Hello all, it turns out I didn't have COVID. I, ah, had an ectopic pregnancy and was bleeding out. I had to have emergency surgery. I'm… I'm as okay as I can be considering the fact. Sad I couldn't meet my baby. I will be writing more as writing is how I've coped with other issues, but I'm in mourning so I don't know I'll be updating twice. Thank you all for reading and please enjoy. For those who have lost their babies, I'm so sorry. I understand your pain. I won't be updating Thursday. I need to give myself time to myself for a bit. Next week will be the usual installment.
The sun was setting when they turned off the road and onto a long gravel driveway. They passed fields with cows grazing on grass, a couple of farmhands on horses keeping a sharp eye on the herd of cattle. The driveway leading up to a farmhouse surrounded by long blades of grass and wild alfalfa, and the vast flat expanse of freshly turned soil waiting for the wheat seeds to be planted the next day. Row upon row of meticulously plowed ground stretched across the landscape, the furrows deep and straight, evidence of her father and his farmhands' careful preparation and hard work.
The nostalgic smell of manure and damp earth filled the air, making Nova smile fondly as she leaned out the window like she used to as a child. She could see the lone green and yellow tractor in the distance, tires caked in mud, ready for tomorrow's work.
In a few months, the fields, which lay bare currently, would be full of the wheat that would once again begin its eternal dance with the wind, a blessing from the Mother herself and bear testament to the cycle that defined life on the ranch. The sunlight cast long shadows across the ground, defining the soil. There was the occasional bird that pecked the ground, searching for the worms that had yet to retreat back underground.
Nova smiled as the wind informed her of her father's greeting, an image of the tall, hardworking Speaker waving flashing in her mind. She chuckled at the image of the dirtied man before raising her hand, greeting him with a raised hand of her own.
Clint and Nat eyed her in confusion, but let it be as they continued to drive.
As they approached the house, several Border Collie's chased the car, barking and alerting the residents on the ranch to the newcomers before being sharply recalled to farm hands with a fond shake of the head.
The two story house was a mix of old and new, with a large porch, a barn and a shed in the distance. They pulled to a stop next to the house, Nova's father rounding the house as Nova exited the car. His Border Collie companion, Lucy, stuck close to his heels, waiting to be released to greet Nova. His stoic expression broke into a small smile, revealing the small wrinkles around his brown eyes, the same color as Nova's. His short brown hair rustled in the wind, save for the long lock braided at the nape of his neck that waved in the wind, a silent indicator of a male Speaker.
"Novalie." Her dad, Rick, said, holding out his arms. "Winds embrace you."
They hugged, Nova relaxing into her father's arms. They were as sturdy as the whitebark pine trees that were scattered about the property, seeming to resist the chaos that filled her recent life.
"Winds embrace you." Nova greeted the older Speaker.
"How has your work been?" Her dad asked, pulling away and holding her shoulders.
"Good." Nova replied with a smile, which her father returned. Her father looked up to watch the two strangers approaching.
"I see we have guests." Her father observed.
"Dad, I'd like you to meet my Soulmates." Nova said, unable to hide the smile that never failed to appear when she mentioned them.
His smile widened.
"Congratulations, Novalie. It's comforting to see our Mother guiding you." Her father said.
Nova smiled.
"Clint Barton, Nova's Romantic Soulmate." Clint said, holding out his hand.
The tanned farmer became imposing, much to Nova's exasperation. "Fredrick Williams. You can call me Rick. It's good to finally meet you, Clint."
"Natasha Romanoff. Platonic Soulmate." Nat said, taking her father's hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Natasha." Rick smiled. "Dinner is still out, you just gotta warm it up." He instructed the three.
Nova nodded.
"I'm just finishing up some of the chores." Her dad said. " Preparing for the seeds to be planted in the earth, with the Mother's blessing."
"I'll help." Nova offered immediately, eager to assist in the blessing ritual.
"No." Her father said, gaze on the darkening sky. "I'm almost done. Go on ahead and get settled."
Nova nodded, a tad disappointed, before helping her Soulmates take out the luggage and toting them in.
"Is that you Nova?" They heard a woman call.
"It is, Ma." Nova shouted back.
Her mother rounded the corner in her wheelchair, a warm smile on her face. Her hair was a golden blonde, which Nova had inherited from her. Her mother's blue eyes shined with the warmth of one looking at a child they had reared and loved. "There's my girl."
Nova quickly approached her mom, who pressed a lever, causing the chair to straighten her into a standing position. Her mother was tanned like her father from her time in the sun, but not as much as the farmer, as she spent a smaller percentage outside than her husband. Nova hugged her mom, closing her eyes and squeezing gently, welcoming the comforting warmth her mother gave, similar to how Nova felt in the wind and with Mother Earth.
"You're still in big trouble." Her mom whispered into her ear before Nova pulled away.
Nova sighed internally. Of course she wouldn't waste time. In an attempt to stave off the lecture to come, Nova changed the subject.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet my Soulmates." Nova said.
Her mother beamed at the two Soulmates, "we've been waiting for you for a long time. I'm Tiffany, Novalie's mom." Tiffany said with a smile.
"Clint, Clint Barton. I'm her Romantic Soulmate." Clint went in to shake Nova's mother's hand, but her mother pulled him into a hug, surprised Clint.
"Natasha Romanoff. Her Platonic Soulmate." Natasha said, easily hugging Nova's mother.
"Come on in, I left dinner on the warmer." Her Ma invited them in.
"I'll go put the suitcases in the guest room." Nova said, lifting the suitcases as she spoke.
"That can wait." Her mother said, pressing the button. The chair went down halfway, stalled briefly, then went all the way down.
Nova peered at the wheelchair.
"How long has it been doing that?" Nova questioned.
"About a week." Her mother recalled.
"I'll check it out." Nova said.
"It's alright, it's been working fine." Her mother protested.
"No, I made it. It's not supposed to do that. What if it's serious?"
"I'll go back to the old wheelchair." Her mother said stubbornly.
"And do what?" Nova retorted.
Her mother remained silent.
"I'll look at it when you go to bed." Nova said.
"I'll grab the wheelchair." Mother sighed, "I'd rather you go to bed at a reasonable hour."
She turned to Clint and Nat.
" Go on ahead and eat." Mother said, "Nova will be there in a few minutes."
Clint, not needing to be told twice, disappeared into the kitchen, Natasha close behind.
see you next week *heart*