I stand among what seems to be thousands of people, in a large, tall building. Everyone is smiling, laughing, and hugging friends and family they have not seen in years. Bright light shines through the tall windows, casting rainbows on the floors and people. A faint hum of music fills the room from a source unknown.

As I walk through the crowd, people smile at me and welcome me Home. I smile back, an honest smile, but I wish to be alone. I am nervous, anxious, but not fearful. It is anticipation. I am anxious to get moving. I desire to be somewhere else, but I am not sure how to get there or even if I may go. I make my way to a door that leads to a courtyard behind the building, searching for a bit of silence. There is no one there, and I let out a sigh.

As I gaze around the beautiful flowers and foliage, a small breeze begins to blow. My heart begins to pound. My skin begins to tingle, and I clutch at my chest. I know this feeling. I hear a Voice from behind me.

"Emily."

I freeze, and my heart stops. I know that Voice. Never have I heard it audibly, but it doesn't matter. I know it. The inflections. The tone. I slowly turn around, and there He is standing a few yards away.

My Lord, my Savior, my King, …my Beloved. Jesus.

A gasping sob leaves my throat, and the tears are already flowing.

I run. Hard. The distance between us seems forever, and I cannot close it fast enough. The moment I can, I launch myself into His open arms, and by now I am sobbing loudly. I wrap my arms and legs around Him, clutching like a child who has finally seen her parents after many years. He does not drop me, but holds me just as tightly.

"Yes, I'm here," He says softly, stroking my hair and kissing my tear-stained cheeks. "I'm here."

"Don't let go," I sob, still clutching Him. I can't seem to get close enough. I simply want to drown in His Presence, to become a part of Him, and never come out. "Please don't ever let go." I bury my face in His neck.

"Have I ever?" He whispered. "You are Home now, and it's forever."

And, He drowns me.

We are no longer two but one. I cannot say who stepped into whom. I do not know where I end or begin, for it seems as all is Him. Every part of my being is now Him. I can see His thoughts: how many times He thinks of me, how overwhelming His love is, and how my wildest dreams never touched the edge. I feel as if I cannot breathe; every inch of my soul and spirit tingle with life and love.

The whirlwind of love that is Him begins to calm, but does not become fully still. It is still there lying in wait for a moment's notice to drown me once again. I am standing back on my feet, but true to His word, I am still in His arms. My own are around His neck, our foreheads touching. I slowly open my eyes to see His looking into mine, His eyes flaming blue of love. I drown a bit more.

Jesus' face breaks into a wide grin, as He sweeps me off the ground with a laugh at my small yelp of surprise. "I'm not done with you yet," He says, as He carries me into the trees.

Heat creeps up my neck, and my face feels hot, but I am not embarrassed but warm, as if I am warmed by a fire. As He walks, I hold on tightly, almost afraid if I let go, the burning ember will go out within me.

I cannot stop staring into His beloved face, still trying to convince myself it isn't a dream. I only know when we arrive at our destination because I hear the sound of His feet stepping into water. I look about to see a wide rushing river, sparkling clear, but moving faster than any rapids I had ever seen.

Jesus steps further, and as He wades into the depths, my chest clenches with incomprehensible fear. My arms around His neck squeeze a little tighter. When the water touches my toes and I feel the current pull on my clothes, my eyes shut tight, and I lean into Him as if I could hide.

"Why are you afraid?" He whispers, coaxing me to look back at Him. He smiles and holds me closer. "Just keep looking at Me."

Then, we are under.

The rushing is gone. All is peaceful and quiet. The water is warm and soothing, and my tightened limbs begin to relax, and I open my eyes, realizing I had shut them out of reflex. I look up at my Lord, His gaze still on me.

"Breathe, Emily," Jesus encourages me. "Let it drown you and take away the fear."

My eyes widen, realizing finally where we are, and I gasp, water flooding me. It does not hurt. Instead, the warmth floods my veins, reaching every part of my soul. It wraps every painful memory, thought, or emotion and washes it clean. I still remember them, but they are no longer filled with hurt. As if I have forgotten how it is to hurt. All fear is gone. My heart is completely light and free.

Laughing as I haven't done in years, and without thinking, I cup His face in my hands and kiss Him. Realizing what I had done, and heat rising up my neck, I make a move to push back, but His left hand keeps my head in place, returning my kiss.

The oneness from before returns in full force. The water swirls around us, and my entire being is quaking with pleasure and love.

On Earth, did I not tell you I would drown you? His Voice seems to come from everywhere, but I still feel His hand on my head and His lips on mine. And I did. Except here there is nothing to hinder Me.

Breaking the kiss, but staying close so our foreheads touch and lips brush against each other as He whispers, "My Queen, My Bride, I have and always will love you."