Chapter 51 Chapter Fifty-One - Gabriella
My stomach drops and my mind spins like when I would do those somersaults down the hill as a kid, but instantly I can hear the soothing sound of crashing waves and the rustling of leaves by a soft breeze. I can feel the sun beating down on my skin, and I can smell the strong scent of the ocean with something floral as well. There’s a tug on my blindfold, and as it falls away, I blink my eyes only to gasp as I take in the most gorgeous sight I have ever seen.
Standing tall and radiant before us is a three-story beach house nestled against a breathtaking tropical oasis. A few winding steps lead up to an incredible open-layout first floor, illuminated as the sun shines in from every window. From down on the sand I can see a lounge deck at the front and inside I can make out the living area and kitchen. The second and third floors have large wrap-around balconies covered in gorgeous flowers and vines that make it look like the beach house is one with the plant life. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in all my life.
“Where did you find this?” I whisper in awe, barely able to believe something so beautiful could be real.
“I didn’t. I created it,” he says proudly.
I look up at him in shock. “You what?!” I shriek. “What do you mean you created it?”
“I wanted a place that was just for us. Untouched by any other. So, when I left you this morning I found the perfect spot in the Indian Ocean and created our own little paradise,” he says with a goofy smile on his face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile so much.
“Are you saying you conjured the beach house or…?”
“I conjured the island too,” he says casually.
“Of course you did. Because I mean, who wouldn’t think to surprise their soulmate by stepping out and magically erecting an entire island and vacation home in the middle of the Indian Ocean? Duh.”
“Do humans not do that?” he asks playfully.
“Smartass,” I quip, turning back to admire the scenery.
I lean into him, feeling tears prick my eyes. I don’t care how effortless magic is for him, this isn’t about the effort, this is about the thought. Jartre thought this out and brought it to life. He wanted to create something special for us and boy has he done that and then some. It’s the most magnificent thing I’ve ever seen in my life, and it’s all ours.
He holds me close, rubbing my arm and placing a gentle kiss on my temple. “Would you like a tour?”
I smile up at him, nodding enthusiastically. Jartre walks me over to the beach house, the sand crunching beneath our shoes. We walk up the short steps and as we get to the top, Jartre puts my suitcase down and sweeps me up into his arms making me giggle. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his cheek, registering how different it feels now as he carries me over the threshold.
I look around, utterly enamoured that his mind conjured up something so warm and cosy. It’s completely different to his house. His house is luxurious, but there’s a coldness to it. The colour reflects him, but it feels so unlived in. This beach house, however, despite being brand new, feels more homely. Open walls, glass walls and glass ceilings mean it’s fully exposed to natural light. The sun fills it with warmth while the breeze off the ocean keeps it airy and gives you a cool reprieve.
The entire house – and virtually everything in it – appears to be made of wood, immediately making it more inviting than anything made from brick or stone. There’s a gorgeous living area off to the side with large backless couches and ottomans, that look perfect to just curl up on and watch the sunset through the windows. There’s another living area that opens right onto the front deck, with a large dining table behind it and a balcony from the second floor looking down into it. Beyond that is an exquisite kitchen that completely takes my breath away. The sun beams in, hitting several bedazzling chandeliers, casting a golden glow over the room that makes it look more magical than a kitchen has any right to. All the fixtures are built into an island in the centre of the kitchen with large exhaust fans over it, creating this incredible open space to move around.
I’m left completely speechless as Jartre carries me up an incredible – what looks like a hand-carved – wooden staircase. Can I still call it hand-carved? I mean, his magical hands thought of it and willed it into being? Does that still qualify even if he didn’t use tools?
He carries me along the balcony, allowing me to glance down at the floor below, but pauses. I glance at him, then look to the side, my eyes widening as I suddenly understand what Belle felt in Beauty and the Beast. Jartre sets me down and I push open the shutter doors to the most gorgeous home library. It’s not ostentatious like what the beast gave Belle, it’s much smaller, intimate, and cosy with a single couch and ottoman. The walls are lined floor to ceiling with books with a stunning view of the ocean, but the view is slightly obscured by the plants of the island, which casts a dim light over the room creating the perfect ambience for reading. I walk in and scan the shelves seeing titles of books I’ve never heard of, but I can’t wait to open them up and disappear into their pages.
“You seemed to really like my library at my home, I thought perhaps you’d like one here,” he says, leaning in the doorway.
“It’s wonderful,” I breathe out. “Jartre this is…I have no words. No one has ever done anything like this for me. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” I say, my voice wobbling as tears pool in my eyes.
Jartre walks over and tenderly lifts my chin. “My life is with you, Gabriella. I don’t want to keep overthinking the how or the why. I want to be happy, and I want to be happy with you…I love you. I thought I knew what love was, and the thought of ever feeling it again felt both impossible and horrifying, but I realise I was so, so wrong. You are my true love. My one and only love. Nothing else matters but you,” he breathes out.
He leans down, placing his lips on mine in a blistering kiss. He cradles my face in his hands like a precious gem as his lips consume me. I lift myself onto my tippy toes, my heart pounding as I wrap my arms around his neck and return his kiss, a single tear trickling down my cheek as I breathe him into me.
He said it. He really said it.
I knew he felt it, I could feel it inside him as clear as I feel it inside me, and I was willing to wait forever for him to say it, but I guess I didn’t have to wait long at all. I feel his love radiating through his entire being and into me. I never thought I could feel this much love or joy, and now that I have, I know I would fight hell and Earth to keep it. If Jartre’s bitch of an ex arose from the celestial grave tomorrow to take him back, I would fight tooth and nail for what we have, because I know it’s real. Nothing is tearing us apart. I’d die before I let that happen, and I don’t plan to die anytime soon.
Our kiss is over too soon, but I take the chance to look into his swirling silver eyes and tell him the words I’ve been dying to say.
“I love you too,” I say, smiling, my heart ready to burst out of my chest.
Jartre’s smile is radiant as he wraps his arms around me, lifting me and twirling me around. I’m giddy with laughter, holding onto him as he holds onto me, the exuberance within him almost becoming overwhelming.
“You have no idea how happy you’ve made me,” he says emphatically, kissing me with a fierceness that shoots down to the tips of my ties.
I smile against his lips as I return his kiss. “Mmm, I think I have a pretty good idea.”
Placing kisses on my eyelids and nose, he sets me down on my feet, “Shall we continue the tour?”
“Yes, please! I want to see more of our home,” I say brightly.
He takes a deep breath, taking hold of my hand, “The power your words have on me is unmatched.”
He guides me out of the room and up another flight of stairs to the third floor, which is the bedroom. The entire third floor is the bedroom and ensuite! We step into a large bedroom of dark wood surrounded by windows overlooking the ocean. The bed and furniture are dark blues and greys, similar to his bedroom at his home, only this is much darker in contrast. At first glance, it feels like doom and gloom compared to the rest of the house but as I hear the waves crashing outside, I suddenly remember the sound of the rain the night we first made love. It was soothing and relaxing. I smile at the room as it dawns on me, that this room somehow perfectly embodies that night.
I can picture the room’s potential in my mind so clearly. A storm raging outside – probably conjured by one of Jartre’s moods – the skies turning grey, rain hitting the windows as the waves crash in the distance, all while I’m safely secure, curled up in his arms where nothing can hurt me. I don’t know how he did it, but he somehow made a room feel like a memory. Magic is underrated as hell!
On the other side of a dividing wall is the bathroom that opens onto the wrap-around balcony with an outdoor seating area. I walk over to the edge of the balcony and look out at the breathtaking view. Tranquil glistening waters as far as the eye can see, not a hint of land anywhere in the distance. We are completely isolated. No drama, no troubles, just him and me and perfect bliss.
“Shit, what will I do about phone reception?” I gasp as I look back at him, “I promised Derrick I’d be in touch if he needed me. He has this medical problem and he’s been in hospital lately, and he’s meant to have surgery and I promised I’d be in reach if he needs me.” Words pour out of my mouth like a torrent as panic sets in.
Jartre reaches me in a couple of long strides and grasps my shoulders, “Breathe my love. I promise your phone will have reception. Just because I want you to myself, doesn’t mean I want to cut you off from your friends and family. I wouldn’t do that to you,” he vows, rubbing my shoulders with his thumbs.
I take a deep breath and immediately relax. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry about Derrick,” he says sympathetically. “I could help him if you like.”
“Help him?” I ask curiously.