As the nighttime darkness dissipated and the peach and pink hues of dawn began to illuminate another day, Elizabeth stood on the rickety porch and took in the world around her. There was a blanket of frost covering everything in sight and her breath was making white clouds every time she exhaled. The only sound was the slight rustle of dried leaves each time a gust of wind lifted them and Elizabeth wanted to halt time right there and then, even if just for a while to give her heart and brain a chance to catch up. Everything had been happening so quickly and it was almost like her head had no more space to process anything.
She shivered as the November chill started to take hold. She had felt compelled to watch the sunrise so had padded outside in her pyjamas, wrapped only in a quilt with her bare feet gingerly touching the icy ground. She knew it wasn't the most sensible course of action, especially as she always felt the cold more than most people. But as crazy as it was, she wanted to see a beauty that matched exactly how she was feeling.. A visual for the immense emotion currently filling her.
From the moment she'd met Henry, he had made her feel so many different things. Extremes of emotion that she never thought possible and not all of them good. He was her best friend, her lover and her soulmate… He was her family. The night she'd just spent with him was the most intense, magical experience of her life so far and she'd been scared to sleep too deeply in case it turned out to be a dream.
She had laid there in his arms, feeling his warm breath on her neck and his heart beating against her back and knew without any doubt that he was the love of her life. This was it for her. Henry was it for her. She had watched him sleeping and the overwhelming fear of losing him had hit her like a steam train. Why did he have to go? Why did everyone she loved leave her in one way or another? The rational part of her brain was telling her that he had to follow this path, fulfill his duty and he wasn't leaving her by choice. But irrationality was screaming louder and all she could see was him leaving her behind, and it terrified her.
She headed inside and curled back up into Henry's arms, needing to feel his warmth and presence. She tucked her knees into her chest and placed her feet against his legs, hoping his warmth would thaw her out a little.
"Jesus Christ Elizabeth - Your feet are like blocks of ice." He woke up with quite a start and it made her chuckle.
"Sorry baby, I've been outside." She pulled his arms around her body and sighed as he kissed her neck.
"Why have you been outside? It's freezing and the sun's barely up. Are you ok babe?" He could feel her shivering in his arms and pulled her as close as he could.
"I couldn't sleep and I wanted to see the sunrise. It was so beautiful Henry." Her voice wavered a little as she spoke.
"You see beauty in everything but yourself Elizabeth. What's wrong sweetheart?" He knew her well enough by now to sense when something was bothering her and she definitely wasn't herself.
"Nothing that can't wait." She turned in his arms and the warmth in his eyes radiated through her. "I need to feel close to you.. I need to know this is real Henry...Please make love to me?"
The innocence in her request both elated him and concerned him. Elizabeth had always been so full of passion and confidence, but at that moment she seemed vulnerable and afraid, Yet her beauty was still illuminating the room. He was desperately racking his brain to find the words she obviously needed to hear so badly, but nothing seemed good enough. How could he possibly convey to her that she was every star in the sky, every ounce of his heart and soul — That she was and always would be the love of his life. Words seemed so futile. And he now perfectly understood her request. Her need to feel connected was something he needed too.
"I can't think of anything I'd rather do."
He pulled her up, lifting her effortlessly into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. The mattress dipped as he laid her down ever so gently, fearing she may shatter in his arms if he wasn't careful. The way she was looking at him filled him with a yearning he'd never felt before. She had always pushed his buttons in every way possible, and the passion that coursed through him whenever she was near was usually all consuming. But this was different — This had him transfixed. He was so used to the frantic desperation that preceded sex, seeing her laying there just waiting for him was mesmerising. He watched her lips curl into the faintest of smiles, her chest rise and fall with every excited breath and the ring on her finger sparkle as the tiniest sliver of light caught the diamond. This was a moment that would be etched into his memory for a lifetime. The way she looked, the smell of her perfume and the pure love that he felt for her. Having studied religion, this was the closest thing to heaven he could possibly imagine.
Elizabeth lifted her hips off the mattress just enough to slip her pyjama bottoms downwards, kicking them to the foot of the bed. She then sat herself up and tugged her cami over her head, shivering slightly as the cold air touched her bare skin. She wanted henry so badly but was in no hurry. It wasn't all about reaching a climax or how good it felt, although it always felt so good. What she really needed was his body close to hers. Henry dropped his own pants to the floor and climbed onto the bed, wrapping his arms around her so tightly she could barely catch her breath. Her eyes were glistening and her skin felt so soft as his fingertips ran up and down her spine. As his lips met hers, the usual primal instinct to devour her was now replaced with a compelling need to show her how cherished she was. To prove to her just how much she meant to him and the sensuality it was creating was incredible.
Elizabeth was already getting lost in the moment. The feel of his tongue against hers, the taste of him on her lips and the way his fingers were playing with her hair was both relaxing and arousing. She fell back against the pillows and Henry moved down her body, removing her panties and kissing her centre so delicately she could barely stand the anticipation. She reached down and made contact with his shoulder, causing him to glance up at her. She was shaking her head at him "No, I don't want that - Not now Henry - I need you."
He quickly shifted his body, his chest pressing against hers as he eased himself into her, letting her warmth surround him completely. He slipped one arm under her back, pulling her even closer to him and pressed his other hand into hers, their fingers tangling together as he tightened his grip. His movements were slow and restrained at first, letting her get used to the way he filled her so completely. They were looking at each other as if scared to break eye contact and the smile she gave him made his breath hitch. Their hips moved together at a slow, consistent pace, the passion building steadily at first and their faint moans starting to become rather more pronounced.
The fire within them that had started as a mere flicker was now taking hold at a rapid rate and the need for intimacy was being replaced by sheer lust. Elizabeth lifted her hips, desperate for more than she was getting and the change in angle made her scream out
"Oooohhhh god — Right there."
Henry had been trying so hard to hold back but hearing her scream sent his arousal into overdrive. His thrusts became fervent and the more Elizabeth squealed, the harder he pushed. The sounds she made were irresistible and he could usually read them pretty well, But she was now making noises he'd never heard before and he had no idea what they meant.
"Elizabeth— " Her nails were digging into the back of his hand and she was now writhing underneath him, unable to hold still.
She lifted herself clean off the bed as her orgasm surged through her and Henry could feel the muscles in her back as they rippled under his touch. She wasn't making a sound and seemed to be holding her breath. With one final thrust he let go and spilled into her, jerking fiercely. He looked down at her and she still hadn't let out a breath.
"Elizabeth — Breathe honey." He was starting to feel a little concerned until she gasped for air, collapsing onto the mattress, desperately trying to fill her lungs. He moved away to give her space but she forcefully pulled him back, needing to feel him close.
"Don't go." Her words came out as breathy pants.
"I'm not going anywhere babe — Relax." His own breathing returned to normal relatively quickly. He tried running his hand down her arm in an attempt to soothe her, but it only made her twitch and move away. "I've never known you so sensitive."
She looked up at him and let out a shaky breath "You and I — Everything just keeps getting better and better."
"We are getting pretty damn good at this. But what the hell were those sounds you were making? We'll have dogs queuing up outside."
"Fuck off Henry." She rolled her eyes at him but couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.
"I made you arch off the bed like something out of The Exorcist and you swear at me — That's not nice Elizabeth." His goofy lopsided smirk betrayed his attempt at feigning offence.
She pulled him down to plant a searing kiss on his lips "That was supposed to be slow and romantic. What did you do to me?"
"Hey, that was all you. I can't help how I react to you."
"Well, if that was all me, i'm pretty incredible."
"Finally you see yourself how I see you. You are incredible in every way."
Elizabeth laughed "You do know we've just had sex right? You don't need to sweet talk me — It's a little late."
"Would you just take the damn compliment." He tickled her sides, making her squirm against him.
"Stop Henry — Stop." Her laughter filled the room and for a moment, she forgot everything other than Henry. "Come on Marine, we can't stay here all day. Bath, breakfast and walk?"
"I kinda like the idea of staying right here all day especially if that's how we amuse ourselves."
"I need some fresh air! Come on Henry, let's go."
They had driven back down to the trail to take a long walk. Henry was hoping that now he'd gotten Elizabeth to relax a little, she may open up about what was clearly playing on her mind. But as they walked in silence, she wasn't being overly forthcoming. He knew better than to push her, but couldn't just leave her to wallow in whatever was weighing her down.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong now Elizabeth?"
"Nope." She kept her gaze straight ahead and carried on walking, her hand still firmly gripping his.
"You know I'll keep bugging you until you do, right?"
"Yeah, I know." She flashed him a knowing smile. "But I still won't tell you until I'm ready."
Henry tugged her arm and pulled her closer "You're not pregnant are you?" Elizabeth looked down at the floor and shifted uneasily "Oh fuck! You're pregnant?" Henry was now the one struggling to catch his breath.
"No I'm not pregnant you fool. You haven't even been here! I want to finish college and you're about to leave again — But my god you're easy to wind up." She gave him a nudge and they resumed their stroll until Elizabeth stopped again.
"But what if I had been Henry? I don't even know if this is something you see for us. We're thinking of getting married but have absolutely no idea what we want."
Henry looked a little confused "Okay — Thinking of getting married? I was under the impression we were. Is this what's been bothering you?"
"No - Yes - Maybe. Are you going to leave me behind and never come back?" She felt stupid for letting emotion take over, but couldn't help the tears that were stinging her eyes.
Henry laughed "Are you serious? That ring cost a fortune."
"It's not funny Henry! I'm scared of losing you. You're gonna be all hot with your uniform and your muscles and that stupid sexy grin of yours. What if you realise I'm not what you want and you fall for someone else?" She was almost convincing herself.
He could see she was serious but the cute look on her face was making him melt. "And what if you decide that some math geek gets your heart racing more than I ever could! What then?"
"Hey! I'm a math geek."
"Exactly, and look how fucking hot you are." He hated the thought of her feeling so insecure but found her jealousy rather alluring. "You are everything. There is nobody but you. You must know that by now, surely? I will always come back for you."
"Swear to me Henry. I can't lose anyone else, you have to stay safe."
He wrapped his arms around her "I swear I will never leave you, even if you are a geek. I'm going to marry you and we'll have a whole crazy, happy life."
"The crazy part is all you! And what about having babies? Because it's something I really want Henry. Obviously not yet but when the time is right and I can't compromise on that."
"We'll have as many as you want. And just think of the fun we'll have making them." He pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss "Are you okay now?"
"I'm scared Henry and I'll be scared every time you have to go. I just get freaked out by it all. Everything can change so quickly and I love you so much."
"I love you too babe. We just have to take this a step at a time. And I haven't gone yet so let's enjoy the time we have."
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Henry's neck and smiled at him. That mischievous smile that always meant the same thing "Hey Henry.."
"Oh no! Don't look at me like that Elizabeth." He could feel her breath in his ear as she moved closer.
"Wanna go fuck in the woods?" Her voice was low and sultry,
"Elizabeth! Stop it — We can't" Henry's voice on the other hand was now somewhat high pitched.
"Ha! I'm only messing with you." Her laughter filled the air around them "It's way too cold and I don't really want to get my ass hauled off to jail for public indecency. But your face was priceless."
"That isn't amusing — What if I'd said yes?"
"Well Henry McCord — I guess that's just something you'll never know! Now take me back to the cabin and feed me, I'm starving."