A soft cool mist showered down on her sheet wrapped body as she stood on the terrace watching the dawn's light creep over the vast fields. What a glorious sight it was to behold. When she turned, she saw an even more breath taking sight unfold before her sleepy eyes. It was the form shrouded in the thin crisp linen that her eyes now rested upon. The morning light cast shadows over His slumber, and she carefully turned back to the landscape to again gaze at the growing light. Her hand rose to shield her sensitive vision from the blinding rays that now caressed the greenery as far as the eye could see. As she stood to bask in the warmth of the sun, a hand slipped under the sheet that bound her body. With a start, she turned into His strong grasp to receive a warm good morning hug. Her chin tipped upward as she whispered, "Good morning Master."
"Good morning love. You are up early I see."
With a nod, she laughed softly. "Aye Master, I so wanted to rise and meet the dawn. I just didn't know I would have the pleasure of Your company while I did so. Such a sweet surprise!" He chuckled to Himself as her body turned its back to His curves. What a perfect fit, she thought as He wound Himself around her. They stood at the edge of the terrace, greeting the morning as the dew began to burn off of the tender foliage below.
"What plans do you have for us today my pet?" He murmured into her ear.
"Oh, it is a bit of a surprise Master. Please don't ask me to reveal it so soon," she begged playfully. His soft growls of concession made her smile His smile ~ the one she saved only for Him. She went on, "Will You be having breakfast now or should I run Your bath?" For a moment, she could feel Him contemplating the two before He spoke.
"I think that I will have breakfast with you to make sure you eat, and then a shower instead of a bath. Now, what shall we have then?"
Her eyes shut tightly. As her face contorted into a grimace, she realized that remark about breakfast was directed toward her choice of dieting as of late. He quickly spun her around to give her a look from His warm inviting eyes. Though His tone was kept light, she knew Him to be very concerned as far as her health went. He was so attentive to those kinds of things much as she worried so over His rest and health. It was this sort of balance that kept them both so straight on their path.
"Would it be alright if I just had a light breakfast then Master? Perhaps some toast and jam with a glass of orange juice? Iβm not that hungry yet, and Iβd rather not be too full for the plans I have for later."
His eyes twinkled for a second before He responded, "Yes My dearest, that sounds fine. I think I will have the same with a bit of oatmeal flavored with strawberries and a cup of coffee. Will you get that ready for us while I grab my robe and wake up?" A nod is what He got before He released her with one last glance at the day's starting splendor. On tiptoes, she stood to plant a dainty angel kiss on the tip of His nose. He laughed full and round as He padded off to the bedroom to find His robe. She turned just in time to see the sheet drop from His massive frame. A small gasp jumped to her throat at the exhilaration of seeing His nakedness. She watched Him pull His robe around His shoulders and then go off to freshen up.
She was in the kitchen before she knew it with bread already in the toaster. She was anxious to put her plans into action. For months, she scrimped and saved for this trip. How hard it was to find a gift that suited Him. How difficult it was to give Him something that went above all she wanted to give Him. She would give Him the sun and moon were she able to capture them. So instead, she decided to surprise Him with the trip they had wistfully talked about for ages. Carefully, she set aside a few dollars here and there. The day she called to make the arrangements, she could barely keep still. Energy bubbled from every inch of her body. He was curious, but allowed her some secrets that He knew to be important to her, knowing that she would not keep anything harmful from Him. Her secrets always were tokens of love and devotion for Him, so He could not deny her the pleasure of presenting them to Him when the time was right. In fact, He delighted in watching her prepare, running to and fro, and then in waiting for her to decide the time was perfect. She almost became giddy around that time, and He so loved to see her smile.
***
It was only yesterday that she packed their luggage with care, and finished the last minute chores before shuffling Him off to the train station. He was a bit shocked by the whole train idea, but found it a bit charming as well. The sparkle in her eyes was unavoidable as they boarded and took to their private car. Since He worked earlier that morning, He was so exhausted and she saw that in His features. Warm oils were brought out from her bag to her fingertips, which traced circles along His bared back. Over and over, she worked them into His sore muscles until He was fast asleep. With a loving stealth, she cleaned them both and curled up beside Him to dream until the train lurched to a halt at their stop sometime near midnight. It had been hours upon hours, but in their sleeping state, it seemed only like minutes.
He had no clue where she was taking Him, but He still refused to question. He knew that the mischievous grin plastered on her face said enough. The rent a car was waiting in the parking lot as they approached. It was a sleek little yellow convertible that seated two. Even in the dark, the car seemed to shine with neon brilliance. The porter loaded their bags into the trunk, and before He knew it, they were off. For some reason, He allowed her to drive although He really wanted to get behind the wheel of such a beautiful vehicle. This was one thing He couldn't let go without inquiring about.
"Why is it that you are driving and not I?"
"Because I know the directions, and if I told You, it would spoil the whole idea of it being a surprise Master. The car is Yours to drive as much as You'd like later, I promise. Please just indulge me a little while longer. I chose this car with You in mind, so I could not think of Your not having the pleasure of driving it." A devastating smile followed her explanation, so He dropped it with a peculiar snicker.
As the car veered onto an old dirt road, His eyes swept the darkened landscape. Vineyards danced along the plain for as far as the eye could see. Merriment was evident as His realization took shape. The towering black frame of a building rose on the horizon, and she pulled up to its columned entry. With a wild giggle, she sprang from the car and whirled about the grounds in a lively dance. Slowly, He joined her at her side to take in the whole picture. It became clear that she had rented out a house on a vineyard for a pre-Christmas retreat. Their holidays were spent with family and friends, so she planned the trip a few days before the festivities were to begin. She stopped and turned to Him just in time for Him to pick her up, thrust her up in the air and spin her round and round. The crisp night air surrounded them.
"My little imp!! You did this for us, for Me? I can't believe you managed to plan all of this with Me being none the wiser. What a little devil I have!"
"Oh tell me You're pleased with this Master! Please tell me that I thought right in what You would want."
A nod was all He could manage due to the shock settling in. As she wound her arms up around His neck, she smiled satisfied and content in His embrace. He quickly grabbed her wrists and held them bound in His large hand. His free hand flipped sideways to swiftly and playfully crack her backside. It wasn't a hard smack, but enough to sting. She winced and then relaxed to a sigh. They ambled up the front steps, luggage in tow, and went off to find their way.
Since she rented the whole place for the weekend, no one else was around. The stone walls were cool to the touch, but so invitingly warm to the eye. Cast iron chandeliers hung from barn beam rafters adorned with delicate lace plates and bushels of dried flowers. A towering Christmas tree stood in the center of the room with boxes of ornaments lying beside it. Piles of lights also sat in wait next to the enormous tree.
"I wonder where they found such a big tree. I doubt I've seen one that large in captivity," He joked.
"That's another part of the surprise Master," she gleefully explained. "I had it specially chopped for just this occasion. I know we won't actually be here for Christmas day, but I thought we could decorate it and leave the people who will be here something nice for their holiday. You know how I am with my Christmas lights and decorations."
He laughed and nodded as He looked around the room again. The electric candles gave off a soft glow that shed just enough light to show them the way upstairs. Each room was looked over by Him until He chose the perfect one. As He led her inside, she noticed the large soft bed in the center, the high ceilings, the wide windows and the small writing desk in the corner. After a light midnight snack, they decided sleep was best after the lengthy journey. First, He flopped down under the thick blanket of fluffy down. Then, He beckoned her to join Him, to which she slipped beneath the covers to curl up in the graceful arch of His body.