Chapter 10

It was the day before New Years, the air was warmer than it had been and there was a faint dampness lingering in the air. Cody stepped out of his home and glanced behind to look at his bags all packed and ready to go. He had packed his clothing for Abiba's friend's wedding the night she had asked him to go. He sighed to himself before walking up the hill to meet Nina and her turtle.

"I've asked that boy Hugh to help me take care of this nice fellow while you're gone, dear," said Nina while she watched Cody rub the shell of the turtle. Cody nodded periodically to what Nina was saying, for she rambled on for some time about the details of the turtle's schedule. He would say 'Yes' every so often. "And I think if would be nice if he would bring him some treats for him."

"Yes," said Cody.

"And he may like a new bandana, you should maybe think of getting him one in the city dear."

"Yes."

"Are you in love with Abiba, dear?"

"Yes."

Nina nodded. "Hm, thought so."

"Yes-" Cody stopped abruptly and gazed at Nina in shock. "Wait, what?"

"'Wait, what' dear?" asked Nina.

"What did you just…?"

"I asked you if you loved Abiba my dear, and you replied yes, just as I thought you did."

"Uh- but Nina…."

"To be honest dear, for a moment there I thought you might have been gay and in love with Gustafa. Not that you being gay would have been a bad thing," she giggled.

"But-"

Nina looked Cody in the eye. "You love Abiba, don't you dear?"

Cody's mouth fell slightly agape as he thought. If the answer was indeed yes, what did he love about her? He couldn't know. There was a block there. That also erked him, there had been another block, but what? He glanced over to look at Abiba's farm. But what was it? He glanced over to his home. His sculpture!

Cody got up and scratched his head. "I have to go, I'll see you later Nina."

Nina nodded and smiled.

Cody spent a good amount of time staring at his sculpture. He remembered now. At the beginning of this year he had an artist's block, that's what had been puzzling him the day he met Abiba—and he never came back to it.

"Cody?"

Cody's heart jumped into his throat when he heard Abiba approaching. He turned to greet her.

"What cha thinking about?" Cody didn't answer, for certainly Abiba would be able to see what was on his mind. But closer she came and she sat next to Cody and adjusted the bandana around his neck. "Tell me what's wrong."

Cody coughed to the side. "I- uh, have been having an artist's block. See that sculpture? It's missing something, but I don't know how to fix it. I've been wondering all year."

Abiba nodded slowly. They stayed there for a moment. "You know," she began, "I know that you can do it." Cody turned to Abiba. "You're a wonderful artist, Cody; I wish I was half as creative as you. I'm sure that you'll be able to figure this out."

Just then the wind blew by, it was chilling and Abiba ducked into Cody's arms for warmth. At warm it was to Cody, for his face turned into a shade of red. Once the wind had pasted Cody looked down at Abiba a smiled, her hair was completely in her face. Abiba laughed at herself and buried herself into Cody's arms; she was so small he thought for a moment that she might disappear. When she reappeared Cody reached down to move the hair away from her face.

"You know," he said softly, "When I first saw you, your hair was shining in the sunlight, it looked like brand new copper." He forced a laugh and rested his hand on her cheek. "It sounds kindda stupid…"

Abiba shook her head. Cody smiled and lowered his head until their foreheads touched and they stayed that way for a moment; just looking into each other's eyes. Cody was so lost in the moment that had he been fully attentive he would have been very much so uncomfortable. Abiba moved her head up forward, closing her eyes. Cody closed his eyes as their lips drew close.

WHOOSH!

Another gust of cold wind cut the moment into two pieces and Abiba ducked once again into Cody's arms for warmth as Cody laughed out loud.

~~~~It was late that night. Cody was about to turn out the light when there was a knock at the door. Cody opened the door and looked down to see Nina's husband, Galin.

"Evenin', Cody, may I come in?" he asked pleasantly enough. Cody stepped aside and shut the door. "I have something for ya, sonny." Galin reached into his coat pocket and revealed a blue feather.

Cody blinked once. "Why are you giving me this?"

"I'm pledging my undying love for you, Cody," said the old man with a blank face. There was a moment's pause before Galin whacked Cody in the shin with his cane. "It's for you to give to Abiba you twit!"

Cody was shocked. He paused. "I'm not good enough for Abiba…."

WHACK!

"Just take it!" snapped Galin. "You're a piece of work, Cody, you know that?" Cody sat on his bed, hoping not to be whacked again. Galin looked at him sincerely. "Do you think I ever thought I was good enough for Nina? Never. She's everything I'm not. But for some reason she loves me. And when she looks at me, ever since the day we meet there's been a gleam in her eye that I don't see in anyone else's." He paused. "I've seen the way you look at Abiba, Cody; you see that gleam in her eyes too." Galin took Cody's hand and placed the feather there. "This was the same feather I gave to Nina, and when the time is right, you should give it to her." Galin patted Cody's shoulder murmured a goodbye and let himself out. Leaving Cody to ponder.

~~~~~Cody stepped out of his home, noting his breath in the air. He turned to his side and noticed the sun was just beginning to peek up in the sky. He then saw Abiba descending from the hill; bag in hand for the travel. "Cody!!" she shouted. "Happy New Year's Eve!" she smiled. Cody smiled in return, but then he started to laugh! "What?" said Abiba, "What is it!?"

Cody could hardly breathe! "You look like a cow!"

It was true, Abiba was wearing Van's newest outfit for her, one that emphasized a cow pattern. "Hmph," she pouted. "Van said it looked nice…."

Cody stopped laughing for a moment and looked at Abiba intensely. She was everything he wasn't and he'd probably never be good enough for her, and he knew it. But it didn't matter to her….

In the next moment Cody ran for her and scooped Abiba up by her waist and spun around. Abiba was at first shocked but then began to laugh so hard it hurt. Cody smiled widely as his spinning finally came to a stop and he rested Abiba down onto a log near his home. He was breathing heavily from the sudden exertion of energy and she from laughing too hard. And they looked at one another.

They kissed as the sun was beginning to brighten the sky.

As they drew away from each other Cody couldn't help but smile. "I love you Abiba."

Abiba's face melted into that of relief and adoration, "I love you too, Cody…."

They embraced and locked lips again, this time a little longer.

After a moment Abiba started to speak through a series of soft kisses. "I *kiss* guess *kiss* we should *kiss* be getting to that *kiss* wedding…."

Cody stopped. His heart was beating so fast he could hardly take it. If he didn't do it now, he may never work up the nerve to try again. He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew the blue feather. "Maybe, we should?" Abiba gasped and placed her hands over her mouth. Cody stepped back and presented the woman he loved the blue feather. "Abiba—will you marry me--!"

Cody was quickly cut off by a squeal of joy as Abiba leapt from the log into Cody's arms, knocking him over. Quite literally. Abiba was now atop Cody's board chest, frantically patting him, checking if he was hurt. "Are you ok? Cody? I'm so sorry!" But Cody only laughed again. "You're alright!" Abiba sighed in relief and laid her head upon Cody's chest. She could hear his heart beat. "Of course I'll marry you, Cody."

~~~~Galin stood to the side as Cody polished a stone in front of the old man's new house. "That's fine, Cody, that'll do. I'm sure Nina is very happy." Galin smiled.

Cody stood before the stone. Nina had passed away about a year ago. The doctor said she went peacefully in her sleep; her heart had simply given out. And it was no wonder. With a heart so big, giving so much over the years, it must have been tired. Cody now came to polish the stone every day, with Galin closely watching. Cody was very glad to have Nina as such a dear friend; he wouldn't know where he'd be without her. Luckily though, she had lived long enough to meet….

"Grandpa Galin!!!" squealed a little girl with delight. Galin turn to be nearly knocked over by the cutest little girl with a mocha complexion and amethyst eyes.

Galin bowed to give her a great big hug. "Hello, Nina my darling," he said, his eyes tearing. "How are you today?"

"I'm great, Grandpa!" she cheered, "I'm working on some drawings, can I show you later?"

"I'd love you, my little Nina," he said with a great about of love in his eyes. He looked at Cody. "Aren't you forgetting someone?"

Little Nina gasped and leap from Galin's arms into Cody's. Cody lifted her high above his head. "I could never forget you Papa!" Cody brought his daughter down into an embrace and he held his daughter close with all the tenderness a father could have.

"Cody!" sang a familiar voice. The party of three looked up to see Abiba coming toward them. She walked slower now then she did eight months ago, for her stomach was large.

With Nina held in one arm, Cody went to Abiba and kissed her lightly. "Be careful, Abiba, the baby—"

"Just kicked!" laughed Abiba, "He wanted to know where his Papa was and sent me to find you."

Galin greeting Abiba. "I'm sorry, but I'm tired now. I'll see you all later."

"Bye Grandpa!" shouted Nina as Galin closed his door.

Abiba took Cody's hand. "I'm going back now to tally up the accounts." Cody took her hand and kissed it gently. She smiled and reached to kiss her daughter.

"But, Mama, wait!" said Nina. "Papa and I were just about to go clean Mr. Turtle's shell, wanna come?"

Abiba smiled tenderly. "Of course." She looked up at Cody and took his hand. "Shall we?"

They walked over the bridge toward turtle pond. Cody's heart was filled with happiness.

The End.

Note from Author: Last chapter everyone! Thank you so much to everyone who kept reading this one, I know I took a terrible amount of time to finish and I really only finished it because you guys wanted me too! So thank you!!! I send you all my love!!