Hopelessly Devoted To You - PAD2022

Hopelessly Devoted To You


Glancing through the darkened aperture of one of his front window panes, he could see the moon starting to rise up over the cascading waves of the ocean. With each crest, the sparkling reflections of it’s fullness grew stronger and brighter in intensity. Just like his anticipation for the coming evening. He had just finished securing the ascot around his neck and was reaching for his waistcoat. He glanced quickly over to the two dozen huge white lilies he had purchased for Althea. Althea. A name more lovely to him with each whispered utterance. Would she like these as well as the last flowers he had brought her? How could she not? He was so utterly devoted to her.

Opening the door, he noticed there was a slight chill on the evening air, so he reached into the hall closet for his overcoat and put it on. Plucking the flowers up off the settee, he stepped outside, locked his door and then made his way to his love’s nest. “A witty play on words,” he thought to himself. Inwardly, he smiled.

Taking the familiar path across the heather, he instinctively let it lead him along as it led through the low grass. The verdure of the meadow was quite evident, even tonight, because of the glow of the lunar illumination. Ever onward, he would occasionally note the passage of the moon on it’s continuous journey up to the heavens above. Though dimming due to the orb’s advances, the skies above were still infested with the multitudinous pinpoints of the distant luminaries that shine fortune on us all. Stopping a moment to take it all in, an old children’s rhyme came to his mind. “Star light, star bright....” Somewhere off to his right, a nightbird made a sound and it broke him out of his reverie. He continued on his way.

Cresting a rise on the pathway, off in the distance he could see the lights of a small cottage. It’s thatched roof blending in with the darkness of the night and almost unseen. Smoke was curling up out of a lone chimney and it’s residents seemed to be in for the night. Tucked in, tidy and secure, no doubt. Casting his eyes around the countryside, there seemed to be nobody out but him tonight. With the chill of winter approaching, that was probably just as well.

He had taken this path many nights before now and it had always carried him to just outside her door. Just outside, with her loveliness just beyond the thickness of the wood that separated them both. But, it wouldn’t keep them apart for very much longer because he began to see a dark mass that slowly took form as her residence. All around was quiet and she was waiting for him. It wouldn’t be long, now.

He finally reached the front where he paused for a moment to straighten his ascot. Once comfortable, he got a firmer grip on the flowers and then pulled out his key. Since she resided in the back of the building, he always let himself into the foyer so as not to inconvenience her. He inserted the key and twisted it. The lock was stiff with the coolness of the night, but it eventually released and he went inside. Closing the door behind him and shutting out the pointed breath of the sea air, he made his way ahead to where she was waiting. She was always waiting; waiting just for him. Their love was special and, in his mind, written to be in the stars.

Tonight was to be their third anniversary. He knew she would remember it just as vividly as he did. From that very first night when he had held her in his arms just didn’t seem like it had been three years past. Time almost stood still now that he had found her. He couldn’t believe his good fortune. For a girl such as her to love a man like him. The gods must have looked down in favor on him. Though not quite as young as he used to be, she never seemed to change. With her long, flowing blonde hair and full lips, she was the picture of loveliness in his eyes. A veritable classic work of art. Would she appear the same to him again tonight? A few more strides would tell the tale.

Just a few more steps and he would be to her chamber. It had belonged to her family for several generations and her part always smelled of fresh roses. He had brought roses last time and so that was why he had chosen lilies this time. White lilies for the purity of his love for her. And white that would match her flowing gown. He reached up to the wall and took down a candle to light. Soft lighting was ever so good to enhance the mood of their coming together. It wouldn’t be long.

At last he came to where she was peacefully slumbering. His anticipation grew by the moment. He reached for the heavy bar and placed it once more into the seal. Once he lifted the covering up and over, he carefully removed it and placed it on the ground beside her. Lighting another candle, he shined it into where she lay. That first look. He was beside himself with joy. As his eyes met hers, he smiled. Then he remembered to show her the flowers. He would find a vase to put them in later, but for now, he sat them on a nearby table, along with the candle. He removed his overcoat and ascot and placed them beside the lilies. Once again, he was about to be in her arms.

Slowly he climbed in beside her, gently so as not to disturb her. His was a love that was, first and foremost, gentle and reverential. As he knew she would want it to be that way. And he had never disappointed her. He could never disappoint her as long as he lived. And as she had lived for his love, she had died for his love. Now she would be there every night waiting for him with arms unfurled. Cold and lovely. Silent and lonely. Lying there in her sepulchre by the sea. Althea, his love forever.

The End

a reply to: TrulyColorBlind

Nice
🌺
I love how ever so gently and subtile the pain shimmers through all the time, after you know the end.


I just declare you my current King Story.
❇

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Johnny

Sorry I missed this when it was first written. You are a talented writer and your story was beautifully told. Loved this!