269 Woya gets a proposal

"Grandfather is here and so is uncle, Mama come quick and see. " holding up her arms for a hug she stares at Molimo. When he doesn't quickly hug her she begins to pout. Salali comes to the door to greet their guests and sees Dove pouting.

"Dove what is wrong ?you sounded so excited just a moment ago." Salali asks her daughter. She looks up at her mother and says. 

"I guess uncle and grandfather do not like me, I wanted a hug and they just looked at me not giving me one." Her voice is dejected and sounds like she is about to cry. Salali smiles at her and tells her. 

"Did you go to give them a hug or ask for one? " Dove shakes her head no. Tears are spilling now she looks at her uncle and says. 

"I raised my arms for a hug and they did not respond, that means they did not like me." 

Uzil and Molimo hearing this now understand what the child wanted. Molimo goes to comfort her when Salali stops him. 

"Dove can I tell you something about your uncle?" Salali asks Dove. Dove nods not using her words. 

"When I was your age your uncle came to visit for the first time. He was very shy and did not say much. At the time I did not know he was my brother but I loved him instantly. Your uncle did not know anything about children or how they act so he was very awkward and made me cry a lot. I never let him see me cry because I wanted him to like me. On the day my father died he went away and I never saw him again.that is until today. I'm sure that your uncle will love you but I bet he is still just shy and doesn't know what to do with children. So until he gets to know you and your signals for what you want. How about you tell him while showing him what you want, like this." Salali stand and opens her arms walking towards Molimo she tells him. 

"Welcome brother may I hug you?" Smiling Salali waits for Molimo to respond. Awkwardly Molimo walks to his sister and hugs her tightly. Closing his eyes so that no one can see that he is about to cry with pure joy at seeing her again. Dove watching her mother she smiles again at Uzil opens her arms and asks. 

"Grandfather welcome, may I have a hug?" Uzil bends down and picks Dove up and hugs her tightly. When Molimo finished hugging his sister he turns to his father and asks Dove. 

when they walk into the house everyone is waiting for them. Woya smiles at the warm welcome that Salali and Dove gives to their guests. Aisling comes out of the kitchen to let everyone know that lunch is ready and that Remi is taking the food out to the back porch. Uzil takes Woya's hand as they walk through to the back yard. Uzil watched the family in awe of how close they are. Not just Woya's children but Aisling's uncle's and aunts also. They all work closely almost as if they know what each is about to do. The children play harmoniously together no fighting or bullying each other. He feels a ripple in the air that only happens when one of him is near. Not knowing for certain if it's a good or bad one he stands and moves away just incase it means trouble. Astila notices this and walk over to him. 

"Do not worry it is just Uktena and Morrigan coming for visit. We know when they are near Marbas is with them as well. " just as Astila is finish speaking his brother and the others come out of the woods by the house. The children see them and run to greet them . Uzil is still not used to seeing his brother smile so brightly or hugging children. His heart is warmed by watching them interact. He prays to the father that someday he may become as ease enough to be that way. Steve walk over to Uzil. 

"You know except for my family I have a reputation as being an iceman. I was a soldier and never showed any emotions to anyone but my family. Even with them at times I was a little to cold. It is ok to not be warm and cozy all the time as long as you never forget to tell them what is in your heart. It will get easier as you get used to it, they will help. My girls seem to have a knack for touching people's hearts. " Steve tells him as he sees HeJin showing the boys how to take down someone bigger than them. Astila volunteered to be her sparing partner. HeJin begins to get aggravated because he won't use his strength against her. When Astila goes to grab her gently she flips him to the ground and sits on him. 

"Either you show the kids properly or you don't show them at all . Now come get me as if you mean it." HeJin grumbles at Astila. Astila looks at her and flips her off him and to the ground. 

"Now auntie you know if I do that I'm a dead man. So we just have to make do . Unfortunately both Remi and Aisling are pregnant and cannot fight with you. " he stand and holds out his hand to the older woman . She nods understanding but she wants the kids to not think that life will be easy. So she decides that it is ok for them just to practice their stances today. Uzil goes over to greet his brother when the kids have gone back to play. 

"Hello brother, how have you been adjusting to the changes in your life?" Uktena asks Uzil. 

"I am doing well, luckily the leader has not sent anyone as yet to punish me for going back to the father. I have been cautious as to not have them find the family. I would not like them to be endangered because of me." Uzil tells Uktena. Uktena nods in understanding , he then explains to him. 

"The leader will not be able to sense them, the jewelry they wear masks their blood and powers from any fallen one. Every one of their dwellings are protected. I do not know if you noticed or not but there are protection crystals and symbols around every dwelling. We are also linked they only have to call us mentally and we will arrive immediately. We will have jewelry fashioned for them with your essence so that you will be linked as well if you like. That way you will always know when you are needed. " Uktena tells Uzil so when he is ready they can link him to the family like the others. Uzil smiles at the thought of being linked to the family. He excuses himself from his brother to seek out Yona and Astila, he has a question for them. 

Molimo is watching Crystal with the children, this niece is going to be an amazing mother when she gets older. He can feel her power even with the jewelry on. He notices her butterfly necklace. Without thinking he goes to touch it when she sends him to the ground. Everyone looks worried when Crystal uses her strength against Molimo. Molimo stands and dusts off his pants and quickly apologizes. 

"I'm sorry I was drawn to your necklace, I did not mean to scare you." He tells her. Yona walks over to stand next to Crystal. He starts to say something to Molimo when Crystal gives her father a look. 

"I am sorry, I am not used to anyone touching my necklace. It's special and no one is to touch it but me. I did not think I just reacted. I should have just moved away and explained. Morrigan and Uktena gave me this necklace and I cannot let anyone corrupt it in any way." Crystal explains to Molimo. He nods and accepted her apology and apologized to her as well. Uzil sigh with relief that Molimo is quick to make amends when he does anything unacceptable. Uzil goes over and asks Yona if they can talk. He motioned for Astila as well. The three men go to the front porch to talk. When the three of them are settled Uzil asks the men a simple question. 

" I would like permission to ask the Father if he will allow me to be with your mother until her earthly time is over. I have thought about it for a long time but was always afraid until now. If he gives his permission and your mother will agree I would like to become her husband. I don't want to do anything that might cause a problem with your relationship with your mother so if you object I will leave things as they are." Uzil waits for their answer. Yona and Astila's faces look stern and he thinks they are going to object. His heart falls with the thought. Yona holds out his hand to shake Uzil's. 

" As long as you protect her and this family I have no objection. You have waited for her for over thirty years. It would not be fair for us to not allow our mother to be happy." Astila agrees with Yona and takes Uzil's hand in agreement.