One less lonely Girl
It's a sparsely traveled road at this time of night. Dawn is beginning to break, and the water reflects its light. Harry is the first to regain consciousness with a moan associated with the pounding in his head. He looks across at Ruth and at first thought, he thinks, I've killed her.
Then she too starts to move, her face is blackened from the bruising of her head hitting the dashboard of the car. Harry has a black eye. He's thankful she's breathing and moving, if there are moans of pain from her attempts to move that's a good sign. "Harry," she whispers. These are the first words out of her mouth.
"I'm right here Ruth." His response is in an equally raspy voice, part emotion, part parchment of his throat from lack of hydration. Harry thinks, if we get out of this there is going to be one less lonely girl. No more empty promises. She will be part of my world. All I see is you, and I'm coming for you. I need you. All these words are words he needs to share with Ruth and he's grateful for this third chance. No more postponements. She has to let me inside her world. I am coming for you. When you are mine in every way, you will be less lonely, as I will be less lonely. I will always put you first. I will fix your broken heart. You will mend mind. No more second guessing of each other's thoughts.
He thought of the legend and looks out over the sand where the car has come to a stop. He can see low tide made the waterfall cave accessible. It's time, he thought. There is more to this legend than we really want to believe. Your fight is my fight. You are my one love for my one heart. I will be your one man, and you my only woman. We will share this world together and always.
Ruth, do you think you can walk. Neither is sure there's no concussion from the accident, but Ruth nods that she thinks she was fine. They both exit the car carefully. Then they are by each other's side. Ruth sees Harry is maneuvering toward the waterfall, and the cave beyond. She remembers the legend of love tested and love completed beneath the archway. "This has in many ways turned into a working vacation. It seems that even off the grid they can't escape terrorism, foreign or domestic. We can call this operation working vacation," quipped Ruth. It seems they are never to have time to or for themselves. Harry asks Ruth for her cellphone. She hands it over without question. He takes his out. Then he tosses them both into the water.
"Do you realize we are an island nation? It seems we have the sea in our blood. It is the water we must returen. What better legend than one culminating under a waterfall beneath an archway cared by water over centuries. No more calls. Just us! We have to be ourselves. Nothing forced. Agreed?"
"Agreed." Ruth is without hesitation. "Having almost lost our lives twice in one day, is enough to convince me it is time to start living life to the fullest, both of us."
As they make their way behind the waterfall into the archway, Harry pulls Ruth to him. They kiss with abandon. "Harry I am ready to love you and make love with you more than ever before. I've yearned for your body. Not just what we have shared over the week, but something more. I think now it is something more."
"I'm ready to make love to you Ruth not just with my body, but with my soul. It should be crystal clear now. I yearn for your body, and worship your soul. You deserve everything I can give to you. I will love you here and now and always."
With that they embrace and slowly slide to the sandy floor of the archway. They are shielded by the waterfall and the pile of rocks behind them. Their passion is unbridled. It is more security than they ever experienced on the Grid or in the cottage. This was something real. It was something fueled by ancient memories, love beyond the centuries. Love beyond time. Whatever is driving their passion they both know it is approved by the ancestors who too shared this place of legend, who are perhaps looking on with their approval.
"Ruth, I never was very good at telling you how I feel," Harry said between kisses. Ruth admits the same to Harry. They understand. What they had waited on is that missing part from both their empty hearts that can only be filled by the other. She is the only one that makes him feel whole. He is the only one who makes her feel whole. They are the ones they can't be without. Now that empty part of their hearts is beginning to feel again. All hesitation is gone. It isn't physical. It is an emotional bond. They know they are meant to be. If this is what they call being stupid in love, then so be it. Neither Harry nor Ruth wanted to be smart.
Their passion increases as the darkness of the night begins to lift. The ancient animal within each had come alive. Neither could get enough of the other. They are agreeing to take each other as they are. There is no motel. There is no cottage. There is only the two of them and nature. They consummate their love, not their lust, as they have agreed to not seek to change each other. It is what they both wish for, and beneath the arch, the legend is complete. The wish is complete. Their love is complete.
It is late morning before they depart and start the short walk toward the cottage. The bruises covering their bodies from the wreck are minor to the elations they both feel with a complete understanding of the other. Apparently someone has already towed the roadster away. Harry will worry about finding it another time. Ruth is more precious to him. Both know they will never find what they have now in the arms of others. There is no turning back. No more lonely days. No more running from each other. They will have their happy ending now. Each knows that it has to be the other. There is no doubt. Haven't they learned now that each step they take just circles them back to the other. Neither has ever been able to forget the other. Their love only grows stronger. It is true their love for each other is a drug for the other. There is no cure. There is no rhyme or reason to their love. It is indefinable. It is love.
As they stirred in each other's arms later in the day, this time in the comfort of a bed, Harry says with a smile, " I'll just have to keep you."
Ruth replies, "Just try ridding yourself of me. Harry, I think the timing is right."
"Right." He's a bit perplexed his mind clouded by love.
Ruth huffed exasperated, she isn't saying it again.
Then it dawns on Harry.
He moves closer and suddenly pulls her from their cottage bed telling her to dress quickly. Ruth is a bit confused but follows his directions. Then they quickly make their way back to the waterfall and wade through the water until they are again beneath the arch. The Harry holding her says, "Marry me Ruth?"
"Yes, Harry. I'll marry you. I love you. For better or worse. It is right for us." Harry exhales, having held his breath until the answer he is waiting for is finally said. He knows her love is for real, and his love for her is real and that love is here to stay. The road is far from mapped out for them. No one is sure where they are going, but they know they will go their together. In their hearts they were already gone. The train is running away, and Harry and Ruth did not care where it takes them.
Although all tracks eventually lead back to Themes House. The fire in her touch burns him, likewise his touch ignits passion she has never experience. All they really wanted to do was stay where they are. Once again they find themselves with a sandy bed.
Eventually, they moved on to the again cottage and shower together, then moved their love to the bed. Because all they wanted to do was love each other in the few days left. Rather than go out, the necessities were ordered and delivered. They spend the days on the beach, and nights in bed and in between they are never more than a centimeter apart. All they want is to love each other. Either just wants to be where the other is. Life is good.
Finally they pack for the return trip to London. It will be a long five hours, but now comfortable with each other, and confident of the future, the only topic to discuss is where they will live and their behavior on the Grid. Harry already has ordered his car and driver, deciding to leave the roadster for repairs at a local garage.
Both agree to be professional on the Grid, but Harry admitts, "I've been watching you so long. There will be times I may not be able to resist you in some deserted hallway, or after hours. I am a man. I am human."
"Harry there may be times, I can't resist you. Passion is difficult to control. I just don't want it to burn bright and flame out."
"You have no fear of that. I have desired you so long and this week has only fueled those flames as I hope it has with you."
"Yes, Harry, I love you and always have. Now let's enjoy our ride home, and no more talk of worry. We must always admit to each other when feeling insecure and be there for the other. We are together. One more thing, well, two really. About where we will live…. And there is a wedding date to set…
Thanks for reading! Sorry it's taken so long.