Cotton Blossom

Wesinaco couldn't have been more pleased to see his daughter now walking around the house after him and Evangeline. When they moved in opposite directions, Mia holding onto the leg of a chair or the beams of the underbelly of a low table (if her little fingers could reach), she stood in confusion, not knowing who to follow next. Wes tells Evangeline that having their little Mia make hard decisions (like who to follow) will help her grow into a more rounded woman. She won't hesitate as she does now, her mind will make itself up and fly. Even though such thoughts could be deadly in her teenage years which will, no doubt, be full of rebellion and strife, Wes encouraged it none-the-less.

It is on one of those very evenings where Wes and Eva are cleaning up the table that Mia slides down from her chair. Rosa is still eating her string bean bits. They now grow those slim casings the garden to the back of the house. Wesinaco figures that the flowers that keep Evangeline so very happy, will grow to consume all corners of their abode. He suggests planting a rose bush, letting him build a trellis for them to climb up the side of the house. Some flowers swing and dance in the breeze while others shift in the night, growing to enormous sizes within a season's sun. Well, that is with good weather permitting them to.

Anyway, Evangeline and Wesinaco are talking speedily about adding another chair in the living room. Wes thinks that a nice comfy armchair would do itself very well by the fire. He helps clear the table, him and Evangeline moving to opposite sides of the room. One is in the kitchen in a blink of an eye, the other one following right in time for the first to exit. Mia, becoming quite frustrated at them not being in a single place, stomps her foot on the ground. Thinking that Mia will throw another tantrum over whatever gibberish she wants, Wes simply ignores the child, knowing she will thank him in the future.

Instead, the young girl puffs out her chest and and points at Evangeline who is just entering the living room, "Mam!" she orders in a quite stern tone, "No! No. No. No. Stway." another one of her feet stomp, causing a string bean to fall from Rosa's fingers to the floor. Arathi, always keeping his eyes open for those kinds of pickings, darts for the small jewel and gobbles it up as if he were a beggar. Wes, wide eyed, looks from Evangeline and just bursts out laughing. Their little daughter has said her first few words! Wes is quick to come behind his little baby and scoop her up by her armpits, swinging her around the room before holding her in his arm, complimenting her relentlessly until her face is red with kisses.
 
Evangeline laughed softly, quite appalled that her baby girl would say such a thing as her first real command. She seemed to have been able to master the single words, but never had she managed to string them together and make a full thought. Eva imagined that they would be in for quite the surprise now, as the little baby was blossoming like one of the beautifully coloured flowers in their backyard. Just a few weeks ago she had taken her first steps, and now she was talking! Eva doubted that Rosalie would be very far behind, as she was just as bright as her big sister.

Walking up to the two of them, Eva leaned in and pressed a kiss to her baby's cheek. Having her mother there, her parents thus in the same area, made Miakoda squeal with delight. She was most definitely a daddy's angel, but she enjoyed the company of both of her parents.
"Oh, you're such a good little baby!" Evangeline cooed, kissing her daughter's nose and then leaning up to kiss her husband, too. He was the one that often sat on the floor with their darling daughters for hours, trying to coax a sentence or thought out of her. She was crying for something? Wes would ask her what it was about. She needed to learn, now that she was growing a bit older, to articulate herself to the world around her. Of course, Mia did not know that and mainly just spoke when she was angry or excited. Her most favourite (and first) word was "mama", which had eventually been shorted into "mam" by the sweet little dark-haired angel.

~ ~ ~

"I imagine that our sisters will be elated to see the girls," Evangeline said, leaning into her husband as they rode through the dusty trail leaving from their home. Both Mia and Rosalie were nestled in the back with Arathi, safely nestled into their blankets and taking a nap for the short ride.
Wes wrapped an arm around his wife and nodded his head, reaching down and pecking the side of her temple. The two of them were nearing their two year wedding anniversary, and Evangeline could have not been more ecstatic. Her love had never faltered for her husband, and she believed it never would. It may have been early in their marriage, but considering all that they had been through... it would take more than a hurricane to break them apart again.

When they finally pulled up in front of the grand house a little more than two hours later, Evangeline's bottom was aching and her hips were wore. However, she smiled when her husband helped her down from the cart and soon the two of them were retrieving their babies from the back.

Bethany was the first to emerge from the house, round belly and all. She looked absolutely beautiful, radiating from the inside out. Did Evangeline look like that too?
Despite being rather old for motherhood (at least in their time) several years older than Evangeline herself, Bethany was overjoyed to be pregnant. She and Michael had been trying nearly since they had married but she had suffered a few miscarriages and then just no longer got pregnant. Now, she was five months along and looked as beautiful as ever!
Immediately, Evangeline bounded up the front steps with Rosalie in her arms. She wrapped her arms around her sister-in-law and complimented her profusely on how beautiful she looked. Her rounded belly pressed up against Eva's own, and they both teemed with tears. They were more than excited to have their sons and daughters growing up together, to play and laugh and learn from one another. "Oh, I am so happy!" Eva grinned.

Eventually the small family was ushered inside where Melinda, John and Michael joined them for dinner. Melinda cooed over the baby while Wes talked to his half brothers all about their garden and the land around their home. John was very interested in the area, and was thinking of building a small vacation home for him and his wife to come and visit them, too. Eva and Wesinaco thought it was a beautiful idea.
Soon enough dinner was deserved, along with all sorts of meats, cheeses and wine. It was seldom that the small family came down to see them (not liking to travel too much with their daughters) and so it was a big ordeal.

Michael came around with a bottle of wine, but when he came to Evangeline's glass, Wesinaco stopped him. Suddenly, all eyes were on them and Evangeline was batting her lashes a bit, a soft smile on her face.
Suddenly her hand was smoothing over her belly, and she grinned at everyone, "that is why we came, to tell you all the wonderful news. Wes and I... we are expecting our third baby."
 
Wes smiles and takes Evangeline's hand in his, squeezing gently. He might become fiercely protective of his wife over the next nine months or so but Evangeline knows that every fiber in him just wants to protect his family. Since he couldn't have been there to protect Evangeline when their little Rosalie was born, he has nearly tripled his efforts for their third child. He brings Evangeline breakfast every morning, making sure she doesn't strain herself when getting out of bed. He carries her down stairs some of the times but also knows that in order for the baby to be strong, she cannot rely on his kindnesses.

He promises, when she grows close to pregnancy, that he won't leave her side. Much like with Miakoda being in Wes' womb, he kisses Evangeline's belly as often as he can, wanting the little ball of life to know that there is love all around him or her. Along with those doting smooches, he also rains upon his three lovely ladies, giving them all they could desire. He cooks meals, talks with Mia even though she isn't really the best conversationalist just yet, and also encourages their little Rosa to eat with her fingers. Little by little, these things come to their little Rose and her mechanics are growing strong. She soon grips his finger nearly until it turns purple, doing the same with her food.

When Avonaco, their first son, was born late one evening, Wes literally breaks down crying. Their daughters are in the room with them for Wes wants them to know about the miracle of life as soon as they're old enough to understand. Evangeline doubts they will remember this experience and is concerned that it will scar them but Wes is always thinking positively. He tells his wife, while rocking their baby son in his arms, the rest of the joyous tears running down his cheeks, that the children need to be exposed to things the white men try to cover up. Birth is a part of life and the sooner they understand, the better their lives will be.

But his conversation doesn't last long, Evangeline reaching over to caress the small infants bald head. Wes figures that his size, a good pound and a half heavier than their first children, is because of his sex and its nothing Evangeline should worry about. The baby is healthy and started to cry as soon as he landed in Wes' arms and the Cheyenne gave him a precise smack on the back. The parents stayed in bed for a long while, their girls curled up next to Arathi on the floor. The mornings can only become brighter from here, a baby boy now in their lives to become a strong man just like his Cheyenne father.
 
In the next two years, Evangeline gave birth to two more beautiful children - a boy and a girl in that order, so precious and dear to both parents. Their expanding family required an addition onto one side of the house but by that time Wes had been growing a fruitful crop of corn and this bringing them in more income than they even needed. Their children were so glorious and happy, and Evangeline thanked all of the gods that she and her husband believed in for these beautiful and special gifts. Only their dear daughter Nova had difficulties breathing at birth and Wes was forced to take a late night ride into town with her to see a doctor. Now she was nearing three months old and as beautiful as her sisters and mother.

"Gramma is here!" Miakoda screamed in excitement. Not long after there were heavy footsteps coming up at the front door. When Grandmother Tapaha finally came into the home she was bombarded by a harem of little ones. Naturally she gushed over each one and had all sorts of gifts to spread about, including little homemade dolls and blankets.
Rosalie came running up to her mother with her blanket in her mouth and a big grin on her sweet face. Eva laughed and shifted Neyolanii, or Nolan for short, in her arms.
"What a special present you got my dear baby, you are such a lucky little baby!"
Rosalie babbled and then began to dance around, wrapping her blanket around herself and doing the quick footsteps that her grandmother had taught her in her last visit to them. Wes and Evangeline insisted in their children knew their Cheyenne roots and thus welcomed his mother always into the folds of their home.

When Wesinaco came back into the room as lit a fire, Evangeline curled up into his lap and sighed in contentment as they watched their children play about. This was the life they had always dreamed of and they hoped to introduce perhaps a few more children into the folds of their family; each one was a blessing and they would not stop until they felt they could not handle it anymore. Now Mia and Rosalie were a bit older and could take care of themselves. Even Arathi had managed to find a companion in the neighbour's female dog, who had birthed five puppies just a few weeks ago. Those too were now romping around with their children, yapping and always running about.
Leaning in, Eva kissed his mouth and smiled, "I love you honey... always..."
 
Wes marvels at the way his mother can, so carefree, just scoop up a bunch of children as if they were wheat or corn. She makes sure to kiss every single one of their children, her pride shown brightly on all of her features. Each and every statement their little one's make, Mother Tapaha simply lets it soak in before answering. The children always joke about Grandma answering "like an old lady" but Wes simply chuckles, reminding them that taking a break to really figure thoughts out, is always the best approach before simply acting on instinct. Even though his sons and youngest daughter are too young to understand, Wes knows that Mia and Rosalie at least have a small chance of understanding if he repeats himself enough.

"You know, my dear, I never thought we would have so many children. The mere thought of a single more child fills my chest with joy. I'm thankful that we're ... you know, doing so well. It's the only reason I still," Wes leans in close to his dear flower, making sure only her ears hear what he has to say, "still make love to you as often as possible." while their children are distracted, playing with their Grandmother on the floor, Wes slides his hand up to Evangeline's bottom, giving her a loving squeeze before settling it back down on her thigh. "But soon we really ought to control ourselves. It's," he leans in to kiss her, "getting," more kisses, "out of control." Wes finishes with a long kiss before simply holding Evangeline against him.

Little does he know, his wife would give birth to one more child before her body gives up. Another girl, Nehalona, is brought into this world after their second son. Wes' hands as ready as ever to catch her and make sure that their little one is safe, breathing, and healthy. And at last, with their last little girl being settled into her crib, their long awaited family is complete. Wes compliments Evangeline daily on her strength, having to give him, all too willingly, six babies. Six beautiful strong children who he, along with his mother, will teach to be proper Cheyenne's and coexist with their white counterparts instead of causing trouble.
 
After Nehalona, despite how much sex Wesinaco and Eva had, she could not conceive. Of course, the couple were not discouraged; perhaps this was just God and nature's way of saying that they had all they needed underneath their roof. Evangeline had never felt so blessed before; which six children, four girls and two boys, she was always on her toes. But with the corn growing and Wes always nearby, she had little more to fret about then a cut or scrape that one of them may had acquired in the day.
Of course, soon Evangeline's own parents came to visit and were truly in love with the half-Cheyenne babies that roamed around the property. Soon their daughters and sons were jumping on gramma and granddad just as they did Grandmother Tapaha, and Evangeline couldn't have been more elated. They had come together as one big family despite their differences in colour and mindset; finally, she was at peace.

"Alright, come on now Lona! Mommy's gotta wash you up real good," Evangeline called. She was waist-deep in the lake behind their cottage, her dress billowing out around her in the water. She smiled and her eyes were opened wide to accept the small third-year-old, who stood on the edge of the water looking rather fearful of the rippling tide. Her father was right behind her, slowly trying to beckon her along. However, they knew better than to push her, that allowing her to face her own fears would made her a stronger woman in the future.
Her two brothers were racing to the shoreline behind her, and in one big splash they were diving down into the water. The children seemed to love the lake just as much as their parents did, and each day they came down for their swimming lesson from daddy. Evangeline was always keen to watch and splash around with Lona, who was still a bit too small to go out very deep.

Wes soon waded into the water with his sons, meeting his two oldest daughters and Nova in there, as well. They all had wide grins on their faces, all so similar and quite obviously related. When they went into the city they attracted all kinds of attention. Not because there were so many (families up to fourteen were common at their time) but because of their sweet, endearing faces. All dark like a Cheyenne yet with their mother's soft freckles and rounded cheeks. They had a mixture of blue and green eyes, and only Nova took after her mother's light brown, almost blonde hair. She was precious and certainly looked like her mother.

Sitting down in the shallow water with Nehalona, Evangeline held her daughter's hand as she scampered about. She was precious, despite not liking to talk even at three years old. She was more consistent in babbling and singing.
Catching her husband's gaze as he played with the kids in the water - mainly the boys jumping on his back and swinging off him - Evangeline winked and blew him a kiss. Even in all these years and after all this beautiful babies, her love had never faltered. She should have known from the very beginning; since he had laid eyes on her, she knew he was something dear and special to her. A soul mate, a lover, a friend. Everything that a young woman could ask for in a husband.

Her Wes. He was her heart and soul, and in the centuries to come, together they would fly in the heavens, hand-in-hand.
 
The family lives a prosperous life in their cabin, locked away from the world by forests and hills. With each passing day, the boys and girls that they love so relentlessly grow before their eyes like daisies. The girls, all four of them, grew to become quite the striking young ladies, Mia leading the group along well. She has really become like a second mother, helping the younger children with their every day chores. When she notices Evangeline start to tire, she immediately forces her mother to sit down with a stern shaking of her finger. She cleans, cooks, and plays with her brothers and sisters. Wes took a job for a while when their crops had a rotten season but for most of his days, he spends them outside his house, tending to his garden like he used to or fixing up the house. There is always something to do.

He takes plenty of time to relax and make sure each and every one of his children are properly doted upon. Each and every one of them grow into strong young adults and then finally, Wes looks at himself in the mirror and starts to see graying hairs springing from his head as well. Chuckling, he knows its just a way of life and his mother, spirits rest her soul, would be very, very, proud of the six children he has raised. A healthy life is set before him, his hand practically all healed from previous injuries with only the occasional nip of pain when carrying something heavy for a long period of time or an awkward angle comes along.

Rosalie is the first to marry from the family. Her silvery tongue snatched up a local doctor in the town, the son of the very man who helped cure her sister Nova of her breathing issues. Now Nova runs every single day, her heart never skipping a beat. Rosa, as Wes predicted, wanted a big wedding with lots of flowers, mainly lilies, and to have her father make their home within twenty miles of their own home. Wes simply chuckles when Rosa makes such a tall request. She wants him to build the house? Oh Wes gets a good kick out of that one. In his age, he shouldn't be doing such a strenuous activity. He gives his daughter the address to one of his friends in town, one of the few, and that gentleman finds them a contractor who happily builds them a home.

Rosalie never, ever, wanted to leave the family, unlike Nolan who, as soon as he could, found himself craving to go East and see the cities Uncle John talked about so passionately about. He now works in a steel mill and is as happy as a clam to have the bustle of the city below his cramped apartment. The living is tough but he writes to his parents every weekend. Nova is the next to move out and live in the city with Nolan, the two of them finding adventure around every corner. Nova hated it all at first but after a while, she soon warmed up to the idea. T

They visit the little cabin in the woods as often as they like since Avonaco started to work on the rail roads. Michael got him his first job and Avon has been happy ever since. He has grown to become quite the sight for sore eyes, many girls literally throwing themselves at his feet in hopes of marriage or at least a few blissful nights. Avonaco simply takes life as it comes for he is a very relaxed individual and hardly anything bothers him unlike Nolan. Avon quits his life of parties and women when he meets an Comache woman in Oklahoma. He has to work at her love but after proving himself, she agrees to marry him. Perhaps even Nolan will find himself a girl one of these days if Avonaco, a socially shy individual when there isn't alcohol in his system, can.

Mia, on the other hand, doesn't understand why Nolan wants that kind of dirty life. She, on the other hand, loves nature and all that she gives their family. Being the first child, Evangeline supposed, she heard the most from her father about nature and the beauty. She always attends his small little lessons in the backyard, teaching hunting, fishing, or just knot work to the younger kids. Sure, many opportunities to settle down and marry have come up, but she feels obligated to stay at home and help out until every last bird as flown from the nest.

Last but not least, their final daughter, Nehalona, is perhaps the luckiest of all. Her bright green eyes never quite struck men she fancied well in the white world but when she tries her luck with Indians, love seemed to blossom at every single turn. Taking a husband from Wes' mother's tribe, Nehalona travels across the country with him by her side. She writes when she can but, since they're always on the move, they never get to reply back to their daughter. It's heartbreaking at first but Wes knows that if it's what his daughter wants, she will be able to go anywhere with anyone.

Just as the two promised so many years back when their lives were tainted black with cuts and bruises, their children could marry and do what they please. Until their dying day, Wes and Evangeline stay in their little cabin. Mia has long flown with a wealthy gentleman from the south. But at least they receive letters every so often, sending one big one out from their home as soon as possible. With no children left, the house feels empty yet the two lovers know that all they really need is one another to be happy. Their babies come and go, family expanding with grandchildren in both the dark chocolate skin or lighter and tanner tones. It's all they could have ever wanted and all they will ever take from the world.

The End​
 
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