VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 23:35:34 07/05/09 Sun
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: bas21-toronto12-1242561127.dsl.bell.ca / 74.15.250.103
Subject: Northern Woods, Chapter 171..
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods, Chapter 168....Thank you..." on 23:28:06 05/18/09 Mon

Chapter 171

Lakeisha watched Nikita and Michael from while they stood under the garlanded arbour with mixed feelings. She was overjoyed for her friend, but as she looked across the crowd at Willie, she felt an overwhelming sadness crash over her as well. His stony demeanor puzzled her.

‘What’s wrong with him?’ she wondered. ‘Isn’t he happy for them?’

Willie watched the ceremony with mixed reactions of his own.

‘Michael’s happy because he didn’t hesitate to go after Nikita… I finally get it. She deserves a man like him. You can tell he’s crazy about her… and she feels the same about him. I’m very happy for both of them. I’ll never be that happy because I’ve never told Lakeisha how I feel about her… and now she’s attracted to Chuck! Michael tried to tell me I took her for granted but I didn’t listen! How could I have been such a fool?’

Chuck watched Lakeisha and realized she was staring at Willie. ‘Is there something between these two?’ he wondered. ‘I hope not!’

Michael’s friends watched Nikita closely. This young woman their friend had married seemed to genuinely love him and they rejoiced in his good fortune. Given what had happened earlier, they were amazed to see him so relaxed and happy looking. The men were pleased and wished him well. The women did too for the most part, but they were also a little cynical and decided that it might be best to reserve judgment until they got to know Nikita better. They knew Michel was a good man and even though they’d been shocked by his behaviour when he’d dated the spoiled brats here this evening, they thought very highly of him. They also knew that he had been hurt badly by Elena and while this lovely blonde seemed to love him, they decided to wait and see.

“It is my prayer that the two of you will always remember these words.” Father Philippe said softly. “Love each other… that is the basis of my exhortations to both of you. Remember what I said earlier. Love is always patient and kind. It seeks the good of the other person, even at it’s own expense. It does not seek to glorify itself, but looks to promote the happiness and joy of others. It never keeps a record of injustices, but forgives endlessly while always trying to find happiness for others instead.”

‘He’s describing her.’ Michael realized as he gazed at his wife’s beautiful face in wonder. ‘Ma belle Nikita.’

“I’m sure it won’t always be easy to adhere to these words, but it has been my observation that they hold the secret to a long and happy marriage.” Then the old man smiled gently as he happily noted the adoring look his friend was giving his wife. After a moment’s pause, he ironically added, “Of course, these *are* observations, not personal experience.”

At that satirical jab to his celibate state, several of the guests smiled wryly in appreciation of the priest’s wit.

“Now that I’ve said my ‘bit’ Michel,” Father Philippe said with a self-depreciative smile in conclusion, “I understand that the two of you have some words you’d like to say to each other.”

“Merci Father, we do.” Michael said quietly. “Cherie, would you like to begin?”

Nikita smiled tenderly at her husband and then turned towards Lakeisha who’d been standing silently at her side. Wordlessly, she handed Lakeisha her mother’s white bible and her homemade bouquet.

Turning once again to face Michael, Nikita grasped both his hands firmly, looked steadily into his loving eyes and began.

“Michael, you’ve been many things to me in the short time I’ve known you. Our relationship began with trust, and then grew into love. At first, you were my white knight and my protector, and then you became my friend.”

‘And then we became lovers.’ Michael thought with a slight smile, knowing that his shy bride wouldn’t say that… at least not in public. ‘And ohhhh… what an experience that first time was! You are so beautiful Kita… inside and out! How did I ever deserve you?’

An enraptured Michael continued to smile adoringly while he gently squeezed his Nikita’s hands. He was thankful that he’d had the chance to be any of those things to this lovely woman.

Michael’s friends watched this affectionate display intently.

Chuck especially was mesmerized by the scene before him.

‘You’re happy Michel… oh… I would never have believed it possible! Mon Dieu … how you’ve transformed! Your face… it’s lit up! There’s wonder there… and dare I hope it.. a peace that had always been missing before. The cynic… the womanizer is gone. I hated that man, I think. You’ve in love… and it’s real. Thank you Nikita. You’ve made my friend *real* again.’

“Then you became my husband.” Nikita continued, oblivious to the jumble of thoughts of those around her. “I’ve come to understand that a husband should be all of these things; and in you, Michael, I have been blessed to find all of them.”

‘No.’ Michael thought, silently contradicting his wife. ‘I’m the one who is blessed.’

“You’re a strong, honourable, loving man who always protects me and puts me first… but you’re also sweet and romantic and funny. I love you for being all of those things, but above all, I adore you for the person you are inside.”

‘Oh Kita… if it weren’t for you… there *wouldn’t* be anything good inside me.’ Michael thought; overwhelmed by the love he saw shining from his wife’s eyes. ‘Life… and Elena had beaten all joy from me! I had fallen so far…but you restored me! You brought me back…thank you my love.’

At this point, Nikita smiled shyly and returned the pressure on Michael’s hands. Then her features took on a serious look.

“You are a kind, gentle man… a good man… a loving man. You are more than I’ve ever thought to hope for my love. I never thought I’d meet anyone as wonderful as you are and it amazes me that you love me. I will love and cherish you far beyond the day I die.”

‘She hasn’t mentioned his wealth.’ Chuck thought, amazed at Nikita’s apparent lack of greed. ‘Does she truly *see* him, or is this a show? Will her attitude towards him change over time? Is she focused on his possessions, but pretending to disregard them? Oh.. I hope not! So far it’s easy to believe that she’s *nothing* like the witches here tonight. Even Simone was focused on what I could give her. Nothing satisfied that woman! I can’t imagine *her* saying she’d be content to live in the wilds in a hunting cabin! Or was that comment the truth?’

“Kita…” Michael whispered adoringly. ‘What man wouldn’t worship this angel?’

Father Philippe smiled as he watched the young couple before him. He listened intently to the blonde’s words, unable to detect anything in her softly spoken words but loving sincerity. He also watched her lovely face intently and prayed that the calm, serene demeanour he was seeing stemmed from honesty and not acting abilities.

As he mused on the circumstances that brought this young couple together, his mind switched tracts slightly and he began to ponder. ‘Love and trust…’ the old priest remembered; his eyes widening as another thought occurred to him. ‘Perhaps those things apply to my own concerns too… Oh Lord… maybe you’re telling me not to worry about Michel…but to trust *You* in this. After all, You love him more than I do...why wouldn’t you bring him a lovely lady like this to love?’

“Nikita, chérie… I adore you.” Michael began as he gazed enraptured at the angel who had married him. “I don’t know if I can make you understand what you mean to me my love. Until the day we met, I was a lost and broken man. I felt *empty* inside; like there was a gaping hole in my spirit that I couldn’t fill. Oh, I tried. I had achieved what the world would call success, but I know now that without someone who loves you, *nothing*… no pleasure, no possession can make you happy.”

Nikita nodded slightly in acknowledgement of the truthfulness of that last statement while her brilliant blue eyes remained lovingly focused on the man she loved.

“After a while I tried to convince myself that I had imagined that emptiness… but I hadn’t.” Michael continued quietly. “That emptiness more than anything else, drove me to my cabin. I *knew* I was sad and depressed with how my life was going and I *knew* that I needed to get away. What I didn’t realize is that I was looking to find something important. I know now that something had been missing from my life…. *all* my life.”

Michael’s smile turned tender as he paused in his speech to meet his bride’s curious gaze.

“I wasn’t even certain *what* it was that I was looking for. I suppose I thought I needed time to sort out all that had gone wrong in my life. At first I was certain that what I felt was a distinct need for peace of mind. But that wasn’t it either. Peace of mind is a state of mind and contemplation might bring you close to it, but you can never fully accomplish it on your own. There *was* a lot of quiet there, but after a time, quiet only leads to loneliness.”

Nikita smiled slightly, sympathizing with what she was hearing.

‘I can well imagine he was lonely. He was there all on his own for two years until I met him.’ She thought sadly. ‘It’s a wonder he stayed sane.’

“I puzzled this question out for a long time Nikita…. but I never really understood what I was looking for until the day we met.” Michael continued. He smiled slightly as he saw her crystal blue eyes light up with curiousity and compassion.

‘She’s feeling sorry for me.’ he realized in wonder. ‘Yes, it was lonely living up there on my own. There’s many kinds of loneliness though. You can be lonely for physical comfort…and even if you have that, you can still be lonely. Or, you can be lonely for a compassionate, loving spirit. In her, I’ve found both.’

“Until then, I thought that the inner emptiness I felt had led me away from all that I knew…. my home, my job, my friends. Now I know it wasn’t an emptiness. It was a quest. I was searching for something, but I didn’t understand what it was until I met you.”

‘Until he met me?’ Nikita thought in wonder. ‘What does he mean?’

“My quest led me away from what had been my life… but not towards nothingness as I had thought. No. My quest led me towards you… my real life. My life.. here or there… was empty because I hadn’t met you.” Michael continued sincerely.

Maurice listened raptly. ‘Is this the same man who dated my daughter? I remember a suave, callous rake who condescended to those around him… not this… this articulate, affectionate man. Oh Veronique… you thought this man cared for you? You were deluded ma fille. That man was not the real Michel Samuelle. The man I’m seeing in front of me right now… now *this* man is *real*! His honesty and truthfulness are humbling. How marvelous to see this kind of communication between a young couple. You didn’t *know* him at all! No… I think young Nikita has brought out the best in the man we all thought we knew. Judging by her startled expression right now, she wasn’t even aware of the difference she’s made in Michel’s life until now. What he’s saying *must* be true…it’s so basic… so honest. Did you ever *see* that side of Michel Veronique? Or did you bother to look that deeply into someone you claimed you cared for? Or *did* you care for him at all? Was his money your only focus?’

“Oh Michael..” Nikita breathed softly in adoration, so that only he could hear.

‘Oh my! How romantic!’ a raptly attentive Marie sighed.

“Until I met you, I had given up hope of any happiness in this life. Physically, I was alive but emotionally, I was dead. Then, you looked at me for the first time and my ‘heart’ began beating and I began to breathe.” Michael continued sincerely.

“Oh Michael.” An Nikita whispered once more as a tear of joy began trickling down her cheek.

Lakeisha closed her eyes, overcome by the emotions behind the words she’d just heard as well. ‘Ohhhh what a wonderful thing for him to say to her… and it’s not just *words*… you can tell by looking in his eyes that he means it! Will Willie ever speak to me that way? Sigh….’

“These aren’t just romantic words my love. I truly mean them and I have no doubt that we were supposed to meet. I just wish it had been sooner.” Michael continued as his right hand slowly reached out seemingly of it’s own violation; gently brushing away Nikita’s tear while gently caressing her soft face. “You make me so incredibly happy, that I want to shout my love for you from Montreal’s highest rooftop. Do you remember that I told you once that you were everything I ever wanted in a woman?”

‘He might just as well be shouting his love for her from the rooftops right now without ever leaving this building.’ Madeleine thought in wry amusement. ‘The reporters… not to mention the society types here will *broadcast* his every word! Oh how I wish I could be present to see Veronique and Claire’s reactions when they hear this!’

Nikita smiled tenderly, leaning imperceptibly into his caress while nodding slightly in response.

“That will always be true. I call you my angel, because you’ve rescued me from that emptiness Nikita… you’ve shown me what love really is. I know what I’m saying sounds slightly insane… but it’s true. You…you’re also incredibly beautiful.”

Swiftly the doubt that Nikita felt about the truthfulness of that last statement flickered wildly across her face.

Father Philippe glanced at the young woman before him, surprised to note the skepticism on her pale face.

‘She doesn’t believe that she’s beautiful?’ the old man realized in amazement. ‘How is that possible? Michel’s right… she *is* incredibly lovely. Why doesn’t she believe that?’

Michael saw Nikita’s doubt too and pressed the point further. “I hate that someone’s made you believe that you aren’t beautiful ma belle. Trust me… you *are*! Never doubt that. I’m sure that every man here would agree with me too.” Then he paused for a minute and smiled delightedly at the blush that was staining her cheeks.

Many of the guests silently agreed with Michael’s assessment and smiles flitted over some faces at the bride’s obvious embarrassment.

“But that’s only a small part of who you are Kita.” Michael continued, unconsciously falling into the use of his nickname for her as his smile turned tender and he gazed lovingly at her reddening countenance. “You’re kind and loving and the most unselfish person I’ve ever met.”

‘How could I have doubted how he felt about her? It’s written plainly all over his face! He adores her!’ An awed Madeleine wondered as she listened attentively to her client’s heart-felt public confession. As her lawyer’s mind processed the charming scene in front of her, Madeleine took in the horrified society women’s faces that surrounded her and her cynical nature briefly reasserted itself. ‘ Michel, mon ami… you’re a scoundrel! Now I *know* why you’re saying these things in public! You’re using this ‘ceremony’ to broadcast your feelings publicly. Effective… and very dramatic! I doubt any of these spoiled brats are going to have any doubts about your sincerity after this! This is absolutely momentous! Anyone who knows you knows that you’re a *very* private man… you’re not one to reveal your inner feelings… your emotions in public!’

‘And Nikita! How could I have thought she was after his money? She exudes such love… such honesty. You only have to look at her face… especially right now… to see there’s no artifice about her! She’s totally genuine! No wonder he adores her! I envy you your naivety Nikita… and I envy you too, Michel. She truly loves you. You tried to tell me… but I wouldn’t listen! When did I become so jaded?’

Father Philippe beamed. ‘They *are* in love! Michel’s parents would have been so pleased with this marriage. His mother especially would have loved this young woman. It doesn’t matter that she’s not French… she’s soft-spoken and the adoring glances she keeps bestowing on Michel speak of a deep affection… and love. I’m really happy for him! He looks so contented!’ There was nothing more he could add to what the couple before him had said to each other, so he quietly whispered. “Michel, you may present your bride with her ring.”

‘Ring?’ Nikita thought as her puzzled blue eyes swiftly shot from her husband’s loving face to look at the priest in confusion. ‘Oh dear… the poor old man’s forgotten this is just a vow renewal and there’s no ring to be exchanged.’

Nikita began shaking her head while she held up her left hand in both confusion and silent protest. Moments later her confusion turned into amazement and her shocked azure eyes flew back to Michael’s smiling face when he gently grabbed her extended appendage and slid an exquisite and elaborately striking diamond and gold eternity ring on her ring finger next to the rings she already wore.

‘Oh my!’ Nikita thought in total disbelief, as she looked in wide-eyed wonder at this newest piece of jewellery and then into her husband’s amused and love filled moss green eyes. ‘Look at that ring! It’s *beautiful*! It matches my new necklace! What in the world has possessed Michael to do this?’ Her eyes widened even further when Michael gently lifted her left hand and kissed it tenderly in an almost courtly gesture.

Chuck smiled as he watched the proceedings too. ‘She wasn’t expecting this development…it’s obvious! She’s surprised, but what woman wouldn’t be? The difference between her and any of the rest of them is that there’s no avarice apparent in her appraisal, just shock! That’s natural enough, I suppose... and yet.. it’s not. I highly doubt that any of the witches here would have the same *genuine* reaction!’

Her stunned expression and Michael’s pleased reaction made several guests smile.

‘You had to do this.. didn’t you Michel?’ Madeleine thought with a wry smile. She had a pretty good idea what had prompted the purchase of this newest ‘trinket’. ‘That’s not just a ring to you is it mon ami? I know you too well… it’s a symbol of possession. What better time and place to give it to her… these society witches *needed* to see this first hand!’

Madeleine briefly glanced over at Lakeisha and could plainly see that Nikita’s friend was impressed too. Her dark eyes were wide and her mouth gaped slightly as she took in the sight of her friend as her handsome husband gently kissed her hand near her new ring.

Lakeisha’s elation left her speechless while she absorbed the sight of her friend being treated like a treasured princess. When her mind finally processed the event before her, she covered her lips with her trembling hands and shut her eyes against her streaming tears of joy while letting her heart soar.

‘Oh Nikita… I’m so happy for you girl! You deserve this! You’ve always been so kind to others… you’ve never thought of yourself or what you *might* deserve! You deserve this wonderful man! I just wish Carla could have been here too… I know that would have made your joy complete!’

Marie was overwhelmed for Nikita too. Her husband Guy was hopelessly romantic, but even he had never displayed his emotions in public like Michel was doing now.

‘Doing this must have been important to you Michel. Chuck says you’re just as quiet as you were as a young man.’ Marie thought as her delight washed over her. ‘I can understand… really I can. You finally *have* someone who truly loves *you*… not what you can give them! I am truly happy for both of you!’

As he lifted his lips from Nikita’s hand, Michael grinned sweetly, while his eyes shone with a mischievous light. He adored this woman, but he wouldn’t have missed this chance to advertise his feelings either. He hoped that his words and actions so far this evening had made it perfectly clear who he adored so that none of the witches present would ever doubt it again.

‘If Claire’s arrest hasn’t given them pause, then this will.’ He thought wickedly. ‘Let this serve as notice to all of them… I will not tolerate any further nonsense from any of them!’

Father Philippe was not so old… or so naïve that he didn’t notice the horrified reactions of the debutantes. His first reaction was to rebuke them, but instead he sighed and wisely decided to ignore them.

‘Every one of them calls themselves a Christian… but their behaviour is anything but,’ he thought sadly as he decided to pray for their souls instead. ‘They think they’re rich… but their need is greater than they know.’

Instead his eyes lit up as he focused on Nikita’s amazed response to this newest trinket and Michel’s romantic and courtly behaviour. Her sweet face held no covetousness and the old priest smiled tenderly at his young friend’s palpable joy when he kissed his bride’s hand. He knew that the shocked women around them would not have reacted in a similar manner had Michel been foolish enough to wed one of them.

‘Thank God for not so small mercies!’ he thought, shivering as his shrewd old eyes mentally catalogued the reactions of his outraged parishioners. ‘They may put in an appearance at Mass… but their hearts are far from as pure as this lady’s is! Michel.. you’ve chosen well my son!’

“Michel” the priest said quietly, as he broke from his reverie and lifted his hand to make the sign of the cross in front of both of the young people standing before him. “You may kiss your bride.”

‘Now there’s a request that I’m delighted to fulfill!’ Michael thought happily; knowing too that doing so would further enrage the bitches around them.

And he did…. gently… reverently…. as his hands possessively framed her gorgeous porcelain face and her arms wound gently around his neck.

‘Oh…’ thought Nikita as her husband swamped all her senses effortlessly. She totally forgot their audience and fully participated in the passionate kiss. ‘I love him sooo much!’

Michael’s women friends smiled tenderly at the gentle possessiveness of the gesture; but the society women gasped, offended and shocked at this ‘vulgar’ display of affection with this ‘girl’. After all, she wasn’t one of them and they were far from ready to accept either her or this marriage.

~~~~~~~~~

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.