Once Within A Lifetime (12 page)

She
looked about the cottage, “I would like to be able to fix up a place like this, it could be so fantastic and fun.”

“
Yes, it could stand some work, I guess, and I know you could make it look simply adorable. It doesn’t have a special caretaker. It was kept up by visitors mostly. Maybe at some point we could see if we could do some work on it. It would be a very interesting and neat project.”

They
sat down to eat; it was close to noon so they were ready. The sea air had been very invigorating and they had worked up a good appetite. The man in the store was well aware that this could happen so he put in plenty of lunch for them. They talked as they ate.

“
How did the cottage get built?” she asked.

“
People in the town on the mainland got together and did it. They had it set up so anyone who wished to could use it when they were on the island, as long as they cared for it and cleaned it up when they left. Everyone has enjoyed and appreciated it very much, so they are careful to keep it neat and clean for those who came after them.”

“
This was a grand idea, a community-shared cottage,” she stated. She got up and walked around the place. “There are sleeping quarters here also. I guess some may spend the night or several days here. It may be fun to do that after we are married.”

“
Yes, many do stay here and really love it. We definitely will come here at some point in the future, after the honeymoon and we are settled.”

Large
towels hung from pegs on the wall of the bedroom and near them were bathing suits.

“
What a perfect idea,” she exclaimed. “Let’s take a swim while we are here.”

“
Why not, sounds great to me,” he replied. “You change first, then I will. We only have the one bedroom. I guess our lunch is sufficiently settled to be safe going in the water.”

She
came out in a pink bathing suit and had a bathing cap ready to put on.

He
exclaimed, “You look marvelous, it is a perfect style and color for you.”

He
changed into dark blue trunks and they rushed out the door and down to the water’s edge. The water was warm and clear. They could see the bottom clearly. Many colorful stones and sea shells were scattered about on the bottom of the water, near the shore. She reached down, gathered up some and put them back on the beach to keep them safe. “I will take these home with me and do something with them.” She went back into the water and they swam around for a while then went back to the cottage to change. It would be time to go back when they were dressed, so they could do something else on the mainland. He had some other sights he wished to show her.

They
gathered up their picnic basket, after they had packed the washed and dried containers back into it, and cleaned up the cottage to get ready to leave. They went to the boat and sailed back to the spot where he kept it moored. They got in the car and went back to the hotel to change and he planned to take her for a drive. Once they were back into the car, he exclaimed, “What a wonderful day it has been. Previously I would have spent much of my time wandering around by myself. After knowing you, I can now see a great loneliness in that idea.”

He
drove along the shore, then headed up an incline that curved around up to the top. He parked, they got out of the car, and walked to the edge of the area to look out at the expanse of water. He pointed out the little island they had just visited. They could even see the small cottage on top of the hill, how wonderful. They sat on some benches there and looked out over the water, watched the small boats out sailing around and saw one pulling up before the island where they were just a short time ago. They looked at each other and smiled understanding the feelings they would be having as they spent time there in such pleasant surroundings.

“
What a great gift to put there for everyone, such a kind gesture. It must have been done by some romantic soul.” They knew they were both thinking the same things as they often did and held and squeezed each other’s hand. They stood up, faced each other, kissed gently. They stood side by side for another few minutes looking at the water, and turned to walk to the car. On the way down the hill, he pointed out sights to her that could add more meaning to the place.

They
went back to the hotel and decided that by the time they changed it would be time to go to dinner. He knew a grand restaurant on the back of the hill where they could dance afterward.

He
came to pick her up. As he opened the door and looked at her he exclaimed, “Look at you, what a beautiful dress.”

It
isn't the blue one but that was a special occasion dress and I felt this would be good. I made it special for such an occasion. Do you mind terribly?” she asked. She had made it from the black Confetti Organza with the black cut velvet circles edged in gold. The cobweb sheer material looked great for sleeves and the top of her dress. She wore the necklace he had given her when she picked him up back home at the airport.

“
How can you keep looking more elegant every time? No, I really do not mind. This dress is fine for tonight. Especially since it is one you made for this time. You always look so perfect. How do you manage to do it? I certainly am one lucky man.”

“
I made it last week just for you. We picked up the material when we were shopping together. I felt sure you would remember it.”

Yes,
I remember it well and your excitement at finding it, and you are wearing the necklace I gave to you. It goes perfectly with the dress. You were right. It is a very versatile piece of jewelry. I am so glad I chose it for you.”

They
got in the car and drove on to the restaurant, ordered their meal, and enjoyed a drink of champagne while they were waiting. The first course was brought. As she moved her hand to reach for something, she saw the sparkle of her beautiful ring and held her hand up to look at it and smiled. He also smiled and squeezed her hand. The waiter arrived with the meal. It was delightfully arranged on the plates and looked far too good to disturb. But they ate it, then sat a while before they ate the dessert. It was a beautiful dessert and they served exquisite coffee to accompany it.

The
view of the water was simply marvelous and by now it was getting a little dark which showed up the lights as they began to come on around the shoreline. It was a sight to behold, one of which they were sure they would never tire or ever forget. He had been here before but not under such ambiance and lovely enchantment.

After
dinner and dessert were finished, they did some dancing. It was so romantic and the plans of the last few days made it all so incredibly enchanting.

As
they danced cheek to cheek, they spoke of their love for one another in tender and passionate words. Her dress was sparkly and lovely. They danced for hours and at last went back to the hotel and planned for tomorrow and his jewelry showing. She was truly eager to see it and remembered the exquisite lines of her necklace and new ring.

Back
at the hotel they said goodnight and kissed and held each other for some time. They wished each other a wonderfully good night and she went inside. He went up to his room.

She
took a quick shower and put on her nightie to prepare for bed. She had bouquets of beautiful flowers she had received from Todd. They arrived while they were out today. She read the cards and smiled as she remembered the events of the past few days. She put some of the flowers in the bedroom so she could see them when she first awoke in the morning. Suddenly she realized that she could not take them home with her and decided to ask Todd where they could donate them for other’s enjoyment, maybe at a hospital or orphanage. She got into bed, stretched, put her hands up under her head and looked at the flowers. She'd had a galore of them in her lifetime from her own beautiful garden, but these had a special appeal and glow because of the occasion. That made them so much more beautiful than any she had ever seen before. It was like they were the first ones she had ever received. She drifted off to sleep and dreamed of being with Todd. She would have been reluctant to disturb it by waking except that she’d be with him for real again today.

She
jumped out of bed and hurried to the shower to get ready for the day. She wore one of the pretty dresses she had made back home. It was a beautiful, delicate print which fit her like a glove. She just knew he would like it.

When
he came to pick her up for breakfast, he told her, “I adore you in your new and pretty dress, precious, and how wonderfully well the necklace matches it.”

After
breakfast they drove to the place of his jewelry showing. They had some time before the meeting so they walked around town to see some of the shops. She loved to look at the clothes to see what styles were in and see where her line needed to lead. She went by a window and saw some of her fashions in it. She was overwhelmed. This usually did not happen for they were in different areas.

“
Look, Sweetheart, these look like my fashions. Can they be? How did they get here? This is so amazing to just happen upon something like this. How did they get here in this area?”

“
Do you remember at our first meeting at your show when I ordered your fashions? I brought some of them here at one of my jewelry meetings. They were readily accepted and displayed, and they have gone very well. I wanted to surprise you by letting you see them for yourself.”

“
That is great,” she exclaimed. “I will be getting checks in the mail from these when I get back. I am so happy that I have a wonderful and marketable talent and for all the joy and pleasure the whole process has brought to me and the joy it gives to others, most of all my chance to meet you on that fantastic trip in my most favorite city. I never even wildly imagined such a thing would ever happen, least of all there.” She smiled and he snuggled his arm around her.

They strolled on down the street and she saw something in another window across the street.

“May we cross over to the other side of the street? There are some of my prints in the window from my fabric patterns. How did they do this so quickly? I’m so happy to see it here.”

“
So am I,” he replied, “but this is a surprise to me also because you had just brought that with you on this trip. I know how it pleases you and it makes me very happy. It really adds to our joy and ecstasy. You are surely the most versatile person I have ever met and I am very proud of you. I know you put a lot of work into these things, though to you it does not seem like work. After we are married you will, no doubt, continue to keep your own creative ideas flowing for the sheer joy and pleasure of its accomplishment. I cannot take that away from you, but I want to support and care for you, for I love you so very dearly and cannot do enough for you. I want to show you my love in every way I can possibly imagine and know it will grow as we spend our lives together as man and wife. It is inevitable.”

“
Thank you for such deep and wonderful love. I also want to do all I can to make you happy and comfortable. No matter how much I do, it will never seem to be enough. I feel like I want to try to design my own wedding dress and do some of your things, which I feel the desire and capability to do, because it will make it all ours all the way.”

“
I am not at all surprised to hear that. Please do whatever your heart desires. I will be very pleased with it. I am confident that you will be able to do a great job.” He then looked at his watch, “It is time to go to the show.”

So
they turned around and strolled back to the car, then drove the few blocks to the building. He helped her out and they went inside to get set up for the jewelry show. He took his place behind one of the exhibits, ready to answer any questions or give advice as needed. She was so proud of him, how handsome he was in his perfect suit and one of her ties. She was so glad she had been able to add to his overall look.

She
paraded past the exhibit which was just stunning. Jewelry buyers from all around the world were here to check it out and seemed to be very impressed with the selections.

He
saw her looking at something and asked, “Do you see something you like?”

“
I cannot take my eyes off that gloriously beautiful necklace and earring set. It will work for the wedding, and look at that ring, that is a perfect match to the one you gave to me,” and she pointed to the one on her finger.

He
smiled, winked at her and said, “I am setting this aside for our wedding. I certainly did not plan for it to be in there. It’s also my design and goes with the one you have.” He took it out to put in his pocket. “I want this set to be one-of-a-kind and not to be owned by anyone but my beautiful princess bride. Here, you keep the necklace with you.”

He
received many large orders and stacked them up in his briefcase. After the meeting was over, they went to dinner and he could see that she had enjoyed herself and was overwhelmed by all the beautiful jewelry that he had on display today.

She
thought,
“It is so good to see him at work, he looks so at ease.”