Saturday Snow Day

The view was worth rising early. He was right, but I wouldn't tell him just yet. After all, he knew I was a night owl and he reveled in keeping me... occupied... in the small morning hours. Still, we bounced and glided over the slick roadway in his cherry red pickup. It powered capably through the ruts in the slush and ice as we made our way around the bends. The pale violet dawn light was just landing on the dark trees. The patches of thick fluffy white snow hung on their heavy branches and they held their weight with pride. The skirts of evergreen needles dipped into the remaining darkness of the forest. The only occasional pop of color was an orange safety sign or the flash of a red fox, dark boots deep in a snowbank, as it hunted for its breakfast. The Canadian woods were waking up and so was I.

The first while in the truck was quiet as my sweetheart gave me the silence I needed to come online with the day. He'd prepared thermoses of coffee and tea when he woke me an hour ago, covering me in caresses and whispers of encouragement for our adventure. I adored him endlessly so I complied, even if I did take an extra five minutes in the bathroom yawning and washing my face to greet the morning. As my brain woke up and the caffeine kicked in, I hugged my middle, cozy in my bundled up gear. He sure knew how to outfit a winter newbie so I kept toasty as we ventured farther down the road. I turned my face from gazing out the hazy window to my beloved. I utterly adored that content grin on his handsome face. It was one of the many beautiful things I lived for and cherished.

As soon as the first rays of sunlight sailed through the trees and hit the dash, I was awake enough to start playing with the stereo. He guided us safely over the freezing wet roadway while we listened to the soothing vocals of Hollow Coves, one of my favorite bands. Their song "Adrift" held a special place in our hearts due to a particularly pleasant time down in Aruba. I'll never forget that white sand beach, even if currently I was staring at white crystalline snow. My silver fox was happy and that added to my own happiness. From soothing songs, I transitioned into a little more upbeat, choosing among a variety of music and bands we'd come to love over the time we've been together. Some that we've seen in person and others on our ever-growing bucket list.

We came to a short straightaway that revealed an upward curve to the right ahead, just past a bank of birch trees. The view invited a playful curiosity at what may be around the bend. I was eager to see what my sweetheart had planned for the day. The shining ruby machine crunched along the icy path and I kept my eyes peeled for any other movement among the woods. After all, regal moose go wherever they please.

A bit past the beautiful curve in the trees we came to a turn off to the side of the road. My beloved glanced those dreamy dark eyes my way before breaking out into a full smile and turning the wheel. I was smiling, too, giddy when sharing his joy. I loved seeing him happy and would do anything in my power to bring that joy forward. His kind heart deserved every bit of levity and affection it could absorb. Just like I wanted him warm beneath his Carhartt jacket and worn navy pullover, I wanted his soul to burn with glee from everything this world had to offer. It seemed my excitement from our journey was fueling this particularly content grin.

The beast of a machine rattled its way down the lane, sloshing in the melt and mud. My darling was having fun! We sang and jangled down the path until we came to an open gravel driveway where he parked in the center. Off to our right stood flagpoles displaying their honor, waving peacefully in the morning breeze. Propped up on its side against one pole was a much loved paddle boat, tilted to dry and withstand the winter months. To our left stood a small but newly constructed cabin, complete with connection to the power lines overhead. I could just make out the corner edge of a deck on the back side. And was that a hot tub cover peeking over the railing?

My love told me to wait in the warm truck while he went and started a fire in the grate. As he jogged inside, I slid my gaze over his dreamy form. Six-two, full-blooded Italian with a backside that could've been sculpted by a Renaissance master. Smirking to myself as he headed inside the door, I glanced down at the gorgeous emerald stone on my right hand. I remembered how surprised I was when he gifted the ring to me on my last birthday. Square cut and substantial without being ostentatious, it shone in the clear winter light along with my loving smile.

While he was occupied, I took in more of our surroundings. A frozen wonderland awaited. Sentinel spruce stood tall around the perimeter of the property. Beyond the paddle boat, I could just see the outline of the dock. I wondered how inviting this all would look in the summertime. Crisp, cool sapphire water beckoning. Laughter from family and friends filtering through the branches. His grill at the ready and fluffy pups yipping for a sneaky snack from a kind hand. I pictured later in the evening after the rambunctiousness ebbed and how he'd sit with that beautiful content grin on his face as he propped his boots up by the fire pit and watched the glowing red embers far into the night. This was certainly one version of paradise.

I grew restless for want of this daydream so I pulled my black and white checkered scarf tighter and exited the cab. The winter was everywhere at once. The breeze gave way to stillness so the cold wasn't as biting as it otherwise could have been. I bounced in my snow boots a few times to get warm before venturing toward the treeline. I wanted to get a better view of the lake. There was no way my half-desert/half-Midwestern self was going anywhere near the frozen shoreline in this season, but it was lovely to look at from a safe distance. Icy blue wisps skittered across the stoic water, biding its time until waves would resume. Farther out I could now see the forms of two statuesque herons. Out in the center of the lake, the position was safe from predators, however one still kept watch as the other cleaned its feathers, resting a bit before continuing their journey. I reflected on their partnership as I watched them in their dance of daily routines. Their absolute trust in one another to survive this harsh and beautiful landscape made my heart ache. I sighed and rested my gloved hand on my chest. Then I felt something whack me in the head and the whole world went white.

The next thing I noticed as my eyes refocused and the buzzing in my skull subsided was the low chuckles from over my shoulder. I touched my scarf and felt the crunchy disheveled remains of a snowball. That... man... had asked for it now! I squealed and ducked beneath the paddle boat, utilizing my terrain to find a barrier. I hurriedly gathered a ball of snow and formed it tight in my mittens before launching it over the side. Whomp! Hit!!! I heard his laughter rumble in his snow-covered chest and shimmied my shoulders in pride before building another snowball. Whomp! That one hit his thigh but it didn't halt his approach at all. I screamed and ran for cover among the trees. Somehow, he, with his big arms and his big hands, had been able to form three snowballs to my one! He sailed them right toward me in an arc as I scurried in between the evergreens. No fair! I'd have to use stealth. I tossed two more haphazard snowballs his direction, barely nicking his cannon arms before finding what I needed most -- a hiding spot.

I went absolutely still. I held my breath until I was sure I could silently exhale and not disturb a single snowflake. I heard his crunch and chuckle as he came deeper into the grove of trees. Then he grew quiet, perplexed at my laughter's absence. I didn't move a muscle when he called my name. "Jai?" Nothing. Not a sound from me. I was invisible. He came closer to my spot but was still unaware of my location. "Jai?" Almost... One more step..."J-..!" FWHOMP!!! The feet and feet and many more feet of snow banked on the branches of this tall but thin evergreen gave up their pursuit of balance when I hurled my shoulder and side against it and made a splendid free fall down to bury my love hip-high in frozen sparkles. I, too, fell back on my ass in a fit of giggles as I looked at his surprise under that orange safety cap. I was still laughing when he trudged his way over to me and dipped his smiling face for a loving kiss before smooshing a snowball against my cheek as I pelted one last one against his head. He adored it when we played together and so did I. Playfulness should never have an expiration or an age-out date, ever.

We continued our laughter as we alternated kisses and nips. Quickly, laying in the snowbank became too cold and he hauled me up in his big arms for a warm hug, pressing me to his chest. We both gazed at out at the herons, unbothered by our shenanigans. They'd switched duties and the previous sentinel now took their rest. My beloved held me and we lightly swayed, watching the coupled birds. Before too long, my lover took my hand, looked over my face with peace and contentment in his eyes, and guided me into the cabin.

Making our way up the few stairs, we entered into the warmth and coziness held within and doffed our outerwear silently. Something had changed while watching the peace of those two birds. Some primal key fit its teeth into grooves and unlocked our path forward together. He took my scarf as I unzipped his coat. Off came his cap when my mittens were peeled from my fingers and these items we set aside to dry. I held his shoulder as I got out of my boots. Me, being much, much shorter, he instead held the wall.

We looked upon one another, not saying a word. Being brave, I continued this trend and tore off my sweater, tossing it on the floor and taking a few steps toward the bathroom shower. He gazed at me while I unclasped my bra and dropped it, too. Finally, he snapped to attention and followed suit, shedding clothing as he stepped after me. Piece by piece, garment by garment, we undressed for one another, as eager for our partner as we were for the hot water.

By the time he joined me, the steam was rising from the shower head and I was naked and repining up my hair. I took one step into the shower and held out my palm to him. He took it with complete trust in his dark eyes. I walked us into the warm, comforting stream and tilted my face to the falling droplets. The crystalline pearls beaded on our skin as we stood together. The heat was penetrating, taking the chill away and replacing it with a soothing warmth. I poured a little body wash in my palm and lathered my hands together before washing my lover. The only change in his expression was that his intensity and hunger grew and he dunked his head to kiss me. It was a chaste kiss that promised endless pleasures to come. I spun my lover around and soaped his back, his shoulders, across his arms, down along his ribs, and over his backside, letting the water sluice freely over his form. Next, it was my turn and between his pressing kisses and gulping breaths, he somehow managed to clean me, too. I shut off the water and smiled at him as I reached for our towels.

Bundling up in warm terry cloth towels is a feeling like none other. He dabbed the stray droplets on my neck. I swiped down along his arms and calves. We took turns serving one another, just like those herons. And once we were dry, he put his massive hands on my waist and guided me into the bedroom.

At the foot of the bed we stopped and he tipped my face up for a kiss. This one he deepened from the seemingly innocent ones prior and he dipped his face to plumb my mouth fully. He tasted me, supped on me, delighted in me, and I was boneless. His magic grin made another appearance when he walked me to the edge of the bed to sit. There, he removed our towels, draping them over a chair, and laid both of us back on the covers. He was so tender in his touch when he glided fingertips over my sensitized skin. He was cataloging me, memorizing me, cherishing me touch by touch. I fell more for him than all the days prior and felt like my heart might ricochet out of my chest. He gently kissed my lips and my eyelids. As he pulled the blankets over us for a nap to restore our energy before the evening, I told him everything on my racing mind. How I had reflected on everything we'd seen and done that day. Again, my love kissed me softly. Pulling me close, he whispered in my ear that, for him, it was a perfect Saturday Snow Day. I snuggled tight in agreement and dreamed of new adventures tomorrow with his sweet, slumbering face beside me. He went to dreamland with a smile. We both did.