Page 50 of Love Is a War Song
One month later…
Davey and Mary Beth’s wedding ceremony was beautiful. It was full of so much love and laughter and the newlywed couple swayed in the middle of the dance floor as I sang for them.
I meshed the last trickling notes into the next song, requested by the bride.
“All right, everyone, let’s party! Debuting for the first time, ‘I Need a Warrior Tonight (Tvstenvke Remix)’!
” Everyone rushed the couple on the dance floor to sing and dance to my song—Lottie helped translate the hook in Mvskoke—a huge pop anthem with the traditional Muscogee language.
I ate it up and so did the wedding guests.
When my performance was over and the DJ started his set, Lucas waited for me on the edge of the dance floor, watching as the first four teenagers who were living and working on the ranch were passing out hors d’oeuvres.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, offering me his hand.
“You may.” I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me into his chest and swayed with me. “Suits look good on you, mister.”
“Don’t get used to it,” he said. But I wasn’t teasing. The slate gray suit became him, as well as his long hair slicked back in the most debonair way. Lucas Iron Eyes was hot and he was mine.
“I can’t since I have to go on tour for six months.” I pouted.
“I’m going to be seeing you on tour. We promised, we won’t go more than two weeks without seeing each other.”
“You get so focused on your work. I don’t want you forgetting about me.” I swept a nonexistent piece of lint off his shoulder.
“I could never. I was surviving before I met you. Now I’m living.”
“You always say the right thing.” I looked up into his beautiful eyes reflecting the twinkle lights that were strewn about the property. “In the time I’m away, you can make sure the cottage construction doesn’t get delayed.”
“Don’t worry.”
I wasn’t comfortable shacking up with my boyfriend under the same roof as my grandmother, and the trailer was too cramped and couldn’t fit my carry-on let alone my closet.
Lucas and Lottie agreed it was time Lucas had his own space, and since he owned half the property, he was building a house for himself.
It was all going to take time, and I was going to enjoy every second of it.
Once the song was over, he led me off the dance floor and back to our table, where Bessie and Lottie waited. I needed a break from my heels.
Lucas pulled my seat out for me, and I blissfully sank down into it.
“Can I get you ladies refills?”
“Oh, could you please?” Lottie asked.
He gave a slight bow before kissing my head and heading to the refreshment table.
“You seem happy,” Lottie said.
“I told you she just needed a boyfriend,” Bessie joked.
I refrained from rolling my eyes. She was half-right. I didn’t need a boyfriend, I needed Lucas as my boyfriend.
“I have some mail for you. It arrived at the house yesterday,” Lottie said with a smile.
“I got mail at your house?” I asked, surprised.
“It’s something you’ve been waiting for.” She slid a white envelope across the table to me.
On the sender line it read Bureau of Indian Affairs .
“Is this what I think it is?” I asked.
“Part of it, at least,” Lottie answered.
I ripped open the envelope and peeled the thin plastic card off the letter.
Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
“I’m confused. Is this my citizenship card?”
“No, that’s coming. This is how you get the citizenship card.”
“I was never really good at math, but can this fraction be right? I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Bessie and Lottie shrugged.
“The horses have percentages closer to one hundred.”
“Welcome to the tribe.” Bessie laughed.
My journey getting to this moment was far from smooth, and in my hand I held the proof so many faceless critics demanded I show after my cover shoot and music video.
Yet I felt the same as I did five minutes ago when I didn’t have it.
I was still Avery Fox, daughter of Harriett Fox, granddaughter of Lottie Fox.
Muscogee Creek. I never needed this laminated card to belong.
I was right where I needed to be, with the people who claimed me, and I claimed them back.