A kiss under the Velvet Moon

Life is beautiful

Love is truly grand, to go through life without feeling true love at least once would be a travesty.

Unfortunately even the truest of loves, do not come without consequences, pain, and even heartbreak.

" My lovely Alexandria, I could never love our son any less than I could love you. He will make our little family stronger and my love for his mother, never ending."

I reached up and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead as she then sat up in our bed.

The curve of her backbone and round curves of her backside tempted me, beckoned me to run my palms over their ridges, but I fought back the urge.

We would never leave the bed today if I hadn't, besides I know she would want to work in her garden. I had promised her the night before to help her plant a few more rose bushes.

I watched as she lifted her arms high above her head and pull on a flowing white cotton dress. Her dark brown hair falling just at below her waist. She was a sight to behold in anything she wore or didn't wear.

I had to again fight the urge to not want to rip that dress off her and make love to her until the moon rose. Just thinking about it made every nerve in my being come to life. I would have to wait until tonight, as we had a beautiful day ahead of us and when the night beckons me, we will be one again.

Regrettably I now had to wait until my body relaxed and my heart slowed. Using my elbows I pushed myself up into a seated position and pushed my body to the side of the mattress.

Alexandria had already pulled her gorgeous hair into a ponytail, pulling her sandals, she was on her way out the bedroom door, before I could even find my sense to stand. I felt but a fool, I could have had her under me, I could have thrown my sanity out the window, and gave in to my urges.

I am a fool, I tell ya. There are other things to think of other than hiding yourself in the bedroom for days at a time, pull yourself together Eli.

The demon on my shoulder still thought otherwise, as he was figuratively speaking, stomping his hoofed foot like a small child refusing to loose his battle. Letting a puff of warm air escape my mouth, I pouted softly and thought of sweeter thoughts, such as my unborn child.

I couldn't wait for my new son to be born. I'd always wanted a family. He would have the light in my wife's eyes and heart of his father. I could now, only imagine what his features would be like. Would he have chocolate brown hair like his mother or chestnut like mine? Would his eyes be the deepest green or the warmest brown like his mother? For now I can only daydream of the possibilities.

I pulled on a pair of black trousers that lay at the end of the bed.

I truly was the most luckiest man in the world. I could not wait until I could gaze upon my darling wife bare breasted, feeding our newborn child.

I can only imagine how many happy tears I will shed, as I see the look in her eyes as she gently rocks him to sleep. In all my dreams, I never thought I would ever be capable of feeling so much love for someone, I had not even met yet.

I reached out and took a white cotton tshirt that was sitting on the side table and pulled it over my head. Heading out of our bedroom door, I could already hear my wife humming one of her sweet tunes in the kitchen.

It was a soft yet subtle lullaby she said her mother used to sing it to her as a child. She planed on doing the same thing for ours. It was a very hypnotic song, it reminded me of what ocean waves would sound like if they were musical, and did not just peak and crash down.

It would be more like a surf boat that was floating above, barely grazing across the waters. Refreshing and light, like water beating down against a tin roof. Alexandria was standing at the counter making us breakfast , she turned her head as if she felt me there , watching her.

" Hello there my love, how long have you been standing there ?" She looked up at me for a second before returning her attention to the big bowl of batter she was stirring.

" Not nearly long enough sweetheart. Not nearly enough."

We ate pastry cakes made of cinnamon and cooked ham as the sun moved through the trees outside our kitchen windows. I washed up the few dishes we used and Alexa carried a bucket with her to the gardens.

The soil was rich, dark and full of nutrients and it would one day produce food for our family. For right now it was just a raw plot of land that still needed a lot of work to complete it.

So far we had two rose bushes, soon be three, and a batch of wildflowers blooming. We lived in the middle of the pine trees, up in the mountains, just outside of Tatum.

We liked our quiet, as this was own little piece of heaven. Neighbors could not be found for miles as Tatum took a hour to reach on foot. We didn't own a horse yet but as our family began to grow we'd had to consider it, as Alexa would not be able to make it on foot much longer. That and I cannot leave her alone too much longer either.

The Sun was high above the trees, when we started working. I continued tending to the dirt, pulling all rocks and weeds at roots, from the soil. She was on her knees, her sundress tucked underneath her.

She lay colorful large rocks down in a pattern lining each of them up to make a boarder between each batch of flowers. It was going to be beautiful one day, I just needed all the supplies to do it. She said she wanted to be able to come out everyday, sip on hot drinks, and watch the wildlife flourishing around her.

Taking a moment to catch my breath, I walked over to the large tree trunk we used as a table, and set down on a stump, that we used for seating. My lovely wife had thought of everything this morning, a glass pitcher of lemonade was already sitting on top, with two large drinking glasses.

I poured some in each cup and took a long drink. The bitterness and sugary goodness mingled on the taste buds of my tongue. After taking another good drink, I took the other glass over to Alexandria.

Tapping her on her shoulder lightly she turned and I handed her the cool drink. She immediately gulped it down as if greedily drinking like she hadn't drank all day.

" Thank you my love, I needed that, it's quite warm today."

The oversized cotton hat she wore looked saturated with sweat.

I didn't want her getting too overheated, it wasn't good for her pregnancy. I quickly grabbed a rag that was hanging alongside the bucket she has brought out with her this morning, and took it to the water spigot.

The water gushed out as a pumped the metal lever. I filled the bucket halfway and brought it over, placing it atop the table. I submerged the rag into the cold water and then rung it out. I placed around my wife's neck, instantly it started to cool her.

The water from the washrag would help keep her cool while it evaporated also keeping me from losing my sanity.

When I was satisfied that I have done everything I could to make her feel comfortable, I started gathering large flat stones to start on the walking path.

I would configure the stones in such a way that grass could grow around them but nothing can grow below them. The path would start at our back door, leading through our garden. A hour into our work the stack of stone pieces, turned into null. I'd used up all of them and I wasn't even curving around the interior part yet.

I didn't figure I'd have enough but I didn't realize they'd go so quickly. I'd have to take another trip to town and haul another block of it back in our hand cart. It wouldn't be today though as the sun was already dipping into the mountains.

Alexa had already moved several feet from where she was earlier. She was making good headway, things were starting to slowly come together, however mynoot.

Scraping up every ounce of energy I had left in me, I pulled a shovel out from the small make shift shed we had near the back of our cottage. I kept my promise as I dug a large hole near the other rose bushes. I then helped her place the roots of her blushing peach roses into the earth.

Shoveling some extra dirt we used our hands to make a nice sized hill underneath it's leaves. Pleased with our endeavors for the day I reached out my hand to my darling wife and helped lift her off of her knees.

She looked exhausted but also rather happy with what we had accomplished today.

I looked out at the large empty brown field beside our home. I had cleared over two acres of land, just as my father had taught me as a child.

With strong arms and hard work, my father always taught me to never let anything get in the way of a man's love for a kind woman and the deep wet soil of his lands.

Land meant everything, if you didn't own land then you were worth nothing and if you had not married by the age of twenty three, love just might not be in your future.

I saw my future in Alexandria's eyes the moment I saw her. I knew after that fateful day at the festival, that my life would never be the same again.

Standing beside Alexa, she was beginning to grow impatient, and shook my shoulder.

" Are we going to go inside Elias, your son is hungry. You've been staring out of those fields for five minutes, not even sharing with me, what is on your mind."

Blinking my eyes forward, I broke free from my trance like state and apologized for my brief silence.

" Sorry sweetheart, I was just remembering what my father told me long ago. I sure do miss his quotes and small talk."

I let my eyes fall to the ground but she promptly directed my chin back up. Looking deep into my dark evergreen eyes, her's seemed to lighten.

" Your father adored you and we will always think highly of him my dear, for he made you who you are. You are my handsome, amazing, delightful, sexy husband. You Elias Frederickson Black are my best friend and my most treasured soul. Don't ever doubt yourself one for one moment."

She tiptoed and reached up, cupping my face within her hands and pressed a warm kiss onto my lips. It was a pleasant kiss but one that I didn't not intend to let linger to long as she needed to eat and the heat of the day had worn her out.

Of course I had every intention of ravishing her later but now was not the time, even if my body thought otherwise. What she can do to my body with just one look or one touch still amazed me.

I pulled back, taking her hand in mine, kissed her forehead as her hands were covered in dirt and moss. We walked into the backdoor of our home, darkness now meeting us. I quickly made a fire and let my wife rest on the sofa as I made my way to the kitchen to make us dinner.

Rabbit stew with roasted potatoes and carrots . I mixed everything in a pot and than set it over the fire in our massive fireplace. Wonderful spices and smells filled the room as dinner boiled on the fire. Alexandria fell asleep leaning on her arm, her head against her cheek.

While supper cooked I let her sleep, she needed the rest for what I had planned out for the rest of our evening. I let a smile come to my face as I stirred the broth of our meaty stew. The smell was making my stomach growl with hunger and anticipation.

The meat was still a bit pink and the potato still hard, it was going to be awhile, my mouth salivated at the thought.

I took a seat in the armchair on the other side of the fire. The warmth felt good against my tired body without planning it or willing it, my eyes drifted to sleep.

The sky around me was filled with fluffy white clouds, corn fields in every direction. I was in the very center and I was yet a young boy. It was so quiet, only the sound of the breeze blowing over the husks of the corn could be heard. The rustling behind me became louder as if only minutes as I stood there.

That was until a man burst through the maze of corn. It was my father, the way I remembered him as a child. He was wearing his brown wicker hat on his head.

Tiny squares appearing on his face where the sun pushed through the holes of the hat. He wore that kind familiar smile I knew as I child and his red beard hung past his chin. In one hand was a silver metal bucket and the other a pair of shears.

"Hello papa! " I said looking up to him, my eyes lingering on his face. Instantly I felt the need to hug him. Running over to his side, I gave him a quick hug on his waist.

He gently pushed me away, concern filling his eyes.

" My son you act as though you haven't seen me in ages? What is wrong with you my child are you sick? "

I saw his blue eyes look me up and down until he was content, the concern then washed away from his face.

I turned away from him then and wiped a single tear that fell on my cheek with the back of my hand.

I hadn't seen my father in nearly two years now, he disappeared shortly after I met Alexandria.

The day was like any day, I had just had Alexa over for dinner to meet my family. Father seemed a little off that day but he still wore the same smile on his face that he always did.

I swore I heard my mother and father arguing that next morning, they never argue.

Father had said something about a fox or some type of wolf that was getting into the chicken pen. Mother had accidentally forgot to lock the fence to the coop that night. It was kind of my fault, I was trying so hard to impress Alexa.

Mother and I had been in the kitchen all morning cooking her favorite meals. Papa swore he would hunt down the animal that killed his own. He stormed out the house that day, and never returned. Just as my lovely Alexandra had lost her parents, I now knew what she felt, udder loss.

Even with love in your life, there is always room for loss and heartbreak.

I looked up at my father, and smiled my warmest smile, I was just happy to see him, even though this was only a dream. I was no longer just a boy, I was married and had my own family now.

" No papa, I am not sick, I'm just happy to see you." Robert nodded and then handed me the bucket that he was holding.

" In this bucket my son," he said " Holds all the seeds and love you have for your family." He handed me the sheers then, " These sheers hold the blades that can cut your hopes and dreams away."

I looked at him, confusion all over my face, he was making no sense.

" Use your skills wisely son, only you have the power inside to keep your lands flourishing and your love flowing!"

I was no longer a boy then, now I was a man, and he had already turned and was walking back into the corn.

" Father! " I begged. Please don't leave, I have so many questions."

I was on my knees now, the sun now begining to hide behind the clouds. Shadows were now beginning to pop up in every direction.

Robert continued walking and but turned his head for a brief moment and said, " Good bye my Son, until we meet again."

That is when my eyes fluttered back to life, I was still sitting in the faded brown arm chair, my legs now propped up on top of the ottoman at my feet.

Seasoned spices and the smell of baked bread floated in the air. My nostrils were instantly aware and tummy began growling, uncontrollably.

Alexandria was no longer laying on the couch, I scanned the room distinctively running both hands through my hair. There was light pouring out from underneath the farmhouse wooden door of our kitchen, music playing softly.

It sounded like it was coming from a jewelry box I'd bought her a year ago. The pot of stew was no longer sitting over the fire where'd I had left it cooking. I pushed the foot rest to the side and climbed onto my feet.

The dark wooden floors creaked under my boots as I made my way to the kitchen. I opened the door to reveal my wife sitting at our teak wooden breakfast table, piece of bread in one hand and steaming cup of warm tea in the other.

The bowl of stew was sitting in front of her, steam still rising from it. She had a book placed out in front of her , her fingers scanning through the writing. Mid bite of bread, she looked up from her pages.

" Well hello there sleepy head, I thought you'd never wake up. You looked so peaceful in there, I just let you rest, you needed it love. "

I scratched my chin, my finger moving over the indentation of the clift in the middle of it.

My smile so wide that I am sure both the dimples in my cheeks were appearing.

" I thought I was doing the same thing for you honey. I can't believe I fell asleep, I planned on having dinner ready for you, not the other way around. "

She just shook her head and pointed to the chair beside her, mouthing the words " Sit, eat!"

I pulled apart a loaf of crusted bread and dipped it into my now filled to the brim bowl of hot stew.

There was more added to my previous concoction, it now had some veggies in it and it tasted delightful in my mouth. My stomach agreed as it growled with anticipation awaiting each bite.

The crusty garlicky bread complimented the strong flavor of the soup. My stomach now happy and full, I sipped on the apple tea that my wife had placed infront of me . It paired up well with the food as it settled my stomach and now to clean up.

After we cleared the dinner dishes I came up with a brilliant plan. I wanted to repay my wife in a way she'd never forget. Since we were in still in late summer, it would be warm enough to take a stroll out in the forest.

It was dark but the moon was still in full bloom and at this time of night the lightening bugs would be sparking the whole forest to life with their twinkling lights. It would be magical!

I guess I was a complete romantic at heart and she was my world, i'd give her the stars if I only knew how to reach them.

After setting down the last dish in the cupboard, I quietly walked over to the table where Alexandria was still reading. I politely folded down a small corner in her book and closed it. She looked up under thick lashes with surprise.

" Why do I, ask, did you do that my dear? It was getting to the good part and now I will not know what happened to my darling Philipp!"

Playfully she stuck her tongue out at me, and I caught it with in a kiss. She wiggled in her chair for a moment and then relaxed enjoying it's brilliant splendor, I was savoring it until it abruptly ended. I was the one who pulled away, taking her hand in mind I interlinked our fingers and pulled her up on her feet.

" Where are you taking me my love? " She teased, " Our bedroom chambers are the other direction.

" Wait right here baby! Don't go nowhere! " I commanded her.

I rushed into the bedroom, my feet tapping against the wood floors and snatched a cotton sheet out of the closet. With folded sheet up against my chest and hand I rushed back into the kitchen where'd Id left her. She was no longer there, at first my heart began to speed up , but I then I blocked all scary thoughts from my mind.

We were the only ones here for miles. I pushed open the backdoor to our gardens. I followed the markings I had dug into the earth to lay stone, and circled around two large pine trees. It was then that I found her, she was standing in the middle of her bare field, cradling her belly, staring up at the moon. I couldn't hear what she was saying but I know she was talking to her son.

My breath caught in my throat, I was waiting to see if she was going to release her feathered wings underneath her gossamer robes, for she looked like a celestial being. She was my goddess, bathing under the glow of the Velvet moon and I was her prince awaiting to kiss her silky lips under the glimmering stars of the moon light.

I did not want to interrupt her but I crept up behind her and called her name.

" There you are Alexandria, I could not find you my love. I thought I told you to stay put".

Standing behind her frame I leaned my head down pressing my lips against her.

I let my hair gently tickle her neck as my lips did the rest. My hands found thier way down over her curves of her hips, pulling them into my now growing passion.

A moan barely heard escaped her parted lips. If I continued on my exploration, we were never going to make it on her walk, we may not even make it back to the house.

The sheet I was holding, was no longer in my grasp. Now each of her breast were underneath my hands. We were both going to go up in flames if I didn't stop.

"To hell with your walk, " The demon from earlier this morning " my inner voice" was now singing, he was back in my head, cheering me on. To hell, with our walk!