a Slice of Life - Heavenly Bride

Chapter 10 - What dost thou lacketh?

1 Lo, it came to pass, after the passage of a moon, they did exchange sweet farewells and tender goodnights.

2 They did cherish one another, as couples are wont to do, albeit the words of love lay unuttered betwixt them.

3 For they both did musel in their hearts, querying, What are we?

4 How dare I voice, 'I love thee', lest I err in my words?

5 They feared in their minds that what they shared was naught but friendship with benefits, though neither craved such a thing.

6 They were as a couple, yet devoid of love's words and lacking a name for their bond.

7 Calem, in his heart, pondered thus, saying, "Peradventure she loves me for mine estate, being a man of trade and means to furnish."

8 Serena, likewise, mused within her soul, saying, "Peradventure he desires me only for my warmth, and I would not that our bond be mere lust."

9 Now it came to pass, after they completed their toils and procured what was needed for their shop,

10 As they sat within the car, parked in that place of respite, Calem did then speak, saying unto her, "What are we?"

11 Serena did reply, saying, "I know not, what are we?"

12 Then Calem, with tremors in his voice, did confess, saying, "I yearn for what we possess, I desire thee.

13 Yet I am beset with fear, for what if I be not enough? What if thou lovest me not for my true self?

14 I know not how to sway thee of my ardor, and my heart doth dwell upon reasons why thou wouldst desire me."

15 Serena, hearkening to his words, spake gently unto him, saying, "Fear not, Calem, for thou needest not persuade me of aught.

16 Forsooth, what we doth share is goodly, and thou art sufficient."

17 "Ne'er did I think there would be one such as thee who would take heed of me.

18 Yet I wouldst bestow upon thee a thousand reasons to hold me fast.

19 But if thou truly seest me, if thou lovest me for mine own self, then that is all I hath ever yearned for.

20 There lies a depth I have longed for, a love most genuine, wherein we partage the burdens of our souls."

21 Then did Serena query, "Dost thou love me?"

22 Calem, with full heart, did respond, "I do. I do love thee, Serena."

23 He kissed her, and she in turn kissed him.

24 They did share long and tender kisses, with passion 'twixt them.

25 Serena spake anew, saying, "I love thee. I have ever loved thee.

26 Remembrest thou when I did proclaim that it is grievous for me to fall in love, for my heart doth not yield swiftly to affection?

27 Yet, when thou didst enter my life, all my reasons and doubts did fade, and I couldst not but love thee. 28. Mine heart is full, and I cannot withhold mine affection from thee."

29 They did kiss yet again, a brief kiss, yet sweet.

30 Gazing into each other's eyes, they did exchange the words, "I love thee", and so began their journey as one, as a couple.

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