Chapter 14

The week went by quickly, busy with the final preparations. Joy bought Buck as a wedding present a new belt engraved with their initials. She would give it to him on the night of the wedding.

A couple of days before the ceremony, at dinner at the station, Lou and Kid attracted the attention of friends.

"Um, Lou and I have to tell you something" , Kid began.

"Oh oh, changes are in the air here…", Jimmy suggested, smiling.

"Here, Kid proposed to me, in about a month we're getting married too", Lou announced.

"Hurray! It's about time guys", Cody and Teaspoon shouted. Everyone got up to embrace the two future spouses.

"I'm so happy for you, Lou! As soon as I get back from our honeymoon I'll help you prepare", Joy said excitedly and Rachel joined her.

"Teaspoon, you'll need to find a new courier now", Noah pointed out.

"Yes, but I confess that I have already met a couple of suitable people. I felt there was something in the air between these two and knowing that Buck will be away on his honeymoon, I made my moves. After the wedding Jimmy, Noah and Cody you will help me make the right choice", the man said.

"You always know more than the devil huh Teaspoon?" Cody commented.

"There's one more thing", Lou added.

Everyone looked at her curiously.

"Lou, won't you be….", Rachel dared to ask.

"Oh, no, no, don't joke, there's time for that. I just wanted to let you all know that on Buck and Joy's wedding day, I'm going to show up dressed as a girl. Sooner or later everyone will know and so I decided to stay by your side Joy, if you don't mind ".

Joy got up to hug her and replied: "You make me immensely happy. I will have two beautiful bridesmaids!" and Lou was moved.

"Speaking of roles…", Buck intervened, "Jimmy, Kid, would you do me the honor of being my witnesses?"

The two boys were very excited and said yes.

The night before the wedding, Rachel and Lou moved into Joy's house, where Buck had already packed all of his things. It was hard for the boys and Teaspoon to keep Buck quiet.

"Come on Buck, don't get so upset, take Teaspoon's example, he's done it six times!" Cody joked.

"Well, maybe not the best example to follow, with all due respect Teaspoon, but this marriage better last forever", Noah pointed out.

"What if something goes wrong? What if someone interrupts the ceremony?" Buck said as he paced the room.

'Why the heck would they do that?' asked Teaspoon trying to calm him down.

"Because I'm half a Kiowa and she's too much for me, someone might stop her from marrying me", Buck replied.

"Don't be ridiculous boy, if anyone had a thing to say they would have already and stop saying she's too much for you. You are two soul mates, everyone can see that", Teaspoon reassured him.

"Well, she's too much for him it's true, I haven't fully digested her refusal yet", Cody joked.

They all glared at him, Buck first.

"Hey, I was just kidding! Buck, if I can't be her man, I couldn't have picked a better man, buddy. You're a powerhouse together, and if anyone says otherwise, they'll deal with me", Cody said.

Buck thanked him but then said: "What if my dad gives me trouble? Joy wanted to invite him but I'm not so sure it was a good idea."

"Buck! Enough, if you continue like this you will wear us out. Let's go to sleep and enjoy your last night as a bachelor. Starting tomorrow you'll always have to say sir yes", Noah said and everyone burst out laughing. Buck relaxed a little and they went to bed. Buck tossed and turned all night and when he fell asleep he dreamed that his mother was giving him her blessing. At that point he slept peacefully until morning.

Meanwhile, at Joy's, the girls had a nice relaxing chat over a good herbal tea and also invited Mrs. Swanson who had been very kind to them despite the stormy beginnings.

Joy was very excited and excited at the same time: "Do you realize ladies that tomorrow I will marry that beautiful boy? I still can't believe it's true"

"You look beautiful together", said Mrs Swanson.

"Thank you ma'am, that's really kind of you", Joy replied.

"Rachel, would you have ever said that after our first meeting?" Joy asked.

"Here, really not! I hoped so, because I understood that you were two soul mates, but Buck really gave us a hard time. As stubborn as a mule! Good thing he knew you were the one", Rachel said.

After a while Mrs Swanson retired to her house and they arranged to meet the next day.

"Now that it's just us…" Rachel said, "how's Buck in bed? I've always wondered that"

"Rachel!" Lou and Joy exclaimed together embarrassed and blushing.

"Well, what is it? We are friends aren't we? Friends tell each other everything. We can't deny that he's a really good-looking guy, very strong and vigorous, so I was wondering… well, like I was wondering about Jimmy and Noah too, not belittling the others of course", Rachel explained.

"Oh mom, I never thought I'd have to answer that question..." Joy said clearly embarrassed.

"If you're too embarrassed you don't have to answer, don't worry!", Rachel pointed out.

Joy thought about it for a moment, then said: "You're right, we're friends and there shouldn't be any secrets between us. Well, it's just as you think, wonderful. He is sweet and powerful at the same time, vigorous and greedy and he definitely knows how to make me feel good. I just hope I'm up to it"

"Wow", the two women said.

"Well, you see that it must be very pleasant… and don't be silly. Why shouldn't you measure up?" Rachel said.

"Well, because I'm inexperienced... but then I too was his first woman...", Joy clarified.

"Really? How nice, you discovered the joys of love together!" exclaimed Lou.

"Yes and it was beautiful. The first time was really sweet, I hope I didn't disappoint him"

"Do you think he's disappointed in you?" Lou asked.

"Well, no, actually he seems to like me, though, I don't know"

"Don't worry stupid Joy. You are perfect together. But here's another young lady who needs to tell us something..." Rachel said to Lou.

"Oh, well, here…Kid is very sweet but he needs to be stimulated a lot. He's a traditionalist, I think it's due to his Catholic background", Lou said.

"Well now don't think me and Buck do who knows what huh? But we like to explore. Let's say that it is understood that he is a warrior!"

"Joy!" Rachel exclaimed.

"Well, what? You asked me!" and they all burst out laughing.

They then went to sleep and Joy spent a peaceful night.

The next morning Rachel and Lou helped Joy get ready, and before going to church, Rachel stopped by the station to see if Buck was okay. She didn't trust the touch of men too much. She brought with her a wildflower which she placed in Buck's buttonhole.

"You are beautiful honey! I'm so proud of you"

"Thank you Rachel. How is Joy?"

"She is radiant and can't wait to be your wife", she replied.

Buck calmed down a bit and then asked her: "Rachel, well, I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle…"

"Oh Buck, I'd be so honored" and she hugged him tightly.

Mr Thompkins showed up right on time at Joy's house and when he saw her he told her: "You are beautiful!", then he turned to Lou, recognized her and said: "It's about time that you showed yourself in all your splendor too"

"Did you know?" Lou asked incredulously.

"Sure, do you think I'm a fool? So will you stop running for the Pony Express?"

"Yes, in a month the Kid and I will get married too…"

"I always thought there was some tenderness between you two! Congratulations! Let's go now!"

Lou thanked him, amazed Thompkins had figured it all out long ago,

Joy took his arm and they walked towards the Church. She stopped for a moment and asked Lou: "But Rachel? Did she go to Buck's and never come back? Maybe he's changed his mind?"

"Are you feeling Joy? He could never do that, he loves you so much!"

"Then why doesn't she come back?"

Well, didn't you think Buck has no one to walk him down the aisle? Maybe he asked her."

Joy hadn't thought about it and calmed down.

When they arrived at the Church, in fact, they saw that Rachel had just let Buck in to lead him to the altar.

As Joy approached the church, many of the guests were amazed to see Lou and not all recognized her. Rachel stepped out and positioned herself beside Lou to precede the bride's entrance with her.

The wedding march sounded, Rachel and Lou entered, and Joy followed on Thompkins' arm. Jimmy and the Kid were already at Buck's side.

Joy felt her heart pounding and Buck almost fainted when he saw her.

Thompkins handed it to him and said: "Please boy, otherwise you'll have to deal with me"

Buck nodded unable to speak. He had eyes only for her and after recovering he said to her: "You are wonderful"

Joy lowered her gaze and then replied: "You're not bad either". Hand in hand they stood before Teaspoon who began the ceremony.

At the exchange of vows, it was Buck who spoke first: "Joy, being here today is an honor and a dream for me. I never thought I could aspire to such a wonderful woman. I promise to love you more every day, if it's possible, for the rest of my life and beyond and to always protect you from all harm."

Joy, with tears in her eyes, in turn pronounced her promise: "Buck, my love, when I arrived here I was hoping to rebuild my life after the loss of my parents and to find a new family and so it was. I met our wonderful friends and I met you. The first time I saw you my heart skipped a beat. I thought I wasn't enough for a wonderful man like you and in fact you didn't make my life easy at first, but then, by some miracle, you offered me your love and since then I keep it in my heart as the most precious of gifts. I promise to return with all my heart the joy and love you have given me and to spend the rest of my life honoring, respecting and loving you. There's a whole talk to be done about obeying you..." and everyone burst out laughing, including Buck's father who had tears in his eyes.

Teaspoon made Noah bring the rings and the two lovers exchanged them.

"Joy, with this ring I give you myself and take you to be my wife."

"Buck, with this ring I give you my soul and take you as my husband."

Before proclaiming them husband and wife, Teaspoon said: "Boys, I am so proud and honored to marry you. You are a wonderful couple, I know you will support each other and love each other for the rest of your life. Buck, I have always hoped that you would meet a woman like Joy, that she would appreciate you for the noble and wonderful person that you are and you, Joy, have been a ray of sunshine in our lives and managed to melt Buck's heart, which no one more after Ike had ever managed to do. I am filled with joy to pronounce you husband and wife. Buck, you may kiss the bride."

Buck didn't have to repeat it twice and kissed his wife with tears in his eyes for the emotion and Teaspoon's words that had moved not only the bride and groom but all the guests.

They left the church to the applause of the guests and all lined up to kiss the bride and wish the groom. When it was Dr. Jefferson's turn, Joy hugged him, while Buck just shook his hand.

They moved to the reception hall and had fun all day long dancing, singing and eating all sorts of good things. Lou officially introduced herself as Louise McCloud and announced her marriage to the Kid to the acquaintances to everyone's joy and amazement.

When it was evening, the bride and groom said goodbye to their guests and retired to their home. Buck picked Joy up in the doorway according to tradition and they went up to the bedroom. They undressed and made love fusing souls and bodies throughout the night. They fell asleep in the morning embraced and happy.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight entered the room, they opened their eyes together. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Good morning Mrs. Cross"

"Good morning hubby"

"How nice to see your sleepy eyes as soon as I wake up. I don't think I'll ever get used to such beauty"

"And I could get lost in yours forever. We made it Buck, we're married. Yesterday was the best day of my life and it's just the beginning of a wonderful adventure together."

They kissed and made love again.

"There's something I have to give you", Joy told him. She had decided to give him her gift in the morning when they woke up instead of the evening before. She opened the bedside table next to her and took out a package which she handed to Buck saying: "Here my gift my love, I hope you like it"

"Thanks darling" and opened it.

"But it's beautiful and there are even our initials! Thank you Joy, I love you so much! But now it's your turn." He too took a velvet pouch from his bedside table and handed it to her.

"What is it?" Joy asked curiously.

"Open it and you will find out"

Joy curiously opened the bag and took out a beaded bracelet with a dream catcher pendant.

"Buck, but it's beautiful, where did you get it?"

"Well, I have some Indian friends around and I asked them to have their women make it. I thought it would match your father's necklace and earrings, so you will always carry your two families with you: your parents and me"

Joy had tears in her eyes and said: "Buck is such a sweet thought, I love you so much" and kissed him passionately.

"How about breakfast now?" he asked her. "After the night we had I'm a little hungry…"

"I'll go downstairs right away to prepare something, also because then the second round awaits us..." and she winked at him.

"I can't wait, but about breakfast, don't move from bed, this morning I want to spoil you, I'll go prepare it"

"You are a wonderful husband"

Buck got up and walked to the door without clothes.

"Are you going to go down like this?"

"Yes why? I don't see why I should bother getting dressed when I'm not going to need them any longer soon" and he winked.

"You make me explode to see you like this, you are so beautiful and sexy"

Buck blushed and smiled at her.

Joy rolled over in bed and smelled her husband's perfume still etched into the sheets and pillow. She felt so lucky and happy.

Shortly after Buck returned with a hearty breakfast and the two ate comfortably sitting in bed.

When they were done, they went back to making love.

In the late afternoon they dressed and went to see their friends at the station.

They spent some time with them and then went home to pack their bags because the next day they would leave for their honeymoon: as decided, they would spend a few days in the Kiowa camp with Red Bear and then they would go to enroll Buck at Nebraska medical school and they would spend the rest of their time there.

They also spent that night enjoying their love.