The storm was still raging outside, but now, it had started to weaken.
The night was dark and the wood in the oven crackled lightly. Alexandra and Jonathan had fallen into a deep sleep, still holding each other, exhausted by their act of love.
Now Jonathan got up to put more wood into the oven and to prepare some tea. Alexandra had turned onto her side and when she noticed Jonathan was awake, she raised her head and for a while, gazed at Jonathan without saying anything, supporting her head with her hand. She was observing him, preparing the tea and looking for something in the shelf.
He was still naked, his skin gleaming in the soft light of the oil lamp. How beautiful he was! Alexandra felt a shiver run down her back. By now, Jonathan had noticed Alexandra gazing at him and he smiled lightly. He pulled a small package off a shelf, poured water on the tea, placed it all aside and walked back towards Alexandra. He lay down next to her and bent over her. She embraced Jonathan and he kissed her softly.
"I've found some cookies in the shelf.", he said in a low voice. He was hungry and so was Alexandra. "I'm sorry, but it was the only thing I could find here…"
"Don't worry...", she responded softly and ran her hand through Jonathan's thick black hair.
They gazed into each other's eyes.
"It was so wonderful with you, Alex.. I still can't believe all this really happened.."
"I feel the same way..", Alexandra whispered and smiled. So did Jonathan. She could feel her heart beating faster.
"I love you, Jonathan. I want you to know that.. whatever happens.. I love you."
Alexandra's words burned themselves into Jonathan's soul and into his heart. At this moment, there wasn't anything more wonderful in this world but to hear this from her. And he wanted her to know how he felt, too.
He was fighting his tears as he confessed his love.
Jonathan had once heard the words Having the good fortune of loving someone so much as you only have once in your life'. He had always thought he'd been at a disadvantage - he had never felt loved, like this and he hadn't believed he would ever be. Jonathan also didn't think he himself was capable of feeling this way, of loving another person, a girl, a woman – until now…
Having the good fortune of loving someone so much as you only have once in your life' - to Jonathan, this good fortune was now his and the person he loved so much was Alexandra.