The Only exception

Chapter Three

The Only exception


Chapter 3

Feathers

Work continued on in the weeks that followed as normal.
Both Dahlia and Jeremy kept their secret to themselves and it seemed no one was the wiser. Their relationship, being unannounced also added to the excitement.
Dahlia had the day off and was at home preparing orders to dispatch and making up new designs for her creations.
Back at the Blue Wren and Jeremy was rushed off his feet. Estelle was working today and so was Rob. Rob was busy attending to Lattes and hot chocolates for customers.
Jeremy had organised to drop around to Dahlia's and pick her up for tea.
He arrived there at about six with a picnic box her had borrowed from his parents, he had noticed it in their pantry when he was last there. He thought he would drive her to a spot by the beach, as the weather had warmed and it was a lovely day.
He knocked on the door and she answered. "HI he said as he leant in and kissed her, We are going to the beach, grab a hat and some sunscreen, the rest is organised" said Jeremy. Its a bit of a drive where we are going so I hope you can wait for a late tea, I am driving you to Mornington beach" said Jeremy.
They got the in about a hour, they spend so much time in St kilda he wanted to go somewhere else.
"it's been ages since I have been here!" Said Dahlia. Good spot she thought to herself.
The water was glistening and the seagulls squawking and their was plenty of families with children or people walking their dogs or just relaxing and getting a bit of last warmth from the daily sun that day.
"I have been looking forward to this all day!" Jeremy said.
"me too" Dahlia responded.
"So what have you got in that cute little hamper there Mr Davis?"
Said Dahlia, smiling at Jeremy.
"oh, I have an assortment of food" he advised her.
First he pulled out some chocolate coated strawberries before stating "because you're so sweet, let's start off with desert, and break all the rules!" He said.
"hmm I do like the sound of that!" Dahlia confirmed.
Jeremy poured some wine into two glasses and then fed her a strawberry, hoping she would then do it for him also. She did.
They began French kissing and frolicking on the sand, it was like no one else existed and they had no cares in the world. The moment was going to be memorable, Dahlia thought.
After much kissing, Jeremy pulled out some cold prawn cocktails he had pre made
and then added lemon slices and the sauce. How spoilt thought Dahlia!
"thank you for all of this, said Dahlia You really are setting the standard you know! She said.
"standard for none other than me, I hope!"  Jeremy advised.
"of course' she laughed.
"would you like to come back to my place, I have something I want to shoe you, but much later, stay with me the night!" He asked.
"You haven't seen my place yet" he reminded her. She nodded, in agreement, still chewing the last of her delicious prawns.
So tell me about your family, ex girlfriends, and your passion? She quizzed.
Whilst chewing on the last of his prawns Jeremy looked at Dahlia and then said
"yes, there was a girl, one in particular...I knew her for a long time, we basically grew up together.'' He said...continue she advised........Well it ended when she thought my best friend would be a great shag! He looked tired talking about it.
"sorry, I had no idea, that must've been hard for you! Dahlia said.
" There were a few other girls but no-one serious "he confirmed.
"Her name is Claudia." He said
"Well it was easy enough to get over, the images of them both together on replay in my mind is enough to make you want to forget as quickly as you can." Jeremy added.
"oh my god how terrible, to lose both of them in your life and like that" Dahlia added.
"I have lost so much respect for her, she begged me for my forgiveness, she said she was drunk or her drink was spiked, but I think she knew what she was doing, regardless it changes nothing!" Jeremy said.
Dahlia looked at Jeremy with Sorrow in her eyes, he clearly loved her and that broke his heart to find out about that.
"I lost what was my whole life, but I am not that same person anymore, Dahlia" He said. She looked at him, and really didn't know what words would comfort him.
My standards are much higher of myself and others now, I make better choices" He said.
Dahlia kept her gaze on him, listening attentively. "Tell me about your family." She said. Looking for the break to change the conversation, she could see talking about it for him was reliving the feelings of past torment.
My mother and father are both accountants, sounds boring but as far as money goes, I have my head screwed on right. I have an investment property and I own a holiday shack with my two brothers and sister on the coast, I will have to take you there sometime. My brothers are Travis, Scott, and sister is Fran. They will have to meet you also, soon. My mothers name is Gloria and Dad's name is John. Mum and dad live near the beach house and they are semi retired now, and work mainly from home." He said.
"It sounds like you are all close" said Dahlia.
"yes, we are!" As far as my future goes though, the possibilities are variable. My main mantra is to be happy and healthy, with that everything else should follow" He said
How is it, that with everything he has been through, he still has his head on his shoulders, Dahlia thought.
Dahlia thought to herself, I am glad I gave up the chase, he is honest and open and smart and funny, and thoughtful...endless were the good thoughts she had of him, admiring many of them.
I found my diamond among many pebbles, she thought! He is a keeper.
"Dahlia, I just want you to know that I am not like many of the other guy's, I will tell you the truth even if it hurts you, I am honest and You can count on me and my word is my word, If I say I am going to do something...I do...You are a special girl, and I can see that in the way you speak, the way you listen, the way you feel."
Dahlia was a bit perplexed at his honesty and forwardness, but admired his honesty and courage to speak his mind from his heart and soul.
"Thanks, I think your special too." she said.
Jeremy pulled out some cucumber sandwiches and they sat and ate them.
The weather was fantastic, she couldn't believe the trouble he had gone to with the food and the drive there, she was having a ball and it was obvious to her that he was smitten.
When Dahlia looked at Jeremy it was his character that shone through, his good looks coming second to his charm and intelligence and wit. It was his qualities of his soul that had her head over heals. She had lost faith in men in general and especially when her father left her family, not to mention this was all new to her. The few boyfriends she ever had were nothing compared to Jeremy. Dahlia thought all men lied, all men betrayed, it gave her  heavy heart.
"let me tell you about dad" Dahlia said
"I haven't seen that dooshbag for over six years. He had an affair on my mother and he walked out on us! Sure he paid mum a great deal of money  to help support Corby and I But he thought by doing that and leaving he could be free of parental duties. He crushed me, I never want to see him again. I can forgive him for falling out of love but not for how he handled the situation and especially not for taking the easy option. I have never really told anyone about all of that!" Said Dahlia. Here heart beating fast with adrenalin, reminiscing the anger.
He looked at her and then put his hand gently on her cheek and kissed her brow.
The sun was setting and they glared at the beautiful abstract of crimson and orange that filled the sky. The reflection in the water resembled a paint pallet of warm colours that had been blended.
"It is going to be a nice day tomorrow"
Jeremy announced and smiled " When the sky looks like that with a purple haze
it is going to be an awesome day."
They stayed there for a bit and Buried each other in the warm sand.
It was getting darker and the nights stars shining, they talked about the constellations.
" Pavo, and corvo are my favourite" said Dahlia "for symbolic reasons" she added.
"Vela, is one of mine but my most favourite is Orion. I like the stories of the legends." He said.
They went on to talk about what they thought of the moon, both thought it funny that before they knew about the moon phases/faces they wondered where the rest of it had gone, when they were children. They thought it funny that they both related and found curiosity in the worlds solar system.
As the cold cool night air came in it brought with it mosquitos.
They packet up the picnic and headed back to Jeremy's, the hour home talking about
Childhood memories and sharing funny stories, and making each other laugh.
About twenty minutes away from Jeremy's Dahlia asked" I haven't any pyjamas or anything do you mind if we quickly stop at my place?
"No, not at all, but you can wear a shirt of mine if you like and I have a spare toothbrush, I stock up on that sort of thing." said Jeremy
Dahlia Grinned, she liked the sound of putting HIS clothes on her body.
When they got to Jeremy's, she was amazed at how tidy it was and how nice it was. He did have a messy corner where the computer was with view to an outside garden with an Elder tree.
His desk looked liked it had papers and papers of writing and some art, hanging were some really cool tattoo sketches he had done. He was really talented, she thought.
She remembered the Elder tree from stories she had read as a child and of the faerie folk that live there, and the power the trees berries and bark have, the magic it holds and the power to heal.
Jeremy picked up on her thought," That's just organised chaos you know!"
His Kitchen was modern and the lounge room, both were modern and open living.
He walked her through the house showing her the bathrooms  and the bedrooms and Outdoor cafe area. He had a lovely set up here, thought Dahlia.
I am just going to have a quick shower and get this sand off, You can use the other bathroom if you like, by the laundry" said Jeremy
Dahlia made her way to the bathroom, but forgetting to ask him for a nightshirt.
She had a quick shower as not to waste water, and made her way to his bedroom, towel wrapped around her.
He was already out getting dressed his back was to her, he already had his fitted black underwear on, that was nicely hugged a muscular buttocks.
As he was drying his back she noticed a tattoo on the lower back of what looked like a feather, so she asked him for confirmation.
" I see you have a tattoo on your back, Is it a feather?" she asked.
"yes, yes it is. I find them all the time. I am not sure what it all means, I pick up the nice ones and keep them. It's a bit weird, I know." he Said.
Dahlia said nothing, of the painting she had for SALE at the blue wren but then he continued.. Oh yeah that's what I was going to show you, come and look at this cool painting I found at the blue wren when I started working there, I knew I simply had to have it." Dahlia replied with" Yes, it is lovely, isn't it!"
Dahlia marked all her paintings with a symbol not her name, so he had no idea it was hers.
Dahlia wanted to tell him it was hers, but was rather embarrassed by the whole idea that he paid for it, she would've given it to him. She was chuffed he liked it, she was happy it went to a good home, and the right home.
She beamed to herself a little knowing smile.
"Would you be comfortable in this?" He asked Holding up a pair of green and grey check cotton boxer shorts and a white bonds top.
"Sure, thanks" she replied.
He turned and fumbled by the bedside, and when she was dressed he looked up at her.
"perfect fit" he said smiling because he hadn't realised the white t-shirt would be so transparent against her protruding nipples, as she stood below the bedroom light, Suddenly he realised it wasn't just the light switch that was turned on.
(she could wear any-thing and look fantastic, he stood there thinking) all I want to do is have her warm skin up against mine and smell her sweet breath on my neck and have her legs wrapped around me like twine.
Jeremy asked Dahlia to sit on the end of the bed and he gave her a massage, it didn't take long before the massage crept all over her body, over her breasts and he was rubbing his hard on against her back whilst kissing her neck and flipping her hair to the side.
Dahlia turned and undressed him quickly, kissing and licking him all over.
He flipped her over and then he pushed her back onto the bed gently and positioned himself military in control with passion.
She lay there thinking how he was the perfect fit and how his confidence excited her all the more.
They made mind blowing love and fell asleep naked.
In the morning dahlia got up and put his pyjama's back on and had a quick shower before before getting dressed and making him breakfast.
Pancakes and coffee, she thought. A nice way to start the day.
After everything he had done for her she wanted him to know how much she appreciated him.
Lucky she thought, looking through the fridge and the cupboard, he has all the ingredients.
She took it to him in the bedroom, he laid there still sleeping. She woke him with a kiss.
They sat there and ate it there whilst talking about work, soccer, her excitement to be learning French, although she said nothing to him about going to France or the prospects of getting a job there.
She didn't want to spoil the moment, and the moment was fantastic and going so well.
Jeremy thanked Dahlia for making breakfast and headed into the shower.
Dahlia lay there looking around his room for more signs of who he was, his trinkets and treasures told a story.
He had a Double bed with clean lovely sheets, well they had been!
He had a picture of the ocean just above his bed with a sailboat in the background in a tropical setting.
He had a framed story by Oscar wild.
He had shelves of interesting books, mainly non fiction.
At a quick glace she could see titles like, Castles of England, Books by Edgar Allen Poe, Astronomy, Business Maths, David Attenbrough, and books about Soccer legends.
Jeremy also had lots of books about places in the world.
Jeremy returned from the shower and he jumped up onto the bed smelling like cologne, she recognised it as a Beckham fragrance. Gee he smells good, euphoria again rushing near her pelvis at the thought of him, let alone he was back holding her and breathing next to her...Calm down she reminded herself...LATER.
They drove into work, Dahlia was on opens today and Jeremy didn't have to be there until lunch today, so he looked in some shops.
HE remembered it was Dahlias birthday soon and he wanted to get her the perfect gift, he was wanting to show his affections regardless, so it seemed a good opportunity.
He told he her needed to get some new underwear.
Jeremy walked and walked the shops looking at body shops, bag shops, perfumes, Jewellery, until finally he came to a shop with all different things.
He looked up at the title of the store, It was a world community store. Most of the profits going back to other countries with small communities and villages that really needed the money.
He looked around the shop, turning down the help of sales staff politely.
He looked around and then he noticed something perfect.
It was a kimono, with feather embossed on the silk, the colours were warm tones of crimson and burnt orange and shades of pink. It reminded him of the sunset they had shared.
He decided to purchase the kimono knowing shed like it, because of her awareness of the feathers and also she needed something to wear at his place, he thought.
He Purchased some card and calligraphy pens at the stationers, and sat down and had a coffee at a quiet little bakehouse. Followed by a custard Berliner, he was famished from all the exercise from last nights events.
Jeremy didn't buy cards he often made his own from the best quality paper and inks. For Dahlia he chose a pale pink He Drew beautiful feathers overlapping in different directions, in calligraphy, with both dark and light tones.
Inside the card he beautifully written again in calligraphy.

Dahlia, You lift me like a feather.
Forever yours, Jeremy
Happy Birthday beautiful girl.




Jeremy made his was into the mall and bought some new underwear thinking that may be a good idea, after all that was what he told Dahlia he was doing.
He then got some wrap and wrapped it up, and then hid it in the boot of his car.
I hope she likes this he thought!
Jeremy made his way back to the blue wren, it was not overly busy, so when they had the chance they teased each other constantly, eyeing each other and brushing past one another when no one was watching out the back.

Dahlia finished before Jeremy and got a ride home from Matt, Whom she hadn't seen in ages. They had a great time catching up today and he called in quickly to her place when he took her home and looked over some of her new designs, he was great for honesty and loved fashion so Dahlia respected his opinion.