The Dance

Chapter 175 The Vote

Red and Lucas watched as Bear built a huge bonfire prior to the family dinner and the vote that would forever change their lives. Jill and Lila helped Ami bring supper outdoors while Matt and Gabe finished off the grilled venison. Rainy and Bird entertained Jace and Lily who were now walking and babbling now stop. Noah checked the perimeter of his bear fencing to make sure everything was in tact before everyone settled around the fire.

The siblings slowly positioned themselves by family sub-group. Matt again presented the proposal. He explained it would take several months to get the land secured and the primary home built for his parents, sisters and unattached brothers. Once that had been completed, they could focus on building lodging for Bam and Matt's families. Matt suggested the hauling business offices be combined with the sawmill offices with Bam and Matt coordinating their respective businesses. Billy and Ami could work less and help out more with the grandbabies and family meals. "Does everyone understand the plan? If so, let's put it to a family vote."

Matt pointed at Bam and Lila first.
"We're in. We vote yes."

"Bear and Rose." Matt already knew Bear's vote. Bear clasped Rose's hand and pulled it over their heads. "We vote yes."

Bird and Rain each voted yes. The idea of the family being altogether appealed to both of them and Rain already liked the idea of being in town with access to makeup, celebrity news and boys.

Noah and Gabe were easy sells....Gabe for pizza and Noah for damsels.

The final votes fell to Ami and Billy. The family had a unanimous vote, regardless of how their parents voted. Ami and Billy were too tired and had precarious health situations and voted in favor of the move as long as their original property would be kept
in tact for hunting, fishing and family getaways.

With the vote finalized, the three couples, Matt and Jill, Bam and Lila, and Red and Bear would turn their energies into acquiring the property and building the main home. It was almost a relief to Billy knowing that his vision was coming together only relocated for the benefit of their expanding family.

Ami and Billy excused themselves from dessert and walked slowly back to the main cabin. "It's what we wanted." Ami comforted Billy with her wisdom. "We wanted all of them to find wives and have children."

"I know. I just never planned on them all leaving." Billy's comment echoed a sense of sadness.

"Our time has passed. It's their time now and we've given them strong roots." Billy agreed with Ami's summation.

"They are all happy. Bear and Rose seem pretty serious. It will only be a matter of time before they tell us their getting married."

"I know. It's just hard to let go of the dream."

"Billy, we're not letting go of the dream. The dream's just changing."

Back at the bonfire, Matt, Bear and Bam began planning their next moves. Jill and Lila entertained Red and playfully teased her about her earlier disappearance in the day with Bear. "The first thing you need to learn about this family is that there is no such thing as secrets." Lila and Jill giggled liked school girls as Red's cheeks flushed with color.

"Was it that obvious?" Red asked.

Jill pointed to Red's sweater. "Your buttons are askew." Red looked down at her sweater and her buttons were definitely not aligned.

"We've all been there." Lila recalled her time with Bam in the trapper shack where everyone knew what they had been up to. "It's just apart of being in a big family."

"Have you talked about a future?" Lila inquired.

Red looked at Bear across the fire and he smiled back at her. "Yes. We did that today."

Jill and Lila both asked the same question. "And?"

"And we're taking it one day at a time." Red played with the heart on the bracelet Bear had given her. "He's already there."

Jill and Lila squealed with excitement as the brothers eyed them curiously. Both Matt and Bam knew when their women got together, they were plotting something. Whatever it was they knew Bear and Red didn't stand a chance against the will of those two women.

Adele - One and Only