Hey everyone, sorry for such a late chapter posting. But this one is really long, so it makes up for the delay. It has taken me awhile to figure out what I wanted to write. I wanted to get it posted as soon as possible, so there might be some errors that I will fix when I refresh my thinking later today. I've been staring at this thing for over two hours now, just trying to tweak it.
I would like to give a round of applause, a special thanks, a shout out, whatever you want to call it to these wonderful readers: xxxMusarockz, Guest, SplendidForever, Guest, Musariven Fan, wildlife1103, Fairy Princess Moon,and xxx-benedictbrothersfan-xxx.
Y'all are fantastic! Your feedback is always encouraged!
Chapter VIII
Musa stood in the doorway, dressed in her woolrich peacoat, dark wash skinny jeans and Kate Spade leather boots. She wrapped her assorted color Wallace Sewell scarf around her neck. The woven fabric was then tucked into the front of her peacoat.
"Glad to see that you're finally ready," Riven tossed Musa a grin.
"Please, you're the one that had to fix your hair. I've been waiting forever now," Musa dramatically emphasized, taking a long glance look at her fossil watch on her left wrist.
"You two be careful," Lisa spoke up from the kitchen as she rolled out the cookie dough with her great grandmother's Italian marble rolling pin.
"Oh it isn't just us two, Timmy and Techna are coming with us," Musa grinned, ignoring Riven's prior protests for it to just be the two of them.
"Well you kids have fun," Grandma Faragonda took her eyes away from the Christmas movie that was on the television screen.
"Mother, we will be fine. Besides, today is supposed to the best weather Musa and I have ever gotten when we go into the village," Riven firmly responded.
A sharp groan escaped Musa's mouth, "Great, he jinxed us."
"Musa, if you need to take the wheel, do it," Layla laughed as she began sorting through the totes of Christmas ornaments and lights. Tonight was the night they were going to all decorate the Christmas tree.
Musa carefully stalked to the truck, hoping to avoid any slipping on the ice. She knew how her boots lacked traction. Once she made it to the truck, she performed her usual routine. Shaking out the snow on her boots, she opened the truck door. Griping the side of the truck, she tucked her arm into the body of the truck and grabbed the bar, pulling herself into the polyester bucket seats.
"Brr, it's cold, Riven hurry," Musa huddled her body together and she rubbed her hands repeatedly to produce extra heat.
"Musa, I cannot control how much cold air the truck blows out," Riven growled, turning on the defrost. As the truck began to heat up, Timmy and Techna soon approached from the front of the house. Hand-in-hand, they gracefully leaned on each other and walked towards the truck.
"They are so cute," Musa coed, admiring the couple through the review mirrors.
"I'm surprised someone wants to Marry Techna," Riven muttered, ignoring the pleasant appearance of the future bride and groom.
"Ow what was that for?" Riven rubbed his arm where Musa had recently smacked him.
"Be nice, she's your cousin and she happens to be getting married before you," Musa toothed a grin.
"How and the hell that happened, I"ll never know," Riven growled. He earned another hit in his arm.
The door opened, letting in a flow of cold air. "Way to go Tech, Musa finally stopped complaining about it being cold."
Ignoring her cousin's remark, Techna beamed at Musa, "Thanks for inviting us."
"Yeah no problem. Timmy you are in for a real treat, this place is absolutely wonderful," Musa gushed.
For the first part of the drive, Musa and Riven conversed with one another while Timmy and Techna conversed with one another. The second twenty minute part of the drive was silence. Riven focused on driving in the road and Musa stared into the snowy scenery that rested before her eyes. The soft Christmas music seemed to speak for everyone in the vehicle. Musa hadn't really been thinking about anything until a break on the side of the road caught her attention. It brought her back to the first Christmas she had spent with Riven and his family.
"Are you sure you're going the right way?" Musa asked once again, straining her eyes to see into the white bliss. It was white everywhere.
"Musa, can you be quiet so I can focus on the road," Riven spat, clearly annoyed with his overly concerned girlfriend. In response to his outbreak, she slid further in the truck seat.
"Fine, but I'm not going to stop hanging onto the oh-shit bar," Musa glanced up, referring to the handle positioned on the roof of the interior truck. She closed her eyes, silently praying for her life.
After another few minutes of attempting to drive, Riven sighed. "I'm going to have to pull over in this side pathway on the side of the road. We still have at least a half hour ride back to the house and I can't see a thing. We will have to wait til the white out passes."
"So we are stranded out here?" Musa widened her eyes as the truck pulled into a stop.
Riven turned his head to face his girlfriend, "We aren't stranded. As soon as the weather lightens up, we can continue our drive back. But for now, we stay and wait out the snow."
"Wait, when will that be?" Musa shrieked and began to panic.
"Relax, will you? I've been coming here to the cabin since I was a child. If anything happens, I know how to survive. You're not going to die out here, at least with me you're not," Riven leaned over the truck seat and grabbed Musa's hand. She frowned and gripped onto his hand.
"What if we run out of gas and I freeze to death?" Musa grumbled, unbuckling her seat belt to get comfortable.
"That won't happen, we have a full tank."
"What if another vehicle hits us and we die?"
"Relax, I have my fore-ways on. Besides, we are the only stupid people to drive in this weather,"
Annoyed by the weather, Musa turned away from her boyfriend. She focused her attention out the passenger side window, not that she could see anything but blowing white snow anyway.
"I'm going to die," Musa proclaimed, throwing her arms hopelessly into the air.
"Well I guess then you will reincarnate into a yetti?" Riven tried easing with his girlfriend, only to earn the cold shoulder from him.
"Musa?" Riven tried to gain her attention once again. She was so cute when she was angry.
"What?" She snapped.
Riven groaned and exhaled a large throaty cord. He withdrew his hands from his coat pockets and gripped onto the steering wheel. He was doing his best not to get angry. Instead he let out a sharp laugh to follow his groan.
"For the last time, I'm sorry."
"She gave you her number Riven. That's when you give it back," Musa argued, refusing to look at him.
"I didn't know her intentions," Riven protested, but Musa instantly saw past his bluff.
"All right." Riven wasn't surprised that Musa had agreed with him. He knew her tactics. She just wanted him to stop protesting and talking to her. Riven could be just as stubborn. He let the silence fill the air. After a few minutes, he finally had enough.
"Jesus Musa, it was one number. I wasn't going to text her anyway," The sixteen year old Riven hollered.
"You could have turned it down. You're no better than," Musa was cut off before she could continue with her sentence.
"I'm not Sky," Riven shouted, slamming his fist onto the steering wheel column.
"I want to go home," Musa whined, ignoring her boyfriend's sudden rage.
"Well we fucking can't go home. So just sit there and shut up," Riven caved in, letting his temper get the best of him.
"Fine," Musa shouted, sending him a harsh look before she turned her back to him.
After a few minutes of complete silence from both parties, Riven finally gave in. He knew his stubborn girlfriend was not going to admit that she was wrong to a degree as well as he was wrong.
"I'm sorry," He murmured, releasing his strong grip from his steering wheel. Carefully, he slowly placed his hand over top of hers. He caressed her thumb with his. "I shouldn't have ever yelled at you like that. This, us, it isn't easy for me. I'm not good at this relationship stuff."
Musa stiffened at his touch, but relaxed after a few moments. "I'm sorry too," she whispered.
"Musa," Riven said in the most calming tone Musa had ever heard him use.
"Hmm?" She looked up at him and stared straight into his eyes.
What he was about to say, Musa could have never predicted, especially coming from Riven. "I love you," Riven leaned in for a kiss. Musa turned her head as Riven leaned in. He caught the drift of her hair.
"You can't just say I love you to make up for this. That's not how it works," She argued, refusing his physical touch.
Riven laughed, grinning at Musa. "I just said I love you and you're arguing about the time I said it. God that is so you."
She shoved his hand off of her leg, "I'm being serious Riven."
He laughed again, pulling her closer to him. "I am too. I love you Musa Pennington. I know you love me too. So stop refusing me." He placed his hand on the side of Musa's face and turned her face towards his. " I'm sorry about the number, I will never ever take another girl's number, as long as I'm with you." He met his lips with hers.
After a long, passionate kiss and a smile spread across her face, Musa responded back, "I love you too."
Musa was brought back to reality when Riven turned off the truck. They had finally arrived at the exclusive, secluded Christmas village that was forty-five minutes away from their cabin. They snowy, Christmas-themed village was stationed in the middle of nowhere.
"You're always doing that," Riven commented on her typical behavior after they had both climbed out of the truck.
Raising her eyebrows, she questioned, "Doing what?"
"Living in your head. When you're not talking, you're thinking. I think you should just enjoy the moment."
"Maybe you don't think enough?" Musa retaliated.
"Mmm, maybe not," He shrugged his shoulders, pulling out the key from the engine.
"We made it," Musa smiled, closing the truck door behind her. She was anxious to return to the village that she had been absence from the last two years.
"Ahh, it smells like Christmas!" Musa absorbed in the atmosphere around her.
"Again, Christmas doesn't have a smell," Riven laughed. The group abandoned the truck in the snowy covered parking lot and walked towards the entrance to the village. It really was captiavating. Each building represented a Christmas theme. The bricks were trimmed and framed with snow, wreaths, tinsel and any other Christmas decoration that fit within the decor. There were machines to spray fake snow when there wasn't any real snow and there were machines to spray cinnamon and Christmas related smells.
Timmy and Techna trailed behind them, enjoying each other's company. "I've never been here," Techna commented.
Musa twirled around, engulfing herself with the full effect of the village. "One of my favorite parts of the village is the costumes. Each employee here has a specific Christmas related costume they have to wear. I love the Christmas tree printed aprons."
"Timmy, feel my pain," Riven pleaded.
Timmy glanced into the bright, lively village. "I think I will before long."
"This is wonderful Riven," Musa chimed, ignoring Riven's state of mind.
"Where do you want to go first?" Riven suggested to Musa. Instead of responding, she was to absorbed into the front entrance. "Wow, they changed the exterior design of the gate. Where are the steel rod gates?"
"It's going to be a long day," Riven tossed Timmy a 'help me' glance.
"I think we are going to break off and go get a snack. I want to explore the Christmas village with Timmy," Techna laughed, leaving Musa tugging on Riven's hand towards the entrance to the village.
"So what were you thinking about on the drive here?" Riven, against his will, followed Musa as she weaved her way through the mass crowd of people in the Christmas village.
Musa laughed, "God, another one of our episodes."
"Which one?"
"Remember the first time we came to the village?"
"Yeah and we got stuck in the snow?"
"And you got that girl's number? The one who worked in the popcorn and hot chocolate stand?"
Riven leaned his head to the left. It was a habit he had when he was either thinking or annoyed. In this case, it was both. "I was hoping I would never have to hear about that again."
Musa and Riven laughed at the memory together. "If I remember right, we got stranded on the road for over an hour until the whiteout let up."
"You got that right."
"Do you remember when you kept saying you were going to die? I was about to push you out of the truck to leave you to die," Riven earned a push from Musa. As she pushed him away, he pulled her into his side. As her face was burning up, she searched the area for something to change the subject between them.
"I want an ornament, we should go into the ornament shop." Musa quickly changed the subject and grasped onto Riven's hand with her and she pulled him across the brick street towards the little corner shop. She stepped into the shop and gleamed with excitement from the thousands of glass bulbs.
"God, I still have each of my bulbs from here!" Musa excitedly stated. She stepped around the Christmas tree, admiring the multitude of glass objects.
"I'm not surprised," Riven laughed.
Musa searched through the ornaments hung on the tree. She wandered around each tree, searching for the the tree that she always pulled her bulbs from. She searched through the plastic ornament tree, the Disney-themed ornament tree, the holiday explosion tree, the clear crystal cycles tree, the plastic bulb tree and many other trees with numerous ornaments hooked upon the branches. and finally she weaved her way to the casing of trees along the back wall.
"Italian glass," Riven finished for her. Ever since he had brought Musa to the village, she would always get an Italian glass ornament. Of course she had the most expensive taste. They were not cheap ornaments.
"These are my favorite. My mom loved these," Musa gushed, tracing her fingers across one of the multi-colored, swirled Murano glass ornament. Her eyes searched the back wall until she saw the one she wanted.
"I want this one," Musa stepped towards the bulb. It was decorated with different hues of blues, yellows, and greens. "I don't have a color like this one yet. It's absolutely beautiful."
"Is that all you want?"
"I think I'm good on one. After all, I probably shouldn't be spending money on a ton of ornaments. I still need to find another job," Musa laughed, still admiring the ornament on the back wall. Carefully, she lifted the hook off of the tree and carefully walked to the front of the store to the register.
"I absolutely love this glass," The lady on the register commented. She turned her back to Musa and Riven with the ornament and proceeded to wrap the ornament up in the proper packaging.
"Are you going to add it to your Christmas tree next year?" Riven questioned.
Musa opened her mouth, but closed it. Where was she going to be next Christmas? Was she even going to put up a Christmas tree next year? She could always put it on her father's tree. Would she even be with anyone next year to share Christmas with?
"That will be $56.00 please," The lady returned to the register with the ornament. Musa had been brought back to reality after she had been thinking about next year's Christmas. Sudden realization had hit here that there would be no more Christmas's at Riven's ever again in her entire life. A pit had formed in her stomach.
"Here," Riven pulled out his credit card and handed it to the lady.
Musa turned to look at him, "What are you doing? You aren't spending money on my ornament," Musa fished for her wallet in her bag.
"Too late, it's already paid for," Riven grinned, accepting the receipt and the pen from the cashier. Quickly, he signed his name across the dotted line and handed back the paper and pen.
"I can't believe you," Musa grumbled. She smiled and thanked the cashier before scolding at Riven once again.
"He must really care for you," The cashier gushed, waving the "couple" goodbye.
"Just think of it as my gift to you after forgetting your birthday two years ago."
"I forgot about that," Musa stomped her foot on the ground.
A groan escaped from Riven's mouth, "Of course. I bring back the one memory that I messed up that you actually forgot."
"But I guess we are even," Musa grinned, clutching her ornament bag.
After stepping out of the ornament shop, Musa and Riven rounded the corner and turned back to main street. They were stopped by a gentlemen with a camera. "Excuse me, would you two like a picture in front of the holiday tree?"
Musa and Riven exchanged glances, both shrugging their shoulders. "Sure, do you mind taking it on my phone?" Musa pulled her iPhone out of her pocket and handed it to the man. He eagerly took it as Musa and Riven walked to the front of the tree. Riven wrapped his arm around Musa and they smiled for the camera.
"Thank you," Musa took back her phone, admiring the photo. "It's actually a good one."
"It's only because I'm in the photo."
"Of course," Musa rolled her eyes.
"Hey, lemme take a selfie," Riven joked, holding his phone out in front of him and Musa. Together, the two took a photo in front of the carriage ride. "I'm sharing this to Instagram. Riven's fingers scrolled across his phone screen for a few seconds.
"What hashtag did you use?" Musa questioned him as he tucked his phone back into his coat pocket.
Sighing, Riven dug his phone back out of his pocket and handed his phone to her.
Musa examined the photo. "I like the filter you used," Musa added. She scrolled beneath the photo and saw his use of "#Christmas #Santababy #ChristmasVillage.
"How creative," Musa handed back his phone.
Throughout the village, Musa and Riven wandered into several different shops. It wasn't until Riven and Musa wandered into the chocolate shop with the old man. Musa stepped into the shop. Nothing had changed; in fact, the chocolate glass casings were to the right and the homemade candies were stationed on the left wall. There were a few other small families searching through the shop. She was hit with waves of nostalgia and suddenly she realized how much she had missed the last two years.
"Well I'll be darned," A deep, husky voice sprouted.
Musa knew that voice anywhere. Except this time, the voice was more raspy and softer than what it normally sounded like. "Harold, how are you?" Musa leaned in to hug the older man. After pulling away from the hug, she took a step back and gave him a harder look. He had surely aged from the last time she had an encounter with him. His glasses were pushed up to the bridge of nose, he had a limp in his left leg and his back was more hunched over than what she remembered. His body appeared to be older, but his spirit was still as young as ever.
"I haven't seen you around here in a while," He smiled, holding out his hand for Riven to shake.
"I've been away for awhile."
"I can't believe you two are still together," He smiled, admiring the two standing there together.
"Actually," Musa began to say but was cut off by the old man again.
"You two remind me of my wife and I when we were your age." The comment made Musa's heart break and Riven sighed slightly, resting his hand upon her shoulder.
Come to the back with me, I have something for you. He waved Musa and Riven along. They slowly trailed behind him.
"Sit down," He patted the couch in the back room to the shop.
"My wife and I opened this shop many, many years ago. We were the second shop in the village," He began to tell another one of his stories. Musa set her ornament bag on the floor before she leaned forward, her chin propped up with the palms to her hands.
"Harold, I wish she were here," Musa said softly. Harold leaned over and grabbed her hands. "Musa, I do too. She just loved you kids."
"Riven and I were so young when we met you two. Because of you, I love this village so much," Musa gushed, feeling the tears go to her eyes.
Harold smiled before slowly standing up. He turned around and walked over the shelf where the was a gift bag created. "Your boyfriend over here said you would be in and I arranged to have a Christmas gift basket for you. I want you to open it on Christmas. It's all wrapped up in this bag."
"How did you know I would come?" Musa questioned, taking the bag.
Harold sat down beside Musa on the couch, "I just had a hunch."
"Thank you so much, you didn't have too," Musa began, baffled by his generosity. He would always send them back with some sort of chocolate or goody, but never something to this sort.
"Look, I need to tell you two something. You're my favorite customers, practically family. I remember all those years you would come in here and sit and talk with me for hours when no one else would. With all of the people in here, especially after my wife died, it felt lonely."
"Harold, we were honored to get to spend time with you," Riven placed his hand on Musa's shoulder.
"We love coming here," Musa and Riven shared glances with one another. Harold had become a large portion of their
"I won't be here much longer. I just want you to promise me that you will come back each year and make sure this place is doing well. I want to know my business is well taken care of long after I'm gone," Harold gave the two a soft smile. His hand was shaking as he tried taking a sip of his water.
"Of course. We will be back to see you," Musa answered for the both of them. She didn't have the heart to tell him that she would no longer be at the Harrington's for another Christmas or that she and Riven were not together anymore. She couldn't stand to take
Harold frowned at the young "couple." "Unfortunately my dear, I won't be around long enough to see past the new year. My chemo has taken a toll on my body and the doctors only gave me about a month left to live at the latest."
"What?" Musa shrieked, gripping onto Riven's hand.
"I just wanted to say thank you. You really have made the Christmas holdiay's wonderful."
"Harold, is there anything we can do?" Riven withdrew from Musa and rubbed his hands together.
"No, just make sure you enjoy the gift that I have given you two. Everything is taken care of after I die. I know my business will be in good hands. Just do me one favor," Harold spoke in a soft, raspy tone.
"Of course," Musa's voice quivered.
"Whenever things get tough, don't give up. You have a lot of potential and you are both doing great things. Hang in there and hold onto each other because you never know when you won't get another chance too."
"Absolutely," Riven answered for both him and Musa. This was a goodbye that they hadn't expected to encounter on this day.
Musa wiped her teary eyes as they left the shop. Riven wrapped his arm around shoulder and pulled Musa in close. "Riven," She wailed, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. She could have swore she saw a tear roll down Riven's cheek as well.
"That's so sad Riven," Musa grumbled. Suddenly, she was no longer in the mood to eat any of the chocolates that she had bought.
"It will be okay," Riven rubbed his hand across her back to comfort both her and himself. He hadn't known losing Harold would hurt as bad as it did. It was almost like losing his own grandparent.
After what seemed like minutes, the two pulled away from one another. Musa wiped her tears away from her face and the two walked down the main aisle in silence. Rounding the corner of one of the buildings, they had run into the Techna and Timmy. Techna and Timmy had a few assorted bags. "Hey! You're right Musa, this place is fantastic."
Musa looked up, hoping that it looked like she had not been crying. "I told you so. What did you think Timmy?"
"It has a lot of history and the architecture is quite nice. I wouldn't mind studying this area a bit. I do think I enjoyed it," Timmy answered affirmatively.
"Before we go, we should get some hot chocolate," Techna suggested. Her legs had been shaking from the bitter cold wind. She wouldn't mind something to help heat her body up.
Musa and Riven glanced in each other's direction and shrugged their shoulders. "Sure, sounds perfect."
Together, the quarto approached the nearest hot chocolate stand. The barista turned around, her eyes were filled with confusion as she sought out who the group of people were. Finally at the same time, it clicked for both Musa and the barista.
"Oh my god, I remember you two," The barista leaned in over the counter and grinned.
Not knowing who she was Riven commented first. "Really?"
"You were the two that would come here every year. I remember the first year I met you, you were with her. I gave you my number and you never did text me. I can give you my number again if you would like?"
Musa interjected, "He didn't need your number years ago, I don't think he needs it now."
"Well I don't see him engaged to you? Obviously there is something wrong," She pointed out.
"We like to take things slow," Musa stammered, obviously frustrated by the rude barista's fronted demeanor.
"Yeah, really slow," Riven eyed Musa, not arguing or denying her word.
"Is it because you got her pregnant didn't you? You're just the baby daddy."
Musa laughed, ignoring the topic that tugged at her heart every time it was brought up. "Yeah, I don't think so."
"Why not? Surely you two aren't single. After all, who would be crazy to give up this vibrant gem right here?" The barista pointed a finger and tossed it in Riven's direction.
"Oh we're together," Musa shoved Riven aside and glared right into the barista's brown eyes.
"God. Together for this long and still no kids or engagement ring? He must not be into you that much," She examined her manicured nails. Musa glared at the barista, silently scolding herself for not wearing her mother's ring. She had put it away for the day out after she had showered.
"I'm sorry we have jobs and we can't work and serve hot chocolate for nine years now. We have better things to do with our time then comment on other people's relationships," Musa snapped, releasing the claws that she had been holding in.
"Honey, I think you should calm down," Riven laughed, playing along. After all, he did owe Musa from years ago by taking her number.
"Are you two going through a tough time?" She questioned, batting her eyes at Riven.
"No we are doing just fine," Musa growled, answering for the both of them.
Ignoring Musa's attitude, the woman leaned towards Riven, blocking out Musa from her eyesight. Bringing her hand from the other side of the counter, she placed her hand on Riven's arm."I think your lady over here is quite angry. Maybe you should try something new? You should kiss her under the mistletoe. Look?" The barista pointed up.
Musa and Riven both looked up to find the green and red mistletoe hanging from the sign up above.
"We aren't much for kissing in public," Riven answered for the both of them.
The barista laughed, "Well that answers it then. You two are single and don't love each other."
"No we do," Musa almost shouted. She turned to look at Riven. He gave her an uneasy look, one that she happened to be familiar all to well with.
"Then kiss him."
"Fine!" She grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer to her body. With one last glance, she looked at the mistletoe and then placed her lips on Rivens'. Nothing could have prepared for them what happened next. Not a nuclear war, not an explosion, not even an earthquake. Passion flooded both of them and neither of them wanted to pull apart from the kiss. After a few seconds, they both pulled away, hiding their blushes from Techna and Timmy who were easily amused behind them.
"Here are your hot chocolates," The barista handed the four hot chocolates to the group. Riven quickly distributed the drinks out between one another.
"I'll see you later, sweet thing," She winked at Riven before the four walked away.
...
"I hate that woman," Musa spat. She stopped in her tracks once they had approached the stone fountain. Out of curiosity, she brought her hot chocolate to her lips and took a sip.
"I'm surprised she didn't try to poison my drink," Musa said with finality. Tucking her peacoat underneath her, she crouched down to sit down on the cold, damp stone blocks.
"So you're dating now?" Techna laughed, bringing her hot chocolate to her plum-coated lips. "Mmm, cinnamon. It's my favorite."
"She's renowned for giving me a hard time and being a bitch," Musa declared by raising her voice. A couple walked by, glaring at Musa for using profane language in a family-oriented area.
"Oh God, here we go again," Riven groaned, pacing around. He wasn't over the kiss that he and Musa had just dauntingly shared. It had been more than he thought he could take in. He never thought that kissing Musa could be that satisfying.
"Years ago," Musa threw her arms up in the air and nearly leaped from the fountain seating. "This is huge," Musa took a deep breath and began to tell the story.
...
"I'm going to die with this One time. We were together for like two and a half months," Riven exclaimed, defending his own side to the story.
"So that's it?" Timmy questioned.
"That was the wrong thing to say, Techna scolded her fiance for being so naive.
"I despise her!" Musa sat back down on the edge of the stone encasing the fountain.
"The moral lesson of this is, don't try and take away what's Musa's. She doesn't share very well," Riven winked at Musa and laughed. He earned a laugh from everyone in the group.
"If it's any consolation, I take your side Musa." Techa
"The bitch had to go down," Timmy agreed, causing everyone let out the laugh they were all holding in.
Techna's eyes focused on Riven. She watched Riven leave Timmy's side. He approached the front of the fountain where Musa was currently sitting. Being a gentlemen, Riven held out his left hand for Musa to take. He courteously assisted Musa off the stone. Neither of them released each other's hands. Instead, they poked fun at each other and held onto each other, both afraid to be the first one to let go. They were so oblivious to the obvious feelings they had for one another. The physical and emotional tension was there and everyone could feel it growing.
"Time to go home and eat? I'm starving," Timmy glanced down at his rubmling stomach.
"Of course, we still have a Christmas tree to decorate," Musa beamed up at Riven.
"Musa's second favorite thing," Riven shook his head.
Once the crew had gotten into the truck, Musa immediately withdrew from Riven and turned on the radio to overcast any other possible form of conversation. She couldn't stop thinking about kissing Riven. Internally, she was panicking. Her mind was swirling with thoughts that were consuming her insides. She planned on calling Stella as soon as they got back to the cabin. She was going to feign an excuse that her father was calling and she needed some privacy. Everyone would believe her right? She was so lost in her thoughts that she forgot how tired she was. She hadn't slept much the night before and she was in a dire need of a nap. They still had to eat dinner, decorate the Christmas tree and perform any necessities before Christmas Eve. It all sounded exhausting.
Musa yawned and wiped her eyes. Groggily, she curled her head up against the side of the door, pulled her coat into her body and quickly fell asleep.
"Musa," Riven shook her arm to wake her.
"Huh?" Musa murmured, refusing to lift her head off the door. She didn't want to wake up from her nap as she was still tired.
"It's time to go inside. We have arrived back at our destination," Riven leaned over the console, unbuckling her seat belt. Feeling his touch against her hipbone, Musa jumped. She quickly lifted her head up and stared into Riven's deep blue eyes.
"Look what happened back there," Musa began, searching for the right words. She didn't want to apologize for kissing him because she wasn't. In fact, kissing him was the most exuberant thing she had done in awhile.
Riven grinned, leaning his body across the seat. He was so close to her her face; his nose was almost touching hers. Musa gulped, feeling the heat radiating from all over her body. Suddenly, the the atmosphere intensified as Riven clasped his hand over her tight. He moved away from her nose and leaned in towards her neck. Slowly, he kissed her collar bone, working his way up towards her ear. Leaving a trail of hot breath on her neck, he stopped at her ear lobe. He breathed in her ear,"Stop... You can't tell me you don't feel it too."
Musa felt her heart was going to beat out of her chest. She sucked in a deep breath and exhaled, trying to relieve herself of the feeling that she was suffocating. Hot flashes went up her spine and her face was reddening. If she stayed in the truck any longer, she wouldn't able to think clearly and let her raging hormones get the best of her in the situation that was about to unfold between them. Musa fought the temptation and pulled away.
"Look, we should go inside," Musa grumbled, suddenly feeling guilty of the events that unfolded throughout the day. Thankful her seat belt was already undone, she was able to duck away from her and quickly scramble out of the truck seat. Quickly, she darted for the door. She didn't even look back to notice Riven's sudden look of confusion and guilt. Angrily, he slammed his fist onto the steering wheel and swore profanity to no one.
