With the Language of Flowers
I will Tell you …

by Paula

The flower lives, loves and speaks a wonderful language.
      ~ Peter Rosegger

How many days has she been gone, one, two, or maybe longer? Vincent didn’t know himself anymore. Whenever the affairs of the world above separated them, it seemed to him that her absence lasted too long; he just liked to feel her close.

There was no danger, only the questioning of a witness in a distant city. She went with Rita, so he should have been calm; yet he was afraid and this fear was not drowned out by his work in the tunnels. And when he was severely tired and sleep was not coming anyway, he would go to the Mirror Pool to feel peace there, looking at the starry night sky.

His blue eyes focused on the darkness reflecting the world Above. He sighed longingly, sensing no comfort. Catherine occupied all his thoughts; he felt her with all his being.

The unique lips twisted in a gentle smile.  I can bear the tormenting fear and longing for your presence. Every day I bless fate for bringing us together.

He looked around, sensing no one nearby, and sat down on the sandy ground, leaning on his arms spread out on both sides. Closing his eyes, he reached for her, and felt the captivating answer. There was power and strength in their bond. The feeling of her presence around his heart had a soothing effect. He savored the sensation, staying there until the late hours; only silence, stars and night…

* * *

The days went by and the separation became more and more tormenting. His mind rationally suggested that the time of her planned return was getting closer with each passing minute, but the feeling remained the same.

No poem replaced her sweet voice and tender words; no work changed the slight melancholy he felt. Only being with Mouse put him temporarily in a better mood, and it was during one visit that his pining thoughts embraced something else.

“Catherine will be back soon?” The younger man asked while snooping in the toolbox.

Vincent felt the revival inside him. “She should be home tomorrow.”

The Tunnel inventor continued to roam his chamber, collecting various items. “Good! Vincent will be happy.”

He nodded at the truthfulness of that sentence. “Yes.Without her, I can’t be fully happy.”

“Do you have something? For Catherine? Nice thing… for a welcome?” Mouse looked at him with genuine curiosity.

His older friend considered the question for a moment, then his azure eyes opened wider as if some unusual idea had formed in his head. “I will certainly think about it. Thank you, Mouse, I must go now.” He headed hastily toward the exit.

The young man scratched his disheveled blond hair “For what?”

An intriguing smile appeared on the unique lips. “For the reminder.”

“OK…good, Mouse is needed by everyone!”

Vincent’s joyful laughter could be heard in the distance. “That’s true!”

Walking down the corridor, he thought back to the time when he was counting down the hours until her return, instead of attending to the options of greeting her warmly. How much easier it would have been for me if I had started planning a surprise for her right away.  He shook his head. Mouse had discovered a simple way to cope with acute longing.

The idea of an exceptional greeting had already blossomed in his head. He decided to show her in another language the truth she had known for a long time – the unique and beautiful speech of flowers.

He dug through piles of various titles in the library, occasionally sneezing from the accumulated dust, until he finally spotted the right book on one of the shelves. He breathed a sigh of relief as he hugged the heavily damaged copy to his chest.

Father watched him silently from over his glasses as he almost ran towards the exit. A gentle smile lit up the community leader’s features. My son has finally found something that has successfully absorbed him. He leaned back comfortably in his chair and returned to reading the engrossing story.

In the privacy of his chamber, Vincent flipped through the pages and meticulously noted down what he needed. Without wasting his now-so-valuable time, he visited a Helper who owned a florist shop. Among the many beautiful flowers, he chose a few that were perfect for his concept.

He thanked him several times, grateful for the opportunity to realize his intentions. Mobilized by the born idea, he acted spontaneously, and fortunately nothing stood in the way of his plan.

Now unhurried, he contentedly took step after step in the dim, cool corridor. He did not hear the sounds from the pipes; other music was already playing in his heart.

Just one more lonely night, only hours separate us now. My boundless longing will end.

* * *

Nothing could change his mood, this joy that filled him completely. It is today, we will turn our longing into tenderness. We won’t need words, just by your look you will make me  tremble. And I, always insatiable for you, will take from your hands everything you give me.

No more anguish of sleepless nights, and that bed would no longer be too big, foreign, unwanted, and the chamber would no longer fill him with anxiety and worry. Now it would be bathed in candlelight and become a pleasant place.

The captivating eyes sparkled with beautiful emotion, the exquisite lips curved into a smile as the preparations went exceptionally smoothly…and now…he was waiting in their bathing chamber. Feelings of relief, anticipation and excitement wrapped tightly around his heart.

She was coming.

Catherine wanted to run along the stone hallways; her heart was racing out of her chest and an invisible force was pushing her forward, just a moment from now, just around this corner. Calming her breath, she approached the door of their intimate world.

Crossing the threshold of their common chamber was for her like entering a world of riddles. The scent of flowers hung in the air and a path of red rose petals wound along the floor. A few lit candles, located next to each point on her designated route, added a touch of magic to the surroundings.

She began her walk along the flowery signs. Initially, she was greeted by a pink camellia lying on a nearby cabinet. Tucked under its stem was a note with the words “I missed you” written in a familiar hand.

Tiredness and thoughts of the stack of files still waiting for her at work disappeared instantly.

Further, the way led her to the table where a pink rose was tempting in its appearance. A note with the words “Huge happiness, only with you.” brought tears to her eyes.  Bliss for both of us. She blinked quickly to see the next miracles prepared for her.

Stopping by the bed, she picked up a white calla lily waiting alone for her attention. A small leaf was hiding in its delicate flower. “Your dazzling beauty.”  Her voice trembling from emotion caused a stir around her heart… He was close.

The floral trail led her to the closet where a red tulip hung from a handle waiting for her to take it into her delicate hands. She carefully pulled out the flower and the note hidden behind it. “Forever yours.”

She closed her eyes in thought, amazed, surprised, charmed and grateful. A gentle smile brightened her face in the dim light. No one had ever conveyed his feelings to her in such a unique way. She had never felt so loved and happy as she did with him.

She slowly opened her eyes, and her thoughts fled in one possible direction. Her gaze went to the rosy clues leading to the bathing chamber. I won’t let you wait any longer.

A yearning for his presence was her companion when she appeared in the entrance.

She sighed, stunned as she looked at the flowered carpet marking her path. Candles burned in tempered glass jars all around. A sensual paradise…

Catherine dropped her shoes and pulled off her unwanted clothes. The petals of red roses wonderfully caressed her feet as she gently stepped on them, and he waited for her, half submerged in the water, following her every move.

Her step was slow, subtle. Without losing contact with his intense gaze, she came within reach of his hand.

”Welcome home.” His smile was promising.

Enchanted, she traced his amazing face with her eyes, absorbing the view she so longed for. “I don’t think anyone has ever been welcomed home like this.” Her voice, trembling, resonated in his heart.

He picked up a red rose from the rock shelf. With its petals he caressed her skin, still holding her with his gaze.

Vincent felt that tremor, the vibration caused by the gentle fondling…their language without words….He seduced her, stroking the area of her delicate curves. Filled with longing and desire, he opened his arms invitingly in response, feeling her passionate embrace.  It seemed that everything went up in flames, her uneven breathing, the insatiable lust for his mouth.

“Talk to me, talk to me with a gesture.”  His whisper snapped her out of her bewildered state.

She stood behind him, one hand immersed in his hair, pulling it away from his forehead, the other rested on his chest, warming him to the core. Her sigh resonated in his heart….and she touched, kissed…again and again… Soft melodies of contentment reached her ears. He tilted his head back intoxicated, and gratefully accepted as she spoke to him, thanking him for his love, for the floral greeting, and for every day together…