It was a brisk autumn morning, the Friday before Thanksgiving week. Sarah was physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally exhausted. The last few years since the pandemic had been a blur. She lost her father in 2018. Her mother succumbed quickly to Alzheimer’s and Dementia after that and subsequently passed on last year. Her therapist, who had helped to guide her through some of the most difficult transitions in her life had moved to another state and was experiencing her own challenges. Everyone she had been close to was going through their own issues and private storms.

Sarah had battled anxiety and depression since her teens and experienced a myriad of health challenges throughout her life. She had also been in and out of the hospital and struggled to manage her home and the upkeep of the family home. She dealt with planning and dealing with both estates and funerals while struggling to stay afloat. It seemed every aspect of her life was taking on water. 

She managed to use some of her reserved strength to encourage and assist others with their issues in things that she did know how to handle. She had been misunderstood,  vilified and abandoned. It felt like some people only came around to ask what she planned to do with the house and furnishings. Many of the things that she hand purchased for her home and most of her clothing still needed to be packed and moved. She was treated as a pariah. She suffered in silence. It seemed everyone had an opinion about her, her life and what she should or shouldn’t be doing, all while speculating and carrying information to others about her private issues and personal struggles. She was still attempting to process her grief. She tried to maintain a brave front and when she was overwhelmed,  she just stopped and withdrew.

Many days she struggled to get out of bed and prepare something to eat. She often had to spend more on food and things she needed because she was unvaccinated and at risk one way or another for every variation of the COVID-19 shots. Having experienced anaphylactic reactions several times to shots and other allergens throughout  her life it seemed safer for her to avoid anyplace where large numbers of people gathered.

She had always been an introvert and a little shy by nature as she had been mercilessly teased and body shamed growing up. That was one of the things she loved about Richard. He made her feel beautiful. He seemed to have an uncanny ability to see her and not make her feel bad about things for which others seem to denigrate her.

She had no idea what today would bring. She felt barely able to rise to meet it. She had posted some encouraging things for others on social media and shared information with people she knew who had businesses about grant opportunities that might help them in these challenging economic times. The refrigerator had very little in it and she simply didn’t have the enthusiasm or desire to attempt something creative with the things she had on hand. Like I said, she was tired; tired of being alone and feeling lonely even while sometimes exchanging cheerful banter with others. She turned on her space heater and prepared to pull the covers over her head. She had determined that she would not venture out today. She was distracted and wanted to take the chill off of the room so that she could rest comfortably and perhaps at least dream of something better.

She was startled by the ringing chimes of the doorbell. She wasn’t expecting anyone and she was in no state to receive visitors. Timidly she approached the door. “Hello?” No answer. She was too vertically challenged to see through the peephole. Just as she turned to walk away the bell rang again, “ding-dong.” A bit perturbed, she approached the front door again. Defiantly, she called out again, this time in a sterner, clearly irritated tone. “Hello?” A soft gentle answer was returned. “Hello.”
That voice was oh so familiar. The soft sweet sound of his voice. The one she loved so dearly. The one whose voice instantly settled her down and quieted her spirit.

 

It was Richard. They had known each other for what seemed like forever. She had loved him since she was twelve years old, but it seemed someone or something had always gotten in the way or conspired somehow to keep them apart. Both her heart and her thoughts began to race with anticipation. It had been about a week or so since she had seen him last and she wasn’t expecting his visit, but she had been longing to see him again. With a mixture of fear and joy, she slowly opened the door and peered around it, keeping it between the two of them as she allowed him to enter hiding behind the door. She wanted to jump into his arms, but she didn’t dare. She always felt she had to restrain herself because the affection and passion she had for him overwhelmed her at times.

He pulled her tightly to him and kissed her gently but passionately on the lips. Suddenly, he pulled away. Come on, he said; “You’re coming with me.” It wasn’t until that moment that she noticed the suitcases he had in tow. “Let’s get you packed; you’re coming with me. You’d better get dressed and throw some things into these bags. We’re going to be gone for awhile.”

Quickly, she scampered into the bedroom and started throwing clothes into the suitcases. “What should I pack? Where are we going?” “Away,” he answered from the other room. “Bring a little bit of everything. Some days you won’t need anything, but pack some warm clothes because it will be cold where we’re going. At least it will be until I have the opportunity to warm you up.” She finished packing and took a quick birdbath before putting on some traveling clothes. She couldn’t wait for the adventure to begin. She didn’t much care where she was going as long as it was with Richard. He was and would always be home to her. Like I said, she loved him.

As she rounded the corner, grabbed her purse and headed towards the door she heard the water running in the kitchen sink. Richard was rinsing out her insulated traveling thermos. He filled it with the hot apple cider he had made while she was packing and getting dressed. He added a few cinnamon sticks to the thermos and sealed it tight. “We’re going to need this. It’s going to be a long ride.” 

Sarah set the alarm and the pair quickly exited the home. As she descended the porch and turned towards the driveway, searching for Richard’s car; her eyes widened as she noticed a limousine. “What’s this?” She asked in surprise. “ I told you we have a long ride ahead. I want us to be comfortable. I also wanted someone else to drive so that I could focus on you instead of the road.” Gleefully, they gave the bags to the driver and he placed them in the trunk. She and Richard entered the limousine and made themselves comfortable.

 

Christmas music was already playing in the car. She looked at Richard curiously. “I wanted to put you into a holiday mood;” he said softly with a smile. She smiled, kissed him on the cheek and snuggled up to his side, resting her head on his shoulder. “Home;” she said with a sign. They opened the thermos and shared a cup of cider. Richard pulled out some soft chewy gingerbread cookies. They each had one and settled back to enjoy the ride. The last thing Sarah heard before drifting off to sleep in Richard’s arms was the song “Merry Christmas Darling” by the Carpenters.

Sarah was awakened with the sound of the car door closing. It was then that she noticed that the vehicle had come to a stop. It was now nightfall. She peered out of the window and beheld path lights lighting the way to a beautiful mountain cabin. Richard and the driver appeared to be carrying the bags into the home. It was like a dream come true to Sarah. She had often dreamed of spending the holidays in a place like this! She couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Come on dear,” Richard called at the distance when he noticed she had opened the door and was slowly exiting the vehicle. Sarah grabbed her purse, the cookies and the thermos and made her way towards the house. She couldn’t wait to see the inside. “I want this to be the best holiday season of your life! Do you like it? Sarah turned around and noted the beautiful floor to ceiling fireplace. It was all aglow with a crackling fire.

 
The home was beautiful and well appointed.  There were stairs to a loft area but not too many. The kitchen was open, rustic and charming. The great room was large but still cozy, warm and inviting. After, Richard gave her the 5 cent tour, the two returned to the great room. “There’s an SUV in the garage if we need to go someplace before the limo returns again. Here’s your key. There’s  fresh linens (new) in the bathroom and bedroom. I want you to make yourself at home. 
Consider this our home away from home.”

 

It was then that Sarah noticed the undecorated Christmas tree in the corner and what looked like boxes of ornaments and decorations. “How long are we going to stay. I didn’t bring that many clothes,” she said nervously. “You won’t need clothes everyday; that I promise. I’m going to make love to you everyday for as long and often as you want. You’ll never have to fall asleep or wake up without me by your side ever again.” Sarah looked at the boxes again. Sensing her angst,  Richard spoke: "I had all that extra stuff in storage from my last move. I figured we could take our time and put up a few decorations together. I know you’ve been under a lot of stress so I only brought a few things. I didn’t want to overwhelm you. We don’t have to put up anything at all if you don’t feel up to it.

More groceries will be arriving in the morning. If you like, we can look over the list together and you can add whatever you like to the cart. We have a few days alone together before some of the others start arriving. I want you to have the beautiful family cabin holiday you’ve always dreamed about. The others will arrive the night before Thanksgiving and stay until Saturday. We’ll have the place to ourselves until the day before Christmas Eve and they will stay until the day after New Year’s.

I’ve taken an extended vacation because we’ve never really had any substantial time alone together. That part of our journey is over. I love you.  I know that I have never said it before, but I intend to show you everyday for the rest of our lives together. I have my computer set up in the loft upstairs. I may have to do some work remotely because we’ll be away for awhile, but I want our lives together to get off to a proper start. I want you to feel loved, appreciated and secure. I don’t want you to ever feel, unsafe, alone or insecure about us ever again.

So what do you say Sarah: “Will you marry me” Sarah stood stoic and still as tears of joy began to cascade down her cheeks.  “Y-YES,” she stammered as Richard quickly swept her up into his arms and kissed her passionately. He then held her close and kissed her on her forehead. “I’ve got you;” he said with a smile and a chuckle. “Everything’s going to be alright now. We belong to each other.” Sarah wrapped her arms tightly around Richard and sighed. “It’s good to be home to stay,” she said as the pair settled down beside the fire.