He knocked on Manu’s door, and it flew open to reveal his friends.
“They kicked me out.I’ll have to shower and dress here,” Tawera explained.
“What have you been doing?We haven’t seen you all morning.”Hone searched Tawera’s face and held up his hand in a stop motion.“Wait, don’t tell us.I have a fair idea of what you’ve been doing.”
“We’re having a baby,” Tawera said and grinned widely.
“Congratulations,” Manu said, slapping him over the back.
“I must get ready for the wedding.”The last thing Tawera wanted was to arrive late.
An hour later, he waited with his friends for the women to appear.
Everyone who mattered to him and Nyree was here for this important day.
“We’re ready,”Nyree’s sweet voice rippled through his mind, and he straightened.
“They’re on their way.”Tawera turned to watch for Nyree’s arrival.
His first glimpse of her stole his breath.She wore a long white dress that clung to her supple form.Her black hair rippled down over her bare shoulders, and her smile was bright and wide and full of the same excitement that filled him.When she had almost reached him, he crossed the distance between them and held out his hand to her.
She placed her hand in his, he curled their fingers together, and everything in his world was right.Nyree was here.Her mother and sister were here and safe.His friends and workmates.
“I love you, Nyree,” he said in a loud voice that made the women sigh.
“I love you too, Tawera.Let’s get married.”
So they moved to stand in front of the marriage celebrant and said their vows before their friends.The women sighed again when the celebrant announced them, man and wife, while the men cheered.Then they celebrated with food and music, and there was no one happier than Tawera.He had a beautiful wife and a child on the way.
He drew his new wife into his arms, and they danced.Nyree smiled up at him, and he pulled her closer.
“I have never been so happy.”
“Me neither,” Nyree said, and they danced under the moonlight and celebrated with their friends, ready to embrace their future.
Want a peek at Nyree’s Photo Journal?
Not quite ready to let Tawera and Nyree go?Me neither.Subscribe to mynewsletterand receive a copy of Nyree’s Photo Journal.See some of the places she and Tawera visited.I also wrote a scene from the villain’s point of view that I decided not to include in the final version ofSnow Moon Dragon.Grab a copy of that scene too.
Glossary
Kororareka–Russell,whichis a Northland town.
Rawiri– a Christian name that translates to David.
Puriri– a New Zealand native tree with glossy, dark green leaves and pink to red flowers, which attract the birds.
Whare– house or dwelling.
Pa– a fortified village.
Whanau– extended family.
Tawera– Morning star.
Aroha– Love.
Pakeha– A New Zealander of European descent.
