Poppy Wilde and the Wild Thing

by L A Moore

  “I’m not doing it! I won’t do it. Take that thing down!” Ari demanded, embarrassed and offended.

  “Oh, come on, sex is natural, and it is part of your day.” Poppy pleaded.

  “NO and that’s final!” Ari declared and stomped out the room.

  Poppy couldn’t help but laugh; some guys would love what she proposed, but not her guy, he was more modest than that. She took down her camera and put it away and then went to find Ari to soothe his hurt ego. “Ari, you’re right, it was too far. I’m sorry I pushed you to do something you weren’t comfortable with.” She said, coming out of the bedroom to find him. She found him sitting in the living room with a beer in one hand staring out into the fields.

  “It’s ok, love, I’m sorry I got angry over it, but it is something I am just not comfortable with.” Ari explained.

  Poppy sat down in the crook of his legs and arms and pulled him about her. “It’s fine, no big deal. You know what I was thinking? Let’s build a fire. We have beer and marshmallows and hotdogs; we could have our own little party, just the two of us.” Poppy urged.

  “Ok, now that I can do.” Ari said and held her close for a few moments more. They just sat there on the couch, looking out over the changing field and trees as autumn sat in.

  It was Poppy who first moved, slowly getting up and pulling Ari with her. They gathered the supplies they would need and, before they knew it, were sitting before a nice, crackling fire.

  “This is nice. It’s just the perfect weather for it too.” Ari stated, staring into the mesmerizing flames.

  “See, I told you this was a good idea!” Poppy said and sat down on his knee.

  “When are you ever going to agree to marry me?” Ari asked suddenly.

  “I don’t know, I haven’t given it much thought really. I have just been content with the way things have been.” Poppy answered, knowing he wouldn’t like her answer, but wanting to be honest.

  “In that case, could you think about it?” Ari asked her. “I want a family, and I want to build that family with you. I want to see you grow with my child in your belly and help to raise it up. I want to spend my life with you, building our dreams together.” Ari added, caressing her face.

  “I will think on it, and get back to you, but I want you to know that I want those same thing’s Ari, it’s just that taking that step is a big one for me, and I’m scared.” Poppy admitted.

  “You have nothing to fear; I’m here and I will take care of you and cherish you all the rest of our days.” Ari replied soothingly, all the while caressing her.

  Chapter 38

  It had been a month since he had last asked her and, in that time, she had relaxed into life with Ari. She could see herself there and, more and more, they had slowly amalgamated their thing’s into a suitable and comfortable home for Poppy to come to love. They had planned to sell it all but, when the time came, Poppy just wasn’t ready so they had, instead, chosen to bring some of her things over and take some of his over to her place, until she was ready. Poppy thought a long moment on what was stopping her, and the only answer she could come up with was she didn’t want to be like her own Mom and Dad, but Ari and her were nothing like them. They had a comfortable existence that fit like an old favored glove and, in the end, she could see no reason to keep holding back on him. “Ok then, I’ll marry you Aurion Jupiter Mooreland.” Poppy said, surprising Ari.

  Ari whooped in joy and stood up with her in his arms and spun her around “Thank the God’s, she has finally agreed to be my wife!” he yelled out to the heavens above, eliciting a chuckle from Poppy. “We got to go tell my Mom, or she will have both our hides!” Ari said excitedly and took off around the house with Poppy still in his arms. He rounded the corner of the house and across the parking lot to this Mom’s door.

  “You can put me down now.” Poppy said, laughing.

  “No way! I’m never letting you go!” Ari said as he managed to knock on the door with her still in his arms.

  Avianna had been quietly watching t.v. when she heard a knock at her door. Realizing the time, she rushed to the door in case it was an emergency. “What’s wrong?” she asked, opening the door and seeing Ari carrying Poppy.

  “She said yes! She finally said yes, she will marry me. Can you believe it Mom?” Ari asked, beaming.

  “Well, set the girl down so I can congratulate you properly.” Avianna said.

  Ari set Poppy down, but didn’t let go of her.

  Avianna hugged both of them and wished them a long, happy life together.

  “Avianna? Would you mind helping me to plan the wedding?” Poppy asked, smiling.

  “I think you better call me Mom, and of course I will Honey, it would be an honor!” Avianna said, smiling.

  “Come celebrate with us! We got a fire going and it’s a beautiful night out.” Ari pleaded with his mother.

  “No I best not, it’s too chilly for these old bones. You two love birds go run along and celebrate on your own.” Avianna said and shooed them out the door. She stood watching as the two walked away and, for a moment, memories flooded her and she missed her husband terribly, even though she couldn’t be happier for her son. She supposed she could have tried to find someone else after her Michael had died, but who could compare to him? No, there was no replacing or substituting him, not to her. She had spent the last years since his death focusing on being a Mother to Ari, and now he had his own woman who would look after him. She felt empty all of a sudden, and the sorrow of being utterly alone threatened to overwhelm her; but she was still needed and would be more so once they had young ones to care for, and Avianna dearly hoped that would be sooner rather than later. She needed a new purpose in life, something to give her a reason to get up in the mornings.

  Ari walked Poppy back around the house to the fire and left her there, warming by its glow while he went inside. When he came back, he had a box in his hands and, when he got close enough to her, he opened it and Poppy’s mouth dropped open. Inside was a beautiful cushioned cut diamond ring, surrounded by even more diamonds which covered most of the band as well. It was set in white gold and gleamed and shone in the fire light. He took it gently so as not to drop it and put it on Poppy’s left ring finger, a symbol that she was promised to him now and for forever.

  “Oh, my goodness, it so beautiful!” Poppy exclaimed as she turned her hand this way and that way, admiring the ring by firelight.

  “I’m glad you like it. I ordered it shortly after seeing you.” Ari confessed.

  Poppy was blown away by the rings beauty, but not nearly as much as she was that she had done it, she had said yes, and had made a commitment for the first time in her life. “I’m so happy!” Poppy said to herself, more than to Ari.

  “You make me happy, too.” Ari said and embraced her, just holding her, enjoying the moment. “I never want to be without you.” He added in a near whisper, while his thoughts traveled to his Father and the hunter from earlier.

  They sat drinking beer and holding one another long into the night, playing a game as to how many times they could use the word fiancé. As the moon raised high into the sky, they put out the fire and picked up and disposed of their beer bottles. Ari picked Poppy up and carried her over the threshold and said “I can’t wait to do this on our wedding day.”

  Poppy giggled and whispered into his ear what she couldn’t wait to do on their wedding day and that sent him into motion, carrying her down the hallway and into his room, shutting the doors behind him as he went.

  Chapter 39

  The next morning, Ari went into town and stopped at the local hardware store. He purchased more private property signs and staples. He didn’t want there to be any mistaking what was his land and what wasn’t. While he was in there, he inquired how the hunting season was going, and was treated to a lazy sort of update about there being slim pickings. He figured that is what had brought the hunter so far out to his land but, make no mistake, he was going to make sure his land stayed private, one way o
r another. Next, he stopped by the police department to speak to the Sheriff about the drunken hunter.

  “So, you say you were out walking your land when you came up on this hunter on your land?” Sheriff Barnes asked to clarify while he made notes.

  Sheriff Barnes was a good man as far as Ari was concerned. He was straight laced and liked to run his town with a firm but gentle grip. There weren’t many that he didn’t know in his town, and liked to keep it that way. He had a hard, mean face and a gentle heart but you sure couldn’t tell it by looking into his often drawn down dark eyes and scowl he wore. He was about Ari’s height but was built firm and hard; all muscle, with the brains and authority to boot. His tan was rare around those parts, but Ari always chalked it up to his sideline career of a bodybuilder that few knew about.

  “That’s correct Sheriff, and then he threatened me.” Ari replied, watching as the Sheriff wrote it all down in his report.

  “Any idea who it could be?” Sheriff Barnes asked.

  “No, I hadn’t seen him before.” Ari said. “Could have been an outsider.” He added.

  “Well, it’s possible. This is the beginning of the big game hunting season.” Sheriff Barnes said finishing his report. “I think you have the right idea of it to make sure your property is well marked. I’ll make sure I add a patrol out towards your place a couple times a week for a bit too, just in case, but chances are you have seen the last of him.” Sheriff Barnes offered.

  “Thank you sheriff, I’ll make sure to put these signs up today.” Ari said as he left.

  Chapter 40

  He watched from the diner window as Ari left the police station.” Thinks he can hide behind that damn Sheriff and he will be alright. Well, I got news for him, he ain’t never gonna be alright.’ He thought to himself as he came out of the diner and spat on the sidewalk. ‘ Thinks he can hide up there and no one will know, but I know.’ He thought to himself, and walked off opposite of the diner.

  Ari spent the day putting up private property signs all around the perimeter of his property and, once that was done, he stashed a couple of guns in strategic places, just in case he ever needed one. It was not practical to carry one when in any other form but human, so stashing them made the most sense. He hadn’t wanted to worry Poppy so close after finally getting her to agree to marry him, so he had told her he was just out scouting for his next article. The truth was, he had already finished it, he just needed Poppy to take the photos. He finished up around dinner time and headed back, his heart just not into a walk about the woods in his true form.

  “Hey Honey, dinners nearly done. Did you find anything good?” Poppy asked, kissing him on the mouth as he came in and then going back to the oven to take out the pot roast.

  “You know I did find a fox den today, what say, do you feel up to trekking about in the woods tomorrow?” Ari asked, washing his hands in the hall bathroom and sticking his head out to ask her the question.

  “I’d love to. I love foxes; I think they are beautiful creatures.” Poppy replied as she sliced the roast and served up a hearty side of carrots, potatoes, and onions. She had just sat the rolls on the table, and was about to serve the plates, when she felt Ari come behind her and hug her. She leaned against him, tucking her head next to his and luxuriated in the feel of him.

  “Take a seat, Mama, and I’ll get the plates.” Ari said teasingly.

  “OH don’t start the baby talk again! I told you, school first, and I’m so close to finishing I don’t want anything to disrupt that.” Poppy complied, but said adamantly.

  “I know, I know, but I couldn’t resist teasing you just a bit.” Ari said as he slid her plate before her and then took a seat across from her. “In all seriousness, dinner look’s amazing” he added, and took his first bite, making appreciative faces and noises, complimenting her cooking prowess.

  Chapter 41

  The next morning, Poppy dressed in a cream, long sleeved, turtleneck and pulled on her favorite chunky, burnt orange sweater with the cabling up the front, and tight fitting jeans, with wool socks and her hiking boots. Then she brushed through her hair and pulled it to the side in a loose side pony. She applied her make up lightly, using browns and deep reds, and when she was done she began preparing their packs.

  Ari dressed in jeans and a tight fitting, long sleeve, white, cotton shirt and pulled on a heavy, dark gray hoodie, and wool socks with his hiking boots. Poppy was already packing their lunches and filling water bottles by the time he came out. It had taken him a few minutes longer, as he had had to pull out their packs and water bottles, then had gone to strap his gun to his ankle with ammo, just in case they needed it.

  “Need a hand?” Ari asked, coming back into the kitchen.

  “No, I got it now. All that’s left is for me to pack my camera and we’re ready to go.” Poppy said, putting the last of their lunch in Ari’s bag and picking up her camera to put in hers.

  They headed out, taking the all too familiar path to the woods with Ari leading the way. It was well past noon when he finally stopped and pointed to a well-hidden den just behind a fallen tree. From their vantage point, Poppy could clearly see the opening. She knelt down and took her pack from her back. Carefully, she removed her camera and began adjusting the settings to get the best possible light while Ari sat on his haunches and watched her work.

  He had seen her do this same thing time and time again, week after week, but it was still mesmerizing to him and, for the thousandth time, he wished he had brought a camera. Pulling his attention back to the here and now, he began calling to the fox using his ability to draw it out of the hole for Poppy to photograph. It was a beautiful red fox with deep brown legs and a stark white underbelly, and he knew Poppy would be pleased to see it. He called again, waiting for it to come as it had yesterday. On the fifth call, Ari was beginning to get concerned.

  “Maybe it’s out hunting.” Poppy said, and sat down her camera.

  “Maybe, but unlikely this time of day. They like to hunt mostly at night.” Ari said and began undressing where he stood.

  “What are you going to do?” Poppy asked curiously.

  “I’m going to take my fox form and go in there and see what’s wrong with that fox. It was perfectly healthy yesterday.” Ari explained, pulling the last of his clothes off and changing into a small red fox.

  “Maybe I should just photograph you.” Poppy said jokingly, as she stroked Ari’s soft fur.

  Ari gave her a look that said you best not before trotting off up the path to the foxes hole. He sniffed and waited, but the fox never came. Cautiously, he poked his head in. The fox lay inside on its side. At first Ari had thought it sleeping but the more he watched, the more he knew the fox was dead. A sinking feeling settled over him and he gave a mournful howl.

  Poppy was surprised by the sound that came out of Ari, but deep down she knew that the fox must be dead. “I’m so sorry.” She said as Ari trotted back to her and transformed.

  “I’m going to pull it out and see if I can figure out what happened to it.” Ari said as he dressed quickly. He reached deep into the den and pulled the now dead majestic creature from its hole to examine. At first he didn’t see anything but when he lifted the fox’s leg he could see where blood had drained from the fox’s body. It was a bullet wound right to the chest. “That damn asshole, I ought to kill him.” Ari thought.

  “What happened to him?” Poppy asked, seeing all the blood but unable to see what had happened to him.

  “Must have been another fox got to him.” Ari lied, and quickly put the fox’s leg back down where Poppy couldn’t see the obvious wound. He pushed the fox back into its hole and pushed the dirt in around the hole, closing it and entombing the animal in the safety of its den forever.

  They walked back in silence, Poppy barely keeping up with Ari as they went.

  “I know your upset, but could you please slow down.” Poppy begged, finally annoyed enough to say something.

  Ari stopped and let her catch up to him.
“I’m sorry, I should have thought of you more.” He said and slowed his tracks to one’s Poppy could keep up with. He had been thinking hard about what he was going to say to get Poppy to stay with his Mother while he went into town to talk to the Sheriff again. He had not come up with a suitable reason by the time they reached his house, and he was scrambling for any reason for her to go over to his Mother’s when Avianna knocked on the door. “Mom, we’re so glad to see you.” Ari said and then whispered a single word “hunters”

  “That’s what I came to tell you, I saw a strange truck parked down by the road.” Avianna whispered back.

  “Are you going to let her come in or what?” Poppy said, unpacking their packs and setting out their lunch. Finding a dead animal had taken care of her appetite, but now she was hungry.

  “Of course I am! Mom, why don’t you come in?” Ari invited.

  “I just came by to see if Poppy wanted to use the computer to look for wedding ideas.” Avianna said, winking at Ari and coming into the house.

  “You know, that’s a great idea, why don’t you come do that and I’ll go…” Ari said, stumbling for words.

  “Get pizza for our dinner.” Avianna said, saving him. “My treat” she said, and pushed some money into his hand.

  “Just what I was about to say. See you later, have fun.” Ari called and left, closing the door behind him and locking it.

  “So, have you given any thoughts as to what sort of wedding you want?” Avianna asked Poppy, coming in and sitting down in the living room.