{"id":2923,"date":"2011-12-08T16:31:16","date_gmt":"2011-12-08T21:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2923"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:25:07","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:25:07","slug":"the-art-of-belonging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2923","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Belonging (by faust)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>After a long day out in the rain, Adam longs for more than a hot drink and a hearty meal, and he knows where he’ll find it.<\/p>\n

4,400 words, rated K<\/p>\n

My Story Index and reading order for the Art-Universe<\/a><\/p>\n

Author’s Note:\u00a0 This story was inspired by the wonderful poem of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Day Is Done<\/em>, all of which you’ll find in the preposed stanzas.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Art of Belonging<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

The day is done, and the darkness
\nFalls from the wings of Night,
\nAs a feather is wafted downward
\nFrom an eagle in his flight. <\/em><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright pulled his hat deeper down to shelter his face from the heavy November-rain. It seemed it hadn\u2019t done anything but rain for the past two weeks. And somehow Adam had managed to spend most of these weeks outside: first riding fences, a not overly entertaining procedure even if it was dry and sunny, but with the continuous downpour a downright gruesome experience. Then he and Hoss had ridden to Carson to negotiate a new timber contract with Sloman and Sons Inc.<\/em>; a cold and wet, albeit short and very successful trip that would be completed once they\u2019d delivered the contract to the family\u2019s lawyer, Hiram Wood, for verification.<\/p>\n

Late as it was, though, they\u2019d have to deposit the contract at the lawyer\u2019s office without being asked inside, where it would be warm and dry and Hiram would offer them a strong drink to warm them up from the inside. Instead they would just leave the papers with Wood\u2019s assistant and hurry home to where Pa was waiting with leftovers from supper, kept warm in the oven, and a glass of his finest brandy and where they would warm themselves at the great fireplace.<\/p>\n

Adam shivered in anticipation of the warm fire. He was weary and bone-tired, cold and stiff, and altogether cranky. All he longed for was a cozy place, warm and quiet, and maybe a nice book\u2014no, not even a book. Just peace and quiet.<\/p>\n

I see the lights of the village
\nGleam through the rain and the mist,
\nAnd a feeling of sadness comes o’er me
\nThat my soul cannot resist: <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t be long anymore,\u201d Hoss broke their silence when they rode into town. They hadn\u2019t talked for the past twenty miles; both trapped within their own thoughts, their own dreams.<\/p>\n

Adam just nodded, not really caring if his brother saw the movement or not. Hoss didn\u2019t need his confirmation anyway. They both knew how anxiously either of them was looking for a shelter, for a place to rest, for home<\/em>. He glanced at the light shining through the windows of the Bucket of Blood saloon and considered stopping for a quick drink and a hot soup, but the prospect of having to converse with other customers there wasn\u2019t appealing at all.<\/p>\n

They stopped at the lawyer\u2019s office minutes later, and Adam headed in and was back, remounting his horse with a short, \u201cDone,\u201d while Hoss was still adjusting his slicker.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned contently. \u201cYa sure wasted no time, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Hiram wasn\u2019t there anyway, and his young man was happy to get rid of me as soon as possible. I think he only waited for us, and he\u2019s looking to get home nearly as much as we do,\u201d Adam said massaging his neck and shoulder with one gloved hand. He tried to work out some kinks by stretching his stiff neck this way and that, but despite a reassuring creaking it didn\u2019t give him any relief. He\u2019d need more than stretching for that, he mused.<\/p>\n

Adam hunched his shoulders in a futile attempt to block the cold from seeping deeper into his bones and gave Hoss a raised eyebrow from under his hat. \u201cShall we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cThere ain\u2019t nothing holding me back, elder brother.\u201d He poked his nose into the air and sniffed right and left. \u201cI\u2019m not sure, but I think Hop Sing has some roast beef and sweet potatoes waiting for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cAnd do you smell beans or peas going with that, oh, infallible nose?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t say,\u201d Hoss said gravely. \u201cGive me ten more miles, and I\u2019ll tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silently laughing, they urged their horses on.<\/p>\n

A feeling of sadness and longing,
\nThat is not akin to pain,
\nAnd resembles sorrow only
\nAs the mist resembles the rain. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRoast beef,\u201d Hoss repeated dreamily when, on their way through Virginia City\u2019s dark streets, they passed the International House, from where the pleasant smell of food waved onto the road. \u201cRoast beef, and lemon pie for dessert. And then a nice cuppa coffee and a brandy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam just smiled. His brother apparently had a very good idea about the further entertainment this evening would bring.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m mighty curious about how Joe fared with those new Mustangs,\u201d Hoss went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he will have done pretty well. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll have broken one or the other by now,\u201d Adam said. \u201cAnd he\u2019ll be very anxious to tell us every single second of his victory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but only after we\u2019ve told Pa everything about the new contract.\u201d Hoss nodded emphatically.<\/p>\n

Adam cringed. There goes my quiet evening<\/em>. \u201cYes, I\u2019m sure Pa wants a full report tonight,\u201d he said, trying to sound not too reluctant.<\/p>\n

Hoss threw him a side glance. Adam tried to look approving, but, of course, his brother saw right through him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell you what,\u201d Hoss tried. \u201cI\u2019ll challenge you for a game of checkers\u2014or no, chess, how \u2018bout that, Adam? You love chess, don\u2019t ya, and you won\u2019t have to talk then. What ya think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Come, read to me some poem,
\nSome simple and heartfelt lay,
\nThat shall soothe this restless feeling,
\nAnd banish the thoughts of day. <\/em><\/p>\n

Adam stopped his horse and closed his eyes. Chess<\/em>. Good old Hoss…. It was a sacrifice, a real and genuine sacrifice. Hoss knew he stood no chance against his older brother, and yet…in that unique Hoss-way he tried everything to ease Adam\u2019s obvious discomfort with the inevitable way of tonight\u2019s run of events.<\/p>\n

But Adam didn\u2019t want to play chess. Or checkers, or any other game. He didn\u2019t want to listen to Joe\u2019s tales about his heroic bronco busting, and he didn\u2019t want to talk to Pa about timber contracts. He didn\u2019t want to think about any ranch business, and he didn\u2019t want to contemplate chess moves. In fact, didn\u2019t even want to think at all.<\/p>\n

All he wanted was warm food and a strong drink to heat him up; warm, soft hands that massaged his cramped shoulder muscles; a warm, soft alto voice that told him to relax and that everything would be fine; and then a warm soft body with rounds that fit so perfectly into the curve of his embrace snuggled up to his side.<\/p>\n

All he wanted was to be where he belonged.<\/p>\n

He opened his eyes to find Hoss, who apparently had stopped and ridden up beside him, studying his face with a concerned expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa all right, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam contemplated his brother for a moment, then came to a decision. \u201cHoss, would you mind riding home alone?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

And suddenly everything fell into place.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell Pa I\u2019ll stay at the International House tonight and talk to Hiram first thing tomorrow morning,\u201d he went on, rather quickly\u2014as if he was trying to prevent any objection from Hoss. \u201cThat way I\u2019ll save us the trouble of sending someone to town tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Hoss obviously had no objections at all. He grinned broadly. \u201cSounds good to me, Adam. And I\u2019m sure glad if I don\u2019t have to come back to town tomorrow. I\u2019d rather rest my bones fer a day or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

He winked at his brother, and Adam smiled gratefully and tipped his hat in a mock salute. \u201cHere you go, Hoss. Bye!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss spurred his horse and waved Adam good-bye. He had made only a few paces when he turned around and called over his shoulder, \u201cAnd give my regards to Miss Juliet, Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam mumbled, \u201cYeah, I\u2019ll do that\u201d under his breath, and, laughing silently, headed to Mrs. Hawkins\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Not from the grand old masters,
\nNot from the bards sublime,
\nWhose distant footsteps echo
\nThrough the corridors of Time. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh dear, come in, poor chap, come in!\u201d Mrs. Hawkins practically dragged him into the hall when she answered his knocking, and for once Adam didn\u2019t mind being managed by her. The widow\u2019s house was warm and brightly lit, and smelled like freshly baked bread and beef soup.<\/p>\n

From the parlour, he heard Juliet\u2019s muted voice. Home, at last. <\/em><\/p>\n

He shed his dripping slicker, and, with an apologetic smile, handed it Mrs. Hawkins, who had already taken his hat from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to impose on you like this, Mrs. Hawkins, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLad, you don\u2019t impose at all, and you know it! Juliet will be delighted to see you.\u201d The widow considered the clothes in her hands and shook her head. \u201cDid you spend the whole day in that rain?\u201d She eyed him suspiciously. \u201cAre you dry underneath this, or shall I give you something to change from Harry\u2019s old clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a gleam in her eyes Adam wasn\u2019t sure he liked. How much brandy, he wondered, has she had already? He opened his mouth to deliver a polite refusal, but was beaten by Juliet\u2019s amused voice from behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs much as I would like to see Adam in Harry\u2019s tights, Mrs. Hawkins, I\u2019m not sure if the other guests are up to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guests<\/em>? And then it hit Adam: it was the last Thursday in November, and on every last Thursday in a month Juliet held her little literary circle. Adam usually attended it, but he had excused himself this time because he didn\u2019t expect to be home in time.<\/p>\n

The literary circle. Doctor Paul Martin, Miss Winterling, Juliet\u2019s dress maker, Joe Goodman, Sam Berthley, the barkeep from the Silver Dollar saloon, Mrs. Hawkins and\u2014Abigail Jones, of all people. He had traded a vaguely uncomfortable evening with Pa, Joe and Hoss with some hours in the presence of Virginia City\u2019s most annoying spinster.<\/p>\n

Oh, well, he knew he was unfair. Miss Abigail was well read, and even if her analyses weren\u2019t always the most inspiring ones, she was a valuable member of the circle: always well prepared, and her rather conservative opinions often provoked others to voice contrary thoughts. And Adam understood that Juliet\u2019s request that the teacher joined the circle had been a peace offering. He had never understood what had been going on between the two women, but somehow Miss Abigail had despised Juliet from the very beginning, Juliet had countered that with a being very imperious, and from thereon in some way things had gone out of control.<\/p>\n

He sighed. Perhaps he\u2019d better head to the hotel right now. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I forgot…\u201d he started, but then he saw Juliet\u2019s beaming face.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter late than never; I\u2019m glad you made it, Adam,\u201d she said wrapping her arms around his chest and then she buried her face in his shoulder. Her voice became muffled, and so only he understood when she continued, \u201cI missed you, missed you, missed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her even closer. \u201cAnd I missed you<\/em>, Mylady,\u201d he whispered into her hair. \u201cCouldn\u2019t stand another day without seeing you.\u201d<\/p>\n

They remained like that for a moment that virtually begged to be stretched to eternity, until they reluctantly parted and Juliet led him into the lounge.<\/p>\n

For, like strains of martial music,
\nTheir mighty thoughts suggest
\nLife’s endless toil and endeavor;
\nAnd to-night I long for rest. <\/em><\/p>\n

Adam was greeted warmly by all occupants of the brightly lit room. Paul Martin in particular made a big show of his entrance. \u201cOh, hallelujah,\u201d he cried out. \u201cThe voice of reason, at last! Adam, tell these ignoramuses that with \u2018Announced by all trumpets of the sky, arrives the snow\u2019 Emerson isn\u2019t just making a weather report.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, really, leave Adam alone with your crooked spiritualisation. \u2018The frolic architecture of the snow\u2019 doesn\u2019t sound apocalyptic to anyone but you,\u201d Juliet admonished him, rolling her eyes but chuckling all the same.<\/p>\n

Miss Winterling took Adam\u2019s hand and, with a side glance at the doctor, whispered conspiratorially, \u201cDon\u2019t mention \u2018Paradise Lost\u2019 tonight;\u201d Sam, the barkeep, said, \u201cYou look like you could use a good drink, Mr. C\u201d by way of greeting; and Miss Abigail gave him her usual high pitched, \u201cOh, Mr. Cartwright, how very lovely to see you again!\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet glared Sam away from the chair closest to the fireplace and instead she seated Adam there. Scrutinising she run her hands over his arms and, thank heavens, remembered they weren\u2019t alone just in time before she attempted to do the same with his legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you comfortable?\u201d she asked quietly. \u201cYou\u2019re awfully cold. Do you need a blanket, or perhaps one of Harry\u2019s jumpers after all?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. No, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Adam hurried to assure her. He was<\/em> cold, and there was steam coming from his damp trousers, but he wouldn\u2019t embarrass himself by sitting next to the fire place with a blanket on his legs like a tottery old man.<\/p>\n

Juliet arched a skeptical brow. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet the man dry himself at the fire and give him a stiff drink,\u201d Paul Martin rescued him. \u201cHe\u2019ll be right as rain in a minute. Believe me, I\u2019m a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam threw Paul a grateful glance, accepted a glass of brandy from Sam and watched with amusement as Juliet and Mrs. Hawkins battled over a tray of food the widow had brought from the kitchen. Naturally, Juliet won, carried the conquered tray through the room and deposited it on the table beside him, arranging a plate with thick slices of white bread to be in his grasp.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, get yourself warm with that first,\u201d she said, handing him a steaming mug of beef soup; and just the caring tone of her warm voice made him feel more comfortable than he had in days.<\/p>\n

At home. <\/em><\/p>\n

Read from some humbler poet,
\nWhose songs gushed from his heart,
\nAs showers from the clouds of summer,
\nOr tears from the eyelids start; <\/em><\/p>\n

The literary circle took up their previous conversation. Adam ate the strong beef soup and the subtly-flavoured bread, and tried not to listen. The voices of the others became only a background sound, like the babbling of a brook or the rushing of the wind. At one point he thought he heard his name, and then Miss Abigail\u2019s squawking voice asking, \u201cDon\u2019t you think so? Mr. Cartwright<\/em>?\u201d But when he finally bothered to look up, everyone was engaged in a discussion about whether or not Emerson was right to speak for John Brown, and the only thing that stood out to him was Juliet\u2019s emphasis on, \u201cThere are other ways than violence, and Emerson used to believe that, too\u201d and Paul\u2019s counter, \u201cDon\u2019t be naive, Juliet!\u201d<\/p>\n

He opened his mouth to deliver his slant, but decided it wasn\u2019t worth the effort and remained silent. He stretched his legs out to the fire, rubbed his hands and tried to be swallowed by the opulent stuffed chair he was sitting in.<\/p>\n

He had just closed his eyes when he heard the soft ruffle of skirts over the murmur of voices, and as he looked up he saw Juliet crouching next to his chair, her hand on his arm and her head tilted so she could see into his face from down there.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d she asked softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWha\u2014? Oh, yes I\u2019m enjoying myself very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re not.\u201d She leaned closer, searching his face. \u201cYour mind is miles away, Adam. Where are you right now? Still out there on the pasture or in front of the big fire place at home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam resisted the urge to pull her close and feel her giving her warmth not only to his soul. He wanted to kiss that caring smile, those soft hands, and those knowing eyes. If only they were alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither of them, I\u2019m afraid. The pasture is too wet and the fire place at home far too crowded at this time of the day.\u201d He cringed at his complaining tone, but the idea alone of discussing ranch issues with his father right now instantly made him feel prostrated with fatigue. Where was his mind leading him to? To his bed, with a good book? No, not there. He wanted to be here, with her, in front of the fire place, alone.<\/p>\n

Alone.<\/em><\/p>\n

He felt her hand squeezing his, and then her mouth was close to his ear. \u201cGive me five minutes,\u201d she whispered, her breath tickling his neck, and her lips brushing his earlobe. Then there was her finger drawing a tiny circle over that<\/em> spot below his ear where he\u2019d have preferred to feel her lips, for a split second only\u2014but it was a promise, and Adam felt his pulse getting faster.<\/p>\n

Who, through long days of labor,
\nAnd nights devoid of ease,
\nStill heard in his soul the music
\nOf wonderful melodies. <\/em><\/p>\n

She needed even less than five minutes.<\/p>\n

With the practised ease of a lady of society Juliet put a theatrical hand to her temple and declared she had a pounding headache.<\/p>\n

Everyone got the message immediately. There was a lot of commotion as brandy glasses and teacups were emptied and books, papers and pens were shuffled together and stored away in bags and bundles.<\/p>\n

The members of the literary circle stood up announcing how very late it had become, and that they didn\u2019t have to stretch their meetings unnecessarily after all was said and done, especially not at this time of the year, when the nights were so dark and the weather so unpleasant anyway.<\/p>\n

Only Abigail Jones seemed reluctant to go, but she succumbed to the general atmosphere of departure\u2014albeit not without trying to derive a benefit from the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, what a pity,\u201d she said in that quivering voice that never failed to give Adam the chills. \u201cAnd I had hoped so much to hear Mr. Cartwright\u2019s thoughts about Mr. Emerson\u2019s moral standards.\u201d And then, after a short pause she utilised to get to Adam\u2019s side and to put a spidery hand on his arm, she purred, \u201cBut maybe we can talk about that on the way when you escort me home.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked around, nearly triumphantly, but only until she caught Juliet\u2019s gaze. She tried to hold it, Adam had to grant her that, she wasn\u2019t a coward. But poor Abigail Jones was only a mortal being, and as all ordinary mortals eventually she had to capitulate when Juliet\u2019s usually lively sparkling green eyes became hard, icy emeralds, her left eyebrow slowly went up into a perfect arch, and the provoked lady said mordantly, \u201cMr. Cartwright is indispensable at the moment, I\u2019m afraid. But I\u2019m sure Mr. Berthley here will step in gladly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had to suppress a grin when he saw how panicked Sam\u2019s face got at that and how it slowly melted back to normal when Miss Abigail seemed to shrink under Juliet\u2019s stare, then tsked and stuttered indignantly, \u201cWell, yes, err\u2014I don\u2019t think that will be necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam completely relaxed only when Miss Abigail finally turned on her heel and rushed off with only so much as a very short good bye into the round.<\/p>\n

Such songs have power to quiet
\nThe restless pulse of care,
\nAnd come like the benediction
\nThat follows after prayer. <\/em><\/p>\n

And then, at long last, they all were gone.<\/p>\n

Only Mrs. Hawkins was still bustling busily around, clearing away teacups, plates, glasses and all the other remainders of tonight\u2019s soiree, until Juliet softly said, \u201cThank you, Mrs. Hawkins, that will be all. We\u2019ll be all right on our own from now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Hawkins stopped her occupation and turned to fix a mocking stern gaze on Juliet and Adam. They stood close to each other, and Adam was painfully aware how obvious they must look, and how impatient and desperate. Mrs. Hawkins seemed to have a great time, though, and Adam knew she was trying to get as much fun out of this as possible. In some way he couldn\u2019t even blame her for that.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two behave, children. Don\u2019t do anything I wouldn\u2019t do,\u201d the widow said wriggling her finger in front of them. \u201cI\u2019ll retire now, but I\u2019ll be just in the next room.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked pointedly, first at Juliet then at Adam, and then left the room silently sniggering\u2014which somehow ruined the effect she had tried to create with her previous efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlone at last,\u201d Juliet whispered into Adam\u2019s ear; and then she stirred him to the settee, where they sat down and she turned his back to face her.<\/p>\n

He sighed deeply when he felt her hands on his shoulders, and she\u2014ahh<\/em>\u2014kneaded his constricted muscles where it hurt most, finding kinks and cramped spots, working them out one by one, rubbing and massaging them away.<\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t help but grunt ecstatically and lean more into her touch when in the end she put her thumbs at the base of his skull and rubbed them vigorously in tiny circles there. \u201cI swear you have magic hands, Mylady,\u201d he moaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly magic hands?\u201d she breathed close to his ear, and then, finally, her lips were at that<\/em> spot, nibbling and sucking and ohh<\/em>…<\/p>\n

Then read from the treasured volume
\nThe poem of thy choice,
\nAnd lend to the rhyme of the poet
\nThe beauty of thy voice. <\/em><\/p>\n

Eventually they broke apart, Juliet with dishevelled hair (not that this was something uncommon, but usually she did the disarray all by herself in her daily futile attempt to conquer her sumptuous waves,) and Adam breathless but with a smug expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you warm enough now, Adam?\u201d Juliet asked, smiling coyly.<\/p>\n

Her smile turned into a veritable grin when Adam responded, \u201cOh, I\u2019m perfect. Just make sure we\u2019ll keep it that way, Mylady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get us a little assistance with that,\u201d she laughed, then took a blanket from the backrest of the settee and arranged it around them both. \u201cSo we\u2019ll be comfortable while I read you my newest piece of work.\u201d<\/p>\n

She snuggled into him, her back resting comfortably at his chest, and pulled her feet up the settee and under her skirt. Then, from the depths of her skirt, she produced her well worn plain black notebook and opening it somewhere near the end she told him, \u201cJust relax and listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGladly,\u201d he answered and kissed her bowed neck, leaving his lips linger at her nape, his face buried in her honey-scented warmth.<\/p>\n

She adjusted her posture to fit his, making it as comfortable as possible for both of them, and then started to read, low and soothing but expressive with her warm, clear voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe things that we do share
\nKeep me with you engrossed.
\nYour wisdom, I declare,
\nIs what attracts me most.<\/p>\n

We speak about the stars,
\nThe moon, the sun, the sky;
\n’bout heaven, earth and wars;
\n’bout mercy, and ’bout why.<\/p>\n

Why good is good, we mused,
\nAnd honour is not pride;
\nHow people can get used
\nTo living side by side.<\/p>\n

Can men be owned by men?
\nAnd what about a wife?
\nThe power of the pen;
\nAnd what is worth a life.<\/p>\n

Yet here with you today
\nKeen wit does not ring true;
\nWhen all I long to say
\nIs simply ‘I love you’.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had turned her head and whispered the last lines into his ear. And now she nestled even closer into him. And he just closed his arms around her, held her tight and tried to regain control over his breathing.<\/p>\n

And the night shall be filled with music
\nAnd the cares, that infest the day,
\nShall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
\nAnd as silently steal away. <\/em><\/p>\n

They stayed like that for ever. As close as two people could be without being indecent. As close as two people could be without becoming one.<\/p>\n

Adam felt warmth radiating from Juliet, he felt her heartbeat at his chest mixing and matching with his own. He felt her breath adjusting to his\u2014or was it his adjusting to hers?<\/p>\n

Fragments of poems chased each other in his head, none of them adequately saying what he wanted to tell her.<\/p>\n

No, nothing someone else had thought out would be adequate. Nothing he had ever read or heard was able to express the sense of belonging he felt. The way he truly was himself when she was beside him, the way she was the world to him.<\/p>\n

The way he was touched when she showed him that she belonged to him.<\/p>\n

Such is my love, to thee I so belong<\/em>, floated through his mind, but even the Bard\u2019s words didn\u2019t fully catch what he felt.<\/p>\n

Well, maybe Juliet was right. Maybe simple words held the most meaning. Maybe it was the best to just say what had been dancing at the tip of his tongue since he\u2019d entered the house hours ago. Surely, Juliet would understand.<\/p>\n

He kissed the side of her neck, and whispered, \u201cWhere you are there is home, Mylady,\u201d in her ear; and then he just listened to how she<\/em> tried to regain control over her breathing.<\/p>\n

***fin***<\/p>\n

\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

This is for Sklamb and Joaniepaiute, with my heartfelt thanks for your support and encouragement, and your friendship.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/em><\/p>\n

Next Story in The Art-Universe Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Art of Giving<\/a><\/p>\n

My Story Index<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After a long day out in the rain, Adam longs for more than a hot drink and a hearty meal, and he knows where he’ll find it. <\/p>\n

4,400 words, rated K<\/p>\n

The Art-Universe series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,23,3],"tags":[14,17],"class_list":["post-2923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a-u","category-drama","category-romance","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-hoss","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-3-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1174,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2854,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2854","url_meta":{"origin":2923,"position":0},"title":"Early One Morning (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"December 28, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Early one morning Adam muses about where his home is\u2014and why. 1,100 words, rated K+ The Art-Universe series, links to all the stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/488C0EA0-90EC-4A50-88D0-843B02C51C1F.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/488C0EA0-90EC-4A50-88D0-843B02C51C1F.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/488C0EA0-90EC-4A50-88D0-843B02C51C1F.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/488C0EA0-90EC-4A50-88D0-843B02C51C1F.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/488C0EA0-90EC-4A50-88D0-843B02C51C1F.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2913,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2913","url_meta":{"origin":2923,"position":1},"title":"Ride of Destiny (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"January 18, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam's fate is sealed. 650 words, rated K","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/destiny.jpg?fit=300%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13666,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13666","url_meta":{"origin":2923,"position":2},"title":"Fortuna Smiles (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"January 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Written for the prompt: Adam wins the lottery. 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