Page 40 of Seamus: Unconventional
Staying here for the night was a good idea. The Blackhawk young ones calm the boys. I think the older are Protectors and young healers but I never ask. They’re all good at the spirit party and life celebration. We spent a couple of hours laughing and remembering Leon with happy tears and no wailing. The boys are calm and sad but coming to terms with the suddenness of losing their dad. I don’t imagine it’s going away because they knew the outcome, but I know the raw feelings dull in time.
I watch the group and smile at Kristos showing Mark how to braid the leather pieces he has for the dream catcher to hang from. Mase has been working on this with them but Kristos had the hanger, I guess. I like that they all put thought into including everyone here. We all need to feel needed. I smile remembering. We’re showing them they matter.
“Where’s Katie?” Cort has me turning his way. The hook up thing is annoying already.
“With Solei, Natalia and Kateri. They’re doing the pictures and books for tomorrow.” Everyone agreed to move quickly, including the boys so this isn’t dragging on for two weeks. The pain will last but tradition and ceremony don’t have to. Mark wants it done so Cort and Kristos will make it done.
“What’s the books?” Falcon asks.
“Books of their lives in Badass. Natalia got feed pictures from Alpha when she met the boys.” Solei hands Falcon one of his boys and sits by him with the other. “They need a dad fix.”
I smile as the two bounce on him but he doesn’t seem to care.
Kids run our way with sticks and Ôkatuq has a bag. In seconds we see why as they all stuff a marshmallow on a stick.
We’re remembered when the marshmallows are over the fire.
“How are you Indian? Your mom was Irish and dad Scottish.” Mark remembers everything. The fire makes it a good time to remember.
“Choctaws sent money to kindred spirits in Ireland during the famine of the 1840’s. It wasn’t known until later that the Indians in the US were just relocated to Oklahoma when they took up a collection for what they saw as their kindred spirits. Ireland set up scholarships and erected a statue for the Choctaw. In the 1840’s they were forced off their land and walked the Trail of Tears to their new home. A few tribesmen made it to Ireland and stayed. I’m a descendent. My mother didn’t have enough to be claimed by Indian Nation but our name shows in their history. Colonel Graywolf is a distant relative but I learned that here too.”
Mase laughs. “We’re all related, Brother.”
I throw him chin and give it to Shadow. “Being a partner gives you a claim to Indian. You got my name already.”
Cort laughs loud.
“Do we get your name now?” Vinny stops his marshmallow roast to ask.
I look at Mark. “This was one you were deciding.”
“Leon didn’t want us to take his name cause he’s black and said it would hurt us.” He sounds young and is using present tense.
I nod and turn back to Vinny. “Your marshmallow is burning.” He flicks his wrist like a pro, dropping the sweet smelling, burning ball of fire into the fire. “This is a decision from your list. Whatever you decide is okay with me. Cort said the lawyer will handle it quickly but you’ll always be family no matter what your name is.”
“You can go to college, train for Badass, go to the military or the FBI Badass Training Center. You’ll be covered for any of it.” Cort throws all the options in.
“I wanna be Vinny Leon-Kristos MacGregor.”
I smile at Cort. I didn’t see that coming but it honors his dad, Pres and me.
He’s watching Mark. “He should have given us his name. I’ll take theirs for a middle too.”
I stand and give each a hug. “We’re honored to add you to our clan.”
Mark laughs. “We’re like the only two legged members besides you.”
The Brothers laugh agreeing with the know-it-all.
Fuckin’ kids.
Every partner here barks once and of course, it’s loud as fuck, making me jump.
Of course, every Brother notices and laughs.
Fuckin’ partners too.
Chapter Seven
