"How about this, I'll tell you a secret about me, if you tell me a secret about you," Elizabeth said with a flirtatious smile on her face.
Nathan gave her a slightly skeptical look with his crooked smile.
"Oh, that's quite a deal," he said. "Ok, well, who will go first?"
"Hmmm, I will. Let's see." Elizabeth said with a beaming smile she could not contain. "Well, do you remember those flowers you gave me a while back?"
"Yes."
"Well, I may have hung them to dry and even pressed a few of them. I have most of them in a vase on display in my room and the pressed flowers I put in a frame on my wall."
Nathan's eyes grew very large at this confession. "Really!?"
"Yes," Elizabeth laughed. She felt a little self conscious, but it also was so wonderful to share such a lovely secret.
"And um, can I see them?"
Elizabeth laughed, "well one day you will."
Heat grew in both of their eyes at that flirtatious reply and Elizabeth's cheeks reddened some. Elizabeth was implying that they would share a room one day and he loved the sound of that. He had wanted to make her his wife for years. Nathan couldn't help but kiss Elizabeth after hearing such a lovely and flirtatious admission.
"Ok, it's your turn," said Elizabeth.
"Hmmm," Nathan thought for a moment. "The first time I saw you, I thought you were incredibly beautiful. I felt a little guilty for thinking so."
Elizabeth squinted her eyes at him, "I'm not really sure that's a secret Nathan."
"What?!" He exclaimed with pretend offense. "I thought I hid my attraction to you pretty well, at first at least."
"Um, not so much, but that's ok, I thought you were very handsome and I think I was tripping over my words a little bit."
"You? No, you were stunning and perfect, as always!"
Elizabeth laughed and took Nathan's hand in hers.
Just then, Jack came running back over to their blanket, with Allie trailing behind him. "Look at how many blackberries we found, Mom," Jack exclaimed! He was so excited to share their haul.
"Wow, that's really great you two," Elizabeth praised!
"Can we go home and wash them," Jack asked?
"You know, maybe that's a good idea, I need to get to work soon. I have a few people to visit today on the outskirts of town," Nathan said with some sadness marking his voice. He was so reluctant to leave Elizabeth's side and today had already proven to be everything and more, that he had been dreaming of for such a long time!
"Alright, let's pack up then," Elizabeth said, a bit crestfallen as well.
Nathan, Allie and Jack were putting everything back into the wicker picnic basket and Elizabeth was removing the stones that had held the blanket in place. Nathan suddenly had an idea. He went behind Elizabeth and in his deep, rumbly voice, he whispered into her ear, "how about we continue this exchange of secrets tonight after dinner?"
Elizabeth inhaled sharply at the pleasure of his nearness and the feel of his warm breath caressing her ear. She shook her head yes and Nathan smiled down at her, very happy to see that they were both so affected by each other's presence.
Later that night, Nathan had been walking home. He still had his surge on, but it was Unbuttoned, showing his white Henley beneath. Elizabeth happened to be having a quiet moment on her front porch while presumably Jack took a short nap inside. He didn't want to disturb her peace, but he couldn't help but stop to spend a few moments alone with her.
"Elizabeth," he said quietly with a sultry crooked smile on his face.
"Nathan," Elizabeth exclaimed!
She quickly placed her journal beside her on the step, jumped up, and went straight into Nathan's arms. He was a little surprised at how comfortable they were so quickly after their confessions, but not at all upset about it. He wrapped her up in his arms and then leaned down and kissed her.
"Hello handsome," she said pulling back and looking into his sparkling eyes.
"Hello darling," he said, returning her smile and joy.
She breathed him in and seeing that gesture was his undoing. He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers again. He was gentle, but passionate. She could tell that he was still holding back though. After a few moments, he stopped, trying to slow his breathing.
"Is everything ok," she asked?
"Yes, I just," he stuttered trying to calm down, "I feel like I have to hold myself back some. Kissing you is rather intoxicating you know."
"Really, well, so is kissing you," she said dreamily!
"Would you like to go home and change and I will start on dinner," asked Elizabeth?
"Actually, I was wondering if I could show you something, I think it will count as one of my secrets."
"Oh, yes, of course," she said excited about that prospect.
"Here, let's have a seat first,"
he said as he led her to the porch steps.
When they sat, Nathan stalled a little, laughing out some of his nervous energy. He blew out a breath and reached up to unbutton his surge pocket, the one that rested over his heart.
He pulled some things out and covered them with his hands.
First he showed her a small picture of he and Allie.
"Oh, that's so sweet," Elizabeth said taking the photo and looking at it closely.
She didn't notice at first, that he was holding another photo.
She saw him move out of the corner of her eye and looked over. She was pleasantly surprised to see a similar sized photo of herself smiling with Nathan.
"Oh, is this from Jesse and Clara's wedding," she asked?
"It is," he said, studying her for her reaction.
"You know," she remarked with a bright smile, "I have a copy of this photo as well. I keep it in my room." Then her eyes grew large when she realized what she had just admitted.
"That's really sweet Elizabeth," Nathan said gently, showing her that she had no reason to feel embarrassed in front of him. They both realized the intimacy of Elizabeth keeping such momentoes in her own room though. The moment was charged with intense heat and longing between them. It turned out that they were actually very sentimental when it came to each other.
"Nathan," Elizabeth breathed.
"Yes," he managed.
"How long have you kept this photo over your heart?"
Nathan looked down, his face reddened some.
"Honestly, I asked Carson for the photo a few days after the wedding. I put it here in this pocket then. When I clean my uniform, I keep it in my top dresser drawer. Afterwards, it goes right back in here," he said as he placed his hand over his heart. They locked eyes. Sharing a whole conversation just in looks for a moment.
Elizabeth suddenly noticed a small glint of sunlight reflecting on Nathan's hand and looked down.
There was a corner of something shiny glinting out of his partially closed hand.
"Nathan, what's that," she asked?
"Oh," he opened his hand flat and resting on his palm she saw a small golden star.
"Is that," was all that Elizabeth could say.
"It's uh, it's the star, from my birthday," Nathan said.
"The one that was in my hair," she asked?
"Yes."
Elizabeth inhaled sharply and looked back in Nathan's eyes. Her's were watery now and his were filled with emotion as well.
"Nathan?"
"Mmmhmmm."
"I love you, I love you so much!" Elizabeth said as she grabbed him by the sides of his open surge and pulled him in for a long, wonderful, heart melting kiss. His return of love for her was evident as well. He showed her love in the way that he held her now. In how he tenderly brushed her hair back. In how he pulled her in closer, subconsciously intending to always keep her safe. In the way that he rested his forehead on hers now, as their quick breaths mingled in the air together.
Nathan had shown his love for Elizabeth in many wonderful ways over the years. He had waited so patiently for her, always selflessly serving her, loving her unconditionally. Keeping her close to his heart, even when she was only offering him her friendship. Knowing that he would love her completely for the rest of his life, even if she never returned the sentiment. He was hers, always!
He was ready now to put his heart in her hands. He knew that he could trust her. He knew now that she would keep his heart safe and that he would spend his life doing the same for her.
There would be time ahead to share many more secrets with each other.
Other secrets like the fact that there was one more item resting in the surge pocket that covered his heart. An item that he had begun carrying again since their confessions the night before. He had stopped carrying it when she began courting Lucas officially.
Since he was certain of her love now, he began carrying it with him again this very morning. Now he was waiting for just the right moment to give this item to Elizabeth, along with a very important question.
For now, they were sharing this wonderful moment together. Incredibly thankful that they had finally found each other, right here on these old porch steps.
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