| Harvest Moon |
 |
 |
| It was nearing the end of a glorious summer. Evelyn couldn't remember a better summer past. The corn was wheat yellow, painting the feilds green and gold patchwork. She sighed contentedly as she swung back and forth lazily on the porch swing. Somewhere from inside she could hear the tinkle of ice in a glass, somebody must have been making lemonade. The breeze, soft and sweet rolled past her, making the tall grass of the unsed pasture sing a familiar melody. She closed her eyes, the late afternoon sun illuminating her face. She breathed in deep, hugging her knees closer to her body. At this point in her existence, life was sweet. As sweet as the wind that blew into her face.
She heard the creak of the screen door, the subtle slap of bare feet on the old painted boards of the porch, the rustle of another warm body beside hers, then came the sway of the swing as they joined her on her perch. A cold wet glass was pressed against her bare calf makeing her flinch, her eyes shooting open with the good natured laugh she held special just for him. She smiled as brightly as the sun, her face turned up to him as she accepted the glass. He grinned widely at her with his usual mischievious sparkle in his eyes before he gulped down half of his own glass of lemonade. His satisfying soft 'ahh' immediately following. She sipped from her glass, her eyes once more sweeping out over the expanses of field that lay before them. The vista a painting in movement. He followed her gaze, his body relaxing against the back of the swing, his long lean bronzed legs stretching out before him as he wrapped a comfortable and familiar arm about her shoulders. She leaned against him, tucking her legs to the side as she snuggled in, laying her head against him. She listened to his heart and lungs. The two were silent for a while as they just watched the wind dance through the fields. The house behind them still bearing the quiet movements within telling of it's remaining occupants. When he did speak finally, it was quiet and unsure. "Do you thnk we can do this?" He asked. "I don't think we have a choice Dear." She retorted. He smiled, a quiet chuckle dropping between them and out of sight. "It's not going to be the same." He lightly complained. "I know... we'll manage. Somehow." She soothed. "I don't know how Tay and Ike coped with this." He pondered aloud. "Why don't you call them and ask." She offered. He only softly grunted in return. She sat up, turning to him and placing her lemonade on the floor. "Don't think of this as the last time we'll be together like this. Think of it more like watching the first flight of a butterfly. It's beautiful, it holds you spell bound because you know it's only going to happen once. Remember, it's only the start of many more flights, each beautiful and filled with purpose in it's own right." She tried to offer. He smiled gently, his hands carressing her bare shoulders as they faced each other. "Now I remember why I married a writter!" He quipped. She smiled loveingly at him and leaned in to place a kiss on his sumptious mouth. The passion of their love still burned, the flame of their kiss flickering into something larger, hotter. He slipped his tongute over her bottom lip as they became entangled in an embrace. Her eyes closing as her head slipped back, face tilting upward to give in to his ravenous kiss. He took her mouth forcefully, his body throwing off heat like a furnice as they warmed up. She plunged her tongue deeply within his mouth makeing him groan softly. She smiled inwardly, still reveling in the fact that she could turn him on so easily, even after all the time they'd been together. A gust of wind picked up her hair, wrapping it about them and laying it over his shoulder. He reached up to run his fingers through her silken strands as his other arm tightlened about her, drawing her nearer to him. He needed to feel her pressed against him, her warm curvacious form driving him wild with passion. He cradled her face loveingly, a tender kiss to her now swollen lips. "I love you so much Evelyn, I always will." He promised. She couldn't help the smile he brought to her. She climbed into his lap, pressing her forehead gently against his. "And I will love you forever." She returned. He smiled at her as she settled into his lap, her hot center connecting with the tent in his shorts. "Do you know how sexy you are?" He asked with a sly grin as she ground her hips almost imperceptively over him. He gripped her hips, takeing her mouth again lustily before she could answer. Sometimes he thought she turned him on too much for him to be able to control himself. He pulled on her himps, bringing her down toghter to his acheing member. She threw her head back in jubilation, his tough never failing to make her quiver. He dove into her neck, gentle nips illiciting quiet giggles from her, he kissed her shoulder and lapped at the press of cleavage spilling over the top of her low cut tank top. She looked down to him with smokey eyes. "Are you trying to seduce me Mr. anson?" She asked in a husky voice. He grinned up at her, a sparkle in his eyes. "Why yes! Yes I am! Is it wrking?" He joked, she laughed, her head falling back and he moved in to sucklke upon her neck once more. Her laughter tumbling over the wind before they were interrupted. "They're at it again!" A loud voice announced from the open door way. A second voice joined them momentarily and snorted. "Geez! Get a room will ya?! I'm gonna be scared for life!" They joked. They all laughed as Zac threw a cushion from the swing. "Why do I need a room when I own the house?" He teased. "Besides, at least your parents still love each other. Think of all those broken families out there! You should be grateful!" He mock accused. "Ok ok! So I'm grateful... but do I have to be a witness? I'm seriously getting weirded out here. Don't you two ever give it a rest? Come on! I thought life was supposed to slow down after you turn fourty?" Their daughter sighed exasperatedly. "Hardly my dear! Life begins at fourty!" Evelyn Exclaimed gleefully. "Just ask your father!" All eyes turned on him. "I'm fourty? When did that happen?" He comicly deadpaned. She shoved at his chest and he reeled her in for another quick kiss. The last member of the house yawned and stretched as he joined his sister and parents on the porch. "I'm bored, let's go do something." He suggested, drapeing an arm around his big sisters shouders and propping himself against her. She shoved him away playfully. "Like what?" She querried. "I dunno? What do you wanna do Dad?" He asked, tossing his gaze over at his father. Zac sighed heavily, laying his cheek against his wifes shoulder as he looked up into the faces of his two children. His reasons for being. He loved them more then mere words would ever expres. A familiar ache began to throb in the back of his throat and he swallowed hard. "I was kind of hopeing we'd spend the evening together. Now that everyones gone and we've cleaned up from the party yesterday and it's quiet... well... it's just nice to have you here all to ourselves." He tried to explain. Evelyn could hear the quiet hurt that lay behind his voice. "Why don't we play monopoly?" She suggested cheerily, trying to redirect everyones attentions. "Sounds good to me." Zac jumped in, grasping at straws to keep his children near for that much longer. "Come on..." He coaxed as Evelyn climbed from his lap. He stood up striding over to his offspring. He wrapped a burley arm about each one and began to guide them back inside the house. "What do you say? Huh? Belle? Daddy's little Belladonna?" He teased shakeing her gently as he hugged her to himself. She smiled at her childhood nickname and reluctantly nodded. "Ok... yeah, sure. Why not?" She agreed. Then Zac turned to his son, nearly as tall as himself and looking for all the world like his grandfather. "What do ya say Jake my boy? Doesn't a rousing good game of Monopoly sound good?" He prompted, poking him in the shoulder with a minute punch. The boy grabbed at his arm and turned away from the next assult. "Yeah sure... whatever." He sighed rubbing his arm. "Geez Dad... lay off the roids huh?" He teased back, a shifty grin breaking out over his face. Zac laughed heartily and ruffled his son's hair. "Pft! Steroids! You try sitting behind a drum kit for a quarter of a century and see what happens... Steroids? Bah! Steroids can't give you biceps like this!" He mock bragged, flexing like a poppinjay. They all collapsed in fits of laughter as they piled into the house. ************************************************************************************************* It was dark and quiet, a light rain falling outside creating a sing song patter on the porch tin roof below their open bedroom window. A momentary brightness quickly drew him from his deep thoughts. He turned to his side and watched her silhouette in the doorway. "Are you still brooding?" She querried with his head up on his hand and leaned upon his elbow. "Just pondering I think." He answered her quiet question in a thoughtful soft tone. She snapped off the light and headed for their bed. "Really? About what?" She asked as she turned back the sheet. "Well..." He began, his eyes watching her fluid movements in the dark. "It's just that we haven't ever really had any time to ourselves you know? I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the kids more then life itself..." He began. She snuggled into bed beside him, wrapping herself about him comfortably. "I know..." She prompted. "Well, I just was thinking... maybe it won't be so bad after all." He confessed. She grinned at himin the dark. "Now what brought on this suden change of heart? You've been dreading Jake going off to college like Belle forever now. And now that they're about to leave tomarrow you have a sudden revelation?" She joked. He snickered. "Oh yeah, a real epiphany!" He teased. She laughed and kissed his jaw as he lay down beside her, wrapping his arms around her. "Actually, I was just thinking about how we never had much ofa honeymoon is all. How aobut if we get away for a little while next month?" He asked sweetly nuzzling her ear. She pushed away from him just enough to be able to look him in the eye. "You're serious?" She questioned. "Sure. Why not? Between the band and the kids we've never really gone anywhere alone. It would be a nice change don't you think?" He grinned. She looked astonished. "You never fail to amaze me." She toned sweetly kissing him softly. She pulled back amid the hail of tender kisses that had followed, suddenly looking into his face again. "No band, no kids... you promise?" She wanted to clarify. He chuckled and nodded. "Promise." He swore and pulled her back towards him, a hand sliding between her legs. A knock at the door. "Mom?" Jake called from the other side. They looked at each other and laughed. She kissed him quickly on the tip of his nose, and a peck to his mouth before she tumbled out of the bed to attend her child. No matter how old they were, she knew, they would always be her babies, and they would always need her. The door opened, the dim hall light spilling into the room as he began to plan a romantic get away in his mind. ************************************************************************************************* The balmy breeze caressed her bare back, the lullabye of ocean waves singing to her under the lazy day sun. She sighed in blissful contentment. Now this was her idea of a honeymoon. Sometimes it was good to be rich, and sometimes it was even better to be in love. she certainly appreciated the fact that his career afforded them a stay on a private island. But she was more thankful that even after twenty years of marriage, they were so madly in love that they could take a honeymoon of sorts without the hassles of all the smpty nest syndrome creeping in. It was just them in a tropical paradise anjoying being with each other. Sure they had had their ups and downs, what marriage was without a rocky patch here or there? But it was the fact that they were still together, and still in love, that testified to the strength of their marriage. And the fact that they made love in the moonlight amidst the crashing waves the night before was proof they still had more then a spark. They sizzled! After that escapade, they found it pointless to put their clothes back on, so they didn't. And there she lay basking in the sun and the good fortunes she was blessed with. A shadow fell over her, a cascade of seawater droplets cooling her hot baked flesh. She smiled lazily and rolled over on her towel. A broad shouldered figure stood over her, blocking out the sun. For a brief moment her breath was stolen as the silhouette morphed into a strikingly beautiful man as he stepped up to her and she shielded her eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. In that instant she had forgotten her husband. All that went through her mind was the instant electric attraction. Then her reality snapped back into place when he kneeled in the sand before her, like a gloriously naked sculpture, rippled body glistening under the tropical sun. "Eve... why don't you come for a swim?" His words a suggestive lilt of pure seduction. It was right then that she realized this man was no sinful fantasy, but her husband, her joyous reality. Her loving, attentive and faithful husband. Her grin spread like melting chocolate. She held out a hand to him. "Why don't you just make love to me right here first." She more then hinted. He matched her grin and dominatly leaned over her, his kisses ready. she laughed lightly through their kiss and pushed him over onto his back, happily tumbling atop him. His familiar smile eased in after the ebb of laughter. He reached up and stroked her face. "God I love you!" He exclaimed breathlessly as he pulled her down to press a heated kiss to her mouth. She moaned soflty into his mouth pulling away for air. She looked down into his eyes. There was a light of love that shone in them still. "We've been together for so many years..." She began as she caressed his face. "And I'm always amazed because at the start of each day, I already love you so much. But by days end, I love you even more." She whispered breathlessly, her eyes searching his. He was left speechless. He could do nothing but kiss her again as he stroked back her hair. The sand chaffed at them and the sun kissed them while the tide ran up the beach reaching for their toes. The gentle breeze whispered in tune with the waves, a music sweet that the lovers almost danced to as they shared a union of souls. Their kisses growing fervent, he gently rolled atop her, cradling himself between her hips. Her back arching when he gently entered her, their sighs of satisfaction in unison. Slowly his body moved over hers as she met him with each stroke. With his month he traced patterns over her hot skin. She wrapped her long legs about him, stretching her body out beneath him. His softly whispered declarations of love floated to her ear as he held her tight. She clung to hsi strong shoulders, sweat beadded over his brow as her body began to cry out. His thrusting pace hastened, sensing her need of release. Tossing her head from side to side, the unbearably sweet agoney made her sing out his name. "Zac now... oh gawd please now!" She begged. Harder, faster he rocked into her, the familiar ache rushing through him. It crashed through his barriers and swept her away as well, takeing them to heights of extasy. Breathing hard, he lay his head against her shoulder, nibbling softly at her neck between quietly spoken words. "Evelyn... mother of my children, my perfect lover, my best friend... I love you so much baby." He sighed, rolling to his side and bringing her with him. She curled up against his side, their sweat slicked flesh pressing against one another. "Zac..." She was quiet for a moment, her voice quavering when she resumed her thought. "I just love you." She stated simply, a tear of joy wending it's way down her cheek. He smiled knowingly, wipeing away her tear and cuddling her to him. She held fast to him, her anchor, as he wrapped his arms about her tight until she pulled herself together. This was the kind of honeymoon she had deserved all along. So it took him twenty years to give it to her... he was sure they appreciated it much more now then they ever would have all those years ago. ************************************************************************************************* The house was dark and quiet. It smelled stuffy when they opened the door, the stale air rushing to leave the premises. Silently they shuffled in, setting luggage down at the door and going about the usual routine of returning home. But this time it was different. There were no groans of relief to be home. No argument over who would get the remote. There wasn't anybody to breathe life into the house it seemed. Their vacation had been a much needed one. And of course they enjoyed every second of it, making love on the beach, going for long swims and just snoozing under the shade of palms away from the hot sun. There were long walks in the sand accompanied by even longer conversations. There was exploration of the island, and of each other. They had the time to do things and try things they never had before. It had been like a whole new beginning for them. The phone rang. Evelyn kissed him quickly as she walked by, then went into the kitchen to answer it. He felt too alone waiting for her return so he slipped out onto the porch. The night was brisk, a definate chilly hint of fall was in the air. The wind was gentle to him, ruffling his hair as he sat on the swing. He curled up, hugging himself to conserve body heat as he stared up at the sky. The symphony of stars twinkled down on him, each of them seeming to know the answers to the questions of the ages. The moon, big and round, ripely orange. A harvest moon. He wondered what he'd harvested in his life. Two beautiful children, grown into intelligent and careing people. A wonderfuly loving and sexy wife. A satisfying career where he got to do what he loved. A closeknit family that showed him everyday what it means to be nurturing. What more could he ask for? He still felt something missing though... The squeaky creak of the front screen door broke him from his thoughts. Evelyn came and sat beside him, shareing the warmth of her body and the afghan she had wrapped about her shoulders. She was smiling, tears in her eyes and a tissue stuffed into her hand as she wiped her nose. He gave her a look and she spilled her joy into his knowing. "That was Belle... Preston asked her to marry him!" She nearly squealed. He had to grin at his wife's enthusiasm. He wasn't too sure how he felt about loosing his little girl to this guy... Oh, Preston was a nice enough guy. He'd met him and liked him. But to give his little girl up to him... of that he wasn't too sure. Then a thought occured to him. He looked up to the that big orange harvest moon, then into his wifes eyes, so full of joy and happiness. He now knew what was missing in his life... children... no, not his own. Grandchildren. But was he really ready to become a grandfather in a few years though? When he really looked inside himself, the answer was a hardy... yes. He smiled at his wife and helped her up off the swing. He wrapped the afghan around their shoulders and headed them into the house. At the foot of the stairs he broke away from his wife and slid out from under the afghan, heading for the piano in a corner of the darkened livingroom. She only smiled and headed up the stairs alone. She understood, she always understood. And as she got into their bed alone, she could hear the beautiful ballad climbing out of the piano, being coaxed from the dark by the man she loved, his soft voice filled with the raw emotion that always accompanied each song as he wrote them. She fell asleep wrapped in soft song, under the harvest moon. |