Chapter One: Morning
It all began on a Sunday morning, in late September... We had been busy all morning, getting ready for your arrival. I wanted your first impression to be a good one. The house was clean, fresh flowers on the tables, cold beer in the fridge...
The lawns were closely clipped, the gardens freshly weeded and watered. I wandered around moving things and moving them back to their original places. I heard David laugh behind me and turned to find him shaking his head and smiling at my nervousness, he pulled me into his arms and said, "It looks fine honey, you'll see, everything will be just fine."
I smiled up at him nervously and shrugged my shoulders. In his eyes, I could see his excitement growing too. He held his inside better than I did, but I could see that he was ready for your arrival too.
It seemed strange to me to be able to stand there in our living room in silence. Usually the house is filled with the sounds of children, but for now, they were still with their grandparents.
The time was drawing closer; soon we would leave for the airport. I decided to walk through the Garden one more time. Taking my shears and basket, I stepped out on the porch, and walked slowly taking it all in, wanting to picture it as you would, for the first time...
I stopped often, cutting fresh flowers enjoying the feel of the sun on my back turning toward it and feeling it warm my face. I made my way to the shade garden and stood there, listening to the birds as they chittered from their hiding places...
A soft breeze was rustling the corn stalks and I made my way through the garden, snipping fresh flowers and placing them in the basket on my arm and enjoying the breeze. As always, when I am in the garden, I felt my worries disappear... I smiled, and began my walk back to the kitchen, automatically slowing my pace as I reached the herb garden, the scents of fresh herbs lifting with the breeze, calming my jangling nerves.
I entered the kitchen, placing the basket on the counter and began to arrange a small bouquet to give to you when you stepped off of the plane.
David walked up silently behind me, brushing the hair away from my neck and kissing me softly, sending a shiver along my spine. He asked me if I was ready and I turned to face him, the nervousness clear in my eyes.
My heart pounded in my chest as we settled ourselves into the truck and made our way to the airport. As always the traffic was heavy in the city and the airport busy and full of people, but I hardly noticed as David held my hand and guided me through, my thoughts raced hoping that you were safe, that the plane would be on time, that we could find you ahead of time and many other small details. Before long, we came to the terminal, and found a place near the window to wait for you. After what seemed like an eternity, the plane finally came to rest before us, and we stood and waited for you to exit the plane.
Several people came out, some looked very tired, others clearly excited to have finally reached their destination. We searched each face as they appeared and before long, there you were. A slow smile began at my lips and my heart began its race again. I could feel its thrumming in my ears as I glanced at David and saw the look of pleasure on his face. Our eyes locked and my feet moved toward you almost of their own accord.
I felt the happiness swell in my chest and a cry rose to my lips, I couldn't help myself as I ran yelling through the crowd, wiggling my way through with muttered apologies and excuse me's. My god you're here, you're here! I could hear David's laughter as I ran, skidding to a stop in your arms, crushing your flowers between us as we held each other tight. Through the laughter and tears and kisses and giggles, I whispered, "Oh honey, you're finally here!"
You pulled me away from your chest then and looked at me, and through the tears I could see your emotions clearly on your face for the very first time...
I heard David move up beside us and say, "Hey bud!" I moved out of his way as the two of you embraced. I stood watching the both of you and my heart swelled with joy, happiness and pride. Finally, after all this time, here we were, face to face.
I guess we would have stood there just staring and smiling if it hadn't been for David's good sense. He guided us through the airport as I kept my arms around both of your waists, my happiness clear for everyone to see. We reached the doors to the airport and walked out into the bright sunshine and made our way through the traffic to the truck.
I was so excited to finally have you where I could see you. David seemed to be enjoying the looks on our faces and started in teasing, as the "yack fest" began...
Chapter Two New Beginnings
When we pulled up out front, I practically pulled you from the truck to the garden, wanting you to see everything. We walked with fingers intertwined from one flowerbed to another, slowly made our way to the front door.
You followed me into the kitchen and we found David there, putting together an ice chest to take out back with us. The two of you began talking and David offered you a cold beer. I was finally at a loss for words and just stood there, watching you. My eyes roamed over you burning this into my memory for always.
You were leaning with your back against the counter by the sink, elbows resting on the countertop, cold beer held by the bottle's neck in your right hand, laughing and joking so comfortably with David, just as if it were any normal day. My eyes filled with tears and my heart swelled with tenderness looking at you there, you looked as if you'd stood there comfortably many times before. I don't know how long I stood there staring, but when our eyes met, it made me blush. David looked at my expression and turned to you and smiled, a hearty laugh began in his chest as he teased...
"Baby, aren't you going to show him the real garden?" I nodded my head and reached for your hand as David opened the sliding glass door. We walked out into the heat of the day and were instantly surrounded by the smell of fresh herbs.
The herb garden was lush and green, the scents of the individual plants strong in the heat of the day. The basil was in full splendor, full of tiny white flowers, busy with bees and butterflies. We walked slowly and David laughed as he passed us by, heading toward his favorite spot to watch. I wanted to show it all to you and had so many things for you to taste, smell and touch! Just holding your hand, having you finally see it all, as I had described so many times, this was such a wonderful day!
We came to the corner of the house along the path and I turned to watch your reaction as the garden opened up before you, a wide expanse of lawn, bordered by never ending flower borders. You stopped and stood there holding my hand and taking it all in. All of the sadness from the loss that the floods had caused drifted away from my mind, the hours of hard work rebuilding had paid off in just that one look.
I glanced over at the bench where David was sitting and smiled. We exchanged a look and I could see that he understood what I was feeling as he smiled.
Chanteclaire picked that moment to crow and your eyes moved toward the sound and I felt my body grow warm at the sight of your smile as your eyes took in the entrance to the vegetable garden, partially hidden by the giant dragon grape vine topiary at its entrance. I moved closer to you and slipped my arms around your waist.
I looked up at you and asked if you were ready to see the rest of it. You nodded and grinned down at me, I tilted my face up to look at you and our eyes locked, my hands traveled up your back as you bent to kiss my lips for the very first time. David still hadn't said a word since we came outside, and yet I felt his presence.
Turning to face him, I smiled and saw the look in his eyes, knowing that he had waited for this moment as long as I. He stood then, and walked with us to the vegetable garden. We stopped at the archway, the dragon's neck that leads into the vegetable garden and picked sweet red strawberries from David's favorite part of the garden.
I stood there looking up at you and brought a strawberry to your lips. You opened your mouth and took a bite, the juices flowing into your mouth and across my palm. You took my hand and while looking into my eyes, ran your tongue down the palm of my hand. I moaned and felt myself grow wet with excitement. Your lips covered mine and we tasted each other's passions mixed with the sweetness of the berry and the bitterness of the beer. Odd combination but nonetheless, very sexy.
I felt David move behind me, felt the strength of his chest against my back as I tilted my head to kiss him as you pressed your chest against mine. I was surrounded with warmth and filled with passion.
I felt your hands move from my waist to explore my breasts, your fingers softly brushing my sides as your hands discovered my form. I kissed David deeply, tasting his sweetness, so many sensations, so many thoughts in my mind, my body reacting on its own, my hips moved toward you, arched to rub against your hardened flesh.
I leaned back against David and his hands moved, covering your own, pulling them to cover my breasts completely, letting you know that it was what he wanted too. His lips left mine and ran along my jaw to my neck, tasting and nibbling my sensitive skin as you kissed me again, this time more deeply. Our tongues met and played together, the tip of your tongue stroking the roof of my mouth and I captured it, sucking softly.