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LadyCha0s

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Azriel rose early, knowing by the sounds of Tirzah's jewelry dangling together as she moved. He went to bathe and got dressed, Tirzah was silent and already had his breakfast prepared. She had gotten enough water to last the day and she had bread being baked in the oven. Azriel sat in peace at the smells of all the food she was making.

"Determined to please your mother, my love?"

"No..."

"Then Miriam..."

"My love...She still holds something against me.."

He stood up and walked over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders, ever so slowly caressing her arms. He brushed away her loose curls, brushing his lips against her neck.

"Fret not my love...", he kissed her neck,"Your a wonderful wife...,"he kissed her cheek,".A loving mother...,"he brushed his lips against hers,"The love of my life...". He kissed her and put his hands on her waist, pulling her close to him. He kissed her passionately, wishing her family wasn't there.

"Azriel..", she whispered,"We are not alone.."

He laughed and kissed her once more, Yocheved walking in, holding Alia in her arms. Tirzah blushed, knowing her mother had never approved of such affection. And if she was, she never showed it.

"I see you are both still lovers at heart......Your father and I were once that loving....", she said as if suddenly she were in a different place in time. She broke out of her daze when Alia giggled when she saw her father. Azriel made his way to her, taking her into his arms. He spoke to her in a mix of Greek, Hebrew and Arabic, Alia looking at him in wonder.

"If only I could see you, little cherub...To know every look in your eyes.", he said and Tirzah looked at him with sorrow.

Yocheved sat down and ate, a look of complete satisfaction on her face. It had been years that she had tasted something made by Tirzah's hands.

"Azriel. my son, did Tirzah ever tell you how she learned to cook?"

"No..I believe she has not, Ima.."

He felt for Yocheved's hand and she sat him down beside her. Tirzah blushed although she knew Azriel could not see.

"The girl ran off one day from my side, Miriam of course did not say a word. Her father had been looking for her for a week. When we found her, she was dressed in silks, her hair as straight as a needle. Her face was painted white and her lips in rouge. She had been with the Merchants who had come from the East. She was speaking in a foreign language, selling goods and food to people all around. When she saw me, she offered me rice. Yaakov had to argue with the merchants to get her back, she created quite the scandal that day."

Tirzah laughed and shook her head.

"I did no such thing Ima..."

They all laughed until Miriam walked in, a solemn look on her face.

"Am I interrupting?"

"No...Sit down sister..There is enough for everyone.", Tirzah said and handed her a plate. Miriam sat down and began to eat.

"Has anyone seen Jonathan?"

"He and Leto have gone to the city. They should be back by noon.", Tirzah said and sat down. She ate quickly, getting back to her chores. Yocheved took Alia with her to the courtyard, singing to her. Azriel listened and was in awe of her voice. He now knew where Tirzah inherited her voice. He listened until she noticed he was near.

"Azriel, son...You should spy on your wife...Not her mother...", she said with a hint of humour in her voice.

"As you wish.", he said and walked around the house. He could hear Tirzah's humming as she washed clothes, Azriel remembering how he used to always watch her wash clothes. Her every movement would hypnotize him. Azriel reached out for her and once he found her he stood beside her.

"You are overworking yourself, love."

She remained silent.

"What is there to prove? Who is the better sister?"

"No...I am just doing what I have done everyday since we lived together."

"Tirzah beloved", he said and took her hands into his, taking the shirt she had in her hands and letting it fall into the water. He pulled her into his arms.

"I love you, did you know that?"

"Of course.."

"Then stop working."

"But I must-"

"If you must do anything, be with me. Let us run off into the hills and pretend we have run away again. Forget your goal of being the better sister....Forget that I am a troubled soul seeking forgiveness for sins of the past...Just once."

She looked into his grey eyes, she knew he was serious. She could hear the longing in his voice.

"Can I put on something a little more..Appropriate?"

He smiled and nodded, Tirzah leaving Azriel alone to wait. She walked inside and passed her sister, going into her room and loosening her hair. She laughed at herself, feeling silly for acting like a 16 year old again. She put on a white dress and all of her gold jewelry, wrapping her veil around herself. She walked out and smiled as her sister looked at her.

"Where are you going? Don't you have chores to do?"

"Yes...One of them is tending to my husband..", she said giggling and walked over to her mother.

"I shall return soon, Ima..Donnot worry."

Yocheved smiled, as if knowing all without her daughter saying it. As Tirzah ran off, Yocheved saw herself. The way she was when she and Yaakov fell in love.

Tirzah ran out and met with Azriel, letting him run his fingers over the designs of her dress. He caressed her arms and took her hands, a smile on his face.

"Let us run away my love..."

"Let us hurry now..My mother will be worried."

They laughed and held hands as they ran up the mountain path. They chased eachother in the forest, Tirzah laughing aloud as he caught her by the waist. When she would run off and hide Azriel would stop and listen. She would watch him and quietly make her way towards him, jumping into his arms. They kissed and rolled around on the grass, Tirzah giggling when they stopped. He pulled her onto him and kissed her softly.

"Come away with me, beloved. We never have to go back..."

"And what of our little one?"

He smirked and laughed.

"We'll go back for her later on in the day..For now...You are mine..."

Azriel lay on his back, Tirzah sleeping on top of him, her small hand in his. He woke up, hearing her soft breathing. He touched her bare back and ran his fingers through her hair. He smiled when he imagined what they must look like, two lovers lying on the ground, grass in their hair. He knew she was still beautiful, a goddess. For a moment he thought he saw the blade of grass in her hair, a bright green. He shook his head. He reached out and pulled it out from her curls. He followed it with his eyes, was he really looking at it? Or was it all a dream? He looked around and saw his surroundings, he knew this place. He looked down at her, her rosy cheeks, flushed. Her full lips the color of roses. Her skin was glowing in the with the falling sun. He let go of her hand and looked at his, scarred as they always were. Tirzah stirred and looked up at him.

"Good evening, my Lord..", she said with a smile. She stretched and yawned, her arms raised above her head. Azriel looked at her every curve, her tiny waist and full hips, he had never seen her body, how it had changed with the birth of their daughter. It was fuller, more beautiful than it was before. He looked into her brown eyes, tears running down his face.

"My love, what is wrong?", she said and took him into her arms. He looked directly into her eyes and smiled.

"You look beautiful, Tirzah...Not even the falling sun can hide your beauty."