Chapter Seventy-nine
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A Seaside Honeymoon
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After making sure the children knew that their grandparents and Blakeson were in charge and should know where they were at all times, Nathan and Elizabeth promised to meet everyone at dinner and departed to meet Mr. Burns to go to their cottage.
Set on a slight rise, but hidden by greenery, bounteous hydrangeas and shrub pines on three sides, the guest cottage had a full view of the sea and shoreline. The cottage delighted, with hydrangea bushes surrounding a front porch that was screened on one side and open on the other. Both porches were furnished with white wicker chairs, cushioned with pastel floral chintz. A wide white swing hung from the open end of the porch, allowing for sea views as well. From the sloping lawn, a path wound through beach plum bushes and appeared to head towards the beach.
Inside, the rooms were a soft, pale blue and furnished with comfortable upholstered pieces, the chintz fabrics in varying patterns of blue, lavender and rose hydrangeas. A large seaside watercolor hung over the fireplace mantle, and watercolors of seashells filled the remaining walls. Northern moon snail shells were lined up on windowsills, large to medium to small. Unusual shells filled a bowl on the sofa table and another in the center of the dining table. Shells added character to the mantle, arranged near a vase of garden flowers, and accented bookcase shelves. A model ship in a bottle adorned the mantel, along with a couple pieces of scrimshaw. The setting gave a feeling of comfort and ease, all while assuring you that you were at the seaside.
As Nathan and Elizabeth entered the large bedroom they immediately noticed large twin watercolor studies of overlapping moon shells, one hung above the bed and one opposite it. A small potbelly stove was in a corner, appearing to be the perfect size to keep any cool dampness at bay.
French doors opened onto the screened side of the front porch, allowing for sea breezes, the sounds of waves hitting the shore and open vistas to the horizon beyond. Nathan held his arms around Elizabeth's waist as she leaned her back against him. They absorbed the beauty and the peace, while quietly giving thanks for this very special honeymoon gift.
For tonight the newlyweds would join the family for dinner in the dining room and participate in the breakfast buffet in the morning, but for the coming week they would gladly accept the offer to have their meals delivered to the cottage to allow them privacy and unscheduled time together knowing their children were well cared for by two sets of grandparents who loved them dearly.
Having kissed and hugged the children goodbye after their family breakfast, Nathan and Elizabeth brought the guitar over to the cottage and decided to take a walk to the beach.
They walked hand-in-hand and, although she had a wide-brimmed straw hat, Elizabeth tied the wide white ribbons around her neck and let the hat fall behind her back. Thinking ahead, Elizabeth had braided her hair and wound it into a low chignon, but Nathan loved to see the dark tendrils escape and dance around her face. They had hardly reached the sand, before he paused their steps and gathered her into his arms. As they embraced, Nathan gently lifted a wayward curl from Elizabeth's face and kissed her tenderly, lingering and unhurried. When they parted, their eyes were moist as they delighted in being together.
Blinking, Nathan confessed. "My love, you are beautiful outside and in, and I am so grateful you said yes to me. I still cannot believe it! You are my bride, my wife, the love of my life. Thank you, sweet Lizabeth. Thank you."
Nathan looked deep into the pools of ocean blue in his arms and saw pure love returned and shining from her inner being. Elizabeth glowed.
"Oh, Nathan. I am the one privileged to have your love." Elizabeth squeezed him as if she couldn't get enough. "Your patient, tender, thoughtful love. I too am amazed at this undeserved gift of you, my precious husband. I'll forever be grateful for you, and I love you. Always."
"And forever." Nathan whispered back before letting their lips meet again.
As they turned to walk the shoreline, a painter could have painted a masterpiece of the scene. The breeze, billowing Elizabeth's white gauze dress and teasing the pale blue ribbons tied around her high waist, tousled Nathan's rich brown waves. He wore a pair of tan slacks with braided brown leather suspenders, his blue and white striped shirt unbuttoned near his neck and sleeves folded towards his elbows. They both were barefoot so Nathan had tied their shoes together and draped them over his shoulder. Every once in a while, Elizabeth pointed with her toe and Nathan bent to retrieve a seashell. Theirs was a picture of beauty, contentment and sweet love, all against the backdrop of a sparkling sea.
Unaware of a young photographer hidden from view by the seagrass between two sand dunes, Nathan and Elizabeth became a featured surprise in a series of photographs. Lydia Burns captured them walking, standing with the mother-to-be leaning back against her husband and the man's hand splayed over his wife's rounded form, embracing and kissing. Lydia knew she was intruding in their private moments, but couldn't help herself. The images before her were stunning and in that moment, she decided to take copies of these photographs to Dalvay-by-the-sea to offer them as a gift. As her thoughts expanded, Lydia felt she had a gallery-worthy show here and would seek permission from these guests to use these photos.
Little did the photographer know that the two children she had captured earlier as they frolicked amongst the incoming waves were the daughter and son of this handsome couple. She had even caught a most unusual sight. Two dignified older men, barefoot with slacks rolled up to their knees, were kicking the waves along with the children and laughing with glee!
Adjusting her folding chair, Lydia Burns had watched the two striking older ladies, dressed in flowing summery dresses and adorned with wide-brimmed, beribboned straw hats, seated on a blanket, watching and laughing. As Lydia photographed the ladies she knew one particular picture would be entitled 'Joy.' 'Childhood Abandon' would be a perfect title for the photo of the children and she decided the caption 'Oh, to be Young Again' would fit the photo of the gentlemen.
When the photographer returned to her studio, developed and printed her captures, she loved the photo of the father-to-be squatting at the pointed foot of his wife, head tilted up to her and holding up a seashell to her outstretched hand. That would be entitled 'Treasure.'
Knowing the guest schedule from her father, Lydia Burns planned to visit Dalvay-by-the-sea the following week to gift a few of the especially exquisite photographs to the beautiful expectant couple and to the two older couples to thank them for the inspiration.
Nathan and Elizabeth had only been married for ten months, but they retained the excited and awestruck joy of their first day as husband and wife. To an observer they were first-day-honeymooners until Elizabeth turned and their expected baby was visible. But, there in the seaside cottage, there were no observers and they basked in each other's love.
Although most of the days were sunny and balmy, there was one day that Nathan and Elizabeth were awakened to the sounds of crashing thunder and relentless waves pounding the shore. The wind was strong and they stayed cuddled in bed until mid-morning then when, with lanterns lit against the grey gloom, they worked on a jigsaw puzzle, read to each other and lazily relaxed after lovemaking.
They awakened to sunshine and calm early the following morning. Taking an excursion, they drove along the coastal road and visited lighthouses along the way, stopping to walk around and, standing beside them, look over the blue-green waters. At one lighthouse they spread a blanket and enjoyed a picnic lunch before continuing their leisurely excursion.
Another morning they drove into North Rustico and watched lobster boats arrive laden with their catch. Strolling the red dirt roads and marveling at the red sands, Nathan and Elizabeth enjoyed views of stacks of lobsterpots, buoys hanging from sheds and fishing boats moored along the harbour. They decided that Allie would need to see these views, including the charming lighthouse, as she might be inspired for a painting or two!
Delectable meals, including some of the last of the north shore's lobster season, were delivered to the front porch at scheduled times and they often enjoyed them seated on one of the porches while looking out over the water. At night, after singing with Nathan accompanying them on guitar, they sat quietly, observing dancing fireflies and listening to the music of the waves advance and retreat. Nathan and Elizabeth revealed childhood memories, discussed hopes and dreams for Allie and Jack, and debated baby names. Elizabeth insisted that a daughter should have Colleen as her middle name so the current choices were Lydia Colleen or Johanna Colleen. For a baby boy, Elizabeth was happy with Nathan's first name choice of Caleb, but really wanted Caleb Nathaniel as a compromise to not having a son named Nathan Junior. Nathan did not want that! So, the names were almost decided and they were proud of themselves for this accomplishment so far in advance.
As the sun set one beautiful night, Nathan and Elizabeth rose from the porch swing. Elizabeth collected warm sweaters as Nathan pocketed his flashlight, and together they followed the path to the beach. Sitting side-by-side on a large driftwood tree trunk, they were immersed in their thoughts. They marveled as the painted sky changed from peachy-rose and golds to lavender-purple clouds before the shadows deepened. Moonlight made it's sparkling path across the waters and the night sky filled with sparkling stars. At the beach, night sounds disappeared with only lacy ripples playing quietly along the sand. Nathan and Elizabeth stood to walk along the beach, absorbing the beauty of God's creation.
Nathan was the first to see it. Something was sticking up above the dunes. He motioned to Elizabeth and pulled her towards his find, whispering, "Look!" Letting go of Elizabeth's hand he walked closer to the slats of a small chair. Nathan knelt and began to scoop away the surrounding sand. With a final tug, he lifted out his treasure. "A bit of flotsam and jetsam!"
"Nathan… It's just a little, old rush-bottom chair!" Elizabeth was about to learn something new about her husband.
"Look closely, Lizabeth. Why is it little?" Nathan continued to brush sand from the wood.
"I guess it's a child's chair?"
"I don't think so. Look at how short the legs are! They've been cut off to make the chair lower." He pointed to the stubs. "This is from a sailing vessel and because the decks are not very tall, a sea Captain needed diminutive furniture. No other sailor would even have the privilege of a moveable chair. They sat on built-in benches. But the Captain? A rush-bottom chair was the lap of luxury in his quarters." Nathan grinned and chuckled. "Get it? The lap…?"
Having lived with Nathan and Allie for numerous months, Elizabeth had perfected the infamous Grant eye-roll. She employed it now. "Lap… got it…'
By the moon's light, Nathan could see his wife's reaction.
In spite of her husband's jokes, Elizabeth giggled. "Where did you ever hear of such a thing, Nathan?"
"By extensive reading, Lizabeth." Nathan stood and brought the chair to his wife.
"What exactly do you intend to do with this?"
"Keep it, of course. We can place it in our front entryway. It will be a conversation piece." Nathan wove his arm through the two horizontal slats and took Elizabeth's hand.
"Are you serious? Keep it and bring it all the way back to Hope Valley?"
"I am serious. After all you'll be returning with a suitcase of seashells, right? This is my souvenir!" Nathan had made his decision. "Allie and Jack are going to love it, you'll see."
Tilting her head, Elizabeth gave her raised eyebrow smirk, but knew further discussion would be futile.
While Elizabeth napped a couple afternoons, Nathan wrote poetry, musings, and devotional prayers and reflections.
When not conversing with Elizabeth, one inspired poem in particular had consumed his thoughts after seeing the lighthouses. After refining the poem, Nathan copied it out of his journal and as they sat on the porch swing he reached behind a pillow and handed the folded page to her. Elizabeth was cradled against Nathan's strong chest, with his long arms encircling her and he silently read over her shoulder.
'The Lighthouse Keeper's Love
My love, you ask me to speak it out?
To tell you what I feel? What you are to me?
By day, you are the sea I never tire of contemplating
with drifting moods and changing colors of blue green and silvery gray.
In the power of the sudden storm,
I can feel you pounding, like a frightened heart, against the cliffs
then receding into gentle, lacy waves that play their song along my shore.
You are the tide that ebbs and flows, always returning to touch me once again,
the clear water that splashes up, sparkling and dancing in the sun,
the still, dark pool caught amidst the rocks into which I look to see my true self.
I long to dive into the dark and hidden depths of who you are
to find the gift of iridescent pearl and bring it to the light.
You are the sea-spray I taste as you kiss my face, the lullaby that rocks me to sleep
and the joyful morning chorus that teases awake my thoughts.
You are the sound of quiet breathing beneath the blanket of encircling fog
and the one I look to see across the distance of a bright, clear day.
By night? You are the evening star by which I navigate my dreams.
And what am I to you?
By night, I am the wind that whispers in your dreams,
tickles your face and gently wisps your hair.
I am the excitement of the evening chill that shivers your spine,
the one whose silence warns of the coming storm,
the gale that howls about outside just waiting to be let in.
My cool sea breeze refreshes you on a warm summer eve,
and the breath from a glowing fire that enfolds you on a winter night is me.
I am wind beneath you as you wing across the glorious colors of the setting sun,
the breath you catch as the sun disappears beyond your view,
the sigh that escapes as the moment, and the beauty, fade away.
I choreograph the flowing movement of the border of your dress
as you waltz in the enchantment of the time in-between.
I am the messenger touching your heart strings with my melodies
inviting your expression of unspoken longings in your evening prayer.
By day? I am the strong and sturdy rock upon which you can build your home.
How can you ask if you will interrupt my thoughts, my work, my watch?
You are ever present in them all, my Love and my life.' (EMH)
"Oh, Nathan!" Elizabeth's voice cracked with emotion as she reached up to wipe a tear from the corners of her eyes. "Nathan. That is beautiful, so beautiful. You are describing so much of our love, dear Husband. Oh, what an amazing man you are to be able to express your love to me, not just physically, but so eloquently with words. Your words, my Love, are such a gift… 'Thank you, Lord, for this incredible man. Oh, thank You.'" She tilted her head so meet his lips, raising her hand to cup his face."
Huskily, Nathan responded, "You like it then?"
"Like it?" She looked back at the page in her hand. "I love it, Dear-heart. Love it. Would you read it aloud to me?"
Nathan nuzzled his face into her neck, then attempted to clear his throat. Finally he voiced softly, "I don't think I can."
Elizabeth leaned forward and turned to gaze into her Husband's eyes. They simmered with intent. She shivered as she stood, then, taking his hand, she led Nathan inside and closed the door behind them. In one graceful movement, Nathan lifted his wife into his arms and carried her to their honeymoon bed.
Later, as husband and wife lay in each other's embrace, they listened to the slow cadence of the waves along the shore. That sound of the sea and the comfort of each other lulled them into a deep, sweet sleep.
(EMH) Original poem, 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Love' by E. M. Hunter, Self-published in 'Illuminations,' Copyright 2014
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AN: The shipwrecked chair is real! My Grandfather found it after a storm along the north shore of the coastal village where my family is from. Well over a hundred years old, it was inherited by my mother and now resides in my home, as sturdy as ever! Although it wasn't from one of the five-masted schooners that my Great-grandfather captained, it serves as a good reminder of the shipwreck he endured in 1902 and how God preserved his life.