"Rhett, what would I do now?" Neva breathed.
"Nothing Angel." Rhett whispered, kissing her shoulder.
"He had married me. Had the twins with me." Neva's silent tears rushed down.
Rhett's face darkened.
"It doesn't matter."
He held her closer, caressing away her hair, he buried his face in the crook of her smooth bare neck.
"I had never really felt at home there.
I had always felt not present. I always wished for something more to fill the hollowness in my chest." She caressed his hair, fondly stroking the strands.
"I know Angel,"
"If I was really gone, what would you have done?"
"You leaving me forever was impossible. Even if you did in this life, I wouldn't have stopped looking for you. Until I would be reunited with you. At that place.
Where souls know no misery; and the light never leaves."
Neva cried tears of frustration and longing.
"You make me feel so bad. Why would you love me so?"
Rhett smiled, sinking deeper into her warmth. "I cannot imagine a moment where I don't love you. I've got no words to describe why I love you. I can only say I can't live without you."
Neva flattened her palms on his back, "But I'm dirty. A mess Rhett. You shouldn't even want me."
His chest squeezed.
"You are the purest being I could ever hold." His voice was muffled in her shoulder.
"Please, don't say anymore Rhett." Neva felt her eyes swollen and burning. But the tears refused to cease.
"Just, be here and hold me."
.
.
.
Neva was at ease. And she felt like she was home. This light in her chest was warm like seeping, shimmering sunrays. She was in the most sacred of garden. The scent of flowers, the leaves flying with the breeze, the creasing caress of the rustling of leaves and birds chirping.
She knew she didn't want to be anywhere apart his embrace. And this feeling was succoring. She felt fulfilled.
She could at the same time; live and die sweetly in his arms.
Ishmael was right.
Miracles did exist.
And she was so sure to hold it and absorb it all.
So, when she opened her eyes and raised her left hand.
She saw the gold wedding band glinting in the sunlight through the balcony.
This miracle; the garden was Neva's truism.
His miracle; Ishmael's Eden was putrified.
She had broken his shackles of illusions.
He was the shadow she needed to forsake.
Neva patted his back softly. "Can I be let go for a little moment?"
Rhett in response only tightened his hold on her. "Only for a little moment."
"I have had enough of not being able to feel you."
Neva smiled. "Perfectly fine,"
He reluctantly released her, and they looked into each others eyes.
Their tears had dried in the heat of their lovers embrace.
Neva caressed his cheek and revealed a small smile. And Rhett still drowned in her eyes.
She stood up and walked towards the balcony.
He arose too, but he stood by the entrance while she had her back to him leaning on the railing.
Her frame glowing in the sunlight.
She was an angel; his angel.
Neva smiled in serenity, her hands gripping the handrail.
She curled her body further towards the nature: soaking in the golden rays, the rustling trees of the woods and the swaying breeze, the chirping birds, the smell of flowers, rain dripping leaves and petrichor.
She closed her eyes and breathed in deep.
She was so lightened of the burdens.
The world had never been unveiled this beautiful.
She looked down at the ring again, and the next moment she was smoothly drawing it out. And when the last menacle was out; she was feathery.
She glanced at the plain ring for the last time.
She laughed softly.
Neva fisted the ring and clenched it, and she in a breath raised her arm and flung it accross the woods.
She turned around, her eyes gleaming.
Rhett smiled at her and opened his arms.
Neva smiled back brightly at him.
And when she ran to breath in his arms; she felt like she was flying.
She giggled, her legs not on the ground. Her arms encircled around his neck as he had his own wrapped around her back, robust arms carrying her with ease as he swayed his lover in the air.
They were giggling, euphoric now swirling in the heart of the balcony with the sweet and gentle breeze.
Rhett looked at her and grinned so wide. Neva's eyes softened and she felt herself melting.
They were now still, and she was still held in his arms, her curved up legs, her toes scrunching in bliss.
Their breaths heavy and heart ignited. Drowning, and swimming in each other's warm cocoa pools.
They refused to sever the tangling of the eyes, and Neva leaned in, her eyes closing as she connected the feverish foreheads.
She was in love.
She could be the bride in the wildflower meadows.
And she was in her groom's arms.
Neva pulled away and smiled at him.
He still had his eyes veiled; relishing her presence.
When he opened his eyes, a drop of tear floated down his cheek.
Oh.
He was so happy.
Neva kissed his tear away, and his lips quivered.
Rhett tightened his grip on her back. And he raised his chin. And she leaned in.
Her hands cupping his cheek.
And the sinking of the soft lips and merge of the dewy flesh...
Sparks exploded...
Red petals of blessing roses swirled around them...
And they had made their own garden of heaven.
When they pulled away, Neva's tears fell on Rhett's cheek.
"I don't believe the forced marriage I couldn't even remember Rhett. But can I please stay? Because even if I can't remember our own, I cannot waive off the feeling of the sacred marriage in my soul."
An euphoric Rhett couldn't even breath, overwhelmed with happiness. Grinning, he only placed her on her feet and cupped her cheek, kissing her deeply again.
Neva's hands snaked around his neck, and she only pulled him closer.
She was finally home.
They had to live, so for the rare of air in their lungs they had to apart the lips again.
Foreheads connected, sweet breath fanning in each other's face like melting with the honeyed saliva merged from the wedded lovers in their tongues.
They smiled with eyes closed.
Rhett went to dive in the pleasure of her lips but a loud bark made him halt.
Both Neva and Rhett's eyes trailed to the golden retriever on the living room, barking at them.
Neva chuckled, only for her eyes to widen when she saw a glimpse of Rhean peeking from behind the sofas.
Rhett wasn't too upset when she abruptly pushed him away.
He did want more, but he was gratified.
Neva was back to him.
He smiled as her cheeks burned red in embarrassment.
Rhett glanced at the black haired child still hiding. "You're not very good at spying Rhean. Come on out now."
When Rhean slowly appeared stunned beside Zoro, who was now nuzzling his head to his hand, Ace walked in through the living room door too.
"Damn your romance. I thought I was gonna die of starvation." Ace ruffling his hair headed straight to the kitchen, his beige baggy shirt with wide neckline still sliding down his shoulder.
Niall and a smiling May came out too. Pretending to not mind at all as they made a bee–line towards the open kitchen.
But still she was guilty; they kept them all waiting.
And Neva just slid, and shrinked behind Rhett more. Her head lowered and eyes shut tight, burning in embarrassment.
They saw it all.
It was probably late in the morning now, and no one had yet eaten breakfast due to them occupying the living room.
She felt bad for Rhean, who now just stood there, wide curious eyes staring at them.
Her own hunger long forgotten.
Love filled both Rhett and Neva's stomach.
Rhett grabbed her hand and walked in through the living room.
Zoro now followed Ace and the middle–aged couple into the kitchen for the food aroma tickled his nose and summoned him.
Rhean grinning approached them, and Neva couldn't help just lowering to his height and kissing his rosy bread cheeks.