She lay sprawled over him, the muted sound of falling water a sweet background for their quieting breaths.

“I love you, Catherine, with everything I am.”

Raising her head, she moved that little bit to touch her lips to his.

“I know.  You’ve just shown me … again.”

He slipped his fingers through her silky hair, and she rested against him once more.

They loved and talked throughout that afternoon.  Rather than be late for supper and cause concern, they had a brief swim, then helped one another dress.

“Could we spend a whole day and an overnight here sometime, Vincent?  I’m always sad to leave after just a few hours.”

“Yes, we should.  Let’s plan it and hope …”

She finished his thought, “… Hope nothing interferes this time.”

He leaned forward to kiss her.

“I am sorry that our time together has to be so …”

She did not complete his thought, but remained silent, her gaze downcast for long moments.  When she looked up at him, he heard, “We live dependent on the needs of others, don’t we?  We put them first.”

“What else would you have us do, Catherine?”

She shook her head in recognition of dismay and resignation … and willing acceptance.

“There is nothing … I would not change us.  I was anticipating disappointment, and one should not live that way.”  She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it.  “I get selfish about you … jealous … sometimes.” 

He offered a sad smile and confessed, “I understand those feelings because I have them too.”

“Do you know what I dream?  For us?  Well, for me?”

“I don’t.  Tell me.”

“I imagine us living … somewhere … where I have you all to myself, Vincent.  Every minute of every day and night.  We wander wooded paths and water’s edge and come home to birdsong in our garden and … solitude … living and loving unrestrained and untimed and undisturbed by anyone.  Anything.”

“I think you describe our Heaven.”

“Yes,” she smiled, “our Heaven … awaiting us.  But for now, we will love always in spirit if not in body, all the while answering the needs of others as best we can.”

He gathered her close.

“Should there come no interfering summons, would you honor me with your company tomorrow?”

“We can leave early to have the whole day here?”

“And stay the night, if you wish.”

Her grin warmed his heart.

“Oh, I wish, Vincent. “  She hesitated before saying, “We’ll have to announce our plans tonight.”

“Yes,” he agreed, smiling, holding her even closer.

“Someone may require you …”

“And no one may.”

“It’ll be like a second honeymoon.”

“Every moment with you … Catherine, our honeymoon never ends.”

____________

yet another love-moment, with you, H
October 2024