Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2023 17:26:15 +0000 From: coffeefourtwo Subject: A Love Like Ours Chapter 4 All characters are fictional and high school age or older. Comments are welcome. If there is interest, I will continue the series. Please consider a donation, however small, to nifty. As I had feared, the summer break from school for Harper and me ended much too quickly. We were all in the neighboring state, apartment hunting, and so far, I wasn't too eulogistic about the apartments we visited. Things, however, took a turn for the better when we stopped at a diner early one evening for dinner. While dad was paying for our dinner, he was talking with a man working at the diner and came back to the booth, grinning. He explained the man knew a lady who lived in the house directly behind the diner with a furnished garage apartment for rent. The rent was low, but with a stipulation. She would require a ride to do her weekly grocery shopping. The monthly rent, even I could afford with only a part time job. The man was going to the house to tell her that we may be interested. From what we had already seen, I had my doubts that the apartment would be in decent shape. The lady, Ms. Madeline, insistent we call her Maddie, was nothing less than an elegant woman, with her facial features reminding me of Jane Seymour, the actress. I presumed she was in her late sixties or early seventies. She told us the mattress was new and the apartment and all its appliances were professionally cleaned two days earlier. After explaining she wasn't comfortable walking up the stairs, she gave us a key to the apartment. When we walked in, I was blown away by the gorgeous little apartment. In all, it was four rooms. A living room and kitchen in an open floor plan, along with a small bedroom and bathroom, furnished in the manner of a small English cottage, cozy and inviting. After completely going through the rooms twice, I looked at Dad. He looked at me, smiled and asked, "Sold?" With a grin from ear to ear I said, "Absolutely!" Harper was giddy with excitement. We went downstairs to inform Maddie we would take the apartment. The deposit and first month's rent were settled. All we had to do now was go back to the hotel to pick up the car mom and dad bought for me a few days before we came apartment hunting and move the few boxes of my clothes and things from the car into my new apartment. Mom and dad stayed at the hotel, while Harper and I would spend the night at the apartment. One thing we needed to do before we went back to the apartment, was grocery shopping. Harper pulled out her phone and with her map app found a store nearby, with directions being given by a female voice that was far too cheery for my liking. When we returned, Maddie was sitting on her front porch. She stood and said, "Girl's, I have coffee or tea if you prefer, along with cake." Harper and I looked at each other, grinning. "We'll put the groceries away and be down in a few minutes," I said. Maddie smiled sweetly as she returned to her chair. The time we spent with Maddie was lovely. She smiled as she watched Harper devour her cake. When Harper took her last bite, Maddie cut her another slice. Harper didn't have to say a word, I knew she liked Maddie already! Feed Harper, and you are a friend for life. We stayed and talked with Maddie just over an hour, then went upstairs. As hard as it was to resist Harper, I did. I held her close to me though, as we slept. In the morning, they would be leaving. With it being a nearly four hour drive home, mom and dad picked us up for an early lunch. Harper stayed close to me the whole time, being unusually quiet. I know how she felt, for I was feeling the same way. A sense of dread at her leaving. When we arrived at the apartment, there were a few bags in the trunk of their car I forgot about. I removed the last few things from their car and brought them upstairs. Mom and dad went to the car leaving Harper and me alone in the driveway. When Harper began to cry, I pulled her to me. She felt so good, so right in my arms. I held her close and cried along with her. I said to her, "When Dad drives away, please don't look back." She cried harder, broke from our hug and ran to the car. She did as I asked and didn't look back. Maddie walked up to me, lacing her arm through mine as I watched them drive away. "You love her very much," Maddie said softly as she looked ahead. I nodded my head. Maddie turned to me. "And she is in love with you," Maddie said knowingly. I turned my head and looked at Maddie. She knew. Maddie knew there was something between Harper and me. She smiled and said, "Many, many years ago, I was in your position." My eyes widened. "Let's have some more of that cake shall we, Zoe, and we can talk." I turned with her and we walked to her house, her arm still laced around mine. "Her name was Andrea, or Andi as we all called her." Maddie began after she served the tea and cake. "She was the middle of the three girls, I was the baby. Andi was twenty, I was sixteen when we fell in love, well, fell in love the way you and Harper are now. She came back from college one summer, that's when it started and it went on for fifty beautiful years. She passed, two years ago." My heart foundered. I could see the loss on her face. Maddie continued. "No one in the family knew we were lovers. How could we possibly tell them? We lived together all that time. The family must have thought we were really close, or if they had suspected they never said anything. As far as Andi and I were concerned, we did what we did best, we loved each other. We just lived our lives." From Maddie's affectionate tone, I had no doubt these two women loved each other deeply. Maddie rose and went into her bedroom, returning with a framed picture of the two of them smiling warmly, devotedly at each other. Tears began to form in my eyes. "We had a photographer take this of us about twenty years ago. It was both our favorite." "You are both very striking women," I said, mesmerized by the photograph. "She was everything to me, Zoe. Everything I did, I did for her. And she was the same way with me. How she wanted to please me." A devilish grin appeared on Maddie's face. "And please me she did, multiple times a night!" We both burst out laughing. And for a moment, I did envision them making love. I could only imagine the passion these two beautiful sisters shared with each other. Harper and I would do well to have a life like theirs. Maddie reached for my hand and held it gently. "Love her, Zoe. When the two of you finally get together, tell her every day that you love her. And give her a passionate, toe-curling kiss at least once a day. Let her know that she is loved. That is what will keep the two of you, together." Maddie's words touched me deeply. As though she sensed I felt sorry for her she said, "It's okay, Zoe. You get through the pain and grief, and when you don't expect it, someone comes into your life." I tilted my head slightly and smiled "You found someone?" She nodded her head. With that same devilish grin she said, "I have, and I've kept it in the family. My first cousin, Monica." I surely didn't see that coming. "You see, before Andi and I became lovers, Monica and I were having an affair. Her father got a promotion at work that required them to move out of state. Long story short, she moved back here about six months ago." "And you two picked up where you left off?" I asked excitedly. "Not at first. I was talking with Monica one night and I finally got off my chest, this secret Andi and I had been carrying for so long. This was about three months ago. She was absolutely wonderful and very kind and considerate. About a month later we became lovers. She came over to visit one night and before either of us knew what happened, we were in bed." Maddie paused for a moment as a winsome expression formed on her face. "Ate me out for forty-five minutes, she did." I laughed so hard. When I finally caught my breath, I was curious. "So, I haven't seen her around. She doesn't live here?" "No. She has her own place. You'll see her around, though. She's active in the community, much more than me. In fact, she'll be over here tomorrow night. How about we all have dinner together. I think you would like her." "I may just take you up on that." Frankly, I had every intention of being there for dinner. Later that evening, I called mom. She told me Harper was in her room, crying. In fact, she told me Harper cried most of the way home. Mom thought it best if I gave Harper a day or two before I talked with her. I agreed. The next evening, I went downstairs for dinner. I could see immediately that these two women cared for each other deeply. Monica doted on her and I could see the love in return on Maddie's face. Maddie truly was healing from the loss of Andi. The next night, I called Harper. As she spoke, I could detect both excitement and disappointment in her voice. School was starting soon, but she was rather blase about it. I knew how she felt. College was starting soon and while it should have been an exciting time for me, I was in a funk. And I knew the reason why -- Harper. When college started, the warning Harper gave after we watched the movie 'Late Spring' came to pass. Women, along with some rather gruff and shabby looking young men, tried to lure me to their dorm rooms. Although I resisted them, there was one woman that nearly had me. Her name was Patricia, a female professor of mine from college. After attending one of her late afternoon classes, I went to a nearby coffee shop. Just a few minutes after I sat down, Patricia walked in as if she owned the place. I love a woman with confidence not arrogance. She was about to walk out with her drink when she spotted me. She walked to my table and asked if she could join me. The flirting between us soon became hot and heavy. She invited me to her apartment. I am ashamed to say this, but I was within a sliver of a breath of accepting her offer. It was then I thought of Harper. I declined her offer. Patricia reached into her purse, pulled out a pen and paper and began writing. She handed it to me, and on the paper, she had scribbled her address. My gaze shifted from the note to Patricia. "In case you change your mind," she said with a soft smile on her face. She stood, looked at me and said, "You must love her very much." I nodded my head. As I watched Patricia walk out of the coffee shop, there was one thing I was certain of. It was going to be a really long two years! "She still thinks you're not going to be there, right?" Maddie asked as I threw my bag of clothes into my car. "Yes, she thinks I wasn't able to get a replacement at work." I was going home, mid-afternoon, for Harper's graduation. I had waited too long, thinking it wouldn't be a problem to have someone switch shifts with me. Turns out I was wrong. My salvation came from the owner's wife, Victoria. When she heard of my problem, she told me to leave and said she would cover for me. Leaving this late in the afternoon, I would miss the ceremony, but I would be able to see Harper at home after. Before I got in the car, Maddie gave me a huge hug. As I shifted the car into reverse, Maddie made me promise to call her when I got there so she knew I was safe. Over the last two years, I considered Maddie as nothing less than a grandmother. The advice she has given me, along with the time we have spent together, is something I will always treasure. Although I have gone home often, this drive seemed to be the longest of all. It had been a few months since I had been home, and I couldn't wait to see Harper. When I drove into town, I made a decision on where to park. Our street runs north to south, with the high school to the north of our house. I knew they would be coming from the north, so I decided to park two blocks south of our house on the street. I parked along the curb, pulled out my phone and called Maddie. We talked for about fifteen minutes, when I saw a car driving from the north on our street. It was mom and dad's car. I ended the call with Maddie, promising to call her later that night. After they turned into the driveway, I waited another five minutes, then started the car. I parked behind their car, and walked to the door leading into the kitchen. Looking through the glass of the door, I could see dad seated at the kitchen table with mom standing, her back to the door. When I tapped lightly on the door, mom spun around and flashed me a magnificent smile. She hurried over and gave me a hug that completely enveloped me with love. "I was beginning to wonder what happened to you, Zoe. I saw your car when we drove up " Drats! I thought my cover was blown. "Did Harper see me? " Mom smiled. "No, when I saw your car, I started talking with her, just enough to distract her." Mom pointed down at the spot where I was standing. "Stay right there." Mom walked to Harper's room, while dad came over and gave me a hug. She tapped lightly on Harper's door. "Harper, honey, there's someone here to see you." Mom walked up the hallway to the entrance of the kitchen, with Harper just a few steps behind. Mom turned to Harper and asked, "Sweetheart, do you happen to know this stunning, young lady?" Harper looked over mom's shoulder. I was standing behind dad, then stepped aside. Harper gasped when she saw me, then raised a trembling hand to cover her mouth. She began to cry and walked to me, her arms extended languidly. I rushed over to her, holding her close to me as she tried to get her words out. "But you .. you're not .. you said .." Harper gave up and did the only thing she could do, she cried. In fact, we both did. When the tears subsided, we went to her bedroom to gather ourselves. When Harper closed the door, I took her in my arms and kissed her with all the passion I could. Harper melted in my arms as she opened her mouth, inviting my tongue to join hers. I was getting wetter by the second, but I still had to be cautious. After breaking the kiss, we sat on her bed and had a talk. And did Harper ever talk! She didn't ask, she told me how things were going to be. "In two days, I'll turn eighteen. Tomorrow, I'm going with some friends on a short vacation. When the vacation is over I am going to live with you." When she finished she asked, "So, any problems you see with that?" She raised her chin defiantly. I smiled at her. "None, whatsoever." "Good," she said as she placed her lips on my earlobe. "You better be ready for me." She licked my ear, then pulled her head away. I was dripping wet, but I had to get my mind off this. "So, what are your plans for tonight?" Harper said, "I have no plans. When you said you couldn't come I really didn't want to go out. I was disappointed as it was. Now that you're here, all I want tonight is to be with you." Her words were very similar to mine on my graduation night. I had plans to go with friends to celebrate, but when I saw the sad look on Harper's face as I walked out of the house, there was no way I could leave her. I marched right back to the house to spend my time with Harper. Hearing voices in the kitchen, we knew some neighbors had arrived. Harper and I walked to the kitchen. The neighbors, as they had done for me, brought enough food to last a few days. Through the night, Harper and I never separated. Occasionally, we would give each other light innocent caresses, but none lingered. We certainly didn't want to draw attention to ourselves, but every time Harper touched me, a tingle shot down to my pussy. After the neighbors left, mom and dad came and gave us both a hug, then went to bed. I sat on the end of the sofa, Harper waiting for my invitation. When I tapped the seat cushion lightly, Harper looked down and walked meekly to me as she always does. She rested her head on my lap, looking up at me with those unbelievably beautiful hazel colored eyes. When she closed her eyes, I began to gently run my fingers through her fine, silky hair. It didn't take long before Harper was breathing softly and evenly, a sure sign she was sleeping. I knew she was exhausted from all the activities she was involved in earlier in the day and tonight. I bent forward and placed a gentle kiss on her head. I whispered lovingly, "Sleep well, my angel." I leaned the back of my head onto the sofa back cushion and waited for sleep to take me. The next morning, I saw Harper leave with her friends. Before she left, she hugged me and said, "One week." We were so close, so close to being together. I talked with Mom and dad about college. With the courses I had taken over the last two years, and passed, I earned my Associates degree. It was now a matter of deciding how much further I wanted to take my education. At this point, I was at a crossroads. Harper would be joining me in a week, and I wasn't really sure I wanted to be saddled with work and school. I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. Mom made it a point to remind me of her prediction that Harper would join me as soon as she finished high school. I remember that night, well. Mom was especially aroused that night and put dad to good use. I was in the next room listening to mom scream out her pleasure while I abused The Twins to no end. And they weren't affronted one bit! Dad pointed out that I had worked hard over the past two years, going to school and working at the diner. I looked at mom, nodding her head in confirmation. They had each given me a subtle indication of saying they approved of me taking some time off from school. That pretty much settled it. I would skip the fall semester and spend time working at the diner and having Harper all to myself. Except they didn't know anything about the latter. And I knew Harper would spend a lot of time with Maddie, who loved to spoil Harper rotten. Tea and cake were always at the ready when Harper had visited. I was off that day from the diner, but was scheduled for the early shift the next day. I decided to leave just after lunch. Mom reheated some of the food the neighbor's left and as soon as I finished dessert, I was ready to leave. Dad gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. When mom took me into a hug, an extremely peculiar thing happened. Her large breasts, pressed to my equally large breasts, felt highly erotic. A tingle shot down to my sex. She felt so soft in my arms, in a way she never had before. She rubbed my back softly like she always has, but this time it felt like warm gentle caresses lovers give each other. I found myself taking it all in, and then just like that, the pleasurable feeling rudely removed itself from my person. It now felt like any other hug mom had given me. I stood there nonplussed as mom looked at me and smiled lovingly. "You'll give us a call when you get back won't you, love?" I nodded my head, distractedly. I brought my bags to the car and drove away, mom and dad waving me off. And here I was, my body a shuddering heap, a four hour drive ahead of me, and my panty sopping wet from an innocent hug mom gave me! Before I left the house, I called Maddie to let her know I was on the way back. She told me she would have dinner ready for me and to join her whenever I was ready. When I arrived at the apartment, I brought my things upstairs. I set the alarm on my phone for one hour and took a nap, although a rather restless one. Harper was at the forefront of my thoughts, it seemed to be the only thing I could think about. When the alarm went off, I felt like I hadn't slept a wink. I decided to join Maddie downstairs. She sat with me at the table while I told her about Harper's plan. She seemed genuinely excited that Harper would be joining me. I was almost finished eating when Monica arrived. She stood behind Maddie, placing her hands on her shoulders. It looked like Maddie shuddered when she felt Monica's hands on her shoulders. After another moment, Maddie's face looked flush. Maddie was getting aroused and I took that as my cue to leave the lovebirds alone. In my apartment, I sat in the chair thinking about Harper. In just a few days, we would be together. It was a long two years, but now the calendar was on our side. I just had to be a little more patient. Easier said than done! And downstairs, Monica and Maddie were going at it like there was no tomorrow! I know, because Maddie told me all about it the next day. Let's just say, I would look at that dining table in a whole new light! "They're twenty minutes late!" I nearly screamed out in exasperation at Maddie as we sat together on her porch. It was the day Harper's vacation was over and the group was going to drop Harper off on their way back home. They visited my adopted state and spent most of their vacation only a couple of hours away from me, which made the wait even more excruciating. "Zoe, you've waited two years. What's another few minutes in the grand scheme of things?" Maddie asked gently, perhaps to calm me down. I crossed my arms, huffed childishly and continued my vigil. Another fifteen minutes later, a car turned from the main road onto our street, then slowly turned into the driveway. I spotted Harper in the rear passenger seat. I bolted from the chair and ran to the car. Harper was out of the car almost as fast as I was out of my chair. When she flew into my arms, I had to remind myself, rather sternly, not to kiss her. Another three cars parked along the street. Harper quickly introduced everyone. I opened the garage apartment to them so those that needed to could use the bathroom. Within an hour, they all left for the final leg of the trip back home. We met Maddie on the porch, where she showered Harper with affection. She offered tea and cake, but Harper uncharacteristically declined. She gave Maddie a grin. "We have things to take care of," Harper said to Maddie with a twinkle in her beautiful hazel eyes. Harper grabbed my hand and led me to the staircase. "Oh, girls," Maddie called out to us. We turned to see Maddie smiling. "Do everything I would do." she said cheerfully. Harper giggled, then said in her mock genteel voice, "My dear, Lady, lest we forget ourselves, and our cries of passion reach your ears, know that we are without harm and shall visit you anon for nourishment from your scrumptious tea and cake." I grinned and said, "Speaking of scrumptious-- " I then spanked Harper on her firm, round ass, causing her to yelp. She ran up the stairs to the apartment with me one step behind. We were standing in the, no, make that -- our -- bedroom, looking deeply into each other's eyes. Then we kissed, passionately yet gently, frenzied yet unhurried, our tongues entwined as one. The back of Harper's legs were against the side of the bed when I began to raise her shirt over her head. When I unhooked her bra, her breasts fell out of the cups. They were beautiful and mammoth, even larger than mine and decorated with large pink areolas and nipples. Harper quickly removed the rest of her clothing, as did I. She was lying on our bed on her back, with me straddling her hips. Leaning down, I gave her another deep, luxurious kiss. I found out very quickly that kissing this young lady is something I will never tire of. Our tongues picked and probed, making my pussy wetter with every flick of our tongue. Looking down at her beautiful breasts, I nearly swallowed one of her nipples. I licked, slurped, sucked and nibbled on them as though we were longtime lovers. Her grunts and moans, told me I was expertly pleasing her. While I feasted on her breasts, I slid my hand down her body to find an inviting warm and moist pussy. I gently inserted two fingers into my loving sister. I looked into Harper's eyes. She nodded her head. I fingered her deeply, tearing her hymen. Harper audibly gasped. She tilted her head sideways slightly and down, along with her shoulders. Before I knew it, Harper sucked one of The Twins into her mouth and began to suck and slurp with the same intensity I was. I noticed, without hesitancy, that Harper was a natural at worshipping breasts. She lovingly took the other Twin between her thumb and forefinger and gently squeezed. Her free hand, slid down my body and with decisiveness, Harper slid three fingers into my dripping pussy. With so many erogenous zones being stimulated, I was closing in on an orgasm. Harper thrust into me deeply, tearing my hymen. I moaned deeply into Harper's breast. With a pop, Harper's mouth released one of The Twins, looked hungrily in my eyes and said, "My God, Zoe, The Twins taste so delicious." In an instant, my orgasm ripped through me like a thundering herd of buffalo. I shrieked out Harper's name over and over. That was all the impetus Harper's orgasm needed to claim her. She screamed my name, as I felt her pussy contract around my fingers. We yelled, screeched, hollered and screamed each other's name as our orgasms tore through us. Our mouth's locked in a fiery kiss, effectively silencing us. Our panting, was heavy and for a brief moment, I wondered whether I would truly breathe again. When our orgasms subsided, I lay on top of Harper, not sure if I could move. And then Harper started to cry. I panicked. My first thought was that she regretted what we had just done. I looked into her eyes. "Are you okay, honey?" I asked, fearing the answer. She nodded her head and spoke through her sobs. "Zoe, I've thought of us doing this for so long. It is thousands of times better than I ever imagined. It was so beautiful." I looked at her tenderly and held my lover close. Harper was right. This was more than I could ever have imagined as well. I slid off of her. Lying on the side of Harper, I rested my head on her chest. Sleep paid us a visit shortly, thereafter. I woke up from a dreamy sleep after feeling movement on the bed. When I opened my eyes, they were treated to Harper's gorgeous pussy staring me in the face. The movement was caused by Harper assuming the sixty-nine position. A moment later, Harper buried her face into my shaved pussy. Her pussy was shaved as well, as I stared at it in amazement. "You have such a beautiful pussy, Harper. It looks like a delicate flower," I said sincerely. Harper ceased eating me out. She raised her face from my pussy, looked over her shoulder and said, "Are you going to talk all night, or are you going to eat my pussy?" Her face lunged back at my pussy, thrusting her tongue into me as far as she could. I gave no reply, slapped my hands onto her ass, pulled her down to my face and began to eat Harper out with fervor. My God, she tasted delicious. Harper tried to say something, but she refused to lift her face from my wet pussy. Whatever she was saying came out as simply muffled words which I could not understand. Harper's skilled tongue had me on the precipice of another orgasm. When she began to finger me and sucked my clit into her mouth, I cried out like a wild animal deep in a forest. All traces of reasonable thought were lost. And then I squirted. My juices splashed onto Harper's face, and instead of being surprised or shocked, she dropped her face to my pussy and licked me for all she could. Her grunts and moans aroused me more and one final gush erupted onto Harper's face. My legs quivering, Harper turned and brought her face to mine. I looked at her to see my juices shimmering on her face. I didn't hesitate. I put my hand on the back of her head and gently guided her face to mine in a spontaneous act. I desperately wanted to taste myself on Harper's face. With the flat of my tongue, I licked all my juices off of her face. She closed her eyes, dreamily looking as though she were truly enjoying this. When I finished my dessert, Harper looked at me shyly, perhaps even nervously, then said, "So, um, how do you think I did? You know, down there," as she ran her fingers gently over the folds of my pussy. My God, she almost made me see those proverbial stars when she was 'down there' but I couldn't help but tease her. I gave her a stern look, and said, "Harper, I am very disappointed in you." Her face changed instantly. Clearly, she thought I wasn't impressed. She had a sad look on her face as she looked away from me and down at the bed. I was going to string the tease out longer but after seeing Harper's sad expression, I decided to end my tease quickly. "I know Mom and Dad raised you better than to talk with your mouth full while you're eating." Harper's head quickly turned to me. A huge smile appeared on her face as she started laughing. She knew I was referring to her talking while she was cleaning out my pussy. As she continued to giggle, I pulled her to me and said, "For your first time, you were absolutely incredible." She smiled and asked, "Really?" I whispered in her ear, "You did so well, I want a repeat performance." Her eyes sparkled with a slight hunger as she said in her mock genteel voice, but laced with a certain amount of sultriness, "Oh my dear, Madam, that can easily be arranged." I gulped. I was curious as to how I did 'down there', so I asked her, "Was my performance as good as yours?" Harper smiled and leaned into me and whispered seductively in my ear, "Oh, Zoe, we are going to have so much fun in bed together." I gulped again. I called Maddie about her earlier tea and cake offer. She told us to come down whenever we wanted. Needing to wash up before we went downstairs, Harper and I decided to shower together. As soon as I entered the shower, Harper got behind me and gently pushed my chest into the shower wall, her chest against my back. After she slid three fingers into my expectant pussy, she began to kiss and lick my neck while the warm water, along with the feeling of Harper's body against mine, engulfed me. I was lost, and I was her's, she could do whatever she wanted with me. I was helpless to stop her. When I came, the side of my face was pressed to the shower wall, my eyes closed. Harper cooed soothing words in my ear, promising never to leave me. My juices gushed out into her hand with every loving word, while I screamed her name again and again in loving adoration. I turned to face her, panting heavily, my eyelids heavy and my body as weak as I had ever felt it. Harper lifted her hand to her mouth and slurped up my thick cream, swallowing it gratifyingly. The sight of that was so hot, I almost came again. It would take another thirty minutes before we went downstairs to meet Maddie. She invited us into her house warmly, as she had done with me so many times. She hugged and fussed over Harper the whole time. She served Harper two large slices of cake and when Harper scarfed them down as though she had eaten a single M&M's candy, Maddie cut her another two. Harper dispatched those two slices as efficiently as she had the first two. For a moment, I wondered if she even chewed. More than likely she simply inhaled them! Monica came by to meet Harper. She seemed just as happy to see Harper as Maddie was. At one point, Maddie and I talked, while Harper and Monica had their own conversation as they drank their tea. It was when Maddie and I removed the plates from the table that I realized a tremendous weight was finally lifted from my shoulders, how Harper and I could now begin our lives together. After we cleaned the plates, I turned from the sink to see Harper looking at me intently with an unbelievably warm and arresting smile on her beautiful face, those gorgeous hazel eyes reeling me in. And in that moment I felt something that had evaded me for the whole two years Harper and I were separated. In that one beautiful moment, I felt alive!