Autumn Love

Margaret lit a single candle on the nightstand, filling the bedroom with a soft amber glow. In its light, she could see the silver in her husband Edward’s hair and the gentle lines time had etched on both their faces. At 65, they had been married nearly forty years. As Edward joined her on the edge of the bed, Margaret felt the same flutter in her stomach she’d felt on their wedding night. They shared a tender kiss, the familiarity making it no less sweet. "Dance with me?" Edward asked suddenly, hearing the faint strains of their song playing from the living room stereo. Margaret laughed softly but stood, allowing him to pull her into a slow sway right there by the bed. His hands, calloused from years of work in the garden, held her waist, and she rested her cheek against his chest. For a few moments they simply danced, hearts full. When they eventually sank back onto the bed, their kisses deepened. Margaret’s fingers nimbly unbuttoned Edward’s shirt, revealing the still-strong chest beneath. He helped her out of her blouse and pressed a kiss to the top of her breast, eliciting a quiet sigh from her lips. "You’re as beautiful as ever," he murmured, running a hand through her short-cropped hair. Their lovemaking was unhurried, guided by decades of knowing each other’s desires. Edward laid Margaret down against the pillows and slowly bared the rest of her body, pausing to place warm kisses on the soft fold of her belly and the curve of her hip. She in turn pushed his slacks off, smiling at the familiar weight of him when he settled between her legs. Margaret gasped as Edward entered her; even after all these years, he still filled her with exquisite pleasure. He moved gently, mindful of joints not as limber as they once were, but every motion was filled with love. She cradled him against her, arms around his back, whispering his name and sweet endearments as the tension built within her. Their climax was quiet but profound. Margaret clutched at Edward’s shoulders, tears of happiness in her eyes as she felt waves of warmth spread through her. Edward buried his face in her neck, a deep groan signaling his own release. They held each other close as their racing hearts gradually steadied. Afterward, Edward pulled the blankets over them and Margaret curled into his side. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Still got it," he teased gently, making her chuckle. She entwined her fingers with his liver-spotted ones. "Always," she replied softly. In the hush of their bedroom, surrounded by memories and the enduring flame of their love, Margaret and Edward drifted to sleep, grateful that passion had no age limit.