Neophyte

Wedding

Five days have passed since Valentina and her family became one again, but she still needed space from everyone since she still faced trauma. Toypurina would help her participate in healing rituals to restore her body and spirit, so she would not let evil actions overcome her strength. Mitena gave her daughter the space she needed, but would still be by her side and not force her to do anything she didn't want. Guillermo would also be by his sister's side, but would help the men of the village to gather and hunt; Victoriano did the same.

Everyone felt the tension when seeing Victoriano, but he tried not to let their slow distrust overcome him. Esteban would keep guard and tried his best not to go into the village too much since there was tension between their people and the Spaniards. Still, he and Metztli would visit each other when they could.

Metztli eventually told Esteban the truth about her ancestry and that Valentina was currently pregnant. Esteban was shocked to say the least. He was concerned about whether Valentina would continue the pregnancy. Metztli reminded him that she was still born; Valentina was going to.

On the third day, Toypurina informed the couple that the Chief had announced their marriage ceremony to the village and that everything was being prepared. Mitena and many of the other women were preparing Metztli's wedding dress. Metztli was curious about what the traditional wedding dress was for the Tongva. However, she was hesitant since she was worried about Valentina. 

When Valentina was informed of what was going to happen, she didn't understand why Metztli had to ask for her permission. Metztli was worried because Valentina still needed time to heal and process everything she had gone through and everything she had been told. "I am not as weak as you think I am," Valentina told her. 

On the fourth day, Metztli asked if Victoriano could officiate the wedding ceremony, but he was hesitant. Metztli didn't want to follow the Catholic tradition but the Tongva tradition. She and her people from her time had lost much of their traditions due to Catholicism. Victoriano didn't know how a traditional Tongva wedding ceremony worked, but with Metztli's insistence, he relented. He promised to ask the Chief's permission and guidance on how to officiate the wedding ceremony.  

Metztli noticed the happy glint in his eyes when he was asked to officiate her wedding. She then went to Guillermo and asked him to give her away. Guillermo was confused about what she meant; Metztli realized that the Tongva traditions were different. When explaining the tradition, Guillermo understood but was surprised that she wanted him to give her away. Metztli knew that he was emotional and honored that she thought of him.

How could she not? He was her distant great-uncle. 

Everything was prepared until the day of the wedding. Men wore traditional masks and traditional clothes as they danced around the fire, praying to the spirits for guidance, love, and protection for the couple who were to be wed. 

Many of the village women stood outside Valentina's kiche and waited for the bride to be guided to the next journey of her life. They would walk behind her to lead her to safety; to give her confidence, guidance, and strength to be a strong and equal partner.  

Inside the kiche, Metztli was surrounded by many elder women and Toypurina, who burned herbs to cleanse her from evil spirits and energies. To give her love, protection, and strength. Toypurina led the procession, while Mitena assisted Metztli with dressing. Metztli wore a handmade white shirt and a brown skirt with beautiful, colorful patterns. She had a handmade belt made from dry bush branches, some of which extended downward. Her arms and hands were adorned with handmade jewelry. Metztli wore the earrings Mitena had given her when she sang for Padre Fermin.

Mitena surprisingly asked her if she wanted to wear the wooden rosary; Metztli refused. She wanted to follow the traditions her people were meant to follow before Catholicism took them away.