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Chapter 5
Elena smiled as Elijah drove away from the mouth of the Savannah River. She had no idea where they were going but she had a feeling it was going to be amazing. They neared the center of Savannah and Elena saw a huge park. She read the sign as they entered and parked.
"Forsyth Park?" Elena asked Elijah turning to him.
"Yes, it has some of the most beautiful fountains and sculptures. I also thought we could have a picnic lunch as well" Elijah smiled at her.
"That sounds nice" Elena smiled to him.
Elijah parked the car and climbed out helping Elena from the car. Elijah made his way to the trunk of his car. He pulled out a picnic basket. Elena looked at him raising her eyebrows.
"Always prepared" he grinned and closed the lid. Elena followed beside Elijah into the park.
The park was beautifully filled with flowers everywhere. The fragrances danced around her at all the amazing colors. She saw small fountains around every corner, as they made their way to the center of the park. She noticed a huge fountain in the center of the park. It was surrounded by beautiful grass that looked so soft to the touch. They continued to walk until Elijah stopped in front of the fountain and looked around. She then moved to the center of the grass under a large oak tree. The foliage had given a cool shade to the hot sun. Elijah sat the basket down and reached inside to grab a blanket. He flung it into the air and it fell perfectly to the ground. Elena watched as he sat the basket down on the blanket. Elena took her sandals off and took a seat beside Elijah as he began to do the same. Elijah opened the basket and began to bring containers of food out. He had brought meat, cheeses, fruit and white wine. Elena smiled as he handed her a glass of wine and filled a large plate full of food.
"I am impressed" Elena told him as he set the fruit up.
"I am glad" he laughed as he sat down and turned to Elena.
"So I must say it has been an amazing day" Elena told Elijah meeting his eyes.
"I agree. Was there anything else you wanted to see?" Elijah asked her as he picked up a piece of cheese and popped it into his mouth.
"Promise you won't laugh?" Elena questioned him.
"Of course" he said as he took a drink of his wine.
"Your word?" Elena countered.
"My word" Elijah said meeting her eyes.
"I would like to go to Bonaventure Cemetary"Elena said softly.
Elijah met her eyes and he kept his word. He did not laugh at Elena's request. In fact he was more interested in why she wanted to go. Of course it was one of the most historical cemetery's in Savannah and a huge tourist attraction to match. Savannah received great financial help with the stories and hauntings that the cemetery offered. He himself had never had the need to go but for Elena he would take her and do anything she asked of him.
"Why there, if I may ask?" he replied.
"Well, I loved the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and I know they say it is something to see" Elena said smiling at him.
"It is true it is something to see. I can also tell you that it will be my first time going as well" he admitted to her.
"Really?" Elena asked him shocked.
"Yes, do you know the history behind the Bonaventure Cemetery?" Elijah asked her as Elena took a bite of cheese.
"No, I have no idea. Can you tell me?" Elena said as she looked at him.
"It would be my pleasure "Elijah said an then took a drink of his wine before telling Elena about Bonaventure.
"In 1771 John Mullryne, and his son-in-law, Josiah Tattnall, owned approximately 9,920 acres of Georgia land, including 600 acres just three miles from Savannah on St. Augustine Creek. This site became the family plantation, named Bonaventure, French for "good fortune." Elijah said as he watched Elena's interest peak. He smiled and continued.
"Mullryne and Tattnall fortunes took a turn for the worse with the American Revolutionary War. Both men openly declared their loyalties to England and George III, and were subsequently banished from Georgia. In 1782 the state nationalized all loyalist holdings in Georgia and sold them at public auction to patriots like John Habersham, who purchased Bonaventure, In 1788 Josiah Tattnall, Jr., purchased Bonaventure from Habersham and returned the plantation to the Tattnall family. Of course In 1846, Josiah Tattnall III sold the 600-acre plantation to Peter Wiltberger, a prominent Savannah hotelier who agreed to maintain the Tattnall family plot, even though it was not included in the $5,000 sale, and finally In 1847 Wiltberger incorporated 70 acres in the northeast corner as the Evergreen Cemetery of Bonaventure, a public burial ground. Wiltberger and his wife, Susan Green Wiltberger, were among the first Evergreen burials, interred in 1853 and 1849, respectively, and still remain to this day." Elijah told her.
"Wow, so that is how it all started" Elena mused.
"Yes, although I'm not sure about the haunting that everyone speaks of but I am very interested in seeing it for its Southern Gothic qualities as they like to say" Elijah told her.
"I didn't know you loved history this much" Elena told him as he placed her glass down.
"When you live as long as i have you find things to pass the time" he told her.
"You must have been very busy" Elena mused.
"It was something I enjoyed. I did not have someone to share my interested with until now" he told her meeting her eyes.
"I'm glad you shared it with me. I find your honesty very intriguing" she told him.
"Well, in that case shall we go see Bonaventure?" he asked her.
"Yes, we shall" she giggled.
Elijah and Elena picked up the picnic and made their way back to the car. As they were loading the car it began to rain. Elijah worked to put the top up on the car as Elena helped him. By the time they climbed into the car Elena was soaked and Elijah was as well. They began to laugh as the storm poured down on them. Elena turned to Elijah and he touched her cheek softly. Elena met his eyes.
"May I kiss you?" he asked her.
"Please" Elena whispered before Elijah's lips touched hers.
Elena had never been kissed so softly before. Elijah must have used his time wisely because Elena was stunned at the kiss. He was amazing in every sense of the word. After a moment they pulled away and Elijah rested his head against Elena's. They met each other's eyes and smiled. Elijah started the car and took Elena's hand into his. They rode in silence and enjoyed the feel of their fingers intertwined.
