After strutting around in her red floral satin robe all day, Paula tossed it aside and decided to get dressed and go out and do some light food shopping. How would they manage their first afternoon apart since he arrived?! Pulling on tight olive green shorts and a light tan sweater, she looked in the mirror.
"Ok, this will do." she mumbled to herself. "I have no idea where that lover of mine is so let's do this fast."
Slipping out of the house quickly so he didn't notice her absence, she pulled out of the driveway and onto the road. Since the store wasn't that far away and they didn't need much, she returned about an hour later.
Upon arrival home, she noticed right away something was different. Lavendar scented candles were lit around the house and the aroma was very pleasant. Not being a neat freak herself, she wasn't one to complain if things were out of place. However, this was different. Glancing around the house in amazement, she was happily surprised to see the house absolutely spotless...except for the flower petals on the ground in a trail. She put the groceries away quickly, Paula smelled something wonderful being grilled outside.
Following the trail outside and still searching for Ryan, she peered into the grill. "mmmm steak and grilled corn" her mouth watering just at the thought of it. The petals led to the large rope hammock a few feet from the grill. Looking around, she still didn't see Ryan. Laughing to herself, she layed down on the hammock and closed her eyes. "Maybe he wanted me to rest?" she wondered. All of a sudden she started swaying. Jolted by the movement, her eyes fluttered open to see her handsome love before her. "Ryan, thank you so much for doing all of this, it's greatly appreciated."
"Anytime, you know I love helping you." he replied.
He stood before her, a wonderful stature of a man in her eyes. Not only was he physically attractive, but he had this aura about him. He was not ashamed to show his love for her, and she truly admired that in him.
With an outstretched hand, he placed a small box in her hands. "Open it." he said firmly.
Obliging, she tugged at the lavendar ribbon surrounding the white box. A smile came across her face as she pulled out a simple red heart he had cut out of construction paper. On it, it said simply "I Am Yours Forever". Trying to contain her emotions, she stood up and kissed him gently on the lips.
"Thank you for the gift Ryan. It is quite beautiful."
"It's just how I feel. There are no words to express it, so I thought you would like this", Ryan said with a smile.
"Oh, of course I do. And I appreciate dinner and the house being so nice. Maybe I can do something for you tonight!" she said with an spark in her eye.
Taking her by the hand, he sat her down at the picnic table and served dinner and poured them a glass of wine. After toasting to each other, they devoured the meal and cleaned up. Following him up the stairs to their bedroom, she quietly shut the door behind herself.
Flicking on the overhead fan, he shut the lights and lit another candle. "Come here next to me" he said as he pat the empty space next to him on the bed "I want to shower you with love."
Grinning broadly, Paula was hoping she knew what came next...their love making had been incredible these past few days. She wondered what else he had in mind. "I guess I'll have to wait and see" she thought to herself, quite happily "his surprises are wonderful so far."
