The Escape - From Fairy Tale to Reality - Closed for DanFS

[DeliciousMaiden]

Her wide blue eyes locked with his as Keesha awaited his decision.

“Lets enjoy the morning, and get some breakfast.”

It wasn't the response she had expected, but it brought a ready smile as she responded to his kiss with a giggle. Naïve as she was, Keesha knew that Dan was more than attracted to her and that in his culture they would most likely have been much more ... intimate ... by now and that he was easing off out of consideration for her, rather than a lack of ... interest.

She put her hands in his as he stood and allowed him to pull her to her feet, her body falling against his as she steadied herself.

“We can walk through the woods and come out on the High Street near the Café.”

He kissed her once more as they stood so closely and Keesha found that although unheard of in her culture, it felt right to behave so with him ...

“Isn’t this great? We should take a walk in the Forest more often!”

She laughed at his enthusiasm.

"Yes ... it's great ... "

She echoed. She loved the forest, but what was even more 'great' was how comfortable and 'safe' she felt with him. When his hand captured hers, drawing her beside him as they headed off down the trail once more, Keesha could not help but be amazed at that casual intimacy. She had never walked hand-in-hand with anyone and again, even when he drew her closer, even when his hand rested on her body as he did so, it felt ... right ...

Soon the town came into sight. Keesha could not help but be curious about the community which seemed so different to her own settlements, but it seemed Dan was reluctant to leave the privacy of the woods. Keesha moved willingly into his arms expecting his kiss. A soft gasp indicated her surprise as his mouth moved to her ear and then down her neck before finally pressing his lips to hers. The reaction to kisses on her ear and neck were something she had never experienced! Never had her skin felt so sensitive, never had she felt her pulses race and body heat in such a way. And when his tongue pushed into her mouth ... the whole experience, though brief, was so intense it left her breathless as Dan finally eased his mouth away to allow her to draw a steadying breath. Her dazed smile met Dan's as his hands moved to her hair. She could not voice how he made her feel, but it seemed that between them words were not necessary.

The two negotiated the gate and walked up the main street, which gave her pulses time to calm down from their racing. As ever, Keesha let him lead and soon she found herself sitting at a table and looking at a list of enticing looking food from which she could choose.

“Would you like a cup of tea, or coffee, or juice Keesha?”

She considered.

"Coffee, I think."

She told him having found a taste for the previously unfamiliar drink.
It seemed there were even more choices on a board displayed in the middle of the room. She had no idea so many food combinations existed, and that was only breakfast! The lady who had welcomed them as they'd arrived came to the table where they were seated.

“Are you ready to order?”

Dan looked across at her and Keesha nodded. It seemed he was waiting for her to choose first.

"I would like this one ... five ... "

She told the woman pointing to the picture showing a pile of pancakes and syrup. There appearance was somewhat familiar and she was curious as to how they would taste by comparison ...

 

[DanFS]

Keesha seemed much more relaxed in Dan’s company now. She was adjusting to life here, which was good.

When she agreed to get Breakfast with him, he was relieved she hadn’t gone all pouty on him (not that she would anyway, she was too well bred for that) but he didn’t want her to think he was teasing her.

As they walked together to the gate and kissed again, he felt the passion she had within her as he playfully kissed her neck as well as her mouth. Her gasp gave that away.

They walked hand-in-hand to the Café, and when she saw the menu and array of different choices she seemed bowled over. When she chose a coffee Dan smiled.
She had picked up one of his bad habits, but he was not disappointed, just the opposite in fact.
Her almost child-like choice of pancakes and syrup had him wondering. ‘Did they even have that, where she came from?’

Dan also ordered coffee to go with his Mushroom Omelette.

As they waited, and watched the world go by the window.

After a few minutes, he took her hand into his, and lifted it to his lips, kissing it gently.

“This is the best morning I can remember for ages.” He said in hushed tones.

His smile seemed to spread all over his face, as he held her gaze, wondering what was going on in her mind, before pointing out a mother and little girl walking by and the little girl ran and jumped into a puddle making a big splash.
The mother seemed to find it funny, as well as the little girl.
When she turned and saw Dan laughing through the window, and waved, Dan waved back.

“Yep – this morning is just perfect!” He said happily, looking back to Keesha, just as their food arrived.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Their orders were taken and Keesha looked around, wide-eyed, fascinated by everything she saw. Everything felt so different here, so much ... freer!
Even so, when Dan reached over and took her hand, Keesha did throw a look around the room, but no one paid any attention or even seemed to think it strange. She smiled as he raised her hand to kiss it, the achingly intimate gesture brought a hot blush to her face. Very slowly she was learning that it was ok to do this ... to feel this ...

“This is the best morning I can remember for ages.”

She was touched by his words; so pleased that he was happy, happy with her!
They both glanced out and saw the little girl playing in puddles. Life seemed joyous. And despite the fact she had left her family behind and was obviously concerned for how they would fare in her absence, she knew that they would want her to be happy.

“Yep – this morning is just perfect!”

Keesha could find to reason to disagree with him.

"A new beginning ... "

She murmured. She owed it to everyone to truly make a go of her new life, she decided, her eyes widening as the small stack of pancakes was set in front of her.

"This looks so good...."

She exclaimed as she poured some of the jug of syrup over them and tasted.

I]"This is nothing like what we have at home!"[/I]

She exclaimed. It was so much lighter, and tastier and sweeter than she had ever experienced.

"Do you mind Dan?"

She asked as she caught him watching her.

" ... that I'm not from your land ... your culture..?"

She blushed as she wondered for the first time what he truly thought ... felt about her.

" ... I must seem so ... so .. silly ... to you ..."

She blushed.

"You're a soldier ... you have your life ... your friends ... "

It was obvious that Dan had a close friendship with Edward and of course must have many other friends ... and of course there must be .. girls ... he was close to ... most likely ... kissed ... perhaps more...?
She found illogically that she did not like the thought of that at all ...

" ... I know you have your own life ... your ... friends ... to go back to ...
But ... you have to know ... I'm so grateful you saved me ... "

She knew that was no overstatement. She knew that Dan had quite literally saved her from a fate that would truly have ruined her life.

"Thank you Dan ... "

She told him simply.

 

[DanFS]

Dan heard Keesha’s comment about "A new beginning ... "
And saw a new resolve in her face.

He watched Keesha tuck into the pancakes, with a hint of amusement. Her enjoyment was evident, even before she spoke. It was refreshing and endearing.

He had eaten hungrily, and barely half his food was left on the plate.

When she asked if he minded that she was not from his land or his culture he was slightly shocked for a moment, but then, he reasoned, she would be nervous about making a new start here, and for people to accept her for who she was, even as she tried to forge a new identity for herself.

“No, Keesha it doesn’t matter to me that you are not from this land. I love you for who you are, not where you come from.”

He paused and then realised it was the first time he had spoken plainly of his love for her. He had not exactly been guarded about his fondness for her, but this was new ground for him too. He felt a little awkward, as if he was putting her under pressure, but she had just spoken of a new beginning.

“Yes, I am a soldier, but I can ask for a transfer to a Base Hospital. We could stay together, I’m sure. It is me who should be thanking you.”

He stressed the word 'you', to emphasise his feelings for her.
Even as he said it, he knew he could make it work, if she wanted to stay with him.

He smiled and leaned over, just as she placed her fork back onto the plate, and kissed her lips, tasting the sticky sweetness. He looked into her eyes.

“I think we saved each other, Keesha. Until now I hadn’t realised what or who I was looking for in my life, but I think I have found what I want in you. In fact, I am sure of that as I sit here with you – now.”

He blushed – aware that this was tantamount to a declaration of love.
Had he gone too far?

“I admire your spirit, your joy for life, and your natural beauty. You have a pure heart, Keesha - and that is a rare thing indeed. And I wish to share at least a part of your life if you will let me.”

He held her hand, waiting to see how she would respond.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

“No, Keesha it doesn’t matter to me that you are not from this land. I love you for who you are, not where you come from.”

Keesha paused, her eyes widening at his words. Did he mean that? Did he mean that he loved her?
There was so much that was different in this culture, perhaps when a man said he loved a woman it didn't mean quite the same as it did back where she came from?

“Yes, I am a soldier, but I can ask for a transfer to a Base Hospital. We could stay together, I’m sure."

She flushed. He was speaking of them being together, or reorganising his life to have her in it. Perhaps he did mean that he literally was in love with her ...?

"It is me who should be thanking you.”

He insisted even as he reached over and kissed her lips softly, despite the fact they were in a very public place.

“I think we saved each other, Keesha. Until now I hadn’t realised what or who I was looking for in my life, but I think I have found what I want in you.
In fact, I am sure of that as I sit here with you – now.”

There was no way she could misunderstand that. He wanted her in his life, though why he chose her when he could have had his selection of the women in his own land, Keesha couldn't begin to guess.

“I admire your spirit, your joy for life, and your natural beauty. You have a pure heart, Keesha - and that is a rare thing indeed."

He told her answering her unspoken question as he took her hand in his.

"And I wish to share at least a part of your life if you will let me.”

He wasn't proposing, that much was clear.
But even being with him partly was something she realised that she wanted.

"I'd love to be with you, Dan, but ... you can't just start changing your life around for me."

She told him softly.

"... it's me without roots, without obligations ... I can make sure I'm around when you have time for me ... "

She offered, after all he had said that he wanted to share a 'part' of her life and if that were the case he didn't need to do anything drastic in order to do so ...

" ... however much or little that actually turns out to be ... "

She clarified with a blush.

 

[DanFS]

Dan felt guilty when she softly said:
"I'd love to be with you, Dan, but ... you can't just start changing your life around for me."
She followed this with:
" ... however much or little that actually turns out to be ... "

Did she realise just how gorgeous she looked right now?

The fact she wanted him as well, bolstered his resolve.

He still held her hand in his and squeezed gently.
"That's just the point, Keesha. I don't want to pressure you. But I do want to spend as much time with you as I can. Because of my rank, and experience, I can ask to work at a Base Hospital. Sure, they can turn me down, but I don't think they will!"

He felt her uncertainty, but also her willingness to be with him too. This was reinforced when she said:
"... it's me without roots, without obligations ... I can make sure I'm around when you have time for me ... "

"I have never really been in love before - but I think this is what it's supposed to feel like. I want to be your roots, and your obligation!"
He looked deep into her eyes, as he continued, aware he was baring his heart to her.

He remembered some words his mother once told him, which he didn't understand then, but thought he did now:
"You can only truly love - when you have shown a person your biggest weakness, and they don't exploit it, they embrace it."

"We haven't known each other that long, and I'm used to making decisions with my head, not my heart - but this.....feels.....right." He told her.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles lightly.

"Can we try and be together. I want to try....?"

He had bared his heart. He didn't want her to feel he was playing with hers.

He had only known her a few days, but her effect on him was astounding.
He promised himself then, that the first time they lay together, he would make it all about her, so she could feel how much he wanted her, wanted to be with her.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She had said that she was willing to be with him on his terms.
Relationships and the whole idea of what was right and proper was very different here,
but she could adjust she was sure and to be with Dan, she was more than willing to try.
She blushed as he squeezed her hand, his eyes locked with hers.

"That's just the point, Keesha. I don't want to pressure you.
But I do want to spend as much time with you as I can."

Her eyes widened as he clarified just what it was that he wanted.

"Because of my rank, and experience, I can ask to work at a Base Hospital.
Sure, they can turn me down, but I don't think they will!"

He wanted to be with her. He would change his job; change his routine in order to do so.
It was so much more than she could have assumed.

"I have never really been in love before - but I think this is what it's supposed to feel like.
I want to be your roots, and your obligation!"

She was stunned. He was in love with her! And he wanted her to be with him.
After all that had happened and especially given the traditions of this place, she had never considered that he would feel like that about her.

"We haven't known each other that long, and I'm used to making decisions with my head, not my heart - but this.....feels.....right."

The kiss on her hand was achingly intimate. He seemed so sure; sure of his feelings, sure that it was her who he wanted.
Keesha had gone from having her life mapped out to running away and abandoning that future and all she knew.
What life had in store for her now, she had no idea. She had feelings for Dan, she knew and was experiencing an intensity of emotion and of physical response to him that shocked her. She suspected that was love, but how could she be sure?

"Can we try and be together. I want to try....?"

She realised that she had been silent all this time, that he had no way of knowing her thoughts, her feelings.

”I want to try too Dan.”

She told him with soft certainty.

”I don’t know what being in love is supposed to feel like. I just know that I love being with you,
and not just because you take care of me or because I feel safe with you and trust you.
I want to get to know you … learn more about your life … ”

She was being totally honest with him.

”… and the idea of not having you in my life … “

She shuddered visibly.

” Even that thought … “

She shook her head. Perhaps it was this which was most significant?
The fact that she couldn’t imagine how she would feel if she was no longer with him.

”I really want to be with you Dan.”

She told him simply.

 

[DanFS]

Dan was so relieved when Keesha replied:
”I want to try too Dan.”

She sounded sure, which was reassuring for him, as he didn’t want her to feel pressured, but he did so want to be with her.

When she added:
”I don’t know what being in love is supposed to feel like. I just know that I love being with you,
and not just because you take care of me or because I feel safe with you and trust you.
I want to get to know you … learn more about your life … ”

He just knew, she was being totally honest with him.

”… and the idea of not having you in my life … “

She shuddered visibly.

” Even that thought … “

She shook her head. Perhaps it was this which was most significant?
The fact that she couldn’t imagine how she would feel if she was no longer with him.

”I really want to be with you Dan.”

She told him simply.

Dan smiled. He was lost for words, and that was SO unlike him!
Words failed him at that moment.

He leaned across the table, and kissed her. Just a soft, loving, tender kiss.
Actions speak louder than words.
He just knew she would understand.
Right now, he felt so blissfully happy. He hadn’t known he had been searching for something that was missing in his life, but now, he had found her.

They quickly ate the rest of their Breakfast and Dan paid their bill, and led Keesha out of the Café.
He offered her his arm, and they walked together back to the Garden gate.
Dan unlocked it and ushered her inside, before locking it behind him.
The sun had climbed higher in the sky and the day was warming up nicely.
The scent of freshly-cut grass came to them on the wind. It was likely from Jack’s efforts to keep the grounds tidy.

Dan led Keesha across the grass to the edge of the Forest they had walked through earlier. He had never been in this situation before, knowing that a woman felt as much for him as he did for her.
He held her hand lightly, but felt such a need for her, it was unbearable.

As they reached the trees, he turned and kissed her again, a tender kiss which grew long and deep, with his tongue seeking out hers, as his hands slid up her back into her hair.
He revelled in the touch, taste and smell of her.
As he broke the kiss, as they both needed to breathe, he touched his forehead to hers and as he looked into her eyes, whispered simply:
“I love you.”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Keesha didn't know if that was 'enough', but he kissed her, right there, in public, something she knew must be commonplace, but that she still had to used to. She glanced around as they went back to finishing their breakfasts, but it seemed that no one had noticed and if they had, their actions had not drawn attention to them. And so she willingly left the café arm in arm with Dan, that close contact again seemingly normal as they made their way back towards the woods. It was there that Keesha felt truly at ease though. His hand found hers and together they retraced their steps walking in side by side in companionable silence and Keesha couldn't remember a time when she had felt more content.

It took her by surprise when Dan halted suddenly and with a swift movement turned her towards him. Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers, the kiss altogether different this time as she found shockingly that his tongue was pushing into her mouth. Her lips parted accepting its entry a soft gasp escaping her at the sensation of his hands in her hair and the unexpected race of her pulses at the flick of his tongue as it explored and probed more deeply. Her own tongue tentatively met his, which seemed to urge him onto a still more passionate embrace.

When they finally broke apart, she was breathless and stunned at the reactions that such a kiss had wrought on her senses, on her body. She quivered visibly as she took a steadying breath, the simple touch of his forehead strangely calming as his eyes held hers.

“I love you.”

The soft words brought a flush to her cheeks as she remained silent for long seconds, overwhelmed by his declaration.

"That's the first time I've ever been kissed ... like that ... "

She told him raggedly, blushing at her confession.

"I think ... "

She began shyly.

" ... that I could easily fall in love with you Dan ... "

 

[DanFS]

Dan's heart sang with joy as she told him she could fall in love with him too.

He kissed her again, more tenderly this time, and took her in his arms again, before holding her to him for several seconds.

He bashfully released her, aware that this might all be a bit too much for her, even if she had just told him she could love him.

He led her back through the woods, marvelling at the way the sunbeams shone through the trees, and made patterns on the forest floor.
It was so simple, and yet, so wonderful. 'This was how life should be!' He thought.

Just walking together and holding hands, as they made their way back through the trees to the cottage, was a relaxing and very enjoyable experience for Dan, something he had never appreciated before.
The warmth of the sun on his face, matched that in his heart as they walked at a leisurely pace, with the cottage now in view.

Dan looked up, and saw a squirrel looking down at them from the bough of a tree, and smiled.

He rested his hand upon the back of Keesha's head and felt her relax into him, as they walked.

This was happiness.

Soon, they arrived back at the cottage, and Dan opened the door, allowing Keesha to enter before him, and then closed the door and locked it behind them.

He knew the garden of the cottage was private and enclose on all sides by tall hedges and trees, so they were unlikely to be seen, unless someone overflew in a helicopter.

"Keesha - shall we brew some tea, and drink it in the garden?" He asked her.

He put the kettle on, and pointed out his idea to her.

"No pressure, but we can get to know each other better, and massage each other in the garden, where we will have complete privacy, and just enjoy being with each other."
He said, hoping she wouldn't misinterpret this as a ploy to just get her naked, so he could sleep with her.

He wanted that too, but for now, he wanted her to be at ease with him.

To show willing, he undid is shirt and draped it over the Kitchen chair.

"Don't feel you have to do this, but I would love it if you did! I hope you know you can trust me not to hurt you in any way."
He told her with a smile, as he took her hand and squeezed it gently in encouragement.