Chapter 129: Written in the Stars
When Julia woke up on Wednesday morning, she still felt sore. The sun was already streaming in the window, casting a bright glow across the foot of the bed. And so, she took her time opening her eyes. She reached out behind her, into the empty expanse where Nathan's warm presence used to be. Then, she raised her head up just slightly to find him, but heard a strange sound as soon as her ear came off the pillow.
A very faint scratching sound.
She followed the sound with her eyes, and found Nathan sitting in a chair, facing the bed. He was bent over his sketch book, the one she had given him, and was drawing intently. Focused. Determined. And the way he kept glancing up at her, with a certain brightness in his eyes, gave her a hint at exactly what he was drawing. She looked down and realized that her legs were sticking out of the covers. In fact, she was just barely covered at all, between the thin chemise and the bedcovers that were tousled to the side.
Was he drawing her?
Julia propped her head up on an elbow and watched him. His gaze was focused, his intent sure and steady. He glanced up, went back to his work. Changed pencils, glanced up again, back at the page. He turned his pencil this way, and that way, then slanted it to the side and shaded. He was most certainly drawing her.
She swallowed hard and watched him, unable to interrupt, unable to say a word. First, because she trusted him completely. Second, because something deep inside her liked being his muse - she loved that he found her worthy of his pencil.
And…there was the fact that he was drawing again. Something had inspired him, and if it had been her, or the lighting, or the sunshine, then so be it. He was, after all, the one who inspired her to paint again, wasn't he?
When his drawing finally slowed, and he sat back satisfied, she pushed the covers back and stood. She wanted to see. But, as Julia walked toward him, he closed the book. Nathan stood, all playful, and held his sketch book tightly closed, against his bare chest. Then he jested as he moved around her and placed the book safely inside his suitcase. He turned to face her and told her with a sweet, innocent smile. "It's not ready yet."
Julia smiled decidedly up at him and jested right back - she tried to get around him, to his bag, but he lightheartedly blocked her. In fact, he grabbed her around the waist, hoisted her up onto his shoulder, and carried her far from his suitcase, with laughter all the way. He set her down just next to the bed and held her fast around the waist, so she couldn't escape.
But then, his face turned serious, and he told her softly, "I promise to show you, when it's ready."
Julia searched his face, knew if he said it, it was truth. So she relented, and slowly nodded her agreement. Though, she asked, "You are drawing…me?" She wanted to know for sure.
He nodded just slightly, and stepped closer. "You just…looked so beautiful…in the sunlight streaming through the window. I wanted to capture the moment." He confessed the honest truth. And she, of all people, understood how it was, when the inspiration struck.
Julia looked him over now. His hair was all a mess, and his blue eyes shining, from the chase. His chest was bare, and heaving just slightly from carrying her. And he still had ahold of her, though gently, her hands had fallen to rest on his forearms.
Nathan gazed at her, too. Her hair was loose and free, and had fallen over one eye, as he'd set her down. Her chest was flushed, and her chemise hugged her body just right, was bunched up where he held her. One thin strap had fallen off her shoulder, and hung down next to her arm.
Nathan let one finger trace up her arm, then up and over the freckles that dusted her shoulder, to put that one thin strap back in place.
He brought his eyes back up and noticed the deep blue of her eyes, her pupils were thick as she watched him.
Now, desire hung between them thick and palpable. It was unmistakable.
So Nathan bent slowly and sought out her lips. And she met him. When their lips made contact, liquid fire pulsed hard and fast through his veins, and Nathan pulled her in closer. She felt it, too, and she pressed her body into his.
His lips moved over hers with purpose and feeling, and he pulled back just enough to rasp, "I love you."
Julia took a step toward the bed, pulling him with her, and answered breathlessly, "I love you, too."
He got them the rest of the way there, and began to tug at her chemise, lifting it higher until Julia pulled it completely off. And then Nathan let his eyes roam over her beautiful feminine form for just a moment, before he trailed kisses from her cheek, all the way down her neck. Julia sucked in breath and let her hands roam over his bare back as he delivered those soft tender kisses. And then she landed a few of her own on his bare chest, and up towards his neck.
Nathan cradled her back and neck as he laid her down and continued showering kisses all over her body. The scent of her new Lily of the Valley soap was intoxicating, but Nathan just drank it in.
And then, they loved each other - the physical act of union that brought them ever closer, and left them trembling in each other's arms, in its wake.
Late in the morning, they set out on horseback for Snake River. The rode alongside the water for a long time, snaking back and forth through the valley, surrounded by more rolling hills of green.
At lunch, they picnicked under a tree. And they kissed on the blanket, next to the babbling waters of the stream. They didn't nap today, because Nathan wanted to show her the southern most corner, and it would make for a long ride.
In the early evening, when they rode back into the ranch, it was not as late as the day before, because Nathan had offered to pick Charlie up from the train station. He was arriving home on the same evening train from Edmonton, on which they had come, just a few days earlier. Nathan and Julia stabled the horses and walked hand in hand back to the house. And as Nathan left in the car, the sun was just starting its descent.
While he was gone, Julia prepared dinner. She knew just what she wanted to make, and was delighted to find everything she needed. It was a recipe Rebecca obviously made often enough.
By the time Nathan got back, dinner was nearly ready. Though, he came right in, decidedly pushed her pot off the fire, and completely interrupted her work. He just smiled happily, as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him.
Julia chuckled as she tried to keep up, and protested, though only gently. She could sense that wherever Nathan was taking her, was for something good. "Nathan! Where are you taking me?" She softly inquired, though he left her question unanswered.
He led her to the front door, gently threw it open, and pulled her out onto the front porch. And then she knew. As soon as they stepped outside, they were bathed in the brilliant colors of the evening sunset. They were instantly covered in the deep reds and oranges, brilliant yellows and pinks, of the incredible sky. Nathan pulled her right up to the railing and she followed willingly. Her mouth fell open, when she saw the colors of the sky.
Nathan moved behind her and became her wall to lean on, as they stood and watched the sunset. He wrapped his arms on each side of her, and set his chin next to her hair, breathing in her scent of wild roses. And Julia relaxed in his arms, let herself sink into his strong presence behind her.
"Wow." She whispered, and he pulled her in tighter. "I don't know if I've ever seen colors like this before."
Nathan liked that. "The sunsets are something else here." He paused and told her close to her ear. "I…had forgotten."
And they stood, melded together just like that, until the very end. Until the last color faded from the sky - they enjoyed the colors, cuddled together. There was nowhere else to be, and nothing as important as being together. Not the dinner, not the things she'd left on the stove, not the last batch of biscuits that were burning in the oven. Nothing mattered but each other, and this.
When the sun finally disappeared behind the hill, and the last stitch of color left the sky, Julia turned just enough, and went into Nathan's arms. He held her just as he had before, but this time, heart to heart. She laid her cheek near his neckline and cuddled into him. Her arms went strong around his back and she pressed in closer. And he held her tight. They stayed like that a while longer, and then Nathan slowly pulled back.
He looked down at her, and asked curiously. "What was that for?"
Julia looked up at him and realized. He was the one who was enjoying every moment now. And he was inspiring her to live in the moment, to enjoy each minute to the fullest. "Thank you for making me stop, and enjoy this moment. I'm so thankful to be here, with you." She confessed.
Nathan nodded and brought one hand up to tip her chin, and he kissed her. Slow and sweet and resolute. This was another moment he couldn't pass up - a memory they were making together.
When he finally pulled back from her lips, she smiled happily. Both dimples. And he liked it.
Then Julia watched as Nathan looked out into the darkness, and she glanced out there, too. The sunset was over, but they had enjoyed it to the full. Not one color or moment had been lost.
Finally, when she was sure Nathan was satisfied, she asked him softly. "Are you hungry, my love?" Even if she did already know the answer.
He nodded slowly. "Well, come with me, then." She told him happily, and she led him into the kitchen. He hadn't noticed before, but she had set the table just under the window. She had set up two candles and even used fancy plates. A bottle of red wine sat open in the middle of the table, she had brought the one from Rosemary's gift basket.
She lit the candles, got him seated, and then went back to the stove. She set the big pot on the heat again, and let it warm up, while she dealt with the burnt biscuits. She put the rest of the biscuits, all the good ones, in a basket and brought them over, with the butter. Then she returned to the sink, where she had drained the boiled potatoes, just before he'd come in, and stolen her away. She put them back into their pot, and began to mash them.
Nathan stood, poured the wine, and carried two glasses over to where Julia was hard at work. He handed her one and she stopped to take a first drink with him. He stayed next to her as she worked, but then when everything was ready, she shoo'ed him back to the table.
Julia served two plates and carried them over, and Nathan looked pleased when he saw what she'd made. He took her hand and said a prayer of blessing over the food. Then they sat and enjoyed the meal together.
Nathan ate a second helping, while Julia buttered a second biscuit. She'd found some homemade raspberry jam in the pantry, and dolloped that on, too. As soon as Nathan finished his plate, he did the same with two biscuits of his own. It was the perfect way to end the meal.
When they were done, Julia cleared the plates and disappeared into the pantry. Nathan was surprised when she came out holding two nicely wrapped gifts. He looked behind her into the pantry, and teased her. "You found those in there?"
Julia laughed out loud. "No. I just hid them in there, while you were none the wiser." She told him with a cute wink.
He tilted his head, as she sat them down in front of him and explained. "Your final two wedding gifts."
He shot out of his chair and told her, as he headed toward the stairs. "I'll be right back." And he disappeared upstairs. He had another gift for her, too, and really wanted to give it to her.
Nathan came back and set a pretty wrapped gift down in front of her. Julia looked at him. "Nathan, you already gave me a horse. How can I accept another gift?" She asked with a coy smile.
He told her. "Please, Jules. It's nothing, really. Just a little something I made for you." He paused but she still didn't look convinced. "Allie helped me." Julia looked at the wrapped package and smiled. She missed Allie.
She looked at him. "Thank you, Nathan." She told him in advance.
He motioned for her to go first, but she just shook her head cutely but defiantly no. Then, she motioned for him to open the top one. She did set her's down first, so he relented, though just barely.
Nathan slowly unwrapped the paper and opened the box, to reveal a new pair of brown suspenders. He looked at her, surprised.
"Allie." She told him, and he nodded his understanding. "She told me in Benson Hills, the same time she mentioned the pajamas." She said with a smile.
Nathan leaned over and gave her a sweet peck on the lips. "Thank you, darling. I did need a new pair."
Then he sat back and looked at her. "Your turn." He told her, as he motioned to the gift sitting in front of her. She wanted to insist he go again, but he looked so excited about her gift, she decided to oblige him.
Julia slowly untied the bow and then removed the wrapping paper, to reveal a beautiful wooden box, very similar to the one Nathan had given Allie for her adoption ceremony. The painting set box. Julia's mouth fell open and her gaze came around to Nathan. "You made me one, too?" She asked, shocked.
And the box was beautiful. He had carved roses, exactly like the ones he'd carved into her dressing table, all across the top. Julia let her hand slowly trace over them. "Nathan." She breathed. Once again, he had rendered her speechless.
She slowly opened the box, and set the lid back on its hinges. Carved along the inside of the lid was a simple phrase: Fill the world with flowers.
Julia looked at him again, her eyes were filled with tears, now. She breathed his name again. "Nathan." She swallowed. "This is…" And she couldn't finish. She pulled out the little expandable shelves and saw that he had filled them with tubes of paint. And brushes. A myriad of colors and supplies, almost exactly the same as what she had used to fill Allie's paintbox.
He had remembered everything.
"If you feel inspired, I brought one blank canvas." He told her. "It's hidden in the bottom of my suitcase."
Julia quickly looked at him, and again, didn't know what to say. She did feel inspired and had a few ideas already.
"Oh, Nathan. I love it." She told him, as she leaned over and hugged him tight. "Thank you so much." She breathed, and she didn't let go right away.
When she finally sat back, she let her hand trace over the carving on the inside, once again. Fill the world with flowers. Then she carefully put the compartments back in place, one by one, and closed the lid. She let her fingers slowly trace over the outside: the roses, the rosebuds and the thornless vine. "It's so beautiful." She told him with a smile that communicated just how much he'd touched her. And this gift, had touched her deeply.
Julia sat back and motioned for him to open the last wedding gift, sitting just in front of him. "Your turn, my love." She watched him with anticipation. Considering everything he had given her, she really hoped he would like her gift.
Nathan slowly removed the wrapping paper, to reveal a long rectangular box. Inside that box, was a rectangular leather case with a handle. Nathan pulled it out, curious. But, as soon as he lifted out that leather case, his face lit up. He had an idea, and oh, he hoped. If inside this case, was what he suspected, it was something he'd always wanted, since he'd first read about them.
He unclasped the case and slowly opened it. And sure enough, just as he'd hoped...a handcrafted brass marine telescope. And wow, was it beautiful. He pulled it out of the case, and gently extended it to open. A delicate and intricate design was inlaid into the brass of each of the casings. He turned it over and over in his hand, and examined the handiwork, discovered each layer, appreciating the craftsmanship.
And then, he realized there was something engraved on it. He turned it around in his hand so he could read it better:
You and I were written in the stars.
N + J
September 7, 1919
Nathan's jaw dropped slightly, and he glanced up at her. "Jules, wow." He rasped, as he turned it over in his hands. "I love it."
"I'm glad." She replied softly.
Suddenly, he got an idea. Nathan placed his telescope back in the leather box and stood. He extended his hand. "Jules, will you come with me?"
Julia looked around them. The gifts, the dishes. He could see her mind working.
He kept his hand extended. "Leave it, Jules. We can clean up later." He told her. "Come away with me." He softly implored.
Julia looked at him, he was so determined and excited. And his eyes were shining. So she rasped, "Live in the moment, right?" And she put her hand in his.
His face said it all, as he turned and led her through the house. On his way by the sitting room, he grabbed two blankets and two pillows. He placed one blanket across Julia's shoulders, and tucked the rest under his arm. Then he took her hand again and led her out the front door. To the top of the next hill, right out in front of the house.
Nathan let go of her hand long enough to lay out a blanket. Then he plopped down the pillows, and pulled her on there, too. They laid down together on that first blanket, and Nathan covered them up with the second.
Julia laid back, and looked up at the sky. And wow, it was filled with stars - bright and brilliant, as far as the eye could see. Julia hadn't seen stars like that in a very long time, not since Peggy's Cove.
Beside her, Nathan pulled out his telescope, carefully expanded it to open, and looked through. The stars were even more amazing through his telescope. He could make out constellations and locate many directional stars. The sky looked so wonderful, through this new lens.
He handed it to Julia and she had a look. She gasped, everything seemed so close. "Wow! It's amazing." She scanned the sky and found the North Star. She located a constellation or two, and enjoyed this new way of looking at things.
Nathan watched her, as she examined the sky. And he wished he could see it as she saw it.
She pulled back, could tell he wanted another look. So, she handed him the telescope. And he had another nice long look. He picked out Sirius, Venus, and Cetus. And he was quite sure he had spotted Aquila.
"What did you find?" She asked curious. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer. Then he held it up for her to look through, tried to keep it pointed exactly where he had, perhaps, spotted Aquila.
"Do you see the group of stars that, if you connected the dots, look like they could almost take flight? Has a sort of tail, like a kite?" He asked her.
She looked and could just barely make it out. "Yes. I see it."
"That's Aquila, the eagle." He told her.
"Wow." She replied. One more look, and then she lowered the telescope.
Nathan propped up on an elbow and told her, "I used to only see them in books." He smiled down at her, as she lay on her back, just beside him. "Now I can see them in the sky, with you."
"I'm glad you like my gift." She looked at him, so close, bathed in the light of the stars.
"I love your gift." He told her softly, and he leaned towards her. "And I love you."
And he claimed her lips in a kiss. Julia set the telescope carefully beside her and placed one hand on his chest, as he leaned closer, down over her. As his lips moved over hers, she felt the emotion and the desire building.
Julia pulled back just enough to answer his declaration. She placed her other hand on his face, and she looked deep into his ocean eyes, full of desire and wanting now. "I love you, Nathan Grant." And she smiled and kissed him again. Deeper this time, like an answer to the question in his eyes. She wanted him, too.
They were both breathing ragged by the time he let his lips part from hers again. But he stood. He picked up his telescope, folded it, and placed it in the case. Then he extended his hand and without question, she took it. He pulled her up to standing.
He gazed at her and asked her softly, "Will you come to bed with me?"
Julia nodded yes, and that was all he needed.
He led her across the grass, through the front door, and upstairs to their bedroom.