Chapter Three: Love Intense

Sarah awoke to find sunlight streaming through her window, filling the entire room with it's glorious rays. She lay in her bed, feeling more relaxed and mellow than she had felt in a long time. Fighting a yawn, she sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, stretching her arms behind her head. Standing up, she walked stiffly to her bathroom and splashed some cold water over her face when she reached the sink. Grabbing a towel, she dried her face quickly and brushed her teeth. Grabbing her subtle red dressing gown, Sarah slipped into it and dragged her brush through her mussed up hair. She was presentable enough, she supposed. Now she headed back into her room and entered the living room, savoring the familiar surroundings of home. Pondering what she and Michael would do today, Sarah ambled over to the kitchen to grab some coffee and a piece of toast. When she walked through the door, the most interesting sight met her eyes.

There sat Michael, innocently reading his morning paper. In the spot across from him, where Sarah usually sat, was a wonderful breakfast set, laid out on a tray. It had a small stack of waffles with a light dusting of powdered sugar covering them. Orange juice and coffee were set in the top corners. A small dish of porridge was also on the tray. Sarah's favorite breakfast. She leaned up against the doorframe, her right arm above her head. Her eyes were shining as she whispered, "Good morning, Michael, darling."

Michael had been up since seven that morning. After getting the coffee going and himself freshened up, he went to see if Sarah was up yet. He knocked gently on her door, as not to disturb her. Opening it softly, he saw she was still asleep. One look told him she'd be up within the hour, though. She had just shifted her position. Closing the door almost all the way, Michael hurried into the kitchen. Poor Sarah had troubled herself to make a marvelous dinner just for him the night before, even though she'd been completely tuckered out. He'd make her one of his specialties, and her very favorite breakfast- three waffles and a small bowl of porridge with sugar, served with fresh orange juice and a side of rye toast and coffee.

Rolling up the sleeves of his dress robe, Michael grabbed a few bowls and the ingredients he'd need for the home-made waffles. He quickly combined the eggs, water, oil, milk, and mix. Setting that aside, he dug around in the cupboard next to the stove, looking for the waffle maker. Sarah's organization was priceless. It was sitting neatly in the bottom of the cupboard. Grabbing it, Michael quickly plugged it in so it could heat up. He set the water for the porridge on the stove and put a lid over the top to keep the heat in. Within minutes, the water was at a boil. Michael added the oats for the porridge and gave it a quick stir. Turning to the waffle maker, he saw that the light was on, indicating it was ready to be used. Quickly greasing both sides of the contraption, Michael poured some batter into the maker. Ten minutes later he had eight beautiful waffles and a small serving of hot porridge, with sugar on the side.

With the food finished, he ran to set Sarah's place at the table, setting the plate of waffles right in the center of the tray, and the small bowl of porridge off to the right side. The orange juice and coffee went in the upper left corner. Michael added the fork, knife, spoon and napkin to finish off the effect. Now to eat his four waffles and read that paper. Sarah would be up soon. He dug into the four medium sized waffles, pouring maple syrup over them. Sarah's waffle recipe certainly beat all, these were delicious. Thank goodness he'd bothered to pay attention when she'd shown him how to make several different breakfast dishes...

Finishing in record time, he took his dish back into the main kitchen area and started to clean up. Fifteen minutes later everything was in ship-shape order and once again sparkling clean. He slipped back into the dining area and sat down to read his paper. He could hear the water running in Sarah's bathroom. He pretended to be absorbed in his paper, but Sarah was as quiet as a mouse- she must have been standing there, and he didn't realize it. At the sound of her voice, he glanced up. He swore there was a hint of loving tears in her eyes. He stood up, whispering lovingly, "My God, are you beautiful." Bowing to her, he waved his hand with a flourish. "Your breakfast is served, Madame."

"Oh Michael, oh Michael, oh Michael!" Sarah was nearly speechless with surprise. She ran into his arms and hugged him, holding him tight to her. Nuzzling his neck, she whispered, "I love you."

Michael held his arms tightly around her in return. "And I love you, Sarah." He kissed her tenderly, but passionately. "I must admit, I had to try what you said- I made a meal, and it was hardly a sweat breaker." He looked down at her and smiled, their noses touching. "Would my beautiful bride-to-be care to eat it while it's still warm? Or shall I just feed it to the birds?"

Sarah laughed, her smile widening. "No, no darling, I want to eat it!" Michael pulled out her chair and waited as she sat down, pushing it in under her. Sarah delved into the waffles, and didn't look back up till she had finished two of them. Starting to fork another mouthful into her mouth, she exclaimed, "Why, Michael, aren't you going to sit and enjoy this with me? You won't see me this mellow hardly ever until after the wedding in two weeks." She smiled ruefully. "Enjoy my good humor while you can."

Michael walked over to her and dropped a kiss on top of her head. "You know...i think I did see an extra waffle lying around in the kitchen..." He disappeared into the kitchen, returning a second later with a plate bearing a single waffle. Sarah was almost through with her porridge by now. "Shall we share it, Sarah? I've already eaten four."

Laughing, Sarah replied, "Golly Michael, I've had three waffles and porridge already. But I couldn't refuse my favorite man the privilege of sharing a waffle with me, could I?" She patted the seat off to her left. "But you have to let me clear up and wash my dishes."

Moving around her, Michael sighed, "I suppose. You'll want to feel somewhat useful. He leaned over to kiss her after sitting down. "After you finish that up, get dressed and be waiting in the living room for me by 10:00. We're going to have some fun today."

Sarah looked into Michael's smoky blue eyes. "I suppose I won't be able to weasel out of just what we are doing, am I?" She leaned over to kiss him.

Kissing Sarah several times on the lips, he smiled at her, simply replying, "You won't get a peep out of me."

Sarah and Michael were walking hand-in-hand along the riverbank in the park. It was around three o' clock in the afternoon, and the sun was shining down gloriously, a light breeze playing at the leaves in the trees. They had just finished their light, yet hearty lunch.

"Are you enjoying yourself, sweetheart?" Michael caressed Sarah's face as they stopped to sit down on a park bench.

"I've never been so at peace, so happy, so calm, so in love." Sarah looked into her fiance's eyes. "I love you very much, Michael, I could never thank you enough for this fine day, never. Just to be able to sit outdoors in this lovely park, watching the day go by while sitting under a huge oak tree with the love of my life by my side, has been one of the best things I could ever hope for. I loved it, and I love you. Always." She scooted closer to him as he made to put his arm around her shoulders. Relaxing and breathing deeply, Sarah rested her head on his shoulder and held his hand in her own soft one.

"After two weeks of delays in getting back to the States, I knew you'd want to just spend time outside, and not cooped up in a building. When I checked on you this morning, the sunlight streaming through your window and flooding your room was enough to tell me that my plan was perfect for today, and positively foolproof." He smiled, hugging her as she sat loosely by his side. "Another thing- I love you like no other, Sarah Louise Sherman. Don't ever let it slip your mind." He kissed the top of her head.

Straightening up to look at him, Sarah said quietly, with love showing deep in her eyes, "No, Michael, I wouldn't dream of it."