CHAPTER SEVEN

The Lodge was located up a long winding lane on a hill not too far from the lighthouse. It was a quaint wooden structure with lots of glass windows. It smelled of wood and fireplaces, very rustic. Jonathan approached the front desk.

"Hello...I'm Jonathan Hart. I have a reservation for the Aurora Cabin."

"Ah yes...Mr. Hart. So glad you made it," said a large, jovial man with a round face. "We've been looking for you. I'm Sam...Sam Talbot."

"Nice to meet you Sam. This is my wife Jennifer."

"Nice meetin' you, ma'am. So you came to see the nor..."

"Ah, Sam.." said Jonathan cutting him off. "Could you please show us the way to our cabin? It's beginning to grow dark."

"Sure. Sure thing, Mr. Hart. Let me grab the key here...right this way."

They exited the lodge and walked down another lane through some woods but into a clearing. The Aurora Cabin sat in a clearing, high on a hill overlooking mountains. It was a gorgeous setting.

"Oh Jonathan, it's beautiful here," said Jennifer in awe.

"Well, you folks will find everything you need here at the cabin," Sam told them. "We serve all meals at the lodge, if you're interested...if not, you can purchase any items you need at the small general store in town. If you need anything, just let us know. Hope you enjoy the nort..."

"Thank you so much, Sam," Jonathan interrupted again. "You've been very helpful." With that, he led Sam to the door and Sam made his way back to the lodge.

Jennifer explored. "Oh Jonathan...this is so beautiful! The cabin...and the view!" She went to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "So, this is my surprise...I love it, Darling. Thank you." She melted into his arms and kissed him sweetly.

"I'm glad you like it, but there's more. Come here," he said quietly. He took her by the hand and led her up the steps to a loft bedroom. The room was fairly small but very cozy. It had a stone fireplace on one wall and a large bed on the other. But the amazing thing about the room was the ceiling which was made of two large thick glass panels. "Watch this..." he said as he turned off the light.

Jennifer stood in the middle of the room which turned completely black when the lights were extinguished. It was so black that she couldn't see her hand in front of her face.

"Jonathan?"

"Look up, Darling," she heard him say.

As her eyes adjusted to the room, she looked up and through the glass panels in the ceiling above. A genuine gasp of awe escaped her lips, "Oh Jonathan! I've never seen anything like this! So many stars! And they're so close...like I could reach up and grab one if I liked."

By this time, Jonathan had inched his way through the blackness to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"Do you want one? I'll pull one down for you. I would do anything for you...you know that."

She leaned back into his embrace and sighed. "I know you would...and I love you for it...and I love this place," she said quietly. "Thank you for bringing me here."

They stood as they were for quite some time, in the warmth of each other's arms and under the majesty of the creation above them. When he felt her shiver, Jonathan decided it was time to build a fire. Wood was provided and he soon had a warm fire crackling in the stone fireplace.

"Now," he said. "I'll prepare our dinner while you freshen up if you like."

"Are you sure? Don't you want me to help with something?" she asked him.

"No, this is your night, remember? I have everything under control. Take a hot shower and I'll prepare our dinner."

"But Jonathan, I didn't pack anything for an overnight stay. You didn't tell me..." she began.

"I took care of everything...I think I packed everything you'll need. Trust me, darling, it's all under control. Go ahead...everything's in the bag."

As he busied himself, she went to locate the bag. The bathroom was in the downstairs of the cabin. She took a hot shower and pulled out the night clothes he had packed for her. She smiled, amused at her adorable husband...This evening is for me, huh? she thought as she pulled out a new black satin teddy and robe. She put on the the teddy...it was a perfect fit. He knew her so well. Then she put on the silky robe. I'm going to FREEZE in this... she thought fleetingly, ...but not for long.

The evening was perfect. Jonathan was true to his word...he had thought of everything...a light supper, candles, wine...even her favorite music permeated the loft. They ate on a blanket spread in front of the fireplace. They fed each other bits of cheese and fruit...they toasted each other with the wine...they snuggled together and talked and laughed...and finally just sat quietly watching the dancing flames.

"Thank you, Darling," she finally whispered. "...for bringing me here and making this night so special...I love you so much..." She ran her silken hand across his cheek and drew him close to kiss her. He obliged, more than willingly. She looked so beautiful tonight. His thoughts had been anticipating her throughout the evening. He wanted her so...but, this was her evening...and he knew she liked the romance and ambiance. He wanted the evening to be everything she wanted...and it had been. But now he wanted her...desperately. He kissed her, lightly at first between whispers, "You are so beautiful...I love you..." and then with increasing fervor.

He cupped her face in his hands and drew her waiting mouth to him, devouring her...the taste of her...the sweet taste of wine still on her lips. He opened the silky robe to reveal her in the teddy. It fit her body perfectly, every curve enhanced. He let his hands roam over her silken body...over each of those curves that he knew so well...unlacing the front of the teddy to reveal her beauty. She drew him closer and closer to her...wanting him also...wanting to feel his strong muscles...wanting to place kisses everywhere that her mind had already reached. "Jonathan..." she whispered.

When their passions were finally spent, Jonathan kissed her tenderly... her neck, her earlobes, her sweet mouth. She ran a finger softly from his temple down the side of his face…

"YOU are wonderful," she whispered melting into his blue eyes. She snuggled closer to him. He could feel her shiver and he drew her close.

"Cold?" he asked softly.

"A little."

Hearing that, he began to get up. "Mmm...no. Where are you going?" she asked quietly. "Don't leave me..."

"I have no intentions of leaving you. I'm taking you with me..."

With that he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He tucked her beneath the covers gently and crawled in beside her on the other side. He pulled her back against him with his arms wrapped around her waist in the front. She snuggled closely to him as they looked at the stars above. As they watched, the sky began to glow with an array of colored lights...Jennifer gasped, "Oh, Jonathan, look!"

"It's the Northern Lights, Darling...I brought you to see them..."

"Ohhh, Jonathan...it's gorgeous!"

She snuggled closer to him. She could feel his soft, warm breath upon her neck as they watched in silence...God's Northern Lights...

To be continued...