Nate and Anna meet

Nate was exhausted from his busy day at work, so the moment his head touched the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep. In his dream he was in the meadow at Hillside Museum working to clear the walking trail. He looked up to see her standing at the end of the path, ethereal in her flowing purple cape.

“I told you I would come,” she said. “Didn’t you believe me?”

She sounded just as he imagined. He moved toward her, his eyes never leaving her face. “No, I didn’t believe you. I don’t believe any of this. Why are you here?”

“You are my soul mate, my one love throughout time. Together we are complete,” she replied.

Nate touched her cheek and felt the start of a memory, just out of reach.

He closed his eyes trying to pull it forward, then felt the touch of her lips on his and breathed the scent of lilacs. An image from the past flickered in his mind, then disappeared.

“You are my chosen one,” she said. “And I need your help.”

"I can't even help myself," he said grimly, pulling himself back.  "What makes you think I can help you?"

Nate and Anna

Something drew him back to stand in front of the portrait tonight. His mind had wandered all day thinking about her. She was just a girl in a picture. But he swore he heard her in his mind. No, he was sure of it. What was she trying to tell him?

Her skin looked so soft. He reached out to touch the portrait. For just an instant he could feel the velvety softness of her cheek, and the wetness of her tears. Soft lilac breath blew across his face.

“What the..?” He jerked his hand back and stared at her face. This was madness.

She had felt his touch as his hand caressed her cheek. It was heaven, even if it was for only a moment. She had to find a way to convince him they were soul mates, lovers through out time, meant to be together.

“I’ll come to you in your dreams tonight,” she said in a whisper. “Then you will know I must be yours.”