&&&
The sun rose as it began peering in through the glass paneling, and as it rose he watched her. Ryan observed the serenity in her nature as she slept. Her deep breaths, the way her eyelids would occasionally flutter, her small subtle movements in response to her subconscious. He kept a hand on her side as they lay bare under the sheets. His expression was of total calm but still in awe; overwhelmed by her beauty and wanting in that moment to stay with her for as long as time would permit. Gently stroking her buttery soft skin, he let it melt at his fingertips. How he was so fortunate to be here and now, he had no idea. Looking back onto the nights events he smiled to himself, enjoying the reel that rewound itself in his mind, allowing him to reminisce and reflect on the past twelve hours.
There was now a fine line between her dream and her reality; she slowly began to stir and surface into the latter. Opening her eyes she briefly became startled being caught off guard by Ryan staring at her.
"Good Morning…" he said as he brought his hand up to her face and pushed a strand behind it.
She smiled as she took her turn to quickly relay all that had happened, "…morning", she said greeting him as she let her eyes drift back down, hoping he'd follow by example and go back to sleep with her. For a moment they stayed silent, "you're still staring." She stated as she felt his gaze burning in her direction.
"I'm still staring…" He conceded as he moved closer to her and rested his head at the crook of her neck and inhaled her fragrance.
Wrapping an arm across his side, she welcomed his presence and immersed herself in the comfort, warmth, and safety that came with being in his grasp. She thought to herself quickly before realizing, "…it's Christmas."
"Chrismukkah." Ryan corrected.
"Oh that's right, how could I forget." She said slightly giggling as she opened her eyes once more and he returned his head back onto the pillow in his original position. "What?" She asked innocently as he continued to observe her.
"Nothing…I…I feel like I'm supposed to…wake up soon."
"You're awake, and way to early might I add." Marissa smiled.
"How you even managed to pull off what you did…I'm amazed. You sent me all around Newport you know."
"Oh believe me, I was just as amazed. Great timing and a great deal of luck…"
"I thought you weren't coming…"
"I wasn't." She said honestly.
"What made you change your mind?"
She took a deep breath, "Well I talked to Ethan." Marissa responded as Ryan's expression slowly fell at the sound of his name. "I know what you're thinking…"
"Yeah, and what's that?" He questioned softly as he held her a little closer.
"I talked to Ethan, and he just said aloud everything I already knew…and…it just enforced further that this is where I need to be. I didn't come home because I chose to listen to him over everyone else. It's not like that..." Marissa replied trailing off. "We're friends. We know that."
Ryan just nodded understanding. "How'd you even manage to get here?" He inquired.
"He drove me to the airport that late afternoon on the day you left. It was on the way there that I got your present, well one of your presents, sent to you. It was a long shot that it would even arrive here in time, or that I would even arrive here, but I guess miracles do happen huh."
"You're living proof…"
Marissa smiled before continuing, "When you called me, I was actually at the terminal. I arrived and couldn't get a flight out with it being the holidays and all, no matter how much I pleaded, but they said they'd put me on standby in case something came up. So I waited. I didn't want to leave in case, so I stayed. I stayed at the terminal the whole night. Then by chance, late yesterday I got a flight out."
He gave her a kiss on the forehead just thankful she was there by his side. "I'm sorry…for what I said…that day…" Ryan began, "I was an idiot. But I was a scared idiot…"
She kept a look of peace on her face as she listened intently.
"I'm sorry, for...taking you for granted." He said as his gaze dropped to her chin, unable to look her in the eyes as he said that, as he lay ashamed.
Marissa ran her fingers through his hair encouraging him to look up again.
"…for thinking I can just walk in and out of your life. But I want you to know…I was just scared. I didn't want to lose you. I'm even more, sorry that it took for someone else to come into your life for me to see that." Ryan said regretfully, as he confessed his wrong doings.
"…we've both done our share to hurt each other, so let's just agree to try and learn and move past this…okay?"
"…okay" he nodded in agreement and moving forward easing his lips on to hers; becoming interwoven as they continued to express their yearning. She pulled away slowly and turned on her side with her back towards him; taking his arm and wrapping it around herself.
He held her there as if protecting her and shielding her from the cold. Ryan kissed the back of her neck; finding her hand so he could entwine his fingers with hers. "Thanks for my present…well presents…" He whispered softly. "You really didn't have to get me all that."
"I wanted to. Besides I thought you could do with a new phone. I bought myself the same one. Now we can match…" She joked with him.
"I don't even know my own phone number. You have to remind me to get my old one cancelled then." Ryan reached out to the nightstand where he had left his new cell and took it in his palm, flipping it open. "So what's your new number? I want to save it."
"No it's already in there. I took the liberty of transferring in your existing phonebook."
"Let me guess…you must be 'Love of my life', God you're so cheesy", he said laughing at her. "A simple 'Marissa' would've done. A little confident, are we?"
"Then that wouldn't be altogether accurate, would it?" She responded smiling and turned back
"No, I guess not…" Ryan simply agreed as he moved to hover over her. Electricity surged through their bodies heated as he swiftly began playfully biting the sensitive area of her neck. She wrapped her arms around him and let her eyes close to completely embrace the sensation. Moving across he met her lips once again as they remained enraptured oblivious to world that would continue to turn as they stayed in slow motion, savoring every minute.
"Ryan?" Suddenly the faint calls from Seth were flooding in from the outside accompanied by footsteps. He knocks once without waiting for a response before taking a step into the pool house. "Oh my…" Seth says stunned at the sight of the now startled Ryan and Marissa.
"Seth!" Ryan hissed as he and Marissa moved back into confined positions keeping the sheets close to themselves.
"Cohen move out of the doorway", Summer instructed unaware of reasons for the sudden halt. "Oh my…" She said with eyes wide open almost identical to Seth.
"My thoughts exactly." Seth agreed. "Oh Lord the awkwardness…"
"Marissa you have to like give me details over breakfast." Summer said excitedly forgetting the circumstances.
"You do know this sheet is the only thing keeping you from seeing us naked. So can we maybe do this later?" Ryan said bluntly.
"Oh yeah of course" Summer said quickly.
"Oh wait, aren't Kirsten and Sandy home?" Marissa remembered.
"No, they left the house early to get ready for the party tonight." Summer replied.
"Ah, what's Chrismukkah without Newport's finest."
"Seth! Seriously. Naked. Thin sheets." Ryan enforced as Marissa compressed a small laugh.
"Come on sweetie", Summer patting him on the back and leading him out and shutting the door behind them.
"They have the best timing don't they?" Ryan embarked sarcastically as he drew the sheets over their heads covering the two of them completely; enjoying another moments silence before forcing themselves out of the comfort zone.
Assorted cereal boxes stood tall on the table amongst assorted fruits and morning offerings. The four friends sat down enjoying their food as they were listening intently to Marissa's anecdote, they would occasionally comment in between and Seth would manage to throw in some unnecessary remark once in a while.
"So you sent him that package? I can't believe you did that! That is the sweetest thing…" Summer cooed after hearing about Marissa's surprise for Ryan.
"Yes that was sweet. Very minty of you Marissa", Seth patronized. "Speaking of, can we do the presents thing yet?"
"No we're doing that altogether later when everyone's here." Summer answered.
"But Chrismukkah is happening as we speak."
"What are you, five?" Ryan mocked
"Boys, I need you to bring in the rest of the groceries." Kirsten called out as she walked in carrying a couple of them herself, setting them down on the kitchen counter. "Oh, 'morning girls, Merry Christmas", she said brightly before quickly doing a double take, "Marissa."
"Hi Kirsten", she smiled shyly.
Kirsten's expression was slightly agape, "But I thought…well Julie said, and Ryan…"
"…Change of heart", Marissa said nodding sincerely whilst giving a quick glance over to Ryan.
Kirsten noticed this and gave her warm smile; intuitive enough to understand what's happened. "Does your mom know you're back yet?"
"No, I just uh…stopped here first", Marissa responded without giving away she spent the night there. "Actually, that reminds me I better be going there now."
"Fellas, we need you to help set up the yard for later." Sandy instructed as he came in with more store-bought goods. "Marissa…" He said aloud, noticing the fourth member. "But I thought-"
"-hey, so did everyone right…" Seth chimed in as he walked over to the fridge patting his dad on the shoulder.
"Well, seeing as you two are going to be busy for the rest of the day, we'll be heading off. Come on Coop, I'll give you a ride." Summer announced as she grabbed her own plate along with Seth's and brought it to the sink.
"Okay", Marissa replied also getting up and bring along her and Ryan's used dishes in a similar process to Summer's. "I'm just going to grab my luggage …" She said as she made her way out to the pool-house with Ryan right behind her.
"How did that happen? One minute he's lonely and broken hearted and the next…" Sandy began lost for words.
"Stranger things have happened." Seth concluded.
"So I'll see you tonight?" She asked in between kisses; the two of them standing in the middle of the room having found the perfect excuse just to find a few more minutes alone.
"Mhmm…" was all he managed to mumble out.
"Good, because I can't wait for my present", she said excitedly as she pulled away slightly.
"How do you know I even got you anything", he teased.
"Oh please, I already found it lying next to your suitcase last night."
"Snooping huh?" He smiled as brought his lips, pressing it against her forehead.
She giggled, "Yeah you could say that. I got bored and you were taking so long …"
"Is that right?" Ryan responded holding her closer to him and resting his chin on her shoulder. "So what else are you going to do today?"
"Well, I'll probably just hang out at my mom's until later tonight, then we'll all come back here I guess. Are you going to miss me Atwood?"
"Yeah well I'll take your company over Seth's. He's got more questions lined up I can tell."
"Summer too no doubt. I'm going to be pressed for more details in the car." She said tiredly.
"I'm really glad you decided to come home", Ryan said more seriously as he retreated from his leaning position and looked straight into her.
"Me too", sincerely, as they let their lips become entangled; shutting their eyes in a brief moment of wanting. Ryan's hands running through her back and down at her sides; becoming caught up and reluctant to let go of the temporary realm they've created for the two of them. Walking forward and guiding her towards the bed, she reached behind her to ensure the presence of the mattress, slowly making their way down to hit the soft surface; she abruptly removed herself feeling flushed. "None of that…"
"Fine…", he turned to smile at the now standing Marissa who was adjusting her shirt after having pulled out of his encircled arms. Marissa went to grab her luggage which he grabbed from her as he took her hand and they began making their way out to the driveway around the side.
In no less than a day it wasn't hard for the two of them to fall back into their old habits. Their simple gestures and their ways of behaving around each other just seemed to flow back into their systems naturally. Without a word they thought silently that maybe things would be different this time for the better.
"Your lipstick is smeared", Summer said bluntly and highly observant as soon as Marissa and Ryan came out.
Marissa's complexion soon matched her shade of gloss as she felt embarrassed as she began dabbing the area around her lips.
"Nice work Chino", Summer teased as Ryan just shook his head with a smile.
"I'll see you later", he said giving Marissa peck on the cheek after carrying her luggage into the back seat of Summer's dad's convertible.
"Come on lovebird", she instructed as Marissa climbed into the front passenger seat giving Ryan a slight wave.
Driving down the adamant sun that shone in this part of California, the two girls headed for Julie's small beachfront property. A short while after they went to college, Sandy finally returned to his legal practice as Kirsten finally decided to come back and take the reigns on the Newport Group. With that, Kirsten offered up Julie's old position as an interior designer for the firm; now allowing her to bring in a satisfying income, with it being just her now, Julie found herself an intimate place by the water leaving her old life behind. Upon Caleb's death as his wealth was divided amongst his children, he had actually left her the large manor of which was then sold. The money she keeps for a rainy day but it's clear her home isn't at all a reflection of what she's actually accumulated and saved.
"So what made you come back", Summer asked, still in keeping with their discussion of Marissa's sudden decision to come home.
"After having spoken to you firstly, Kyle, and lastly Ethan…I knew I couldn't run away from this. It wasn't time that was going to fix this you know. We, well I…had to come out and confront him if anything was going to change."
"Well good. Do you think everything's going to work out?" She asked seriously.
Marissa looked out onto the passing waves and persistent surfers tackling the current in the cold breeze. "I really don't know…"
"You don't sound too optimistic there Coop."
"I'm not being a pessimist, it's just…I want this to work, and I'm going to try my best for it to work, but sometimes things just…don't", she answered openly.
"You guys look happy…"
"What can I say, old habits die hard. Its hard not to when you love someone and you know they feel the same way. So this time around we're really going to try and stay that way…" Marissa finished as she looked back out onto the winter with silent hopes and wishful thinking.
After the girls had left, upon Sandy's orders the two of them had gotten started on setting up for the party that would be happening later that night, much to Seth's dismay.
"Now if that wasn't enough to get you believing in Chrismukkah miracles, then I don't know what will", Seth beginning to ramble. "There were no flights, she could've given up, but no, she stayed. She sent you a package, led you back to her in the pool-house…"
"Yeah she's…something…" Ryan said as he was delivered into another thought of her.
"Oh come on, that was adorable. Very hallmark and selfless of her", Seth carried on encouragingly. "Come on you can do better than that."
"She's…amazing." He pronounced sincerely.
"You didn't sound very amazed", Seth teased.
Ryan just shook his head, "it's because she's amazing that I'm worried about giving her my gift later."
Seth looked up at him and an expression of revelation span across his face, "Oh I see. You're worried that because what she got you was so good, your gift may now look inferior."
Ryan gave him a vacant expression as he stacked chairs into the tables, "yeah, something like that."
"Well you know…this is Marissa and she loves you. She'll end up loving anything you end up giving her. I mean, she'd love you even if you got her an 'I heart Ryan' shirt."
"Thanks", Ryan, sarcastically, "But it's not that bad."
"So what'd you get her then?" Seth queried.
"Boys, the outdoor tree has just arrived, would you make sure there's enough space in the corner…" Kirsten called out disrupting their flow of conversation as she gave her motherly orders, sticking her head out of the French doors.
"Alright I'll see you later Coop." Summer waved as Marissa responded similarly with her luggage by her side in the driveway as her best friend pulled out.
Marissa dragged her suitcase and lugged her bag across the long wooden decking that was dusted off in grains of white sand. The house was rendered in beige and had beautiful windows that overlooked a view that was almost created by an impressionist. She paused a moment to inhale the fresh sea driven air; seagulls taking flight as the waves pushed inward.
On the inside the older brunette sat at her work desk. Tasteful shelving that housed design manuals, and interior decorating texts. At her station lay swatch palettes and fabric samples. The woman sat there studying intently an undisclosed book of almost biblical proportions. Reading word for word her face stayed emotionless, revealing nothing in her eyes but only carefully examining what was written on those pages. A knock came at the door and she looked up bewildered; as she hadn't been expecting anyone, she quickly grabbed the book she had been reading and popped it back into her drawer. Rising from her desk she processed towards her front door.
"Hi, mom", Marissa greeted with a wide and genuine smile.
"Marissa, I had no idea", Julie welcomed her elated and pulled her into a warm hug. "I've missed you, I though you weren't coming!"
"Well, I wasn't, but I came to my senses." Marissa answered vaguely.
"Let me take a good look at you", she took a step back and gave her a good once over, examining the changes in her eldest daughter.
Julie would always have her moments. Despite their love/hate relationship they had not too far in their memories, she would remain her mother's daughter and Marissa had become more than okay with that. After the tears, the struggle, hardships, and the drama, they both eventually found respect for each other. Marissa deep down would always know that although Julie had difficulties in expressing her concerns as a mother, the good of her family was always at the heart of her intentions. Throughout Marissa's absence they still kept in touch whenever they could. They were both just glad that they were slowly repairing a bond that was in such desperate need of a make-over, brought on by the fact that they knew it was pretty much the two of them left and decided they wouldn't let themselves carry on the same way they had been.
"You look great too, mom", Marissa complimenting her sincerely as she took her turn to study the slight changes in her own flesh and blood. Her brown hair was shorter for one thing. Although her complexion was a little paler she looked radiant. While her frame a little thinner, she looked stronger.
"Hey what can I say? The single working mom thing agrees with me. So what do you think of the new place?"
"It's great", she replied looking around into the depths of the decorated spaces as she took another step further into the room that was inspired by minimalist Italian design.
"It's not quite the McMansion…but its home…"
Marissa just smiled at her and gave her another quick hug, "…its good to be home. Actually, you know I'm glad you didn't opt for a big place..."
Julie welcomed her daughters comment and smiled once again, "Well come on bring your stuff through…If I knew you were coming I would've fixed up your room or something."
"Oh that's okay I'll sort it out now…" she said as she brought her belongings down the hallway.
"So last I heard you and Ryan were having some sort of problem…" Julie began, "I take it that's not the case anymore considering you decided to come home."
Marissa set her things down and helped her mother grab some sheets from the linen closet, "we got back together actually…"
"Why doesn't that surprise me..?" She asked rhetorically.
"Mom…"
"But…you love who you love right…" Julie hinting a smile, to let her daughter know that, this time around she would be supportive.
"Thanks." Marissa said walking past her giving her a peck on the back of her head.
"So tell me what happened…"
"It's a long story…"
"Hey, I'm not going anywhere."
Marissa shook her head and grinned, "Okay…"
Round tables strewn with ivory cloths lay strategically scattered across the Cohen yard with the wooden chairs placed neatly around it. In keeping with the holiday color scheme each table was topped off with fresh red tulips with gleaming stems constructed in a perfect topiary. Waiters would rush in and out from the kitchen preparing food. Wine glasses stacked in ordered rows and miniature towers ready for the champagne to cascade like a waterfall. Glistening lights hung like heavenly stars in the dim mood lighting and lit up the temporary outdoor tree. It sealed the entire setting as its perfectly trimmed branches allowed for the reflective glass baubles in traditional reds, silvers, and whites, to be hung effortlessly off the ends.
Light tapping was heard on the pool-house door as Marissa stepped in with an empire line dress that draped her figure as it fell almost at floor length. Her light application of make-up in subtle hues promoted her already gorgeous features. Her hair swept up in a simple ponytail that fell in loose curls.
"Ryan?" She called out.
He soon stepped out from the bathroom adjusting his cuff links on the long sleeved shirt he chose to leave open-collar. Right on cue his expression became in awe as he took his first glance at his now girlfriend. "You look…"
"Wow?" She lightly chucked knowing him so well.
"No, beautiful." Ryan amended for her as he brought his arms around her waist and captured her lips utilizing his own and kissed her bare shoulders that were his for the taking.
"That's a new one", she teased.
"More like…rarely used." He smiled back at her as he pulled away to walk over to the stand and grabbed his newly given watch.
"You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."
"Of course I want to", reassuringly.
"Is it time for my present yet?"
"What happened to later when everyone's together, just like Summer said."
"That's only for Seth." She laughed.
"Really? I thought it went for you too." He paused before changing the subject, "So I missed you the rest of today, how did your visit go at your mom's?"
"It was good. She knows about us, we had a good talk and we just decided to catch up on what's been happening."
"Yeah, everything okay?"
"Everything's good. She's really changed. I mean we get along a lot better now than we used to, and it's slowly becoming that mother-daughter relationship I've always wanted." She replied walking over to him by the nightstand; embracing him from behind.
He took her by the hand and led her around in front, "I'm glad it went well. So, we have a few minutes before people start pouring themselves in…" Ryan began as a sly grin crept onto his face.
"Oh yeah, what did you have in mind Atwood?" Seductively, she asked.
Her question and tone only fueled his desires as his hands began to glaze around the silk fabric. The spaghetti strap was about to fall off her shoulder when a knock came at the door before that could happen.
"Seriously you two; is this what it's going to be like from now on", Seth fake reprimanded.
"Not if you keep walking in on us." Ryan responded unappreciatively. "What do you want Seth?"
"Well, mom and dad sent me here to just see if you were ready."
"Come on, we should head out there…" Marissa said pulling away reluctant; taking him by the hand for him to follow her out of his room.
"Smile!" Summer beamed as she kept a large camera strapped to her neck on top of her designer couture. Aiming the lens in the direction of the newly re-formed couple, the two obliged and stopped to take a photo after just stepping out. "Aw, isn't that sweet Cohen." She said as she grabbed Seth's arm and dragged him closer. Taking the camera from her neck she held it at arms length and faced it at the two of them. "Smile Seth."
Seth kissed the top of her head before smiling as the flash went off at a close range, causing their eyes to stir in its aftermath. "Yeah, I don't think we should do that anymore." He said blinking his eyes.
In the few minutes from when Marissa walked in from a vacant yard, the guests had now begun to sift through the manor; their wealth and abundance exuding from their wears. Kirsten and Sandy mingling and weaving in and out of guests with their large smiles as they slowly began to set up camp at various tables.
"Marissa…" Julie said on the move toward the four of them sitting at their own table. Marissa stood up to exchange a kiss on the cheek. "Merry Christmas everyone", she said with a smile as she exchanged greetings with the rest of them which they returned politely. She gave one last smile at Ryan, "don't worry…peace remember…" she concluded in reference to her previous years' offering, before patting her daughter on the shoulder and moving on to socialize with old friends.
"Wow", Seth breaking the silence.
"I told you she's changed. She's a lot more relaxed", Marissa smiled as she held Ryan's hand.
"I know. I thought her niceties last year were temporary. But they're obviously here to stay. " Summer remarked.
The band played in the background as the four of them pretended to be interested with the people that would come and approach them with the generic questions of how college is treating them all. Summer would get up occasionally, working with her camera, staying occupied taking photographs which afforded her the convenience of avoiding Newport socialites; Seth in tow wherever she went. As the party progressed the guests slowly worked their way into being tastefully indisposed. Marissa and Ryan had ended up being dragged off in different directions having to smile and reply politely in the bland conversations they were each caught up in.
From across the pool he stood with Sandy and his colleague discussing something as equally mind-numbing as Marissa's momentary cohorts. They couldn't help but smile at each other from a distance as they both relayed the same thoughts of wishing they could just be in each others company again.
"Would you mind excusing me for just one moment", Ryan said politely to the two men as he began walking in her direction. She followed his lead and did the same as the two met by the hired bar service.
"How are you holding up?"
"As well as anyone can put up with Newport's latest gossip on so and so's botched b.oob job", she laughed.
"Hard hitting stuff", he joked. "How about we take some time out so I can give you your present?"
"Really?"
"Yeah come on…" he said taking her by the hand and retreating back into the pool-house getaway.
Ryan led her to the bed where she sat down and he walked over to a shelf retrieving the a box wrapped in white patent finished wrapping with a simple velvet ribbon that crossed over leaving a bow in the centre. A smile destined to escape her as he came forward with his gift and her heart began to flutter just at the thought of it.
He sat down beside her, "I know that this doesn't even compare to what you did for me, and before you say anything I still plan on making that up to you…but for now…I guess…"
"Ryan…it doesn't matter what it is, it's the thought…I love you…" she said softly as she brought her hand up to the side of his cheek and leaned in to kiss him; reassuring him of how unimportant the aesthetics were. A tear couldn't help escape her and he wiped it away like he'd done a thousand times before.
"Alright, cry after you've seen it", he said playfully.
She unraveled the bow and set it aside before tearing the wrapping. Lifting the lid she opened to find a leather-encased, book like structure. Taking it out of the box she opened it up to find a simple photo album. Her heart became nervous, mirrored to a child's whose anticipation was indescribable. Turning the delicate pages were photographs she'd never seen before but a day she remembered so well. There they were having lunch, then running around on the grass in front of the postcard row of Victorian houses. Flipping another page they sat overlooking the bay and contemplating as they stared out onto the Golden Gate Bridge. Pages and pages of black and white images, sepia's, and bright colors, all drew back fond memories and made her heart race. A mix of her and Ryan that one day which spanned to the album's end. The faces, the laughter, the playfulness, the innocence, the free spirits, and the serenity; all bound within these pages.
"Where did you get these?" She said amazed and it being the first thing she'd said.
"I managed to get them through Summer…she took them…"
"Summer?" Marissa asked stunned. "How did she…"
"A little thing I found out about our dear Summer", he began "…sometimes she goes out taking photographs, action shots…stills, you know…just anything. I came across them recently and she informed me how she'd gone around San Francisco that day and after catching sight of us…and made us her days project", he said almost softly chuckling.
Marissa almost doing the same with a muted laugh, "Did you tell her that was kind of creepy."
"Absolutely…but I thought you might like them."
"I love them", she stated simply and true to her word.
"I just…I want to say…it wasn't just you. That day, I felt it too, but I was just scared and I was hesitant…but sometimes it's just scary to think you know, how much of a hold you have on me…"
Tipping her head to one she gave him an understanding crooked smile.
Flipping the page to its end lay another simple gesture. 'Wherever life takes us you'll always stay in mine…' simply written under an Elsa Peretti Open-Heart necklace from Tiffany's strung on a silver chain that was pegged flat against the backing and held in place at the center.
It was there she closed the pages becoming overwhelmed with everything he'd brought her attention to and let her salted tears of joy run slowly down her porcelain skin as she leant in to kiss him. Their lips colliding as passion took over their beings as their palettes communicated all they'd been feeling.
She exhaled, "Thank You…"
&&&