Born Wild

Celebration

Kita invited everyone to come over in a few days to celebrate. Tonight Pike would pick up Koda. Tala still had work and needed to clean their house because of the blood and glass. In a couple of days, Koda and Tala would celebrate at Kita's and then move back to their house.

Pike came over to pick up Koda and they invited them both to stay for a meal. They all had a pre-celebration dinner. 

Ben then announced that he was going to sell his house in Tennessee and move to Elkford to live with Kita. He would try to sell his store as well and open a new one.

Before Koda left to go to Pike's he was insistent on taking Tala out on a hike the next day at their favorite spot on the coast even though it was going to snow. 

He said that it would be beautiful and they should celebrate their freedom. Tala said they should just go to the coffee shop but he insisted they go on a hike. She gave in because she did miss being outside.

Kita pulled Tala into the hallway after dinner with one hand behind her back.

"I have something for you."Kita looked dignified as she removed her arm from behind her and brought out the dagger.

 It had been cleaned and shone brightly. She rested the blade on the fingers of both of her hands. "It is yours if you wish. If not I will dispose of it."

Tala smiled respectfully and reached for the blade. She hesitated and her fingers hung in the air above it. 

"What is wrong Tala?"

 "This blade killed Koda's mother. He may not want me to see it again." 

"I talked to Koda about giving it to you. He said there was no one he would rather have it."

 She replied. "While you did have a little help, you were the one who stopped the hunter. You were the one who couldn't be defeated even when you stood against him alone. Even if I hadn't been there you would have been just fine."

"Part of me wanted to kill him." Tala admitted solemnly, her face firm and cold like marble. "I would have." 

"You didn't though." her mother reassured. "You managed to help save us all without hurting him." 

Tala's face softened and she grabbed the blade. "Thank you." Tala placed the blade in her duffle bag on her bed and headed back into the dining room. 

Ben and Koda were talking and laughing, Ben even placed his hand on Koda's shoulder. What was happening? Before Koda and Pike walked out the door for the night, Koda turned to look at Tala and she moved to him with absolute adoration and kissed him twice before saying goodbye.

 The next day, Pike drove Koda to Elkford as white snowflakes gently drifted to the ground. Koda stood with the cutest innocent smile on the porch with his hands tucked in his pockets. Tala grinned as the doorbell rang and rushed to put on her coat and boots before opening the door and almost tackling him with a hug. He laughed and spun her around on the porch and then wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked down to her car. She let him drive to the hiking path and she glanced around town excitedly. 

"It's snowing. It's so beautiful." He looked over in admiration as Tala's eyes sparkled with innocence and light. 

She was the one he had been waiting for. She was the one he shared everything with and the one who lifted him when he was down. They had been through so much together and made it through. She was his best friend and the only girl he ever wanted.

 "I love you." Koda mused with curled lips. Out of all the thoughts running through his head, that was all he could get out. 

They parked on the top of the cliff and headed onto the trail holding each other's gloved hands. After a few minutes, the snow had created a small layer on the ground and trees.