30.

                                    

                                          
Jacqueline and Laurent finished work early on Friday afternoon. He picked her up at her apartment and left for the farm. It was an hour's drive, and it had been a sunny day and an equally balmy afternoon. The sun hung low in the sky which created a soft glow. Jacqueline sat with her hand on Laurent's thigh and occasionally stroked it with her thumb. Their relationship had blossomed to the point where they almost conversed telepathically. A look, a touch and a kiss was enough to express their true feelings. 
The city disappeared faster than she had anticipated and ahead of them was the open road with short brush covering the landscape, while hills, covered in a misty haze beckoned in the distance. The countryside was clear and the air had the kind of freshness which stung the lungs with its freshness. Jacqueline watched the countryside fly past while the car appeared to remain stationary. 
Laurent sat with a smile on his face. He loved his moments alone with Jacqueline and knew it was the start of better days to come. Her hand on his thigh had a quiet possessiveness which he enjoyed. He could only imagine the chaos at the farm, his mother's anxious anticipation, while his father sat idly smoking his pipe. He was acutely aware that his mother was ready to snub Jacqueline at the least provocation, but he was confident in Jacqueline's ability to handle herself in any situation, and that she would win his mother over in no time. 
"Now that is something I could wake up to every morning," Jacqueline said unexpectedly while taking in the rural scenery.
Laurent's smile widened. 
Since their first date to the opening of the art gallery, when Jacqueline had pointed at a Dereck Dreyer painting and said those words, it had become their own little game. Every time one of them enjoyed something, they would call it. Laurent would take her in his arms, kiss her passionately and say, now this is something I could wake up to every morning. They said it about the smell of a good cup of coffee, a healthy breakfast together, the smell of the ocean, the chirping of the birds, and other such small things. 
They often took long walks in the park, and one day they saw a mother pushing a pram with the most adorable smiling twins. They both stopped, looked at each other and smiled. Mentally they had both said, now that is something I could wake up to every morning. 
Laurent drove at a steady pace knowing that dinner would be served at seven o'clock, and he was timing himself to arrive close to the time. 
Tall trees threw shadows across the road, almost as if they were hastening nightfall. 
He turned off the highway and onto a gravel road past a signpost which read Ferrier Stud Farm. They drove through a long tree lined avenue and the trees, spaced at regular intervals, looked like a welcoming guard of honor. When they stopped in front of the manor house, the sun was about to set, and the family was waiting for them on the veranda. Laurent introduced Jacqueline to them while one of the farm hands carried their luggage to their respective rooms. 
"Come inside. Dixie has worked hard to prepare a good dinner, and I would not want it to get cold or get wasted," Mrs. Ferrier said. 
"Now that is something I could come home to every evening," Jacqueline said as soon as she stepped through the door. 
They all looked at her in astonishment while Laurent smiled broadly. 
"What is that, Jacqueline?" Mr. Ferrier asked. 
"A hearty home cooked meal every night. It smells delicious, and I'm starving."
Anais Ferrier gave her a look of approval and thought, at least she's not one of those veggie salad girls. She looks a little thin, but she won't be when she leaves here. I'll make sure of that. 
There was a lively atmosphere at the table, and it matched the taste and aroma of the food. Marcel kept the conversation going with his anecdotes about their childhood, and jokes he had heard around the office.