Ravenna nestled deeper against Michael's embrace as he rested his chin against the top of her head. His words had been encouraging; she understood that she was important to him, but hearing that he believed in the Hawthorne legacy was something truly beautiful to her.
She knew she could not stay in their bed all day, and regretfully wriggled free from Michael's grasp. "I'm going to prepare some water for a bath, I need to go out and get some supplies today. As much as I'd like to stay here with you all day, there are plants and herbs I'm running low on…"
"Let me help. I can get the water faster, and we can get to your day earlier." Michael left the room, leaving Ravenna on the bed before she could answer.
Ravenna went to the kitchen, lighting the stove fire to prepare for the basin that Michael insisted on bringing in from the river. He soon stepped between the realms, appearing next to her with the full metal tub of water. He set it on the stove before kissing her forehead. Eventually, the water became hot, and he took the basin to the bathing chambers, filling the bathtub with it before repeating the process. Ravenna, unsure of what to do, sat at the kitchen table as he prepared the bath for her.
As she heard Michael pour the third basin of water into the tub, Ravenna recalled what Teresa had told her. –All couples express their love physically…– She watched as he disappeared without a trace again, and she felt nervousness creep up her spine.
–He's been nothing but supportive, loving, and caring. I can do this.–
The angel returned, placing the full metal tub on the stove to warm.Seeing him do such a simple thing as helping her prepare for her day was a gesture of his love, and she knew he expected nothing in return. She had spent her life healing others with no expectation of anything in return, but this felt different from her role as the village healer.
The water ready, Michael lifted the basin from the stove's fire. Ravenna saw the muscles in his arms flex from the effort, knowing herself how heavy the container was. She shifted on her chair, knowing only one more full basin would fill the tub, and she would have a decision to make. She watched as he dutifully carried the water to the bathing chambers, stepping between the realms back to the river.
Ravenna tugged at the robe over her thin nightdress, uncertainty clouding her thoughts.
–I can do this.–
Michael returned one last time, and Ravenna's heart rose to her throat, threatening to choke her. He took no notice, absently humming a song from his days in the Kingdom as he worked diligently, years of service evident in his movements. The song was unknown to her, but somehow it made her feel a little more at ease, knowing he was so at peace; that not all his memories of the Kingdom were tainted. His task completed, he emptied the water one last time into the bathtub.
"Ravenna! Your bath is ready, my sweet. I'll go to the river to clean up while you bathe, and then we can go to the forest together?" Michael smiled warmly at Ravenna, who trembled slightly on her chair.
"Or…if you like…the river is cold…maybe you could…," her voice dropped to a whisper as her courage failed her. "Join me."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Michael's eyes widened as her intention became clear. "Join you?"
Ravenna's gaze fixed on the floor as she stood and grasped his hand, pulling him along behind her as she made her way to the bathing chambers without another glance at him. She moved as if she was trying to convince herself; her grip on his hand trembling. He followed along behind her, allowing her to lead him at her own pace as he closed the door behind them.
Looking at the full bathtub, Ravenna bit her lip. –She's so beautiful when she does that…– She seemed to hesitate, before stepping closer to him. Reaching up, she placed her hands on his shoulders; her silent way of having him come to her height. Instead of bending down, Michael picked her up, supporting her across both his arms as he kissed her gently.
"Are you sure?"
Ravenna nodded, and Michael let her down from his hold. She took two shaky steps away from him, completely flushed pink. Her freckles had disappeared under her blush, and the tips of her ears had turned red. She turned her back to him before untying her robe, allowing it to pool on the floor at her feet. Trembling fingers reached for the hem of her nightdress, and Michael stopped her.
"Wait."
He slipped the buttons through the holes of his shirt, shrugging the garment off his back easily as Ravenna looked over her shoulder. He was almost certain she liked watching his shirt fall from his body, and seeing the small changes in her eyes excited him. His hands dropped to his waistband, and Ravenna's gaze followed. He made swift work of the lacing, and he pushed the trousers from his hips, leaving him standing in his undergarments before the woman he had sacrificed everything for. He stepped free of the trousers, making sure not to trip.
Michael touched Ravenna's shoulders, the way she always had done to him. She no longer had her back to him, and her blush reached her chest. He leaned down and captured her lips with his, and his hands trailed along her back, skimming across her round bottom, and his fingers found the hem of her nightgown. Sensing no hesitation, he pulled the nightgown up over her body, tossing it aside to join the rest of his clothes.
–Stay calm. Stay in control. Do not let the powers overwhelm you.–
"How about you get in the water, and I'll join you?" Michael spoke slowly, calmly, trying to encourage Ravenna. He watched as her breathing sped up, and she closed her eyes. He wondered what was going on in her mind, wishing he knew the best way to make her feel safe. To his surprise, she looped her thumbs into the sides of her undergarments, sliding them down her pale thighs before stepping out of them. Ravenna climbed into the bathtub, seeking refuge in the warmth of the water.
He had long imagined what her delicate figure would look like bare, but his vision had not come close to the reality before him. His manhood strained against his undergarments, and he hoped the sight of his arousal would not frighten her away from her boldness so far. –She's already seen me bare, but peeking at me by the waterfall and being so close are very different.—
Pushing his undergarments past his arousal and over his hips, Michael tossed the garment into the pile and settled into the water with the woman he had loved for so long.