I run.

Faster than I ever have.

I won't stop. I can't. Not until I reach my destination. Nothing can stop me. Nothing won't stop me.

My bare feet slap against the wet grass. I am not afraid of slipping. That won't happen here. My skirts crowd around my legs, and my hair flies behind me.

I begin to hear it.

The sound of crashing waves.

I run faster.

I crest over the hill and in a split second my senses are overrun by the sight before my eyes.

A crystal clear sea stretches as far as my eyes can see. No one knows how far it actually goes. It is this that pushes the waves of beautiful clear water to crash onto the white sands that look like gold as the setting sun is right over the horizon.

I do not stop. It is not the view I am here for. And with a quick glance to my left and right, I see Whom I've been looking for.

Off to my right is a lone figure of a Man standing at the edge of the encroaching waves that never seem to reach where they want before receding back into the depths. His back is to the shore with His face to the sun, which I cannot see yet. His attire is not as you would expect, simply dressed in a plain white shirt and pants. He is barefooted, and His hair flows free in the wind.

My heart quickens at the sight of Him, as does the yearning in my soul. My legs cannot move fast enough to reach His side.

Even though the distance between us is quickly growing smaller, time seems to stop as the sound of my footsteps have caught His attention, and He turns His face to me. I watch as His expression of perfect peace turns into absolute joy as His eyes connect with mine.

I struggle to not melt right there, my heart ready to burst with love, but instead I keep running straight into His outstretched arms, crying His Name.

"Jesus!"

With a cry of laughter, He lifts me up into the air, spinning twice then a third, before holding me up in His arms, not letting me touch the ground.

"Hello, My queen," He says, and I feel my cheeks flush. It does not help that I am looking down at Him instead of looking up at Him. This seems more intimate… sacred.

Not sure what to do with my hands, I rest them on His shoulders.

"I… I didn't interrupt You talking to Papa, did I?" I ask, realizing that was probably what He was doing here away in a quiet place.

"We were talking, yes, but you didn't interrupt Us," Jesus reassures me, smiling. He adjusts His hold on me so my face is closer to His and He can look me in the eye. "I knew you were coming."

My heart skips a beat and my face grows hotter, but my gaze does not leave His. Suddenly, a thought comes to me, and I open my mouth to speak.

"Have I ever told You that I love Your eyes?" I say softly, my right hand leaving His shoulder to brush His cheek. He says nothing, so I continue. "They change depending on Your feelings. As when You are angry or protective, blue lightning fills them and would jump out if You let it." I drop off because I am captured by His gaze, and I do not have words.

"And what are they showing you now?" He whispers.

Emboldened in a way I never have felt before, I cup His face with both hands, bringing my face even closer to His, so we almost touch but not quite.

"They are like pools of water, calm, yet flash with light of the sun," I whisper, not able to finish my thought.

He smiles, the corners of His eyes crinkling. He closes the distance so our faces are touching now.

"What does that tell you?"

Now, I flush again, but I manage to answer.

"That You are looking at someone You love."

He hums, not quite satisfied with my answer. "And who is that?"

My lip quivers, and I can't contain myself and bring my lips to His, kissing Him deeply. I continually wish I can give Him more to give back what He has given me, but that will never be possible. He is Infinite.

We pull away, and I gasp.

"You didn't answer My question," Jesus reminds me with a whisper. "Who am I looking at whom I love?"

My lip quivers again but for a different reason. Or is it the same? "...me… You love me."

His eyes burn brighter, ready to pull me in and drown my soul; and this time, His right hand cups my neck and pulls me in, finishing my earlier kiss.

Yes, I love you. Now and always.

Oh… my… This is new… Lord, what did You have me write? (turns and hides her blushing, red face in a pillow)

Hi, everyone! I'm back! I've been working on other projects, as I mentioned in another work on FF. And I also well… life happens which can distract you from taking time with Him, and that was me for a couple months.

I am actually working on a longer one-shot for this collection, but I'm less than a third through, probably, if it goes the way I think it will. So, it might take a bit longer to publish. Slight spoiler, this longer one-shot will be… not all sunshine and rainbows… I can't say anymore or I will literally spoil the whole thing.

So, here's this short one that came out quite randomly and inspired by a set of my own drawings. If you'd like to see one of them, they are on my IG. (I do not post everything because IG is more public, and people do not all take kindly to this subject. In fact, I just got my first flame review of this. I'm surprised I haven't had one earlier.) My id is @qu_em_t_di if you are interested.

Thank you! God bless you, and Jesus loves you!

-QEtD