Blizzard !

(6) Dessert

I stop teasing Noah; the rest of the meal is spent on good conversation and laughter. There has always been a silent connecting thread between Noah and I... It's our souls are talking to each other is the best way I can describe it, cheesy, corny, and as "Lifetime Movie" crapola  as it may sound. We are always very aware  of each others' presence when we're together. I can always feel it first when Noah's eyes are burning holes into me from across the room or across the campfire or if I'm up onstage; demanding  my attention. We lock eyes, smile; it's a knowing look that speaks volumes. We "get" each other immediately. It's like a lovely little 'zing!' to the heart, (and other body parts) and then a warm glow.  We have this easy familiarity between us as if we've known each other forever, or in another time and place at least. Maybe we have....I don't know..... When I hold him in my arms, a peaceful bubble encloses us, time seems to stand still, and I want nothing else but him...

Allison Krauss  -  "When You Say Nothing At All"

                         (This became Noah and Susanna's Song)

When supper is over, Noah helps me rinse dishes and stack the dishwasher. I blow out the candles and remove the tablecloth. I wipe off the kitchen counters, rinse the washcloth and fold it over the faucet to dry. I turn around, and there is my Renaissance Man standing right directly behind me. He's got this big, mischievous grin on his face.... 

"What are you grinning like that  for, hmm?"  I ask him, my arms folded, one eyebrow raised, smiling.

"Isn't it time for dessert, now ?" He's still grinning like a naughty little boy. Who is  this man? It's a side of Noah I've never seen before...It definitely seems like my Chivalrous Gentleman Knight has  been left on Chichagof Island!! What do I make of this new attitude; hmm? It seems very...adult. Not that Noah acts like a child;  because I wouldn't put up with that kind of crap anyway! But I have a feeling Noah is not  talking about food for dessert...unless he has some kinky food fetish that I know nothing about! I have a feeling I  might be the dessert Noah has in mind!

"It could  be, maybe." I say, smiling. "Or...it could  be time for your surprise...but I'm not sure if you've been a good boy..."

He puts his hands on either side of me onto the counter and leans into me, our noses touching.  "I  have been a very  good boy, I  think, missy !" he purrs, looking into my eyes.

"Well, that's not really for you decide, now is it?" I say with grin and start giggling.

"Woman!" Noah warns me with a good-natured grin.

"Yeah, but will you still respect me in the morning?" I say half-seriously.

Noah reaches up, touches my hair, looks into my eyes. "God, yes, Susanna. I love you, more than anything else in my life. With you, I'm happy just to be me and I don't need or want anything else. I can be myself, and it's okay; you take me as I am; and when I'm being a pompous ass, you straighten me right out. When you hold me in your arms, I know a total peace that  I've never known  before. I have this feeling that I knew you even long before we met; I can't explain that, but I just do. I can tell you anything, and you understand. I'm so glad we're together like this, alone, in your house; I don't ever want to leave. Being separated from you for so long has made me realize that. God, I've spent so many lonely nights laying awake aching for you, making love to you in my mind!  I love you Susanna; I need you, I want you, I want to take this next step with you. I want you to trust me and not to be afraid of letting go and letting me in. I've thrown all my rules out the window. They don't apply to you, and never have. You're a desirable, beautiful, incredible, woman, not a girl. You are so  precious and beautiful to me, Susanna! That Noah you see on TV talking about a courting style from the 14th and 15th century, he doesn't exist anymore. Oh, I'm still a chivalrous gentleman and all that, but I was just doing the rest of that to put up walls so I wouldn't get my heart broken again like when Christie did it. Please, trust me and let me in; I will never throw it back in your face. Susanna..." he takes me in his arms, "you're my Soulmate; the one I've been searching for. I love you." He strokes my cheek softly with his fingertips.

Ummm.....WOW ?!?...Holy Smoke, Batman!...What do I say to THIS ?!?......It's a beautiful declaration of his love...

I'm still a little bit afraid...afraid to let go.....afraid to trust....what if I'm a disappointment to him? What if  I'm   "not enough" for him ? I am silent looking up into his beautiful blue eyes; I know these emotions are racing across my face... suddenly, I'm so scared...My eyes are must be huge now...I swallow hard...God, I'm scared...Yes, yes, I know what I said a little ways back when Noah was in the shower!....Now he's here and declaring his love and presenting the perfect opportunity for us to become lovers...and I'm scared I'm gonna get hurt. That's what my problem is, I realize....I'm feeling wide open and vulnerable, and I haven't felt that since I met my husband Pat .

The blizzard is raging outside, piling up snow...and a storm of feelings raging inside me...

"Susanna," Noah whispers, looking deep into my eyes, "please, trust me. I love you, more than   anything.  I want to be your lover. " He leans in lays a tender, erotic kiss on my lips, tightening his arms around me, his strong hand on the small of my back pressing me tightly to him. Oh my God, I am so lost in him, this moment.....If that isn't the most erotic statement  ever, "I want to be your lover"  I don't know what the hell is ...

Noah draws back, looks at me. "Susanna?"

       (Susanna and Noah's 2nd song)

Travis Tritt -  "Can I Trust You With My Heart?"  -  CD  -  T-R-O-U-B-L-E