Blossoms of Love (20 page)

As Lamont began undressing he said, “Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve.” Natalie pulled her sweater off, “Oh no. I forgot all about Christmas.” Lamont said, “Honey how can anyone forget Christmas?” She said, “I don’t know. I guess it’s because so much has happened. Us getting married, spending three days at the lodge, then being in the hospital. I just forgot Christmas was so close. I’ve got to buy some presents tomorrow.” Lamont said, “I’ll help you with the furniture but leave me out of buying Christmas presents.” She begged, “Monty you have to help me. You know I can’t do much with these crutches.” Lamont took his shoes off, “Alright I’ll help you. But only because you’ve got that cast on. I hate being in crowded stores.”

He got on the bed, naked as usual. Natalie got her bra off but she was having trouble getting her panties off. Lamont began laughing, “Do you need help honey?” She looked at him, “What do you think?” He helped her. When she was beside him, also naked, he leaned over and kissed her, “Goodnight baby.” She was sure he would want to make love. She asked, “Aren’t we going to make love?” He answered, “I thought you were too tired.” She said, “Well I’m not that tired. I know you need some loving.” He remarked, “Not if you don’t. Our playing games with lovemaking is over. Before we were married you didn’t really want sex. I’ll just wait until you really want me.” She asked, “Monty are you mad at me?” He reached over and took her in his arms, “No honey. I just don’t want to make love unless you really want to. It kills all desire for me if you don’t really want to.” She rose up on one elbow, “Monty I do want you.”

For a minute he looked at her. He must have believed her because he reached up and pulled her down on him, “Love me baby. Love me like hell. I do need you.”

After his teasing, kissing, and touching, Natalie wanted him more than she ever had. Their lovemaking was beautiful and fulfilling.

Morning came. Lamont was awakened by the smell of coffee and bacon from downstairs. He looked over at his wife. She was still asleep. She looked more like a little girl curled up under the covers. He eased out of bed and slipped his pants on. He went to the bathroom down the hall. He showered and shaved. When he went back to the bedroom, Natalie was up, dressed, and smiling. Lamont kissed her, “Good morning angel.” She yawned, “One of these days maybe I’ll get use to getting up early.” He teased, “Got your panties on?” She laughed, “Yes and without your help. I just lie on the bed until I get them up to the crotch then stand up and pull them the rest of the way. So my dear husband, I don’t need your help.” Lamont teased, “That’s a big relief. I thought I was gonna have to put them on and take them off until you got the cast off.” She pretended to be angry, “Oh so that’s how you feel.” He pulled her in his arms, “Love me?” She teased, “A little.” He kissed her, “Only a little.” She answered, “You know I love you. You’ll never know how much because I can’t express in words how I feel.” He held her very close, “I know baby. I can’t find the words either.”

After breakfast, David told them he was flying home for Christmas. He said, “I decided I should spend Christmas day at home. I’ll be back in a few days.” Natalie asked, “When are you leaving?” “Tonight at eight,” he said. Natalie asked, “Would you take Mother and Dad their presents?” David said, “Sure. You know I will.”

Natalie and Lamont left soon after breakfast to do all their shopping. As Lamont drove down the road he said, “Honey, we only have four hundred dollars to spend for Christmas this year. We have to buy our furniture.” Natalie said, “Monty, it will take that much to buy my parents and Mom Ellman’s present. Why don’t we use some of the money I have in the bank? I put it there while I was in France. It’s yours too.” Lamont didn’t say anything for a minute. Then he sighed, “Alright, but I don’t like using that money for presents. We need that for the future.” Lamont said, “Nat there’s one thing I don’t want you to do. Don’t ever get money from your parents.” Natalie said, “I won’t. I promise.” Lamont said, “I know watching how to spend money will be hard on you but you’ve got to do it.” Natalie said, “I will. You’ll be proud of me.”

As she bought Christmas presents, Lamont saw she wasn’t watching the money. He decided he wouldn’t say anything this time since it was Christmas. It took them almost all day to do the shopping. The furniture couldn’t be delivered until after the holidays. Lamont was really getting tired. Finally Natalie said, “Just one more stop darling.” He followed her into a big department store. She giggled, “You wait here. I’ll be right back.” With his tie unfastened and his hands on his hips, he watched her disappear toward the sports section. When she had been gone twenty minutes, he decided to look for her. Then he saw her coming towards him. She didn’t have any package. Lamont said, “I thought you’d gotten lost.” She smiled, “You’ve been real sweet darling. I’m ready to go home now.” He asked, “Where is the package?” She answered, “They’ll deliver it. It’s your present from me.”

When they were on their way back home Lamont asked, “Okay how much did you spend for Christmas?” She looked at him, “I’m afraid I went kind of overboard.” He said, “I’m sure you did. How much?” She looked ahead, “Almost seven hundred.” She looked at him, “Don’t be mad. This is our first Christmas. I wanted to get everyone something real nice. I promise I’ll be careful from now on.” Lamont said, “You’ve got to Natalie.” Natalie asked, “Then you’re not angry?” He sighed, “I should be but since this is our first Christmas, I won’t be.” She kissed him on the cheek, “Thank you darling.”

While Natalie wrapped presents, Lamont went to get a tree in the woods. While he was gone, his present from Natalie was delivered. Natalie told Mrs. Ellman, “It’s a gun he’s been wanting for a long time. David told me about it. “Where can I hide it until tomorrow?” Mrs. Ellman said, “Put it in my room. He never goes in there.”

Natalie and Lamont took David to the airport. David said, “Just think, Christmas day you’ll have snow and I’ll be where it’s almost warm enough to swim.” Natalie said, “Oh no, it’s beginning to snow again.”

When David started to get on the plane, he kissed his sister, “I’ll see you in a few days.” Natalie replied, “Tell everyone hello.” Lamont said, “Have a good Christmas bud.”

By the time Natalie and Lamont got back home it was snowing very hard. Lamont opened the car door and scooped her up in his arms, “I better carry you inside. Crutches might not work so good in this snow.” Natalie said, “Oh Monty I always get so excited at Christmas.” Lamont laughed, “You’re bubbling over.”

Everyone was there to help decorate the tree. Allen and Paul had come home and, to everyone’s surprise, Allen brought Cindy with him. They laughed and joked as they trimmed the tree. Then everyone voted that Natalie would place the glimmering angel on top of the tree. Lamont held her up so she could reach the top. Mrs. Ellman had made popcorn balls and candy. The grandchildren liked that. They all gathered around the big dining room table with coffee and cake and other goodies that Mrs. Ellman had made. Natalie whispered to Cindy, “I didn’t know you and Allen were still dating?” Cindy smiled, “After I got home, Allen called me. He wanted me to come where he was. So with a lot of arguing and crying at home, I quit my job and went to him. I’ve got a job there. We don’t get to see each other often. I didn’t realize the pro’s practice so much.” Berry said, “Well brother, all of us have a girl except you.” Paul said, “I’m afraid it will be a long time before I get a special girl. I’ve got another year to get established. He looked at his mother, “I’ve got a special girl anyway.” Everyone looked at him. Leon asked, “Tell us who it is.” Paul smiled, “Why it’s Mom of course.” Allen said, “That proves what we’ve always said, Paul is the smartest.”

When they made their way to the den, Allen took Cindy’s hand and they sat down in front of the fireplace. When everyone was seated Allen said, “Cindy and I have an announcement to make.” They were all very quiet. Allen said, “Cindy and I are married. We’ve been married for three days.” Everyone began shaking Allen’s hand and kissing Cindy. Lamont said laughing, “Damn, my baby brother almost beat me to the alter.”

They decided to open presents because Cindy and Allen had to leave Christmas afternoon to go to her parents and tell them the news. The last gift opened was to Lamont from Natalie. He was so surprised he didn’t say a word for a second. He looked at Natalie, “How did you know?” Natalie answered, “Dave told me.” He pulled her in his arms, “Thanks baby.”

Everyone stayed up late. Finally Mrs. Ellman said, “I think I’ll go to bed. Tomorrow is a busy day.” Paul said, “Me too. I want to sleep late. I haven’t been able to sleep late in a long time.” Allen made coffee and the reset sat around the table talking until two a.m.

David came back New Years’ Eve. He called Carolyn and asked her to go to the New Years’ Eve dance. She said she would. Lamont asked Natalie if she wanted to go. Natalie said, “No. Isn’t it kind of silly going to a dance on crutches?” Lamont replied, “I’m glad you said no. I didn’t want to go.”

Natalie thought Lamont looked so boyish in his white turtleneck sweater. He turned the radio to some soft music. They sat on the couch listening to the music. Lamont said, “Do you know this is the first time we’ve been alone since you got out of the hospital?” He hugged her to him, “We’re gonna move in our house next week.” Natalie said, “Good. Monty do you like the furniture we bought?” Lamont said, “Yes I like it.” Natalie said, “You’re mother didn’t say much about Allen getting married.” Lamont said, “What was there to say? Allen fulfilled Mom’s dream for him. She wanted him to finish high school and college. He did that. Now he’s playing pro football. Mom doesn’t like that much but she knows he’s a grown man and has to life the life he wants.” Natalie asked, “Do you think Paul will ever get married?” Lamont said, “Yes, someday he will. Ever since he was in the sixth grade he’s wanted to be a doctor. I think when he gets established in his own practice he’ll start thinking of a wife.” Lamont laughed, “Paul was never girl crazy like the rest of us were.” Natalie said, “I think Dave is getting interested in Carolyn.” Lamont said, “I hope Dave can find a person he can love and be happy with. He needs a wife, home, and children.” Natalie suggested, “I think we better go to bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Everyone is coming to help us with the furniture.” Lamont said, “That’s good. Maybe we can sleep there tomorrow night.”

The furniture was delivered early. Ellen, Alice, and Ann brought food so they wouldn’t have to cook when everything was in place. They hung the drapes and curtains while the men put the furniture where Natalie wanted it. When everything was in place, they all sat down to a delicious meal in the new kitchen. Lamont said, “I want to thank all of you for helping. It would have taken me a long time.” Natalie said, “Thanks from me too. I love every one of you.” Ann said, “We knew it would be hard on you with those crutches.” Leon teased, “We knew Monty wouldn’t do much.” Lamont said, “Thanks brother.” Johnny said, “Well, we all know you’re an outdoor man.” Alice admitted, “Really we just wanted an excuse to come.” Natalie said, “You don’t have to have an excuse. All of you are welcome anytime.” Berry said, “Monty, we’ve got to go hunting before the season is out.” Lamont replied, “Yea I know. I’ve got to try out my new gun.” Natalie asked, “Go hunting when it’s so cold?” Ellen laughed, “Honey that’s when they go, when it’s freezing cold and snowing.” Mrs. Ellman remarked, “Your father always liked to hunt.” Lamont said, “He’s the one who taught me and Johnny about hunting and fishing. Dad was a very good sportsman.” Berry said, “I wish I’d been old enough to go hunting with Dad before he developed a heart condition.” Mrs. Ellman said, “He would never go after he had his first heart attack.”

It was late when everyone left. Natalie and Lamont were too tired to make love on their first night in their new house. The living room and dining room drapes and furniture matched because it all joined. The kitchen and den was separated only by a bar. The master bedroom was very large and had a joining bathroom. The other bedrooms were average size. Lamont’s study was off from the den. It was his room to keep his books and trophies in. The bathroom at the end of the hall was large. Natalie and Lamont both fell asleep happy because they were sure this house was going to be a good start in their marriage.

CHAPTER TWO

As the weeks passed, Natalie got settled into their new house. Mrs. Ellman helped Natalie while Lamont had to be out on the range. When he came home, he would do things that had to be done. He managed to go hunting twice a week. Natalie really didn’t like for him to hunt because he was gone all day long. She was never left alone. If Lamont went hunting alone, Mrs. Ellman would stay with Natalie. If some of his brothers went with him, their wives and children would stay with Natalie. David went along most of the time. Once when Johnny was hunting with Lamont and David Ellen said as she made a pot of coffee, “Dave sure has taken to this country.” Natalie said, “Yes, he sure has. Next week I think he’s going to buy the Owen Ranch.” Ellen asked, “Doesn’t it join this ranch?” Natalie said, “Yes. Nothing could please Monty more. He’s gonna help Dave fix up the old house.” Ellen asked, “Is he and Carolyn still dating?” Natalie sipped her coffee, “I think so.” “I like Carolyn,” Ellen replied, “I think she’s good for Dave. That could wind up in another marriage.” Natalie said, “That’s what Monty says, but I’ve got my doubts. Dave was so much in love with Sharon and he won’t find another one like her.” Ellen drank the rest of her coffee, “I’m sure he loved her but that’s in the past. Dave has his whole life ahead of him. He’s very lonely.” Natalie said, “That’s true but if anything ever happened to Monty I could never marry again. I could never love another man.” Ellen said, “We all feel that way now but we don’t know how we would feel or what we would do if it happened to us.” Ellen looked at her watch, “Mercy, it’s getting late. I better get supper started. Those men will be starved when they get back.” Natalie helped Ellen as much as she could preparing the meal. Supper was almost ready when the men came home.

The weeks passed and it finally came time for the cast to come off. When the cast was off, Natalie was terrified, “Dr. Morris, my leg and foot is smaller than the other one.” Dr. Morris said, “It’s because you haven’t been using it. Don’t worry, you won’t be able to tell the difference in a few weeks. Now let’s see you take a few steps.” She walked even though she was a little wobbly. Dr. Morris asked, “Do you have any pain?” She looked at Lamont, the doctor, “Not a bit.” The doctor leaned back in his chair, “Good. Sometimes there’s pain at the first.” He wrote out a prescription, “Get this filled. You may have some pain after you're on it some. You’re alright. I see no reason why you won’t be able to do anything you want to do. Just don’t over do it at first.” Natalie said, “Thank you.”