Lucy’s New Den
With all the love in the air these days and the dens are being changed up. Samuel is moving in with Angel and Maverick and Luna is moving into Samuel old den. Oliver and Sophia say, well looks like we will have to find a den, for Lucy and James to stay in this fall, to start their new family in. Oliver says I know the exact den for them, it’s large and spacious. It’s right across Stone Coal Gap Road from us on the other ridge. The den is low on the mountain, and is close to the creek. I know how much Lucy likes to fish. Lucy says, that sounds great, but I don’t know where this is at. I tell Lucy I know exactly where it is. I’ve seen this den while I’ve been out hunting. Sophia says well I don’t know where it is at either. Oliver says well let’s have a family outing, and we can take some of Lucy’s and James’s stuff when we go. I know it’s available, I was just over in that area last week hunting.
Lucy and James get all their belongings together, and everyone grabs some of their belongings, and head to Lucy’s new den. I said I’ll lead the way, since I know the way to Lucy’s new den. We head down the mountain and came to Stone Coal Gap Road and we crossed it. I tell Lucy we are almost there, it’s less than a quarter way up this ridge and in this hollow. Oliver cautions James and Lucy that in the fall, not to go close to the road, He said the bear hunters could get their scent if they get too close to the road and the hounds would chase them. If y’all stay from where your den is, and go only part way up the mountain, but stay off the top of the mountain, that y’all should remain safe. The bear hunters often walk the top of mounting looking for bear. He said training season; meaning that the hunters can’t shoot you, they can only chase you up a tree. The hunter’s term for this is the dogs are treed, or just treed. The dogs under the tree, are barking and jumping up on the tree, to keep you up in the tree. The hounds stay there until the hunters come and place the dogs on lead, and tell the hounds how good a job they done. I said yeah, I remember the hounds that had almost caught me, when I was younger. I was lucky to get up in the tree. But then in December when it’s kill season, once you are in the tree, the hunters come in and they will shoot you. Some hunters are not ethical, they will shoot the sow with cubs, the cubs then can’t take care of themselves, they will even shoot a cub as they did when they shot Emma. Most hunters are ethical but not all.
I tell Lucy there is your new den. She walks in and says “wow this is very nice and spacious and has a lot of room but it smells a little musty. This will be perfect for our new family.” James says yes, it will and we can have our honeymoon finally. We have been staying with Oliver and Sophia, or at Angels for a while now. When y’all leave, don’t be coming back until our honeymoon is over in 1 week. Everybody agrees to these terms. Well before we leave, we going we must make sure y’all have a plenty of food. I said Lucy we always had great fun fishing for native trout, how about we go down to the stream and fish. I know where it’s several big pools. Lucy said OK, I have 2 baskets we can take down to the stream to put the fish in.
Oliver said to James, we have not done much hunting together, we will go and get a deer, maybe some small game also. James says that sounds great, Benjiman has always said how good a hunter you are. Oliver says we will climb straight up this holler, we will hopefully find a couple deer and run them up into the steep rocks. They didn’t hardly get started up the mountain, there was a large flock of turkeys. Oliver was able to get 3 and James got 2. James says that was fun, that my first turkey kill. You did a great job James, we will leave these turkeys here in this small cave opening, we can get them when we come back. They then went on up in the holler, and they see 2 deer. The hunt is on, they run the deer up into the steep rocks, they were able to harvest them both. I see why Benjiman says you such a good hunter.
Sophia stays back in the den; she wants to deep clean and organize the den for James and Lucy. The floors are swept and mopped, the walls wiped down and the furniture was wiped down with some lemon oil. Pictures hung on the walls to make the home look great. Sophia knows that James and Lucy will be happy. She didn’t want them to be having to organize and clean their new den while on their honeymoon. The lemon oil has the den smelling amazing.
Down at the creek, myself and Lucy are having a great time fishing. I said I have missed this sis. I remember sliding down in the snow and you catching the largest native trout ever, in this part of the country. Lucy then says I know how jealous you were, about me catching that fish, and oh what a fight we had. What you don’t know is; I saw you, when you caught that 20-inch native trout, and how humble you were, not wanting to let me know. You wanted me to always think I caught the largest trout. Really after all this time, you never told me this, you are a good bear, Lucy then said how lucky a sister I am. I would love it if you catch a trout, that’s 2 feet long and over 8 pounds Lucy, I only want the best for my sis. I love having you as my sister. I would love to catch one that large says Lucy. But I don’t care if you always keep the record. Ben, you are a pretty awesome brother also. You are a great brother and I love you. Thanks sis you a great sister and I love you. I’m glad you and James are mates. I can’t wait to be an uncle, seeing and playing with your little teddy bear cubs. They then get busy fishing and in no time at all, they had 2 baskets full of native trout. Thanks, brother, today has been a great day, getting to spend the day with you, and the rest of the family. Since you enjoying it so much, I’ll come by tomorrow. Lucy gives him an evil look and then in a gruff voice, that I have never heard from her before, “Don’t you dare come by for at least a week, let me enjoy my honeymoon. I gave a little giggle as I said I know sis I wasn’t coming by. Lucy Says, “Well let’s head back to the den, and see what Sopia has done to my new den.”
Back at the den even before entering, I could smell the cleanliness of the den, when we left it was very musty, but now it has a lemony smell. It smells delicious. We walked in and it’s all clean and organized. Sophia says, I hope you like what I’ve done. Lucy then says no, I don’t like what you have done; I love it. Sophia smiled and said I’m glad you love it. Sophia begins to cry and says I’m losing my little girl. Lucy then said no you are not, in the winter while we hibernate, the family will grow and you can see your grandchildren come spring. Sophia then begins to smile I’m going to be a grandmother. I can spoil them then return them to you Lucy, I love this. Sophie tells Lucy, that she also will be having more cubs this winter.
Samuel and James show up and drag all the wild game into the kitchen. Sophia says “what the hell you doing Oliver I worked hard cleaning this den. Take all this game outside to clean, and when you get it outside, you and James come back in, and clean up the mess y’all made.” Oliver and James say yes Ma’am, we sure will. As soon they were outside Sophia tells Lucy, take note this is the way you must do, to keep your mate straight. Lucy tells her wow I’ve never seen this side from you before. Sophia says yes, I know I don’t show this side of me, when you and Ben are around. Lucy tells Sophia, she will have to take lessons from her, to keep James inline.
Oliver and James come back in and Sophia hand James a broom and Oliver a mop. Y’all better make sure this den is spotless the way it was before you brought the wild game in here, and made such a mess. Oliver says yes dear I’ll be sure it’s clean. James said to Oliver, why did you crumple to her; you said you would set her straight, while we were outside. Sophia said oh did he thanks for letting me know. Oliver tells James, he has a big mouth and thanks for nothing.
The den is now back to spotless, and Oliver tells James lets go outside and clean the deer and turkeys. Sophia, Ben and Lucy all laughs after they went outside. I tell Sophia, that I didn’t realize until now, that she wore the pants in the family. Lucy says hey y’all can spend the night, we all can celebrate tonight, James’s and my new den. Sophia said are you sure, we don’t want to wear out our welcome, and interfere with the honeymoon. Lucy said with all y’all have done for us, we appreciate y’all and let’s be a family tonight and have a great celebration.
James and Oliver have the game all cleaned and bagged ready for freezing and bring it into the freezer. Oliver says well guess we better get a going, so we don’t interfere. Lucy tells him they had spoken and that it was decided that tonight, was going to be a celebration with the family. James speaks up and tells Lucy, I thought we could do it all night long tonight. Lucy puts her foot down and tells James, to show some appreciation to their family, or he will be cut off for the next week. James says yes Ma’am let’s get this celebration started. Sophia smiles at Lucy and says you a fast learner.
Sopia tells Oliver and Ben to come in the kitchen to help prepare the meal. James and Lucy decided to go for a walk, while the food were being prepared. They walked down to the stream; Lucy says my life is perfect. I have you, my family, and our new den. Best of all, we have our very own new family on the way this winter, upon waking from hibernation, we will have our very own family, with all the responsibilities of being new parents. James comes over to Lucy, he gives her a bear hug and rubs her belly. I can’t wait to be a papa bear. Lucy says well let’s head up to our den. Before going up to the den James says, this next week you are going to love. I can’t wait for the honeymoon to start.
Once up to their den the table is all set up, and the counter is full of food. Sophia says the two of y’all come on in here, dig in y’all are the guest of honor. Once they had their plates full, as you would expect of a bear to have it overflowing. I said OK, I’ll go next, I’m about to starve. Then Oliver and Sophia fill their plates. I said the blessing and blessed their den and their new life together. Afterwards Lucy tells me I am the best brother. We all had a great feast and companionship of the family that night.
The next morning I’m the first to wake up, followed closely by Lucy. Lucy says she is so lucky, to have me as a brother and Oliver and Sophia as mom and dad. I hope this family will always be this happy together, and that no harm will ever come to any of them! Oliver and Sophia are now awake and says ok it’s time for y’alls honeymoon to get started, and they were headed back to their den. I tell Lucy I’ll see you tomorrow as I left!
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Dale Thacker Aurthor 
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