Airy's Cottage.

Having passed through the South Gate of Spero, Airy led Joseph over the green fields of the moors, her heart lifting as it always did when her feet could feel the soft grasses once more. The rythms of the earth were at its strongest for her here, a humming started in her head threading all the sounds together into a symphony...the fingers on the hand of his arm, delicately started to dance..pressing tiny notes into his flesh..her body no longer walking, but floating to each new step. The birds, the sounds of the wind, the sway of the grass...all one with the beating of her heart....Yet something was different a new rythm had entered her world, deep, pulsing..solid, after a few minutes she realised what it was...it was Joseph. Glancing up at him as if seeing him for the first time..that had never happened before, not even with Tristan, it always seemed the heath had been hers alone.

They walked on with Airy deeply absorbed in this new discovery, over knolls and down little valleys, Josephs strong warm hands supporting her over small streams..until they reached it. Slipping her hand down to his with pleasure she squeezed. Her eyes took in the dilapidated cottage, its white paint long since turned splotchy grey...the window eaves hanging from hinges. The doorway missing the door and the roof sound in places, completely missing in others.

"Welcome to my Cottage." Airy said with the pride of ownership that sounded like she was introducing a castle.

Joseph walked happily through the gate with Airy. The land soon opened up to splay a vast moorland. Beauty hidden in every depth. They passed through valleys and sunkissed hills. Pushing past gentle bracken and over a few small streams. Most of the world that Joseph had seen was encased in busy cities and towns. He never had the time to explore the softer side of the world. But every step they took together, took them further from his normal life and with each step he felt happier. Airy's hand slipped down to Joseph's and he smiled as he felt her fingers graze against his skin before entwining with his own fingers. He returned a gentle squeeze and then let his eyes fall on a half collapsed cottage. It looked far from livable. But Joseph saw the love for the place, spilling out from Airy's eyes.

It looks errmm.. well. standing. So thats a good start. He grinned at her.

Her laugh tinkled with the birds chirping in the eaves of the cottage. "Typically male response I suppose." Tugging him forward.."But you wait, and see, its going to be glorious and cozy. I plan to spend every spare minute here until it is done."

They neared the cottage when Airy's legs seemed to dissapear from under her and she fell to the ground. Sharp pain causing her to stare wide eyed at the ground unable to see anything, just feel the agony that ripped through her middle.

Joseph took a sharp intake of breath as he watched Airy fall to the ground. He dug in his heel and took a few quick steps towards her before diving to the ground. Looking her over, a panic clearly on his face. Airy are you ok? whats wrong? His eyes darted around him. He didnt know where they were and hoped he wouldn't need to find help

During the pain that clutched at her insides, Airy couldnt of answered Joseph. She just rested there gasping for air, until finally the pain started to ease. Waiting moments more for a second attack, thankfully none came. She looked around at Joseph her brow pleated in a frown. "I dont know.." but something in her face said she suspected something..."but I think, I think the baby just kicked something inside..." Her eyes wide with shock and wonder. "Whatever it was, I dont think Ive ever felt something like it before..so sharp, so sudden."

Allowing Joseph to help her to her feet, she brushed the hair out of her face. "Im sorry, darling, I didnt mean to worry you...grief what a crazy thing to have happened."

"Come on, let me show you inside...its going to be perfect, although its a project for long term. I've so much yet to do in town. But one day, this will by my home." Her eyes looked satsified as she smiled at broken beams, dust swirls and cob webs..."perfect" she breathed. Her eyes strayed to his and communicated what else she thought was perfect.

Relieved that she seemed ok, Joseph finaly exhaled. Though still worried, after helping her to her feet he did not losen his grip on her arm, just incase. They walked into the cottage. I suppose there is not much rush. You have a home right now so it can be done in any spare time youfind yourself with. Joseph smiled at her when she turned to look at him. The hole in the roof, letting the sunlight drip down onto her, she looked beautiful.

Joseph then remembered his other hand was empty. Did they not leave the town with a basket. He turned and looked back across where they had walked. Just a bit further from where Airy had fallen, the basket lay happily. He squeezed Airy's hand before releasing it then went over to the basket.

He spotted a large tree that had long fallen to the earth. Perfect for sitting on. Are you hungry? He gave her a "beacause I am look" then smiled.

Smiling at Joseph she came and sat with him under the tree..she looked at him as they unpacked the picnic basket together, chicken, salads..cold boiled potaoes, cheese, milk, simple fair, all the while her eyes would stray to him. She always liked looking at him, tracing his eyebrow in her mind...imagining her hand caressing his cheek..finger running along his lips..taking a huge breathe..her face a little warm. Instead she offerred him a plate filled with chicken.

"Mustnt starve you." She smiled at him.

Joseph couldn't help but smile everytime Airy looked at him. Happiness? Perhaps. Nervousness. It could be many things. SHe certainly stirred all manner of emotions from within him. She sat down with him and he could feel the heat from her, warming his side. Quietly comforting.

He licked his lips at the sight of the chicken. Taking a piece, thankfully, he popped it in his mouth. The taste was incredible. Much better than the food he usually dined on back at his parents. The thought about his parents made his mind snap to the letter in his pocket. He shrugged it off and looked at Airy. He tried to find some words to speak but nothing came to mind right then. Not such a bad thing in this case. There was never and empty silence when he was with her. Always something being said, whether words were uttered or not.

The food soon reduced to scraps...Airy yawned a little, perhaps it was the pleasant day, definitely the company..she felt very relaxed..and her eyes were droopy. Blinking with a start, she pushed herself into a more upright position. "I leave a stick in the cottage for fishing sometimes...what do you think of taking the blanket to the river and I can watch you while you fish?" Too Airy's mind that was a kinda perfect day, watching Joseph and getting some fish for dinner maybe.

Joseph stretched out happily and watched Airy yawn. Fishing? Yes ok. He gathered himself to his feet then strolled into the cottage. After looking around for a short while, he spotted the custom pole and snatched it up. Returning to Airy, who had packed up the basket, he held out his hand and pulled her to her feet. Lead the way my Lady. He bowed to her, looking up at her and grinning playfully.

Taking his hand, Airy left the basket where it was for later, she had a little packet of bread for his line. Blanket over one arm. They soon made it to the river, the current was just right for fishing. Handing him the little packet, she spread out the blanket and sat on it. "All the better to watch you catch our dinner, Im relying soley on you..and so is baby.." she pats her stomach..grinning :"We've not had fish in ages."

Joseph watched her lay on the blanket longingly. His eyes looked her over and a silent whimper rang in his head. He made his way down to the waters edge and pushed the bread onto the end of the line. A quick flick of his wrist and the line went soaring into the air and landed with a small ripple, before sinking under the water. He glanced back at Airy and smiled. The warm sun proving too muc. He dug the end of the pole in the ground and removed his cloak. His crisp white shirt now shielding him from the heat.

Airy watched him for a long time...the ripple of his muscles under his shirt as he sent the line flying, she felt like a giddy girl voyeur able to watch her hearts desire without worry. Slowly even his presence was unable to combat the sounds of the river, the sun over head, the peaceful afternoon forced her eyes closed and she slept quietly on the bank of the river.

Joseph had spent, maybe an hour fishing. He had one fair sized fish laying still on the ground next to him and nothing more had come. He tied the fish to the end of his line then dug his rod in the ground so that the fish sway gently in the breeze. Turning to look back at Airy, a proud smile on his face and awaiting praise for his triumph he saw she was asleep. The smile turned from pride to adoration. He walked carefully back to the tree that she lay under, so as not to wake her. Then sitting himself down slowly he leant back against the tree and closed his eyes.

Airy's eyes fluttered open the cool breeze was tickling her hair on her cheek,,she must of feel asleep, A lark sang in the sky above and clouds scudded along, her cheek rested against the coarse woollen of the blanket and something lay across waist heavy and anchoring, Airy was a little cross she hadnt really covered herself well, her back was warm as was her middle, reaching to tug on the blanket to snuggle more and maybe doze for a little while..her hand froze, it wasnt a blanket but an arm, a male arm. Her whole body set to fire from the warm breath she now recognised on the nape of her kneck..all the way to the press of her hips. Relaxing back against Joseph, she thought he was far better than a blanket, even if parts of her were getting chilled. Smiling a pleased little smile Airy decided to enjoy being wrapped against him, she felt safe and secure and loved...and taking a deep breath, boy did she love back.

The sounds of the running water and the birds above slowly broke through to Joseph as he slept and brought him back to the world. He yawned and blinked his eyes a few times before opening them fully. Seeing that Airy was snuggly tucked into him he smiled and pulled his arm a little tighter, pulling her into a tighter embrace to let her know he was awake. He was not use to a nap during the day, life was always far to busy. So it was a very pleasant change as lots of things were and like all that was before he was happy with this change also.

Feeling the warm tug Airy turned her head and smiled at Joseph "Hello sleepy head.." Her eyes looked tenderly into his. She really didnt want to move...ever.