Chapter Two: After returning home from the engagement party Beth is on cloud nine and can’t sleep.

“How peaceful he looks when he is sleeping, my big stubborn sweetheart…my love, with not a care in the world.
I’m so happy, I won’t get a wink of sleep at all tonight…. my mind is just racing…isn’t it wonderful.

Poor Stanley, how did Margaret put it, hmm… yes that’s it, she said, “hum dinger” and “smitten, Richard is smitten with you.”
Stanley is going to have one hum dinger of a shiner, a black eye when he say’s the early Mass tomorrow morning.
Dear Margaret, you were right, he just needed a little push and then he came out swinging.
He finally said it, “I love you, “I love you Elizabeth Susan Adamczyk, and then he shouted it for all to hear, “I love you Elizabeth Susan Adamczyk!”

That was so romantic and I can be such a bitch.
My poor sweetheart…. sweetheart, it feels so good to think that, and to say that… sweetheart… I promise I will never do anything like that to you again…. I will never doubt your love for me… especially after what you did at our engagement party.
I just wanted to hear you say it… although in your own way you showed me, darling.
I hope I can be as good a wife to you as Beatrice… I pray that I can…

Sean never did any of those things or would ever do any of those things. He would pay somebody to do it, that rich spoiled bastard that he was and most likely still is… he couldn’t even stand up to his own mommy for goodness sake.

I was so young and so naive… a virgin. I was smitten by him and with everything about him, his politics for example.
He encouraged me to join the debating team and we were partners; double-teaming people to join our liberal causes or to shout down the opposition, ad hominem attacks if it suited our purposes because we were right and they were wrong.

I was so popular in high school, an honor student, a cheerleader…. the homecoming queen…. a big fish in a little pond.
Sean told me I was special to him and I believed him… I wanted to believe that he loved me, or in time that would he learn to love me…. I loved him, or I thought that I loved him… he never loved me… I was merely convenient… I can’t believe that I cut my hair short for him, that stupid pixie cut?

I hate my hair short and I hated that haircut, I looked like a boy. There I go again making excuses…I did it because he was so handsome, and not just handsome, he was drop dead gorgeous and I wanted him and the things that his money could buy…I can’t believe that I was so shallow then.

I will never cut my hair that short again…. except for my Richard and he won’t ask because he loves my hair long.
I want to grow it waist length for him if he will let me…and I will keep it like this length because it pleases him, however I am sure that he will agree if I ask.

Sean and I always agreed on everything… of course we did, so that he could get into my pants.
The places we traveled together and the restaurants, plus the expensive gifts that he bought me, they were impressive I will admit to that.

It was like I was in a fog… of course, a fog!
Because that is what you are Sean, disingenuous and insubstantial; you polluted water vapor, you were in love
with yourself; the reincarnation of Narcissus admiring his own reflection in a stagnant shallow pool and destined to be transformed into skunk cabbage by the gods for your vanity, your self-love.

As for the causes that you championed, I was so impressed at the time…it is obvious now that you never believed in them, like so many of the people of the in-crowd…. symbolism instead of substance.

I know exactly where my Richard stands!
He means what he says and he lives it.
He is not afraid of anything, not even when he was a little boy.

The caviar, no big deal, caviar is merely salty fish eggs.
I didn’t like caviar then and I don’t like caviar now.
I just ate it to please you Sean, and because we were engaged, and because it was expensive.
Give me a good hometown beer batter fish fry any old time.

I don’t hate you any longer mamma’s boy…you forced me to grow up and to mature and to realize
what is important in life, family…. my family was there for me, especially my mom
Dear Margaret, you are so much like mom, and Sweetheart, you are my family now, my love and my anchor.

Caviar & champagne cannot compare to the hot roasted walnuts and cold apple cider that we shared. (Beth touches Richard’s face and smiles while wiping a tear from her eye)
That evening, after our feast and then spending the day together, you walked me to my apartment door like you do with me every night…. to make sure that I am safe.

I wanted you to kiss me that night…. or for you to just hold me.
That was the night that I realized that I loved you…. I was afraid of being hurt again…. afraid of telling you…. perhaps a little stubborn myself, perhaps more then a little stubborn… I was waiting for you to say it.

Well maybe I will tease you a little to keep you on your toes.
I shall tell you I want keep my maiden name after we are married…. just teasing my love, my man.
My man…a real man, not a Sean! I adore thinking that because I am your woman now.

I wouldn’t dream of changing you because you are so damn stubborn, and so patient and so kind and gentle, and oh… so frustrating at times…but full of surprises, like poetry, our daffodils, our special love poem to be sure.” (Beth sighs, rolls over and snuggles closer to her love)

I would have never imagined that you knew poetry when we first met underneath our trees…. did I just think that, under our trees?
When you wake up I shall tell you that, our trees, Sweetheart, our trees.

When I first saw you my impression of you was no nonsense, so spit and polish in your uniform.
Solid and formidable, unyielding with your feet firmly planted, much like your trees, our trees now!
And then you shook my hand, firmly but gently, such strong hands, tough and callused hands, but warm, like the sun kissed bark of our lovely trees.

Dear God, I’m so horny, I can’t wait until you wake up so we can make love again and then you will touch me with your hands.
You make me so horny…. should I wake you?
Your hands are so unlike his which were cool and soft… like a woman’s, what was I thinking?”
(Beth takes Richard’s hand and kisses it, careful not to wake him)

You noticed the leaves in my hand and I didn’t have time to put them in my car.
I was afraid that perhaps you thought I was silly and wouldn’t rent to me.
Then you smiled and then you didn’t look so stern or mean and then you let your guard down a little, yes just a little…. and the more time I spent with you the more you smiled; all the girls in my office noticed that and Margaret certainly did…. my twitterpated love. (I hated your mustache, Beth whispered to her sleeping love)

You shaved off that terrible mustache just for me and I can’t wait until your hair grows out.
And then there is my beautiful pin, I found out what the leaves in my hand meant to you… I…. I’m going to start crying and wake you for sure…. stop it Beth!

When I first saw your house, our house and the barns and the trees and fields, I so wanted to live there…I felt as if I belonged there, as if benevolent hands were pushing me towards it, well…that’s just silly, isn’t it?
I hadn’t lived in a real house since Mom died and then I moved from place-to-place, job-to-job and never putting down roots.
As to the few men that I dated…. duds… and to label them duds are upgrades.
I had just about given up on men in general when out of the blue, Margaret gave me your yellow file card advertising the apartment and told me to put it in my purse and not tell anyone.
I’m so glad that you put that repairman in his place. Lucky for him you didn’t hear what he said to me for you would have been angry with his lack of respect and his lack of manners: ” Hey girl, what’s up? Guess what? It’s your lucky day. Out of all the girls here, I picked you to talk to, and baby you look like my size.”, what a dud!

And our discussions, you never took the ad hominem, never belittled my opinions or shouted or even raised your voice to bully me.
If we didn’t agree you always said, well Elizabeth, I guess we shall simply have to agree to disagree…. Often I took the devils advocate just to get a rise out of you.
You sat there with your arms folded like you do and calmly listened…my God you can so frustrating at times…. you would be surprised to know that we agreed on most things.

Would you like butter or jam on your pound cake, Elizabeth, when you should have said that you loved me and saved us all the trouble. Instead, you pulled the handle off your favorite coffee cup and didn’t even know it.
I can be such a bitch, but it was so much fun…. I knew that you loved me and so did Margaret.
You were waiting for me to return home one night when I was with Stanley and you pulled the curtains down when you saw me kiss Stanley’s cheek… you were so angry, even Margaret laughed at that one.

I love it when you pick me up as if I weigh nothing… and the tractor…ha, ha, (Beth laughs quietly to herself) you were so embarrassed and then you turned beet red, as you did when I mentioned about the cologne you were wearing for me.
That was so precious, both times, blushing and you didn’t get angry when I ran the tractor into the bushes, you were so patient with me, and you are always so polite and always a gentleman.
I’m sure that Margaret saw to that, your good manners…it seems few people have good manners these days.

Margaret told me everything… darling…. how you brought Bea home from the hospital because that was where she wanted to be on her last days on this earth, home. You took an unpaid leave of absence to care for her, doing everything yourself….
I know how you broke down and cried when Bea died, like you did in the theatre with Margaret…the only two times that Margaret ever saw you cry.

I know that when you were a little boy you would stand toe to toe with the older boys, bullies, who made fun of your clothing and the way you looked and how you lived, calling you a motherless bastard.
I know that you often came home with bruises and your clothing was torn.
Sometimes you were battered and bloody, and few times you needed stitches (sutures) because you were too stubborn to give up or stay down.

Margaret said that you never cried or even complained.
You told her that only sissies cry and that a man has to stand for himself no matter what…. you drove Margaret crazy with worry but she admired you for it.
Margaret also told me that you refused to tell her who they were, those bullies, or the Sheriff for that matter; and when you
“got your size”, you hunted them down and they got their “come-up-ins”, especially the one that smashed your binoculars.
Nobody messed with you after that.
Margaret has such a way with words, “Come-up-ins”.

(Beth put her arm around Richard’s waist, snuggling closer still, and Richard stirred, smiling in his sleep)
I saw the field of blue forget- me- nots that you planted by the creek in Bea’s memory.
Bea never got to swim in the pool…. I pray that her soul finds peace and happiness in heaven. (Beth made The sign of the Cross)

I know how ill that she was with terminal cancer. I know that you carried her through your fields and that you held your wife in your strong arms to show Bea your gift to her…. Margaret assured me that you loved me as much as her.
I was a little jelious of Bea at first. I accept that you still love her in one part of your heart and will always love her, my green leaf….

I woke up to find Beth cuddled up next to me and she was crying softly?
I assumed that she wasn’t upset and was happy because women sometimes cry when they are happy and that’s OK.
I pushed Beth’s long hair behind one ear and kissed her face. “It’s alright, Beth, cry all you want, I love you too.”
I lay there hugging her and stroking her beautiful hair, which was wavy now that the curls had relaxed.

“You know why I’m crying?” She asked, somewhat surprised. “I’m sorry I woke you, how did you know?”

“I just know…see you have stopped crying” I kissed the tears from her face.
“Let me tell you what else I know and it is not up for discussion, my lady.
I will tolerate no dissention or broach any argument.
You are smart and you are pretty and sexy…”

“Just pretty?’ She asked, interrupting.

“Make that beautiful, and exasperating, plus you are obstinate….”
“Obstinate as in stubborn?” She asked, teasing me and kissing my chest while stroking my manhood and making me instantly hard and ready.

“That’s not fighting fair, Beth.” I said, lying back and enjoying the attention.

“What’s not fair Sweetheart, I’m not arguing with you I am agreeing with you.” She continued working her down kissing and licking my stomach. “You make me so horny and I want you now.”

I have only have only been with two women in my entire life, Beth being the second.
I suppose you can say that my actual experience in this venue is limited, not so my imagination.
Bea never initiated sex, being quiet and passive and somewhat shy, she was a virgin on our wedding night…but then so was I.

I took both of Beth’s hands in mine and kissed them, and then I slowly slid out of bed taking her with me…she didn’t resist and besides I always wanted to do it that way.

We stood facing one another and I put my arms around her waist. I kissed her mouth and squeezed her shapely ass, saying.
“Put your arms around my neck and hang on tight.”

I picked her up by her ass and then slid my erect manhood past her swollen lips into her moist pussy greeting her sweet flower.
As I pounded her, Beth arched her back thrusting her hips forward and her long hair was moving to the rhythm of my lustful thrusts, her long hair turning me on all the more.

She was moaning loudly unable to cover her mouth to keep from falling…perfect.
Beth was open to new experiences, experiences and other things for us to share together.
I pounded her until she came violently and vocally as her sweet orgasm washed over her.
I swear I could almost feel it through my manhood and my legs were dripping wet with her sweet juices.
I held back my own urgent need until my Beth was satisfied.

Having satisfied my woman, I continued thrusting with renewed vigor and my explosive orgasm caused Beth to hold on tighter and lean forward to passionately kiss my mouth and face, and she was crying again.
I sat down on the bed and Beth put her head on my shoulder and I held her until she stopped, my woman…. mine, so precious, so darn precious…stupid, stupid and stupid, why the hell did I wait so long to tell her that I loved her.
I never dreamed it could be like this.
Beatrice, Bea, my first love, my angel in heaven, Thank You for understanding.

As he held her, Beth was thinking – “My God where did he come from? I can’t believe we just did that?
Richard held me so effortlessly and I’ve never come like that before, it was wonderful, it was indescribable and I was practically screaming when I came and I didn’t care because I was with him.
He was so wild, and then so gentle and thoughtful holding me like as if I were a priceless porcelain doll and I loved it, cuddling…he loves to cuddle…a man who actually likes to cuddle.
Richard has finally let his guard down all the way…. how can I possibly deny him anything?”

“Race you to the shower.” I said, kissing Beth lightly on the lips. Then I let go of her and jumped up from the bed.
I got there ahead of her and closed the door purposely not locking it.
Beth turned the doorknob but didn’t come in right away, she went to her apartment; I was hoping and I was right.
I waited until I heard her coming up the stairs before I got in the shower…. something else I always wanted to do, shower with a woman.

She reached in through the shower curtain and turned the water on, “You were waiting for me weren’t you?
Just give me a second.
Beth got in next to me with a small plastic tote with various soaps, shampoos, conditioners and other stuff like that.
“Is this your first time, too?” I asked her, causing her to blush for a change.
“Never mind, Beth my love, I already have my answer.
I leave myself in your capable little hands.”

The first thing that she did was to shampoo and condition my hair, followed by washing my face with an exfoliating cleaner on a little round white abrasive cleansing pad, saying, “This is gentle enough to use twice a week and will do wonders for your skin.
I bought you a Gillette Fusion Razor and extra blades.

It’s on the vanity with Nivea Shaving Gel and Nivea After Shave Balm. They don’t contain alcohol and won’t dry your skin…”
Beth explained the benefits of each product, accessorizing and replacing everything I used to date, (any deodorant soap on sale) from head to toe.
I agreed to use them, for even if they didn’t work miracles, nevertheless they were a thoughtful gift and it made her happy to pamper me. I was wondering when she bought them?

Beth finished by washing me with an organic PH balanced peppermint soap using her little hands and paying special attention to my manhood, which was proudly standing at attention I may add, while kissing me long and deep while she was doing it.
I wondered what she was thinking, and its not like I’m a wild man.
I can control myself; I have done so since my wife died, nevertheless I would love to go down on her.
What does a bald pussy taste like, I think I will just come out and ask her………..

“It’s my turn next and then we will both smell like peppermint.
He can be so reasonable at times and he gave in so easily.
I’m sure that he will notice the improvements to his skin now that he is taking my advice, my not quite so stubborn Sweetheart.
I want to suck on his cock…I’m so naughty, I cant believe I am thinking that… yes I can, I love him. (Beth smiles)
His hair down there tickles my nose and it would be so much better if…. I wonder?”

I shampooed Beth’s hair, rinsing it well to remove all of the shampoo and then massaged the conditioner in starting with the tips and working my way up to her scalp. Then Beth handed me a large claw- type hair clip and instructed me to twist her conditioner-saturated hair on top of her head before fastening it in place with the clip.

I soaped Beth down with the peppermint soap, kissing her lips and hugging her ever chance I could get.
While the conditioner working she shaved her legs, under arms, etc, while I was shaving with my new razor.
After Beth rinsed the conditioner from her hair she got out and I dried her back with a towel.
Beth was facing the mirror with her beautiful hair wrapped up in a towel.
“Richard, what would you think if I cut my hair short?”

“You are not going to cut your hair short, Beth?”
I wouldn’t like that at all so stop kidding.”

“What makes you think that I am kidding?”
She asked, turning towards with her hands on her hips and trying to look serious.

“I don’t mind the devil’s advocate up to a point, my love.”
I said, pulling her close and then kissing her luscious lips.
“Our debates have been very interesting and you have caused me to think, however………

“I’m being serious. She interrupted, but not pulling away, so I kissed her again.
All right you win, I’m not being serious.” Beth said, putting her arms around my neck.
“How did you know?”

“The corners of your mouth turn up ever so slightly when you are fibbing, even though you are try to keep a straight face.
When you did that in the past I always wanted to kiss your luscious lips and I should have.

“You knew that I was playing the devil’s advocate!” She exclaimed. “You, you…”

“Sweetheart?” I suggested, smiling.

“You can be so frustrating at times, you really can.”
Beth said, taking my face in her little hands.
“Will you braid my hair for me, I was thinking a French braid would be nice.”

“Beth, I have to say this and then I will never bring up the subject again.
You are not Bea and I’m sorry that I had your hair cut like hers because it wasn’t fair to you.
You are my woman now and my thoughts are only for you…. my eyes are only for you.
You deserve a fresh start, and a home of your own; a place that we purchased together.
If you ask, I will sell this house, this property and everything I own and I will never look back, I………..

I put my hand over his mouth and I loved him more then ever, his selfless offer leaving me almost speechless.
I know how much of himself that he put in this house and his barns and fields.
As I said, Richard absolutely means what he says…. he would give up everything for me and I knew at that moment how truly I was blessed.

“No Sweetheart, no.” I told him, putting my head on his chest. “I ask only one thing, and you have to promise.
Do you promise?”

“Anything for you Beth, I promise.”

“But first, I want you to braid my hair, because I have two surprises for you.”

He did a wonderful French braid for me and it was much better then I do myself and I’m pretty good at it.
I sent him downstairs to wait for me by our fireplace, while I took care of his first surprise in the bathroom.
I then went right to the fireplace wearing my white silk nightgown looking for his wedding picture on the mantle and it was missing.
“Where is your wedding picture?”

“I put it in the closet. It is just you and I now and…..

“You promised, Richard and I am going to hold you to it.”

“I don’t understand? What does my promise have to do with my wedding picture?”

“Please go get it, Sweetheart.”
Richard returned with his wedding picture and handed it to me. I put the picture in its place on the mantle.
I want you to promise me that you will always keep that picture out on display in our home, and further when we have our wedding picture taken we will put it on the mantle piece next to it.
There is no place that I would rather be then here with you in this cozy brick house.
Besides I have already picked a spot for my Grandmother Clock, it would look perfect the top of the landing.
I have put a lot of work getting my flower gardens in order and we have walnuts to gather and cider to drink under and I drive that old tractor pretty good now.” I walked over to the window to look outside at the light dusting of snow that fell overnight.

“Elizabeth Susan…come here.” He ordered in a quiet and commanding tone that I have not heard him use before.
Keep in mind that I have lived most of my adult life as an independent woman, and as I have said, I can be a bitch at times.
I have never allowed myself to be ordered about…I will always speak my mind, but I was drawn to that part of him, that no nonsense, unyielding discipline that he imposed on himself.

I walked over to him and put my head and his chest and I said, “Yes, Sir.”
He stroked the fine hairs at the nape of my neck.
I actually enjoyed giving in to him. He was holding me so gently with his strong-callused hands and he was giving me goose bumps…. he made me feel so safe and secure.
I could let my guard down and be myself with him and tell him anything now.
He said something that surprised me, and his confession gave me another peek at his soul.

“I saw a lovely woman with a nice figure, clear complexion and youthful face.
I saw intelligent hazel eyes, and a small turned up nose, and sensuous lips.
Her hair was pinned up sensibly for work, neat and professional and her precious little were ears showing.
She was wearing a white blouse and a dark gray skirt that day, with stockings and black pumps.

I got out of my truck, smiling and I was fascinated with this pretty woman.
She extended her right hand for me to shake and her handshake firm and sincere.

She was confident and looked me directly in the eye when she spoke.
The strangest thought or impression…feeling, perhaps all three came over me, as if an invisible hand was gently pushing me in her direction.
“Beth…Beth.” I thought. “If she were my lover, what a marvelous thought…yes, Beth it is.
That is what I thought when I first saw you, Elizabeth Susan…my love… my Beth, before we were introduced and before you told me your name.

My father was an atheist, therefore I considered myself one as well.
Then Margaret took me to the Methodist Church on Sunday’s.
I learned there that I was not an atheist but an agnostic.
I could neither prove nor disprove the existence of God and I stopped going to church until I married Bea.
I attended the Lutheran Church with her, mostly for social reasons and the good people attending.

We agreed to disagree about the existence of God, although in my grief after her death I blamed God, cursing him and I turned my back on Bea’s church and the good people there… in my arrogance, I confirmed God’s existence, the hypocrite that I was then.

The Reverend Fisher from Bea’s church always described heaven as the absolute communion with God and where all people are spiritual soul mates with God, as the Angels always were.
Then I saw you that day under our trees, my gift from an Angel… I would say soul mate, however that word is overused.
It is coarse and banal in describing how I really feel about you, Beth…. God made the glorious daffodils and then my beautiful Beth in a pale yellow dress that moved about her like a cloud of yellow daffodils.”
Richard sighed and continued holding me, his Beth, and we stood there for a while, neither of us speaking………finally I broke the silence.

“May I have permission to grow my hair waist length for you, Sweetheart?”

“You don’t need my permission for that, my love.”

“I know that you prefer my hair long and I will never cut it short without your permission.”

“You may grow your hair waist length and you are right, I much prefer your hair long.
Furthermore, you are forbidden to ever cut your hair short with my permission.

“Thank you, Sweetheart… Richard, I love going down on you but your hair tickles my nose, would you consider….

Only if you will let me shave your first, wait a minute…. was that my surprise?”
And then he gently stuck his hand under my nightgown and lightly caressed my mons pubis, giving me goose bumps again.
“Marvelous, I can’t wait to go down on you, my love, I was going to ask you if you would do that for me.”

I was thinking, “Wonderful, he approves and I love it like this, I feel so clean and fresh…mmm and so will he when I taste him.”

May I shave you now, darling, for you know what comes next?”

“After we put up our Christmas Tree.”

“Christmas!! It is almost May and Christmas is so far away!”

“If I wasn’t so stupid, stupid and stupid, I would have told you that I loved you instead of talking about pound cake.
If I had told you, we would have spent our first Christmas together on Christmas, I can’t wait 8 months, Beth.
I called work and made the arrangements while you were making yourself taste delicious, however that will have to wait.
We both have a week off and after our engagement party I thought you might like the time off together.
Besides, when I helped you move I saw several boxes marked Christmas ornaments and they are still in the barn, untouched.
I have Christmas decorations and between the two of us I am sure we will have a beautiful tree.
I have a stand of blue spruce trees, Christmas Trees and I know where to get a fresh turkey, and by fresh, I mean fresh!
I have a friend who raises them…………………………………………

We got dressed and then went out for breakfast, bagels with cream cheese, medium poached eggs and coffee
I sat close to him in the restaurant and we planned our Christmas dinner, writing out our grocery list.
Richard called ahead for the turkey on my cell phone.
I was excited when we left the restaurant and the spontaneity of my big Sweetheart.
I should have told him that I loved him first and saved his favorite coffee mug from sudden death.

As he always does, he opened my door for me helping me in. This time before he closed the truck door, he leaned in and kissed me and squeezed my hand.
My love was absolutely beaming because he was so happy…. Christmas in May; our presents to one
another, simply each other…. God bless you, Sean, you Symplocarpus foetidus.

We were grocery shopping and I was in the can goods section trying to decide whole cranberries or cranberry jelly.
Richard came up behind me unnoticed and wrapped his arms around my waist and then kissed my cheek, nuzzling my neck with his cheek and he whispered.
“I have everything on my half of the list, beautiful, are you almost done?”

“I have to get the heavy cream for the pumpkin pie, whole or jelly?” I asked, turning to face him and holding up the cans.
He put his arms around my waist and kissed my mouth.
“Sweetheart, wait until we get to truck.” I whispered, not pushing him away and enjoying his show of affection.

“Well, I suggest you that you two buy a couple of ice scrapers, just in case. You never know when one will come in handy.”
Margaret said, standing there smiling…………………………..

After we returned from shopping and put the groceries away.
We then took the tractor (I got to drive it) out to the stand of blue spruce and picked out our first Christmas Tree together, a perfectly wonderful and fabulous 8-foot tree.
Those trees were so fragrant with their pine scent and the carpet of pine needles was soft and yielding beneath our feet.
Richard brought two wool blankets, a large and heavy canvas tarp, rope and a small lightweight chain saw with us.
He spread the canvas on the ground and then showed me how to make a blanket roll and it was obvious what my Sweetheart had
in mind.

We were shielded and secluded in our sanctuary of pines on that brisk spring day with the temperatures in the low-forties, early fifties
and fortunately we were shielded from the wind.
We undressed and then lay down together in between the blankets, the canvas protecting us from the damp ground.
I could feel his rigid and unyielding manhood pressed up against me as he kissed me, while holding me in his strong arms and my tongue was soon desperately seeking his… “My God, he makes me so horny.” I was thinking.

His strong hands were everywhere, touching, probing, while lingering and caressing and his tongue was driving me crazy with desire for him. Finally he went down on me, licking with his tongue, and licking me in places were there once was hair and now there was none.
“You taste scrumptious, my love. It is so much nicer like this.”

I had my hand over my mouth and I was moaning and pushing his head down between my legs with my other to my welcoming flower.
He was driving me wild and bringing me to the brink of orgasm, and then backing off to start all over again.
I was burning with desire for him; I wanted to come so bad…. he knew exactly what he was doing to me and I was getting frustrated in a good way.
I had to remove the blankets and lie on top of them because I was getting so warm.

Twice he had to pull me back onto the canvas. I was sliding off for all my squirming, and I was fanaticizing about sucking on his shaved cock and balls while wearing his handcuffs…. I couldn’t believe I was thinking that…. but only with him would I even consider it.
I am generally quite reserved and will always comport myself as a proper lady.
If someone told me one short year ago that I would be doing this at my age I would have not believed it and I would have been indignant and offended…and yet, I was doing it here with him, my Sweetheart and I loved him because he will always treat me like a lady and he will never speak of our intimacy to anyone.

Finally he rolled me over on my stomach and entered me from behind, ravishing me with his rock hard cock.
Just as my orgasm was starting to peak for the final time, he wrapped his hand around my long braid and pounded me even harder.
I buried my face in the blankets to muffle my screams as my orgasm washed over me, and Richard came soon after, rolling off and covering us with a blanket.

We took a short nap together cuddled in each other’s arms, and it was wonderful because of the little sleep I had the night before.
After our nap and we were dressed, Richard showed me how to operate the chainsaw and then let me practice with it on some fallen, dead trees.
We cut down our special tree; we double- wrapped it in the canvas tarp and then slowly dragged it home behind the tractor with the rope.
Once home, we unwrapped it and then Richard cut the bottom straight and level with a fine- toothed handsaw.
He then shaped the bottom with a fine wood rasp so that it would fit tightly in the tree holder before tightening the screws.

We then went inside to set the dinning room table together.
I finally got to use my Mother’s and Grandmother’s crystal, silverware and china as well as the embroidered linen napkins and one of the embroidered tablecloths from my cedar hope chest, putting the rest away in one of the empty but well dusted and polished China Cabinets.
Richard gave Bea’s Mother’s & Grandmother’s china, crystal, and sterling silver tableware to Bea’s younger sister, Susan, to make sure that it stayed in their family were it belonged.

Once our Christmas Table was set, we brought the tree inside and secured it in place on the stand.
We played Christmas music while decorating the tree, each using our favorite ornaments from years past and looking forward to buying more together in the years to come.

While we sat on the couch together admiring our tree and sharing a platter of cheese, crackers, apples and pepperoni, the telephone rang, and the call was from Richard’s friend, Amos, advising us the turkey was ready.
We then left together, bringing our snack with us for the one- hour ride to get our turkey………….

Amos was quite the character, he being a wizened little man of indeterminate age and he was barely five foot tall.
He was dressed in clean but threadbare faded blue bib overalls, a green plaid flannel shirt, worn knee high yellow rubber boots and a new green John Deere ball cap.

He was tanned a deep nut brown and his face was a roadmap of wrinkles from all the time that he spent outdoors with his free-range turkeys. He had such striking clear blue eyes looking out from his face of hills and valley’s, and perfect white teeth when he smiled.

Amos lived alone in a small run down trailer, however his turkey sheds were new and pristine with spotless concrete floors, plenty of light and ventilation and plenty of room for his small flocks.
Richard told me that Amos was a confirmed bachelor who made his money in real estate and was actually quite wealthy.
He also told me the he would be surprised if Amos broke even selling turkeys.
We went to his small office where he was waiting for us with a bill of sale.
As we entered, Richard made the introductions.

“Amos, this is Elizabeth Adamczyk, my fianc?
Elizabeth, this is my friend Amos Goldberg, the purveyor of the finest Kosher turkeys or turkeys in general anywhere in the world.”

Amos stood up and took off his hat when he saw me, and he was smiling as walked over to us.
He took my hand and kissed it, saying.

“I am very pleased to meet you, Elizabeth.
“It is seldom that I am visited by such a lovely Lady.
I recognized you for a Lady the minute you walked in.
Don’t let my appearance fool you my dear, for I have experience in such things and I am never wrong.
You must stay for tea, I insist. Do you like Earl Grey?”

“Yes Earl Grey would be lovely, thank you, Mr. Goldberg.

“Amos my dear, its Amos among friends.”

And then he offered me his comfortable overstuffed office chair getting a hard metal folding chair for Richard and himself.

He then left and returned with a small teacart and on it was a complete sterling silver tea service, plus three fine bone china teacups & saucers.
He served us our tea as if we were in his New York City Mansion instead of a tiny office in the corner of a turkey shed with turkey chicks in a brooder on the other side of the wall…. yes he was quite the character and I liked him immediately.
Amos was charming and witty and immediately put me at ease, making me laugh at his funny stories, especially the ones about turkeys.
Before we left he packed our turkey with block ice inside of a new Styrofoam ice chest and I promised him that we would stay longer when we picked up our Thanksgiving turkey.

We had a pleasant ride home listening to the radio.
We stopped along the way for an ice cream cone; a strawberry cone for me and a chocolate cone for Richard; we shared, passing our cones back and forth.
While we were sitting in the booth at the dairy store sharing our ice cream, he said.

“You should be honored because Amos is an impeccable judge of people.
He grumbled jokingly that Amos always served him tea in a paper cup of barely hot water with a generic tea bag, and grumble or not that fact was true.

Further, he pointed out that Amos served me imported Earl Grey tea, strained and piping hot in a fine porcelain cups & saucers poured from a sterling silver tea service.

“Yes my Lady and my love, you made quite an impression on him.
Did you notice that before he returned that he combed his hair?
I have never seen him with his hair combed.”

When we arrived home I put the turkey in the fridge and then looked for a roasting pan while Richard cleaned up the Christmas tree mess, saw dust, needles and such before he put everything away in the barn.
I found the nicest roasting pan I had ever seen. It was made of blue & white speckled enameled cast iron with a stainless steel rack in the bottom and it was heavy and substantial. It would hold a turkey almost twice of the one we brought home and our special turkey weighed 25 pounds, an engagement gift from Amos.

Now that I found it, the pan could wait until tomorrow when we would have our Christmas dinner.
While driving home and listening to the radio, the weather report called for a heavy lake effect snowstorm with up to three feet of snow by morning…. welcome to Western New York in March.
With a week off it did not matter because we have plenty of food, firewood for the fireplace, a gas stove, candle lanterns and a diesel generator for electricity if need be… no doubt Richard heard the weather report long before I did, bless his heart.

It was already to snowing when my Sweetheart came into the house and he had snowflakes and melting snowflakes stuck to his red plaid wool-hunting coat.
He reached up and hung it on the rack by the door.
I put my arms around his waist and hugged him, putting my face next to his, and he smelled faintly of Aqua Velva.

“You smell nice and the tree is up.”
Richard took my hands in his and squeezed them, but didn’t turn around… perfect.
“Richard, I have been thinking, so please keep an open mind about this.
I’ve decided to keep and use my maiden name after we are married.”

Wow, he let go of my hands and I felt him tense up and then take a deep breath.
Then he let it out and sighed and I felt his stomach and chest relax.
He slowly turned around to look at and he had the start of a smile on his face.

“You almost had me there for a second, Beth.
Please repeat what you just said, so I can watch the corners of your mouth turn up?”

“No!” I replied, turning my back to him and folding my arms, like he does.

He put his arms around my waist and nuzzled my neck with his cheek and he was giving me goose bumps.
“What if I really meant it, would you let me?” I asked, reaching back and touching his face.

“I wouldn’t like it and that’s a fact.
I certainly wouldn’t forbid you or issue an ultimatum with conditions attached if that’s what you mean.
That is no way to start a marriage and we are getting married.
If you really meant it, and I do not believe that you do, I would marry you regardless, my Lady.”
He then started taking my hair out of my braid.

“Richard!”

“Stand still and stop squirming, little Lady.”
He said in the same quiet and commanding tone that he used earlier… and I complied, thinking about the handcuffs.
Richard finished by smoothing my long hair, wavy from the braid over my shoulders and back with his strong-callused hands and
I wanted to go down on him, right here in the kitchen.
He then put his hands on my shoulders and gently turned me to face him, burying his hands in my long hair.
My hair that I grew long for my future husband, the man who loved me and respected me, and now the man who forbid me to cut my hair without permission.

“You knew about the snowstorm didn’t you?”
I asked, as he continued playing with my hair.

“I was listening to the radio while you were making yourself taste delicious.”
He made a ponytail with my hair and then twisted it into a bun, holding it in place with his hand so that he could kiss my neck
and nibble on my ears.
“Would you please fix your hair in a bun before you shave me?”
He asked letting go and allowing the bun drop into a sort of loose ponytail down my back.
He then arranged my unbound hair over my shoulders, back and breasts.
“Yes, waist length will be perfect for your hair, my lady.
It shall be your crowning glory and a delight to my eyes.”

“And a delight to your hands, lover.” I was thinking, as he was arranging my tresses, and I so enjoy having my hair touched and fussed over, particularly when he washes and braids it for me, such a simple, yet intimate pleasure.
Richard took my hand and we went upstairs to the bathroom to make him taste delicious.

After we entered the bathroom we undressed and I gave him my hairbrush and asked him to brush my hair.
My Sweetheart smiled and took the brush from me, and then he brushed my hair with a practiced hand, not tugging or pulling, and he patiently unraveled one small snarl expertly with his fingers…. it felt so good to have my hair brushed; make that erotic and intimate pleasure, watching him in the vanity mirror, brushing my hair.

“You have done this before haven’t you?” He just smiled. “Then no doubt you know how to put it up in a bun as well.
“When Linda made the comment about you working for her, she said it tongue in cheek.”

“I thought you would never ask, Beth, wait a sec.

Richard went into our bedroom and returned with a medium padded mailing envelope that he removed from his bottom dresser drawer.
He removed six packages of hairpins, each package containing 30 hairpins that were different from the ones I use.
Because my hair is so thick and heavy, I have always used a traditional large black steel hairpins that here flat.
These were just as long but wider and molded round in a brown tortoise shell plastic that would blend with my natural hair color.
Apparently I wasn’t the only one interested in accessorizing my significant other.

Richard explained, “I’m sure that you will find that these hairpins will not only be gentler on your hair, you will also find that they hold better because of their shape and the color will blend in to be hardly noticeable.”
Richard twisted my hair up as before making a neat and tidy bun, tucking the ends underneath and pinning it in place with just eight hairpins.
I generally use a dozen or more, plus an elastic hair tie to hold my ponytail and bun in place.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Of course Beth, that is what I your soon to be husband is for.”

“Why didn’t you use the elastic hair tie?”

“For now you don’t need it, your bun is temporary, although I recommend that you use one at work and especially when your hair gets longer.
I’m going to take a quick shower and then we can get started.
Check out the envelope. There are other surprises for you inside.”

While he was showering I removed my presents, two large and one-purse size natural bristle hairbrushes with stained and polished wood handles.
I always wanted a quality natural bristle hairbrush but could not justify the price, now I had three of them.
They were obviously expensive and they were very well made…. what thoughtful and intimate gifts…. I wondered when he bought them for me and I would certainly use them from now on and nothing else would do…. I would let him spoil me.
When he got out of the tub, I just about jumped into his arms and I showered him with hugs and kisses.
What a marvelous two days this had been and the best was yet to come.. ………………………………..

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