as his wife and her mother led a distraught Lou through the village, waiting until he could no longer see them before entering his home. Inside, he found his pale friend sitting on the buffalo hide staring blindly at the embers of the fire. Picking up a log, Curly tossed it onto the fire before sitting down next to his friend. "Do not give up hope, my friend," he said. "I do not think you have lost Shappa yet."
"How is she not lost?" Kid exclaimed sadly. "She left me this morning without looking back. I can't believe she's gone."
"She is only gone if you do not fight for her."
"But how can I fight, if she won't let me?" he asked. "I won't leave here without her."
"No, I do not believe that you will. When you leave us, she will be by your side, I think."
"But how do you know?" Kid asked, playing with the small leather ties he had found in the buffalo fur. They were the same ones that had been in her hair only a few hours ago.
"I do not. But I believe all will be revealed in its own time," Curly said. "Come, we must help get Shappa's new home ready for her. As her family, it is expected that you will help. Besides, it will help you to stay busy today."
Kid nodded woodenly, tucked her hair ties into his pocket, and stood to find his boots. Putting his socks and boots on, he grabbed his long john shirt from his saddlebags before deciding it was too hot to wear, and followed Curly out of the tipi. His heart was breaking and he was powerless to stop it. When they had decided to go their separate ways months ago, Kid felt like there was a hole in his chest where his heart used to be. Looking back now, he realized that was nothing compared to now. She had truly been his and he had lost her. He had no idea how he would survive losing her again.
Having arrived at the chief's tipi, Lou sat silently as Eyota tried to coax her to eat something. Magaskawee kept reminding her she needed to eat for her baby's sake and so she wouldn't get sick again. Knowing her friend was right, Lou reluctantly ate the fruit and corn cakes the women had prepared for her to break her fast. Her meal completed, Magaskawee started combing Lou's shoulder length hair before braiding the front of it, allowing the back to lightly brush her neck. As her friend replaited her hair, Lou sat motionless, tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn't think it was possible to cry this much. Surely she would run out of tears soon, she thought to herself, not really caring if she cried for the rest of her married life.
After spending the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon preparing her friend for her wedding, Magaskawee announced she was ready and the trio, along with Kimimela, prepared to leave the tipi to begin the wedding celebration. The last thing Lou felt like doing right now was celebrating. Just when she thought her life was finally coming together, it all fell apart. Placing her hand over her stomach, she thought about her child growing within, a child she thought she might never have. But now, she was preparing to marry a man she had only met days ago and who she most certainly did not love. It was all so wrong. Remembering her vow to the chief only yesterday when he insisted the wedding would proceed, Lou straightened her back and held her head high as she exited the tipi, refusing to let him see her upset.
Emerging from the tipi, Lou noticed the sun was already beginning its descent in the summer sky. She had no idea how much time had passed in the chief's tipi, consumed with grief as she was. Having been sequestered away from the rest of the tribe for the better part of the day, Lou swiped her tears away as Magaskawee and Kimimela led her through the village. As they approached the center, she could hear the sounds of drumming getting louder. The hypnotic music filled the center of the village as every other woman was gathered together, alternating between preparing the evening meal and dancing in celebration of the soon to be wed couple. Lou was barely aware of her surroundings, but paused her walking when her two friends ushered her over to sit upon a soft hide. Magaskawee sat with Lou while her sister ran off, disappearing amongst the women. Kimimela soon reappeared, Eyota by her side, each bearing a trencher of food. Placing the feast before the bride, the two women settled beside Lou and Magaskawee, urging the forlorn woman to eat. "Hoksicala," Eyota reminded Lou, placing her wrinkled hand on the young woman's stomach. Lou knew she had to eat or she would get sick again. She thought back to the last time when she might have been with child and her relief over discovering it wasn't to be. This time, however, she wanted this child with every part of her being. Her child was a miracle, created from the love she shared with Kid and she knew she needed to do everything she could to ensure it arrived safely into the world. Looking over the variety of foods presented to her, she reached for the blackberries first, popping a dark, sweet berry into her mouth. Savoring the taste, Lou quickly polished off the rest of the berries. Next, she decided to sample a corn cake like she had eaten earlier in the day. Her nausea mostly abated with her meager meal, she decided to try a little of everything else on the platter. Purposely skipping the pemmican and dried buffalo meat, Lou slowly tried the chunks of roasted potatoes and turnips as well as sampled a piece of bear meat. Not liking the taste of that, and feeling her nausea trying to make a reappearance, she removed the offensive bite from her mouth, discreetly tossing it to one of the dogs walking around camp. Popping another raspberry in her mouth to rid it of the awful taste, she decided to try a piece of roasted venison. While not her favorite, it was much more palatable than the bear or the buffalo that was making her ill. Lou slowly consumed a few more bites of the venison before finishing with a few more raspberries. Eyota handed her a gourd filled with water, urging her to drink. Bringing the vessel to her lips, she drank deeply, quenching her thirst and feeling sated for the first time since she had arrived at the village.
"It is almost time, Louise," Magaskawee said, trying to prepare Lou for what was to come.
"Time for what?" Lou asked, hoping she didn't mean the wedding. She was still ruminating on some way to prevent her marriage to Matoskah. Unfortunately, she just kept dwelling on what she was giving up by foolishly agreeing to this whole marriage yesterday.
"Matoskah will be here soon to bring you to your new home."
Lou turned a panicked look to her friend at the mention of the brave and her new home. Frantically shaking her head, Lou quietly exclaimed, "No!"
"It will be alright. It is just to look at the tipi to make sure everything is in order. Your things will soon be moved there as well as his. We will stay with you until it is time for the blessing," Magaskawee explained.
Breathing a sigh of slight relief that she still had time, Lou nodded her head in understanding, if not agreement. As if on cue, Matoskah appeared by her side, offering his hand out to her. As she looked up to him, she noticed he was looking at her differently, almost as if he felt sorry for her. The smug, leering look he usually gave her was gone, a look of resignation settling there instead. Glancing at his outstretched hand, she purposely ignored it, standing on her own as she waited for Magaskawee, Eyota, and Kimimela to join her. The four women ready to go, Matoskah led the way through the village to the tipi that had been erected earlier in the day.
As they walked through the village, Lou noticed many of the women turning out and smiling sadly at her as she passed. Their sorrow over her fate was clearly written on each of their faces. Word of Mahpiya Tho's arrival at the village must have spread and the women were saddened to hear of the chief's refusal to allow them to be joined. Their tears and grief for her plight filled Lou with renewed anger over the arrogant man's role in all this. Smiling at the women as she passed, she proudly held her head high preparing to go into battle against the famous chief. Reaching the end of the village, she stopped in her tracks as she saw Kid standing there with Curly, obviously waiting for her arrival with Matoskah.
Locking eyes with the sandy-haired man who held her heart, Lou felt the first tear slide down her cheek. Swiping it angrily off her face, she turned to stare straight ahead as Matoskah walked with her around the tipi. She could hear him talking to her about the outside of their new home, but she heard none of it. She was acutely aware of the other man walking around with them, the one she should be doing this with. Magaskawee held back to walk with Curly, the two of them constantly glancing between Kid and Lou and passing concerned looks to one another.
Once they had inspected the perimeter of the dwelling, Matoskah held the flap open, waiting for Lou to step inside. She glared at him as she passed, refusing to speak to him at all. If he was going to insist on this wedding, she was going to ignore him for the duration of their union. She would keep her vow to never be a wife to the brave no matter what he did. As far as she was concerned, she was Kid's wife, even if it wasn't legal and even if he hadn't asked for her hand yet. In her heart, she was his and Lou was determined to remain faithful to him as long as she lived. Once inside, the pair waited on opposite sides of the tipi as the rest of their party entered their new home. Lou glanced a look over at Kid as he entered last, noticing the agitation he seemed to be carrying around with him. Shirtless, his hands were shoved in his pockets as he continued to stare alternately between Lou and Matoskah. When he wasn't watching her, Lou could see the anger rolling off him in waves, causing her to shudder in response. She didn't want to make him angry, but she knew in her heart that was exactly what she was doing. Lou desperately wanted to run over to him and tell him she would leave with him immediately, but she knew that was pointless. Her wedding day had come, and even if it wasn't legal in the world she came from, it was enough here. If only she had listened to Kid last night and let him whisk her away to the preacher in Cottonwood. Then they wouldn't be in this predicament today. Looking around her at the new tipi, she barely noticed anything about what would become her home any moment now. She didn't care. Her heart was across the tipi with Kid, worrying over how he was handling this. Glancing over at Kid, she caught him watching her, his blue eyes full of love and sorrow. Her brown eyes pleaded with him to understand why she was doing this, even if it really wasn't what she wanted. Their eyes were silently pleading with one another when the party was interrupted by the arrival of Sitting Bull.
"Ah, looking over your new home?" he asked, looking between Lou, Matoskah, and Kid with a humorous twinkle in his eye.
Curly saw the look his brother was directing at the three people central to the day's events and thought something was amiss. Narrowing his eyes at his chief, Curly leaned over to his wife, saying, "What is he doing?"
"The hour of proclaiming your marriage has arrived, Shappa," Sitting Bull announced. Glancing over at the bride, he noticed her seething with anger as tears silently rolled down her cheeks.
Magaskawee, hearing her husband's warning tone, looked at her brother-in-law before slowly looking over at her mother. Noticing a look of satisfaction on the woman's face, Magaskawee elbowed Curly in his side. Catching his eye, she nodded her head in her mother's direction, saying, "I think there are two of them." She watched as her husband's eyes passed between the two elders of the tribe, wondering what was really going on here.
"Shappa, it is time," the chief said, trying to take her arm to escort her out of the tipi.
Yanking her arm away from his touch, Lou stormed out into the late afternoon light. Waiting outside for her arrival were the three braves that always seemed to be around Matoskah. Tahatan, Wambleeska, and Hotah stood guard outside the tipi, a large blanket and four spears laying on the ground nearby. Lou furrowed her brow as she looked at the long sharp weapons. Grumbling to herself she mumbled, "You needed braves to ensure I went through with this wedding? Unbelievable."
Leaning over to look the petite woman directly in the eye, Sitting Bull responded to her vitriolic comment, saying, "It is tradition to have the new couple escorted through the village by our fiercest warriors." Standing back with a smirk on his face, the chief motioned for the three braves to ready the blanket.
Lou was so caught up in her own emotions she was unaware of the rest of the party gathering around her outside the tipi. Magaskawee, with Eyota nearby, came over to stand by her side to offer their support. Curly, realizing Kid was going to need his help through the approaching ceremony, chose to wander over to his friend's side. The sandy-haired man stood with his arms folded tightly across his bare chest, his face fluctuating between anger and sorrow depending on where he was looking. Kid stood watching as the women gathered around Lou, effectively blocking her from his sight. He knew she was there though, and kept his eyes trained on where he knew she stood. Despite her anger and sadness, she had never looked more beautiful and he prayed to every god out there that she wouldn't be joined to the other man today.
Near her, he watched as the three braves spread the blanket wide before gathering a spear. Each man took a corner of the blanket in his hand, the front left corner flapping in the sultry summer air. He briefly wondered who was supposed to be holding up the front corner but turned his eyes back to where Lou stood. He didn't have long to wait to find out. Wrapped up in his thoughts, Kid was unaware the chief was calling for him. Beside him, Curly nudged his side, saying, "Kid, the chief is looking for you." Kid looked as his friend nodded his head in the direction of the three braves, indicating where he should go. Shaking his head over the gall of this famed chief, Kid felt the anger bubbling up inside him once again. Reaching the spot at the front corner of the blanket, Sitting Bull handed him the remaining spear as well as the corner of the blanket. Kid narrowed his eyes as he realized the man was insisting he be an active participant in something he was so against. Unable to stop things, Kid followed along as the rest of the braves hoisted the blanket above their heads. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lou, escorted by Matoskah, had made her way beneath the blanket. She was inches away from him and he longed to take her in his arms and run off, leaving this whole miserable event behind. Looking over at her, their eyes met, the love and longing immediately visible in the other's eyes. He watched as tears rolled down her cheeks and he longed to kiss them away.
Magaskawee and Eyota urged Lou to step forward beneath the canopy the braves and Kid had created for the wedding. Beside her, Matoskah held out his hand for her hoping she would allow him to escort her under the blanket. She stared at his hand briefly with contempt before turning her blazing eyes to his face. He still wore that same look of resignation she had seen earlier at the chief's home, as well as something else. Studying him carefully, she thought she saw a hint of regret and shame. Moving beneath the canopy, she stared straight ahead, thinking to herself, Good. Serves you right to feel bad about forcing me into this. Lou had taken her position beside the man she was supposed to marry in a few minutes, finally noticing the brave standing closest to her was not Lakota. It was Kid! As if this whole thing wasn't bad enough, the chief had to insist on making him watch from her side as she promised her life to another man. It was all too much for her to take. Her eyes bored into his broad shoulders, begging him to look back at her. As if on cue, she watched his tousled head turn, their eyes connecting in silent longing. Unable to stop them anymore, Lou felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at Kid for the last time as a single woman. She had been unable to look into those blue eyes she loved so much when she left their tipi this morning to prepare for the wedding, knowing that if she did, she would never be able to finish what she agreed to. Now he was standing right next to her, pleading with her to stop this travesty. She felt her fingers moving towards his bare skin, wanting to touch him, to tell him everything would be alright, but she knew deep down in her heart that they would never be alright again. Dejectedly, Lou dropped her gaze from his, staring at the ground beneath her feet instead. Seeing her rejection, Kid returned his focus to straight ahead, watching for the chief to begin the ceremony.
"As is customary in Lakota wedding ceremonies," Sitting Bull began, "The medicine man leads the procession through the village and blesses the union." The man was speaking in English mainly for the benefit of Lou and Kid so they would understand what was happening. Proudly holding an ornately carved stick high in the air, Sitting Bull began leading their small procession through the village. Behind the canopy held by Kid and the three braves, Curly and his wife, along with Eyota, Kimimela, with little Wichahpi in her arms, the three girls that had been learning English with Lou and their mothers all trailed the couple. Kid watched as they passed tipi after tipi, each time the occupants were outside waiting to offer their congratulations to the couple, frequently shouting, "Shappa," and some other words he didn't understand. They all seemed so eager to have her join their tribe, and he really couldn't blame them, for he wanted nothing more than to have her join his 'tribe.' Afraid to look over at her as they made their way through the village, he kept his eyes trained firmly ahead of him, unable to hide the disappointment and sadness coursing through him from her rejection of him. He still couldn't believe she would throw away everything they had worked so hard to attain just in the name of protecting him. Why wouldn't she trust him to protect her as well? They were in this together, or so he thought. He was struggling to understand her reasons for doing this, for giving him up, as he walked through the village.
Beside him and slightly behind him, Lou kept her eyes fixated on the strong planes of his back as he held the blanket high over her head, the spear held firmly in his left hand. She could tell just by the set of his shoulders that he was battling with himself, alternating between anger and sadness. Her feet kept moving as the small procession made its way through the village, winding its way around until it would eventually stop in the center. Every tipi they passed, Lou could hear the villagers calling out what she assumed were their congratulations to Shappa. She didn't hear many calls for Matoskah but on occasion heard a few people calling for Mahpiya Tho, which broke her heart even more, if that was even possible. Walking through the village, Lou thought of the bond she shared with Kid and the child cradled within her body that they had created from that love. She thought about running away each time they passed an opening between tipis and she could see the wide open plains or the small clusters of trees urging her to claim her freedom. But without Kid by her side, she knew she couldn't leave. Her hands itched to slip within his larger ones and beg him to run away with her, knowing if she even tried to run, he would be by her side. And yet, she continued walking. Looking over at Matoskah for a moment, she furrowed her brow as she caught him watching her. "Stay strong, Shappa," he said to her softly, "All will be well." The confusion evident on her face, the brave looked into her sad eyes imploring her to believe him. Lou let a slight groan escape her lips, shaking her head in annoyance and returning her gaze to Kid's stiff form next to her.
It seemed like they had been walking for hours and Lou was getting tired. When they had started, the sun was still shining brightly in the sky. Now it was dipping below the horizon, splashing shades of pink, orange, and gold across the heavens. She stared longingly at the sunset, reminding her of Eyota's vision. How ironic, she thought, that she would be marrying another man at sunset. This was the longest wedding she had ever been to and it wasn't over yet. After not getting enough sleep last night because she was up with Kid most of the night coupled with the emotional turmoil of today, she was exhausted. She only hoped this would all be over soon and she could go to her tipi and go to sleep. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to curl up in the comfort of Kid's arms and drift off to sleep dreaming of her baby and the life that lay ahead of them. Only they had no life ahead of them anymore, at least not once she was pronounced the wife of Matoskah. Finally, they stopped walking, the chief announcing, "It is time to proclaim the nuptial knot," causing Kid and Lou to tense up. This was it. There was no turning back after this.
"Shappa, you have agreed to join your life together with this man and live the rest of your days as man and wife," Sitting Bull exclaimed loudly, waving his arms to gather their families and the villagers around them. He motioned for the braves holding the blanket over their heads to turn to face the couple beneath. Kid turned woodenly to face Lou as she received the marriage blessing from the chief. Lou watched as Magaskawee, along with Eyota and Curly, gathered the blanket from the braves, carefully folding it up before the old healer tucked it under her arm. Lou's eyes locked with Kid's blue pools, each pleading with the other to stop this.
"I can't do this," Lou whispered softly, turning her watery gaze to where the chief now stood before her.
"I know," Sitting Bull replied quietly, moving closer to her. "I have watched you since last night and spoken with Eyota after we left you. There will still be a wedding today, if you like," he whispered to her. Taking her hand in his, he brought her over to where Kid stood, looking completely lost. Taking the spear from his hand, Sitting Bull handed it to a nearby brave. He picked up Kid's hand and placed Lou's smaller hand within his, saying, "The gods have spoken of the great love between Shappa and Mahpiya Tho. It is not in my way to stand between what they have decreed. So, if you both consent, I shall bless your union, thus joining what the gods have already paired."
Lou couldn't believe what she was hearing. The chief was actually listening to her and he was going to marry her to Kid tonight! Her tears that had been falling for the better part of the day, turned to tears of joy as she realized she would not be parted from him after all. From the other side of her, Matoskah walked over to place his hand over where her hand was joined with Kid's. "I wish you both well in your life together," he announced. Turning to Kid, he added, "Shappa is a rare jewel. Love her well and you will be a lucky man."
Kid stared in amazement at what was happening. He couldn't believe it, Lou would be his wife in just a few moments. The chief had finally seen the bond between him and this woman standing before him, her hand tightly gripping his own. He squeezed her hand back, letting her know how happy he was at this moment. Looking down at her face, he saw the tears were still falling, but her face beamed with happiness. She was weeping tears of joy, just as the old wise woman had told her.
Looking between the two whose hands were now firmly joined together, Sitting Bull asked, "If you are ready, we can begin." At the smiles and nods he received from them both, he proceeded to place the Lakota blessing over them, bonding them together forever in the spirit world,
"Above you are the stars, below you are the stones
As time does pass, remember:
Like a star should your love be constant.
Like a stone your love should be firm.
Be close, yet not too close.
Possess one another, yet be understanding.
Have patience with the other; for storms will come but they will go quickly.
Be free in giving of affection and warmth.
Make love often, and be sensuous to one another.
Have no fear, and let not the ways of words of the unenlightened give you unease.
For the Great Spirit is with you, now and always."
Kid held tightly to the smaller hands within his own, their hands pressed between their chests as their bodies moved closer together. Her face was luminous as the chief said the blessing over them and he couldn't believe this was happening. She was to be his wife. When she whispered to the chief that she couldn't go through with the marriage to the brave, Kid thought his heart would burst. She was choosing him no matter the consequences to the two of them. Lou chose him, and for that reason, nothing could quell the joy that he felt was about to consume him. Gazing into her soft doe eyes, he listened to the wise words of the Lakota blessing and took them as truth. Their love was as constant as the stars and he couldn't wait to spend the rest of their lives putting the rest of the blessing into practice.
Lou knew one thing for certain, there was no way she would ever love another as she loved Kid. Therefore, when the chief asked if she was ready to marry one of his braves, she knew she had to speak up. It was her last chance. Kid was letting her make this decision and as much as it pained her to try to go along to spare his life, she would rather they both die than have to spend any more time apart. From this evening forward, they would spend their lives joined together as husband and wife, or she would spend her eternal slumber with him. There was no one else. Her surprise was doubled when both the chief and Matoskah had already come to the same conclusion. To say she was relieved when the chief placed her hand in Kid's would be an understatement. When Matoskah wished them well, she wanted to cry. Tears of joy were streaming down her face as she listened to the words Sitting Bull was using to bless their union. While she knew it wasn't legal in their world, she didn't care. They could worry about that later. For now, it was enough to know that she was his and he was hers.
Before she knew it, the ceremony was over and she was being pulled away from her new husband. Chief Sitting Bull had blessed their union declaring it protected by the Great Spirit and with the sky darkening following the fiery sunset, it was time to continue with the evening's festivities. After spending most of the day in misery, Lou clung to Kid's taller form, not wanting to be parted from him ever again. She smiled brightly at her husband, closing her eyes as he brushed her tears away. He slipped his arms around her, gazing into her chocolate eyes before kissing her softly.
They were interrupted by Curly, saying, "Everything has worked out for you and Shappa, Kid. I told you to not lose faith and to keep close to her. She is yours now for the spirits have said it to be so." Magaskawee and Curly had arrived at their side following the conclusion of the marriage blessing, jubilant grins spread across their bronze faces.
"Mama has worked her magic, I think. She has made the chief and Matoskah see the truth of things they refused to see," Magaskawee said.
"It certainly looks that way," Lou agreed, nestling closer to the man beside her.
"But, now it is time for us to go. We must prepare you for tonight," she added, her words directed at her friend.
"Go?" Lou asked, clinging tightly to Kid at her side. She could feel his arm tighten around her at the woman's announcement. "Go where?"
"We will go to the chief's tipi while Curly will take Kid to your new home. They must move your things into there," she explained.
"Do not worry, Shappa," Curly gently admonished, "You will not be away from him for long."
Nodding her understanding, Lou reluctantly slipped from Kid's protective embrace, following Magaskawee from the center of the village. Before they left, Magaskawee handed little Wichahpi over to her father's care until the women returned for the evening. "Come," he said to Kid, "Let us go prepare your new home for your bride's arrival. I am sure you are anxious to be reunited with her after today." The infant in his arms gave a soft cry that was immediately comforted by the low voice of her father.
"New home?" Kid asked. "You know we won't be staying, right, Curly?"
"Yes, but you will not want to share with the rest of my family while you are here," Curly said with a knowing smile. Still considered a newlywed himself, the Lakota brave understood a married couple's desire for privacy. "Once you and Shappa leave for your home, Magaskawee and I shall move into your tipi. She had moved back in with her mother once Shappa arrived at camp and I was sent to find you."
"So it's your home we're taking?" Kid asked. He didn't want to displace his friend so he and Lou could be alone. "You shouldn't have to give up your home for us."
"Magaskawee and I are happy to give you this time together. She shared with me many stories of your wife last night, especially how much she loves you. Some time alone will be good, no?" Curly stated as they reached the tipi he and Lou had shared the night before. "We have arrived," he said, lifting the flap to allow the two men entrance. Cradling his daughter to his chest, he ducked into the dark abode.
Kid entered the tipi behind his friend, noticing how dark it had become in their absence. He watched as Curly placed his daughter on a soft bed on the other side of the tipi from where Kid now stood. The brave walked to gather some logs to add to the barely glowing embers of the fire, mainly to banish the darkness from the space so they could see more easily. Now able to see his surroundings, Kid began gathering his saddlebags and canteen, stuffing his shirt into the leather pouch. He wondered if there was any bedding in the other tipi or if he should grab the furs and blankets they had slept on last night. Shrugging his shoulders he decided that his bedroll would have to do for the next few days. Picking up his meager belongings, Kid headed for the door so he could deliver his things to their temporary lodgings for the next few days. Slipping through the doorway, Kid began the short trek to the other tipi. Looking around him, he noticed the fires were brightly lit, their flames dancing high into the darkening sky. Above him, the stars were beginning to twinkle, shining their tiny lights down onto the village. Around him, people were going about their nightly routines. Women were cooking supper. Men were tending animals. Children were helping their parents. All around him were families, something he had always dreamed of having for himself. He had been so lonely since he had left Virginia, but then he had joined the express and met Lou. He thought of what Lou had shared of Eyota's vision and smiled when he realized he wasn't alone anymore. He had his wife by his side and he prayed to the gods that they would have a lifetime together. A lifetime full of love and happiness to make up for the terrible parts of their childhoods.
Looking around him, Kid realized he had arrived at his new, albeit temporary home. He was so lost in thought he hadn't realized his feet had carried him here on their own. Moving the flap aside, he entered the quiet space, trying to look around. Despite the darkness, there was some light coming inside from the fires burning outside the tipi. Dropping his belongings in a heap to one side, he noticed the pile of logs he and Curly had stacked in here earlier in the day. While Lou was getting ready for the wedding, he had been enlisted to help get her new home ready, a task that filled him with dread at the time. Curly had tried to appease him that she was not lost yet, but as he helped prepare the dwelling for tonight, he had no idea it would be for him and his bride. He still couldn't believe that she was his wife here among the Lakota. The scowl that he was sure had been on his face all day today had been replaced with a smile that he now couldn't keep hidden. Lou was his and she would be here soon to celebrate their wedding. He knew that this wouldn't be considered legal once they returned to Rock Creek, but he planned on remedying that as soon as he could officially ask Lou for her hand and get her in front of a preacher. Or Teaspoon, he reminded himself. Teaspoon could marry them, he thought, remembering the wedding they had all attended back in Sweetwater when Barnett had tried to marry that woman who turned out to have quite a few husbands. Thankfully, Lou didn't have all those husbands, he thought with a chuckle. Placing the logs he had stacked in his arms within the ring of stones in the center of the tipi, Kid pulled the flint from his saddlebags and using his knife, struck some sparks onto the kindling. Within minutes, the walls of the small abode were flickering with the dancing flames as Kid paced anxiously, awaiting the arrival of his bride.
Kid was startled as the flap was thrown open, admitting Curly and Wichahpi into the space. The imposing brave walked over to his friend, handing him a large bundle he had carried under his arm. The sandy-haired rider took the bundle, looking uncertainly to the giver. "What is this for?" he asked, watching as Curly tried to adjust the infant in his arms after relieving himself of the bundle.
"Magaskawee and I want you to have the buffalo fur and blanket as a wedding present and to thank Shappa for all she has done for Kimimela," Curly explained as Wichahpi wailed loudly. "I think she would like her mother right now," he mused, turning his attention back to the squalling girl in his arms.
"Looks like you got your hands full there, Curly," Kid commented with a grin, watching his friend trying to soothe the clearly unhappy child.
"Hands full, yes, but worth every moment. You will see," Curly said above the crying. He continued tending to his daughter, hoping that his wife would be here soon to feed the child. It shouldn't take too long for them to complete the rest of the ceremony, he thought.
It was as if the women had heard Curly's thoughts and knew it was time to return, for an instant later, the flap was thrown open once again and Curly and Kid watched as Magaskawee, Eyota, Kimimela, and three other women he recognized from the procession around the village as well as three young girls entered the tipi. The women were clutching the blanket between them that had been the canopy for the procession around the village. They seemed to be carrying something in it. Kid watched as the women walked across the small space, finally stopping directly in front of him. It was only then that he noticed they were carrying Lou in the blanket. Carefully, they dropped her at his feet and backed up watching and waiting. Looking down at her sitting on the ground below him, Kid saw her turn a coy smile up at him, her eyes glowing with love.
From across the tipi, Curly, who had relinquished his daughter to the care of her mother, informed him, "You need to claim your bride, Kid."
"Huh?" Kid asked, blushing as the meaning of the brave's words registered. Glancing at the faces staring back at him, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do with all these people around. He was pretty confident he wasn't supposed to claim her in the biblical way.
Seeing his friend's confusion, Curly walked over and whispered in Kid's ear, "Tell her 'You are mine.' Then she will finally be your wife." He quickly retreated to the side of the tipi where Magaskawee had settled to feed their daughter.
"Did you tell him what to do?" Magaskawee asked. She saw her husband nod his head in confirmation, her attention turning to her daughter drinking from her breast with occasional glances over to her friend.
Lou looked up from where she now sat at Kid's feet. While in the chief's tipi, Magskawee removed the small braids she had placed in her hair this afternoon while she told Lou what would happen once they were finished. As a result, her hair now hung in soft waves around her face, a face turned expectantly towards the man who was her husband. Lou sat patiently waiting for Kid to claim her as his wife. She watched as he lowered himself to his knees before her, saying, "You are mine," almost as if it was a question. His blue eyes penetrated her brown orbs, full of love and joy at their union.
Lou smiled up at him, slowly nodding her head. "Yes, Kid. I am yours."
Kid reached out his hand to her, relaxing as she placed her hand in his outstretched one. He carefully helped her to her knees facing him, never breaking eye contact with her. Lowering his head slightly, Kid pressed his lips to hers, relieved that he was still able to do that. She responded by throwing her arm around his neck and pulling him closer to her. Not wanting to let her out of his grasp, he slid his hands around her narrow waist, wrapping his arms around her body and holding her close.
The sound of a throat clearing nearby followed by a few girlish giggles broke the spell that had been cast around the two newlyweds. Breaking apart, Kid and Lou turned to look at their guests who still stood on the other side of the tipi watching them. "It is customary for the bride to prepare the evening meal for her new husband and their guests," Magaskawee explained from her spot in the edge of the room, her daughter still nestled at her breast. "But, since we did not know if Louise could cook, and given the events of today, we decided to bring the meal with us." She uttered a few words in Lakota, prompting the three women from the village along with their daughters to retreat outside for a moment before reappearing with platters of food. Placing one in front of the newly wedded couple, they set the remaining trenchers with their guests.
Kid and Lou settled back onto the ground, sitting close to the other as they started their meal. Immediately spying another mound of blackberries, Lou quickly snuck one into her mouth. Looking over at her husband, she noticed he looked perplexed as to what some of the foods actually were. Selecting a particularly plump blackberry, she reached over and placed it between his lips. "Lou, what is all this stuff?" he asked once the berry was eaten.
Pointing to each item on the tray, she began to identify the foods that had been prepared for them. "Well, I'm sure you recognize the berries," she began. Pointing to a mound of small white cubes, she said, "Those are potatoes. And the yellow ones are wild turnips." She picked up a small cube of meat, bringing it to her nose to smell. Wrinkling her nose up at the unpleasant odor, she said, "Bear." Leaning closer, she whispered, "I tried this earlier today." Grimacing, she shook her head to indicate it was not appealing.
"You didn't like it?" he asked with a smile.
"Nope. I tossed it to one of the dogs that are always around here. He ate it up." Kid chuckled at her assessment of the food, deciding to trust her judgement by skipping over it just in case. She reached over to sniff another piece of meat, deciding it was the venison she had eaten earlier and popped it into her mouth. "What was that one?" he asked, watching her chew thoughtfully.
"Venison," she said. Kid reached over to pick up a small cake-like object, bringing it over to try feeding it to his new wife. Lou had just finished the meat in her mouth when she caught a whiff of the pemmican Kid was offering her. Shaking her head furiously, she clamped her hand over her mouth and nose, swatting his hand away from her. "Not that," she hissed, causing the curious look to reappear back on his face.
"Why not?" he asked. "It looks interesting."
"It's pemmican. Everytime I even smell it, I get sick," she explained. "Same with the buffalo," she reminded him, pointing to the strips of dried meat that caused her stomach to revolt. Kid nodded suspiciously at her comments, wondering if there was something she wasn't telling him. "You're welcome to try it, though," she said, once the offensive food was far enough away.
"What's in it?"
"Some kind of berries, usually chokecherries, dried buffalo meat, and melted tallow," she said with a shudder. Kid brought the morsel closer to his nose sniffing the food his wife found so revolting. Deciding that it smelled alright, he took a small bite before deciding to finish the entire cake. Lou stared at him, a look of disbelief and mild disgust on her face. "How can you eat that?" she asked.
"What?" he asked, finishing the bite. "They're not that bad. Pretty good actually. Maybe we should bring this with us on the trail from now on. Tastes better than hardtack and jerky."
With a grimace, Lou said, "You can have them. I'll stick to hardtack, thanks."
The two continued eating in companionable silence, each relieved at how the day finally turned out. With their new friends sitting around enjoying their first meal as husband and wife, Lou snuggled closer to the man seated beside her as they took turns feeding each other from the platter before them. After the turmoil of the last few hours, things almost felt normal between them, or at least a new kind of normal. Slipping one last berry into her mouth, Lou thought about their eventual return to Rock Creek. While she was anxious to return to the bunkhouse, she knew things would be different now that they had pledged their lives to each other, despite the legalities she knew existed over their new arrangement. As she finished her meal, she wondered what the man beside her was thinking about everything that had transpired between them this evening. She remembered the look of shock on his face when Sitting Bull had placed her hand in his and informed everyone present that he would be more than willing to bless their union. Watching their guests finish their meal and begin clearing the remnants of it, she suddenly grew nervous over being alone with Kid. She was afraid to find out that he might have only married her today to help get her out of here. Deciding that she wouldn't hold him to any promises they made today, she stood from her spot next to him, saying, "I'll be right back." Moving over to the water bucket sitting by the tipi entrance, Lou dipped a gourd into the clear water, bringing the vessel to her lips and drinking deeply. Realizing Kid must be thirsty as well, she refilled the gourd and brought it over to where he was now standing. Handing the beverage to him, she waited for him to empty its contents. Kid handed the now empty gourd back to her, watching as she returned it to the bucket.
Lou was about to return to Kid's side, when the three girls ran over to offer their congratulations to their impromptu teacher. Eager to squeeze just one more lesson into their brief time together, Ojinjintka threw her small arms around Lou's waist exclaiming, "Shappa haiye!" She was soon joined by Wichawi and Hantaywee, as the other two girls joined the hug. The three girls had come to admire Lou over the course of the week she had spent with them. And while they didn't know the whole story of what had happened between their teacher, their chief and the brave, they knew that their Shappa had been unhappy to be marrying Matoskah today. They had been eager to offer their support to their friend as she became a part of their tribe, but secretly the three girls hoped that Mahpiya Tho would finally claim their Shappa as his own. In the end Shappa had lived up to her name and bound herself to the only one she truly loved.
Lou was overcome by the emotion of the three girls she had been spending so much time with over the last few days. She had enjoyed their spontaneous language lessons while they foraged and knew she would be sad to say goodbye when Kid took her back to Rock Creek. Smiling, she gathered the three girls close to her, hugging them tightly. Wichawi was the first to break away, looking shyly between Lou and Kid, who was making his way over to where Lou stood with the three girls. "Shappa," she said, looking to the young woman she had come to call friend. "Mahpiya Tho léci."
Lou looked over as Kid reached her side. She felt his hand slipping around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Nodding with a happy smile on her face, Lou agreed, "Han Mahpiya Tho léci." She noticed his face looked perplexed as she spoke those few Lakota words she had picked up during her stay here in the village. Turning to him, she whispered, "I told her you were here." He still looked cryptically at her, but shrugged his shoulders, knowing she could explain it better later once they were alone. Watching as the three girls' mothers came over to retrieve their daughters, Kid grinned as the three waved and scampered off to their own homes for the night. They disappeared through the flap of the tipi, leaving Kid and Lou briefly alone.
"They seemed to have taken quite a liking to you," Kid whispered into her ear. Lou felt her hair move softly from his breath, causing a shiver to run down her spine. "Not that I can blame them," he added softly. Placing a gentle kiss on her neck, he looked up to find Curly and his wife coming towards them. Behind them, stood an older woman and a younger version of Curly's wife. He could only assume they must be her mother and sister.
Before his friend could say anything, the older woman pushed through so she could address Kid and Lou herself. Magaskawee stood to the side so she could translate for her mother. "Shappa, Mahpiya Tho léci. Haiye! Nikiciyuzapipi," Eyota began, looking to her elder daughter to share her words with the couple.
Magaskawee looked between her friend and her new husband and began repeating her mother's words in English, "Shappa, Mahpiya Tho is here and you have taken each other as husband and wife. The gods have spoken of your union. Love each other. Care for each other." The young woman paused to look at her mother as the older woman spoke of weayaya and placed her hand gently on Lou's stomach, prompting a look of panic from Lou and a look of confusion from the man beside her. While Magaskawee knew Lou hadn't told Kid of her maternal state, no one else in the room was aware of either her condition or his ignorance regarding the matter. She knew she needed to choose her words carefully now, to keep her friend's secret until she was ready to divulge the information herself. "As the gods have blessed your union, you will be blessed with many children," she chose to say, watching relief wash over Lou's face. Releasing her breath, Lou relaxed when she realized her secret was still safe.
Beside her, Kid could feel Lou stiffen next to him as they listened to Eyota's words. She must understand some of them, he thought to himself, watching as the older woman placed her hand on his wife's stomach. He looked suspiciously between Eyota and Magaskawee. One had a knowing twinkle in her eye, while the other looked nervously between her mother and Lou. Something was definitely going on here, he thought as he heard Lou exhale loudly, her body relaxing once again. While he wanted to know what she was keeping from him, he also knew that he couldn't push her. She would tell him whatever it was when she was ready, and not a minute before.
The old healer took Lou's hands in her own, squeezing them gently before saying, "Tóks̆a akhé waŋc̆híyaŋkiŋ kte." Beaming at the young woman before her, Eyota placed her wizened hand on Lou's cheek and reached for Kid's hand with her other one. Turning from the young couple, Eyota took her younger daughter's hand and pulled her from the tipi, leaving Curly and Magaskawee alone with Kid and Lou.
Cradling her daughter in her arms, Magaskawee beamed with joy over the turn of events today. "It has all happened as it should, I think, Louise. Although I did not know it this morning, Mama has ensured you and Kid will be together as long as you are here. Her vision has come true," she said proudly.
"Yes, it has," Lou agreed, a single tear running down her cheek as she thought about how close she came to losing Kid today. "All of it," she added firmly. The look that passed between the two women did not go unnoticed by their husbands, causing Curly to trade a curious look with Kid.
Little Wichahpi squirmed in her mother's arms, prompting her to say, "Pahina Mnimniza and I will be leaving you now. Perhaps we will see you tomorrow." She tossed a suggestive look to Lou before the two burst out laughing, Lou's face flushing with embarrassment. "Or perhaps not," Magaskawee added as she slipped out of the tipi.
Curly stayed behind a moment, pulling Kid over to his side. "I think our women have secrets from us," he whispered conspiratorially to his friend. "Perhaps we will learn those truths tonight and be enlightened men in the morning," he added. Curly was pretty sure what was going on here, based on what his mother-in-law had said to the newly married couple just moments ago, but based on his wife's translations and Lou's reactions, they didn't want anyone else to be privy to that secret.
Kid thought the same thing, but simply shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Maybe, maybe not. Lou will tell me when she's ready, whatever it is. I'm sure it's fine though."
"You are a more patient man than I, my friend," Curly commented softly, patting Kid on the shoulder.
"No, I just know Lou. If I ask her about it, she'll just shut down. I have no choice," he said. "Thanks, Curly, for everything."
"It was nothing, my friend. Shappa needed you, she still needs you. Now you are together. I will see you tomorrow," Curly said, before adding, "maybe." Smirking to himself, the light-haired Lakota slipped from the tipi in search of his wife and daughter.
Kid turned from their tipi entrance, realizing they were finally alone. Searching through the dark abode, he saw the soft flickers of firelight dancing along the hide walls. On the farside of the room, he noticed Lou had unbound the package Curly had brought with him and was laying the fur and blanket on the ground. She placed her hand over her mouth as she tried to stifle the yawn appearing on her tired face. It had been a long day, one that had been full of emotion and she had to be tired. Lord knew he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to crawl in bed with her and sleep for a week. The bedding finally settled for the night, Lou sat atop the pallet, staring pensively at the fire. Kid grabbed another log from the pile and carefully added it to the fire pit in the middle of the tipi.
The flames were licking the new log she had watched Kid add to the fire. Eyota's statement to her and Kid tonight had caused her momentary panic as she thought the old woman might reveal the truth about her condition. She wasn't sure if Magaskawee had said anything to her mother about the baby, but that probably wouldn't matter anyway. Lou had been around the wise woman long enough to realize she pretty much did whatever she wanted, and if she thought Kid should know about the existence of their child, Eyota would have no problem telling him. But she needed to know that he truly wanted to be married to her before she told him about the baby. Lou refused to trap him and if he wanted his freedom, she would not stand in his way, even if it would break her heart to say goodbye to him.
She was lost in her tumultuous thoughts, not realizing he had joined her on their bed until she felt his hand reaching for hers. Jumping slightly at the contact, she turned her gaze to meet his soft blue eyes. He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of her fingers. Turning her hand over in his, he placed another kiss on the inside of her wrist, watching as silent tears fell from her limpid brown eyes. "Lou," he whispered, "Thank you."
"For what?" she asked.
"For choosing us. For choosing me," Kid whispered.
"I couldn't go through with it, Kid," she whispered back, her voice strained through her tears. "Do you know how many times I thought about running away today?" she asked, her eyes trained on his.
"Probably as many times as I thought about tossing you over my shoulder and running off," he said with a gentle smile. He returned her hand to her lap, bringing his hand to brush along her damp cheeks. "Why are you crying? It's all over and we're married now." His comment only made her tears fall harder, causing her to cover her face with her hands as she sobbed into them. Her reaction was the opposite of what he expected. Did she not want to marry him? Was she having second thoughts? Reaching over to her, he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her and gently guiding her head to his bare shoulder.
Frustrated by her own tears, Lou allowed Kid to pull her close, but pushed back against him when she realized she needed to talk to him. "No," she exclaimed. Swiping at the tears on her cheeks, she kept her eyes focused on her hands in her lap. She knew what she wanted to know, but she was afraid to ask for fear of what his answer might be. If she lost him now after everything, she didn't think she could survive. "Kid," she began, drawing comfort from his strong hand slowly tracing circles on her back. "Are you alright with what happened today?" she asked tentatively. When he didn't answer right away, she peeked up through her wet lashes at his face. He was studying her forlorn form, his brow creased in worry.
"While I would rather have known we would be getting married today, I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Lou, I love you. I've wanted this from the beginning, back when you told me I still had a chance with you. Actually, it was probably before that. I think I've imagined us married since the first time we were together, maybe since the moment I discovered you were a girl."
"Are you sure?" came her teary reply.
"Of course I'm sure," he reassured her. "What about you? Are you sure you want to be my wife?" He smoothed his hand along the length of her spine, a motion he knew would usually calm her when she was upset.
Lou threw her arms around his neck, clinging to him for dear life, softly sobbing, "Yes," into his neck. "I thought you might have changed your mind after today."
Pulling away from her so he could look into her eyes, he said, "Never. Never have I been more sure of anything in my life."
"But you know this isn't legal back in Rock Creek?" she reminded him.
"Yeah, I know. But in here," he said pointing to where his heart lay beating rapidly beneath his chest, "it might as well be."
Lou smiled at his avowal, saying, "Me too."
"And as for it not being legal, I plan on taking care of that as soon as I can."
"I just don't want you thinking I forced you into anything."
"You should know by now I can't be forced into something I don't want to do," he reminded her gently.
"I know. I don't know why I'm acting like this," she whispered, wondering if the baby was playing havoc on her emotions lately.
"I would think after the last two weeks you have had, you're allowed to be a little emotional," Kid said. "Think about it, since you left on this run, you've rescued a Lakota girl from a terrible fate, been shot, thrown from your horse, knocked unconscious, been kept by the Lakota, and almost married off to one of their braves. You've had a busy couple of weeks."
"Yeah, I guess I have," Lou agreed, adding to herself, and found out we're having a baby.
"And you're still healing from all that," he reminded. Lou nodded her head in agreement, unable to stifle the yawn that gave away her exhaustion. Snuggling against his firm chest, she rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes as his arm snaked around her slim shoulders. Kid could feel her relaxing against his body, her breathing becoming slower and more even. Gently nudging her, he suggested, "Lou, why don't we go to sleep? It's been a long day for both of us."
Lou mumbled against his neck her agreement, slowly sliding off his lap onto the buffalo fur. She pulled her moccasins off her feet, depositing them closer to the fire. Fumbling with the ties on her deerskin dress, she was able to pull them apart, the garment slowly slipping from her shoulders. Kid hands were there to help her stand briefly, the dress sliding down her body and pooling at the floor around her feet. Lou stepped out of her dress, kicking it slightly out of the way, too tired to care where it ended up. Beside her, she was vaguely aware of Kid removing his pants and long johns, preferring to sleep nude in the warm August night. Carefully, he lowered her to the ground, slipping the two of them beneath the soft blanket. Cradling her in his arms, Kid felt her body relax against his, whispering into the night, "I love you, Lou."
"I love you, Kid," was her breathless reply as slumber finally claimed her.
The feel of her in his arms this night made him forever grateful to the gods for sending that vision to Eyota. The old healer had known of their bond and seemed to make it her mission to ensure they were together. As Lou slept in his arms, he sent up his thanks to the people who had made this night possible. Curly, Eyota, Magaskawee. Hell, even Teaspoon for sending her on this ride and Cody for being, well Cody. He thought back to his lonely days after he left Virginia, when he thought he might be alone forever. Then this spitfire of a woman entered his life, helping him realize the treasure he found in her. Feeling more content than he had in a long time, Kid closed his eyes and joined his wife in peaceful slumber.