First Love Lost - part 2
"You live in a cave?" Alexis looked at Christian, incredulous. She had long ago completed what was advertised as the best meal on Santorini. It was very good. So was the company. Without realizing it she'd spent the afternoon in easy conversation. It was amazing. It all came so easily. Well after a push start from Gregour it came easy. In the guise of "practicing English" they had talked the afternoon away and now the sun was setting at her back. The most beautiful sunset on the face of the earth was directly behind her and she only had eyes for handsome young man in front of her who apparently lived in a cave!
"It is not as primitive as you might think." He laughed, eyes shining. "Many of the homes here are caves. The fishermen who settled here in ancient times built their homes in the caves on the cliffs. We continue to use them. Of course we have made a few additions. We have electricity now, and central heating and even running water. In fact much of this taverna was an ancient cave dwelling."
"I'm eating outside a cave?"
"Yes"
"I feel like I'm on the 'Flintstones'" she laughed.
"The Flintstones?"
"Yeah you know . . . Flintstones, meet the Flintstones . . . " Alexis started singing, badly.
"Ah . . . " Christian continued in Greek ". . . they're the modern stone age family. From the town of Bedrock . . . " his voice was melodic.
"Yes. That's it." She mercifully stopped singing. "Tell me Fred. Where is your cave?"
"Well it is near the top of the cliffs and it is the best place to see the sunset." He rose from his chair and rounded the table to squat behind Alexis. He placed his head next to hers so they could have the same line of sight. His proximity made her draw a quick breath. Her heart beat faster and her face flushed. His right hand gently touched her right shoulder and he extended his left arm to point upward. "It is . . . " He lost his train of thought. He was touching her. She was letting him touch her. She liked him touching her! His hand ran down her arm to touch her hand. She instinctively closed her fingers around his hand and leaned back, drawing them both into an embrace. It was heaven.
"Where is it?" Alexis' voice was barely audible. She didn't really care at that moment where he lived. She was in his arms and it felt right. It felt more than right. It felt wonderful. They fit together. As if they always had and always would. She tilted her head toward his. As their cheeks touched, he nestled his chin into her shoulder. Her whole body tingled.
He couldn't think. He was holding her. She had pulled him into an embrace. His hand was resting on her stomach and his face was caressing hers. He breathed in the scent of her, a beautiful floral scent he couldn't quite identify. He couldn't get enough of it. He couldn't concentrate. He couldn't remember where he lived. He brought his left hand down to join the right and pulled her to him. He turned his head to her and with a gentle soft brush of his lips he kissed her cheek. At his touch she turned to bring her lips in contact with his. They kissed. A brief kiss that delighted them both.
When the kiss broke, she glanced down and smiled that shy smile he had already seen many times that afternoon. He loved those dimples! He loved this woman! His smile was huge. "Will you allow me to take you out tonight?"
"Uh . . . " She knew what her answer would be. She knew what her answer SHOULD be. She should not be spending the evening with a stranger she just met. Except he wasn't a stranger. Even though they had just met, she had known him forever. "...okay."
The water lapped gently against the side of the sailboat. They were anchored some 3000 yards offshore and Alexis was relaxing on deck, thinking of the past several days. They'd danced that first night. They'd danced all night. It felt so good to be in his arms. She didn't want to be anywhere else. They talked of everything and nothing. Christian was a chef! She couldn't boil water. He wanted to know about the Harvard T-shirt. Was she really a lawyer or was there a special lawyer boyfriend in the picture? He was relieved to know there was no one back in the States. There had been plenty of dates, but Harvard men seemed intimidated by her intellect. Christian wasn't intimidated. He loved her wit and intellect.
He really didn't need to practice his English. It was excellent and he could banter with the best of them. She liked that. She liked him. She liked him a lot. He was handsome, smart and confident. He was comfortable with himself and his place in the world. And he was sure her place was with him. She was beginning to believe him.
They had explored the island together. They visited the shops that snaked up the cliffs. They walked through ruins that were thousands of years old. They strolled through vineyards and spent lazy afternoons on the black sand beaches. And today they were sailing. Well they weren't really sailing. They were relaxing on a sailboat anchored to a volcano. She sat up and frowned.
"What are you thinking?" Christian's eyes were focused on Alexis. She was beautiful in swim wear. She was beautiful in evening wear. She was beautiful in an oversized T-shirt and jeans. God she was beautiful.
"I was thinking we are anchored to a volcano!"
"Yes we are."
"It's inactive right?"
"It is sleeping. It is not dead. Those two small islands just ahead are continually growing because of the volcano."
"You mean it could erupt?" Alexis didn't feel quite as relaxed as before. Sooner or later volcanos erupted. Bad things happened after that.
"Yes Alexis it could erupt. One day it will erupt, but I do not think it will be today." He smiled. Her mind always seemed to visit the worst possible scenarios.
"You don't seem worried. It will erupt! This volcano to which our boat is now anchored will spew molten destruction down upon us . . . "
"Alexis" he interrupted "There is no certainty in our lives except that one day they will end."
"Well that's a pleasant thought."
Christian moved to sit behind Alexis and pulled her into a warm embrace. "The volcano is a gift. It reminds us to make the most of our lives every minute of every day."
Alexis covered his hands with her own. "I guess that's a good way to live." She sighed and leaned back into his chest.
"It is the only way to live. It gave me the courage to meet you." He kissed her cheek.
She laughed at that. "Gregour gave you the courage to meet me!" She teased.
"Gregour watches out for me. He is aptly named, like you."
Alexis turned to face Christian and tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean? Aptly named." She shifted completely around so they were now sitting face to face, still close, their hands entwined between them.
"Alexis, you ARE your name. It means the defender of man. You are studying to be a lawyer."
"Ah but what if I decide to become a prosecutor?"
"You told me a defense attorney defends the individual and the prosecutor defends the community."
"You were actually listening to all my career babbling?"
"I treasure your every word." He was sincere.
"You are so kind!" She was touched and a small smile formed on her face. "And Gregour, what does his name mean?"
"Gregour means watchman or caretaker, someone who watches out for the welfare of others. That is what he has done for me for all my life. Even before the accident that killed our parents, he took care of me."
"Your parents are dead?"
"Yes. A ferry accident, seven years ago."
"I'm sorry."
"Do not be sorry. They had no regrets about their lives. They had a good life, the best. They were love struck too. From the moment they met they knew they would be together forever. And they were very happy right up to the day they died."
Alexis glanced down. Love struck. So it really did happen to some people. Could it happen to me? Had it happened? Could we actually be together and happy for the rest of our lives? Christian seemed sure. She wanted it to be true, but she really couldn't wrap her mind around the possibility. Besides there were other obstacles. She would be returning to the States soon. It wasn't something she was looking forward to. Part of her wanted to stay here with him. Even if it meant living in the shadow of a volcano that was only sleeping. The thought of leaving him made her face fall and she looked away.
"Hey do not be sad." Christian leaned in low and looked up into her eyes. "I am not. I had loving parents for most of my life. I have Gregour and now I have you. I am happy with my life. I am happy with you."
Alexis looked up with the half-dimpled smile he loved to see. "I'm happy with you too. Happier than I ever thought possible."
Christian's smile was full. "I am glad you are happy." He leaned in and kissed her softly. And was rewarded with a full dimpled grin.
"Hey Fred show me where your cave is again." There was a hint of mischief in her voice.
"It is near the top of the cliff there." He pointed to an area of whitewashed buildings overlooking the caldera.
"And it has the best view of the sunset?" the mischief was still there.
"I think so. That is why I live there."
"I want to see the sunset. I want to see the view from your cave, Mr. Flintstone."
"You live in a cave?" Alexis looked at Christian, incredulous. She had long ago completed what was advertised as the best meal on Santorini. It was very good. So was the company. Without realizing it she'd spent the afternoon in easy conversation. It was amazing. It all came so easily. Well after a push start from Gregour it came easy. In the guise of "practicing English" they had talked the afternoon away and now the sun was setting at her back. The most beautiful sunset on the face of the earth was directly behind her and she only had eyes for handsome young man in front of her who apparently lived in a cave!
"It is not as primitive as you might think." He laughed, eyes shining. "Many of the homes here are caves. The fishermen who settled here in ancient times built their homes in the caves on the cliffs. We continue to use them. Of course we have made a few additions. We have electricity now, and central heating and even running water. In fact much of this taverna was an ancient cave dwelling."
"I'm eating outside a cave?"
"Yes"
"I feel like I'm on the 'Flintstones'" she laughed.
"The Flintstones?"
"Yeah you know . . . Flintstones, meet the Flintstones . . . " Alexis started singing, badly.
"Ah . . . " Christian continued in Greek ". . . they're the modern stone age family. From the town of Bedrock . . . " his voice was melodic.
"Yes. That's it." She mercifully stopped singing. "Tell me Fred. Where is your cave?"
"Well it is near the top of the cliffs and it is the best place to see the sunset." He rose from his chair and rounded the table to squat behind Alexis. He placed his head next to hers so they could have the same line of sight. His proximity made her draw a quick breath. Her heart beat faster and her face flushed. His right hand gently touched her right shoulder and he extended his left arm to point upward. "It is . . . " He lost his train of thought. He was touching her. She was letting him touch her. She liked him touching her! His hand ran down her arm to touch her hand. She instinctively closed her fingers around his hand and leaned back, drawing them both into an embrace. It was heaven.
"Where is it?" Alexis' voice was barely audible. She didn't really care at that moment where he lived. She was in his arms and it felt right. It felt more than right. It felt wonderful. They fit together. As if they always had and always would. She tilted her head toward his. As their cheeks touched, he nestled his chin into her shoulder. Her whole body tingled.
He couldn't think. He was holding her. She had pulled him into an embrace. His hand was resting on her stomach and his face was caressing hers. He breathed in the scent of her, a beautiful floral scent he couldn't quite identify. He couldn't get enough of it. He couldn't concentrate. He couldn't remember where he lived. He brought his left hand down to join the right and pulled her to him. He turned his head to her and with a gentle soft brush of his lips he kissed her cheek. At his touch she turned to bring her lips in contact with his. They kissed. A brief kiss that delighted them both.
When the kiss broke, she glanced down and smiled that shy smile he had already seen many times that afternoon. He loved those dimples! He loved this woman! His smile was huge. "Will you allow me to take you out tonight?"
"Uh . . . " She knew what her answer would be. She knew what her answer SHOULD be. She should not be spending the evening with a stranger she just met. Except he wasn't a stranger. Even though they had just met, she had known him forever. "...okay."
The water lapped gently against the side of the sailboat. They were anchored some 3000 yards offshore and Alexis was relaxing on deck, thinking of the past several days. They'd danced that first night. They'd danced all night. It felt so good to be in his arms. She didn't want to be anywhere else. They talked of everything and nothing. Christian was a chef! She couldn't boil water. He wanted to know about the Harvard T-shirt. Was she really a lawyer or was there a special lawyer boyfriend in the picture? He was relieved to know there was no one back in the States. There had been plenty of dates, but Harvard men seemed intimidated by her intellect. Christian wasn't intimidated. He loved her wit and intellect.
He really didn't need to practice his English. It was excellent and he could banter with the best of them. She liked that. She liked him. She liked him a lot. He was handsome, smart and confident. He was comfortable with himself and his place in the world. And he was sure her place was with him. She was beginning to believe him.
They had explored the island together. They visited the shops that snaked up the cliffs. They walked through ruins that were thousands of years old. They strolled through vineyards and spent lazy afternoons on the black sand beaches. And today they were sailing. Well they weren't really sailing. They were relaxing on a sailboat anchored to a volcano. She sat up and frowned.
"What are you thinking?" Christian's eyes were focused on Alexis. She was beautiful in swim wear. She was beautiful in evening wear. She was beautiful in an oversized T-shirt and jeans. God she was beautiful.
"I was thinking we are anchored to a volcano!"
"Yes we are."
"It's inactive right?"
"It is sleeping. It is not dead. Those two small islands just ahead are continually growing because of the volcano."
"You mean it could erupt?" Alexis didn't feel quite as relaxed as before. Sooner or later volcanos erupted. Bad things happened after that.
"Yes Alexis it could erupt. One day it will erupt, but I do not think it will be today." He smiled. Her mind always seemed to visit the worst possible scenarios.
"You don't seem worried. It will erupt! This volcano to which our boat is now anchored will spew molten destruction down upon us . . . "
"Alexis" he interrupted "There is no certainty in our lives except that one day they will end."
"Well that's a pleasant thought."
Christian moved to sit behind Alexis and pulled her into a warm embrace. "The volcano is a gift. It reminds us to make the most of our lives every minute of every day."
Alexis covered his hands with her own. "I guess that's a good way to live." She sighed and leaned back into his chest.
"It is the only way to live. It gave me the courage to meet you." He kissed her cheek.
She laughed at that. "Gregour gave you the courage to meet me!" She teased.
"Gregour watches out for me. He is aptly named, like you."
Alexis turned to face Christian and tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean? Aptly named." She shifted completely around so they were now sitting face to face, still close, their hands entwined between them.
"Alexis, you ARE your name. It means the defender of man. You are studying to be a lawyer."
"Ah but what if I decide to become a prosecutor?"
"You told me a defense attorney defends the individual and the prosecutor defends the community."
"You were actually listening to all my career babbling?"
"I treasure your every word." He was sincere.
"You are so kind!" She was touched and a small smile formed on her face. "And Gregour, what does his name mean?"
"Gregour means watchman or caretaker, someone who watches out for the welfare of others. That is what he has done for me for all my life. Even before the accident that killed our parents, he took care of me."
"Your parents are dead?"
"Yes. A ferry accident, seven years ago."
"I'm sorry."
"Do not be sorry. They had no regrets about their lives. They had a good life, the best. They were love struck too. From the moment they met they knew they would be together forever. And they were very happy right up to the day they died."
Alexis glanced down. Love struck. So it really did happen to some people. Could it happen to me? Had it happened? Could we actually be together and happy for the rest of our lives? Christian seemed sure. She wanted it to be true, but she really couldn't wrap her mind around the possibility. Besides there were other obstacles. She would be returning to the States soon. It wasn't something she was looking forward to. Part of her wanted to stay here with him. Even if it meant living in the shadow of a volcano that was only sleeping. The thought of leaving him made her face fall and she looked away.
"Hey do not be sad." Christian leaned in low and looked up into her eyes. "I am not. I had loving parents for most of my life. I have Gregour and now I have you. I am happy with my life. I am happy with you."
Alexis looked up with the half-dimpled smile he loved to see. "I'm happy with you too. Happier than I ever thought possible."
Christian's smile was full. "I am glad you are happy." He leaned in and kissed her softly. And was rewarded with a full dimpled grin.
"Hey Fred show me where your cave is again." There was a hint of mischief in her voice.
"It is near the top of the cliff there." He pointed to an area of whitewashed buildings overlooking the caldera.
"And it has the best view of the sunset?" the mischief was still there.
"I think so. That is why I live there."
"I want to see the sunset. I want to see the view from your cave, Mr. Flintstone."