Ice Pond
The snow was whirling alongside the landscape and had been doing so for the past weeks. Anne had carefully recorded the low temperatures in her journal after checking her thermometer every morning and night. It was a trusty friend in these times. How else was one supposed to know how to predict the weather? Or measure the cold over time?
The cold weather had forced people to shelter from it inside, more than before, but it hadn’t managed to keep Anne from venturing outdoors. Not much could actually. But this morning it wasn’t business or estate affairs taking her out of the house but her wife. Ann had persuaded her to leave her study and accompany her out of doors in the cold, crisp winter morning. As they breathed, white clouds escaped them, and they walked closely together to keep as warm as possible. Ann led her down to the large pond, that had become frozen solid after weeks of low temperatures. The blonde put a foot on the icy surface, and Anne quickly took hold of her arm,
“Careful Darling! - It might crack open.”
Ann squeezed her hand in hers, smiling back at her worried face,
“It’s thick enough - I promise!”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Anne glanced nervously at the ice, trying to discern whether it was or wasn’t. Ann threw her a grin as she took another step out on the ice. Anne whimpered afraid that she would suddenly fall through the ice, if so – how much could Anne do to pull her up again? Ann only chuckled kindly at her,
“Come on Anne, it’s not dangerous – in any case it is not half as dangerous as climbing a mountain.”
“A mountain doesn’t suddenly crack open and swallow you though.” Anne mumbled, her eyes still fixated on the icy surface, looking for cracks in it. Ann shook her head at her,
“It’s fine.”
“Sam died… drowning in Ireland – he fell through the ice.” Anne said seriously, and she looked as though it was exactly where she was in her mind currently – in Ireland, watching her brother drown, though she hadn’t actually been there when it had happened. Ann felt guilty suddenly and walked back over the ice to Anne standing on solid ground, taking her hands in hers, sneaking a kiss to the corner of her pink lips,
“I’m sorry. I didn’t stop to think.”
“That’s fine.” Anne murmured, and Ann ran her hands up and down Anne’s arms almost as if to warm her up and settle her fears before she whipped up the courage to ask Anne the question she had been itching to ask all morning,
“You know, wouldn’t you like to try ice-skating? I could hold your hand, and we needn’t be far out on the ice – we could be close to land.”
“I worry it’s not thick enough.” Anne frowned looking out over the pond and Ann followed her gaze before looking into her worried eyes,
“Well, it’s been below freezing temperatures for weeks – there is no way it isn’t thick enough.”
“True…” Anne mumbled, she couldn’t deny it, it was only logical that the ice lay thick and that it was sturdy enough for both her and Ann.
“I brought the skates…” Ann held them up in front of Anne, she had taken them with her wrapped within her shawl and Anne bit her lip self-consciously, she had never skated on ice before, which was surprising considering all that she had done. Ann smiled at her patiently and eventually Anne exhaled slowly and nodded,
“Alright. But you can’t let go of my hand!”
“I won’t.” Ann promised, before sitting down on the ground to attach the blades to her shoes, Anne sat down to do the same. When they had managed to secure the skates to their shoes Ann stood up, offering Anne a hand to help her up. The tall woman wobbled for a bit and fell forwards steadying herself on Ann’s arms, saving herself from falling. Ann gave her an encouraging smile,
“It’s going to be fine! You will get hang of it soon enough.”
“This is humiliating.” Anne muttered as she clung for dear life to Ann as they slowly made it out on the ice, Ann laughed a gay sort of laugh, looking very fondly at her unsteady wife,
“It’s not. It’s a fun learning experience with your wife.”
“Fun.” Anne scoffed as she slipped on her skates, but Ann held her, preventing her from falling on her behind,
“Come on, smile Anne – it’ll help with your balance if you relax a bit.”
“Relax? If I relax, I will fall, the ice will open, swallow me and I will die. And I have far too much to do to die so young. Why would you lead me out on this death-trap!?”
“That’s a bit dramatic even for you, dearest.” Ann smirked, and Anne eyed her for a second before looking at her feet again trying her best to stay on them and not fall on her behind.
“The worst that can happen is that you will fall and bruise a knee or your back – you won’t die! Come, now give me a smile. Isn’t it lovely being out here, just me and you?”
“If lovely is me being bloody terrified, then yes, it is lovely beyond measure!” Anne cried, as she once again wobbled on her skates, Ann rolled her eyes at her, moving with ease, holding Anne’s hand tight in hers as promised,
“If you would stop tensing so much, it will get easier, I promise. Trust me!”
Anne looked at her, her eyes betraying all her feelings and Ann offered a kind, encouraging smile, running her thumb against Anne’s knuckles,
“Alright.” Anne exhaled, trying to breathe calmer, and move forwards without tensing so much, and it did get better. Anne’s eyes darted from her feet to Ann’s eyes, her own eyes shining as a smile finally made its way onto her features,
“This wasn’t so hard!”
“You are doing great, dearest.” Ann laughed, incredibly happy that Anne was beginning to enjoy their activity, even if but little. They glided around the pond, holding hands, laughing merrily with each other, at each other, talking about everything between heaven and earth. Enjoying and treasuring this moment alone with their hands entwined out on the pond. Eventually Anne became too cocky and increased their speed, Ann gave a cry,
“Anne no!”
But too late, Anne lost her balance and then managed to pull Ann with her down in a heap on the ice. The ice didn’t crack one bit as they crashed onto it, they bruised far more than the ice. Ann hadn’t let go of Anne’s hand, she had after all promised not to let go, but her arm was at an awkward angle and she was hurting a fair amount. But she immediately checked on her wife first, as she had been feeling queasy about the whole thing,
“Are you alright, Anne?” Ann, reached out for her, touching her cheek and Anne blinked up at the heavens, turning her eyes to her wife’s before bursting into laughter,
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to pull you with me!”
“Did you hit your head?” Ann asked confused, wearing an uncertain smile, and Anne shook her head laughing,
“No! Sorry it’s just, it wasn’t even half as bad as I imagined it would be. Now I feel ridiculous for fretting so before…”
Ann smiled relieved,
“Good. I thought I would have to eat up everything I said about it not being dangerous.”
“Come on, let’s brush off and continue our rendezvous.” Anne grinned wide, holding Ann’s hand in hers as they did their best to elegantly stand up again on the ice. It might have not looked that elegant though, but they got up; Rosy cheeked, with eyes sparkling and laughter ringing around them, then they became suddenly quiet before, leaning into each other sharing a sweet, loving kiss out on the ice.