Our beginning

A New Adventure

Things had changed in so many ways in the last two weeks that I wasn't sure if we even had a civilization anymore but Bella was still going to Vet school in person and Samantha needed a ride to North Park Mall every other day for work so society didn't seem to be collapsing all together just yet. I had decided that a hunt was a good way to spend our Wedding Anniversary this year so as soon the house was put back together we had started making plans and I had started packing our bags. The cabin would be the best get away right now that I could dream of and making plans would be a good way to keep my mind off of what might come next in our lives. It was time to go enjoy ourselves in the middle of the woods for a couple days and see who could snag the most food to fill our freezers for the next 4 or 5 months. If any of the kids wanted to come back to hunt more for their birthdays we would have to buy another freezer.

"How long do we have before we leave?" Mark asked wondering more than what he was asking as usual.

"We'll leave tomorrow night and arrive the next morning if we drive all night. I'll have the Excursion all packed up by then, we're already packed but I have to make sure everyone else gets packed and ready. I'm not sure who all is coming with other than Alex, Johnie, Brian, Luke, Kena and Lola anyways, Sam might have to work. I figure I'll make breakfast and ask everyone what their plans are. I haven't told anyone yet since I've only been back home a few days and I've been busy getting things fixed so I could feel comfortable leaving. Could you check the roof? I'm not sure if I did it right or not...." he smirked and rolled me off my feet into his arms and back onto the bed to lean over me and kiss me.

"I'm sure you did it right, my little perfectionist but I'll check it just incase." I got up and started working my way towards the stairs, glancing in mirrors through the hallway as I went to make sure my hair wasn't everywhere. "I love you, I'll be down in a little bit," he shouted down the hall, "you look amazing, stop fussing with that mirror!" I laughed.

"I love you too!" I skipped down the stairs and sat down at the table for a moment writing in my notebook then flipped it over for everyone to read.

HEADING TO THE CABIN FOR TWO DAYS IN THE MORNING.

IF YOU'RE COMING WITH HAVE YOUR BAGS PACKED TONIGHT

AND PUT YOUR JOHN HANCOCK ON THE LIST BELOW.....

LOTS OF LOVE, MOM

The best way to get everyone waking up was always making the house smell like food, not just any food though, they had to know it was my food being made.

I started by taking my homemade bread out of the freezer and putting it in the oven on low so it would heat up a bit as it thawed out. Within 10 minutes the smell was all throughout the kitchen so I cracked all the doors to let the scent seep into every room of the house. I cut the bread into thick slices and laid them out to cool then headed out to the side yard to gather a dozen or so fresh eggs. Spreading chicken feed as I went and ruffling their feathers to show some love, it was nice to be home with my family of friends furry, feathery, human and all. I washed the eggs and then added egg, cinnamon, vanilla and a dash of clove together before splashing some milk and fresh honey in then getting it all mixed up before heating my skillet and waiting for the butter to start sizzling.

I set plates out as I waited for the skillet to heat up and tossed a few slices of bread in to get them soaking. Got the powdered and brown sugar mix I made out to add when they were done and started frying them up to a perfect golden brown.

Johnie and Alex came in first, "No point in you two reading that since you're going one way or another, just sign it we leave for the cabin tomorrow morning. Grab your food and go sit to eat, when you're done get one bag packed and go put it in the truck." I had expected them to be first to get their food anyways and walked over to make sure they signed the sheet, then I added Kena, Lola, Mark and myself to the list before anyone else showed up.

As the morning went by Ava wanted to go and was excited about her first trip to the cabin, Luke said he was going to stay behind this time and would come next time, Brian wanted to come and Raven did also, Cheyanne and Maverick were staying behind, Samantha had to work and Bella was on call at the Vetranarian office. Looked like we would be going with just the Excursion after all and making plans to go back for Alex's Birthday and Mother's Day next month by request. I'd have more time to plan that trip so I was happy that he wanted to go again, Brian sounded like he wanted to go for his Birthday and Father's Day also so 3 months in a row meant we were either getting another deep freezer or making alot of dehydrated food, cat treats and dog treats.

When everyone was done eating, I cleaned everything up and got all of the meat out of the deep freezer for prep food for the family members staying behind and to clear out room for what we'd be bringing home. It was fun to be competitive when we were hunting as a family, it didn't matter if anyone caught anything to me as long as we had fun doing it but they loved keeping score and telling everyone who won.

I made my beef steak, blue berry and herbs dehydrated bars that everyone loved so much, had 5 nice sized bags ready for eating within an hour, then I made 4 shepherd's pies, followed by beef jerky in 7 different flavors, thicknesses and some more dehydrated than others since everyone had a different preference and the last of the meats I made lunch with. I wanted to be sure that they all ate really well today since I'd be gone before those not coming along woke up and everyone in the house loved when I marinated steak to go in breakfast burritos. We ate in silence for the most part and then I started sending those coming with to make sure their bags were packed properly and packed into my truck.

The day was not even close to being done but I was already tired so I got all the animals fed and cleaned my mess throughout the dinning room and kitchen. Mark was making sure there was nothing wrong with truck and had planned to meet me upstairs for a nap so when I got upstairs I pulled out some cute under clothes and got in the shower, when I had gotten done I set out his clothes where he could see and left the door open for him to shower before he came to lay with me. When I was dressed, I got under the blanket and fell into deep sleep.

He must have been extremely quiet as he showered and got into bed because I didn't wake up until he had already cuddled up to me and started kissing my neck. I rolled over to kiss his lips and then cuddle into his chest. "Did you just get done? I've been waiting." I looked up at him and giggled.

"I'm so glad I have you in my life, I can hardly believe we have another anniversary almost here. We're getting old Chevy...." he laughed, "you weren't waiting by the way, you were snoring so I took a shower and came to cuddle you after straightening up our area a bit." he kissed my forehead, "I noticed that you already packed our bags and saw the list, is that really all that's coming with us this trip? We for real get to ride in the same vehicle instead of driving the truck and the car?"

"Yeah, I kind of sprung this trip on them so not everyone will be coming with. I was actually thinking the same thing, it'll be nice to only bring one vehicle this time and actually get to spend a full two days together." he squeezed me tight and smelled my hair lightly as he rubbed his hands down my back. "Alex wants to be there for his birthday and Mother's day and Brian wants to be there for his birthday and Father's day so we'll be back again next month and the one after that also."

"I love how you're always planning ahead of time, what would I do without you?"

"Probably starve.... but that wasn't your point, was it?" I was giggling more and more as I snuggled into him.

"No but it's good one... I'm glad our paths crossed like they did and I get to spend the rest of my life with you beautiful." he kissed my cheek, "I'd be lost without you..." then we both snuggled up and I fell back to sleep.

I woke up around 7 pm and made my way down to the kitchen to start dinner, ever since I had made the shepherd's pies I was wanting to eat one so I heated a few up since they were animal friendly and my fur children loved to eat with us. This would be our last meal at home for a few days so I wanted to play some type of game with everyone as we ate and looked through the card games we had. I decided that Skipbo would be the game of the night and we would get everyone in on it then I made my way out to the garden to find fresh salad materials. After gathering spinach, lettuce, oregano, rosemary, dandelion and other leaves I pulled a carrot out of the ground and headed back inside to cut the leaves up and shred the carrot plus shred some cheese.

Everyone loved dinner and we all sat at the huge table I had made in the dinning room so that we could play Skipbo. Cheyanne and Maverick won which I loved, Johnie was dramatic about losing which everyone expected, Brian went to his room before the game was over saying that he wanted to get some sleep since we were leaving early and Raven followed him there soon after. It was nice to have everyone at the table together getting along and having fun, it was a perfect night and I was glad that everything had worked out the way it did.

Mark, Bella, Sammy and Luke helped me pick up and get things straightened up around the main floor while I got Alex and Johnie to take showers before double checking that they had everything they would want or need the next couple days packed. I got a bathroom bag packed to stay at the cabin and found everything that I wanted to stay for bedrooms and the kitchen also. Since we'd be there pretty much every month the rest of the year I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't need to pack these things every trip. I packed non perishable items that I would need for cooking while we were there and snacks for Kena and Lola also. We were still learning about Lola which made it hard to know if I could make her more comfortable but I was planning to build her a spot at the cabin of her own on our next trip and we would see what she thought about everything when we got there.

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a calming that I hadn't had in a long time and my Marky pulled me close as we fell asleep. I didn't fall into darkness though.... My vision cleared and it seemed that I was in my cabin office, surrounded by knives and bows, I looked around as the door to my office opened. "Grandma!!" I was so excited to her that I ran to her side before she could close the door all the way.

"My dear girl, I've missed you so much!" she cooed as she wrapped me in her arms. "I felt it fitting to meet here since you'll be on your way here soon enough with most of your beloved family." she swirled her hand around on the table and two mugs of hot cocoa appeared swirling the liquid around. "You still like your cocoa with vanilla, honey and cinnamon correct?"

"Yep! And a dash of clove to help with pain if and when I need it." I added.

"You've learned so much since we last saw each other, I'm so glad that things are working out for you and your family. I wish I could have been around in person longer than I got to be but it's been amazing watching you from afar." ,she handed me my cocoa and then continued, "I don't want to keep you long since you'll need your rest for your trip but I must tell you to be cautious as you go deeper into your woods than you have before. Do not fear the adventures that await you but caution will help you to save those around you when dangers arise my warrior princess. You're loved ones will all need you in the next couple of days and if you rush you may not come back with everyone you need."

My jaw dropped and she sensed my anxiety before I spoke, "You're saying that my journey that was predicted is beginning?"

"You journey began when you found the love your prediction spoke of and you're life will be an adventure forever more my love. I am not here to scare you or put you on a new road but only to help you choose the path that will best suit my beloved grand daughter and great grand children. Next time we meet I will need you to have prepared your husband for the journey to our world, you must tell him on your hunt alone as you investigate the cave on your property. It's time to go now..... hold my hand.... I'll lead you back to where you belong and we'll see each other again soon." ,as I grasped her hand everything blurred out again and I felt myself settling into my husband's arms again. "Don't forget to tell him in the cave...." I heard her say as I drifted off into deep sleep.