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The Dance
The wind swept across Nottawasaga Bay... and on it, carried a light rain... almost a drizzle. The surf had picked up a little more all afternoon prodded on by the wind... which blew unrestricted for miles from the west. A solitary gull circled and buffeted on the uncertain winds... high above the sand dunes that skirted the bay. The world seemed gray... as the raindrops beat gently against the windows of the beachfront cottage. This was their first weekend away in months. He had worked hard to first pen, then publish this his first novel in years. Douglas puttered about the kitchen fixing Brianna another cup of coffee. She was curled up in a 40's style overstuffed chair and wrapped in a quilt. They had spent most of the morning reading to each other. This was a new ritual that Douglas had encouraged.
When they first arrived at the cottage, Douglas had told Brianna about when he was young and his family had a cottage on Georgian Bay. He had related to her that every time there was a storm his family had turned their chairs and couches towards the windows that faced the bay to watch the storm build and the frequent lightning shows that accompanied most of them.
Brianna looked up from her book as Douglas handed her a new cup of her favorite coffee. She appreciated most little things he did for her, some so simple as to learn just how to make her coffee just right! She was glad she had found a man who took as much an interest in the "little things" as the "larger issues" in life. Unbeknownst to her, every cup of coffee he had ever made her, secretly was "sealed with a kiss" on the edge of her mug. A tradition picked up one morning when he had seen his father gently kiss his mother's tea cup as he brought it to her.
The morning was glorious. She had awakened to his kissing her eyes and they had not spoken a word for the first fifteen minutes she was awake. They just smiled and kissed... their eyes spoke volumes. As was customary most mornings, he had risen early and let her sleep while he brewed her first pot of coffee. Most of the morning had been spent in bed and she had felt particularly lazy on this trip. It was nice to have no schedule no appointments and especially to have no phone! He sat next to her, put his feet up and seemed to resume reading. As she sipped her coffee, she became aware that his clothing had changed from his jeans and collarless shirt to a tuxedo.
Her face lit up! What was this all about? She loved his surprises! Douglas had slipped into the bedroom and changed clothes under the guise of making coffee. She set her book down and smiled in anticipation. She never knew what to expect, and that was one of the many things she loved about this man. His romantic imagination seemed to know no bounds!
He stood rather formally and extended his hand. Playing somewhat coy and grinning from ear to ear Brianna held out her hand and rose. He placed her arm in his and led her to the bedroom... as she entered; she saw a red formal dress and matching red gloves on the bed.
He hugged her from behind and whispered in her ear “Five minutes..." As he left the room, she noticed there were no shoes... She knew he was a master of detail and so resigned herself to the fact that shoes were not part of his plan. It only took her three minutes to dress, and put her hair up the way he loved to see it. But she waited until he returned and knocked at the door. As she opened the door, she was greeted by the biggest grin a mane of hair and a single red rose. "M’Lady...” he said and again extended his arm which she took and they walked out into the living room. There, somehow he had managed to set up a two place formal setting, complete with candles and a champagne bucket. She was startled to see that they were not alone!
Douglas had arranged for a butler and a maid... He introduced Brianna to "Jeeves, and Maude". She was flabbergasted! What a mind! He asked Jeeves to pour some champagne... and they sat. Dinner was a small miracle!!! He had to have had it delivered by caterers... she inquired and Douglas replied that Maude was a chef and had were the people they had seen earlier at the other cottage down the beach. As she sipped the last of her third glass of champagne, and set her napkin down on the table, Jeeves removed the plates.
It was early evening and the storm had reduced to a drizzle with light winds. As they stood by the front windows watching the bay, Douglas took the remote control for the stereo from his pocket and switched the CD. "The song" soon was emanating from the speakers. Again Douglas offered Brianna his arm... however as he did he bowed ever so slightly so reading his queue she curtsied. He took her into his arms and they started a slow dance...
Jeeves silently moved to the back door and opened it and was standing next to Maude. They both were holding huge umbrellas under their arms. Expertly Douglas swirled Brianna towards the door, and she giggled as the danced on outside. The drizzle which would have normally felt cold had been prewarmed by the third glass of champagne. As they danced slowly smiling and staring deeply into each other's eyes, Douglas kept guiding them towards the shore.
Jeeves and Maude covered by their huge umbrellas followed at a respectable distance not quite sure what to make of this. The drizzle covered Brianna and Douglas, but neither cared. She could hear the surf clearer now. As they moved closer to the beach, the music was barely audible in the breeze.
Just then, the sun broke thru the black clouds as it dipped beneath the watery horizon. Her hair shone like golden wheat... and her smile was brilliant. And just before the last of the sun's rays were gone, she sparkled, and shone, and glowed.
And true to his word... Douglas fell in love with this woman...
all over again as he had ... each and every day since they were
together.
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