September -
September was a busy month for Jaxon and Rayven, with harvesting the garden, canning, butchering getting wood stored for the three fireplaces and preparing children for the new school year. Life was settling down for the small family as they waited for the birth of their children.
Rayven had finished her last pressure cooker of string beans and was thinking of taking a nice long nap when the screen door slammed announcing someone's noisy entrance.
"Momma! Come quick!" Donny ran toward her. "Mom sent me to get you. Dash is in labor!"
Donny took off running with Rayven following as quickly as an eight month pregnant woman could, to the barn.
She dropped to her knees beside Jaxon. The mare snuffled and turned her head to nuzzle Rayven's hand. Over the last few months Rayven and the golden mare had developed a deep bond between them. After all, they were pregnant, fat and moody.
"Sorry I don't have any carrots, girl." She felt tears spring to her eyes. "As soon as you're done I'll get you a whole bag full."
A heavy contraction rippled Dash's side, and she exhaled in protest and agony. Jaxon continued to stroke her and as leaned forward to check the mare again, she looked at Rayven and grinned. "It's time."
The mare shuddered through another contraction, and for just a second the pale whitish tip of a hoof protruded from the birth canal. As the contraction eased, the tiny foot disappeared again.
Rayven gave a grunt of frustration, and Jaxon smiled gently at her. "It's all right, honey. It just takes time. She's doing great."
"Hopefully, we will both be fast at birthing," Rayven said.
Anther contraction exposed both hooves, and this time they stayed visible, when the contraction subsided. Seconds later, a blunt, pale nose followed.
When it was certain that the mare was having no difficulties in bringing the newborn into the world by herself, Rayven crawled over to Jaxon and was pulled into her waiting arms.
In what seemed like only moments later, the tiny horse slipped out into the straw.
Jaxon moved into action, helping the little animal free itself of the birth sack. Then she siphoned fluid from its nostrils and rubbed it briskly with straw to stimulate breathing. After the mother caught her breath she stood and turned to investigate the new arrival.
Jaxon moved aside to reveal a small, damp creature with big brown eyes. Rayven moved forward to run her hands over the small, wet and warm body.
"She looks like a healthy little girl," Jaxon said, as she continued to stimulate the small body. Jaxon finished cleaning the filly then left her in her mother's capable care. Donny walked gently over to where his Mom and Rayven were now sitting on a bale of hay at the far side of the pen. Jaxx wrapped her long arm around his shoulder and held him close.
"Oh, honey, isn't she beautiful?"
"She's perfect."
They watched as the baby, on wobbly legs, made her way to her mother's side and began nursing, her fuzzy, short-haired tail flipping rapidly.
"What's her name, Mom? Donny watched in awe.
"I haven't had time to really look at her, what with the birthing and all."
"How about Dot?" Donny moved to get a closer look at the filly.
Jaxon laughed. "I like it. She does have a black dot on her forehead."
"Dot and Dash?" Rayven smiled. "Jaxon, you'll have to call the next one Morris."
"Morris? I don't get it." Jaxx frowned. Rayven rolled her eyes.
"Morris code," Rayven said and Jaxon groaned.
"Hah, Hah, you thank you're funny."
Rayven and Donny giggled.
****
On Monday, Jaxon, Rayven and Donny went into the small town to register Donny for school and buy him school clothes and supplies. Their next stop was Mason's Feed Store, a big farm-supply store flanked by towering grain silos. It was here that they would put in an order for their allotted grain for the winter months.
As they walked across the parking lot they heard their names called, and upon turning, they saw Jaden and a friend of his, coming toward them.
"Well look at you," Jaden said to an embarrassed Rayven as he gently kissed her cheek. "My aren't you looking beautiful."
"Radiant." Jaxon agreed wrapping her arm around Rayven's shoulders and drawing her close, kissing the top of her head softly.
"Thanks, so how are things?" Rayven replied as she patted Jaxon's stomach. She felt the color rising in her cheeks. Jaxx could make her feel like a teenager, her heart fluttering at the brush of her lover's lips.
"Going great, this is Steven, Matt's cousin from California. Steven, this is Jaxon and Rayven two of the most wonderful women you'll ever meet."
Hands were shaken and pleasantries exchanged.
"Steven wants authentic cowboy Levi's and Mr. Mason said they received a new shipment yesterday."
"We're here to place our grain order," Donny replied as he rushed into the feed store with the others close behind.
They walked through the cramped aisles, picking up items and examining them with interest. Steven and Jaden made a game of guessing the uses of the more mysterious implements.
"This is just like a hardware store," Steven said, wrinkling his nose. "Except it stinks and it's hard to breathe."
Rayven smiled, realizing that she was now in the company of not two children but four. The store was dusty and cluttered and smelled of grain, animal feed and agricultural chemicals, plus occasionally baby chickens and rabbits. Steven was right. It did stink, but in a warm and comfortable way, like the feeling she got when she was in their barn.
"Do you own a ranch around here?" asked Steven.
"Sleepy Springs," Rayven replied. "A few miles from town."
"Do you grow hay on the ranch or buy it locally?" he asked, interested in what these two beautiful women did for a living.
Jaxon smiled at him. "We grow hay for our own use and share some of it with the local ranchers"
He nodded, continuing to look at the strange items in the store.
Rayven had stopped to study a row packed with bags and bottles of livestock vitamin supplies when she heard Jaxon's silent chuckles.
Steven was holding a tool that looked like a long heavy pair of pliers. Wide sharp jaws curved out from the rubber covered handle.
"We can't figure out what this one is," he said. "Jaden thinks it's pliers for pulling branding irons out of the fire. Donny thinks it's used on barbed wire for tightening fences."
Rayven glanced at Jaxon. She arched her eyebrows at her easing herself away from the group. Jaxx was on her own with this one. Her face grew warm, and she knew she was blushing. Oh, well, this'll hurt them a lot more than it does me.
"Let me see that," the ex-firefighter took the heavy object from Steven and held it in one hand. "This, boys, is an emasculator."
Steven and Donny looked confused, but Jaden's eyes widened in growing and, horrified, understanding. Jaden was originally from California, but since living at Silver Lake, he had acquired some knowledge and terminology of farming and this was one word he didn't care to use, ever.
"It's a practical instrument, not as effective as a sharp knife, used for castrating farm animals," she added. "Young ones, usually, calves, lambs, and pigs you know, studs." Enjoying the clinical discussion, she clamped the device around a hanging empty plastic feed bottle.
"You just clamp it over the scrotum and squeeze. Hard." she demonstrated. "The tough cord in the scrotum contains the artery, veins and spermatic cord. You crush both the spermatic cord and the blood vessels above the testicles. With no blood supply, and less chance of hemorrhage, they just sort of dry up and drop off." She looked up at her audience and gave a brief, not-quite-innocent flutter of her dark eyelashes.
Jaden and Steven had gone white while Donny was a funny shade of green. All stood with their knees tightly clenched and their expressions pained. Jaxon held the instrument out to Steven, who backed away, shaking his head. "Any other questions, boys?" she asked.
There were none as she went to the counter where Rayven waited; looking as though she was fighting a losing battle to keep from laughing.
"I never realized that of all the lessons I learned growing up around Sleepy Springs, this one would come in handy one day." Jaxon chuckled.
"I think you enjoyed the demonstration, though, didn't you?"
"I couldn't resist." Jaxon replied. Turning to Mr. Mason, who was bent over laughing, she said sweetly "We need to place our grain order for the winter."
They parted ways in the parking lot, Jaden and Steven going to pick Matt up from work and Jaxon, Donny and Rayven were going to finish getting what he needed for school. Plus, after her doctor's appointment she wanted to pick up a few things she knew she would need since this might be her last time into town before the babies were born. It was dangerous having children in the fall and winter months, you never knew when a blizzard would set in or the roads would be flooded. The doctor had given a list of items just in case she had to deliver at home. Which was something she hoped didn't happen. Delivering one child at home was dangerous enough but delivering twins would put her in an extremely hazardous position. For the last several weeks she and Jaxon had been getting in depth instructions by the doctor on what to do if this were to happen.
<<
The breeze washed over Rayven's face as she looked up at the night sky. A thousand stars twinkled and glittered overhead. She inhaled the crisp clean air, washing out the depression that had entered her. Doubts, insecurities and fear had consumed her, this night. Questions such as would she be a good mother? Was she doing the right thing? Should she proceed with her dreams for Sleepy Springs? Was she asking too much of Jaxon? It all seemed to be weighing her down. She couldn't get a grip on anything and all she wanted to do was cry. She felt like a huge crybaby and worse, a bad partner for Jaxon - a woman she loved more than her life.
Jaxon walked beside her, her normally long stride slowed to match hers perfectly, acutely aware of her partner's shifting mood swings. Jaxon never complained when Rayven got up in the middle of the night unable to sleep. She didn't talk, didn't demand answers on nights like these. She simply walked, stood or sat beside her, asking nothing of her, but giving her everything in return.
"Thank you," Rayven whispered knowing that Jaxon would hear her.
"You have nothing to thank me for, love. I remember what it was like before Donny was born." A touch of sadness entered her voice.
"I'm so sorry I caused you such pain in leaving." The smaller woman arms hugged her chest as she cried softly. "I always regret that you and I . . . when we should have clung to each other, shared as we'd never shared before . . . it didn't happen. Our youth, emotions, confusion, circumstances and my Aunt's manipulations drove us apart. I wish I would have stayed and listened, really listened to what you had to say."
"Baby, we've been over this before. Please don't blame yourself. I was the one who caused you to leave. I was the one who sentenced us to eight years of loneliness and pain with my silence that day. I don't want you to feel one bit of blame. It's time to move on. I love you and our family with all that I am." She gently took her lover in her arms and held her close. "Mistakes were made. We've more than paid for them."
"I should have trusted you." Rayven turned to rest her blond head on a firm breast. "You need to stop blaming yourself, also, Jaxon. It wasn't your fault. You were set up, drugged and raped. I don't think you could have changed things if you wanted. You were helpless."
After a moment, Jaxon took a deep breath and shook her head as if she finally settled something within herself. "You're right. It's over; we both need to let it go and continue on with our lives. I'm here now and most importantly you are as well. You have fulfilled all my dreams, Rayven. You are my reason for existing, the air I breathe."
"Are you sure this isn't too much for you? I mean twins." Rayven clung to her life source, afraid to let go, lest it be taken from her. "I know it's a lot to ask."
"Oh, Rayven." Jaxon pulled back slowly. Instantly seeing fear and doubt pass across the smaller woman's eyes, her thumb feathered along the side of her wife's soft cheek. "I think there is something else going on here." Jaxx blue eyes surveyed Rayven tenderly. "You're hiding something from me. Please tell me what's wrong."
"It's nothing," she said. "Pre-delivery blues, I guess. I feel like a house and a little . . . insecure.
"About what?"
"How I look. How you feel about me being so fat. It's silly, I know. I can't stop thinking that you don't find me attractive anymore."
"No, it isn't silly." Jaxx kissed her check softly.
Rayven began to speak but Jaxon put a finger gently over her lips. "One, in case you were wondering. You are my life, honey," she said. "Two, this is where I want to be, with you in my arms and in my life."
"Thank you," Rayven said.
"Three, you don't look fat, you look like a healthy pregnant woman," Jaxx said. "Four your breasts are absolutely gorgeous and I hope you breast-feed for at least four years. I might be weaned by then."
"Don't count on it," said Rayven with a giggle.
"And five, you are the most important thing in my life."
Arms wrapped around warm bodies as souls united and hearts melded into one. Peace, joy and warmth flooded through two women standing alone under the night sky with stars sparkling overhead.
<<
Jim Gilmore was charged and spent a week in the city jail. He was furious as he was followed to the city limits by the police cruiser. Ordered to get out of Silver Lake by nightfall or face further charges, Jim was in a state of conflicting emotions. On one hand he needed to avenge his dead lover's memory; on the other, he had no desire to stay involved with the mysterious, weird Lois character. Something about her seemed wrong, out of place, almost sinister.
One of the things he wanted to do before he left town for good was visit Tom's grave. Taking a left turn onto a dusty road he backtracked to the local cemetery, confident the law wouldn't be looking for him there. As he pulled up to where he had been told his grave was located, he stopped his vehicle and got out. Walking slowly through the home of the dead he had flashbacks of their time together, the laughter and joy, the love and the sorrow that they shared together. His life was over when his lover left without reason and when he was told Tom was killed, his heart felt like it exploded in his chest, never to be mended.
"What is life without the one you love?" he spoke softly to the gravestone of his lover and friend.
As he stood there in reflection, his spell was broken by a shadow crossing in front of him. When he looked up he saw an older gentleman with a kind smile facing him.
"I was hoping you would stop here," the stranger said. "I have a message for you. Please follow me to my office."
"What message?"
"Just follow me, it won't take a minute."
Once they reached the building and walked inside, Gilmore was hit over the head with a hard object. As he was losing consciousness, he heard female laughter. The female's voice sounded like Lois. "Take him to the cage." He heard before he passed into darkness.
Gilmore groaned. His eyes flickered open, then shut again. Opening his eyes he took in his surroundings. The sun was setting and he was lying in a wooded area. As he sat up his worse fears had come true. He would be the next human prey for the wealthy hunters that Lois brought to Sleeping Springs Ranch.
<<<
The first sliver of pale light woke Rayven the next morning. She blinked her eyes and was immediately aware of the blanket of warmth and security surrounding her. Jaxon was holding her, flooding her with warmth and comfort, strong arms to anchor her as she faced another day. As she took stock of her body, she felt energized as if she could run a marathon. She giggled softly. Of course, she couldn't, but there were things she could do to prepare for the coming days.
"What's so funny?" came a sleepy voice.
Turning slowly, Rayven looked into the beautiful blue eyes of her lover and soul mate. Placing a gentle kiss to warm soft lips she said, "I feel wonderful, energized and ready to start the day."
A big smile cross Jaxon's face, "No more feeling sad?"
"Nope."
"I'm glad, sweetheart." Jaxon yawned and moved her body to take a much needed stretch.
Rayven watched as muscles moved under smooth soft skin; flames began to build in her core. A wicked gleam entered her eyes.
Jaxon noticed her lover looking at her as if she were on the breakfast menu, which, she realized, if Rayven had her way she would be. Life is wonderful. She thought to herself. She found her lips captured by a very warm lover, a kiss that spoke of fire, want and love.
<<<
Jaxon and Rayven were in the kitchen as Donny came in through the back door. "Morning, Mom and Mamma." He looked at his mothers. "I've been out getting the eggs for breakfast." He placed the basket of eggs on the counter, took off his coat and hung it on the rack beside the door before moving to the table.
"Great job, Donny," Jaxon said while giving his shoulder a light squeeze. Raising blue eyes, she looked at her wife, "I need to check the lower pasture this morning and see how the cattle got out. Do you think you'll be all right for a few hours?"
"Yes," Rayven said from the stove, where she was frying the fresh eggs. "I plan on doing some light house work and laundry."
"I'll leave Donny with you; I'll take the radio. If you need me just call."
Rayven carried a platter to the table and served eggs, bacon and pancakes to her growing family.
"That's fine. Now eat so you can get out of my kitchen," she said with a twinkle in her eyes, "Or you can help me as you did earlier this morning in the bedroom."
Jaxon felt her cheeks warm. "I'd love to. . . to help you, my love, but I really need to check the fence line before any more cattle get out." Jaxx smiled brightly as she dished up her plate whispering, "While I can still walk."
A short time later Jaxon studied the sky. The clouds were oddly colored, almost greenish, and dark with rain. Lightening flashed in the distance. Funny, she thought, how still the air was. She had expected some wind, at least, with the change of weather. But the atmosphere was heavy and humid.
She started along the fence line in the farthest pasture, scanning the wire and posts for any sign of a break. At last she found what she was looking for. "Here we are," she said, commanding the mare she was riding to stop.
After walking the length of the downed section she realized it was worse than she'd thought. A section about a quarter-mile long was laid down. It appeared someone had barreled right through it.
Thunder rolled overhead and an uneasy feeling came over her; she decided she didn't like the looks of those clouds. As she climbed on her horse she turned her around to look in the direction of the ranch house. The mare flung her head high, a snort of excitement renting the wind-whipped air. The clouds were heavier in that direction. Thick and low, they seemed to dip almost onto the treetops.
She started the mare at a fast walk than broke into a gallop racing against the approaching storm and toward her family; she was still a long way from home. Dropping down in a gully and racing up the other side, she halted the horse at the crest and the land opened up. Sitting high above the meadow, she looked down onto her home. The bruise-colored clouds seemed almost in pursuit, laughing at her, making their way to where her heart lay, the house that held her most beloved family.
She couldn't move as she realized what the storm clouds meant. She stared, fear cutting off her breath, at the swirling tentacles of black that angled from the rolling clouds heading toward her home.
It was a tornado.
The tornado rushed toward the ranch house, a deadly finger of destruction. Here and there it touched the earth, sucking clouds of dust, debris and an occasional animal into the maelstrom.
"Oh, God, Rayven and Donny are down there." She knew there was no time for her to get to the ranch before the tornado struck. Quickly she radioed the house only to receive static on the line. The only thing she could do was find a place to hide until it passed. After retrieving the saddle, she let the horse loose and tried to find her own shelter. She crawled along the mountain until she spotted a small indentation. It appeared to be an animal's abandoned home - about the size of a wolf's den. She turned and backed into the den as far as she could force her body to go then pulled the saddle into the opening, making a door.
The storm's fury increased, it roared and raged. Jaxon pressed a hand to her ear, while the other clung to the saddle, but couldn't shut out the raging wind or the thunder of her heart beat. Or the fear and feeling of death that threatened to steal her very breath.
Branches, rocks, dirt brushed by the opening to her hideaway. "I wonder how long it will last?" thought Jaxon. "I wonder what I will find of my home and family." The last thought brought tears unbidden to her eyes. To come so far to have it taken away was not going to happen; she couldn't allow it to happen. For what seemed like eternity she prayed, wished, hoped that her family was okay.
Then as quickly as the thundering noise came, it was gone, leaving a silence, almost eerier than the storm itself. "It's over," she murmured, and then glanced around.
She pulled herself out of her make shift shelter and stood on shaky legs. She walked to the ridge and saw what was left of her family and home.
The cry of pain and fear was torn from her very soul.
She yelled, cried and begged for Mother Nature, the Gods, and the Powers That Be to turn back the hands of time. The house was gone. Disappeared. The only thing left was one lone maple tree, Rayven's Explorer and the barn. She lifted her head to the now clear skies. She was the only person, standing in an open meadow.
Alone.
<<<
Lois loved the wild freedom of storms, the raw strength and the cunning violence of them. The thrill of danger, living on the edge, excited her. As a youth she worked several years with different storm watcher teams chasing tornados, hurricanes and the like. The Wild Ones was the name of one of the teams she was on and she'd loved it.
Sitting on the couch, she nursed her drink, while listening to the storm building outside. She poured another shot of whiskey from the bottle. The quart looked half empty. Had she drunk that much? It didn't matter. She sipped the booze as she watched the table lamp flicker. Her eyes grew wide as an idea came to her. Standing, putting her coat and gloves, she grabbed the keys laying on the table, opening the door and walked off into the on coming storm.
The sky was a dark churning gray now. She'd driven several miles when erratic raindrops began to kick up dust on the winding road leading to Sleepy Springs Ranch. It was just rain, she told herself. She had plenty of time to carry out her plan before the full force of the storm hit. It was a brilliant idea. She would go to Sleepy Springs, kill Jaxon, Rayven and Donny, and the storm would be blamed for their deaths. The hunters had taken care of Gilmore and the bears had been fed. Life was perfect. Aunt Lois smiled into the dark. The car began to rock, buffeted by the growing force of the wind.
She would finally have her revenge. Her day of victory had arrived. She would play the distraught Aunt, bereft by the loss of loved ones - her niece and grandson. She would finally get the sympathy, respect and status she deserved. A blast of wind slammed into the side of the car, nearly pushing her off the road.
Windshield wipers slapped ineffectively to clear her vision. She could see only the dark demon sky and its jagged blast of lightening. She pressed on.
Mother Nature seemed infuriated by her success and retaliated with a vengeance. The wind howled across the mountain like a woman moaning during childbirth. Crackling and snarling in a fit of temper, it threw all manner of objects at her; limbs of trees, sheets of metal that must have come from sheds and buildings miles away, bales of hay, and as she squinted her eyes, a ladder. The closer to the ranch she got the more jealous the storm seemed to become.
Lightening blinded her for a second before the crack of its report. Biting her lip, Lois' vision focused on the sight coming towards her: a logging truck rolling like a ball down the road, then crashed across the front of her car. There was no going back and no going forward, she was trapped.
Lightening streaked in jagged veins across the sky. Bloodied hands gripped the stirring wheel as she tried unsuccessfully to back out from under the truck. Freeing one hand, she wiped her face in frustration. As she pulled her hand away she saw blood covering it. Feeling her forehead again she realized she had a nasty cut, warm blood was flowing freely down her check and crawling under the edge of her collar.
The car rocked and Lois wondered if it was going to fly away. A loud crack of lightening shattered the windows sending glass and debris all over her. Stinging bites from the flying glass caused her to wince in pain, as the logging truck rolled over her continuing its journey down the now empty road.
Then she heard it, the eerie sound of a speeding freight train rushing towards her.
Tornado!
Her heart slammed painfully in her chest. For a brief moment, she dared to look up. The head of the funnel was overhead, spinning, writhing. Laughing at her. She realized that she was whirling, rotating like a top inside the Tornado. A cow passed her window lying on its side, a large tree hit the side of her car and knocked it downward only to be picked up and tossed again. Her last thoughts were she was too late to seek her vengeance. Then, darkness consumed her.
<<<
It was after ten when Rayven finished cleaning the kitchen and doing laundry. She was making herself a cup of tea when Donny came running into the house, slamming the screen door. "Son, I've told you not to do that." Rayven chastened.
Sliding to a stop a short distance from her, Donny's face was pale and fear showed in his eyes. "Mamma, something's wrong. You have to come see."
Seeing the small boy so scared sent a chill down Rayven's spine. "Okay, honey. Show me what has scared you so." Just then thunder rumbled overhead.
Stepping out onto the porch she looked at the sky. It was an ugly color of gray. Clouds thick as molasses. Off in the distance she saw what had scared Donny - an inky black line speeding across the horizon. She knew from growing up here as a child what that meant; a tornado was coming straight for them. Her ability to think was paralyzed. All she had left was the instinct to flee. Then she remembered Jaxon and felt her children move within her womb. Where was Jaxx and was she safe?
A blast of wind buffeted her, sending her long blond hair flying haphazardly. The roiling clouds swirled in vicious knots of black, purple and sickly green.
Willing vainly for her heart to stop its vicious thumping, she remembered what she told Donny a short time ago about courage: doing what you have to do in spite of fear. Fighting panic, she grabbed the boy's small cold hand and went back into the house.
Standing in the kitchen they heard the wind screaming at them, objects beating against the side of the house. A booming crash overhead shook the whole house, making them jump. Was the house strong enough to withstand a tornado?
"Momma, I'm scared," he said as he clung to waist. "Where's mom?"
"We'll be okay, honey." At least she hoped they would be. "The storm cellar." Rayven whispered. It was underground, the safest place. Access was through her bedroom. The blood drained from her face. Tears gathered in her eyes. What about Jaxon? Please God. Despair left her numb to the pain and loss of her beloved Jaxon. Then she felt it - a contraction, hard and steady. The twins had picked a fine time to arrive.
Taking her son's trembling hand they moved into the bedroom and pushed aside the dresser covering the door to the cellar. "Everything is going to be all right," she said to a frightened Donny as they descended the wooden stairs. Half way down, another contraction hit her, this one lasting longer, taking her breath away. She felt moisture running down the inside of her legs and knew her water had broken.
The low-ceiling room was big enough, about the size of a one-car garage. There were boxes of supplies, flashlights, batteries and a small cot.
"We'll be fine, Donny. See, we're snug as a bug in a rug,"
Oh God please. Was Jaxon all right? Safe? Uninjured? Another contraction. Rayven knew the time was nearing.
<<<
Breathing raggedly, her chest pounding, Jaxon walked unbalanced, unsure, around the only thing that was left of her home, the foundation. No nightmare had ever been so cruel. . .so terrifying. The scene around her was one of total devastation, yet the air smelled as fresh and clean as a forest after a spring rain.
She searched the area, desperate for some sign of life. She pictured her son, her beloved wife and the twins. She'd never see them again. Every muscle tensed, then relaxed as she crumbled to the ground, wrapping her long arms around her body as she rocked back and forth. That was when she heard it, the unmistakable sound of a scream. Rayven's scream. Was she dreaming? Could it be? Jaxon strained to listen, holding her breath. There, she heard it again.
Scrambling to her feet, she ran to the foundation and began tossing branches and debris to the ground. Suddenly her fingers felt something hard, round and cold. A handle. She pulled the weighted trapdoor open and, as light filtered through to the cellar, she was able to make out the shadows of her family.
<<< Three month's laterÖ
While Jaxon and the kids waited for her in the car, she went to talk to Mr. Steward, the landlord of her Aunt's apartment. He had called that morning stating something wasn't right. The apartment lease was paid in full for a year but no one had seen her Aunt in months and wondered if Rayven would stop by and take a look at the apartment to make sure everything was okay. Rayven found herself standing in the center of her Aunt's tiny one room home. As she looked around her, there was nothing but dead silence. It had been three months since that awful day. The day she nearly died along with her children. She wondered how she could have been so blind. How could she have missed what Aunt Lois had become?
The single sized bed was pushed against one wall and boxes, perched on tables and chairs, lined the rest of the room. All available surfaces were covered with a jumbled mess of pictures of dead people and journals. Pictures of her, Jaxon and Donny lined the walls and in the center of each, when they weren't cut into shreds, had a dirty, blood stained knife stuck in their hearts.
She picked up one of the notebooks and opened the cover and began to read. The unbelievable text jumped out at her, the hurtful words scribbled so hard the ink had gone through to the next page. She skimmed the first page and went on to the next.
Aunt Lois hated her beyond reason. She'd always known her Aunt treated her differently, badly and harshly, but never realized the depth of her hate.
It seemed innocent at the time. All these months I've enjoyed Jeff's attention, never thinking much about it, for it was Julius, Jeff's younger brother that I wanted. I'll admit I wanted Jeff to kiss me. No one had ever kissed me in my life. I wanted to practice with Jeff so when Julius approached me I would be experienced in the art of kissing. I so loved Julius, fantasized about him, worshiped him. Even through he paid no attention to me now, I knew one day he would ask me to marry him and I wanted to be able to please him when we kissed.
ÖIt hurt at first, but Jeff said the pain would go away the more we did it. When it was over Jeff started saying how much he loved me, how he didn't regret this happening. How he wanted to marry me. He would ask my father for my hand. How we would have a large family and live on the ranch while he continued to work for my father. How we would be happy.
I laughed; marrying Jeff was not what I wanted. I told him I would never marry him because I was in love with his brother Julius. He never said a word to me after that. Within a month seventeen-year old Jeff McEllis had left home to join the Army. I never saw him again for he was killed six month's later. A victim of the war.
. . . It had only been four months since that day when I realized what was wrong. I was pregnant with Jeff McEllis's child. I knew if anyone found out I would never get to marry Julius. I convinced my parents to allow me to go to an all girls' camp for the summer. In reality I was going away to have my baby in secret. I intended to find a home for it as soon as it arrived.
The home for pregnant girls I'd chosen was pleasant enough when one has money. I paid them enough and told them the same story I'd made up to my parents. My parents never checked into my savings account that had been set up by my grandparents. There was enough money to take care of my needs for quite some time.
I put on the gown and mask they gave me and sat beside her crib. How could I not? It would be the only time I would ever see her. She was so small. A preemie they called her. Born two months early. They said it was my fault she almost died. I tried to abort her with a pair of scissors but that only caused her left leg to be amputated from the multiple cuts I caused . . . in a way I wished she had.
. . .I am on my way home now. I feel as through I've been gone years rather than a few months.
. . . Julius married Mae, my younger sister, two months after I had left the ranch. Now I am truly alone in the world, but I will have my vengeance someday.
. . . Julius and Mae had a daughter last night. A blond with green eyes. My vengeance has begun.
Rayven lifted her eyes and blinked, remembering all the times her Aunt had been mean, almost cruel to her. How she couldn't understand what she had done to make her Aunt so angry with her. How she would treat her, hurt her and Jaxon, spreading rumors about them, laughing at them.
She put the notebook on the table and picked up a piece of paper lying next to it. It said, "I can't handle another screw up like the last one by Jim Gilmore, she wrote. I let the hunters have him for free. I'll have to do the job myself. I have to take care of them once and for all. Then I'll take their bodies to the hunting pen, feed them to the bears and grind their bones into dust, like all the rest. Nobody will stand in the way of what I've always wanted. Sleepy Springs will finally be mine."
Rayven closed the notebook and a sob caught in her throat. With a shaky hand she dialed Emily and asked her to come to her Aunt's apartment. Silently she walked out of the small apartment closing the door behind her; she'd wait for Emily in the car with her family, for she had no reason to ever step foot into that place again.
<<< Epilogue
The blond-haired woman sat on a quilt beneath a large weeping willow tree just beyond the back porch of the newly built ranch house. A young blond-haired boy of almost ten leaned against her side, a book in his hand. At his feet, two toddlers were curled beneath a corner of the quilt, shading them from the direct sunlight as they slept.
Jaxon Segreto watched from horseback, sweating beneath the summer sun, her face and hands deeply tanned, her blue eyes intent on the small group before her.
"There's Mom!" A loud whisper announced her presence. Jaxon slid from her sturdy mount, tilting her hat back with one long finger as she watched the boy spring to his feet. He ran quickly, his small face eager, as Jaxx reached out to give him a hug.
"We were reading Momma's latest children's book, Mom. It came in the mail today." Donny told her, his voice ringing with enthusiasm. "The girls went to sleep but Momma wasn't feeling well, so we read a story." He motioned for Jaxx to lean down and he whisper in her ear, "Momma's been hurting for awhile now. She keeps telling me she's fine, but she's acting like she did when the twins came. Will she be okay, Mom?" he said with a touch of fear in his voice.
"She'll be fine, honey, I'm here and nothing will happen to Momma." Jaxon's gaze focused on the woman who got to her feet with awkward movements. Gone was the slender form, the ease of motion to which Rayven was accustomed. Instead she walked with one hand at her lower back, the other resting on the curve of her advanced pregnancy.
Rayven met the ex-firefighter's gaze, and her eyes lit with a message she never tired of reading within their depths. Pure love.
"You all right, honey?" It wasn't what she wanted to say, but that would wait until later.
"I'm feeling sort of achy, sweating and down right miserable," she answered, irritation emerging in the tone of her voice.
"What do you think?" Jaxon asked, her gaze sweeping the smaller woman's length, noting the hesitation in her step.
Rayven's smile was radiant. "I think you're going to be up till all hours tonight." She halted the rubbing motion of her hand on her belly, tensing as she closed her eyes.
"How long has that been going on?" Jaxon's long strides carried her to her wife's side. Her arm circled the pregnant woman's back. "Do you want me to carry you?"
The shorter woman shook her head. "I want you to get the car ready, while Donny helps me with the twins."
"I'll send Mark to get the car and I'll help Donny with the twins." She looked hopefully at her wife, "Please, I can't leave you now. Not again. I wouldn't have gone on a ride with my cousin if I had known you were this close, honey."
Reaching a small hand up to cup the tanned check of her soul mate's face, Rayven put all the love she had in her eyes. "Then stay right by my side, my love. We'll do this one together."
"I love you so very much." Jaxon whispered as she gently brushed her lips across Rayven's. "Let's get this family movin'."
Donny was already helping two-year old Kara up from her nap as McKalia rolled over and lifted her head. "Mama?" She sat up and rubbed her eyes, then rose on unsteady feet and headed toward Jaxon. The ex-firefighter picked her up and delivered a loud kiss against the rosy cheek. The two-year-old wrapped her arms around her mother's neck and nestled against her shoulder, as if it were a familiar resting spot, which it was. Once everyone was settled in the car, Mark drove them to Silver Lake hospital.
"I really appreciate you being here, Mark." Jaxon said as she held Rayven in her arms in the back seat. Jaxon remembered how insecure she felt when Rayven mentioned asking Mark to come visit. It had been a year after the birth of their twins and, even though Jaxon had everything in the world she could ask for, there was a small part of her that still felt insecure and scared that Rayven would leave her. When her wife mentioned about wanting to see if Mark would like to come see the twins and his cousin she had gotten solemn and moody. It took several weeks of gentle prying before her lover was able to get the ex-firefighter to share her feelings. Rayven was surprised at the depth of fear that Jaxx had about her leaving and, from that moment forward, did everything in her power to prove and reassure her wife that she was loved and the blond would never leave her.
The first visit with Mark was strained and the tension was high. He was totally out of his element and Jaxon was acting like a King protecting his castle. Within a day, Donny and Rayven had them laughing and acting like children. A strong bond was built between all of them and they realized Mark was now a very important part of their growing family.
When they discussed wanting another child, their first and only choice for a father was Mark. When asked, he readily accepted and this time decided to take their invitation to stay on at the ranch and be a part of their family.
Looking back on it now, she was happy Mark had chosen to come and get to know her and her family. He proved to be a good friend, a great farm hand and a loyal friend to her wife. Best of all, he was a great father figure for their children, including Donny. Uncle Mark always included Donny as if he was one of his own which, peripherally at least, the young boy was.
"I'm glad I'm here also. I wouldn't miss this for the world. I'll watch the children while you're in with Rayven."
"That would be great, thanks." Jaxon replied as she noticed Rayven had drifted off to sleep.
The time passed swiftly and then the waiting was over. A soft whimper met her ears, matching her own smothered gasp. Then it escalated in seconds to a cry of outrage as the pink creature in Jaxon's hands flailed his arms and legs.
"It's a boy, honey," her stunned wife said with a laugh. "He's strong. Hear those lungs! Two for two baby, two girls and two boys."
"Let me see him," Rayven whispered, leaning on her elbows to see better.
The doctor nodded. "Jaxon, let me take the baby while you cut the cord."
She reached down with the scissors and cut the cord halfway between the tied off sections.
"Oh, honey," Jaxon said gruffly, taking the baby back and placing him in Rayven's waiting arms. Tears streamed unhindered down her cheeks. Then the new mother held her son to her breast; his thick, dark hair bobbed as the mouth worked to seek its sustenance, the hand clutching his mother's finger with amazing strength.
"Chad," Rayven said softly, lifting her gaze to Jaxon's. "Is that all right with you, my love?"
Jaxon nodded, kneeling by the bed once more. "Oh yes." Her words were husky, her vision clearing as she beheld the smaller woman who had given her such amazing gifts. "I love you my life, my heart, and my soul."
The End