Chapter Nine – Heart Light

Caitlyn and Steven spent every possible minute together in August. They walked the beach every evening and went to dinner, parties and events together. They were completely inseparable.

Sami called Caitlyn on the phone the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. She greeted Caitlyn, “Hi Cait, you coming out with us all tonight?”

Caitlyn’s smile echoed through her voice as she replied to Sami, “No, not this year, sorry Sami! Steven planed a surprise for us tonight. I have no idea what he’s been cooking up. We are celebrating our anniversary. I can’t wait! I am so excited! I can’t believe how much I love him. It seems so unreal.”

Sami perked up, “Well, I can’t say I don’t blame you. He is a really great guy.”

“He is Sami,” Caitlyn blushed over the phone, “I’ve completely fallen for him. He is just a prince. He should be here any minute, so I should get going Sami. Have fun tonight with the gang!” She hung up the phone and finished getting ready.

The front door bell rang. It was Steven. Caitlyn ran down the stairs and opened the door to invite him in. “Are you ready for your surprise?” Steven grinned and winked at her. Caitlyn smiled back with her beautifully smitten shy grin. Steven swooped in and whisked her up in his arms, then carried her outside where a motorcycle with two helmets awaited them.

Caitlyn laughed and gasped in disbelief, “Steven, no way! Oh my, this is going to be so fun!” They climbed onto the motorcycle. Caitlyn wrapped her arms tightly around Steven’s waist, hugged him close and off they went. The day was gorgeous. The sun was shinning and there was just a hint of briskness in the air, perfect for an early September day to welcome in the fall season. They rode north to Ludington, Michigan.

“Welcome home baby!” A woman shouted out and came running toward them as they pulled up in front of an old farmhouse in the countryside. It was Steven’s mom. She was a lovely woman, dark long brunette hair pulled back slightly. She wore a beautiful paisley print sundress. She exited the house’s winding porch to greet Steven immediately with a hug and a kiss. A bit surprised, she turned toward Caitlyn with a large welcoming smile, “Well hello dear, you must be Caitlyn.”

Caitlyn was relieved and mostly excited that Steven mother obviously told her about their relationship. A bit shyly Caitlyn replied, “Yes, I am, it is a joy to meet you.” And then Steven's mother reached out and hugged her. It was a quaint and lovely gesture.

Steven and Caitlyn spent the entire afternoon with Steven’s family. His mother, father and grandfather were all excitedly awaiting his arrival and relishing in his company. The house was a perfect 1920’s farmhouse. It was very well kept, with 200 acres of farmland and fields surrounding it. Caitlyn felt as if she stepped onto a movie set. There was a clothes line off to the right side of the house with white cotton sheets waving to us in the beautiful lake Michigan breezes. Farm animals adorned the immediate surroundings, but not too many, just enough to fill the quaint atmosphere. Rocking chairs and giant swing adorned the front porch welcoming Caitlyn in. She immediately felt at home.

Three generations of coast guardsmen gathered in the kitchen for an afternoon lunch. The stories told were fascinating. Steven’s family had such a wonderful history and legacy in the area. Steven’s face lit up every time his grandfather and father talked about their excursions in the Coast Guard and the time spent on the water. Equally his grandfather and father beamed with light and pride when talking of Steven. They were so proud of his decision to enter the Coast Guard. It was a truly wonderful family gathering; one of those special moments… the kind that seldom happen… the times when everything feels just perfect. Caitlyn sat back in her kitchen chair completely savored the time well spent.

Steven and Caitlyn waved goodbye, as Steven’s family wished them well and waved back along with the sheer panel curtains blowing through the old shuddered windows and the cotton sheets on the clothesline. It was a moment captured in Caitlyn's memory forever; like that out of an old photograph.

They traveled along the lakeshore back toward Grand Haven passing beautiful farmlands, coastal cottages and lake views. When they arrived back in Grand Haven they parked the bike and took a long walk down to the beach and lighthouse pier. Holding hands they strolled along in the singing sands and paused at the spot on the beach where they shared their first night together - the place they held each other close and talked themselves to sleep. Steven and Caitlyn were captivated by the breathtaking pink hewed sunset as they looked onward at Lake Michigan endless abiss. Caitlyn thought to herself, “Wow, does it ever get better than this?” Steven gently wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her on the cheek. Caitlyn felt faint.

They continued walking toward the lighthouse and tower along the catwalk. The water was calm and the wind became faint, lightly blowing from the southeast. They strolled toward the front edge of the pier and sat against the Grand Haven Lighthouse walls sharing the dawn of the day and welcoming in the evening hour. Steven sat behind her with his arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders clasped under her chin. She felt so close to him. Closer than ever in mind, body and spirit. She felt so safe and secure in his company. It was something she had never experienced before. She was in love with him, and not just any kind of love. This was different, and went much deeper. It was a feeling and familiarity that she never wanted to end.

As they watched the sun drop beyond the horizon Steven stood up, reached out for Caitlyn's hand and asked, “Do you trust me Caitlyn?”

“Of course I do Steven.” She replied back immediately. “Yes, I do, it does scare me a bit though.”

Steven questioned her, “Scare you, why?”

“Because Steven… this is all really new to me. You and me; I can’t really explain it. I am just so…” she paused, looked aside toward the horizon and then back at him after taking a deep breath… “Completely yours…” Caitlyn hesitantly replied with a small tone of fear and awe in her voice.

Steven smiled back at her, “Okay. Then I am going to ask you to close your eyes for me. Just for a minute. Can you do that for me?”

“Right here on the pier? Well, okay… just don’t push me off onto the rocks please.” She giggled.

Steven replied, “No way! I’ve just got a little surprise for you.” Can you wait right here for a couple minutes? Don’t move.”

“Yes, I will.” She replied back shaking her head with her eyes closed. She wondered what in the world he could be up to. But she loved him and trusted him more than any soul in the world, so she went along. Steven disappeared for about three minutes when she began to worry where he had gone and what he was doing? She turned her body and face toward the warmth of the sunlight dispersing out to sea. The edge of the pier was a bit risky at night, and it was growing darker and cold.

Steven returned, walked up towards her and gently whispered, “Caitlyn,” he approached even closer, touching the small of her back. He peeked around to see if her eyes were still closed (as they were of course, and he knew), then breathed in a soft whisper sweetly in her ear, “I love you.”

Caitlyn turned around as Steven looked her intensely in the eyes. There in the dim last light peering out from the horizon alongside the occasional flicker of the lighthouse beam from the opposite side. He pulled her in close toward him, held her face in his hands and gently kissed her lips. With her eyes still closed she could barely hold back the tears of joy she felt and the emotions that were building up inside of her. She opened her eyes and looked up at him; Steven reflecting back into her own eyes. There were no words necessary. She kissed him again this time long and hard and hugged him with all her might replying, “I love you Steven. I love you with all of my heart, I think I always have, from the beginning of time. I know it probably sounds totally stupid… but, I think you are my soul mate.” Tears began streaming down her face.

Steven smiled sweetly at her spurting out, “but, oh, no, no… don’t cry… keep your eyes closed sweet Caitlyn, my love...” He wisped her up in his arms. Caitlyn let out a little gasp of fear, but closed her eyes shut regardless.

“Oh Steven, please! Just don’t throw me in the water!” She spurted out between giggles. She loved the way he picked her up so easily. She loved being in his arms.

He carried her up a set of stairs, and then Caitlyn heard the bang of a large iron door closing. They were inside of the lighthouse. She opened her eyes in excitement. There were candles igniting the interior of the light and the spiral staircase to the second floor. It was out of a dream. Steven’s status in the Coast Guard allowed him special privileges to access Michigan lighthouses closed off to the general public. He held her hand and guided her up the staircase. The site before them through the window was that of a stunning afterglow sunset, laying beyond the far horizon, creating a blanket over the depths of the Lake Michigan waters inviting them to rest in matrimony with the brilliant hues of the evening sky above.

“Day is done…” Steven's voice echoed through the peaceful silence of the room.

There was such a beautiful stillness to the lighthouse. The main room on the second floor was still furnished with the original turn of the century furniture. Caitlyn felt like they’d been whisked back in time. The room was adorned with old books, and antiques including Victorian tables, chairs, a beautiful red velvet couch and a large area rug that filled the space perfectly.

She imagined living here in the brilliance of the lighthouse’s working days. She imagined the quiet nights reading by candlelight and the hardships the keepers and their families must have encountered amidst the bouts of Lake Michigan’s furry. Caitlyn walked across the room admiring the old photographs and paintings that told a story all themselves hanging along the walls. She walked toward the east window of the room facing the light tower. The room was warm, probably resulting from the sunrays peering in throughout the day. She stood facing the light tower watching intently as the light streamed into the window with its fixed rhythm and intervals.

Steven noticed how lovely the light illuminated the room and on Caitlyn’s face as she stood there in the window. He walked over to her from behind and stood close to her looking out upon the rotating light beams. He brushed her beautiful blonde hair to the side, softly breathed his breath and kissed the small of her neck sending chills throughout her entire body. Caitlyn turned around toward him and began to feel dizzy; she lost her step and Steven rushed in to hold her up. He took her over to sit down on the couch. It was so quiet in the lighthouse but they seemed to be communicating without words. There was a sense in the air that neither one of them could no longer ignore.

Steven had been a perfect gentleman throughout their entire courtship, and she did not worry about being in his presence alone. She turned sideways, placed her feet up on the couch and laid her head back on the edge of the couch to catch her balance and breath. Steven stood on the side of the couch and leaned over her. He held the sides of her face in his hands and kissed her invertedly. It was the most romantic kiss she had ever experienced. It sent her into a dream. “What am I doing?” She thought to herself. She did not want this feeling to end.

Steven sat down next to Caitlyn on the couch facing her. He held the back of her head with his right hand and placed his left hand over her heart. They kissed and held each other close in a lover’s embrace in the midst of the light tower’s graceful light. It was the most romantic, intense and beautiful night of her life. She whispered softly as the candles Steven lit prior began to burn out, “Steven… I am so in love with you.”

Steven hugged her tightly and whispered back, “And I with you…”

Without a doubt or hesitation, they fell asleep in each others arms and woke to welcome a new dawn.