27 
MANY MOONS

Three years later

Justine gazed through the large kitchen window that faced the reddish-brown peaks of the outskirts of Gallup. That was her ritual every morning: to rise before everyone else, capture a few secluded moments of peace and admire the miraculous landscape.

She had taken many a picture of the red cliffs all over New Mexico before, but the mornings were always so special, so quiet—hers. The mountains looked surreal, enchanting, and she always saw something different each time she looked at them. It calmed her even more than Darrius’s unyielding love had.

Now a full-time photographer with New Mexico Magazine, she could set her hours, plan her photography sessions, work with children at the orphanages and continue to bring the beauty of New Mexico and surrounding states to the rest of the world. It was her dream job, and she was living her dream life. She looked around the spacious kitchen with its hints of western and Italian modern tiles and designs, and smiled. She remembered the first time she saw the house, but at the time, it was simply Darrius’s house. It had nothing but Native American flavor. Now it was decorated in a mix of African face masks, her Italian kitchen tile and the Native American culture. Now it was an expression of both of them—and their family.

The new day brought with it a kind of serenity, and she was enjoying it while she could because she knew shortly there would be the sound of little feet everywhere and a hungry man about to rush off to check on the new tea plant he and his family were opening. The plant would bring many jobs to the many impoverished Native Americans in the area, which was one of the main reasons he and Derrick had decided to expand the family business. Darrius was the overseer and part-time manager. Though he still owned his jewelry stores, being involved with providing jobs appealed to him.

Justine smiled and drank the rest of her Good Morning Medicine tea. She loved her life and wouldn’t trade it for anything, though juggling a career and a household could be hectic at times. Minutes later, she heard gentle laughter coming from the deck on the side of the house. She knew that warm, giddy laugh, and couldn’t wait to see the source.

Justine looked out her back patio and saw a breathtaking sunrise and mountain backdrop. The air was crisp and fresh, but what truly caught her attention was Darrius teaching their two-year old son, Honovi, the traditional dance so he could follow in his dad’s footsteps. The little dark-haired second joy of her life was named after his uncle, who had died shortly after birth many years ago due to weak lungs. Her son was a strong baby, however, and looked just like his father, but was darker in complexion and with deeply set eyes.

She smiled as she watched them dance without a clue of being watched. “You two are up awfully early today.”

Honovi smiled upon seeing his mother, and twisted in his father’s clutches until released. He ran directly into her outstretched arms, and the two cooed together until Darrius entered, wanting a piece of the action.

Justine quickly put the wiggling child back on the grass and gave her husband a warm good morning hug. She quickly kissed his warm lips, and then briefly parted. “Hungry? I can make you something before you go off to conquer the world.”

He nuzzled her nose against his. “The only thing I’m hungry for is a little more bed action with my first lady. Possible before I head off?”

“And what do we do with our little miracle playing in the grass? He’s not exactly the patient type who will let Mom and Dad have a little alone time. Am I right?”

“Yes, you are, but he did sleep long enough to let us do this.” He ran his hand over her growing stomach.

Seeing joy spread across Darrius’s face, she asked, “So, what do you think he wants, a sister or a brother?”

“At this age, I don’t think he cares.”

“Then what about you, papa? Boy or girl?”

“I don’t care either, so long as my first lady comes through with flying colors.”

She smiled, stroking his handsome face. “I’m gonna be just fine, Darrius. After all, don’t I have to live up to my word?”

“Which is?”

“To live happily ever after in your arms. I can’t do that without you.”

“And you won’t have to.”

He kissed her in a long, delicious drag, and pulled away with a look of total happiness on his face. “Umm, that’s my plan, girl—to have a long, happy life with you in my arms.”

He looked at the gorgeous red mountains in the distance, his baby playing gleefully on the grass and his beautiful wife in his arms, and smiled. “We certainly have a great start to this ‘long life’ of ours, don’t we?”

“A perfect start, Darrius Red Sky, absolutely perfect.”