I was unbelievably, supremely, blissfully exultant.

My head rested on Nathaniel's chest, his arm hugged me to him, and our hands were entwined. We lay side-by-side, with me half on top of him and only a thin blanket to separate us from the the damp, crushed grass. The long grass of the hills surrounded us, shielding us from anyone that might be passing by. We weren't very far from the cabin that had held our beloved reunion.

Nathaniel slept soundly, a slight smile on his unconscious face.

My small hands were totally lost in his large, rough, scarred hands, and it felt more incredibly wonderful than I can describe.

The first rays of sunlight were just reaching the horizon.

I watched the sun breathe light into everything, first far away, and then, ever so slowly, I watched as its touch slowly gained ground and illuminated each blade of grass on its way toward us.

I felt more at peace than I would have ever thought possible.

Nathaniel was here. Nathaniel was with me. I was with him.

Forever.

I couldn't let our being together end.

Ever.

We were absolutely meant to never leave each others side.

I couldn't believe my own stupidity in giving this up, in not realizing the chemistry we'd had until it was too late - and what kind of person doesn't even know they love someone until that someone is gone? Me, that's who. That's why I'd left.

It had been the biggest mistake of my life.

But were together now, and I am all the wiser in that regard.

I couldn't take my eyes off his sleeping form.

I watched his chest rise and fall with his steady breathing.

I could hear his rhythmically inhaling and exhaling.

A light breeze ruffled our hair, causing mine to blow into his face.

His eyes fluttered open.

I lifted my head and rolled onto my elbows so that my face was directly over his, inches away, and my hair created a curtain around our heads.

He stared at me, confused, almost unbelieving.

"Sasha?" he murmured.

I felt an unbelievably happy grin spread over my face quite without my consciously grinning.

"Yes. I'm here."

How amazing it was to be able to say that to him!

Unbid tears flooded my eyes and threatened to overflow them.

His eyes lit up as he grinned. I could feel his breath on my face.

"I - I thought it was a dream."

"Well it wasn't. I'm here. For real."

Yes. Yes, I was. And I was never, NEVER going to leave again!!!

"Yeah." He squeezed my hand.

"I just can't believe it's really you."

"It is." And I couldn't keep the ecstasy out of my voice; could barely keep myself from running in circles and jumping up down shouting my liberation to the world.

So there we lay, watching the rest of the sunrise together, delighting in each other's company, listening to the world wake up, not wanting such a prodigious moment to end.

Of course, as is always the case, everything has to end some time.

We could hear the village waking up. Somewhere in the distance a baby started crying, a child laughed, and a door slammed.

The aroma of a variety of breakfasts being made wafted through open windows.

Nathaniel was the first to sigh at a particularly loud rumble of his stomach, to admit, "I am rather hungry. Shall we go get something to eat?"

It was my turn for a long, heartfelt sigh.

"I suppose so."

But I didn't want to. I wanted to stay here forever, so, to prolong the moment of the inevitable, I started to get up ever so slowly.

He got up with me, equally as reluctant.

We didn't let our hands slip the slightest bit away from each other.

I rolled onto my toes and he lowered his face to mine in a long and romantic kiss.

"Good morning," He whispered, pulling away ever so slightly.

Author's Note: Sorry this so short! Review please! Thanks for sticking with me so long!