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Ella's Arrival
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Oct. 19th, 2008 | 04:21 pm
mood: creative
It was a cold winter’s day and the wind cut through Aidan as he waited on the tarmac. He had dressed in his warmest wool coat. Well, it wasn’t his warmest, but it was the best looking one that he had, and he wanted to look nice for her. He wondered what she would say. It had been far too long.
The single propeller plane coasted to a stop and the engine’s roar stopped. A second later, the side door popped open and the pilot got out. He was a rugged looking man; his thick beard and thick clothing betrayed his secret, and Aidan wondered just how long he’d been flying up here. Somebody’s got to do it. And this man looked like he was at home here. Aidan watched as this healthy man walked around the aircraft and then yanked on the other door. He grabbed her waist and slowly lifted her down from the plane placing her gently on the ground. The man’s smile grew, and it was obvious that they had conversed the whole way – what was it, three hours? She smiled at him as well, then gave him a quick hug to say thank you. He half-heartedly hugged her back and tipped his head in a gentlemanly way.
Aidan watched her as she circled to the near side of the plane and looked up. As soon as her eyes recognized him, she dropped the small bag that was in her hand and started running his way. Oh what a welcome sight, he thought. The distance was halved by both of them, and they met is a rush of joy. Her arms wrapped around his body, and he was amazed how tight she squeezed him. His head lowered into her dark hair at her neckline, and he lifted her from the ground. This, he thought, was home! He stood there and just held her and didn’t say a word. To his surprise, she didn’t let go. No, she held on as if she had finally reached her ultimate destination.
When she finally did release him, she pulled back slightly and looked into his eyes. She was crying, yet had the biggest smile on her face. He loved that smile – he lived for it. But he hated it when she cried – even if they were tears of relief and happiness. His hand reached instinctively for her cheek, and he wiped one dry then moved to the other. Then he realized that her cheeks were freezing cold form the plane trip. “My God,” he said, “You’re freezing. We have to get you out of here and to some place warm. He took off his black coat and wrapped it around her shoulders and turned her towards the truck. She objected and tried to escape the added protection. “No!” she said. “Put your coat back on; I’m fine” He ignored the pleadings and kept walking her to the waiting vehicle. “It’s warm in the truck. I’m fine! I’ve got to get you warmed up.” She was politely seated in the passenger side, and he closed the door behind her. As he walked to the other side, he thought of just what warmth awaited her. A second later, he had her bags loaded in the back and they were driving down the snow-covered road.
It was evening, and the clouds filtered out the remaining daylight. The few streetlights that were there were lit, but they were only beacons to direct the drivers on their way. It’s not like they provided enough light to see anything even with the snow on the ground. He glanced over at her. As of yet, they hadn’t said much to each other. “I love you,” he said. Then he smiled. He was rewarded with a huge smile that warmed the truck cab even more than the blasting heater. She continued to stare at him as if she were in a state of shock. She was tired and shivering. Aidan could tell that she had endured the long trip, but it had taken its toll on her. “Don’t worry, My Love, I’ll have you home in no time.” She just stared and continued to warm his heart with her beautiful smile. Yes, that is the face I fell in love with so many years ago.
They turned off the main road and started the incline up what seemed to be a gravel road. The snow had hidden what lay beneath, but it was obviously not part of the Alaskan maintained right of way. The truck made its way around several curves that led deep into the mountain woods. All that could be seen were the tall trees on either side of the drive as they were illuminated by the truck lights. It wasn’t even possible to tell how tall the trees were, because their tops disappeared in the darkness. A small light appeared through the trees as they grew closer. The truck stopped in the carport that was adjacent to the small cabin. It was rustic and well lived in, but it seemed to be in great shape. Aidan turned the engine off then looked over at her again. She was still smiling, but wasn’t staring at him any longer. She was looking all around trying to take in what little could be seen in the dim light. She’d not even seen pictures of this place, and now she was here.
He opened the door and a cold blast of mountain air rushed in. It startled both of them, and then the door slammed shut. He walked around the truck and opened her door and reached out his hand as if to steady her as she hopped out. She was wearing a thick coat and a wool cap, but he could tell that she was still just as lovely and sexy as he remembered. “Come on,” he said, “we have to get inside fast. I’ve got to get you warmed up.” He pulled his coat back up over her shoulders and put his arm around her as he walked her to the front door. He turned the knob and the door opened into another world. Her eyes grew wide as she looked around. “WOW!” she exclaimed, “This is your place?” She seemed pleased as she gestured at everything at once. It was obviously a man’s home, but there were careful touches that betrayed it slightly. “No, this is YOUR home.” She stopped and looked at him.
This cabin had been built seven years prior. It was built by plans that were selected seven years before that. Everything had been carefully planned and re-planned. This was her house. Every detail was made just for her. It was his gift for her that had gone unclaimed for way too long. He had lived there since it was completed, and he worked every day to fix it just like he had dreamed. It wasn’t large at all, but it had a huge single lower floor that was only interrupted by a few posts and a fireplace in the middle just opposite a huge sofa. A small staircase led to the upper floor, which seemed to have been built around the outside walls of the cabin leaving the center open to view the vaulted wooden ceiling above. The openness made the place look bigger than it actually was. Yes, this place had been built specifically for her, and she had no idea yet what it would come to mean to her.
“Welcome home Ella.”