“This way!”
Summer stares at the tree thinking it looks almost sad the way its long strings shield its face from view. Her fingers itch for a sketch pad. Victor parts the flowing branches, and she steps inside. She's instantly enchanted. Lanterns hang from the wooden branches under the canopy, and it has a swinging platform that doubles as a large bed. The ropes are twisted with flowers and pillows are tossed on top of the white cushion.
“Victor,” she gasps. “This is stunning!” He draws her forward, and her heart speeds up.
“I know, what I wouldn’t give to see you naked, waiting for me here,” he whispers in her ear. Unable to wait a moment longer he kisses her with all the passion he feels. Her body reacts instantly to the image he paints and washes all the ugly thoughts from her mind.
“I’m hungry,” Jonah yells from the river.
Summer unwraps her arms from his neck and blushes up at him. “You really shouldn’t talk to me like that, Victor.”
“Why not? Can you see us here, Summer? Can’t you feel it, my hands, my mouth, my teeth…” she covers his mouth with her hand. He grins as Jonah runs inside and squeals in delight at the bed.
“Wow! I wanna try,” and with that, he leaps on the bed as they laugh at his antics. Victor runs jumping on with him, and Summer laughs as she clutches her ribs.
They swing for a few minutes while she stands to watch. “Come on, Summer!” Jonah calls out.
“Oh, I don’t think so. We better let her heal some more before we get her on the swing.” Victor says, whacking Jonah with a pillow!
The memory strikes so fast that Summer is almost driven to her knees.
‘Pillow wars!’ Alex yells and the twins attack. Summer is laughing until they turn on her! Feathers explode and rains down as the girls squeal in delight!
Victor watches and sees the color drain from her face. He calls to her and leaps from the bed, rushing to her side. Summer holds up a hand and stops him from touching her. “I’m okay. Just a memory, Victor.” She swipes a hand over her cheek, “A good memory. I won’t let him steal those from me too.”
“Good girl,” he kisses her softly on the mouth and Jonah yells, “Enough mush! I’m hungry.”
They laugh and go outside to enjoy a picnic by the river. Summer delights in a joy-filled afternoon, eating a picnic and enjoying the brisk autumn day.
“Now, Daddy?” Jonah asks with a loud whisper.
“Yes, Jonah.” Summer looks at them with a question on her face, but they merely smile and moves behind a bush. Victor comes back holding a heavy parcel. Jonah carries a smaller one.
“What’s all this?” Summer asks.
“It’s a surprise! Open it, open it!” Jonah squeals as he hands her the small package first.
“You didn't need to do this…” she says as she slowly unwraps the first gift. It's a bound pad of paper. Summer holds it to her heart and stares at them in shock.
“It’s so you can write my book, Summer. Do you like it?” Jonah worries.
“I love it,” she whispers touching his face.
“Now mine,” Victor says, sitting close to her. He places the heavy package in front of her, and her hands tremble as she unwraps it. It is a wooden field desk, loaded with tons of supplies. Everything she would need or even dream of having, to write and illustrate her books.
She picks up each piece staring at them in awe, and back at the boys. An unshed tear glistens in her eye when she picks up a graphite pencil. Summer stares at it, and then throws herself into Victor’s arms, with a squeal.
“Well, that’s more like it!” Victor holds onto her and Jonah screams with excitement, then throws himself at the couple.
“This is amazing!” She pushes back and kisses him hard on the mouth. Then grabs Jonah and peppers his laughing face with kisses.
“Thank you,” she laughs and starts to sift through everything, and they jump to show her all the compartments. “How did you find all of this?”
It's a day filled with laughter, love, and wonder. They answer her questions and later as Summer is showing Jonah how to sketch, Victor murmurs, “Just what the doctor ordered.”
That night, Summer sleeps without the use of her morphine. It is a breakthrough as far as she is concerned. The next week passes in a blur of picnics, fishing, sketching and writing. Victor and Summer spend as much time as they can getting to know each other. Soon, they fall into a routine. Victor works on his theater while Summer and Jonah have his lessons in the morning. They go hiking and explore the town. Stolen kisses, hand-holding and joy are the memories she will take with her of this time. The last evening together Summer arranges a private dinner in their rooms.
She knows once they arrive in New York things will not be the same. The house will be staffed, and Victor will go back to work. Summer has plans of her own to put into action, and hopefully, Alex will finally be arriving. Once Jung is out of the way, she will be free to start a life with them. Her smile is full of hope when she hears the door open to their suite.
“What’s all this?” He calls out and Summer steps into view. He grins and walks towards her.
“I thought a dinner alone would be nice? Are you hungry?” Summer joins him by the fireplace.
“Famished. You look amazing, how are you feeling?” He lifts her hand and presses a warm kiss to it.
“Much better, I can almost take a full breath now. Jonah is
