A note:: The poem in this chapter is not mine! Please don't sue me for copyright violations!! I found it from this website where people submit poems, and I thought it was beautiful. It is titled "The Keeper of My Love" and it is by "hollymccormick" And now, chapter 16…
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The next morning, Rafe awoke slowly. The first thing he could feel was Alison's warm body nestled against his, their legs intertwined. Rafe smiled, finally coming to the realization that last night was not a dream. Alison nuzzled her nose against Rafe's chest. She was waking up but was still half-asleep.

Rafe kissed her forehead and smelled her hair, relishing every single moment. Then he heard Alison mumble softly under her breath.

Rafe smiled at her, and Alison opened her sleepy eyes. "Mmm…hi," she said.

"Good morning." Rafe kissed her lips. "Sleep well?"

"Mmm hmm…sooo well."

"So did I. Just holding you, like this, in my arms. Last night was like a dream come true."

"It was better than any dream." Alison still had this huge grin plastered to her face.

"What?" Rafe laughed.

"I can't stop thinking about last night! We made love!" Alison squealed.

"It was amazing."

"It was incredible."

"I've never experienced anything that incredible before."

Rafe and Alison smiled at each other and kissed.

Alison shivered. "I'm cold."

"Well let me warm you up then." Rafe pulled Alison closer to him.

"I love being here in your arms." Alison smiled at Rafe. He kissed her forehead.

The two rested for a few minutes, still trying to wake up.

Alison finally broke the silence. "Rafe?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I…can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"But you don't have to answer or tell me anything if you don't want to."

"What is it?"

"Well, I was just wondering…was I…was I your first?"

Rafe got a worried look on his face. "Oh no…was it that obvious? Was it bad or…."

"No! Oh no, no, no, no! No! Last night was amazing and…wonderful! Trust me, you did everything right!"

"You're not just saying that?"

"I'm not just saying that. Rafe, everything about last night was perfect. So perfect. The only reason I was asking was that well, when I read your journal, you always said how you had never been in love before. And I was just curious. I'm not trying to embarrass you or anything."

"Well, you're right, Alison. I have never been in love…until now that is. And yes, you were my first. And no, I'm not embarrassed."

Alison smiled. "I think that's so sweet, Rafe. I think it's so sweet that you wanted to share that with me. It makes me feel so…special. And loved. Really loved."

"Well you are special. Don't you ever forget that. And I love you. You are so loved."

"Aww," Alison mumbled as she and Rafe melted into a kiss.

"So, are ya hungry?" Alison asked after a while.

"Starving."

"Me too. I guess we sorta…worked up an appetite or something last night."

Rafe laughed.

"I'll go make us something. Can I uh…wear your shirt?"

Rafe laughed again as he handed Alison his shirt. Then Alison slipped it on, gave Rafe one more kiss, then hopped out of bed and headed for the kitchen. Rafe stretched out on the bed and smiled, watching Alison across the room.

"Oh it's so cute!" Alison squealed as Rafe put the finishing touches on the snowman.

"It needs something else though." Rafe took the scarf around his neck and put it around the snowman. Alison laughed. "Now it's finished."

Alison smiled at him. "I had no idea you were so good at making snowmans."

"Neither did I." Rafe smiled back at her.

"Come on, let's take a walk," Alison suggested and took his hand.

They walked towards the pond and admired the reflection of the trees in the frigid water.

"It really is beautiful here," Alison said.

"Yes, it is," Rafe said, his eyes on her the whole time.

Alison caught his gaze and smiled. "What?"

"I just can't take my eyes off of you."

Alison blushed.

"You're blushing," Rafe laughed.

"I'm freezing too!" she laughed. "Maybe I need something to warm me up."

"Well why don't we go inside and you can make that fabulous hot chocolate of yours. That should warm you up in no time."

"Well, we could..." Alison trailed off. "Or, you know, there are other ways we could keep warm." Alison grinned at Rafe.

"Hmm, you mean this?" Rafe brought Alison's lips to his and kissed them.

"You're getting closer..." Alison said softly. "Race ya!" Alison suddenly took off.

"Oh no!" Rafe called back. "You aren't going to do that again!" He caught up with her and picked her up, eventually throwing her over his shoulder.

"Rafe!" Alison laughed hard. "You love doing this to me, don't you? You better not drop me!"

Rafe carried her into the cabin and set her down. Alison was still laughing. "I'd never let you fall," Rafe said. "You know I'd always catch you."

Alison smiled, and then they kissed.

[ Later that night… ]

Rafe sat on the couch by the warm fire, and Alison came up behind him and put her arms around his neck and shoulders. "Whatcha doing?"

Rafe held up his journal.

"Oh, are you writing poetry?" Alison joined him on the couch.

Rafe shook his head.

"Can I read it?" she asked excitedly.

"Well…" Rafe seemed hesitant. "It's not very good."

"Oh stop! It's good and you know it. So, can I?"

"Okay," Rafe gave in and handed her the journal.

Alison smiled at Rafe as she took the journal and read the poem aloud.

"Slipping softly
Between the sheets.
I feel the softness
Of your back
As my arms curl themselves
Around your waist.
My head burrows in
To nestle "that" spot
At the base of your neck.
I breathe you in…
The scent of love
Tickles my nose
As my legs form
A perfect union
Intertwined with yours.
Content at last
I sleep,
Knowing I hold in my arms
The keeper
Of my love."

Rafe turned red.

"Oh, Rafe…"

"It's kinda silly, I know it's not very good…"

"Rafe!" Alison playfully hit him. "Stop being so modest! This is beautiful. You're a talented writer."

"Oh…well…thanks."

"Really, I mean it, Rafe. You have this gift. I couldn't write anything like that. The only poetry I'm good at writing is stuff like roses are red and violets are blue!"

Rafe laughed. He took the journal back and set it down. "Come here."

Alison moved into his arms and they laid together on the couch. "This just feels so right."

Rafe kissed her forehead. "How did I get to be so lucky?"

"Well you know the answer to that."

Rafe gave Alison a look of pure confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Well I just remember something you said once…sometimes good things just pop up when you least expect them."

"I said that?"

"Yeah. I remember something else you said."

"What was that?"

"That everything happens for a reason. So maybe you and me happened for a reason. Maybe it was fate."

"It was definitely fate," Rafe said with a smile. And then, he and Alison kissed and cuddled some more in front of the fire.