Archimedes followed Cindy's instructions to the letter as he set the scene for the morning sun rise. He had the tiki torches lit a few minutes before Jimmy and Cindy would emerge from their tree houses. He waited long enough to get a glimpse of the couple taking their respective seats on the very same log that they sat on when the original pearl had been exchanged before he took to the air. He figured they needed their privacy. His anticipation of meeting his soon to be mate filled him with excitement as certainly as the couple's hearts were filled with affection for one another.
"According to my calculations the sun will break the horizon in exactly ten minutes. So we should get a spectacular view from here." Jimmy said.
"It's a little colder than I expected it to be this morning."Cindy said sweetly. They met each other's gaze for a moment before they both looked away blushing ear to ear, though the light of the torches wasn't bright enough for them to notice.
Jimmy cleared his throat before responding nervously "Scientifically speaking it would be warmer for us if we were to sit closer together." He stopped and studied her reaction.
"Your right Jimmy; it would be warmer." She said as she slid next to him so their shoulders were touching.
She faked a shiver. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. She sighed deeply as she rested her head against his. She noticed his gaze was staring at her empty hand; his expression one of nervousness and hesitation. His face lit up as she took his hand in her's.
They night grew quiet as dawn approached. The light began to creep into the sky with a soft orange glow. The air blew in a gust from the sea and howled through the trees as if singing to formally announce the start to the new day.
The world seemed to stand still right at the moment before the sun broke the horizon. It seemed to stretch timelessly into infinity. For a moment it seemed that the sun would never rise; both Jimmy and Cindy held their breath with anticipation.
The trees erupted with bird calls as the sun crept into the sky. It was magnificent to watch how the light raced into the sky turning it from shades of purples and blacks to ones of blues and whites. The shadows raced to the edges of the world; as if they were retreating from the light; the light of all lights. "Jimmy, I have a present for you" she said with a nervous tone that almost betrayed the excitement within.
"You….you do?" he replied.
She pulled away from his grasp only momentarily to reach behind the log they were sitting on. She turned back to face him holding something in her hand.
"I didn't get you anything, Cindy." He said.
"You've done enough for me already Jimmy. Here take this." She dropped the oyster into his open hands. He stared down at it with curiosity. It was similar to the one had given her only about a year ago. His eyes scanned over the lined surface and the star like discoloration. "Did you find"- she cut him off by placing a finger over his lips "Shhh, just open it. Will you?"
He opened the shell to reveal the perfect little pearl inside. He had been reading enough literature in the last year to understand how sweet a gesture this really was. "Thank you Cindy. I understand the meaning behind this I think. I gave you a pearl when the sun was setting and you're giving me one when the sun is rising. Sort of like a his and her's. Am I right?"
She grinned as she said "You got it."
"So this is what you were searching for when the sharks attacked. I think it makes it mean even more, considering what has happened. I don't know what to say." He replied.
"I don't know, just say you love me." She said nervously.
His eyes nervously raced back and forth for a moment from her face to the surroundings before they focused deeply into hers. Time seemed stretch awkwardly in the silence until Jimmy spoke. "I love you Cindy Vortex. You and no other."
Cindy felt her heart erupt inside her chest as she drove herself deeply into Jimmy's arms. He brushed the hair over her ear and said "God your beautiful" he didn't get a chance to say anything else as she pressed her mouth against his and kissed him passionately.
To be continued….