THE HEM OF my embroidered blanket dress fluttered in the crisp autumn wind that swept across the valley. Chilled, I cinched my turquoise studded belt tighter and reached for the man beside me.
“Thank you for bringing me here and for arranging this.” My throat felt thick and tears blurred my eyes as I took in the number of musicians on folded chairs arranged in a semicircle on the sand in front of the arch where Lucky had come for me. “A full symphonic orchestra. It’s incredible.” The wind ensemble included all the usual instruments plus spirit flutes. The percussion section had water drums, several types of Navajo rattles, and the string section included mouth bows. Over the past year as my symphony had caught on I had heard my music performed in several cities but never like this.
Here in my mother’s ancestral home. The land of the people. My people.
“I would do anything for you, Angel.” His sensuous lips formed their familiar smile. He offered me his elbow. I curled my fingers around his flexed arm. He led me down the prepared path over the hard packed ground and around the sage clumps. The music of ‘Becoming Me’ swirled around us as did a dozen colorfully attired Navajo dancers. I floated by Lucky’s side feeling like my moccasins barely touched the ground.
A swath of material mostly white with a sapphire weave that matched my dress held back my hair, but nothing held back my tears as I met the gazes of those who awaited our arrival on the other side of a bonfire. Alec, Cody, and Rocky. The Dragons were on break from an extended worldwide tour. Their popularity had skyrocketed. My star had shot up as well due to the overwhelming success of the RFC. Together we endured the media circus that went along with fame. I loved them as much as if they were my own flesh and bone. We might not be a traditional family, but we were one in loyalty and love, all the ways that truly mattered.
"Thank you all for coming to Monument Valley today, for supporting Lucky and me, for loving us." I swept my gaze to everyone, but first I crossed to my dad. “Thank you for teaching me the value of retracing steps, the importance of leaving a light on so your daughter can find her way back home and how saying you're sorry can be one of the bravest things you ever do in life.” I moved to the drummer before my dad’s teary eyes could spur more of my own. “Thank you for teaching me the art of surrender.” The Welshman grinned sagely at my words. I stopped in front of Alec and Cody. “Your example constantly shows me the intensity of true love.” I shifted to Sky. “Thank you for teaching me that making the complex understandable is only a matter of changing your point of view.” I moved to my bestie and put my forehead to hers then leaned back so she could see the sincerity in my eyes. “You are the sane in my crazy, the rock to my groove, my constant lifelong refuge, my forever friend.” My vision blurring again, I shifted to face my escort as heat from the fire licked my skin. My constant companion, my lover for the last two years. His strong capable form. His handsome face. His sexy lips curved that cocky half-smile hovering in the background. Only he could eclipse the Monument Valley sunrise view. My heart surged with pride that he was mine. My soul was filled with love for my family, and yet the moment was also bittersweet because I missed those two who couldn’t be present.
"You ready?" Lucky asked after recapturing me and gently swiping his thumbs through the wet on my cheeks.
"Yes." I gave him a tremulous smile.
We were modifying a traditional Navajo wedding ceremony. I wore what I had chosen to honor my mother. Lucky wore his favorite, now very faded Killer t-shirt, jeans and his rings. And a skin he felt comfortable in, that reflected who he was, much like everyone else in attendance. Taking his hand with our witnesses around us, we walked seven steps clockwise around the sacred fire. Afterward, Lucky began his vow.
“Raven, you are the embodiment of love to me. You had my attention from the moment you landed at my feet. I knew you were the one the first time I kissed you, and you’ve held my heart since the moment you revealed it to me. Mine is yours forever." Tears pricked my eyes, and I squeezed his fingers tighter before I began my words.
"Lucky, it took me a little longer to figure things out. But only because I needed you to show me the way. You believed in me. You helped me realize that I could be more than anyone expected, and I am because you love me. You have given me a new dream to live after the ones I thought I couldn’t go on without were shattered. I’m no longer broken because of you. I am whole. I am right with you. I am exactly who I should be." I found and held Lucky's gaze for a long beat, but then we both stilled as a loud cry pierced the air. I looked up and watched a red-tailed hawk descend. It landed on top of the arch. A poignant ache pricked my heart. Lucky reached for me. His eyes were as glassy as my own. He pressed the pad of his thumb against the corner of my mouth, tugged my lips apart and kissed me tenderly.
“He’s here, Raven,” he breathed when he lifted his head. “They both are. You know they are. In spirit. Let me give you my token to seal our vows.” Lucky slid an intricately crafted dragon coil ring from King Baby onto my finger as the sun rose filling the blue sky with umber streamers. In turn, I gave him my mother’s turquoise ring which had been refashioned to fit his finger. Neither were conventional wedding bands, but they were exactly right for us, symbols of what was most important to us, our families, our music and each other.
As we began our walk as a married couple, our family joined hands forming a circle around us and the fire. The hawk took flight, circling us as well and as I watched it fly away one of its feathers drifted down and landed at my feet. I picked it up and hugged it to my chest. A token from above. I got the message. Lucky and I might have taken an unusual path to get to where we were, but the union of our two souls had been truly blessed.
I remembered someone wise once telling me that it’s important to find a person you can trust to guide you safely home. I took my husband’s hand. I shared that sentiment with him. “You are that person for me, Lucky. You are the guide I need. You are my home."