Part Nine

"Come on, Lita. Let's go. I don't want to be late."

"Matt, it's 4:30 am. Where are we going? And be quiet. You're going to wake up Jeff!" Lita whispered.

"Are you kidding? He could sleep through a hurricane. Come on now," he said, taking her hand and leading her out of the hotel room. "This is your surprise. Besides, it's 4:45", he said. He stopped by the front desk and picked up a picnic basket the clerk had waiting for him.

They walked through the hotel parking lot and onto the beach. The black night sky had started to give itself up as dawn approached. Matt led Lita to a secluded part of the beach, tucked away between the reeds. The crashing ocean waves met with the sounds of the
squawking gulls, awakening to start their day. Lita spread out their blanket, then sat down. Matt sat down beside her. He opened the picnic basket and handed her an orange juice and bagel, then took the
same for himself.

"So, Matt. Tell me about my surprise now. Please?" Lita begged in a teasing tone. Lita patted him lightly on the leg.

"There it is, Lita", Matt said, pointing towards the yellow and pink stripes of sunlight that had begun to peek over the horizon, pushing away the darkness. The beautiful streaks of light stretched towards
them across the water, the reflection on the waves a kaleidoscope of pastels.

Matt brushed a stray hair away from her face, then caressed her cheek with his hand. "You said the other night that you were afraid you'd never see a sunrise again. I wanted you to have that chance. You
said you didn't want to take things for granted anymore."

Lita sighed, leaning close to Matt, his hands still on her face. "Oh, Matt. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. You know what else I will never take for granted ever again?" she asked.

"What's that", he whispered leaning even closer, just inches from her now.

"You" she said as she closed the distance between them, kissing him softly.

The End