Winter. Not such a bad season when looking at the beginning. The rush of Thanksgiving, shopping and Christmas. Trying to cram in time for everyone family, friends, co-workers and trying to be nice through almost impossible circumstances. Smiling at horrible gifts...trying to keep in the back of your mind that it's the thought that counts. Then the long lines at the stores to take things back that don't fit, are the wrong color, or that you would Never wear.
She puttered around the kitchen preparing herself a cup of hot tea with a little bit of honey, her slippers making soft padding noises on the carpeting. Her fingers cupped around her teacup, she sat in her favorite chair and drew a fleece throw blanket over her robe. Tucking her legs under her she reached for her reading glasses and a book she had been promising herself that she would read.
This was the first night in several months that she didn't have to worry about friends or guests coming over for a visit. There wasn't any place that she had to be, and there wasn't anyone demanding her attention. The house was quiet except for the muted sounds coming from the computer in the den. Her husband was fully involved in some game. She leaned her head back to soak in some of the silence.
Quiet. Unusually quiet. He frowned slightly and got up from his chair. No noises coming out of the kitchen.... the laundry room...or the bathroom. Walking through the rooms of the house, he came to the living room. He smiled. There was the most perfect setting in the world, he thought to himself. His wife was resting peacefully.
She was wrapped up in the new throw that he had purchased for her...the one that she had admired in the store but had refused to buy for herself. He'd gone back the next day and picked it up for her. Her honey brown hair spilled over her shoulder and down a bit on the throw. Soft eyelashes graced the tops of her cheeks. The hot tea she had made herself grew cold in one of those ridiculously dainty cups she picked up at antique stores.
The window behind her showed the gentle snow the weatherman had promised on the news. He walked to her and picked up a strand of her hair in his fingers and let the silken strands slide through his fingertips. He turned and walked out of the room.
He came back in the living room with some soft blankets, a quilt and some pillows. He spread out the blankets on the floor in front of the gas fireplace. He tossed the pillows on top of the blankets and then started the fireplace up. He sat on the couch and waited for the heat of the fire to warm the blankets.
His gaze settled on her. His lips formed a slight smile as he allowed memories to sweep over him. The first time he saw her across campus. The brilliant colors of autumn, the scattered sunlight that picked up the soft color of her hair. Their first kiss...awkwardness, first sensations of long desired skin touching his. His grin widened: the first time they made love.
He made his way over to her chair and leaned over to kiss her softly. First her cheeks, her nose, forehead and then when he heard the faint moan from her lips he brushed her lips with his. His heart leapt a bit in his chest and he looked into her now open brown eyes.
His hand came up to caress the smooth skin of her face, her eyes closed relishing in the feel of his touch. The rough fingertips brought goose bumps all over her skin. His fingers slid down her throat, feeling her rushing pulse and then down to the throw. He tugged on it a bit until it revealed her pink robe. His finger lightly traced the outline of the neck of the robe as his lips replaced his touch on her cheek and then followed the path down her neck. Softly he kissed and nibbled at her neck...
