“We’ve had a lifetime of love. Only paradise can grant us more time. Are you ready to enter paradise?” he asked, stretching his hand out to me.
I took his weathered hand in my own. “With you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”
“Then let’s go. Remember, no matter what happens, I will always love you.” With those words, together we stepped into the pool.
We were instantly absorbed into the smooth, heavy liquid. It flowed around my naked body, welcoming me and beckoning me deeper. My body felt weightless, wrapped in a warm cocoon. I felt a moment of panic when I realized that I could no longer feel his hand in mine. Then I remembered his last words, and was filled with a sense of peace. This would work. It had to.
I floated deeper into the substance, enjoying its silky feel against my skin. The aches and pains of the years drifted away on its soft ripples. Every pore of my body gloried in it. My senses heightened. My head filled with its sweet, rich aroma, triggering memories that had lain buried for years. The dullness of years was driven from my mind and I regained the clarity of my youth.
I became aware of a tingling in my body. The sweet substance began to surge around me, wrapping me tighter in its embrace. Terror swept through me as I was suddenly pulled beneath the surface.
I began to struggle. This couldn’t be happening. I was so close – it couldn’t end like this. Then I heard his voice, whispering inside my head.
“No matter what happens, I will always love you.” No matter what happened. I willed my body to relax, to stop fighting against itself. Allowing my mind to overrule my traitorous body, I focused on what I was experiencing.
Under the surface, I was insulated from the world. Deprived of sight, smell, sound, I was like a babe in the womb. And like a babe, my body was changing.
My legs, weak from years of work, grew strong. Knees that ached to walk now yearned to run. I felt strength return to my thighs, the strength of a young woman.
My hands, twisted from arthritis, straightened. Joints devastated by disease renewed themselves, drawing strength and energy from the nourishing liquid.
My failing heart now beat strong and even, the sound of it filling my ears with joy. And my sagging skin tightened, returning to me the glory of my youth.
Suddenly, I was released from its embrace and drifted slowly to the surface. Opening my eyes, I saw a young, vibrant hand stretched out to me. I took his hand, and together we stepped out on the far side of the pool.
Rivers of the rich, sweet chocolate flowed from our bodies. After the warmth of the molten liquid, the room felt cold and empty. I looked into loving eyes, and saw a reflection of my own amazement.
The chocolate had cheated death and returned to us our youth. A lifetime of love is possible anywhere. But only in paradise can love last forever.