Chapter Twenty-Six: Part Two
When every person there had received some more of Grandmother’s potion, Maria stood and described the first moment that the people saw Alegria, their new home, twenty-one years ago today. Grandmother joined her, and together they told Alegria’s stories of loves and marriages, life and rejoicing. Kate felt tears running freely down her face as they all wept, sharing their profound elation. Uncle stood with them and they told stories of beauty, wonder and acceptance.
The listeners grew ecstatic with the energy of these positive songs, and the atmosphere became palpably vibrant. Suddenly the log drum resonated in a long series of deep irregular notes. The bass notes changing tempo as more drummers joined in, creating a rapid rhythm that was a sound of pure joy. Kate felt the music lift her body from the ground and she started moving as the rhythms pulsed through every cell in her body. She danced with her new family in a free and ecstatic celebration of life.
A long while later, Kate realised her legs were about to give way from under her, and she sought Rick out, knowing where he was just by letting her mind feel for him in the throng of moving bodies. Rick smiled and wrapped her in his arms; and then they kissed.
The music stopped. The voices stopped. The dancing stopped. The lovers noticed none of it, lost in a starburst of feelings and unity. Together they felt how perfectly matched their personalities were. Some of their strengths they shared, and some of their strengths filled a weakness in the other. Everyone stood silent, watching and waiting for their kiss to end, sharing in their experience.
Kate could feel a single idea forming as the crowd formed into a tight circle around them, but couldn’t grasp it. Those in front squatted down to offer those behind a clear view. Rick knelt in front of her on one knee, and as he took her hands, she felt her mind fall into his, and his into hers.
‘Catherine Jones, I love you, I adore you, and I cherish you. Would you do me the honour of sharing the rest of your life with me? Kate, will you marry me?’
Her head was already nodding, knowing that she wanted Rick and that he wanted her. The crowd was silent, sharing and revelling in the energy of the moment.
Kate looked at Rick, kneeling in front of her and dragged him to his feet. ‘Yes, Rick. Yes, I want to marry you and I want you to marry me.’
Madison stepped forward with tears in her eyes, Mason’s hand on her shoulder. She hugged Rick and Mason hugged Kate, and then the four hugged as everyone around them let their tears fall unchecked, smiling in silence. Madison took a ring from her finger and passed it to Rick. He kissed his mother on both cheeks and turned to Kate. He lifted her hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. Kate looked at the ring, and then at Madison, astonished at its perfect fit, and feeling how heavy its history was.
Madison said, ‘Kate, that ring has bound five generations of our family. This is a family tradition, and it was obvious to all of us that it was yours the first moment you two looked at each other.’
Kate was unable to find any words and just wrapped mother and son in a huge, sobbing, happy hug, dragging Mason in as well. Every man, woman and child erupted, cheering. The music started again and the dancing crowd celebrated with them. Kate saw and felt her friends, their grinning faces wet with tears. They just kept nodding and laughing, their thoughts and emotions coming into her mind as she shared hers with them. Above all else, she could feel Rick, her wonderful man, within her. She could feel every part of him, his strength, his kindness and his shadow. She loved everything about him. She could feel his mind, and knew that he felt exactly the same way about her.
Later that afternoon and after more stories and dancing, another couple became engaged, and Kate felt what everyone else had felt between her and Rick. When she hugged the bride to be, they instantly became sisters, unable to stop hugging, laughing and crying at the same time.
At dusk, Pedro started a fire to keep the chill of the evening at bay, and for its light. More food came out, more of Grandmother’s special brew, and many more, mostly happy stories and songs filled the night.
As a group, they walked under the stars to the edge of the Race. Agitated by the rushing and churning water, the plankton’s glow lit the Race until it looked like a river of liquid light. The deep bass notes and distant flashes of a large thunderstorm passing well out to sea just helped to set the supernatural feel of the spectacle. Later that evening, another storm passed to the south of the lagoon, its electric display strobing spectacularly over the distant hills.
Hammocks were already tied up in advance to accommodate those who felt the need for rest. Some people slept around the edges of the cleared area for an hour or two before returning to the fiesta.
When dawn broke the next day, the people were all happily exhausted as they gathered arm in arm in a large circle on the foreshore. Grandmother and Uncle said a blessing and they gave thanks for each other and for Alegria.
After Rick took Kate for a short walk to show her the rushing waters of the Race in the daylight, and to enjoy a little time alone, they made their way back to the village. Stepping into a small open sided shelter, the lovers saw Dom and Natalie asleep on one side of the hut. Mason and Madison were at the end, next to the girls, and Edison, Juanita and Maria lay in the middle. Rick led Kate to the only clear space left and they were asleep in minutes, slumbering until mid-afternoon.
‘Do you still want to marry me?’ Rick asked her as she woke up.
She knew that he’d been awake for a while and watching her sleep. Kate nodded and offered her mouth for a kiss, which he eagerly supplied.
‘Yes, Rick, I love you and I want to marry you.’
‘Deal.’
~~~~~