Author's Notes: This is probably one of the last few chapters before the inevitable separation occurs. But I promise I will continue the story until our couple is reunited in permanent skewed bliss. Reviews are greatly appreciated.
Part 13
Age 12 Years 8 Months
Lying in Jack's arms, Samantha smiled and pulled a rose petal that had fallen on his head. Never had she felt more happy or content than she did at the moment and Samantha wished they could stay in the rose filled clearing forever. Today was every bit as delightful as she had imagined last night would be and more. As Jack's mouth teased hers, she felt slightly sore but in the most pleasurable way. Looking into her husband's eyes, she was glad they had gotten married and would always belong to one another.
"What are you thinking?" Jack asked softly.
"That I wish we could stay right here, just like this forever. And I'm thinking that I love my husband, very much," Samantha answered and pressed her lips to his.
"Let's stay then."
Samantha laughed and said, "Be serious."
"I am being serious. Last night when I thought you didn't love me, it was the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Today has been so beautiful and I never want it to end. Sometimes I'm afraid of what will happen when we return to Ohio."
"Jack, nothing is ever going to come between us. We're married and have our whole lives ahead of us."
"Let's stay, we could get jobs and rent a room from Konstantine and Sofia," Jack suggested, only half jokingly.
Raising up on one elbow, Samantha asked, "Do you think we'll still be that close when we're their age? I mean, looking at them, you can tell how much they love each other. Is that how it will be with us?"
Looking thoughtful for a moment, Jack responded, "No." Seeing his wife's shocked expression, he smiled as he added, "I think we'll be even more in love when we're they're age, because I already love you more than any man has loved a woman."
Smiling, Samantha, pulled away and started to get dressed, the sun was starting to set and they would have to leave before much longer. Jack followed suit, though he too was reluctant to end their afternoon's idyll. If they lived to be twice Konstantine and Sofia's age, he would never forget today. Every moment was burned into his memory and would be treasured for years to come.
"Jack, can we come back tomorrow?"
"If you like."
"And the next day too?" she asked teasingly.
"Samantha, we can come here every day for as long as you wish. As soon as I turn sixteen and can become legally emancipated from my parents, I'll buy this place if you like."
Looking at her husband with disbelief, she pressed, "Really?"
When he nodded her eyes went wide with wonder. They could actually own this beautiful place! Rushing into Jack's arms, Samantha planted kisses all over his face. Then kissed him deeply. Just when she thought Jack couldn't surprise her, he did something which made her love him even more. Slowly they began to walk back to the car.
That evening at the motel's restaurant, they ate voraciously, starved from their afternoon's exertions. The young couple's smiles were brighter tonight than they had been even before last night's disaster, Sofia noted with satisfaction. Wrapping an arm around her husband's waist, the middle aged woman, dabbed a tear from her eyes as she watched the young honeymooners. Konstantine pressed a kiss to his wife's cheek and lead her over to the table so they could check on their young guests.
"This is what I like to see," Konstantine declared. "Happy honeymooner on the Giving Thanks."
"And this year there is much to be thankful for," Samantha told him. Blushing slightly, she thanked Sofia for her advice.
"Is good you have the happy mouth and not the sad eyes."
"Someday, I hope we can repay you for your kindness," Samantha told her.
"Maybe remember us when babies are birthed when you are older," Konstantine suggested.
"All right," Jack agreed. "Chloe Sofia if we have a daughter."
"And Jack Konstantine if we have a boy," Samantha added. Then whispered in Jack's ear and he blushed as she suggested they go to their room and practice right away.
The older couple beamed with pleasure, then grinned wickedly as Jack paid their tab and they headed towards their room. Although Jack and Samantha felt slightly embarrassed that their hosts knew what they were leaving to do, they were far to anxious to let it deter them. As soon as they were out of the restaurant, they kissed deeply, then Samantha grabbed Jack's hand and started running towards their room.
Though the room lacked the fairytale quality of the clearing, the pair lit the candles around the room and undressed quickly. Moving to the bed, their mouth met in a slow and sensual kiss. Feeling emboldened, Samantha pushed Jack down and climbed on top of him. His eyes went wide as his bride started to ride him, slow and uncertainly at first, then faster and harder. The sensation was slightly different from this afternoon, but definitely enjoyable, Jack decided. When they finally surrendered to sleep they were both completely exhausted from their day.
Rain greeted the couple the next day so they had to delay their trip back to the wild roses until another day. Shyly, Jack suggested that since the bathtub was so big, they might try bathing together. Together they filled the tub with warm water and some of Sam's rose scented bubble bath and then climbed in. Water sloshed onto the floor and laughter filled the air as they caressed one another. The warmth was soothing and Samantha lay against Jack's chest immersed in the bubbles until they began to prune.
Over the course of a week, they explored the mysteries of love making every day, again and again. On every day but the rainy day, they went back to where the wild roses grew and one day even went skinny dipping in the pond. When at last it was time to leave, they hugged their hosts good-bye and Jack left an envelope stuffed with the money he'd planned to spend at the Four Seasons. The For Seasons motel had turned out to be a blessing in disguise and he hoped Konstantine and Sofia would be able to use the money he left. Seeing her husband leave the fifteen thousand dollar tip in an envelope, Samantha smiled, it was so very Jack.
As they began to drive northward towards Ohio, the weather was starting to shift. The warm air of Memphis gave way to cold winter winds and Jack had a sinking feeling...
