Synopsis:  Love is unbound and can sustain a lifetime.     

Much appreciation to my beta, Evecho, for helping me correct the grammar and puncuation.

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The bright green grass covered the summer meadow as if it were a carpet of velvet, unmarred except for two sets of footprints that trailed lazily along a meandering path.  A light breeze blew with enough force to blow the flies and gnats away from the flower studded field.  Honeysuckles, entwined among the tree branches, wafted their scent across the field and added to the beauty of the scene.  Overhead, the sky was robin egg blue, with puffy white clouds slowly moving across the horizon.  The sun peeked from behind the clouds and warmed the meadow with its early summer rays, burning off the chill of the night.  In the middle of the field, two women lay with their arms wrapped around each other as they looked into the sky.

“See that one over there?” Katherine pointed with a nod of her head.  “It looks like a fat wooly sheep.”

“Where?  I don’t see a sheep.  I think it looks like a puppy dog with long floppy ears.”  Renee responded.

Katherine took a deep breath and filled her lungs with the fresh air.  Her nose tingled from the sweet smell of the honeysuckle and reminded her of Renee, fresh from a shower.  She turned her head toward Renee and leaned closer until their foreheads were resting together.

“I love you so much,” Katherine whispered as her arms tightened around Renee.

Renee hugged her, and then pulled slightly back.  She lay quietly as she gazed into the dark brown eyes that stared at her with so much love that it took her breath away.  She saw the sun filtering through the rich wavy chocolate hair that hung around Katherine’s shoulders.  Renee reached up and swept back the inevitable lock of hair that fell over Katherine’s eyes.

“Baby, I know.  I love you too,” Renee said softly. 

Renee was like morning to Katherine’s night.  Her eyes were pale baby blue, accenting perfectly her flaxen hair.  Renee’s complexion could be called peaches and cream.  She hated that cliché but knew it fitted her to a T.  The years had only enhanced her looks, and her beauty remained unchanged.

Renee moved her hand from Katherine’s hair and softly stroked her face. She could feel the sun’s warmth on the tanned cheek as her fingers trembled.  Renee tried to convey everything that was inside of her heart toward Katherine in that single touch, brushing over skin as familiar as her own.  Katherine leaned into her hand, seeking more.

Katherine turned her face and kissed Renee’s palm.  She could feel the softness of Renee’s hand and the slightly salty taste brought forth by the rising heat. Renee pulled her hand back and replaced it with her bowed lips, puckered, ready to kiss.  Katherine smiled as she leaned forward and brushed her lips against Renee’s. 

One kiss lead to more teasing nibbles and nips as each woman tried to show the other how strong the love was inside of them.  Soft touches turned to hot passionate caresses as the kisses deepened.  Katherine shifted until she was lying over Renee, her mouth pressing down more firmly against Renee’s puffy lips.

Renee opened her mouth and welcomed Katherine’s delving tongue as the love flowed through them and all around them.  After several minutes of give and take kissing, Katherine pulled back and lay down once more on the grass.  She closed her eyelids as tears of joy filled her eyes from the knowledge that Renee loved her.

Renee sat up and looked down at Katherine, her eyes glazed with tears.

“I have to go, honey,” Renee spoke in a choked voice. 

Katherine tried to rise but Renee pushed on her shoulder, making her lie back down. 

“Close your eyes, baby.  Relax.  The kids will be here shortly.” 

“Don’t leave me, please,” Katherine pleaded.

“I have to, baby.  You know that.”  Renee replied tearfully.

“What will I do without you?”  Katherine said so quietly that Renee could barely hear her.

“Don’t worry, darling.  I’ll be back for you before you know it.  Then, we’ll never be apart again.”  Renee reached out and feathered her fingers across Katherine’s eyes, closing them.

It became very quiet as Renee continued to lull Katherine into sleep.  There was silence except for the warble of the chickadee calling to its mate in the deep woods.  Renee cocked her head as she listened for but didn’t hear the answering call.  Soon, while Katherine slept, Renee stood and walked back along the path they had taken earlier when they had crossed the meadow.  She would stop every few steps and turn to gaze at Katherine lying quietly on the grass, a look of longing etched on her beautiful face. Within minutes, she was nothing more than a ghostly figure that all too soon faded entirely from sight.

Katherine continued to dream of Renee and of their happy, loving life they had spent together.  Their greatest gift to one another was the three wonderful children that Renee gave birth to during their marriage. Katherine realized that even though Renee had to leave, there was always a part of her to be found in every one of their children.  Even in sleep, a smile crossed her lips as she realized she’d never be without Renee as long as she had them.

“Mama….Mama.  Wake up.” 

Katherine opened her eyes to see her daughter sitting beside her on the edge of the bed.  Lisette was dressed in black, her eyes puffy and swollen.  She had been crying and her nose was red and shiny.  Lisette held a bundle of Kleenex in her hand and would unconsciously reach up and wipe the corner of her eyes where tears continued to trickle.

“What is it honey?” Katherine asked in a soothing voice.

“Reverend Harris is leaving.  He wanted to know if he could have one more word with you about Mom.”  Lisette’s tears fell harder when she spoke of her Mom. 

“Tell him I’ll be right down,” Katherine said in a quiet voice.

“Yes, Mama.”  Lisette rose and left the room.

Katherine looked around the room she shared with Renee for many years, before getting up to walk to the mirror.  She paused in front of it and stared at the image looking back at her.  She saw an old woman, stooped and twisted with age.  Her once rich, chocolate hair was now an off white crown.  Wrinkles covered cheeks that once were full and tanned.  Only her dark brown eyes remained the same as in her youth, still shining brightly and full of life.

Katherine looked lower and noted that she too was dressed all in black.  Suddenly, the memories flooded back.  Today, she had buried Renee, the love of her life.  Renee, her very reason for living.  Tears welled in her eyes and overflowed to follow the deep creases in her cheeks.  Her heart broke in two as loneliness swept through her like an enveloping mist. 

She looked once more in the mirror and heard Renee’s voice just as she had in her dreams. 

“I’ll be back before you know it, darling.  Be ready for me.  When that day comes, we’ll be together forever.”

Katherine pushed the now white, wayward curl from her forehead as she turned and left the room.  Her children were waiting for her and she still had unfinished business before Renee came back for her.  She smiled as she closed the door to their room.  She could have sworn she caught the scent of honeysuckle just as the door snapped shut. 

Katherine walked into the living room and held her arms wide.  All three children, now grown, crowded forward to be enveloped in one large group hug.  Katherine looked over at the Reverend and nodded her head.

“Reverend Harris, we’ll be fine.  Renee will always be here with us in our hearts and in our minds.  Our love for her will remain undiminished as long as we breathe.”  She looked into the faces of her children and saw characteristics of Renee that would be with her to sustain her during hard times and good times.  Renee may not still be with them in life, but she would be with them forever in the legacy of their children and in the love that still abound, knitting their family tightly together.

The End