Chapter 14
The next morning it was Buck who woke up first. He opened his eyes and felt Bea's hair spread across his chest and her arms on him. He didn't move so as not to wake her but simply looked at her. He slept so blissfully and had a smile on his face. He felt blessed and his eyes moistened. He had finally achieved that happiness he had always dreamed of but never hoped to touch. She was there, abandoned on him, serene, beautiful, sweet and above all she loved him very much. He wanted that moment to last forever.
A ray of light entered through the curtains and hit Bea's face who, probably feeling the heat on her face, opened her eyes. She immediately looked for Buck's face and saw him looking at her.
"Good morning Mrs Cross"
"Good morning my love"
"Did you sleep well?"
"Beautifully. How long have you been watching me?"
"For a while. I couldn't take my eyes off you."
Bea stood up and kissed him tenderly.
Buck felt desire invade him and responded with a passionate kiss that left no doubt about his intentions. He slid her under him and they made love sweetly.
"Can you promise me we'll wake up like this every morning?" she asked him as she stretched
"I don't ask for anything better wifey" and kissed her again.
Shortly afterwards they heard a knock on the door.
"Who will be, Buck?" she asked him.
"Now you'll see" and then raising his voice he said: "Leave it out, I'll take care of it"
She heard footsteps moving away from the room.
"What are you hiding from me Buck Cross?"
Buck got out of bed, put on his pants and went to open the door. He took a tray and brought it inside, placing it on the desk, then said: "Breakfast is served Mrs Cross"
"How did you know what time we would wake up? "
"I told the boy to bring it around noon"
"Noon? Is it that late? What will my parents and others think?"
" That we are enjoying our honeymoon. I don't think anyone expected to see us in the morning. Come on, let's eat this goodness, all the physical activity we've done has made me hungry..."
In response, Bea threw him a pillow, laughing, and then got up to go and eat something.
"Of course if you come to have breakfast like this, I'll have another appetite…"
"Oh that's exactly what I want... Just enough time to eat something to regain my strength and then I want you naked in my bed again"
Buck smiled but blushed. When she noticed it, she teased him: "I can't believe it, are you still embarrassed? Oh Buck Cross, you are truly a man of a thousand surprises"
He kissed her tenderly. They had breakfast and then went back to bed to enjoy their honeymoon.
A few hours later, Buck said to her: "It's hard for me to say this, but maybe we should get out of this room for a few hours to go to your parents and the station."
"Yeah, we should, even if I don't feel like it…"
"Come on darling, we have our whole lives ahead of us to be together"
They got out of bed and got dressed.
They went down to the reception and asked for Bea's parents but the boy told them that they had left word that they were at the Pony Express station.
They went out and joined the others. As they got closer, they saw the boys relaxing on the porch. The first to notice their arrival was Jimmy who told them: "You finally made it out of that room, we had lost hope!"
Buck blushed and Bea replied: "We missed you too much, we can't stay away from you for long"
They entered to find Bea and Annie's parents chatting with Teaspoon, Sam, Emma and Rachel. Buck and Bea joined them, then Buck went out with the boys leaving Bea to chat with the women.
+ Is everything okay, brother? +, Ike asked him.
"Wonderfully Ike, I still have to get used to all this happiness"
+ You deserve it after what you have suffered +
Buck hugged him. The others came over too and Cody told them: "So, how is life as a husband?"
"Well, it has its advantages, you should try Cody", Buck told him.
"Oh I guess, maybe one day I'll be lucky too", he replied.
Buck was surprised that Cody was thinking this out loud, he had never heard him talk seriously about marriage.
After a couple of hours, Bea and Buck returned to the hotel, had a quick dinner and then retreated to their love nest to enjoy the joys of the honeymoon.
In the following days, the two newlyweds, Sam, Emma and Bea's parents went to visit Aunt Rose to say goodbye and thank her for having helped Bea build a happy life in America. By moving to Rock Creek they would no longer be able to visit her often.
The aunt was very happy to see them and wanted to know all the details of the wedding. She spoke for a long time with Emma and Bea's parents and the farewell was very sad because they didn't know when they would see each other again.
They returned to Sweetwater before evening because both Emma and Bea's parents were leaving the next day.
They all had dinner together for the last time and the next morning the four took the same stagecoach that would take Sam and Emma to Abilene and Bea's parents to take the train for the first leg of their long journey. Bea couldn't tear herself away from her parents but promised them that sooner or later she would return for a visit to Italy because she wanted Buck to see the place where she grew up. Buck confirmed that they would keep their promise.
The week was coming to an end and on Monday they would leave to move to Rock Creek, all except Ike and Annie.
Since Buck had already done his run that week (he had still wanted to work, in agreement with Bea, taking advantage of the fact that his parents were still in town, to make up for the lost days, even if Teaspoon had told him that he shouldn't worry), on Friday afternoon he left with Bea to go to his brother Red Bear: Bea had not given up on getting married according to the Kiowa rite. They would stay there briefly and return in time to depart for Rock Creek.
They prepared two horses and preferred not to use the carriage, to be faster and arrive in less time.
When they reached the camp, they were warmly welcomed by the tribe who had taken their misfortune very much to heart. One of the warriors immediately went to call Red Bear who literally rushed to welcome his brother and sister-in-law.
"Buck, Bea, I never imagined I'd still see you here" and he hugged them both.
"You have to thank my wife's stubbornness, it's hard to say no to her", Buck replied.
"Your wife? I'm really happy for you, I have to confess that when you left the last time I feared that your relationship wouldn't last, but I'm happy I was wrong"
"It was very hard Red Bear, but our love won over everything and we got married last week", Bea explained.
"Bea would also like to make the wedding official according to our rite, even if for the tribe she has been my wife for a long time"
"I am happy to oblige you and I am honored, but now come to my wife, as long as it is not too painful for you to see my son", said the Kiowa chief.
"The pain is still strong, but we will gladly see your family. Precisely because we still suffer we need to start from here", explained Bea.
"I understand. Come on"
They went to Red Bear's tepee where they found his wife and son who had really grown up. Both Buck and Bea felt a pang in their hearts upon returning to that tent and seeing their nephew, but it was right. The two women hugged and Bea also told her friend the news of the wedding. Meanwhile Red Bear went to prepare everything for the next day.
Buck had told him they would be leaving early so they could be home on Sunday and finish their preparations for the trip to Rock Creek.
In the evening they dined with the tribe and festive songs were already sung in honor of the newlyweds. They then retreated to the teepee assigned to them.
They spent the night making love and cuddling and Bea felt that something inside her had changed, she felt happier and more serene than usual. She attributed it to the festive atmosphere that was felt in the camp.
The next morning Bea was kidnapped by the women who prepared her for the ceremony: they dressed her in a beaded buckskin dress, provided her with decorated moccasins, and styled her hair in two braids with woven beads. Buck got ready with his brother who told him he was very proud of him.
When the time came, Bea was led by Buck in front of the tribe's Shaman who placed a stick on the ground in front of the couple that represented the limit between single life and married life. Buck gasped as he saw Bea dressed up like a true Kiowa woman and thanked the gods for granting him such joy. When they were next to each other, the Shaman dispensed the necessary blessings and sprinkled the couple with the sacred smoke. Buck and Bea later exchanged the ritual drink and were then invited to jump together over the stick amidst the festive shouts of the tribe. They were then accompanied to their teppe to seal their union. Bea lit the fire and sat on the side, the place reserved for his wife. While the festive songs continued outside, Bea and Buck united their souls to celebrate their definitive union, according to all the rites of their customs.
In the evening they spent time with Red Bear and his family and in the morning, after saying goodbye with the knowledge that they probably wouldn't see each other again for a long time, they left for Sweetwater, full of hope for the future.
They arrived for dinner and stopped at the station where they told their friends about the ceremony, then they returned to the hotel to prepare the last things before departure and spent the last night in the city that had made them meet, fall in love, but had also almost separated them.
The next day, early in the morning, they all set off after accompanying Ike to the city and greeting him and Annie warmly.
"I'll wait for you brother, don't mess with me", Buck told Ike.
Ike hugged him and nodded.
"Annie, I'll give your letter of reference to the mayor of Rock Creek so there won't be any problems when you come to live there, you'll see that everything will be fine", Bea said.
Kid in the meantime pulled Lou aside a little and said to her: "I'm really sorry that from today you'll be wearing men's clothes, I got used to seeing you always dressed as a girl"
"I still don't have a valid reason to leave everything Kid, when I have one maybe I will."
She hoped that in this way Kid would decide to make a change in their story. Until then she would continue to pretend to be a boy.
Kid took the shock and also went to say goodbye to Ike and Annie.
They all hugged each other and left. Ike followed them with a melancholy look. Annie saw him and said, shaking his hand: "I know I'm asking a lot of you Ike, but we'll catch up with them soon, I just need a little more time"
Ike nodded and kissed her tenderly: he hoped that those months would pass quickly because he wanted to join his family, but above all he wanted to finally marry Annie and be happy like his brother Buck was.
The journey was long and exhausting, transporting all the trunks and personal effects was not easy and took much longer than expected. Buck required that we stop at regular intervals so as not to exhaust the horses, since until they bought new ones those were the only animals they had.
"I'm sorry darling, I didn't want our first days as married to be so hard", he told Bea.
"We've seen harder days without moving from our homes Buck, this is nothing if it gets us to our new life" and she kissed him.
He smiled and joined the others.
It took them three days to travel the distance they usually traveled in much less time, but they arrived safely and without encountering any problems. They entered the city in the early afternoon.
They headed to the station and Jimmy and Kid showed everyone the fruits of their labor.
"I'm proud of you, boys, you were fantastic!", congratulated Teaspoon.
"If you don't mind, I'll bring Bea to our house", Buck announced, looking at his wife with a dazzling smile that made her knees melt.
"And I'll go to the hotel to rest a bit, I'll come back for dinner", Rachel said, a little sad because she had to spend some time alone at the hotel and she wasn't used to solitude anymore.
"Um, Rachel, there's actually a surprise, right Jimmy?" Buck said.
"Yes: you won't have to go to the hotel at all, we managed to arrange your portion of the house too. Of course, there is still work to do because we gave priority to the station and the newlyweds' house, but we made your apartment habitable, so you won't have to spend time away from all of us", explained Jimmy.
"Oh thank you guys, you were so kind! I actually felt a little sad because of the hotel. I don't know how to thank you!" and rushed to hug Jimmy, Buck and Kid.
"Well madams, let's go see this house then. Rachel, if you allow me, I'll gladly accompany you", Jimmy offered.
"How nice, we're really starting from scratch and I'm sure we'll have a great time here! Tomorrow evening everyone will have dinner with us to celebrate!", said Bea.
They unloaded their bags and Buck, before taking theirs, led Bea by the hand to the house which was right behind the station.
"I want you to close your eyes and trust me. I know you've already seen it, but I've made some improvements the last few times and I want to surprise you!"
Bea let herself be guided by her husband and when they were in front of the house with Jimmy and Rachel, he said to her: "And now open your eyes darling!"
Bea opened them and saw the house painted white with green windows like she had always dreamed of, with a welcome sign hanging on the front door.
"That's wonderful Buck, and you planted the fruit trees and flowers too! I love you so much!" and kissed him passionately.
Rachel also gasped and said: "You guys were amazing! Thank you with all my heart!"
"Come on, let's go in!", Buck invited Bea.
When they reached the doorway, Buck picked her up, making her let out a little squeal, and carried her inside.
"Finally home", she said before kissing him passionately.
Buck put her down and said: "Just take the time to bring in our bags so as not to leave them in the middle of the road and I'll be with you"
Bea nodded and while Buck was out she took a little tour of the house to admire her love nest. She opened the pantry that she thought was empty, but to her surprise she saw that it had been carefully filled, everything was in its place.
She smiled and felt like the happiest woman in the world. She immediately ran upstairs to prepare a surprise for Buck.
About a quarter of an hour later, Buck came into the house and said: "Honey, it's a good thing I don't have all your bags, or I would have spent the evening carrying trunks in. Where are you?"
"I came up Buck, can you come for a moment please?"
"And the luggage?"
"It's urgent, we'll put our bags away later"
"It's everything okay, love?", he asked her as he was climbing the stairs, a little worried.
"I need you, come quickly"
Buck heard the voice coming from their room and opened the door quickly, worried about Bea's hurry. When he entered he was breathless.
"I absolutely need my husband, I've missed him too much these past nights"
Bea was waiting for him lying naked on their bed and looked at him with a look full of desire.
Buck was left stunned in the doorway, so much so that Bea started laughing and invited him again: "Are you thinking of leaving me in our bed alone or do you want to come and inaugurate it properly?"
Buck shook himself and approached her who stood up and began to undress him while kissing him passionately. In an instant Buck found himself without clothes and slid Bea under him. He kissed her, caressed her and together they reached Paradise.
They spent a few hours relaxing and loving each other, then decided to get up to sort out their things and make the house their new world.
They went out to the store to buy fresh fruit and vegetables since Buck had only been able to put foods in the pantry that didn't deteriorate over time.
They took the opportunity to stop by the station to say hello to the boys and Lou asked her: "So, how's the house?"
"Fantastic, can't wait to show it to you"
"Enjoy your privacy tonight, we'll have plenty of time to settle in tomorrow", Lou replied.
"And you? How do you feel like being a boy again?"
"I don't know, maybe safer than dressed as a girl."
Bea squeezed her arm affectionately.
They said goodbye to the boys and Teaspoon and returned home to find Rachel in the garden.
"Guys, it's really fantastic here, I'm sure we'll get along well. I really don't know how to thank you Buck."
"It was the least we could do Rachel. As soon as we get into our rhythm we will complete it completely."
"Oh, take it easy, that's fine already", Rachel replied
"You'll see that when it's over you'll be proud of it"
Rachel smiled and thanked him again.
They entered the house, Bea prepared a quick dinner and then they lay down on the sofa in front of the lit fireplace to cuddle and fantasize about the future. Buck looked at Bea as she told him how she imagined their married life and he was enchanted, he still couldn't believe he was there with her, away from the others, in a house of their own.
Bea noticed this and said to him: "Do you think I've gone too far with my imagination?"
Buck shook his head and replied: "No, I think you're beautiful and it's time to stop talking."
He kissed her passionately, picked her up and carried her upstairs where they spent their first night in their new home unable to get enough of each other.
They fell asleep when it was almost dawn.