He looked back as he walked away. He saw her smiling but he also noticed sadness in her eyes. He would return but the pain of separation was already piercing his heart. The morning with her flashed before him as he smiled at her.

The fountain sprayed water droplets in her hair and they settled in small beads on her red locks. When she talked her hair would shake sending ripples on the surface of the tiny bubbles. They talked and laughed sharing playful touches. They looked into each others eyes and saw the future, bright and certain. It was comforting to know one such as her was his. It gave him a strength and confidence he would otherwise never have known. The children playing in the fountain were content but their lives would change dramatically when they knew love as he did. A world of wonder and passion would open for them. It was a world he was learning to cherish. It was easy to imagine their own children playing in the fountain one day soon. She touched his leg and it was as if water splashed coolness over him that made him awake as never before. Eternity was not enough time to be with her. They talked of love and life and sharing them both together. He listened to her share her dreams and hopes and he took note so as to provide her hearts desires. Making her happy was important- like wind to spread the seeds or bees to pollinate the flowers. Love was his duty and he would heed the call. His father told him stories of love when he was young and he would dream to one day have stories of his own. She was the dream realized and he told his father about her. His father smiled knowingly and hugged him, pleased he had found the secret to happiness. He could see his father smiling now as he watched her smile at him, turned away from a departure he did not want. Without knowing it he had returned to her and embraced her fully. Their noses touched as he whispered to her. His hands pulled her closer to him and their lips touched. They kissed and embraced forever. It wasn’t forever but she could capture time as easily as she had captured his heart. And she captured the time for him now. She cupped it in the palm of her delicate hand and she pressed it into his own. She whispered to him now. All her time was his and he carried it with him wherever he was. A gift of her love for him.

He held her hands and looked into her eyes. No more words were shared. They weren’t needed. He knew all he needed to know as he looked at his Love. He turned to go and this time she walked with him. And all was well.