The woman in the white dress

I was sitting there, with a cup of tea in my hands, feeling as if I was dreaming….was this real? Am I finally at the place in my life where I always wanted to be.

It was a sunny day, a cool fresh breeze, coming from the ocean. I was watching the fishing trailers, lazily floating with the movements of the waves. It was a small village, fairly unknown, so there were only a few people lying on the beach, the sand white, bright and clean. So different from home. I sighed: “home….”

The waiter disturbed my thoughts: “Pardon? Madam ok? More tea?” I smiled up at him, shaking my head with a: “no thank you” while I picked up my sunhat, waved him a goodbye, and started walking up the hill, towards the chateau; home. Was this home now? My thoughts started running in an array of confused thoughts again. “What do I want? Was this what I wanted? Here now?” I shook my head and sighed.

The sun was burning down on me, but I didn’t mind. My blond curly hair, bounced up and down, too thick and long for my hat to keep it in place. I was mesmerised by the beautiful palm trees, luscious ferns and the fragrant jasmines and frangipanis. The lovely fragrant smells was overwhelming, it made me feel calm again, I sighed, this was what I always dreamed about….

The view of the magnificent chateau, came into sight, with its green lavish gardens, wide open pastures, and horses roaming freely, nibbling at anything they desire. Their majestic bodies glowing in the bright sunlight.

I looked at the separate standing guesthouse, with its own cool dense gardens, swimming pool and grandeur of calmness. It has been my haven for the last month. I loved it, I was relaxed and rested, away from family, stress, responsibilities. Having someone else take care of me for a change. Just you, your thoughts and ultimate peace……..

When I entered the gate, the three spaniels and my little teddy bear, no one knows what breed the little thing is; jumped on me. Madonna Valeria- the soft and placid; Cicero – the mighty warrior, always looking for a fight; and Mic Angelo – always finding something naughty to do and get into trouble. Lastly little Tessa - she is a protector, lovingly and caring. Naughty and playful, chewing any and everything you keep lying around and cuddly as a teddy bear.

As I walked up to the chateau, the butler waved me towards the gardens: “Bonjour madam, did you enjoy your walk into town?” I smiled at him: “Bonjour Henkdeman, yes I did, thank you. I had the best cup of tea at, Wildhelm, and as usual he refused that I pay for it.”

“Of course, of course!” Henkdeman laughed. “My brother knew better than to expect that from you. He laughed out of his belly again. “Sir Gard asked that you please join him at the garage, the two of you are going on a trip. Would you like me walking you there, madam?”

“Yes, yes, please Henkdeman, I would love the company” I answered. I called the dogs, tapping twice on my leg and they came running after us. Tessa in front, she had the speed of lightning in her. The three spaniels competing for second place. I smiled, as I looked at them. I loved them so much, they were near and dear to my heart…

He was standing at the door; his dark brown hair windblown. The green eyes looking down on me, smiling. He was tall, handsome…..my heart skipped a few beats.

“You look very sexy in that colourful dress, with your eyes so green today”, he complemented me. Before I could answer, he pulled me closer, touched my face. Looking into my eyes he kissed me very gently on my lips. I needed to catch my breath. My eyes said everything. I didn’t want him to stop.

The dogs spoiled the moment when they jumped into the suv barking, waging their tails. We all laughed, the spoiled little rascals just knew; they were going on a trip somewhere. The dogs were all over the back seats of the 4x4. Each one fighting for a space to get a change to look outside. They were overly excited, they loved it to be with us.

There was a quiet, yet comfortable silence between us. I was trying to remember, if he told me about us going on a trip. Just when I wanted to ask, we already arrived at the jetty by the harbour, it was such a short drive.

I caught my breath when I saw it! It was, the most beautiful, thing ever. A beautiful cruiser! I was dreaming about having a cruiser like that all of my life, since I was a little girl. It was remarkable in its splendour, it took my breath away.

The dogs jumped out of the car, running around, smelling everything curiously. Henkdeman called them and they followed him willingly onto the cruiser. Grad grabbed me around my waist and said: “Are you ready for the most wonderful time of your life, my love?” I looked up at him: “Yes I am ready, I have been ready all my life!”

I was standing on the upper deck, lifting my face towards the sun. Feeling its warmth on my face. I listened to the water splashing at the hull of the cruiser, it made me feel calm and relaxed and I was happy.… My white dress was blowing graciously in the wind, like a swan spreading her wings.

I looked over my shoulder and smiled at the man who made my dream, become our dream……