Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 18:04:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Daniel Running-water <danielrunningwater@yahoo.com>
Subject: An Awakened Heart/ Chapter 11/ Interracial

An Awakened Heart

By

Daniel Running Water

Chapter Eleven

List of characters:

Strong Bear			48	Chief of the Choctaw

Yellow Hawk		40 	Married to Strong Bear

Hawk and Shadow		24	Twin sons of Strong Bear and Yellow Hawk

Abe aka Walking Tall	48	Married to Swift Sparrow

Swift Sparrow		49	Best Friend of Strong Bear

Kyle aka Golden Hawk	40	Now senator from Montana

Jacob Mathews		22	Secretary to Kyle and also his lover

Spotted Wolf		48 	Shaman (doctor) for the Choctaw

Flaming Arrow		23	Married to Hawk

Moon Dancing		23      Married to Shadow

Moon Shadow		8	son of Shadow and Moon Dancing

Previously in chapter ten:

 "Father, my I have council with you," Hawk asked, stepping into his Strong
Bear's lodge.

"Ay-uh my son, you know that you never have to ask me this...just come and
talk with your father," he said and then his mind wondered if he may be
having problems with Flaming Arrow. "Are you and Flaming Arrow not happy
with your marriage...are their problems?"

"Gah-ween, for we are very happy father, but this is something else that I
wish to speak about," he said, his face showing his concern about how to
approach Strong Bear.

"I can see much worry in your eyes my son, why is this so?"

"Father, I am enlisting in the army of the United States, because Flaming
Arrow has been drafted," he blurted out, causing Strong Bear to gasp from
the shock of his words.

"Gah-ween my son, for no Choctaw has ever served as a blue coat to the
great chief in Washington," Strong Bear said, rising and going to a window.

Yellow Hawk came up behind Strong Bear, having given Hawk a knowing glance
and wrapped his arms around his husband.

"My love, won't you please sit and listen to what our son has to say,
before you dismiss him as if he were but one of your warriors whom you
disagree with?" Yellow Hawk asked softly, laying his head against the
broad, muscular back of Strong Bear.

Strong Bear turned, looked at Yellow Hawk first, kissed him and then nodded
and smiled before turning his attention back to Hawk.

"What is this think that you call a draft?" he inquired.

"The draft includes all men from ages 21-30 in America father," he told
him."Do Walking Tall and Swift Sparrow agree with this...this draft
that you say is taking Flaming Arrow from you?"

"Gah-ween, but Walking Tall says that his son has no choice in the
matter. When such a notice calls a young man to serve, then he must
serve. That is why I wish to serve with him father, so that I can be there
beside him to protect him," he reasoned with his father.

"Ay-uh my son, I too know what it is to worry about someone you love and
want to always be there to protect them, but..." he paused giving Yellow
Hawk another glance. "But you are next in line to be chief and I don't see
how you going will allow you to stay with Flaming Arrow?"

"Golden Hawk has promised that he will get us assigned to Washington
together, father. As the new senator from Montana, he said that he'll use
his political influence to ascertain our service in Washington." He too
paused, because he knew how his next statement would be received by his
father. "As for being the next in line to be chief, father, I am giving my
place to Shadow," he glance nervously to both his fathers when he heard
them gasp.

"Gah-ween," Strong Bear shouted, rising angrily to stand. "You are my first
born and you are the next in line to be chief," he adamantly stated and
then hurried from his lodge, leaving Hawk standing bewildered and angered
also.

"My son, let what you have said to your father sink in, I am sure that with
my prodding, he'll see that Shadow is just as capable of being chief as you
are," Yellow Hawk said, embracing his son warmly.

He left Strong Bear's lodge and Hawk felt that he had injured his father
beyond fixing by his words.

Now chapter eleven:

"I cannot wait for you to see this house Kyle," Jacob excitedly said as
they drove to Alexandria in Kyle's enclosed-drive Cadillac limousine, the
Imperial that he had purchased for $3750, which was a very unheard of price
at the time.

"I am sure that I am going to like it, sweetheart," he whispered, cautious
to keep his voice low so that his chauffer, Maxwell could not hear him.

As they turned into the drive and through the wide iron gates, Kyle gasped
when he saw the three story Victorian house looming like some monolith in
the distance.

"My word Jacob, this...this house is not a modest size home as I asked for
you to find, but it's a mansion," he said still gazing up at the house.

"But after looking at much smaller ones, which by the way were not in very
good neighborhoods, I found this one for just about the same price," he
said as the car pulled under the portico and came to a stop.

Maxwell scurried from his driver's seat and opened the rear door, standing
prim and proper until both Kyle and Jacob stepped out.

"Thank you Maxwell, I won't need the car for the rest of the day," Kyle
instructed.

"Very well sir, just ring me when you need the car, Mr. Mathews knows the
number," Maxwell said politely, got back into car and drove it around the
back of the house to his private quarters that were above the garage.

Kyle climbed the steps to the front porch and turned, wishing to gaze at
the surroundings before going inside. He again gasped when he saw the vast
lawns and formal flower gardens. There were stately oak and elm trees that
had sturdy wrought iron benches around their bases to sit on. Kyle could
see several young men working in the gardens and on the lawn, and some
looked up when they saw Kyle looking at them. Most removed their hats and
nodded before resuming their work.

"My God Jacob, this looks like the Garden of Eden... and just how large is
the staff here did you say," Kyle asked.

"You have four gardeners, three maids and a cook, as well as a butler and
Maxwell," he said just as the front door swung open to find a rather formal
looking gentleman standing at attention, waiting for Kyle and Jacob to
enter the house.

"Who is the stuff shirt," Kyle whispered.

"That's your butler Bentley," Jacob whispered back, chuckling to himself.

"Welcome to Cooper Manor, Senator Cooper," Bentley said in greeting.

"Thank you Bentley, but could you call me Kyle," he said, causing an
eyebrow to rise on Bentley.

"No sir... for that would not be the proper thing to do," he replied,
taking Kyle's coat and hat, as well as Jacob's.

"You forget Kyle, we are not in Montana any longer, Washingtonians are
quite prim and proper," Jacob whispered, as they both watched Bentley walk
away.

"Oh Lord Jacob, Roaring Thunder would never have approved of such a house
as this," Kyle said as he stepped further into the foyer. "I'm not sure if
even I approve. It's too showy...too far above what I am accustomed to," he
said as his eyes gazed up the circular staircase, complete with valuable
works of art hanging on the walls. "How many rooms does it have?"

"Eighteen Kyle, with the third floor being the staff's rooms," Jacob said
smiling.

"Eighteen... my God Jacob, what were you thinking when you found this
place, or is this your idea of modest?" he asked and stopped abruptly when
he entered the main parlor to find more of his staff awaiting him.

"This is your staff sir," Jacob said more formally, remembering to keep to
his place as executive assistant. "This is Daniele your cook," she curtsied
and stepped back.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Daniele," he said politely.

"If you have a favorite dish that you would like me to make, do not
hesitate to tell me sir," she said, keeping her gaze lowered to the floor.

Wondering what she would do if he said that he liked a good buffalo steak,
he said, "I am sure that whatever you prepare will be delicious, Daniele."

"Thank you sir," she said and again curtsied.

Jacob continued his introductions and by the time Kyle had addressed each
member of his staff, including Bentley, he was beside himself.

"Ok listen and lets get this straight, I am a country man with simple
tastes and I abhor our country's class system," he said first looking at
Jacob before turning back to his staff.  "I am Kyle when we are not
entertaining a guest, not Senator Cooper and surely not sir, are we clear
on this?" he asked, but the staff remained silent, their gaze directed to
the floor.

"You can leave now and resume your duties," Jacob said, dismissing the
staff and causing Kyle to glare at him angrily.

"You assume too much Jacob," he bitterly said, causing Jacob to look at him
with hurt in his eyes.

Without a word spoken in rebuttal, Jacob turned and quickly climbed the
stairs, but not quickly enough for Kyle to see the trace of tears in his
eyes.

"Great...our first disagreement and only three days into our relationship,"
Kyle grumbled, catching Bentley before he disappeared from the room. "Ah
Bentley, could you instruct me on the ins and outs of how I am to act
here," he asked, his frustration evident in his voice.

Bentley politely instructed him as to how he was to interact with his staff
as well as to how he would be addressed. Realizing just how ignorant he was
in such matters, he sighed and thanked him for being patient with him.

"If there won't be anything else sir, I'll take leave," Bentley said.

"Thank you Bentley, but before you go, can you direct me as to where I will
find my personal rooms," he asked.

"They are on the second floor sir," he said.

"The second floor, but do I have a certain room that is mine?"

"They are all yours sir, the staff only goes there if called or when you
are away sir.

"I see, well thank you for your understanding," he said. "Was my mother
like this in Boston when we lived there," he wondered as he climbed the
stairs to the second floor. "Great, now do I go left or right?" he asked to
himself as he looked first to his left, seeing several closed doors. He
looked to his right and saw just as many,

"Jacob, where in tarnation are you," he shouted, totally disregarding the
staff or how it made him look.

"I'm right here sir and you need not shout," Jacob said coolly before
stepping back into a room.

"The make up sex had better be great," he whispered as he took a left and
walked to the room where Jacob had appeared from.

"My resignation Kyle," Jacob said when Kyle stepped into the room.

"Your resignation... my word Jake, isn't that being a bit drastic here? I'm
sorry my love for embarrassing you, but surely you couldn't have thought
that I would be comfortable living in such a grand place as this," he said,
motioning around the room with his hands as he turned completely in a
circle.

"Kyle, I was only looking out for your social standing and a modest house
would not be beneficial for your success in Washington. It really doesn't
matter how you vote in the senate or even where you're from or how you
lived there. What does matter is how you live once you are here and how you
react to those around you."

Kyle had forgotten that Jacob was looking out for his well being and now he
felt bad. He stepped up to the young man and drew him into his arms.

"My love, you also forgot that for over twenty years I have lived in either
a teepee or log cabin with a man that was an Indian and was at the top of
the Indian social ladder. Will you forgive me my ignorance babe and tear up
that resignation. If you do, I promise to let you teach me how to be a
Washingtonian gentleman," he said, bending to nuzzle Jacob's neck.

"That's not fair Kyle, you know how hard it is to stay angry when you do
that," he whispered, tilting his head to give Kyle better access to his
neck. "You might want to close the door babe, because I know what's about
to come next," Jacob giggled.

Kyle nodded and went to the door, closed it, locked it and then stood
there, slowly stripping. Jacob also stripped and when they both were naked,
Jacob held out his hand to Kyle, leading him over to their bed.

"I am beginning to think that you purposely get angry so that we can have
unbridled make up sex," Jacob cooed as Kyle covered Jacob's body with his.

"I hadn't thought that, but now that you have mentioned it, I just..." but
a sudden hot kiss from Jacob cut off his thought.

"I'm sorry to my love, but when you acted like you hated the house and its
servants, well you hurt me and made me feel like I was taking advantage of
you," Jacob said, lifting his legs in surrender to Kyle's cock as it
pressed slowly into his ass.

"How could I ever think that when you give of yourself so freely and never
taking time to do or even consider your own needs?"

"I live for you Kyle, and my needs are your needs babe," he whispered and
then through his head back, when Kyle fully impaled him with his cock.

"I am so going to fuck you Jake that when I am done you'll not walk for a
week," Kyle whispered against Jacob's lips.

"Make love babe, make love not fuck," Jacob corrected. "You make me feel
the whore when you call this fucking," he added.

"You're my own little whore Jake... and don't you ever forget it," Kyle
said, lifting up with his arms and began pounding his ass.

"Then fuck me Kyle, fuck your whore," Jacob moaned, but inside he was
crying, feeling so degraded now.

Never had Kyle called Jacob a whore or anything else for that matter that
was so degrading. Clinging to Kyle's shoulders, Jason's hips rose and fell
in unison with Kyle's thrusts.

"Aaaagggghhhhh fuck...coming," Kyle moaned and gave one last deep thrust,
held it and began spewing his seed deep into Jacob's love canal.

Spent, Kyle rolled off of Jacob and struggled to regain normalcy. Jacob got
up and hurried to the water closet to clean up. When he returned to the
room, he was wearing a gaily printed silk robe.

"Cigarette babe," he asked standing at the window and gazing absentmindedly
from it at the gardens.

"You know I don't smoke Jake," he said rising from the bed and moving over
to Jacob. "Come on babe, tell me that you have forgiven me for my ways," he
whispered as he nibbled and nuzzled on Jacob's neck.

"There is nothing to forgive darling," he said, and blew several smoke
rings into the air, before leaning into his advances, his eyes still
trained on the gardens.

***

"Are you sure about this Hawk, because I know how much father wanted you as
chief one day," Shadow said.

"It is the only way that I can do this brother," he said, knowing that
stepping down as next in line to be chief was hurting his father, but his
love for Flaming Arrow was greater. "Besides brother, you have trained as
well as me in the ways of being a chief. If something had happened to me,
you would have been next in line anyways."

"Dying and stepping down are two different things Hawk. How about we leave
it as you are next in line unless..."

"Unless what brother, unless I die in the war? No Shadow, as far as Uncle
Kyle said, Flaming Arrow and I shall be assigned to Washington," he assured
his brother. "I just want to know that while away, should anything happen
to father, that you will be here to assume his place."

"Father is not old Hawk and surely you won't be gone all that long," Shadow
hoped.

"What I am about to tell you, my brother, I want your promise to never tell
father," he said, pulling his brother closer that he could whisper. "I do
not plan on returning brother," he said and Shadow's face showed his
surprise.

"Gah-ween brother... did you have a dream where you saw your own death?"

"No brother, Flaming Arrow and I want more in life than this damn
reservation and living in some dirt floor, bug infested cabin."

"Are you ashamed of whom you are my brother?" Shadow asked, unable to
believe what he is hearing.

"No brother, I am not ashamed of whom I am or my people, but we want more
in life than just growing old still fighting the same old prejudices here
in this God forsaken state," he adamantly said.

"And there won't be any prejudices wherever you go? I am sorry that you
feel this way and it is better that you step down feeling as you do. Do not
worry about me telling our father, for this would surely kill him, and to
think that we shared the same womb."

Hawk could feel his brother's bitterness, but he could not help feeling as
he felt, he needed more to life than what he had in Montana.

"Brother please..."

"Do not call me brother any longer, for I am a part of that which you now
choose to abandon Hawk. Go... take your man and go, I do not wish to see
you any longer," Shadow said, turning his back to his brother.

Hawk left Shadow's cabin and walked to where his husband awaited him, at
Abe's and Swift Sparrow's cabin.

"Oh Shadow, please try to understand where you brother is coming from. How
many times have you spoken to me about finding another way of life? Please
don't be upset because you brother has decided to make a change in his
life. He's your only brother and if something were to happen to him, you
would never forgive yourself for letting him leave like this," Moon Dancing
said, resting her head against Shadow's chest.

"It's not that I'm upset about why he's leaving, I'm upset because it keeps
me chained here darling," he said, sighing deeply.

"Gah-ween, both of my sons wish not to be chief," Strong Bear whispered
from his hiding place outside Shadow's cabin.

He had seen his son Hawk, go to Shadow's cabin. Strong Bear could tell that
Hawk was going there for council with Shadow so he decided to eavesdrop on
their conversation. Now feeling ashamed for ever having two sons, Strong
Bear walked back to his own cabin.

"Husband what's wrong," Yellow Hawk asked when he heard how violently,
Strong Bear had closed the door.

"Our sons, that is what is wrong, now neither wish to be chief," he stated
angrily.

"And how do you know this Strong Bear," Yellow Hawk asked, taking his
husband into his arms.

"I overheard Hawk's conversation with Shadow and after Shadow practically
disowned him, Shadow had the audacity to tell his wife that he felt chained
to our people now that he'll be next in line to be chief."

"That teaches you right for spying and eaves dropping on a private
conversation that was none of your business."

"I am chief and everything is my business Yellow Hawk, just as what I have
decided to do is now best for our people," he said, chin up stubbornly.

"Husband, I do not like that look in your eyes," Yellow Hawk said, gazing
more intently into his eyes. "What are you going to do my husband," he
asked, fearing the answer.

"You shall find out when our people find out," he stubbornly said.

"Great, now I have three stubborn as a mule men to torment me," Yellow Hawk
said, throwing his arms in the air. "But just remember Strong Bear, I want
you to remember what you felt like when you were their age and what your
dreams were. It is wrong of you to impose your dreams and wishes on your
sons, especially when it's at the expense of their happiness."

Yellow Hawk stubbornly marched out of the cabin, leaving Strong Bear
standing there with his mouth agape.

***

"Excuse me sir, but there is a call for you," Bentley said, once Kyle had
opened the door.

"I'll take it downstairs," he said, giving Jacob a concerned look.

"Hello, this is Senator Cooper," Kyle said when he picked up the telephone.

"Uncle Kyle, this is Hawk calling you from Montana," Kyle gasped when he
heard it was Hawk.

"Is everything all right there, nothing has happened to Strong Bear has
it?"

"No Uncle Kyle, father is his old stubborn self. What I am calling for is
to see if you were able to secure Flaming Arrow and I to Washington?"

"I have an appointment tomorrow with General Pershing about this very
subject. I am hoping that he is agreeable to my suggestion that you both be
assigned here and not sent over to Europe, nephew. When do you leave for
your basic training?"

"Our train leaves in the morning for Fort Jackson in Fairfax, Virginia and
I am not sure as to when I will be able call you again."

"Do not worry nephew, if need be, I'll telegraph you with what I find out
as soon as you get there. How did your father take the news about you
stepping down as next in line to be chief?"

"He didn't take it well, and neither did my brother. Shadow has practically
disowned me, and father, well father he's as mad as ever at me. I just hate
leaving with the two men I love most, hating me."

"I am sure that they don't hate you, Hawk," he assured him. "It had to be
quite a disappointment for Strong Bear to hear this. As for Shadow, why was
he so upset?"

"Truthfully Uncle Kyle, I think that he was wishing to leave Montana also,
but when I abdicated the roll of next in line to him, I sabotaged his
dreams I think."

"I am sure that all things will work out Hawk, now I really must go and do
not worry, for I will get back to you once I know what's happening."

"Thank you Uncle Kyle, I'll be anxiously waiting to hear from you," he said
and hung up.

"Well... what did he say," Flaming Arrow asked, as he ran his fingers
through his cut hair.

"Nothing really, because he hasn't met yet with General Pershing," he said,
also running his fingers through his own cut hair. "My father is really
going to pitch a fit when he sees how I cut my hair so short," he worried
as he mounted his horse, his hair barely touching his color.

***

Later that evening, Strong Bear had called his people together. He was
still upset about many things, the main thing being his two son's lack of
interest in being chief once he died.

With both Hawk and Shadow, now sitting beside him, he stood up and held his
hand up to silence the murmuring of his people, as they talked amongst
themselves, most talking about Hawk and Flaming Arrow's new haircut.

"My people, I come before you with a heavy heart, and after much council
with my sons. From this time forward, our chiefs shall be chosen by a vote
of the people, seeing how my sons are not interested in becoming chief once
I am no more."

The people gasped when they heard his decree. As long as time was, their
chief was always of the same family, father handing it down to his son,
once he died or abdicated. Many looked at Hawk and Shadow with much anger
in their eyes.

Hawk especially gathered many stares and comments because of his new white
man's haircut. Again Strong Bear held up a hand to silence them.

"I know that this comes as a surprise to you, for it did the same to
me. But I feel that this is best for you, my people. Unless a chief's son
wishes to take the reigns of chieftain, then a vote will determine which
warrior shall be chief."

"Do you feel the anger and bitterness Shadow," Hawk whispered to his
brother.

"Ay-uh, but I feel father's sadness even more," Shadow admitted, seeing the
hurt deep in Strong Bear's eyes.

"My sons wish to venture out into the world of the white eyes to experience
more than what they have now, here on this reservation," he added, turning
to glance from son to son before turning back to his people's eyes.

"Father, may I please speak," Hawk asked, standing up beside him.

"Ay-uh...speak to your people," Strong Bear sat back down and let Hawk
talk.

"Oh great people of the Choctaw nation, I wish to explain to you what my
father seems to misunderstand about my decision," he began and gazed over
his shoulder at Strong Bear, who sat beside Yellow Hawk.

"I am going to Washington, the city of the great white chief and hopefully
work along side my uncle, Golden Hawk. It's not that I am ashamed to be
Choctaw, but I want more in life than this reservation.

He paused and took a deep breath and then continued.

"I have also heard the grumblings of many young braves that share the same
longing as I do as I walked amongst them. Many wish to go to white man
schools, while some wish to learn a trade, something that will provide them
with a way to compete in the white community. This is a new century and we
no longer hunt to put food in our cook pots or to store away for the long
months of winter. We go to the white people stores and buy with what money
we do earn food and other provisions that will sustain us."

When he paused once again, many of the young teens in attendance, voiced
their agreement with what he had said. It was then that Shadow stood up to
voice his opinions.

"What my brother is saying is that as a people we are poor and dependent on
the rations from the white man for our sustenance, when we should be out
there getting an education or working for wages that will make us
independent again," Shadow said, coming to his brother's side. "I too am
not ashamed of being a man with redskin, but what I am ashamed of is how we
sit back as a people and grumble about our way of life or how it use to
be. Well my people, wake up and look around you. Yes, this is a new century
where there are many new inventions that make life easier for living, but
we still live in skin covered teepees and our women still cook hunched over
a fire pit. Well I for one want more than this for my wife and my son."

Again there was many that agreed with what he was saying.

"All my brother and I are saying, is that we are not ashamed of who we are,
but we are no longer going to stay penned up here on this reservation like
cattle, waiting to die. My wife and I are also going to Washington, to see
what kind of work I can find," he added, looking from his father, Strong
Bear to Hawk, who was now smiling at him.

"Enough my sons, your people and I know how you feel," Strong Bear said
standing and going to his two sons.

He gave each a warm hug before turning to his people once again.

"You have now heard much that you must now consider. If you agree with what
I have said concerning our next chief and future chiefs, raise your hand in
agreement, and other than a handful of elderly, the others all agreed.

"Go my sons to where our Great Spirit leads you," Strong Bear said with
Yellow Hawk now proudly standing beside him. "I give you my blessing sons
and ask you to remember who you are and where you came from as you venture
out tomorrow."

After he kissed and hugged his sons, the people came forth and did the
same, wishing Hawk and Shadow, the best of luck.

***

Standing at the train depot, Hawk, Flaming Arrow and Shadow, along with his
wife and son, waited to board the train.

"My heart shall miss you fathers," Flaming Arrow said, hugging each one
warmly and kissing their cheeks.

"My heart already misses you Clark," Abe said, fighting back the lump in
his throat that kept threatening him, and using the name that he now chose
to use.

"Ay-uh my son, you have made me proud to have been your father," Swift
Sparrow said, pulling his son tightly to him. "I love you Flaming Arrow and
I know that my heart goes with you," he whispered as he too fought back
tears.

"Dad, you have been the best father that a son could have ever asked
for. You were even better than my real father," he added, his eyes wet with
tears.

"You take could care of our son, Hawk," Abe charged, hugging Hawk warmly
and kissing his cheek.

"I shall protect him with my life, Walking Tall," he assured him.

"Send us a wire once you are settled in Washington," Swift Sparrow added,
pulling Hawk into his embrace. "Give my love to Golden Hawk and tell him
that I hold him responsible for your lives," he added, causing Hawk to
flinch.

"Gah-ween Swift Sparrow, for I alone am responsible for Flaming Arrow and
my lives," he said, and then walked over to where his own fathers were
saying goodbye to his brother and his family.

"It is now time to board the train brother," Hawk said before turning with
wet eyes to his fathers. "I have learned so much from you father on what it
means to be a man," he said, standing in Strong Bear's arms. "I shall take
not only that knowledge, but your love with me in life, father," he said
and hugged Strong Bear so tight that one would be hard pressed to find
where one ended and the other began.

Hawk turned to Yellow Hawk, who was now crying.

"Please don't cry father, I want to remember you as strong," he said as he
stepped into Yellow Hawk's arms.

"I carried you and your brother for nine long months, so let me cry. I
cannot help feeling that this is the last time that I'll ever look at
either of you again," he said as he clung to his son. "Just remember that I
have always love you and been so proud to call you my son, Hawk," he said,
looking at Strong Bear who had joined him and had his arm around Yellow
Hawk's waist.

"I shall never forget either of your love for me, for it was you both that
not only taught me to be a man, but also what love is. Without your love
fathers, I would be but half a man today," he said and then lunged into
their arms, he too was now crying as his heart ached.

"Go my son and remember always that you are first son of a proud chief and
second that you are Choctaw. Never forget who you or what you are
Hawk...never," Strong Bear reminded him.

"My only regret father is that I was never able to find that renegade that
killed my parents," Flaming Arrow said, still haunted by his true parent's
deaths after all these years.

"Destiny has a way of making things right for what man caused to be wrong,"
Swift Sparrow reminded him as he hugged him tightly. "Now go with a light
heart knowing that our hearts go with you also."

"I love you both so much father," he said giving them one last hug and then
running to join Hawk, who was standing at the stairs to the train waiting
for him.

When the train pulled away, the proud sons stood at the rear waving to
their fathers as the train carried them from one way of life to another...

To be continued...

This is the end of An Awakened Heart. I do hope that you enjoyed it and
would like to hear from you. The next story of my Heart Saga is going to be
called A Heart's Journey, which I am already writing. Please send your
comments to danielrunningwater@yahoo.com

Thank you all so much for you support and comments. I truly have loved
writing this story and hearing from you.

Daniel