Chapter 3

-Nokomis Takes a Risk-
Nokomis immediately went to a field near by where she felt closest to the Creator and prayed. She prayed with everything she had. Her biggest fear was that Dakota didn't feel the same way about her. But if she wanted things to go further with Dakota she was going to have to tell him. Her life would either go one way or the other, but at least then she would know. When she felt absolutely sure she was ready she got up and made her way back to find Dakota.
When she got back to their Clan she was starving, so she found some fruit and a stick and decided to grill it over the campfire. It turned out super yummy. Although in the back of her mind she knew she was just stalling. OK, now to find Dakota, she headed to his hut and knocked.......no answer. Hmmmmmm...where could he be? On the way in she had walked by Claire's, but had only seen Claire outside meditating. In the front entrance of their village there was a fire ring for ceremonial dances and of course practicing such dances, maybe he was there.
Sure enough she heard him chanting and soon saw him dancing around a pretty big fire. He looked so handsome in the firelight, it highlighted his muscles and the features of his face. She could watch him all day. She didn't want to be rude and interrupt, so she sat on one of the logs near the fire and got lost in his dancing.
Dakota spotted her, but acted like he hadn't seen her, he was enjoying watching her watch him. She looked so beautiful sitting there, a beauty he hadn't seen until the last week or so. When he felt he had made her sit there long enough, he invited her to dance with him.  Instead of their traditional dance where they both danced side by side individually, he held out his hand and when she took it he pulled her close and rocked with her close to him. He was teaching her what he knew of to be a white man's dance, but it worked for the mood he was trying to set. He loved the way her body felt pressed against his. He looked down at her and met her gaze while she looked up at him. He took one of his hands from around her and cupped her cheek, she looked perfect right now. He slowly bent his head down and he felt her shift to stand on her toes, so their lips could meet. He kissed her her and she kissed him back. Their first kiss and it was amazing! All his worries seemed to melt away. As they slowly pulled apart, Nokomis started to speak, but he put a finger over her mouth and lightly kissed her again. Then he said, "Nokomis, I love you. Would you be willing to become my wife and have my children?" Nokomis couldn't speak she was so surprised, all she could do was nod her head. "Yes", she finally said, "yes Dakota, I love you too, and I would love to be your wife and to have your children. Dakota was so happy he picked her up and kissed her while he carried her to his hut, where his bed was waiting. 
-Baby?-
Dakota woke up early the next morning and was quite happy to be able to roll over and have a nice warm body to cuddle up to. He kissed Nokomis' shoulder and rubbed his body against hers, hoping to get a response. Nokomis let out a soft moan and rolled to face Dakota. She looked into his eyes as she moved her hands down his body, she felt his hardness rub against her. She gently rolled him into his back, straddled him and got to some baby making' business.
A few weeks went by, Nokomis and Dakota spent almost every waking moment together, bonding and talking about their their plans for the future. Dakota talked of bringing other females and shamans, but didn't tell her exactly why. 
Nokomis was becoming anxious, she couldn't wait to find out if she was going to have a baby. Dakota wanted to wait until she was pregnant to get married. Nokomis was okay with that arrangement, she just really wanted her life to begin. A child would bring meaning to her life, more than Dakota ever could. She spoke to Claire daily always asking if she could tell, but Claire couldn't. Claire couldn't tell one way or the other, but always told Nokomis to not give up hope. It was just too soon even for her. 
About a month later, early in the morning Nokomis awoke with a horrible feeling in her stomach. She got up and had barely made it outside when her stomach gave a violent lurch and her dinner from the night before was suddenly coming out the same way it had gone in, however it tasted nothing like it the second time. Nokomis didn't feel well at all, she sat down in the dirt and waited for her stomach to settle. Meanwhile, Dakota went to fetch Claire, hopefully she had a tonic that would help Nokomis feel better.
When Claire saw Nokomis, she gently took her by the hand, helped her to her feet and brought Nokomis to her hut. She Nokomis sit on her bed. Claire gently touched Nokomis' belly and said "I feel life." "What? Really!" Exclaimed Nokomis. "Thank the Creator! Dakota will be so excited and we can get married now." Nokomis was overjoyed. "You must take care of yourself, no heavy lifting, and don't exhaust yourself" said Claire. "I won't" said Nokomis and she left to tell Dakota her happy news. 
Nokomis found Dakota chopping wood. Dakota stopped,as she walked up. Nokomis ran up to him and placed a kiss on his tender lips. "What was that for?"asked Dakota smiling. "We're pregnant!" Exclaimed Nokomis. "Really? That's wonderful!" Dakota said as he picked her up and spun her around. "It's time to make our union official then. Tomorrw night, we'll have the ceremony" said Dakota. "I'll see you later tonight than my husband", teased Nokomis. "You sure will, my wife" was Dakota's response.