A Tender Touch

\.Source Of Unity./

Thursday, - January 5, 1989

"Wow!This is so beautiful..."
I exclaimed, looking around his library as if I'd never seen a single book in my whole life.I must've looked like a little child going to Disneyland but somehow I was just fascinated by the fact that he owned - and most importantly also has read - all of these books which I was now looking at.
"Thanks...You - wanna take a closer look at them?"
He asked, carefully putting his hand on my back.
"That'd be so cool!Yeah - sure!"
"Well, then..."
We approached the big shelf which was practically filled with hundreds of different books - a paradise for someone who was as interested in stories to escape reality as I am.
"You have a favorite one though?"
I asked, trying to read the titles which were written on their backs.He sighed, playfully putting his finger on his chin.
"Hmm...I don't know.They're so - many.I don't think I could decide to be honest.Buuut -"
He kneeled down in front of the big wooden shelf, tapping his fingers against it.Then his face suddenly lightened up as he pulled a book - a rather small one - out of it.He got up again, looking at me.
"Here, this one is really beautiful.I think that's something you'd also enjoy reading."
I slowly grabbed the book, turning it around to see the cover:

Thoughts Of Love - A collection of poems on love - Edited by Susan Polis Schutz

"Hey, that sounds interesting...I'm gonna start reading the first pages, ok?"
I said, walking towards the red couch, sitting down as I turned the book around to read the text on the back.Meanwhile I noticed Michael picking a book as well as he sat down next to me soon after.

When thoughts of love take up residence in your heart, they bring wonderful feelings of happiness, hope, and tenderness.They transform the world around you into a place where dreams really do come true; they bring a special beauty to each season of your life.Yet as powerful as these thoughts are, they aren't always easy to express.

Thoughts of Love is for anyone who has ever been at a loss for words to describe the overwhelming emotions created by love.The poems and writings collected here portray and celebrate love in all its many facets.This book is a beautiful gift to give, receive, and share between two hearts that know all the happiness a loving relationship can bring.

I read the description inside my head, excited about which poems I would find.
"Michael, look - this sounds so beautiful!"
I spoke up, reading out the last phrases the author had put on the back.
"Love is
an understanding that is so complete that
you feel as if you are a part
of the other person
accepting the other person
just the way they are
and not trying to change them
to be something else
Love is the source of unity"
I looked up from the book, only to find his eyes gazing into mine.
"I can...already tell this is gonna be good!"
I said, trying not to get too lost in his warm embrace.
"Yeah, it's...really - wonderful."
He quickly cleared his throat as his cheeks turned a bit red.Then he focused back on his book as I did the same.

At night...
We had been reading books and even acted out some romance scenes out of one of them almost the whole afternoon.It was fun, as much as it had been a truly beautiful day so far.The only problem was that, although I felt my body being actually ready to fall asleep any moment soon, my mind just didn't seem to want to drift off to sleep.I had been tossing and turning around many times, closing my eyes to just think of something that would make me tired but it didn't work out.I rolled to the side for what felt like the hundredth time and turned on my little lamp on the nightstand.I looked at the clock: 0:26 - great!
I slowly sat up, stretching my neck.I was just not able to sleep, no matter what I'd do - and I knew that neither reading or laying down again could help me change that.So I got up from the warm bed and walked towards the big windows, opening one of them to let some cold night air into my room.I took a deep breath out, suddenly feeling the urge to drink something.I sighed, closing the window and headed back to my bed.Since the bright moonlight shined through the white curtains of my bedroom, I turned off the light again and went to the door.I opened it, as quietly as I could for I didn't want to wake Michael up, and closed it behind me.I tiptoed through the floor, slowly walking over the carpet as I reached the entrance hall and went on through the dining room, past the tables as I finally stood in the kitchen - the room where I almost killed myself two days ago.
I'm such a fool sometimes.
I shook my head, heading towards the kitchen counter to grab a glass from the wooden shelf before I walked back to the sink.I let some water pour into it, turning it off again.Taking a sip from it, I quickly walked back to my room through the entrance hall as my thoughts turned back to the book I read today...It was truly beautiful and especially one poem just wouldn't leave my mind.It was abou-
"Ahhhh!Oh - my god!"
I screamed for I just bumped into someone at freaking midnight.And I wasn't sure if it was Michael or a stranger or - a robber...

Michael's POV

I deeply sighed.Tonight was one of those nights where I just wasn't able to sleep, no matter if I so desperately wanted and tried to or not.Nothing helped - no reading, no lying back, nothing.And it was starting to really bother me, especially since I wasn't able to just go downstairs and watch tv or turn on some music to eventually get tired since I didn't want to wake Mira up.
Mira...
I don't know why but somehow I've got the feeling that she was at least partly to blame regarding me not being able to fall asleep - her beautiful face, those cute dimples in her chin when she smiled, that contagious laugh and her humor...She really is different - and I believe her soul is very old.Everything about that woman is just so beautiful and...I've never met someone like her, not even close to be honest...
I quickly got up from the bed for starting to think about her breathtaking figure, those big legs along with her tiny waist...her soft hands, curves, turquoise eyes -
The way she walks, so elegant and smooth.
The way she talks, always so understanding and funny at the same time.
The way she makes me feel...is crazy.
I tilted my head backwards, deciding to go down to drink something, my mouth was becoming quite dry from these thoughts.Quietly walking down the floor before I took the wooden stairs which led to the entrance hall, I adjusted my white shirt.As I reached the ground floor, I headed towards the kitchen but suddenly bumped into someone.
"Ahhhh!Oh - my god!"
I heard a very familiar voice shouting soon after as I quickly run towards the wall to turn on the light.
"M - Mira?"
I asked, still a bit shocked by what just happened.She looked at me, her eyes wide open.
"Lord!How - I...am - I almost died!"
She put her hand on her forehead as I noticed a big stain on her pajama shirt.Then I looked at her now empty glass.
"Oh, uhh - did you...spill that on your shirt?"
She looked at it, then back at me.
"Yeah...I guess.I just - wanted to get something to drink but...yeah."
"Wait, I go get something to dry that."
I said, quickly running towards the kitchen to get a towel, shortly after returning with it.
"Here, uhh - where...exactly did you -"
I looked at her shirt as she pointed at the watery stain right on her...breasts.She playfully raised her eyebrows at me, laughing.
"It's okay...I can - dry that myself."
We both chuckled as I handed her the towel.
"Sooo, you can't sleep either?"
I asked, now being even more awake than before.
"Yeah...I mean - no, I can't."
She gave me a weak smile.
"You - wanna watch a movie?I mean...I'm sure you're not less tired than before."
"Yeah, sounds great!I'm actually wide awake right now!"
She giggled, handing the towel back to me.
"Ok, then..."
I extended my hand.
"After you, Miss."
I smirked.
"Very kind of you, Sir.I really appreciate that."
She giggled yet again as I followed her to the living room.

One horror movie later...
"That was - not a good decision!"
She took a breath out, leaning back on the couch.
"Why did we even decide to watch a thriller to calm down?I swear, my stupidity is contagious!"
We laughed as she shook her head, adjusting the bandage on her hand.
"Well, we can still watch a more...nice movie if you want."
"Ok - but this time I'm gonna choose."
She pointed at herself, looking at me.
"Yeah, I just hope there's enough choice for you to pick one tape."
I sighed, getting up from the couch as she also headed to the shelf where my video tapes had been placed at.

About an hour later...
"You see?I told you she's gonna decide on the right guy eventually."
I explained, without receiving any answer from her.I turned my head to the side, only to find her body slowly coming closer to mine as her head rested on my shoulder.She'd been falling asleep - and it was a sight I'd die for to just take a picture of.Her legs were bent as I noticed her one hand slowly sliding down her body, eventually being placed on my thigh.I took a closer look at the bandage...I'm glad it seems to heal so quickly.
With her head still resting on my shoulder, I felt her breathing slowly, steady.Warm.
I carefully placed my head on top of hers, feeling her soft hair touching my cheek.I focused back on the movie, although the fact of her heavenly body being so close to mine distracted me from the film.I even think that if someone would decide to break in and try to steal everything, I'd let him - I probably wouldn't even notice him to be honest.I took a breath out, carefully putting my arm around her as I pressed her body closer to mine while I slowly stroke her arm.
I know this sounds strange but I want her to never wake up, I want this moment to last forever - because if she'd be sleeping forever, she'd never be able to run away from me.She'd never be able to leave.
...