The Dance

Chapter 34 Celebrate

Dusk was beginning to settle on Browntown and the family was slowly gathering in the main cabin to celebrate Bam's birthday. Ami was putting the finishing touches on a chocolate cake while the boys finished up the crab they had caught earlier in the day. Rain and Bird had fashioned party hats and decorations from leftover materials from past projects. Lila and Bam, in usual fashion, were the last to arrive for dinner and experienced some well deserved kidding from Gabe and Bear. Bam shot them an evil eye but Lila squeezed his hand and whispered to him to just relax.

Noah offered the blessing and acknowledged the special day as the birth of Mr. Respect the Danger for which everyone chuckled while their hands were clasped with one another.
Soon afterwards, the table was buzzing with conversations and the passing of plates of food. Lila soaked in the magic of the moment and the bond the family had with one another. Each family member was unique but blended with each other so well. It made her a little sad to think that she would never know those bonds since she was an only child but at the same time she was happy to be here with this family on this special day.

After dinner, the women of Browntown presented Bam with his cake, chocolate of course and his present. As he unwrapped the gift, Lila thought she saw him tear up when he revealed the camera bag. Ami announced everyone had a part in the gift. It was lovingly hand sewn by her from a deerskin collected by the brothers during a hunt. The hide had been tanned by Billy. The girls and Matt had added some sterling loops from scrap silver and Noah had added the interior compartments to protect his precious camera gear. For such a strong man, Lila was happy to see the emotion on his face. He was clearly touched by their thoughtfulness.

The family eagerly sliced up the cake and indulged in a little sugar high. Noah had rigged up a phonograph for some after dinner fun and dancing. Once dessert was finished, the brothers moved the furniture out of the way and created a small dance floor. Billy was the first to grab Ami to dance followed by Bear and Bird and Gabe and Rain. Matt offered his hand to Lila, with Bam's permission, and twirled her around the floor. Noah and Bam stood back watching the activities and joking about Gabe's lack of dance skills.

"She's a keeper, Bam." Noah elbowed his brother but Bam pretended not to hear what he said. "Don't wait too long, brother. Matt would love to be in your boots. She's smart, beautiful and she's a good fit for the family."

"I heard you the first time baby brother. Now play me something slow so I can dance with my woman." Bam tapped Matt on the shoulder to cut in as the music slowed and only he and Lila and Billy and Ami remained dancing. The couples danced to an old version of Sentimental Journey by Glenn Miller that Noah had scrounge from a local thrift store in Hoonah.

Lila nestled her head against Bam's chest as they swayed back and forth. She loved the sound of his heart beat and felt a tremendous amount of peace being wrapped in his arms. This is what Ami must have meant this morning about life being hard. If you loved someone any obstacle could be overcome. As the music finished, Noah switched to a livelier tune and Bam begged off so Bear could dance with Lila. He was a much better dance partner for the faster tunes.

As the festivities drew to a close and the family each offered their birthday wishes to Bam, he and Lila headed for the trapper shack. The moon lit the path as Bam pulled Lila closer to him to keep her warm. "I guess you're staying with me now for the remainder of your stay?" Bam asked almost as a question not a statement.

Lila answered him. "I don't think we need to be discreet anymore since everyone knows where I spent last night."

Bam laughed heartily. "Woman, what else do you have in your bag of tricks?"

"Hmmm....we'll just have to improvise. After all, it's still your birthday."