Once Within A Lifetime (8 page)

Meanwhile,
at the cottage, Todd was preparing his gifts to mail to his family, lingering over them and imagining the joy they would feel when they opened them. Everyone loved to receive gifts. When he had them done, he took a shower and went to bed and lay there thinking over the day’s events and thinking about how to work out the meeting with his family, for surely they must and would want to meet her. He just knew they would love her as he did. He wondered what she was like as a child and young girl and tried to imagine this. Maybe she had some pictures to show him. Certainly her mother would be able to fill him in on this. He fell asleep and dreamed of taking her home to meet his folks.

Tomorrow
was Sunday; he had to fly back on Monday afternoon. He had never felt as reluctant to return home before. How would they spend their last day together? Due to the rain the day before, they did not discuss any plans.

It
had dawned to be a clear, warm day and they met on the patio to eat. She was already sitting there having coffee when he arrived, so she poured a cup for him and passed it to him as he sat next to her.

He
reached out and squeezed her hand and smiled, then asked, “Did you have a good night? I slept well but I did lay awake a while thinking about the day and how we can get all the family together.”

“
Yes, I had a very restful night, the rain sounded so pleasant. I just sat by the window a while to listen to it coming down before going to bed. It was very soothing.”

They
sat and looked at each other for a time as if to lock the picture in their minds forever so it would never fade when they were apart. They had become very fond of each other and by now felt so naturally pleasant and comfortable together.

Nancy
brought a beautifully-arranged tray with some flowers on it in a small vase and set it down before them on the table, then placed a plate before each of them. As they ate they began to plan the day. They could not go to town to mail his packages today because it was Sunday. Maybe it would be best to take them with him. They would certainly arrive much quicker.

“
I would like to show you one of my favorite places where I like to take walks. I will have Nancy make a picnic lunch to take along with us so we can spend some time there. You’ll love it.”

“
I am sure I will,” he responded. “Everything here is so marvelous; I have been constantly uplifted by everything we have seen and done.”

She
went to the kitchen and picked up the picnic basket and came back into the living room. The car was out front. He took the basket and her arm and they went to the car. He placed the basket on the back seat, helped her into the car, and they drove down the road a short distance and up a small hill. At the top of the hill she motioned for him to pull over to the left side of the road and stop. He did so, they got out, and he took the basket, held her hand, and they walked on up a small hill where, once they were at the top, they stood to look around. The view was breathtaking and fantastic.

She
had a set of binoculars with her and took them out of the case and passed them to him. He scanned the area and sighed deeply. He looked at the view, then went back and did it again.

“
This is just too much for words,” he exclaimed. “I did not know such wonderful country existed. Just think, I would never have seen all of this if we had not met at the fashion show. What a lucky day that was.”

“
I agree,” she responded smiling. She moved her hand in a wide circle; “This is all my land.” They walked ahead a little farther and she pointed to the left and showed him her house down below. “It certainly looks grand sitting there, doesn't it? I chose the spot from here. I was trying to spot a place to build and came up here thinking about this at first, but for a number of reasons, chose the sight below. It looks so special in that spot and it gave me plenty of room for my plans for the house and garden.”

He
marveled at such an incredible sight. “I know why you love this place so much. I have fallen in love with it also. Just as I have with you. You know that, don’t you? I loved you from the moment we met,” he told her, as he drew her near him, held her close, and gently kissed her mouth, her cheeks and her eyes. “You truly are lovely.”

“
Yes, I know you love me and I am sure you know that I love you. I have from the start but could hardly believe it could happen that way, although I have heard others talk about it. The magical moment at the falls sealed it in my mind. I just felt that I never wanted to leave you ever again.”

They
walked around the area a while; it was too early to eat lunch. They picked some berries that were growing there and ate them. Then they walked back to a small knoll where a gazebo stood which was large enough to have seats where they sat and looked out over the whole area. It was an excellent place for their picnic. There was a small table inside on which they could spread their lunch. She got the basket, lifted the lid, and took out the goodies. She removed a carafe of her favorite wine and two pretty glasses to use for it, some nice pastrami and provolone sandwiches with some pickles, and inside a special container was a fancy little dessert. Nancy also included a thermos of coffee. What a grand picnic this would be. How happy they were to be here on such a lovely day to enjoy all this.

Squirrels
played about among the trees and birds came close to seek out any available crumbs. They tossed out some tidbits and laughed to see the squirrels scurry after them, then stop, sit up on their hind legs and hold the food in their front paws to eat it. What marvelous little creatures they were. Birds lighted on the railing of the gazebo waiting for their handouts. Off to the side they saw a mama raccoon and two babies nosing around because they smelled food. She loved her wildlife family.

After
lunch they walked some more, then came back to the gazebo about two o’clock and decided it was time to go back to the house. They packed up everything and went to the car, got in and turned around to go back down the hill toward the house.

“
This is almost like a fairy tale,” he exclaimed. “I will have to pinch myself to know I am not dreaming. The whole world should know of our great love.”

They
soon reached the house, pulled up in front, stopped, and got out. He took the basket inside and they decided to go back out to walk through the garden again holding hands as they went.

“
Tomorrow I will take you to the airport. We can spend as much time as possible together before we say goodbye. It will be so very difficult to see you go.”

“
You're right. I will be able to finish packing tonight before going to bed. I do not want to lose a minute with you.”

They
talked until it was time for dinner and then got up and walked slowly back to the house. Nancy saw them and asked where they planned to eat tonight.

“
Let’s go up to the studio, it is such a lovely view and so peaceful and beautiful there,” he stated quickly.

After
dinner they discussed the possibility of another trip. He looked at her and said, “Does your schedule hold any possible meeting opportunities?  I have a meeting in Geneva in two weeks for some supplies and a brief showing. Can you come there and we can spend a few days together? It seems like such a long while now. How can we manage the wait?” he whispered sadly.

“
Yes, I can do that. I do not have a show for a while because I still have some things to get together. I agree on the long time. How hard it will be! Oh, hold me now, I wish we never had to part.” Soon she said, “Let me know what I need to do once you make some arrangements.”

He kept his arms around her to comfort her.

“
Can you show me some of your plans for your fashions? Do you have some ready?”

“
Yes, I have some I can show you,” she brought out her pad with some sketches on it.

He
saw her doodles on one page with his name all over it and looked at her and chuckled, “Looks like you had some distractions here.”

“
Yes, I certainly was distracted. I had a hard time to get my mind back in gear when I returned home, though I knew I must.”

Soon
he turned to look at her, held both her hands in his and said, “I must go back to the cottage and pack, though I am very reluctant to leave. When I am away from you I will remember you being here in this room, and see you sitting over there looking out the window thinking and dreaming.” They went to the window and stood there for a while looking out together and he had his arm around her waist.

“
Can I help you in any way to get packed?” she asked him, wanting to be with him as much as possible.

“
No, I have done some previously and have only a few last minute items I have saved out to wear around the last couple of days.” So they parted slowly and reluctantly, he held her close to him and they kissed tenderly, then he just stood there holding her for a while. They knew they would miss each other very much when they had parted for a while, but also knew they would soon be together again, though at this point it seemed like such a long time until then.

They
walked downstairs and he went to the door. They stood there holding each other for a while but parted slowly and reluctantly. It would be very hard to be so far apart, even temporarily. They knew they would miss each other for a while, but they would soon be together again in Geneva.

As
he left, she watched him go slowly down the path to the cottage and he turned to wave at her, then she went inside and up the stairs to her bedroom.

As
they awoke the next day, they both felt very sad because they knew they would soon be parting again for a while. Each time seemed harder.
It is amazing how situations allow us to do what we really do not want to do, to let us override our deep emotions, so much a part of our being,
he thought.  He came up to the house, joined her on the patio, and they had coffee while waiting for breakfast. They were silent because it was hard to talk about the inevitable. Nancy brought their breakfast and they ate slowly because they weren’t hungry.

“
It is a nice day; we will have time to take a stroll through the garden before we have to leave,” she told him, breaking the silence.

“
Yes, I would like that, it was about the first thing I did when I arrived so it seems only fitting to end my visit as it began.” He went around the table and helped her up and they walked around to the garden and out to the rose garden where they stood in the center of the space and looked around at all the gorgeous blooms. They were spectacular.

“
You have a wonderful arrangement here,” he reminded her. “It is a good break to come out here in the middle of a project if you want to relax and clear your head. I am sure I will think of this spot many times in my absence, and I will see you here walking around and thinking of our time here together.”

“
Yes, you are right, I do come here often. It is wonderful therapy and a great treasure. I will be reliving scenes like this many times when you are gone.”

They
walked on and the swans were swimming around the pond, gliding smoothly and effortlessly. Sometimes they stopped when they were among the lilies and it was an awesome sight, as beautiful as any master painting. They always looked so regal, like someone always at attention, very particular about their posture. Such a magnificent bird.

“
I am thinking about getting some peacocks,” she remarked. “First I must learn what conditions they need. They are beautiful birds, I guess they are quite large, especially when their tail is spread out. But they are so colorful and beautiful”

“
Why don’t you wait before making any plans?” he suggested. “I have friends who have some. I can find out all the particulars and they may be able to let you have some of theirs. Small ones would be good and you could watch as they grow up to see the changes. I will let you know what I find out.”

She
smiled at him and said, “That will be wonderful. I will appreciate your help and the firsthand knowledge from people who own them. We have plenty of time to do it and we can discuss it later.”

They
sat on the bench a while and talked of their lovely days together.

“
I am so looking forward to taking you to meet my family,” he told her. “I will think of how we can do it and we will work something out.”

She
glanced at her watch and knew they must get ready to leave for the airport, though her heart felt very heavy and sad and she shed some tears. He gently wiped them away, held her and kissed her softly on her eyes, her cheeks, her lips. They stood there for a while just holding each other trying to fill up their senses with each other’s presence so it could slowly unfold over the time they would be apart.

They
held each other’s hand and walked lingeringly back to the house. He took her car and drove back to the cottage to pick up his luggage, and she went inside to get her purse and a sweater. She was waiting outside when he returned and got into the car beside him letting him drive as she sat very close next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. They drove slowly trying to make the time last as long as they could by dragging it out. Of course this only slowed the process for time kept ticking on relentlessly, oblivious to lover’s feelings, tears, and partings. At last they did reach their destination and he drove up in front of the terminal, got out of the car and removed his luggage. A porter took it to the airline baggage pickup and he turned to her to say goodbye.