Il Canto Amour

[Lay Z Butterfly]

It was not long before Max followed her into the water making her feel less strange after he had stopped the kiss. Swan watched as he drew closer to where she tread water. At the very last second, as he was about a foot away, Swan broke out into a grin and splashed him.

“Take that!” she half yelled. It didn’t take long for Swan to get over the feeling that she had done something wrong when the impish side to her always lay just under the surface of her moods. She wanted to play around a bit before heading back to the reality of where their new life was, in a ramshackle home that needed much work to look the way it formerly did.

Not to be outdone, Max splashed her back- and that was all Swan needed to launch her splash attack. Smack after smack at the water, Swan didn’t care that what she was doing was juvenile, but then again she was still very young in years. Moreover, she was laughing so hard that she could swear she had gulped huge quantities of the clean water instead of splashing him, which was her sole intent.

Time went by, Swan’s arms began to tire, and Max knew it was time to dry off and go home. He suggested they leave now to get back before it became dark and Swan’s head nodded solemnly. She knew all too well the dangers of being robbed and/or hurt by depraved people or soldiers.

He helped her out of the water and as Max stepped ahead of her; Swan turned back to the calming waters and hoped they would soon return. She was afraid, and didn’t want to worry Max over her fears. Her old life flashed before her eyes, images of her happy family to most recently with them all murdered in her own home. She wouldn’t be able to handle it if anything were to happen to Max and may God help her, as she thought grimly that if anything were to happen that she be killed first and swiftly. There would be no place for her in heaven or hell if her last images were of Max being harmed or tortured. Her sanity was already fragile and being pushed any further would and could possibly irreparably destroy what she was slowly trying to rebuild inside herself.

Sighing, she turned back and saw a smiling Max watching her curiously. She didn’t offer any explanation. It was best she kept such things to herself, she thought, as she walked back to their blanket.

“Max,” she said before continuing, “How’s this for a deal- you pack everything up so I can change back into my dry clothes and when we come home I will make the best dinner you’ve ever had in your life!”

Her eyes twinkled as she watched Max’s face change into mock seriousness.
“That is a very tempting offer Swan. Will dessert be included?”

She could have kissed him right there for being so silly with her, but instead she thought a moment before answering, “Yes, dessert will be included if you promise not to help me clean up.” Swan knew that Max would not leave her alone to clean up after dinner because he always helped even when begged to go and relax in the meager accommodations of the family room.

Before he could answer, she ducked back behind the shrubs to change. She pulled the wet, clingy bathing suit bottom off first and then her top. The cool air made her skin break out into goose bumps and the little nubs of her nipples pucker. She shivered and rubbed her arms rushing to put her simple dress back on, not bothering with her panties. Balling them up within her fist, she emerged from behind the privacy screen of bushes and said, “Ready to go back?”

While she had been changing, Max had packed everything and changed. He held his hand out to her and replied, “With you I am.”

Together they walked back through the secret trail….towards home.

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

As Max entered the water again for a second time, he could feel the coolness of the stream react with the intense heat of his body that had been brought on by Swan's and his own kiss and touches. He waddled over toward Swan smiling at her until he could not touch the surface and then treaded water. It was then, that Swan did the unexpected and splashed him in the face with a wide grin appearing on her lovely face.

This greatly reduced his inflection of their actions earlier. He grinned and splashed Swan back and this led to them losing touch with the reality around them and letting lose their playful sides - which for Max was not to far from the surface even within a warzone. What was one without humanity?

Max had fun and he could tell by the laughter and wide impish smiles pasted on Swan's face that she too was faving much fun. Time was lost to the two as they played almost childlike. Max's fingers became like prunes and his shoulders ached from moving them in the water to splash but he did not care. They played to their own heart content, and this made Max happy and joyous.

But even this fun had to end and Max could see Swan was visibly tiring and also saw that the sun was making its decent, well underway. He looked at her smiling softly. He suggested they leave and Swan nodded understanding that even though the war battles had moved on, it was still a warzone nonetheless. Max helped Swan with his hands out of the water and he again peered at her watching momentarily as the rivulets of water cascaded down her body onto the semi dry ground below.

They walked to where they had set down their clothes and picnic gear. And Swan was the first to speak, breaking a strange serene silence of inner thought for both of them it seemed. “Max, how’s this for a deal - you pack everything up so I can change back into my dry clothes and when we come home I will make the best dinner you’ve ever had in your life!”

Max changed his face to show a seriousness that was just a mock and he hoped Swan could see through it and answered; “That is a very tempting offer Swan. Will dessert be included?”

Of course it was Swan who had the last say by telling him desert would be only included if he for once did not help her with the after dinner dishes - which he always had and wanted to always do. He watched Swan duck behind the tree not waiting for an aswer and Max simply chuckled. Whilst she was changing Max packed up the picnic bag and closing it once everything was packed. He put on his dry shirt and as he did the edges became wet, but he didnt mind for the cool afternoon wind felt good.

“Ready to go back?”

Max turned and saw Swan had put on the dress yet had a balled fist. He perked his eyebrow at that and smiled at her most charmingly. “With you I am.”

And they walked home hand in hand - toward home. Oh how good that sounded.....to home....

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Walking homeward, they held hands and talked quietly within the quiet cool of the forest. Swan stifled several yawns trying not to draw attention to the tired young woman she’d become. Even her eyes had begun to droop as they emerged from the secret enclave, once again greeted by full sun although not as hot as it was earlier. It had felt like ages that Swan had been part of something wonderful and now as she thought, I am tired from it! What Max must think? Swan did not feel that her attempts at trying to disguise her yawns was working and was further embarrassed by Max asking if she wanted to nap before dinnertime.

She thought briefly to tell him that she wanted to get dinner started, but that would be a lie and lying was not tolerated in her family. Smiling up at him as he unlocked the bolted door she answered, “I think a nap is just what I need. Max, I am exhausted and I didn’t do ANY work today!” She emphasized the word any because it was not like her to be sleepy in the late afternoon as she was. Max nodded understandingly and shooed her up the stairs telling her to go and rest and he would get their meal started; letting the fact go that she was the one who was supposed to make a fabulous meal for packing their lunch belongings not too long before.

After Swan closed the door to her room behind her, she dropped the bag that contained her wet bathing suit and shimmied out of her dress, leaving her standing there naked and drowsy. There would be time later to hang the wet items up and crawled into bed pulling the soft blanket up around her form until it reached the curve of her shoulders. The last thought she had before her eyes shut and her breathing deepened was that she’d wake herself up in ten minutes not wanting to leave Max to the task of preparing dinner.

Two hours came and went and Swan still slept contentedly on her bed. She’d gotten hot under the covers and had pulled the blanket down from her exposing two creamy white globes of firm flesh to the cooling air in her room. Swan had been sleeping on her front side and had turned over when Max had softly knocked on the door, but to which she had not heard.

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

The walk home hand in hand was a testament to the type of day Max and Swan had shared - a beautiful fun filled day not lost but refound within a world that had gone mad with the spectre of war. Max heard the stiffled yawns of Swan - the young lady beside him had played herself to near tiredness and he knew she should take a nap before dinner time.

"Maybe you should have a nap when we get home, Swan?" Max said a little concerned looking at her with a small smile.

He had said this as they came to the front door of Swan's family's residence. Taking the key from her he unbolted the door silently breathing a sigh of relief that nothing had been tampered with. He listened to her with a cocked ear as she answered him; I think a nap is just what I need. Max, I am exhausted and I didn’t do ANY work today!”

Max nodded at Swan understandably. "You have a nap and I'll get our dinner underway." He watched her as she climbed the steps to her bedroom and then took the picnic basket into the kitchen and resting it on the table. Quietly and efficiently Max took out the ingredience to a dish he had thought of making for Swan and himself for a long time. It was known as a delicacy in his family - and he took a brooding thought and hoped some had survived the terror that must have been in his country when the bombs detonated - the dish was Magyarok Ghulash (Hungarian Goulash). It was also a childhood favourite of Max and one that he had not tasted in 5 years. He hoped Swan would like what he cooked.

He cut the vegetables whilst doing so he hummed a tune - a song by U2 With or Without You. He put the large soup pan on the oven and warmed it up and started cooking. Time passed and and with all the ingredience mixed and stewing in the pot he leaned back on the bench in the relative silence of a sunsetting kitchen with Swan asleep above him.

Max checked the watch, it had been almost 2 hours since Swan took a nap and he said to himself he'd wake her when the dinner was prepared. She deserved the sleep and the coming pampering. His thoughts were lost in the closing distance of a indistinguishable rumbling of deepset engines. Slowly minute by minute the rumbling turned into something he could hear clearly and to his trained ears - it was military vehicles.

Checking on the coming along stew he walked briskly to the front door's window which was curtained over and peeped through. Less than a minute over, Max's hunch was justified, 4 trucks and 2 tanks slowly moved up the road passed him. A chunk of emotion rode up his body and stood at his throat - for the dirty markings he could make out was of his ex countries fighting forces.

Knowing he shouldn't but wanting to know what was happening he opened the front door a little and walked out toward the road. Where the rest of the road wad deserted and all the people had stayed in closed doors, it was Max with hands raised to his media tag he had taken from his pocket (always good in a warzone) that showed he was from CNNI, which Max knew did not exist as it did no more with Neo New York destroyed by a bomb.

The lead vehicle abruptly stopped flickering its lights and the other vehicles stopped in good precision. For all the wrong his country had done here - their military precision was next to none, they had it down pat. The tinted over windowed door opened and a scruffy yet attired military general stepped out and Max instantly recognised the man as General Packard, who was leading the forces in this campaign. The General and Max met in the middle of the road only the drums of hardworked engines sounded.

"Hello Max Killeen, we thought you were dead?" The General said flatly.

"General Packard, hello, no I am not dead but I gave up coverage of the war. I met a special someone. So what is happening?"

General Packard gave Max a look over and a hard stare and then nodded. "I am glad your safe. Our country has been 95% destroyed, most of Nova Europa and The New Russian Empire has similarly been destroyed. There is a world wise unrest and our forces have captured the two capitals of these countries and the governments have been deposed. Like you we have nowhere to go, Max, so the new governments of these two counties have given us land from their countries to settle and create our own country. We are on our way, would you and your lady want to join us?"

Max took in the information and finally shook his head and said "General a kind offer but this is her village and I am home now, all I have is her but before you go General may I ask a favour?"

The eyebrow of the General was crooked wanting more information. "Sure ask away but I am not sure if I can deliver but I could damn sure try Max."

Max nodded understanding and spoke to him softly that he and the General could only hear. Max told him all that Swan had been through until they met, and the General's stare got hard with anger and he cussed under his breath at what she had been put through.

"All I ask is that you find the group who did that and when you do let me know General, please....I need to see them and meet out the punishment they deserve"

General Packard's hand touched Maxs' shoulder and he nodded. "I will be in touch with you as soon as we find them if they aren't dead already."

"Thankyou General and godspeed."

They said their goodbyes and Max went back inside the house as the military convoy also left rumbling away, Checking the meal and seeing it was ready he turned it to a slow low heat and set the table lighting a lone candle in the centre of the table. It was past the two hour mark now and the sun was on the horizon.

Wiping his hands clean, Max knew it was time that he awoke Swan. He climbed the stairs two at a time softly as he could and walked over to her closed door. He listened through the door and heard nothing. Rapping at th door, Max got no responce. She still must be snoozing, he said to himself.

His hand latched slowly and softly on her doorknob and he felt it turn. Swan had not locked the door. He peered through the door to the bed and the sleeping frame of a naked Swan. Max looked at her and could feel the heat return to his face and move down his body. Her face mirrored peacefulness in her sleep and he didnt want to wake her but knew he should.

Max looked at her creamy breasts and her exposed half of her body from the sheet and Swan looked oh so beautiful. His fingers carressed her face as he whispered. "Swan....wake up sweetie....dinner is ready...."

And he waited....

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Soft breaths of air escaped her slightly open lips as she dreamed of walking through a lush green forest. Her feet were bare and she was clothed in a simple white muslin cotton gown that barely touched the ground as her footsteps tread over slightly damp moss. In her dream, Swan could hear Max’s voice talking to her as if he was the essence of the forest, the one who protected her within its leafy green branches. She couldn’t make out his words, but she knew that they were not spoken in anger therefore keeping her resting peacefully instead of the tossing and turning she did most times that she tried to sleep.

Her body snuggled into the mattress unaware that she was being watched or even trying to be woken from her slumber. Her arms stretched themselves and then moved so she could lace her hands under the back of her head. His voice had become clearer as her dreams began to come closer to the waking surface of her conscious. The fingers that touched her face drew her even closer to waking and in fact, her eyes slowly opened in the darkened room.

One hand came from behind her head to gently wipe the sleep from her eyes. Her eyes focused and she smiled sleepily at Max. “Am I dreaming still?” she asked him in a sleepy voice. He assured her that this was no dream and once again stated that dinner was ready.

“It was lovely Max, my dream included you. You didn’t have a body, but a presence that could be felt within the forest I was walking in.” She half laughed and closed her eyes once again still tired from their play-filled day. Stretching her body, her hands went to pull the blanket and found nothing but her naked skin instead. The sleepy awake state she was in slipped instantly away as it dawned on her that she was exposed in front of Max.

With her senses, alert Swan found his eyes with hers and held them steady. The beating of her heart felt like the wild thumping rhythm of some of the drumbeats she heard on the radio. Her mind whirled with thoughts of how long he had watched her sleep and how long he had seen her wearing nothing, and Oh God….had he seen all of her?

Before she could say another word, Max turned around and moved his legs towards the door saying that dinner was ready and the table was set. He stood at the doorway and she could tell his hesitation and waited with baited breath what he would do or say next. Taking shallow breaths, she looked down at her body and blushed a deep red at the sight of her nakedness. How stupid of her not to put on a nightgown she thought as her hands found some blanket, yanking it up over her exposed skin.

“I’ll be right down.” She softly said to his back, not sure that he could hear her above the mouse like squeak that came from her mouth. When he nodded his head, she knew that he indeed heard and let himself out making sure the door closed firmly behind. She lay a minute longer wondering how she could go downstairs and face him after the spectacle she presented of herself. Sighing, she realized there was nothing she could do because the ground just wouldn’t open up so she could fall in; never to be seen again.

Quickly throwing some clothes on, Swan made her way down the stairs; inhaling the wondrous scents of something unusual. The scent caused her tummy to gurgle in anticipation of eating which was a blessing in disguise because it shortly helped her to forget her embarrassment.

“Max, what did you make?” she asked as her eyes glanced at the set table. It was beautifully set with a single candle placed in the middle. “Max!” she said again almost as if she was struck dumb. This was the nicest thing anyone had ever done before.

He pulled a chair out and Swan sat down upon it feeling like a princess. “Tonight Mademoiselle, you shall be served by me, Max, the head waiter of this swanky restaurant!” She giggled, blushed, and placed a hand over her mouth at the way Max used his arms and hands to speak. He was so theatrical and guessed it was his reporter’s flair that helped him to be that way. Serving her the piping hot goulash, Max explained the ingredients and said proudly that it was a family dish. It tickled her pink to know that this dish was special to him and not just something he made. Swan enjoyed every morsel and even had a small second helping.

“This is the very best meal I’ve ever had Max.” she exclaimed.

With her belly satisfied, she settled back against the chair. Letting out an audible groan she continued, “Let me sit for a little bit before I do the dishes. I don’t think I can move.”

Swan could tell that Max was pleased with her and as she sat, her thoughts returned to something that made her cheeks become pink once again.

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

Max watched Swan's features and her face as she slowly moved from sleeping world to the waking world. Swan was truly beautiful when she was asleep as well as when she was awake. It was as if God had taken a piece of marble and chiseled out a perfect carving and then breathed the breath of life into the carving setting it as the persona and frame of Swan. For everything about her was perfect and it was here in her room looking at her whilst she awoke, that Max felt the first tentative feelings of love for this woman.

Max watched her stretch, her eyes still closed....she was probably not aware that he could see her semi nakedness of the section of her body uncovered by the blanket she had wrapped around her. Max smiled warmly at Swan as she opened her eyes his fingers resting on her chin for a moment longer before taking his fingers reluctantly back.

“Am I dreaming still?” she asked Max smiling back at him.

"No Swan, not anymore. Dinner is ready," he said to her softly, now standing up. Max listened to Swan briefly describe her dream that had included himself in it. It was then that she realised that her nakedness was showing above the blanket and their eyes met. Max didn't flint, he held her eyes steady with his deep sensual stare. He had no bad feelings for looking at her. He felt as if a bone was stuck in his throat, a bone full of passion. "I will see you downstairs Swan," he said as he turned. He walked to the door and as he shut the door he heard Swan say she'd be right down.

The images in Max's mind as he walked down the stairs to the kitchen just stayed on the naked form of Swan, how beautiful and calm and peaceful she looked. And he realised that he wanted Swan so much. Walking back to the kitchen he finished the last touches to the table and heard Swan's light footsteps come down the steps one by one. Max hoped that Swan would like the meal and the table settings even more and when she came into the kitchen, Max's hopes were realised. He smiled again at her and pulled a seat for her to sit down.

"Now Tonight Mademoiselle, you shall be served by me, Max, the head waiter of this swanky restaurant!” He smiled his most charming smile at Swan enjoying her small giggles of enjoyment. He explained to Swan the ghulash dish he had made and the ingredience used as he served her a nice steamy hot portion of the stew. He watched her eat and smiled broadly at her mmm's and ahhhh's and her nice comments. Sitting down beside her, Max poured himself a serving and ate with her. The candle was burning brightly in the middle of the table as they continued to eat.

When they finished eating their two helpings of the meal, he was pleased with how Swan loved his meal for it was special to him and hoped she understood that fact. He was sharing moreof himself with Swan.

“Let me sit for a little bit before I do the dishes. I don’t think I can move.” Swan had said.

Max smiled and nodded. "After the dishes, shall we just relax on the lounge?"

For Max, every moment spent with Swan was perfect and complete.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Swan knew that the longer she sat in at the kitchen table, the harder it would be in wanting to clean the dishes so she sat up after a few minutes of just feeling satisfied by the excellent meal that Max had prepared and began clearing the table. She left the candle lit and enjoyed its flickering light each time she turned her head to watch it as she washed and Max dried the dishes. It was in a comfortable silence sprinkled with a smattering of words here and there that they finished their work and were able to go and relax in the lounge.

She settled back against the old couch and put her feet up on the ottoman. It had been a long day and now night had fallen with only the sounds of the crickets outside. They created a symphony that further relaxed Swan. Even though Swan had enjoyed her nap earlier, she still felt tired from their playful day. Many thoughts crowded the inside of her head as Max talked about several possibilities of what they could do tomorrow. He wanted to further fix their home and perhaps work on the garden out back, but as he watched Swan, he knew that they could discuss their plans in the morning.

His fingers idly played with the soft skin of the inside of her arm and she enjoyed the tingly feelings it created. She felt at ease with Max, and prayed that he would not be taken away from her because every so often, she felt pangs of worry that knotted her stomach. Trying to banish those worried feelings, she listened as Max shared more of his life with her. Minutes ticked by filled with childhood pranks that made Swan giggle periodically.
She could tell by the way he lit up that he had come from a loving family that not only tolerated his pranks, but also couldn’t wait for more of his daring feats and adventures.

Leaning against his shoulder, she felt her eyes become heavy as his hands moved along her arms squeezing gently relaxing her even more. She did not have to look at the clock to know it was late in the night and smiled because they shared many late nights since his arrival some weeks ago. He must have sensed the time for he placed two fingers under her chin, tilted her head upward and said, “Time for bed Swan?” His voice was soft and soothing as she nodded yes.

He rose from the couch and asked her to stay put as he went around checking the locks. Once couldn’t be too careful in these awful times and tonight was no different then any of the others. Max came back to her and helped her to stand on weary feet. She leaned against him as they made their way upstairs towards their bedrooms. The brief hesitation she felt from his stride when they reached the top was all too clear. Would she just go to bed with him as if it were the natural thing to do or go to her own room and later in the wee hours of the morning come to his room asking if she could stay with him? In the night when she came to him, he always scooted over and opened the blanket up so she could slip right beside him, his body warmth immediately enveloping her; creating a protective and safe place.

He let her make the choice as he stood at the proverbial fork in the road. Would she make a right back to her room or a left into his?

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

Both Max and Swan sat in a comfortable silence just after the meal was completed and they were both sated, Max was inwardly glad Swan liked the meal that he had laboriously prepared for them both. After a little time of idle chatter they cleaned the table and Swan washed the dishes as he dried them and set the cutlery and plates to their rightful places.

He loved doing the small things with Swan, Max felt truly at home and comfortable with how he and Swan were progressing, and Max would not push the relationship to the next level until Swan was ready. Max had pledged that to himself, and he knew that Swan was that much special to wait for her. He wanted her to enjoy their intimacy when she was ready to, of course Swan had seen so much of of the evil side of humanity with what had happened to her family as she hid and watched.

After the dishes being done they retired to the living room and settled on the lounge basking in the enjoyment of a successful nice day and a even more wonderful day. If Max could, he would have replayed this day over and over for all of eternity.

They sat down together with Swan nestling her body next to him, and Max ran his fingers up and down her arm stroking gently as they spoke of idle things before Max turned towards the plans for tomorrow day. He told Swan how he wanted to start repairing the place up and how he wanted to also fix the garden up and start to plant in the next week garden vegetables and fruits, so they could become a little more self sufficient. This was said with the delightful restful sounding cacophony of crikets chirping their night songs through the windows. This night also was better for in the distance no sounds of artillery pounded or no loud rumblings. It was quiet tonight. For once.

Minutes turned to a few hours as Max recounted more of his past including his childhood to Swan, telling her of his life growing up in a jovial atmosphere with loving parents who strove to do their best for him and provide him with the most decent life. Max did more talking then Swan did, as she wanted to know and Max obliged her, recounting to her his many childhood pranks. Max wasn't upset in remembering these times, he took the strength that these memories that no-body could ever take from him whilst he lived.

Max lost track of the time as he spoke and finally in a small stop in a story he was recounting to Swan, he heard her shallow tired breaths and looked up at the clock, seeing it was just past midnight. Sighing softly he looked down at Swan, as he had been talking to her his hand was stroking her soft vibrant hair. He slid his hand from her hair and tucked his fingers gently under her chin and lifting her head to look at him.

“Time for bed Swan?”

Swan nodded and Max knew it was time for her to sleep. He gently disentangled himself from her as he asked Max to stay where she was whilst he checked the locks. He quickly went from the front and back door and made sure they were dead-bolted. Then Max went to the waiting sleepy Swan. "Lean on me sleepyhead," he softly said to Swan. He guided her up the stairs and when they got to the top he momentarily hesitated, wanting to go with her but knowing again that the time was just not right. When Swan was ready, she'd come to him, he wanted her to be sure about it.

Max took a big breath and decided he would not press the issue. Taking her to her room he opened her door with one hand as the other supported Swan's sleepy form. Opening the light he moved her to her bed undid the covers and gently lay her down wrapping the covers over her again.

"Goodnight my sweet Swan," he tenderly said as Max leaned down and kissed her forehead. Swan's eyes were already closing as Max walked to the door closing the light and closing the door behind him. With soft steps he walked down the hallway to his room and opened the door and light and closed the door, not locking it.

Sighing, Max, took off his shirt and placed it on the chair next to the bed.He pulled the covers away giving him room to lie down. Closing the light he lay in bed, thinking of Swan and his new life with a smile pasted on his features as the threads of sleep slowly overcame him.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

It was in the wee hours of the morning that Swan woke herself from another terrible dream. Covered in sweat and tangled within the blanket that Max had laid upon her earlier, her body shivered. She tried to grasp the tail end to the nightmare, but it slithered away leaving her shaken and telling by the dampness of her cheeks crying.

Her eyes scanned the small room needing to see familiar surroundings, to calm her quaking heart. Nimbly, she escaped her cloth prison and padded barefoot down the hallway to Max’s room. She softly knocked on the wooden door and when she received no response, tried the doorknob, thankful that he had not locked his door. Pushing it quietly open, she whispered his name. Max appeared sound asleep as she walked up to the side of his bed, watching his face and then his lips. He breathed in from his nose and let the carbon dioxide free through his mouth, moving his bottom lip slightly each time.

“Max,” she said again putting her hand on his shoulder and giving him a short nudge. “Please wake up.” The sense of dread had not left her and she needed his protection from the demons that plagued her dreams.

It must have been her voice that woke Max for he opened his eyes which were alert and not in the least sleepy. “Swan, what’s wrong?” He was all ready reaching for her hand to gage the seriousness of whatever problem might be happening at that very moment. In fact, if Swan hadn’t spoken the words ‘bad dreams again’ Max looked ready to bound out of the room ready to battle whatever had woken her.

Letting out a deep breath, he opened the covers for her once again and she slid between the sheets, snuggling against him gratefully. She knew it was becoming a habit and hoped that Max would allow her to do this whenever she felt the need. Squeezing the hand that held hers, Swan took comfort from the weight of his arm around her waist.

There was so much to look forward to as she lay with her back up against his chest. She felt a tight bond building between them and something else. That something else was foreign to her, yet it was that something that had made her so self-conscious in front of him when in that two piece bathing suit. It was that something that craved the soft touches and gentle kisses he gave her without any prompting.


Sighing and feeling ready to go back to sleep, Swan pressed her back against him in a silent thank you. He had saved her from so much and even now, continued to ease her troubled mind; helping her heart to begin growing again. It was all these thoughts that made her lips curl into a soft smile and as she brought his hand to her lips and kissed warm flesh; she fell fast asleep.

In the early morning light, Swan’s eyes opened. Almost nose to nose, they faced each other. She sleepily watched the movements of his eyelids and guessed that he was dreaming. Wondering if a person can change another’s dreams, she touched his lips with hers and kissed him with a slight pressure at first, then adding a little more. No effect, she thought, and tried again only this time she puckered her lips and kissed only his lower lip giving it a tiny nibble. Swan felt very bold that morning and attributed it to the good night sleep Max had provided her. He stirred slightly and she did it again with her fingers tenderly touching the sides of his throat feeling for a pulse. Max’s arm went around her waist and drew her closer and they had already been close to start with.

“Are you trying to wake me young lady?” he asked in a sleepy gruff voice.

She stifled a giggle and simply replied, “No.”

If she even tried to tell him she was trying an experiment on him he might find her and odd duck for sure.

“Well then, I think I deserve a good morning kiss. What do you think?”

She happily obliged Max, closing her twinkling eyes and letting her lips take over…

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

~~deleted because it was a double post~ Sorry ~~

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

Max's sleep was not afflicted by any nightmares or by noises of warfare in the distance. It was a sleep that Max needed, one that rested not just his body but also his soul.

When Swan knocked on the door, Max was still fast asleep not hearing her knock or when she entered.

“Max,” the sound of Swan's voice cut into his sleep like a angelic voice, calling out to him....“Please wake up.” With the last word spoken by Swan, Max opened his eyes, alert from the sound of slight distress in her voice. He looked at her, gazing at the silhouette of her body in the sparse light of the room that had been Swan's brothers before the war.

“Swan, what’s wrong?” Max said with concern laced along his words, he truly cared for this lady who had come into his life, his feelings for Swan was mutating into something strong, something real. He wanted to gage the seriousness of what was worrying Swan, looking at her. When Swan answered his question, 'of bad dreams again', he nodded and opened the covers for her once again, watching Swan crawl into the covers and press her body against his.

Max wanted Swan to feel safe and secure, and this was one of the ways that he knew how. Several nights Swan had come to share his bed with Max, non sexually of course, to take comfort in the nearness of each other. And tonight was no different, Max loved sharing these times with Swan. He held her hand in his and reassured her when she squeezed his hand. When Swan kissed his hand and fell asleep next to him, Max watched her for a long time....before he slid his head back on his pillow and soon fell into another fitful sleep.....

Later that morning....

Max dreamt of walking through a rainforrest, in an early morning setting with the sound of nature all around him, far away from any warzone. Max felt so happy walking safely through the forrest, all he missed was the presence of Swan next to him....his dream breaks apart as he feels nibbles on his lower lip and soft kisses. Acting like he was still asleep, Max was enjoying Swan's playfulness, finally enveloping his arm around her waist and bringing her closer to him. His eyes opened and he smiled at Swan.

"Are you trying to wake me young lady?” he asked in a sleepy gruff voice.

Max watches Swan as she stifles a laugh back and answers 'no'.

“Well then, I think I deserve a good morning kiss. What do you think?”

Max was feeling rather playful as well, and normally he would have not asked that question but for some reason he could only feel and not explain, he felt he could ask her this question and not worry if he had upset Swan.

She leaned down and their lips met in a brushing of lips that deepened, Max raised a hand and cupped the back of her head, and the other stroking her arm tenderly.

If Max could die, he would have died happy at that moment. For he felt the very depths of his emotions for Swan melt into that shared kiss.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

A soft brush of lips was what she felt as her eyes closed against all that had plagued her during the night. Playful kisses that relaxed the tenseness of dread with which she felt every night as the nightmares had come for a visit. In morning light, kisses that lightened her silent worries and fears. Swan kissed lips that treated hers softly, gently, feather lightly. Kisses that she had read in her romance novels and kisses she had spied from the other older girls in her small village; couples that snuck off to kiss while parents could not see. These elusive kisses she had not ever experienced until this very moment. She lost herself within these very special kisses, felt his hand cup the back of her head, felt his other hand caress her arm.


Heat that built on the surface of her skin traveled up between her body and nightgown until it escaped at the nape of her neck causing a tingling feeling that began in her tummy to spreading throughout the tiny nerve endings within her body as these kisses deepened further. She felt weightless in Max’s arms as they held her within a protective circle. Swan did not realize how much she needed to be held until Max had come into her life. It was this knowledge that freed her soul and allowed it to soar. Her throat made the tiniest of sounds that sounded like a cross between an aroused fairy and the joyful begging a puppy makes when it wants to be picked up by the one that loves him or her. She was unaware of this though because her mind was so wrapped up in these precious kisses that her hands had even taken it upon themselves to move along his bare chest feeling and memorizing like the blind do with what he felt like.


Their kisses deepened even further with Max introducing the feel of his tongue, letting it sweep barely into her mouth before pulling it back not wanting to cause panic with the newfound intimacy they shared now. Max knew that Swan was innocent like virgin snow and with what she had already had witnessed he would be damned to ever damage her psyche further. He wanted Swan to be the one to stop what they were enjoying or advance, the choice being hers alone.


Swan was experiencing something that she could not put words to. Words just wouldn’t suffice. She pictured angels smiling down upon them and this made her lightheaded and giddy. It excited her to feel this way. As if she was blossoming into the butterfly, she never thought she could become.


But as all good things come to an end or in this case a pause, Swan used her palms to push against his chest. It was not a hard push, more like a gentle pressure that caused Max to break their kiss and look at eyes that had taken on the appearance of a baby deer. She found her voice as she struggled to find the right words to speak. It did not occur that her actions spoke volumes to Max, but he patiently waited as he saw her trying to grasp at the needed letters that formed words.


“Max, I…. Everything…. Changing….” Her words sputtered out like a drunk man’s would and yet to Max it was a perfectly clear sentence. She closed her eyes tight, shutting out his eyes and the light. What a tongue tied numbskull she thought of herself, but to Max it was music to his ears.


He answered her words ~ with a kiss.

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

The kiss that Swan and Max shared deepened as they kissed at first softly testing each other, before it deepened. The kisses were full of gentle tender carefullness on the part of Max, for he did not want to scare Swan, he wanted to make known to her his feelings for her. The feel and taste of her lips on his was exhilerating. Nothing could of made Max happier than he was at that moment, he was lost in the essence of the emotion that was bonding between them like a elasticity.

Max heard the swall throaty noises, Swan made as they kissed, his body felt the heat of passion flow from the tips of his toes to the very top of his head. It was so pleasant, so enjoyable. The wanting, the bare emotion he was feeling for Swan at that moment spiced his own body up even more.

He enjoyed Swan's slight carresses along his chest as their kiss prolonged and lingered, Max was so lost in the feeling of their kisses that all thoughts of time and situation fled his mind. He loved her touches, his fingers carressed her hair feeling the soft silken strands flow as if it was the finest silk through his finger tips.

The newfound intimacy that had evolved between Swan and himself was taken slowly by Max, he swept his tongue into her mouth, and brang his tongue back into his own mouth, not wanting to scare Swan. That was the last thing he wanted too. He didn't want her to be sad or upset with him, and he didn't want to push any boundaries that did not need pushing.

Max left the choice of stopping to Swan, he knew that was the only way and the proper way. Max was a gentlemen through and through and would always remain one, even with his body wanting more.

And finally after countless timeless minutes he felt Swan push against him and they stopped kissing. Max continued to look at her with twinkling eyes full of blossoming passion and something much more deeper that in time he would need to work out. He waited for Swan to regain a voice, as he knew what they had just done had been something so new to her. He smiled softly at her, his fingers still stroking her hair.

“Max, I…. Everything….
Changing….”

He watched her close her eyes as if berating herself but to Max, that was all he needed to hear. His free hand took hold of her chin gently and he whispered softly "Let things change my Swan....I am yours....you are mine. If you want to stop tell me, if you are uncomfortable tell me. But I will never hurt you. I......" His voice faltered on the precipice of emotion and Max could do only one thing.

He finished his words with a kiss, tenderly finishing what he wanted to tell Swan wordlessly and with his heart.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

~A kiss that held such promise~

Slipping slowly down into comfortable silence, Swan welcomed Max’s lips upon hers once again. She shivered within his arms yet she was not cold. The sound of air being exchanged and breathed sounding loud in her ears. How could she define this moment? Her obvious lack of the right words had not mattered to the man she was pressing up against on a warm bed. Only their lips mattered is what his unspoken words said to her, but in essence that was not what Max was saying at all to her. Through his lips he told Swan how gentle he was, how no matter what he would not take advantage, he sought to tell her that he would, wait? Yes, all of those things made sense to her. His vocal words before their kiss said all of that, so what was she trying to grasp that seemed so thinly veiled in the air?

His kiss deepened and Swan struggled to understand the tenderness with which his lips gave to her. Why was she so naïve she would ask herself later on, but not now in the heat of the moment. And there was heat. No mistaking it for anything else. Swan felt it surround their blanketed bodies. Her senses were alive with Max pressed against her and somehow she knew his was too.

Was this what it was to make love? Oh, she was not so stupid as to not know what sex was. She’d overheard conversations with the older girls not realizing or bothering to care that she was close enough to hear their descriptions of what it felt like to have a boy’s penis inside them. The way they described it- it was like in, out, in, out a couple of times and then it was over with a sticky mess to clean up. In addition, she had seen animals having sex many times as well.

In her precious novels, making love was much more then sex. The couples were always encompassed in all consuming blaze of yearning to reach that ‘something’. What she and Max were sharing felt encircling thus creating a tight bond of much more than just kisses. And to Swan this was blissful even though her hear thumped maddeningly in her chest. Placing a hand over his heart, she waited a moment until she found his heartbeat. Slow and steady it beat, something she knew in time would become comfort to her when she was afraid or lonely.

This single most important kiss that he gave to her was like nothing she’d ever experienced and it was enough for this delicate flower. As their lips parted, Swan looked up at Max with her soft dewy eyes and smiled. Although, her hand stayed on his heart she moved her head a bit backwards to create some room.

True to his pledge, Max did not push further and Swan decided that a break was needed. Continuing to look into his eyes, she felt something within her heart stir. It yielded to the idea that perhaps she was feeling more than the friendship they had first started out with and it sat comfortably on her thoughts.

Max continued to lightly touch her skin with his fingertips and she sensed that he didn’t want to lose contact with her body. Within a few minutes, Swans eyes drowsily closed ~ with peace in her heart and the knowledge of what had been escaping her earlier…. Perhaps it was love that Max showed her through his patient kisses and she certainly wouldn’t oppose that feeling at all.

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

With the kiss that Max and Swan shared, he knew that they stood on a precipice of sorts, a crossing point in their budding relationship but true to his word, Max would not and did not push anthing further with Swan. He promised himself as he did before, that when Swan was ready to advance the relationship, it was her to give him the signal. Max did not want her to suffer anymore pain in her life as he knew Swan was fragile. He did not want to suffer with the knowledge that we would cause that pain if he pushed for more than Swan could give.

The kiss was not so much to show her his passion but also to give his sweet Swan a message that he would wait for however long it took for her to feel ready. He would wait a million years if that was how long it took.

Max didn't know how experienced Swan was in the intimacy stage, but from what he gaged she was new. And for Max, he knew he would go extra slow at her pace. As the kiss lingered, he felt Swan place her small hand over his heart, as if for reassurance. His fingers continued to stroke the soft warm flesh of her arm.

The kiss finally ended and both Max and Swan stared softly tenderly into each others eyes, silent yet meaningful messages played out in those carressing gazes. They didnt need to talk, for in that moment the looks they gave each other was all that was needed.

Max watched as Swan's eyes closed and she breathed lightly. He continued to watch over Swan's sweet innocent face. His heart knew what his mind was realising - that the first feeling of love. Yes, he cared deeply for Swan, Max knew that much. And more so everyday.

He lay back again as he listened to the soft breathing of a resting Swan. Closing his eyes, with his fingers still carressing Swan's flesh, he fell into a sleep full of images of Swan.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

When she awoke, a flooding of pleasurable thoughts of what had occurred earlier had brought tinges of pink to her cheeks. Her eyes intently watched the minutely moving features of Max’s face as he continued to sleep. She wondered if he knew that as he drew air into his lungs that his lips parted like a cupid’s bow when he exhaled. As he slept on, she also wondered what his dream was about because his eyebrows furrowed deeply twice. Such is the appeal of dreamland, she thought as her fingertips touched the space between his eyes that lay above the bridge of his nose. She smoothed his crinkled brow hoping to some how smooth the cause of it as well. It worked and she was pleased that he looked peaceful once again.

Disengaging herself from within the security of the arm that was around her, Swan tried to as quietly as she could get out of bed. She made a mental note of the fact that Max slept like a bear. Between the creaks of the bed with her getting out of it and the chirping of the birds that were outside their bedroom window it was amazing he stayed asleep as he did. Creeping to the closed door, she glanced back again before leaving the room. He looked so peaceful and it made her heart feel light. It would be a fine day today she thought with a grin. Nothing could spoil the feeling of happiness she felt at that moment even if at that precise moment the heavens had opened up and brought buckets of rain down. She would take it as a good sign because the ground out back would then be softer for their planting of seeds in the garden.

Quickly she washed and dressed in her room making haste to reach the kitchen. How delighted she felt that it seemed that daylight had splashed all over the kitchen table because this room was normally darker because it faced the west, but on this morning, the sunlight had reached all throughout the house she and Max shared. Maybe it is a signal of only good things to come she mused happily. The thought of living a normal life with Max had begun to form in Swan’s mind the day before today and it would suit her fine if she could.

Setting the volume on low, she listened to the music that filtered out of the small radio. It was coming in with much static, but even that had not bothered her in the least. She knew most of the music that played and where the sound of white noise came through Swan just supplied the words with her own voice. She busied herself with fixing a bountiful breakfast for Max. Wanting only that, he be happy that she could cook very well. Never had the task of preparing a meal seemed so important to Swan, but she knew she only wanted him to be happy with her in all the ways she could think of. Many a time her father commented on how much her mother’s cooking made him the happiest. She doubted this to be 100% true because it seemed that whatever her mother did her father was always happy with a smile on his face even when some dinners weren’t the greatest (at least in her opinion). She remembered the time that her mother had made something so gross (it had pieces of liver in the dish) that she wanted to barf! But her father sat there eating it telling Momma how delicious it was. Shaking her head, remembering the disgusting taste of that chewy meat, Swan made a silent promise to Max that she would never make that for him, ever.

Within her thoughts, Swan became lost. She was so heavily entranced by the funny times her family shared that she hadn’t noticed Max entering the kitchen. Nor did she notice him quietly sitting down in a chair at the kitchen table. He faced her back and listened to the small hiccups of laughter that seemed to explode out of her for no reason. He listened to the disconnected words that she spoke out in to the air at no one in particular. He did not know that Swan had kept herself busy during the times she was younger and by herself when her brother and sister were out with their friends. Although, she wasn’t talking to make believe people, Swan liked to talk out loud as well as talk inside her head. In her family, they had seen Swan do it several times and when they interrupted her, always a guilty look would cross her face. Her father once told her that it was a sign of a lot of thinking going on in her brain. This made Swan so glad and she had never forgotten it. She did not want to be classified in the same group as the crazy old woman that lived on the outskirts of town, walking and talking to herself like it there was nothing wrong.

The clearing of a throat, behind her, made Swan freeze. She didn’t turn around, but the obvious stiffening in her frame showed the person behind her that she was alert. She was almost positive that it was Max behind her sitting at the table only she wondered how long her had been watching without her noticing. Slowly, she turned looking and feeling guilty that he had caught her doing something that wasn’t exactly very normal.

Smiling that crooked smile when only one side of her lips curved up, she simply said, “Good Morning. Ready for breakfast?”

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

The dream was unlike any that Max had undergone. It was a dream that he would remember for the rest of his life. He dreamt that he was an eagle soaring high in the sky, gliding along in a breeze that lifted up his wings. He was gliding up high against the backdrop of a hilly and rocky landscape, over a mountain range that was coloured in a tainted red brush. He looked down and saw the machines of war, the armour, the tanks, the artillery all lay manless and Max knew that he had missed a battle.

His wings crested a mountain ridge and a scene revealed itself as he crested the ridge painted the colour of blood. His eyes beheld the scene of thousands upon thousands of soldiers and civilian normal people dead, their bodies lying in pools of blood and limbs. The wind picked up and a voice in that wind spoke up "Max Killeen, this is a world without love and humanity."

Suddenly his dream shifted and now he was walking upright on solid ground. He walked gingerly amongst the scene of a devastating battle, he recognised it - his home town. The acrid smell of death and weaponry filtered through his senses and he wrinkled his knows.

Above him the sky darkened and a shreik like a thousand angry valkryes bellowed out all around him. The fires of buildings and machinery could be seen all around him in a landscape that resembled the utter devastation after a nuclear weapon.

He came to his street that he had grew up in, Max stopped and looked around what had been a happy peaceful neighbourhood, was now dead and decaying. The smell of death surrounded his senses. He furrowed his brow as Max fell to his knees, outstreching his two arms as if to plead for a change of a scene.

The voice returned whispering almost seductively, "Do you want to see your family, to join them? If you do tell me and I will make that wish a reality."

Max's throat caught, "My God, what have we done here...." At that moment surrounding his frame, a brilliance radiant light shun forth. Soft touches carressed the space between his eyes, and the scene around him faded to blackness....As the dream ended and Max returned to a fitful sleep, he could hear the voice fade, screaming in anger and loss......

.......Peacefulness......

Sometime later, Max awoke, opening his eyes to an empty bed. Sunlight shon through his window, bathing the bedroom in radiance and reached to the foot of his bed. It was then that Max heard the slight noises coming from the kitchen downstairs. With soft calm breaths, he concentrated on the sounds and realised that it was the radio and intermittantly arose the wonderful smooth voice of Swan.

Max didn't know if he should tell Swan of his dream - not wanting to scare her. Max knew he would need to think about the meaning and choices of the dream retrospectively in the near future. But for now, he felt rested and knew that he had a busy rest of the day if he wanted to start working around Swan's house, fixing it up as it should be.

He sat up in the bed and slid the covers off his half clad body. Stretching he then smelled the glorious smells coming from under the door. Max stood and walked over to the basin filled with water and washed his face a few times. It was refreshing and what he needed. He quickly dressed himself and after making sure he was presentable with his hair combed, Max opened the room door and as silently as he could walked down the stairs listening to Swan sing with a song playing on the radio.

Max arrived at the kitchen and watched her as Swan had her back turned to him preparing breakfast, he knew Swan was lost within her own mind and what she was doing. Max listened to her static words, her giggles and knew then and there that he loved this woman he was watching. He smiled inwardly, happy, putting away all his bad thoughts about the dream for another time.

He walked to the kitchen table sitting in his usual seat and watched Swan further. Finally with a smile etched on his face he cleared his throat only as loud so Max could capture the attention of his vivacious butterfly. Her words immediately stopped and he could see Swan's frame stiffen. A silence descended the kitchen, "It's only me Swan."

Swan slowly turned and smiled impishly. “Good Morning. Ready for breakfast?”

Max smiled back at her. "You sounded wonderful Swan, and Good morning to you sweetheart. Yes I am," he smiled his most dashing smile at Swan.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Swan

She gave him a quick smile before turning rapidly around to cover the girlish pride she took in his saying she sounded wonderful. With a few quick swirls of her wooden spoon, Swan turned off the stove and began making two plates. She heaped plenty of scrambled eggs with crisp slices of bacon onto his plate and added a couple slices of buttered toast. Placing the plates down, she went back to the counter and brought back two glasses of orange juice as well.

“You know what we forgot to buy at the market yesterday,” she paused without him having time to answer, “coffee beans! I already put it on the grocery list so I won’t forget the next time we return.” Her sheepish, lopsided grin she added, “I left the list taped to the icebox so if you need to add anything, we’ll both won’t forget. Now let’s eat.”

They ate together, conversation slightly above the static of the radio, talking about what they wanted to accomplish during the day. Making plans like this kept the brilliant smile on her face all during breakfast.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ later that morning ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After cleaning the breakfast dishes, they went out of the house through the front door. The morning light was strong feeding them additional energy that food alone could not. He grasped her hand as they stood basking in what God freely shared with the world. She took a deep breath and squeezed his palm slightly.

The streets were not empty. They were not standing alone either. True, it was not the usual bustle of people that filled the street in front of their home, but there was no silence as was the case for the past several weeks. Far from normal, life was getting back on track in the small village that Max now made his home in. Perhaps, a small part of their hearts lightened at the scene before them.

Not wanting to stand long in the front of their home because tasks needed to be started, Swan led them into the backyard and toward the shed in the far corner of the property, they owned. Inside the shed was everything needed to begin a garden and strengthen the shell of their home against another attack. Earlier, they had decided to split the chores because Max concluded that Swan was quite capable of doing the hard work needed as he had listened to her talk about all the work involved in creating a successful garden.

Max took out all the tools she would need even though she protested. He did not want Swan to strain herself moving the equipment. Sighing at his chivalry (and secretly loving it), she waited patiently until all that she needed was lying in a neat row in front of her.

“Now if you need anything else Swan give me a shout. I will get it for you.”

She smiled at him and nodded her yes. Pulling on work gloves, she set about pulling stray weeds out of the already cleared ground. As the weeds were yanked out of the ground, she remembered that this was one of the last things she and her siblings were working on before hell broke loose in their village. Trying to fight back bitter tears, they spilled freely from her doe eyes and dropped to the ground; quickly disappearing into the fertile soil. She would be damned if this was going to spoil their necessary tasks and viciously yanked harder at the offending weeds calming herself through repetition of the same act. It was energy well spent because the perimeter and ground within was clear and ready to be impregnated with seeds.

Standing and admiring her work, she was satisfied. Her mother would have been proud, she thought sadly. But as she looked heavenward she knew Momma was looking down from her new home pleased with how her daughter was carrying on with life as she should. This knowledge strengthened Swan, gave her the needed resilience to persevere onward.

Curious to see how Max was doing, she left her garden to search him out.

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

Max sat down at the kitchen table as Swan prepared the plates. The lovely enticing smell of breakfast could be smelt all over the house and especially so in the kitchen. He watched Swan bring their plates over to the table and set them down, all Max knew was Swan new the way to his stomach as well as his heart. His plate had a large helping of bacon rashes and scrambled eggs with two pieces of toast. She set the plates down and then quickly retrieved the glasses of orange juice on the kitchen counter.

"Wonderful as always, Swan," he said with a smile that had not vanished since coming downstairs from his room.

“You know what we forgot to buy at the market yesterday, coffee beans! I already put it on the grocery list so I won’t forget the next time we return.” Max nodded as Swan went onto say she had put the shopping list on the side of the fridge door.

They ate their breakfast with the radio playing in the background and spoke of their plans for the rest of the day. Max told Swan that he would begin repairing the house outside firstly and then would concentrate inside.

After breakfast, Max helped Swan clear the kitchen table and when he tried to help her by taking a towel to wipe down the dishes, Swan shoed Max out of the kitchen. After alittle fuss, Max did what she asked and waited for her to finish in the living room. After alittle while when Swan had finished they walked out the front door stepping hand in hand into a sunlit front patio.

What surprised Max somewhat of this scene was how much more people were out in the streets. A week ago it would have been empty during the day. Also what made the outside world appear much more appealing was the absence of any military vehicles or personel. He sighed happily.

WIthout a word being said, Max followed Swan as she led him to the backward and to a corner shed. The backyard was bigger than Max first anticipated, having only seen the backyard during the nights. Now it was daylight and it was a medium sized acre land.

Opening the shed to him, Swan showed him the innards of the shed opening the soft light that revealed tools of every sort either for gardening, home maintenance or building. Swan's dad seemed to have been a jack-of-all-trades.

They had spoken and agreed on the tasks they would both do separately, Swan would get started on returning the garden to the pre-war state and Max could tell Swan enjoyed gardening as much as he loved to listen to her about what she wanted to do to the gardens. Max would do the heavy outside yardwork and patch ups.

When Swan started reaching for the tools and equipment she needed for gardening, Max stopped her and took everything she pointed too and carried it to the garden with her protesting. Max only replied, that it was his pleasure and to call him if she needed something or anything.

“Now if you need anything else Swan give me a shout. I will get it for you.” Max said.

He smiled into her smiling eyes and left Swan to begin working on the garden. He took the tools he needed from the shed including a small step-ladder and started to patch up cracks and holes in the walls of the house. His mind even though in the job at hand was always alert and from the corner of his eyes, Max kept watch on Swan. You could never be too safe yet. Even though the war had moved on, things could always change so very quickly.

Taking a score of nails and a hammer he started to bolt down rusty wooden patio on the back veranda. The warmth of the sun and the work that he was doing made him enjoy this time and his mind floated in and out with different thoughts......

Max started to hum a tune from his school years and didnt see the figure of Swan approach as he was on his knees hammering nails in place on wooden boards.

 

[Lay Z Butterfly]

Max was so hard at work that he didn’t hear her draw closer. He was humming a tune as she stood there, the hem of her dress blowing slightly in the wind. She stood listening, a slow smile spreading across her features as he went on oblivious to her presence.

“Max,” she said quietly, not wanting to jar him. He was tanning in the bright sun, sweat glistening along his arms as he worked. It was only when she placed a gentle hand on his arm that he turned hammer in the air.

“Swan!” he said with a start. He lowered the hammer and looked upon her smiling face.

“Come look what I’ve done in the garden.” She held her hand out to him and he accepted it. He lowered the hammer and stood up from his bent position.

She pulled him along like a small child wanting him to see all the hard work she put into making their garden suitable for a wonderful season worth of vegetables.

“I want to plant cucumbers here <and pointed>, tomatoes there <pointing again>”, and stepped down each of the rows telling Max what each row would hold before harvest time. She could tell by his face that he was impressed. This gladdened her heart and impulsively, she hugged him.

Their hug lasted more than mere moments. His arms gathered around her waist pulling her close against him, sweaty chest to her thin cotton dress. Her arms found their way around his neck as if they were meant to be there. Her upturned face begged to be kissed and Max obliged lowering his face to hers. It was the sweetest kiss, one that made her light on her toes. She swayed even closer to him (if that was possible) and felt her tummy flip-flop. It was this fluttering that always happened when Max was near too. Something inside her craved more, yet she held back from asking for more. It was part fear of the unknown and part being inexperienced. However, she let him hold her longer and longer each time they embraced.

Her lips confidently kissed his back and she even dared to place the tinniest of licks along his lower lip too. She felt bold when she did that and felt Max respond with a tightening of his arms. Their kissing stopped and they looked into each other’s eyes feeling what words could not explain. She smiled at him, the apples of her cheeks glowing and her eyes sparkling.

“Well done Swan. I couldn’t have done a better job.” He brought them back into the present and Swan continued to smile. She fed on his positive remarks and comments. “Let’s stop for the day as the sun is starting its descent. I want to put all the tools away and secure the shed before we go in.” Max, of course, made sense and she readily agreed. He did not allow her to go into the house until he went with her safety was always first.

Swan was tired, but it was a good, clean tired. The kind that was filled with self-satisfaction of a job completed. They entered together with Max bolting the door behind them. He suggested she take a bath, but before she could protest he added that they would eat a light dinner so there would be no elaborate dishes made that night. He sent her upstairs with a kiss on her cheek telling her to enjoy a good, long soak.

In her room, Swan peeled off her sweaty dress and armed herself with two towels and her mother’s coveted bath salts. Filling the tub with the hottest water that she could stand, she poured the salts in liking the way they fizzled in the swirling water. Gingerly she stepped into the water, so hot, but knowing it would bring relief to her tired body.

It wasn’t long that Swan fell asleep. She had washed her body and hair, wrapping a towel swami style on her head, and leaned back enjoying the steam that rose from the water. Her eyes had grown heavy until they closed.

Downstairs, Max had looked at the time realizing that Swan had been up there quite a long time. He wasn’t too concerned, but ever alert he went up those stairs heading toward the bathroom door. He quietly knocked, but got no response. Trying the knob and it turning, he pushed the door slightly open, “Swan?” No answer. He opened the door further, again asking, “Swan?” The room was filled with a heated mist and he quickly headed over to the tub, seeing the towel on her head. For one quick panic filled moment, he thought maybe she had fallen asleep and had gone under the water, but that wasn’t the case. He stood at the side of the tub, looking down at a peacefully sleeping Swan. And she was peaceful. Her face was glistening from the heated water, lips shining too.

He thought about waking her, but was loathe to wake the sleeping beauty. So instead, he reached for the lone dry towel and placed it over his arm. Then he gently lifted her out of the water, naked and dripping. He tried to keep his eyes averted, but couldn’t help himself. “Stop it, “he said to himself, and draped the towel as best he could over her nude form.

Quietly, stepping lightly, he brought her to her room and laid her down on the bed. Through it all, she did not wake. He kissed her forehead and left the room. Thoughts swirled around in his mind, but he kept them at bay, preferring to keep them in the dark.

Going back in the bathroom, he let the water out of the tub and then he had himself a hot shower. He felt refreshed after finishing and quickly toweled off, hunger in his belly, calling him into the kitchen, but first he checked on Swan seeing her still sleeping and thought better on waking her only when dinner was ready.

He headed downstairs to prepare a light meal…

 

[PVodogaz]

Max Killeen

Max was so caught up in the task he was doing as well as his own brooding thoughts and images crossing almost tangently through his thoughts, that he did not hear the approach of Swan behind him. He realised he was humming a tune, more like a childhood lullaby that his mother had sang to him before bed time each night in his childhood.

“Max.”

The sweet soft voice of Swan filtered through his tune and he turned alert, ever ready for anything in this time of uncertainty and repose. He raised his hammer into the air and as he turned he saw that Swan was safe. Max shook the cobwebbed images of danger from his mind.

“Swan!”

He looked upon Swan's smiling face and lowered the hammer and tossing it on the ground to his side. Max loved seeing Swan smile, and inwardly Max smiled.

Come look what I’ve done in the garden.” He took her outstretched profered hand and followed Swan as she ethusiastically wanted to show him what she had done with the garden that had a short time ago belonged to her mother. He smiled as he followed her, enjoying the change in Swan. They reached the garden, and what hit Max was the change in how the vegetable garden looked now. Max could not be but impressed by the work that Swan had put in to the garden.

As Swan exuberantly went about pointing and showing Max what she had changed and planted he followed with his eyes. His heart leapt then and there knowing he was in love with Swan.

Swan hugged him, and Max in response wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him. In the sunlight, which was warm, their touch was a spark that further lightened his heart for this precious woman in his arms. The hug was one of a close forming sensuality between them both.

Max leaned into Swan's upturned face and lightly brushed his warm lips against the soft red lips of Swan and it was a kiss that in itself was romantic and passionate at the same time. He felt Swan's arms cup around his neck, and he enjoyed the kiss. Every kiss, every hug he treasured with Swan.

Finally after what seemed to be long moments where time itself seemed to slow he parted his lips from hers and he felt her tongue slightly lick his lower lips. Max couldn't find the right words what to say to Swan, so they gazed unto each other's eyes sharing with a look, what words could not utter or explain.

“Well done Swan. I couldn’t have done a better job. Let’s stop for the day as the sun is starting its descent. I want to put all the tools away and secure the shed before we go in.”

Max smiled at her, still holding her in his strong arms now tanned from a day of working in the sun. The day had rolled over fast and the sun was starting its zenith descent.

Whilst Swan waited, he quickly stored the used tools in the shed and secured the shed once everything that was supposed to be in was in. At the front door, Max went in and made sure the house was secure before allowing a tired looking Swan to enter. Max always did this and would do it during this period of instability. Swan's safety was his desire and most hearted concen.

After making sure the house was safe, Swan entered and he locked the door behind them. He suggested she take a bath, but before she could protest he added that they would eat a light dinner so there would be no elaborate dishes made that night. He sent her upstairs with a kiss on her cheek telling her to enjoy a good, long soak. Max watched her climb the stairs yawning as she slowly went up and disapeared into her room. Then he went into the kitchen and started to prepare a light dinner. Before he did this, he cut the washed and cut some of the vegetables from the garden getting them ready to be cooked.

After a little while, Max checked the time and realised Swan had not come down and was still possibly in the bath. Wiping his hands along his pants he walked up the stairs. He wasn’t too concerned, but ever alert he went up those stairs heading toward the bathroom door. He quietly knocked, but got no response.

Trying the knob and it turning, he pushed the door slightly open, “Swan?” No answer. He opened the door further, again asking, “Swan?” He felt the heated mist on his face as he entered the bathroom quietly. For one quick panic filled moment, he thought maybe she had fallen asleep and had gone under the water, but that wasn’t the case. He stood at the side of the tub, looking down at a peacefully sleeping Swan.

Max didnt want to wake her up just yet, the peacefulness on her face was too nice to wake her up from. So instead, he reached for the lone dry towel and placed it over his arm. Then he gently lifted her out of the water, naked and dripping. He looked at her naked wet form and a hot passionate desire overcame his body for just a moment before he reigned it in. He scolded himself. “Stop it, “he said to himself, and draped the towel as best he could over her nude form.

Quietly, stepping lightly, he brought her to her room and laid her down on the bed. Through it all, she did not wake. He kissed her forehead and left the room. He turned at her door and his thoughts were tossed aside as he wished her well resting. Closing the door behind him, Max went down the stairs knowing a light dinner was in order for Swan when she would awake, so it would be ready. But first he took some clean clothing and had a quick shower cleaning himself from the dried sweat and grime of working outside. The remnants of a hard days work.

He checked on Swan once again, seeing her peacefully asleep still. He thought it would be best to wake Swan up when Dinner was ready to be served.

In the kitchen, Max, prepared a stew with the vegetables he had cleaned and along with the stew he filled Capsicums with rice and mince meat creating a thick tasty paprika sauce over them. He humed a tune aloud as he cooked the meal and chilled a wine from his belongings....a nice mosselle red.

Soon enough the light dinner, which was not so lite anymore was ready. He hoped Swan would enjoy his culinary skill. Making sure the stove was turned off, he walked up the stairs and lighty stepped to Swan's door and he opened the door to her room. The room was semi dark and Max's eyes took awhile to adjust. "Swan," he called out.

Max sat on the edge of her bed and called her name once more. On a impulse but a romantic one, Max leaned down and kissed her eyelids and leaned back up awaiting her to wake up.