[19]
The days passed slowly as Thunder Horse and Stands With a Fist began to build a life together. They were happy working by day, and loving each other by night. The rest of the village shared in their good fortune. Food was plentiful and their store houses were full. Relationships with neighboring tribes were sometimes strained, but not violent. The weather turned warm again, which delayed the move to the winter camp by several weeks, but finally November arrived and brought with it the cold. By mid-November it was there to stay, and the air carried on it, the scent of the coming snow. On Grey Wolf's decree, they began the process of breaking camp. Stands helped Black Shawl disassemble Kicking Bird's lodge, and then she returned the favor by helping Stands to take down Thunder Horse's lodge. That difficult task was always left for the women, as was the task of assembling the tipi when they reached their winter home. In just a few hours, the entire camp was broken down and loaded up. Thunder Horse lifted Stands onto her horse and then he mounted the pinto. For part of the journey, he rode by her side, but often he would ride ahead with Wind In His Hair and the other warriors, to scout the path ahead.
Snow began to fall as they arrived in the valley where they would spend the next five months. Thunder helped to bury the poles of the lodge into the frozen ground, and then he left Stands to cover them with the walls. Moving was hard work and they all would be exhausted when it was finally time to lay down their heads. With the walls up, Stands carried their belongings inside and arranged them as they had been before. There were several more blankets than before since hunting had been very good. When everything was in place, she went to the stream to collect water. Thunder and the other men busied themselves with cutting down trees to create a stockpile of wood. When Stands returned to the lodge, she found that her husband had dropped off enough wood for several days. She hung up the bladders of water and built a fire, then opened the flaps to allow the smoke to escape out the top of the lodge. Thunder came in then and pulled the door flap closed to discourage visitors from just barging in.
"I am glad you have the fire lit." He said, "I am cold and hungry."
"I haven't started the meal yet, but it won't take long." She smiled.
"You look tired too. Are you alright?"
"Yes. Moving is hard work. Before we married, there was Black Shawl and the children to help. It is different when there is only one."
"You did a great job by yourself." He said looking around. He took his pipe from where it hung and went over to sit on their pallet by the fire.
"Thank you. We will sleep good tonight." She answered. Using her knife and a wooden tray, she chopped buffalo meat into cubes and threaded them onto an iron skewer which she mounted on two 'Y' shaped poles, suspending the meat over the open flames. Thunder watched her as he smoked his pipe.
"Have I told you today that you're beautiful?" He asked suddenly. Stands looked over her shoulder at him and smiled.
"I am a mess."
"You are a good wife Stands. I said that I would be a fortunate husband, but even I never imagined that you would make me so happy." She crawled over to him and curled up in his lap.
"My heart is full." She said softly then they kissed. After a few minutes, she left him to turn the meat on the spit.
"Do you feel like taking a journey after dinner?" He asked suggestively.
"I'm sorry, I can't tonight…I have company. " He understood that to mean that it was her woman time.
"How long will your company stay?" He grinned.
"A few days. Perhaps a week." He grumbled his disappointment.
"If I can endure it, then you can." She assured him.
"What choice do I have?" He conceded.
"None." She answered.
Later that evening, Stands remembered something and went to rummage through a pile of things. When she located what she was looking for, she returned to her husband's side.
"I found this when we were packing today." She said, holding up a wooden flute. "Can you play it?"
"Yes, I play." He said, taking it from her.
"Would you play for me then?" She asked. He looked at her and smiled.
"I guess I might as well. What else is there to do?" Stands climbed into bed and Thunder Horse began to play a soothing melody. Even though she fell asleep after only ten minutes, he continued to play for almost an hour. He couldn't remember why he stopped playing. He used to enjoy it so. He was happy that his wife had found it. Finally, he laid the flute aside and pulled the blanket up over his shoulders. Tomorrow was going to be a very busy day. With everyone rested after the move, there was to be a dance to give thanks for the journey.
[20]
Several days later, Thunder Horse returned to his lodge one evening to find his wife standing inside the lodge naked. Without taking his eyes off of her beauty, he pulled the door flap closed behind him.
"Your visitor has left then?" He asked as she pulled him into her arms. She helped him out of his clothes without saying a word, and he sat back on the bed amused at the sudden aggressiveness of his wife. She climbed on top of him and kissed him hungrily.
"You want me?" He asked playfully, seeing full-well the desire in her eyes. "Then take me wife." he helped her to ease down on him. They had never made love in this position before and it felt awkward at first, but they quickly found a rhythm. Stands enjoyed the power that she felt, moving her body in this new way. Thunder marveled at her boldness, and he was hypnotized by the way the firelight played on her skin. He couldn't get enough of the feel of her flesh, allowing his hands to caress her back and her buttocks, her thighs and her breasts. She let her head loll backwards, exposing her long neck. He could not resist kissing her there. Suddenly she rode him with such wild abandon that it brought about her own release. She fell against him, gasping and trembling as her long hair cascaded over his face. He smiled to himself.
"You left me behind wife." He teased.
"I'm sorry." She sighed.
"That is alright. You'll just have to come back for me." He said rolling her over on her back and positioning himself above her. He began to move and she was immediately swept up in the moment again. This time, they reached their destination together.
[21]
Life in the winter camp was different from life in the summer camp. The people stayed inside more, especially the children. At night, they all would gather in the communal lodge to enjoy stories, and a meal together before returning to their homes for the night. Walking anywhere meant trudging through seven inches of snow. Because of their location in the valley, every warrior had to take his turn standing watch over the camp.
One evening in early January, when Thunder Horse was standing watch, Stands walked back to the lodge with Black Shawl and her children.
"May I talk to you about something?" Stands asked.
"Of course."
"I think that I am getting sick."
"What do you mean" Black Shawl asked curiously.
"I have not felt well in several days. It is my stomach…and I feel dizzy sometimes." Black Shawl smiled knowingly.
"When did you last have your woman time?" Black Shawl asked. Stands thought back.
"I had it when we arrived at the winter camp, and then…." Stands eyes widened and she looked at Black Shawl who was smiling back at her.
"That was two months ago." Black Shawl reminded her.
"A baby?" Stands asked in disbelief.
"You have all the signs. To be truthful, I suspected that you might be, but didn't want to ask. These things have a way of making themselves known in time."
"What do I do?" She asked Black Shawl, who with four children of her own, had much experience with such things.
"Take care of yourself. Tell your husband. Nature will do the rest." They parted and Stands eagerly entered her home to spend a sleepless night waiting for her husband to return.
[21]
When Stands opened her eyes, she realized that she was snuggled in the arms of her husband. His even breathing told her that he was still sleeping. She didn't want to move, but she knew she must. Quickly she jumped up and ran. She threw open the door flap and got her head out just fast enough to avoid throwing up inside. It was early morning, and it was snowing again.
In a moment he was by her side.
"Are you sick?" He asked. Worry was written all over his face as he felt her face for fever.
"I can't leave this here." She said, indicating the vomit on the snow outside the lodge.
"I'll take care of it. Get back in bed." He ordered, and she obeyed.
"I'm sorry."
"Hush. Get out of the cold." He slipped on his moccasins and stepped outside. The shovel that they used to clear the snow was nothing more than a hollowed out piece of log, but he used it to scrape the dirty snow into a pile, then he scooped it up and tossed it under some nearby trees. He returned to the lodge and pulled the door closed. He warmed himself by the fire before slipping back into bed.
"Should I go get someone to help you?" He asked.
"No, I will be fine." She assured.
"You look green, and you have not been yourself for several days. I am worried." He admitted, pulling her next to him. He slipped his arm under her head and brushed back her hair.
"I know what is wrong with me. I don't need anyone." She said, and he looked at her curiously.
"Then please tell me." He begged.
"Do you remember when we first came to the winter camp, I had my company?" She asked.
"Yes, I remember." He waited for her to continue.
"Well I have not been visited again since then." She said. He thought about this for a few moments, and then his eyes opened wide in surprise.
"A baby? Are you sure?" Stands smiled.
"I am sure." She laughed and he kissed her all over her head and held her close.
"Thank you! Oh, Thank you!" He repeated. Stands laughed.
"How long have you known?" He asked.
"I spoke with Black Shawl last night and she helped me to realize why I was feeling sick."
"Black Shawl knows? She will tell Kicking Bird!" He sounded disappointed.
"She won't tell. You can announce the news to the tribe whenever you want."
"Tonight! I will tell them tonight! This is a wonderful day for me! I'm going to be a father! Thank you!" Stands laughed at his excitement.
"You are welcome, but we did this together." She reminded him.
"But I am not the one who is sick." He spoke lovingly. She felt his warm strong hand on her stomach. He practically beamed with pride.
"How long have you been home?" She asked.
"Just a couple of hours. Not long." He answered. "Why?"
"I tried to wait up for you. I must have fallen asleep just before you came in. I'm still so tired. Can we just stay here together for a little while longer?"
"Yes. You rest here in my arms. I love you so much! I don't know if other men say that to their wives often, but I can't help it. If you hadn't made this blanket for me, I might have settled for Yellow Flower or one of the other girls…I never would have known happiness like this. Thank you for choosing me."
"You are a good husband, and a good provider, and you will be a wonderful father. I love you too." She snuggled up against his chest and closed her eyes. Thunder Horse was almost too excited to sleep, but eventually he drifted off as well. It was almost time for the gathering when he woke up to find his wife standing naked in front of the fire. When Stands turned and saw the hungry look in his eyes, she shook her finger at him.
"I'm dressing so don't you get any ideas." She laughed.
"We surely have time for a short journey, don't we?" He asked hopefully. He held back the covers to reveal himself, naked and fully aroused. She smiled and climbed back into bed.
[22]
That evening in the tribal tent, Thunder Horse helped his wife to find a seat then he went to get her some food. When he returned, Black Hawk called out a teasing remark. It was usually the wife's duty to wait on her husband, not the other way around.
"Are you going to chew her food for her as well?" Everyone laughed and Thunder Horse cut Black Hawk a warning glare. He took his place beside his wife and waited for the right opportunity to make his announcement. That time came a short while later.
"I have good news." He declared. When all attention was on him, he continued. "I am going to be a father!" Everyone cheered. The women all insisted that they knew all along, and the men congratulated Thunder Horse by cheering loudly, slapping his back, and complimenting his virility and masculinity, which Stands secretly found amusing. Kicking Bird got up and walked over to congratulate the couple, as did Wind in His Hair. Grey Wolf held up his hand and soon the lodge was silent.
"This is a very good sign for our people." He said. The subject of conversation then turned to stories of children, with everyone sharing their own memories. Stands and Thunder slipped out about an hour later and walked home together in the dark. It was snowing again.