Eternal Love

Chapter 17: The final destination

They kept traveling west until they got to the ocean. Sheila was preoccupied with the children and Bella helped her as much as she was capable. Thomas and her son kept everyone fed and clothed with the spoils of their hunts. The journey was a rough one, but it was worth it when they got to the ocean. Sheila couldn't have been more content.

They stayed at the ocean until a strong storm came a few months living there. Their home Thomas and her son had built was demolished and they couldn't keep anything due to it all being wet and torn. Sheila was disappointed, but she knew they could press on as long as they were all together. Thomas went into the nearest village and traded the little they had left to join the gold rush party that had recently flowed to California. Sheila was thrilled to find out there were beautiful forests in the northern region of California; she looked forward to traveling up there.

They traveled a couple weeks and stopped in the Shasta mountains. Thomas and her son set up a camp; using the tarp of the covered wagon they now had for a tent. Back in Nebraska; Thomas had traded their carriage for a wagon. He said it had more space and it was habitable; which he was right. The land they chose was a bit hidden from the wagon trail.

They went back five miles into the forest and set up there. Over the next few months,Thomas and her son built a log house for them. By all hallow's Eve, the house was ready to move in. The house had seven rooms, a large kitchen and a large family room. Thomas built a shed in the back for his working space.

Although they had traveled up there with the gold rush; Thomas had chosen to become a fur trader. His heightened senses for hunting made him the top fur trader in the county. They lived comfortably in their log house in the mountains. Thomas kept busy providing for the family. Bella found herself a mature man in Shasta City.

Her son stayed with them and helped Thomas with his trade business. Over the next month, the fur trading business truly provided well for them. The children were excited because they knew it was going to be a good Christmas for presents. Sheila was simply happy; for once, they were accepted. A few wild animals every full moon provided well for her "time of the quarter" she would say.

By thanksgiving time, they had made a few friends with the local Indian tribe there. They were the Ute Nation, is what the cheif had told them. The shaman priest of the tribe knew what they all were; but kept his peace. He made a deal with them that they could go and hunt all the wild game they desired every full moon and they would not drive them off the land. Sheila and Thomas agreed and they were friends with them ever since.

The chief's wife and her became good friends; Even though they couldn't understand each other's language. Between the looks on their faces and sign language: they didn't need to communicate with spoken words. Bella moved into town with her new husband and began her own family. Sheila couldn't have been happier with Thomas. She was so glad she agreed for him to possess John.

She never imagined she would have traveled this far west. She never even imagined leaving Massachusetts. Although she did miss her father's estate where she grew up; she was happy where she was. She not only learned sign language, but her new friend also taught her how to play a flute. She enjoyed going to her secret spot by the lake to play it.

During the winter season, the lake was a blue frozen sheet across the valley. She enjoyed building a fire and sitting, playing her flute. The notes she played would echo away from her across the valley and then back. She loved how the atmosphere in the mountains would carry her music for all nature to hear. She couldn't wait to hear it during the spring and summer time.

Thanksgiving came and went gleefully. Christmas Eve fell upon them and the natives had settled in for the winter. The chief said they had plenty of food and water to sustain them until spring; so they may not see them until then. They celebrated together for Christmas and traded their fur for enough food and water to sustain them as well through the winter. Christmas Eve went on without any incident at all. The end of the evening came and everyone bid the other good bye until spring; it was a joyous night.

Christmas morning came and Sheila was pleased to awaken to all her children waiting for her in the kitchen. Thomas was at the wood burning stove whipping up what he called his Christmas pancakes. They were cute; being in the shape of little ginger bread men. She hugged her children one by one, wishing them all a merry Christmas. She sat down and waited and conversed with them until Thomas was done.

Thomas brought over his ginger bread men pancakes and everyone got a good giggle out of it. Bella's little girl loved it so much she didn't want to eat it. This made everyone laugh more. Thomas joined them at the head of the Table and said the grace prayer. They all dug in to the lavish meal set before them; happy for the food and good company.

The day went on joyfully as the smaller children played and the adults went onto the front porch. They all sat happily watching the children play; commenting on how smart one was or how one was downright obnoxious, but Sheila didn't mind. She loved how complete she felt being a old woman, with all her children and their children, surrounding her. She couldn't remember a time she was ever happier. Then she remembered, the only other time she felt this way was her first night with Thomas as a mortal.

She asked Thomas if he remembered how he felt that night. He said much like how he was feeling now; complete. Sheila was amazed that even after so many years together, they were still perfectly in sinc. She hugged Thomas and told him she hoped this night would last forever. Thomas agreed he too, wished for a night like this to be forever for them.

The night was beginning to grow dark and they all decided it was a good idea to go inside. Bella went and gathered the little ones and came in after the rest of them. She had to hunt for the night, as well as her husband needed to. Sheila told them no problem watching the little ones and to go get their nightly meal. Sheila was more than happy to be alone with Thomas and the kids.

Just as they were about to go upstairs to their own room; Thomas suddenly stopped her. He pointed above her head and she saw mistletoe hanging there. She smiled and looked into his eyes. She closed her eyes and moved in for the kiss. Thomas planted the most passionate kiss onto her lips; making her feel like she was floating on air.

She hugged him around his shoulders and returned the passion. They stood for a while, passionately kissing each other before they were interrupted by a tug at her skirt. She looked down and saw Bella's youngest daughter pulling at the hem of her skirt. She giggled and let go of Thomas. She bent down and picked her up; then leaned in and kissed Thomas on the cheek, then whispered "Merry Christmas, my Eternal love".