Angel

She stood beneath a willow tree on hill surrounded by wildflowers. A carpet of purple and yellow blanketed the hill. The sky was a vibrant blue and the warm spring breeze caused the hair about her face to move as if in a dance. It teased and caressed her skin. He heard the faint sounds of a brook in the distance but nothing else beyond the sound of her laughter.

She brought life to all she touched. She was innocence and raw sex rolled into one. He knew he must have her. He stood there just out of her line of vision long enough to study her carefully. She wore a short summer dress. It had tiny seed pearls for buttons all the way down the front. He knew if he grabbed hold in just the right place he could rip the front of her dress open with hardly any effort at all.

When she moved the short skirt moved with her, even the slightest breeze would cause it to blow up her young thighs affording him an even better view. She bent forward to pick a wild flower and he could almost see down the sweetheart neckline which made him imagine the feel of her firm round breasts.

Angel sat down beneath her tree which was her favorite place to hide. She kicked off her shoes and stockings and wiggled her toes in the grass. With nothing else to do she began weaving a halo of flowers for herself. It made her feel like a princess in a fairytale when she wore one.

She picked her dress to match the wild flowers that grew here. Her dress was covered with the sweetest little flowers. It was covered with pale blues, and pinks and yellows. A white satin ribbon held back her hair. She was exactly as she appeared. She was innocent and unaware of life.

All she knew, came from here and now. She found joy in the smallest of things like now. She loved her gardens and her books. She kept to herself and often felt like a princess in a tower. She was untouchable. Her parents left her little room for anything else. She was not permitted to have friends of her own.

It was one social function after another. One lesson after another. Her parents loved her but felt they had to protect her. She was very young, very beautiful, and very wealthy. They knew the world was a harsh place and that she was far too innocent to let it touch her.

Unfortunately, though they loved her, she was left to her own devices more often then not. Nothing but tutors and household staff. No one that really bothered with her. The staff truly loved her but they had their own lives where she did not fit in.

Many an evening she would wander down to the kitchens and take her meals with them. It was always so much fun spending time below stairs. The staff was always so full of life. They even sang and danced sometimes and would let her join them.

She knew she could never tell her parents, it just wasn't proper and it wasn't done! Angel laughed aloud at that thought. "As if they would ever think to ask me." She went on weaving her crown and continued on her train of thoughts.

"There, that's the last of them." She raised the halo above her head and just as she was about to put it on she stopped. She seemed to look directly at him as he stood there motionless holding his breath.

"You! Yes, you over there! Come and help me with my royal crown." Angel tried to sound imperious. She thought for a moment and raised one eyebrow "I'll never be able to bark orders at anyone." She sighed and fell back into the grass.

Stunned into a fit of spontaneous laughter Jared gave himself away. A dashingly handsome young man from the neighboring estate he came out from behind the hedges. There was no choice for it. Angel just had that effect on him. He found her utterly charming and although he wouldn't to admit it, he knew somewhere deep down inside that he would have her one day.

She was all a man could dream of. She exasperated him and at the same time held him bewitched. Worst of all, she had no idea. To her he was just Jared, a childhood friend and enemy.

They had grown up together, their parents being friends and they both being left alone too often. They had played, pulled hair, laughed together, tormented one another and been the best of friends despite the differences in their sexes. Jared was a few years older then Angel which was causing him changes neither one of them understood.

Suddenly there were other young women seeking his company. Wanting to spend time with him but he only wanted to be with Angel. No one could hold a candle to his Angel. She was a true original.

Angel looked up to see Jared standing only a few feet away. "Oh, its you," she mumbled, "I was waiting for a prince and all I get is a frog." She turned her face away trying to sound serious.

"A frog! Well, if that's what you think of me, I'll just be going." Jared turned to walk away but moved with deliberate slowness. He Angel would never let him get away. He was completely right because an instant later she had thrown herself upon his back. He tumbled to the ground with her on top of him.

With lightening speed he turned her onto her back. He pinned her to the ground beneath them using his own weight to hold her there. With a stern and threatening look upon his faced he glared at his captive and growled out "Now wench, pay the price for insulting and attacking me!"

Jared was merciless, he tickled Angel until tears streamed down her face. "Say it Angel!"

"No Jared, I won't, I refuse, I……..Oh, God, please stop, I can't hardly breathe."

Her laughter was music to him so he continued his torture.

"I want to hear you say it Angel and I'm as stubborn as you are. I'll go on like this all afternoon!" In all honesty, it was the words that Jared held out for, it was the idea of being able to touch Angel this way. She had no idea the effect she had on him.

Soon after, a very disappointed Jared was winning their little battle of wills. Angel was giving in to his demands "You win Jared, I will speak the words you so desperately want to hear but I will choke out each and everyone. I think you are above all other men. There is no one who could ever be called your equal."

The two old friends burst into fits of laughter at the same moment. Jared fell upon Angel and as the laughter began to subside he looked down into her face, pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes. She smiled up at him and although he did not intend to he brushed a kiss across her lips.

Angel blinked up at him surprised and whispered to him "Jared? Why did you kiss me?" "You've never kissed me except on holidays when our families meet."

Jared just smiled and simply replied "because you're my Angel and I wanted to." He stood up and reach his hand down to help her from the grass. They brushed each other off, picking stray bits of foliage out of their hair.

Angel noticed that Jared stared at her with an odd expression. "What's wrong, why do you look at me so?"

"Angel, when your mother returns, I think it will be time for her to take you for new clothes."

"But Jared, I love this dress, its one of my favorites." She spun around and showed it off to him.

"I know that Angel but its time you stopped wearing short dresses, you are becoming a woman now." And with that statement he walked off to retrieve his horse.

Angel just stood there not quite understanding what had just happened. Deciding it was too much effort to try she simply shrugged her shoulders and turned back to her tree. Jared would never make sense to her, but then again he was just a boy. What difference does it make? Why should she need new clothes? There was nothing wrong with her dresses. What does he know anyway? He IS just a boy after all……

Her laughter floated through the air until it reached his ears. He stopped dead in his tracks for a moment and closed his eyes. Taking it all in, memorizing it. God, what was happening to him? Why should Angel suddenly have such an odd effect on him. He shook his head with violent deliberation and began walking again. His steps became more urgent and before he knew it he was running. He practically vaulted up on to his horse's back and dug his heels into its sides. The horse let out a whinny and took off with a jolt. Jared clutched the reins and held on but did not slow his pace. He didn't know why but he was desperate to put some miles between him and Angel.

When he reached the edge of the clearing he pulled back suddenly, stopping to stand still. Between them, a golden field of tall grass swaying in the summer breeze. He shaded his eyes with his hand and looked off in the distance and saw her one last time. Angel, his Angel, dancing alone among the wild flowers. A hushed whisper escaped his lips before he realized it was even happening, "My Angel". He didn't know why he said it but as the words slipped carelessly from between his lips, he knew he meant them.

He watched her swaying too and fro with the sun beginning to set somewhere behind her. She was magnificent among the colors of the meadow. Her auburn hair, her flowered dress, dancing with her on the warm breeze. The field of gold which stood between them, the pinks and purples of the sky. Jared wished he could hold this vision forever. Realizing he shouldn't be watching her he took one last look and turned to leave for real this time.

Later that night, Jared lie sleeping in his bed dreaming of Angel. He was laughing with her but she was somehow different. She looked different but he could tell it was her. She had grown up sometime according to the dream. Her once free hanging hair was now tied and bound behind her head. There were still ribbons but strategically placed and braided through the rich auburn locks One thing that he suspected would never change about his Angel was the stray lock of hair he had to reach out to tuck behind her ear.

In his dream she looked at him and smiled. Her eyes were filled with love and happiness as she reached out to take his hand. Her laughter was music to him and her touch took his breath away. They walked side by side in a beautiful garden. She was identifying the plants and flowers for him. He could have cared less, he was content to smell her perfume and listen to her voice. They stopped to sit upon a garden bench beneath trellis covered in roses. He knew she loved the flowers in this garden, he could tell. He wanted to fill her arms with the most beautiful blooms to be found.

Jared looked up at the trellis and considered the roses for an instant and then thought better of it. He looked around until he found exactly what he knew would win her heart. "Don't move, I'll be right back" were the only words he managed before he hurried off. Angel giggled and stayed put, waiting patiently. He ran and ran and ran until he found perfection for his Angel and he returned with one hand behind his back.

"Now, close your eyes and hold out your hands Angel." She did as he asked and when she opened them in her hands she found a bunch of wild daisies. She stayed silent long enough to think he had judged her wrong then finally when he thought he would go mad she spoke, "I love you Jared" the words were simple to match the simple flowers.

Jared stood stunned and confused and very, very speechless. "Me? Why? I don't understand." Her whole face told him she spoke the truth, "Because Jared, you gave me a gift of simple honest love which came from the heart." "Because now I know that you in fact are the one." "I had always known the man meant for me would give me daisies while every other would be falling all over himself to impress me with lavish gifts."

"Daisies Jared, never forget the daisies and you will always have my heart……."

The dream faded and he woke suddenly, dazed and uncertain of his surroundings. Jared sat up and blinked his eyes to become accustomed to the darkness. It took him a moment to understand it all. Today when he saw Angel and tonight in his dream, he was in love with that wild, untamed, slip of a girl who had been like a sister to him. He didn't just think he might desire her one day, he was in love with her. Madly, passionately, can't live without her, in love with her. He felt as if life without Angel would be like life without oxygen.

He leapt from his bed and began to pace the floorboards. What was he thinking? What should he do? Angel was far too young for him. He had to get away, he had to think about all this before he lost his mind.

The next morning Jared set out on a journey trying to escape the thoughts of Angel which haunted him.

The months passed swiftly by and while Jared tried to forget his obsession with Angel she grew up. He finally decided it was time to return and find out if what he felt was real. He didn't even stop home, he rode straight for her house. He hadn't written or had any contact so he had no way of knowing what awaited him.

When Jared entered he was surprised to find everyone there. Not just her parents but his as well. When he was shown into the drawing room everyone looked pale and silent. He instantly knew something was wrong. Angel always came flying down the stairs when he would show up after being gone a on one of his adventures. He had brought a present for her expecting to see her smiling face when he came through the door.

Angel's mother wept silently in the corner never looking away from the window. Her father paced back and forth in front of the fire. "What's wrong? Where's Angel?" his words were barely a whisper.

His father and mother led him over to a chair and told him to sit down. He was terrified at what they might tell him. In that single moment visions of Angel dancing among the wild flowers haunted him causing him to hold his breath.

"There's been an accident Jared" The words spoken by his father stabbed through his heart and at that moment he was certain he loved her. There could never be anyone like Angel in his life. Jared went completely pale and tried to ask what happened but the world began to spiral away from him and the words would not come out.

His father continued on, "Angel was out riding and was thrown from her horse, I'm afraid, she's…." Jared leapt from his chair and screamed out in anger, "Nooooooo!" I don't believe you!" He began to run from the room and up the stairs, all the while clutching her surprise in his hand unconsciously.

His mother ran after him, "Jared, wait, you don't understand!" But her voice did not penetrate the anguish he felt. His heart beating wildly in his chest. He can't be too late, he never told her. She would never know he loved her. He should never have left. He should have told her how he really felt but he was so afraid of it. Now it was too late. He had to be close to her, even if he only sat locked in her room. He would tell her now. It was too late but he would tell her.

He ran down the hall to her door and threw it open. His breathing labored from shock and anger and panic. As he burst into the center of the room he saw her lying there on the bed. He couldn't believe he would at least get to see her one last time. God, she was beautiful. He knew he was probably insane but as he looked at her he thought she never looked more beautiful. He could swear there was even a rosy glow to her cheeks.

He threw himself down on his knees beside her bed taking hold of her hand. Tears ran down his face before he noticed her hand was still warm to the touch. "How can this be possible. My God, did I get here only moments too late?" Jared turned to find his parents standing behind him. His mother advanced and put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "It happened yesterday sweetheart. She's alive Jared but the doctor doubts she will wake. Its been too long already and she took quite a blow to the head." "We've just about lost hope."

Jared clutched her hand with renewed hope and shook with relief. If she was still alive there was still a chance. Upon closer inspection he realized she was breathing. Her chest rose and fell in a display of shallow breathing. "Jared?" His mother was trying to coax him from Angel's bedside but he would not have it.

"Get out! Leave us alone! I'll not leave her side. She needs me!" He had never raised his voice before to his parents. His mother was shocked and his father merely raised an eyebrow and signaled his wife to leave with him. He guided her from the room and shut the door.

"I've never seen Jared behave like that. What do you suppose has gotten into him?" His mother was completely shocked by his rude lack of respect. "Its just not proper for him to remain in there alone with her." Jared's father laughed and replied, "Don't be ridiculous, there's nothing wrong with a man sitting beside his future bride's sickbed."

Jared's father had no doubt that his son was finally in love. The knowledge of his future grand-children bringing a pleased smile to his face as he lead his wife away from the bedroom.

Jared sat there for hours trying to awaken Angel. He spoke to her, he read to her, he told her funny stories about his trip and once or twice he even tried to pick a fight with her but she never blinked. The days came and went and he never left her side. He slept in the chair beside her bed never letting go of her hand.

Four days and nights went by and there he stayed. Their parents came in and out checking on them but he never left. The doctor came and went but he still refused to leave. He looked over on the bedside table and saw his "gift" lying there. It was a simple bunch of daisies. He picked them up and walked back to sit beside her on the bed.

"I brought these for you Angel" "The night before I went away I dreamed you asked for daisies so I brought them for you." "Please Angel, you have to wake up. I'm not leaving you until you do. Angel, don't you understand? I brought you daisies! Open your eyes damn it! You have to come back to me. Please, Angel, sweetheart, I don't want to imagine life without you in it." He continued to talk to her and as he did he made a chain out of the daisies. He tied the ends together and made a halo for her. He had seen her do it so many times and now he had made one for her.

He leaned forward with the delicate wreath to place it on her head. "Your crown my lady." On impulse he bent down to kiss her lightly on the lips. "I never got to tell you this but I'm going to say it now. I love you Angel, I always have, I always will. I just wish you could hear me saying it. I'll never give up on you. I'll never let go. You WILL come back to me. Please Angel, please."

He took a deep breath as his eyes misted with tears. He leaned forward and kissed her a second time, "I'll love you forever my Angel, I promise." He closed his eyes and prayed so hard that he thought he imagined he heard her voice. His eyes flew open and searched her face. She still lay there beautiful and silent.

"Oh sure, ask for a prince, I get a frog!" The words were barely audible but he knew he heard them. A burst of laughter and an excited shout escaped his lips before he knew what hit him. "Jared, can you please quiet down, I have a frightful headache." Angel still had not opened her eyes but he knew she spoke.

He held her hand pressed against his heart and whispered in here ear, "Angel, love, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?" Two or three minutes passed before he got an answer.

"Yes Jared but could you please be quiet, I'm trying to sleep."

Jared wiped a tear from beneath his eye and smiled with more joy and happiness then he ever suspected existed. "If that is your wish love, I will be silent."

"Jared? I don't mean to sound rude but what on earth are you doing in my room?" She struggled to open her eyes. Her vision was blurred, her head hurt badly but when she did manage to open her eyes, there staring back at her were the warmest blue eyes she had ever seen.

Jared laughed and kissed her hand. "I'll explain everything later darling, just rest."

Angel slept for another day and a half but when she finally did wake up Jared was there. She finally managed to look beyond the room noticing all the daisies. They were everywhere. Vase after vase on every table top overflowing with daisies. They made her smile. "Jared, where did all the daisies come from?"

"I picked them myself for you, I know they are your favorites."

"But how did you know, I've never told anyone." Angel was confused but somehow still pleased.

Jared told her about his dream and how he knew to bring her daisies. He told her just how scared he was and he told her that he loved her.

Angel's smile reached all the way to her eyes. She took his hand in hers and kissed the tips of his fingers. "Jared, I was wondering when you would figure it all out!"

The young girl he had left behind months ago had grown up so much that she had left him in the dust. At that moment, he knew, Angel was going to teach him what it meant to truly love someone and how to be truly loved in return.