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The Beltane wedding night celebration showed no sign of abating when Gavin ran his hand through his sweat-slick hair, suddenly remembering it was his daughter Sarah's birthday within a few hours. It had completely slipped his mind and he wouldn't have remembered if he hadn't just been thinking about how he would ever explain tonight to his wife. Although not nearly as religious as Adelaide, both had been raised traditionally, but tonight was anything but.
"I need to head home," Gavin's breath fanned Arlana's damp hair. "I forgot it's Sarah's birthday in a few hours. I'll be back tomorrow evening."
What bridegroom leaves their marriage bed on their wedding night? The timing was way off and Gavin felt like a fool for not having realized it earlier. He hadn't even picked up a gift. Arlana's eyes were glassy with exhaustion and euphoria as they met his for a moment, giving her bridegroom a slight nod before turning her attention back to the others who were gathered, reveling in the celebration.
Gavin watched the celebration, his blood pounding like drums within his ears. How he had gone all these years without witnessing such a sight was beyond him. Nothing compared to it. The ritual had come close, but it had been a solemn occasion in contrast to tonight's celebration. Wine flowed freely as the wolf clan celebrated the holiday as well as the couple's nuptials as midnight approached.
Reaching for his keys, Gavin reluctantly turned away, leaving his bride behind. Twenty-four hours and he'd return. It wasn't soon enough.
***
GAVIN LAY IN THE DARKNESS barely listening to Adelaide's slow, steady breathing. His heart was still hammering from the adrenaline coursing through his veins. On the entire two-hour drive back into the city, he had thought of nothing else but his bride bathed in moonlight, her damp hair tumbling free. His bride. His wife. The woman he loved most was two long hours away. Groaning softly, Gavin attempted to fall asleep but it was impossible. Even his body wanted to be back on the ranch, disappointed Gavin had left.
Attempting to ease the ache, Gavin wasn't aware that Adelaide had woken up, his wife laying still as she listened to Gavin's low moans of pent-up frustration. Gavin was focused on the woman he had left behind until he felt the bed shift, distracting him from his steamy thoughts. Without a moment's hesitation, Adelaide wrapped her legs around her husband's hips, finally initiating intimacy after years of rejection. Although he was shocked Addy suddenly wanted him, Gavin wasn't about to say no.
Easily flipping his slender wife over until she was on her knees, Gavin grabbed Adelaide's hips, seeking relief from his raging need. In the darkness and in that position, she was simply a vessel used to gain much-needed relief.
Surely Arlana would understand. He was no less devoted, but still a man, and she had known it would be like this - he had two wives, after all. For Gavin, the act itself meant nothing emotionally, his thoughts on his bride.
Adelaide muffled her cries within the pillow, but not fast enough, her first scream waking Sarah up. The walls were thin and Sarah's room was the closest to her parent's bedroom.
Jumping out of bed, Sarah ran down the hall toward her mother's bedroom, coming to an abrupt halt at the sight of her parents in the same bed, her father breeding her mother like their dog had when he was in heat.
Sarah quickly turned away, giving her parents privacy, but was smiling. It had been far too long since she'd heard the creaking bed springs and the steady rhythm of the headboard - since before Isabella was born. That seemed like forever ago. Just maybe now things would be better, after all, back then her father used to smile.
Sarah returned to her room, thinking of what it would be like to have another sibling. She was old enough to know that was how babies were made. Sarah had no way of knowing babies couldn't be made the way that her father was doing things. After all, Adelaide had made it very clear she didn't want children. Tonight she was simply a means to an end, but she would get her desire - Adelaide wouldn't become a mother again.
****
THE CHILDREN WERE EATING their cereal by the time their parents joined them in the kitchen, Joshua, and Sarah looking at each other as though they shared a secret. Sarah had told Joshua what she had walked in on but Josh wasn't as optimistic as his sister. They'd been fighting for years. One night couldn't change that - at least he didn't think so although he agreed with Sarah that it was a good start.
"You're up early," Gavin pulled out a chair as Adelaide made them coffee. "Happy Birthday, Sarah. I've been busy and haven't been able to stop at the store to get you something, but I thought you might like a gift card better anyway. You can get whatever you want..."
"Thanks, Dad," Sarah stood, wrapping her arms around her father's neck.
He smelled interesting - musk mixed with vanilla and lilacs.
"I have to head back tonight after you kids are in bed, but I wanted to mention that I'm going to be away for a few weeks. I'll bring you guys back something of course, but more importantly, we are going to be having a special Canada Day celebration at the ranch. It was Arlana's idea for everyone to dress in period clothes. You'll have to check with her, but I believe she said something about Colonial fashion or something like that. Anyway, she wants to make it a big event and is hoping you and the kids will come."
"That sounds amazing!" Adelaide actually sounded interested.
Gavin glanced over at her, wondering if last night had loosened her up - taken the stiffness out of her body and personality. This was going a lot better than he had hoped.
"I could make it into a unit study for the kids. I know that school is almost over for the summer, but it would be so fun to study the pioneer days and we could end the unit by going to the ranch to celebrate it all together. I bet that is why Arlana is doing this. She's homeschooling your cousin, Zek as well. Sarah, you could help me look up recipes from that time period. We could have a pot luck supper and everyone bring a dish from the period. I wonder if Arlana is home. I could give her a call right now and ask."
Gavin ran his fingers through his hair. Adelaide couldn't call the apartment. Jorken had no idea where Arlana was and he intended to keep it that way.
"She's at the ranch, I believe," Gavan shrugged. "I have the number for the place if you want to call there. I'm sure you'll be able to reach her that way."
"Great," Adelaide smiled, reaching for a pen and paper to write down the number.
Gavin couldn't shake the feeling he was making a mistake even as he told Adelaide the phone number.
"I won't be long and then we can start baking the cake," Adelaide explained as she waited while the phone rang.
"Hello, this is Adelaide Kirkpatrick. I was wondering if I might be able to speak with Arlana."
"Sure. Give me a moment please."
"Hello? Adelaide?"
"Hi, I know it has been so long since we spoke and I don't know if I'm bothering you, but Gavin is here and he just mentioned your plan for Canada Day. I think it's a wonderful idea and wanted to run a few things by you."
"Wow, I'm so glad you are interested in coming! I actually wasn't expecting... anyway, yes, of course. Go ahead, I'm not busy at all. I'm actually just coming in the door so you caught me at the perfect time," Arlana's voice filled the room as Addy put her sister on speaker phone.
Gavin shifted uncomfortably as his muscles tightened, waves of longing flooding him once more, yet he needed to maintain his composure. The children were watching and he didn't trust Sarah especially, knowing how close she was to her mother and had been known to reveal secrets in the past.
"Great. Well, I was thinking of making it into a unit study for the kids. We have a month left before school is out for the summer so I think it would be perfect to study the time period etc. Gavin was mentioning wearing Colonial clothes, but I don't think he knows what time period you were thinking of. The French and Indian War or closer to the American Revolution?"
"Just before the French and Indian war. I'm actually researching when our Acadian ancestors arrived, and our great grandfather, Daniel, arrived in 1610. I was thinking that would be interesting - and we could honor our ancestors at the same time."
"I love the idea," Adelaide sighed into the phone. "I was just telling the kids that we will look up recipes from the time period and perhaps we could do a potluck. If you are thinking of the Acadians, that might make things easier. I'll have to ask Mom, but she might have some Acadian recipes she can send to me. If she does, I'll let you know. What do you think?"
"I hadn't even thought of that idea, but you are onto something. I'll let the ladies here know and we can whip something up. I don't want to keep you as it is Sarah's birthday, but feel free to contact me anytime. It's been far too long since we talked."
"I agree and thank you, I will. Would you like to speak with Sarah?"
"Of course. Thank you. We'll chat again later."
"Good morning, Auntie Arlana."
"Good morning, Sweetheart. Happy Birthday! It's really nice talking with you and I'm looking forward to seeing you at the ranch. I know your cousins, Dekkie and Zek, are looking forward to you and your siblings coming."
"Thank you. I can't wait to visit either."
"I agree. Alright, I need to go rest for a bit, but I hope you enjoy your birthday. Say hi to your brother and sister for me. I love you."
"I love you too."
Gavin waited until Adelaide hung up before turning to his family.
"I'm going to order your clothes for the event, so keep an eye on the mail when I am away. I'm hoping to head out in the morning so we have a full day at the ranch. Now, Joshua especially, what would you like to go as?"
"A cowboy would be cool."
"Yes, but it isn't quite the right time period. You could go as a soldier, a member of the militia, or as a fur trader. An Acadian or British farmer, perhaps..."
"A fur trader. What are you going to go as, Dad?"
"I'm thinking a merchant or a militia captain - someone in a position of authority."
Adelaide watched Gavin as he spoke, now asking the girls what color they'd like their dresses to be. He looked happier than usual, but there was something in his eyes she couldn't put her finger on. Gavin was confident and exuded masculinity. That's what she was seeing in his eyes - ambition. Gavin looked like a man one wouldn't want to mess with. It would seem he was already getting into character.
Sarah smiled as she asked for a purple dress. Already her birthday was turning out to be wonderful and she hadn't even opened her other gifts yet - ones from her grandparents, siblings, and mother. Her family was happy and all together. The gift card in her hand could never buy what she wanted most - her family to be happy again.