I sincerely apologize for being unable to write during the summer, due to a myriad of computer issues, causing me to lose what I had already written for our story.

But gratefully, we're back, and I hope you very much enjoy our new Chapter of Endless with Nathan and Elizabeth!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Here we go...

Chapter One-Hundred Twenty-Eight: Honeymoon Day Three - A Perfect Day

The morning sun seeped through their porthole windows, gently waking Nathan from his deep slumber.

He drew his hand to his face as if to wipe the rays of light away, shading his eyes and opening them just enough to check on Elizabeth, who was sound asleep, curled up against him.

He couldn't help but smile, as he was sure she had never looked more beautiful with her hair laying across his shoulder in the morning light, even though she was pushing him out of their smaller berth!

Yes, his wife was a snuggler, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Although she had a tendency to push him further and further to the edge each night, till he was sure at some point soon, he'd end up on the floor!

But it would be totally worth it…

A very small price to pay!

He couldn't help but smile at the thought.

Overcome with love for his new wife, he reached to lightly kiss the top of her head.

As he awoke more fully, it took him a moment to realize where they were - till he felt the gentle back and forth rocking of the boat.

Yes, it was coming back to him - their stunning new sailboat, the one their parents had surprised them with as a wedding gift.

Well, actually 'shocked them' with would be a more accurate term!

He shifted slightly to get a bit more comfortable, as his feet were on the very edge of their berth, with his toes precariously dangling over the edge, and half of his right leg balancing on the very air alongside the length of their berth!

Fortunately, he was agile, and knew how to balance!

He bent his knees, pulling his feet toward him, steadying himself from the ledge.

But it was no use. He was now fully awake. Ready for his morning coffee!

He gently extricated himself from his beautiful wife who by now was taking up at least three-quarters of their berth, if not more!

He now knew she wouldn't be disturbed, as she was a very deep sleeper.

But he still quietly slipped from their berth, and made his way, walking as lightly as he could into their galley, trying to get his bearings.

"First to find the pot…" he mumbled to himself.

Rummaging as quietly as possible, soon locating it.

He felt like whistling, due to his sheer contentment and the excitement the new dawn was bringing, but was afraid the shrillness of the sound might wake her in such close quarters.

"There it is! Now to find the coffee…" he mumbled to himself.

He stretched as far as their cabin would allow, and yawned, then placed his arm up with his hand on the largest galley cabinet, ready to open its door, when he immediately felt her presence, and looked over, with a quick intake of breath, resulting in a noticeable gasp!

Without a thought, and any sort of control whatsoever, a very different whistle than he had previously been contemplating cascaded through his lips!

A most piercing whistle…

She was standing there in the doorway of their berth looking - well he wasn't sure of the perfect word, as a cacophony of them came jumbling through his mind.

However, he couldn't utter a single one of them through his open lips!

Not a single one.

As though he were paralyzed.

She smiled both coyly and flirtatiously…

With only their berth sheet wrapped loosely around her.

In what was less than a matter of seconds, he was lifting her back into their berth!

Forgetting all about his morning coffee and anything else for that matter…

Later, both were going about preparing for their day, still glowing from each other's touch.

Elizabeth quickly packed only the things they really needed to take back to the lodge with them, trying to save them as much work as possible!

While at the same time, Nathan was cleaning up the galley after cooking their breakfast.

"Did I wake you earlier, Darling?"

"No," she cooed, slipping up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Your absence did!" she whispered, while on tiptoes.

He turned and drew her to him.

"I love you especially much this morning!" he whispered.

"That's funny," she giggled, looking all refreshed. "Because I love you especially much this morning, too! I don't think I've ever slept so well in my entire life!"

He laughed, "That's because you fit perfectly in the berth!"

"Poor Baby! It was a little short for you, wasn't it?"

He refrained from saying, 'And a little narrow too,' instead, diplomatically going back to the question at hand.

"Nothing I can't handle! You know, I honestly think it was the way we were sleeping. Next time, I'll make sure my pillow is all the way to the top! You might say, someone kind of jumbled our bedclothes," he winked with a grin.

She laughed, knowing she was the guilty party at hand!

"Not me," she teased, deflecting and then adroitly changed the subject. "What are we doing today?"

"I'm taking you to someplace very special! My gift to you. And I can't wait!"

"We're riding!" she exclaimed excitedly. "And I get a gift, too?"

"You better believe, we're riding! And it's a pretty special gift if I do say so myself! I'll pack us up a lunch at the lodge, and we'll get started!"

"Sounds perfect! But I'll help, too!"

He kissed her, loving her enthusiasm over riding any time, any day!

They both were always willing to ride, and especially together.

He turned back to rinse his last dish, then drained the dishwater.

"Okay, all finished!" he smiled, throwing his towel up on a metal hook over the small sink, and looking out through the porthole over it.

"It's really misty this morning! Looks damp," he warned.

"If you'll get the two pieces of luggage, I'll get the painting paraphernalia," bartered Elizabeth. "I have to leave my canvas, as it's still not perfectly dry!"

"Here, I think I can juggle the luggage and your easel if you'll wedge it under my arm. That way you can get your brushes and paints and not have to worry about having to rearrange everything! Oh, and Lisbeth, did you put your book of poetry in the luggage?"

"Already done, Darling! I barely let that book out of my sight! Although I hardly need it, with you knowing most of the poems by heart!" she teased.

He smiled listening to the jangle of her charms, as she did a quick last-minute sweep through to make sure she hadn't missed anything.

Yes, he had always loved Emerson!

So much so, that it came naturally to recall his words.

"Come, Love! We have a perfect day waiting for us!" he urged.

"It's already started out pretty perfect if you ask me!" she stated with a pointed grin.

They both laughed as they sat everything down to grab one last embrace onboard…

They deboarded and hurried through the mists from Lake Granda, back to their lodge, feeling damp and ready for a hot bath by the time they got there.

"I'll draw the water. You, my Love, change out of those damp clothes before you get sick!"

Nathan prepared their hot baths, then changed out of his own damp clothes, wrapping himself in a large towel, waiting on Elizabeth before he jumped in, in case she needed a temperature adjustment in her water.

He was quickly learning her likes and dislikes, as she was learning his.

He smiled thinking about it.

They just seemed to meld with each other, everything was easy between them, nothing awkward or contrived.

"Oh, Nathan, you're spoiling me!"

He gallantly helped her into her tub, then jumped into his, dropping his towel to the floor, both ready to get warm and get ready for their day.

"This might be my favorite time of the day!" she enthused. "Nothing to do except being with each other and luxuriating in the water."

"It is pretty special," and his look told her exactly how much. "You get to relax, Darling, because I've going to saddle Newton and Sargent! So no rush!"

"You really are spoiling me! Is it terrible that I love it?'

"That's what honeymoons are for!" he laughed, but then got serious. "Actually, I think that's just an important part of being married, period, pampering your spouse from now on, making them feel special every day. In fact, I think that should be written in the wedding vows!"

She got a far-away look.

"Hmm, I never thought of it in that way, before. But, I think you just might be right. Always putting the other person's desires first, that should be our mantra!"

"Absolutely," he concurred.

"You know, these last three days have been the happiest of my life, Nathan! And it's all because of you! What makes you happy, Darling?"

"The simple things. Walking to Church with you, Allie and Jack. Waking up in the morning next to you. Falling asleep beside you. This," and he paused to smile at her. "Sharing this and everything else. Hearing you laugh. Watching you smile. Listening to the kids as they explore together and discover something new. Hugging the kids. Playing with them. Teaching them. Cooking with you. Riding with you. Doing anything with you and with the children."

Her throat closed as she started to speak.

Every single thing he had mentioned was about her and their new family.

And it overpowered her, the depth of his love and that he was secure enough in his own skin and selfless enough to already know what was really important to him.

Which was clearly and wholly his new wife and family.

That, in itself, made her feel as cherished as a woman could possibly feel.

"Life really is about the little things, isn't it?"

"Yes, Babe, I believe it is… that and family. You know, I never dreamed a man could be this happy, this fulfilled. I just want to spend my life giving you and our family as much love as I can possibly give. That's what will make me happy."

He said it simply and profoundly, and her heart soared. If she had done anything right in her life, it was marrying this humble, good man.

He was already her rock, and she knew it.

And she wanted more than anything to be his.

He reached across for her hand, bubbles and all, as they silently laid in their tubs, united by their contentment, their touch, and each other, enjoying the quiet intimate moments together.

But then, like a couple of kids, breaking the silence without warning, of course, came their obligatory and somewhat competitive, very splashy bubble fight!

With bubbles flying everywhere, complete with the sound of their raucous laughter.

And yes, they were keeping score...

Later in the kitchen, after one wet bathroom was thoroughly mopped, they puttered trying to get a decent picnic lunch together.

"Yum. Your sandwiches always look so good! What are we having today?"

"I found something you're not going to believe. Mom hid one of her famous Brown Sugared Hams in the back of the icebox. And let me tell you, you are in for a real treat!"

"Really? What's different about them?"

"Well, she won't tell her secrets, but I know for a fact, there's an awful lot of Brown Sugar involved," he teased. "Tons of it! And I think some Maple Syrup, but don't tell her I told you! Seriously, she takes these to every potluck we've ever gone to. And I can tell you as big as they are, they're the first thing gone! She's gotten so she takes two, now, to the bigger events."

"I'm getting excited! They must be really good."

"Here," and he handed her a taste.

'Oh, my goodness! Nathan, this is scrumptious! I've never had a ham like that before. Another bite, please, please, please!"

He laughed, cutting her off a bigger bite, and feeding it to her.

"Told you Mother can cook!"

"I'll never doubt that again. I think she needs to give me a crash course in cooking! Here, while you finish that, I'll pack some salads and veggies! Oh, I almost forgot. I've got to make a dip for the veggies."

They stood there working companionably in their kitchen together, with Nathan whistling a happy tune, and Elizabeth trying to place it.

But all in all, the contentment and happiness of their new marriage filled the room, overflowing from their own hearts, out into the large space.

"I can't believe this is our kitchen, our lodge!" she marveled.

"Trust me, these are the hands that built this Darling," and he held up his hands, bending to kiss her forehead. "It is most definitely ours!"

"Which makes it a million times more special," she smiled, reaching to kiss his cheek.

"Here we go, sandwiches are now finished! And since you love the ham so much, I made extra, just in case you get famished! We can't have a starved painter, you know! I also fried up some potato chips while you were dressing. They go perfectly with our sandwiches and travel well! Hope you like them. Mother taught me how to do that, too!"

"Is there anything you can't do? I'm going to have to up my kitchen game for sure!"

He laughed, "I only know a few tricks as far as cooking is concerned! But the chips are Allie's favorite thing for us to make together! That and popcorn, of course! Oh, and chocolate pudding with marshmallows!"

"You'll have to show me how to do the chips and the four of us will make them together for our first family picnic!"

He smiled, "I love the sound of that. A family picnic…it's a deal!"

Elizabeth packaged up the salads and her veggies, then quickly made a sweet pickle relish and sour cream dip, throwing in a kick of horseradish and a splash of peppery heat.

Then she packed it all in ice to keep everything cold and crisp.

"Oops, remembered the wine, but almost forgot the coffee!" exclaimed Nathan.

She looked sheepish.

"I'll make the coffee if you make us some of your Mother's Orange Spice Tea. I really loved it!"

"Okay, it's a deal! Here, I'll get the stuff for the tea, and then show you how!"

As she finished putting the coffee on the stove, he began to mix the tea, placing his arm around her as often as he could.

With her laughing and stealing a kiss as often as she could…

"It's the perfect morning to ride!" she exclaimed, as they mounted Newton and Sargent, who were loaded down with food and everything necessary to paint, including the canvas and easel, as well as the paints, and brushes!

"Lisbeth, every day's a perfect day to ride with you! I think it just might be my favorite thing for the two of us to do!" he winked. "But today is extra beautiful because it's your day!"

"Aren't you going to give me any hints on where we're going!"

"Of course. It's someplace you've never been before. And we do now own it!"

"Very cute. But will I like it?"

"You'll love it!"

"Is there a building there?"

"Not that I know of…but that's your last question!"

"I love surprises, but…"

"You just have to know what they are! You do know that makes them non-surprises, don't you?" he said, reaching out with his long arm to tweak her nose. "You are positively worse than a child at Christmas!"

She laughed, and they galloped off through the wind.

"Well, if you won't tell me, we're going to at least ride faster, so we'll get there quicker!" she called.

"You are so bad! What happened to enjoying a nice leisurely ride?"

She laughed as she and Sargent pulled out ahead, leaving Nathan and Newton in the dust!

"Come on boy, show her what you've got!" urged Nathan.

And Newton did exactly that!

In no time at all, they were back at Elizabeth's and Sargent's side.

"Ma'am, I have a question," asked Nathan coolly, as he formally tipped his hat. "How are you going to lead, if you don't know where we're going? The surprise is actually …that way!"

And he proudly pointed in the opposite direction!

He loved watching her face turn bright red…

Then with his lop-sided grin, he turned on a dime, and this time left Elizabeth in the dust, both laughing as she tried her best to catch up with him.

"I suppose you do have a point," she laughed, still pouting she had been bested!

"Don't you worry! We'll get them back, Sargent!"

But when they caught up with them again, all she wanted to do was kiss her husband.

Nathan leaned over from Newton, granting her unspoken wish, his kiss sending tingles throughout her entire body…leaving her nonplussed, and leaving him grinning, both in the best sort of ways.

'How does he do that?' she asked inwardly.

As it always amazed her, even stumped her.

Did most couples have that kind of physical connection? If so, she hadn't heard of it. Not in real life, at least!

They traveled on, closer together this time, till he led her through a clearing, and in an instant, Elizabeth was in total awe.

"This has to be the most exquisite thing I have ever seen in my life!"

"This is your present, Darling! Welcome to your very own backyard garden!" and he stretched to kiss her once more.

As far as they could see were the most beautiful wildflowers, every variety, every color, kinds she had never even seen before.

And they went on for acres and acres! It was a plethora of the most stunning wildflowers.

Only a brook divided the two meadows.

It was a most beautiful, wide, fast-moving river of liquid, deep but with crystal clear, sparkling water that gurgled over mossy rocks, smoothed over time by the power of the water gliding over them, later collecting nature's green dense moss as a cover.

"Follow me closely along the brook, Darling. Don't step out ahead as there's a hidden ravine close by that you come upon suddenly. So be careful, and let Newton lead the way."

Sure enough, before long, Newton expertly skirted around the ravine, showing Sargent the way, till Nathan slowed his steed when they finally came to the perfectly cleared spot he was looking for.

Elizabeth was breathless and so excited.

"This is positively the most romantic spot I've ever seen! It's like Paradise!"

He quickly dismounted and lifted her from Newton, holding her tiny waist between his long slender hands, looking directly into her beautiful eyes!

She enveloped him in her arms, hugging his neck with all her might.

"I think this is the best present I've ever been given, my own Secret Garden!"

He kissed her passionately, lighting a fire deep inside her, and she returned his passion in equal measure, if not even more.

"I'm so happy! This is perfection. And it's perfect for painting. Promise we'll come back again and again!"

"As often as you like. It's yours, Darling. Without a doubt, I knew this would be your favorite part of our land. Like God created it just for you! Nathaniel tells me the flowers change with the seasons, and of course, they return every year, fuller and more beautiful than ever! His Elizabeth adored this spot, too!"

"That's so beautiful that they've passed something they loved so very much, on to us, for us to love it, too. Why it's a floral extravaganza! A little Utopia that's just ours, alone!"

Nathan smiled, then lifted their hampers down from the horses, and started unpacking them as Elizabeth just walked through the flowers mesmerized, snapping shot after shot with her camera, from around her neck.

He patiently spread out their lunch, then walked to the edge of the flowers to pick a bouquet for his wife.

"Lunch is ready, Darling!" he called.

She ran through the fields quickly, missing him, but oh, so very excited over what she had seen.

As she ran to kiss him, he smiled and she lunged for him, so full of the excitement and wonder he loved her for.

He lifted her to him.

Then he brought his lips to hers, and 'almost' made her forget about all her excitement over the garden, changing it entirely to a different, even more important version of excitement.

Because in her heart, nothing, no matter how splendid, could even begin to compare to him, her husband of fewer than three days.

How could they feel so completely comfortable together?

And then she knew.

It was meant to be!

They were meant to be!

From the moment they met, they had been meant to be, and there had never been a single doubt for either one of them.

"I love you more than I thought it was possible to love, my Darling!"

He held her close, nuzzling his cheek against her neck.

"It's exactly the same for me, Love! But now, let's eat so you can paint. You've got to be hungry after that ride. And you don't want to miss your best light. Shall we pray?"

"Please!"

They held hands as Nathan led in prayer.

"Dear Father, We come to you with humbled hearts, thanking You for the gift of your beauty in this, Elizabeth's new garden. May it be a beautiful source of pleasure for years to come. We thank You for each other and for this most special time together, and we thank You for the food we are about to receive. Amen."

"Amen, Darling!"

"Oh, Nathan, you picked flowers for me! That's so sweet!"

He winked in acknowledgment.

"I brought some wine that's already chilled. What is your pleasure?"

"Oh, let's start with the wine, and move to the tea!"

Nathan poured the wine into the stemmed glasses he had slipped into the hamper.

"To your Secret Garden, Elizabeth!"

"To my Most Secret Garden, another splendid gift from my Husband!"

"Oh, this sandwich is unbelievably good! And your chips. Nathan, Jack will love these. They are absolutely delicious!"

"Your salads and dip are great, too. We make a pretty good team, don't we?"

"The best!" she answered throwing her arms around him.

After they were almost too full to eat another bite, Nathan brought out pieces of their Wedding Cake, and they fed them to each other by the gurgling brook, so beautiful right there beside them!

"Does this get better every time we have a piece?"

"I think it does! But I also think I'm about ready to paint!"

Nathan finished feeding her the last bites, then got up to set up her easel, returning to graze his lips against hers, and ending up somewhere at her neck, making her forget all about her painting.

He held her and gently placed her beside him on their blanket, taking in her beauty, admiring every single thing about his new wife, caressing the woman he adored.

After one last fulminant kiss, they parted, both knowing Elizabeth was itching to paint her garden…

"You paint, and I'll read right here, watching you as you work! Enjoy your painting, Love!"

Nathan found a spot under the trees, and moved his blanket near Newton, stretching out leaning against a large boulder, opening his book to start the first page.

He couldn't resist glancing up at her periodically, watching her intensity as she painted.

This was total contentment.

He read for about an hour, and then unintentionally fell sound asleep with his hat pulled down over his face. Not realizing for a moment, he looked as handsome and rugged as a man could look, stretched out in his old, worn ranch clothes.

For some unknown reason, Elizabeth was having trouble getting the flowers just right in her painting.

But when she turned around and saw Nathan, she knew why instantly.

She needed contrast, a subject among all these beautiful flowers, and there he was…

She was overjoyed just watching him, feeling her immense love for him, and she instantly knew he was what she had to capture.

Her husband…on their honeymoon.

She couldn't help but giggle, because she knew the only way Nathan would allow her to paint him, would be this way when he was sleeping without any knowledge of it whatsoever.

So she intended to take full advantage of this golden opportunity!

She giggled again softly, as to not wake him, even motioned for Newton to shush, just in case.

Then she started painting with fervor, now thoroughly enjoying her view more than ever.

Her attentive and beloved husband.

Brave beyond words.

Good and kind.

Handsome and rugged.

Loving parent.

Remarkable in so many ways.

And sound asleep.

Yesterday's sailing had worn him out, after an already stressful week, and still unknown to her, he hadn't gotten much sleep during the night on their boat.

But, he was thankfully, making up for it now.

She couldn't help but smile…

This was Heaven on Earth.

To be with him was Heaven on Earth, even when sleeping!

She was more at peace than she had ever been in her entire life, here in her Most Secret Garden.

But it wasn't the garden.

She knew deep in her heart, it was Nathan.

Jack was her first love and the father of her first son, and he would always be that, but Nathan was her forever love.

He was her present and her glorious future.

As she looked up to the Heavens, Elizabeth knew Jack approved of her new husband completely, both as her husband and as Little Jack's father!

She had known that for a very long while, as Jack had made it abundantly clear to her, and now, the Grants were a real couple, a real family!

Constable and Mrs. Grant and the Grant Family.

And she still knew that fact to be true!

They had Jack's blessing.

Somehow she also knew Jack wasn't left out, that he was still part of their new family.

Nathan had always accepted him, respected him, and even respected their love for each other.

He wasn't the slightest bit jealous of their past together.

In fact, he said it was those past experiences, her ability to love completely, and her strength to overcome her loss, that in part, made her the woman he loved.

A peace, that she couldn't remember ever having known before, came over her and filled her with ebullient joy and the deepest contentment that reached the depths of her soul.

"Oh how I love you, my Darling! You've made our lives complete and healed us in ways we didn't even know we were broken! And I think even Jack, too. He doesn't have to worry about Little Jack and me anymore. With my whole being, I adore you, Nathan Grant."

And she knew he loved her in exactly the same way, completely, deeply, steadfastly.

And always would.

He showed her every single day, all through each day, and each night.

Now she just had to figure out ways to show him how very much she loved him, to pamper him, as this was their new commitment to each other.

One she was determined to never fail at…

As the brilliant sun started to settle in the afternoon sky, Elizabeth realized she needed to wake her husband.

But so as to not startle him, she laid down beside him.

Yet, even in his sleep, he instinctively gathered her to him in that crook of his arm, that by now she knew so very well.

She raised her head the slightest, to try to determine just how deep his sleep was.

He was a much lighter sleeper than her, but then again he was trained to be.

He was startled, as her face came within inches of his…

"Lisbeth, oh no, I fell asleep…are you okay?"

"I'm perfect, Darling, Just missing you," and she kissed him to prove it.

He raised up on one arm.

"How did your painting go?"

"Oh, I'd say a hundred on a scale of ten…" she beamed.

"That good, huh!"

She laughed.

"Even better," she taunted.

"Let's see!"

"Oh, no you don't, I get some surprises, too! The watercolors dried almost instantly in the sun, and it's all packed away!"

"Did you get a good feel for the flowers?" he asked innocently.

"Yeah! Just not quite as good as another subject I focused on."

He looked at Sargent, then Newton, and his eyes got bright.

"You painted the horses!"

"Maybe in the background, one or two…"

Then the light began to slowly dawn.

"Elizabeth Grant, you didn't!"

"I did! And it's beautiful!"

"Great, just what I always wanted, being painted sleeping on my Honeymoon, with my wife calling me beautiful! You are in so much trouble!"

"You promise?" she asked innocently.

"Oh, boy do I ever promise!" he vociferously declared, with a gleam in his eye.

She started running, laughing through the flowers, creating a temporary maze of sorts.

But Nathan was a keen tracker. He knew when to hold back, and he also knew how to circumvent his prey.

So, he came after her, but not as she expected, and not before he snuck a glimpse of her painting, with that lop-sided grin exploding across his face at the sight of it!

She looked back toward the brook, but by then, he wasn't anywhere in sight.

Then suddenly out of nowhere, having crouched low, he appeared, grabbing her from behind…

There was a playful shriek, but there was no fear; just a bit of startlement while laughing!

For she knew his scent, his arms, his hands, and even his breath.

And right then and there, he pulled her down with him to the earth, in the very middle of their very own bucolic and campestral field, exploding with vibrant color, flowers under them and all about them.

Filled with Blues of all shades in the Striking Blue Anemone, Gigantic Bachelor Buttons, larger than they'd ever seen, Blue Salvia, Northern Blue Flag Iris, and more.

Complemented by Yellow in the form of Little Yellow Daisies, Larger Goldenrod, Monkey Flowers, Salsify, and Huge Sunflowers.

Offset by the brightest of Oranges, in Larger Bright Buttercups, Cosmos, Orange & Sulphur Poppies, Poet Orange Tassel Flowers, and so many more.

Then came the rich deep Purples of the Leafy Asters, Columbia Kittentails, Creeping Charlie, Dagger Pod, Foxglove, Lupine, Phlox, and Sweetvetch - all stunningly beautiful in their majesty.

Totally compatible with the rich and varied shades of Pink brought forth via the Bleeding Heart, Doves Foot Geranium, Farewell to Spring, Harlequin Lupine, Henderson's Shooting Star, the Gorgeous Mountain Pride, Pussypaws, Redbud, Swamp Onion, and even Twining Snake Lilies!

Last but not least, came the brilliant Reds, aflame throughout the meadows in the form of Autumn Sage, Cosmos, Indian paintbrush in a hundred varieties, Redclaws, Scarlet Milkvetch, Ocotillo, Skyrocket, Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Western Columbine, and Elizabeth's favorite Cardinal Flower.

All of these brilliant colors were thoughtfully tempered by a mass of simple White wildflowers running throughout, cooling everything down, contrasting and emphasizing the brilliant colors, via White Allium in a variety of plants from Brandegee's Onion to Mountain Swamp Onion, Common Yarrow, White Sand Verbena, and so much more!

To put it simply, the couple was truly surrounded by a little piece of Heaven, with chirping birds soaring above them, bees buzzing around them too busy gathering nectar to sting, butterflies flitting everywhere, and soft breezes caressing them under the heat of the sun.

They were surrounded by nature, all of it, laying their love bare and magnifying it like never before.

Words were simply not needed, but Nathan had done his homework, and as they tore themselves apart from their embrace to lie on their backs, side by side, holding each other's hand with their fingers entwined, looking to the Heavens, flowers of every kind surrounded them, touching them and wafting their beautiful scents over them.

This was the moment he had imagined, and he wanted his gift to be complete!

Though normally sparing of words, he knew words were needed for such a special moment as this.

So he had put that photographic memory of his to work, and lovingly completed his research!

The teacher's new husband was about to teach the teacher…

And in this ravishing field of meadow bursting with color, he whispered the words of wisdom he had collected, regarding gardens, life, and love so that only Elizabeth and the birds above could hear.

Christening her Most Secret Garden with his beautiful words of love…

"Would you like to hear famous words describing wildflowers?" he asked, his eyes sparkling.

She was intrigued and whispered, " Oh, yes, please!"

"Let's start with a Poet you once quoted to me via a written note, your first to me, responding to my request for a most formal first date, my Love. Which I still have, inside my Bible."

"That's so romantic! I'll never forget that night as long as I live."

And then from memory, because he had read it a thousand times, 'You've so distracted me, your absence fans my love.'" (*83)

"You just gave it away, Love, because I remember that note and quote well!"

He laughed, "You are without a doubt the most competitive person I know. I was going to be kind and not test you…but if you insist, no hints! I've already told you these first few, so guesses don't count with these! But they are fairly beautiful and warrant revisiting."

"What is the heart? A flower opening." (*84)

"If you were a blade of grass or a tiny flower I will pitch my tent in your shadow. Only your presence revives my withered heart. You are the candle that lights the whole world and I am an empty vessel for your light." (*85)

"I am your moon and your moonlight too. I am your flower garden and your water too. I have come all this way, eager for you."Without shoes or shawl, I want you to laugh to kill all your worries, to love you, to nourish you." (*86)

"Those are beautiful, and I must admit I've never heard all of those, Darling!"

"All Rumi, a Persian Poet from the 13th Century! Amazing that his words have lasted throughout time!" he smiled.

Elizabeth had already snuggled in close to her husband, but now she turned toward him watching as he spoke, placing her arm across his chest, holding him.

"Okay, my Darling, these are total give-aways…"

"If you look the right way, you can see the whole world is a garden." (*87)

"As long as you have a garden you have a future and as long as you have a future you are alive." (*88)

"The Secret Garden," she cried! (*89)

"Doesn't count without her name," he ruled.

"Oh, I know that one! It's Francis Hodgson Burnett! I love her!"

He reached to kiss her on her sweet lips, still able to taste the hint of wine they had just drank.

"And of course, the classic, "And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles." (*90)

"I love that book, even now. Every time I read it to the children, it's like I'm reading it for the first time again!"

"Here's another one: "If we could see the magic of a single flower, clearly our whole life would change." (*91)

"Oh, that one's hard! Is that one fair?"

"It's absolutely fair!"

"Just one hint!"

"Hmm," he ruminated. "Also a teacher!"

"You said she?"

"No, ma'am, I did not! Nor did I say he. I said 'a teacher!' And you're trying to trip me up!"

She grinned, because she had been caught, as that was exactly what she was trying to do!

Yes, Mrs. Elizabeth Grant, teacher extraordinaire, was desperate for a clue!

"This is so unfair!" she pouted. "I suppose we should go to the next one, and come back to this when I've gotten all the others!"

"My, aren't we smug?"

"No, Darling, just extremely confident!"

He laughed.

"You're a tough one to stump, you know that?" as he absent-mindedly rubbed her arm laying over his chest.

"I'm a teacher. I have to be!"

"I suppose it would be pretty bad to flunk the teacher!"

"Although you're giving it your best shot!" she laughed.

"Me? Never! The quote was by Buddha, Love! Here's one: 'Love is like wildflowers, it's often found in the most unlikely places!'" (*92)

"That has to be Emerson!"

"We have a winner! Ralph Waldo Emerson to be exact!"

"Where the most beautiful wildflowers grow, there man's spirit is fed and poets grow." (*93)

"Oh, no," she wailed.

He had done it again because her face was full of dismay, and part of him felt so bad, he almost relented, but the bigger part of him was loving stumping his new wife!

So he grinned and went with silent!

"That is so unfair. I already can't concentrate and then you flash that grin!" she heavily sighed. "And I'm a complete goner!"

But then she relented because for once in her life she needed something, someone, more than she needed to be right!

It was him, and she needed and wanted him now…

After she showed him just how much, he whispered the answer.

"The answer is Henry David Thoreau, my Darling!"

"Oh, no, I should have known that one!"

Then he turned very serious, whispering his last quote in her ear, not as a game this time, but as his heart, his very soul.

"My beloved is gone down into (her) garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." (*94)

"This, my Darling, is everything a honeymoon should be and more!" whispered Elizabeth.

There was no other way to describe it!

This was perfectly and truly their own Heaven on Earth.

Here on their land, in each other's arms.

Blissfully at one with nature, and at one with each other…

(*83-86) Quotes by Rumi, 13th Century Persian Poet, 9/30/1207-12/17/1273, Public Domain

(*87-90) Quotes from "The Secret Garden," Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911, Public Domain

(*91) Quote by Buddha, 562BCE or 480BCE or 400BCE at age 80, Public Domain

(*92) Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 5/25/1803-4/27/1882, Public Domain

(*93) Quote by Henry David Thoreau, 7/12/1817-5/6/1862, Public Domain

(*94) King James Bible, Song of Solomon 6:2-3, Public Domain