Natalie's Journey

Even though it was getting late, she couldn't check because she was not wearing her watch, it was only a little chilly. Natalie glanced back at the hall, the disco lights were making patterns on the nursery garden and she could hear the party goers talking and laughing. Natalie pushed her swing back a little harder and it began to move faster. She thought to herself, I suppose I better go back in or Chloe will come looking for me. 'Nat!' A male voice startled her. It was Ben and he was alone. 'Ben! What are you doing out here? I thought you were dancing.' 'I was but I came out to find you. I asked Chloe where you were. I half wondered if you had gone home,' answered Ben, with a strange look on his face, that Natalie couldn't read. 'Where's Millie?' asked Natalie glancing around for his girlfriend. 'Actually she has gone home. Her brother was driving near the village and he rang her mobile and offered her a lift. She's tired because she got up early for the market this morning.' 'Oh I see,' said Natalie thoughtfully. 'Nat, are you alright?' asked Ben, looking concerned. 'Alright?' said Natalie, giving herself a bit of time to digest the question. 'I suppose so. I'm as well as can be expected in the circumstances. Why do you ask?' Ben looked down awkwardly as if he were studying something on the ground. 'Well you looked upset in the hall a little while back and I hate to see you looking sad.' Ben kept his eyes low and wouldn't look at her. 'You hate to see me sad,' Natalie repeated, her eyes getting larger, 'Why?!' Ben's blue eyes were suddenly locked with hers. 'You have to ask me why?' said Ben looking a little hurt, and he paused for a moment before answering, 'because I care about you – you goose!' Natalie glanced up at him, surprise was written on her face but she managed to compose herself. 'No,' said Natalie gently, 'you care about Millie.' Ben looked away for what seemed like an age but was probably only seconds. Then he looked back at her, held eye contact and said, 'Yes I do care about Millie. In fact, I care about her a great deal but I care about you too.' 'Right – well I'm glad we got that sorted out,' said Natalie, standing up from the swing, 'It's getting cold out here isn't it, I should go inside.' As Natalie brushed past Ben, he caught hold of her wrist. 'Nat, wait! Don't go. Especially not like this. Please! Actually, why don't I drive you home. Will you let me?' Natalie looked up in his face and saw how vulnerable he was looking. For a moment it looked like she was going to refuse him but at the last moment, she had a change of heart. 'Ok, ok. I'll let you take me home but I need to say goodbye first.' Both Chloe and Rebecca seemed concerned when Natalie told them that Ben was going to drop her home. 'Are you sure?' asked Rebecca, 'because John will take you back if you like?' 'Yeah I'm sure and don't worry, I'll be fine. See you in church tomorrow,' said Natalie. 'And you better make sure that you call me tomorrow and let me know how things went,' giggled Chloe. 'Ok it's a deal,' laughed Natalie. Natalie also said goodbye to Liam & Suzanne and congratulated them once again. Ben walked her to his car and opened the door for her. They were both silent on the drive back although Natalie's mind was churning. She wondered if Ben was thinking as much as she was, but she didn't dare ask. After a while, the silence began to feel uncomfortable and Natalie wondered whether she should tell a joke or something. Anything to break the silence and yet she said nothing and neither did Ben. Finally, Ben pulled up at Willow Cottage and Natalie opened her door quickly and started to walk through the garden, the gravel crunching under her feet. He locked the car and hurried after her. Ben caught up with her at the porch and just stood there staring down at her. He looked deep into her eyes and said, 'I can't believe that you don't know how much I care about you.' After a pause, Natalie said, 'Well if it makes you feel any better, I hoped that you still care about me.' She smiled up at him but he still looked deadly serious. 'Nat,' he blurted out, 'I love you!' Without warning, but very tenderly, Ben leaned forward and took her face in his hands. He titled it towards his and gently brought his lips down upon hers. Natalie reciprocated. Their kiss became more passionate as their lips entwined and suddenly it was Natalie who pulled away. If she had been in any doubt of his feelings towards her she could not deny it now. The barriers had gone and she could see for herself how much he loved her. It was written all over his face. 'Ben .... we can't,' said Natalie, 'what about Millie?' Ben quickly composed himself, dropping his hands to his side. 'You are not free to kiss me,' Natalie went on, 'I wish you were but .... you're not.' Ben nodded reluctantly. 'You're right,' he said, 'I shouldn't have kissed you but I couldn't help it. You've got under my skin Miss Myers. I'm crazy about you and I have been for some years!' Although she wanted the moment to last forever, Natalie heard herself saying, 'Ben, I think you should go before we do something we'd really regret.'