Love's Fun

by Karen Deen

  “Not now.” She pants as I release her slowly. “You turned my legs to jelly so I can’t walk.” Swooping down, I throw her over my shoulder and start walking to the start of the main trail. Ally’s giggling and yelling the whole way to be put down. Today is going to be a great day.

  We take our time walking at a steady pace. Talking and laughing about different memories she has of the days spent with her family here. I think she is enjoying today far more than she was expecting. Her knowledge of this area is actually better than mine and I thought I knew it pretty well.

  “I’m amazed what you have remembered from your family trips here. That’s impressive.”

  “I don’t have a photographic memory but I’m good at retaining knowledge. It actually helps me from getting anxious about things if I have done my research and know exactly what I’m in for when I try something new. I know it sounds weird, but it works for me.”

  “Baby, you do whatever you need to do in life that helps you. We all have our thing. Mine is cooking, it helps to relax me. Just look at Kane, he needs exercise to let his work demons out. So, you are not on your own.”

  Walking hand in hand just feels so natural and like I have known her forever. I’m guessing this is what love feels like. The calm, effortless bond that just is. One that exists without being forced or even thought about.

  “How do you always manage to make me feel so normal and comfortable? None of my weirdness seems to faze you. You just look past it or embrace it and encourage it. You are one in a million, Xavier, you know that?” she says, adoration clear on her face as she looks up at me.

  For once, it’s me that has a shade of pink on my cheeks, I can feel as she talks.

  “To me, there is nothing weird about you and I wish you’d see that, too. You are Ally, my beautiful, kind, funny girlfriend. That’s all I see. My job is to make you see it, too.” We walk along for a bit more in silence as she processes what I’ve said to her.

  We are getting close to the top of the mountain, but with the warm day, we need to keep stopping for water breaks. This time, I take out a little snack that I had packed. Fruit, nuts and a protein bar each. Sitting under a tree on a fallen log, the air is so fresh and clean. That is what I love about being up in the mountains, being away from all the pollution of city life. Plus, the peace you feel being surrounded by nature. The bird life here is full of so many different species. From the little birds that hide in the bushes to the big hawks you see soaring in the sky when you are up on the lookout at the peak.

  “Ready for the last part up to the top? I can’t even try to trick you and say it’s an easy climb because you have been here before. So, just remember the surprise I have for you. I’ll make the walk worth your while.” Kissing her on the forehead, I pull her up to her feet.

  “Not that I’ll admit it to my family, because that will wreck all the complaining I did for all those years, but it hasn’t been that bad. I’ve actually enjoyed it.” Walking hand in hand again, I chuckle.

  “Umm. It’s obviously because the company this time is sssoooo much better. I mean come on, I’m handsome, a great conversationalist and give life-saving kisses when you need them. Of course, I have other amazing qualities that may not be appropriate for the general public to hear.”

  Ally drops her hand and slips her arm around my waist and leans into the side of me for a hug. “You know what? I won’t even deny that. You are amazing.” That may have been the most adorable thing she has said to me today.

  “All this before your surprise. I wonder what you will think of me then. It’s going to be hard to top amazing. You better start thinking of words that you can use that are higher up the ladder than amazing. Like stupendous or colossal. Either of them is a good start.” I squeeze her tight against me as I wait to hear her reaction. I can almost hear her brain ticking over.

  “Funny, the only words coming to mind are egotistical, cocky and boastful to name a few.” With that she releases me and takes off running up the hill before I can grab her. The more time we spend together, the more brazen she is getting.

  “Oh no, you don’t. You can’t get away with it that easy, missy. You can run but you can’t hide.” I give her a little more head start knowing the hill is going to tire her quickly. Taking off after her, I can hear her giggling and squealing with excitement in front of me.

  Just like I pictured, today is turning out just perfect.

  Catching up to Ally, grabbing her from behind, we both stumble and roll to the grass on the side of the trail, laughing loudly while we catch our breath.

  I have known for a while that I’m falling hard for this woman, every day I’m in deeper and deeper. Looking up at her lying on top of me, I see my future. I need to make sure she knows that.

  “Xavier,” she whispers, sensing the emotion we are building just here in the middle of the mountains.

  “It’s okay, baby, I feel it too.” Pulling her face towards me, I slowly place my lips on hers. Ever so gentle. Not demanding. Just communicating all that I’m feeling inside. I want to tell her but not just yet. I don’t want to ruin my surprise. Gently pulling back and kissing each cheek then her forehead, it’s time to move.

  “Up you get, we are nearly there, and I have so much to show you. But tonight, we are continuing that little discussion with our lips. That is, of course, if you can hold out that long.”

  “I don’t have to worry because I know you won’t be able to. Lucky me.” She is on her feet waiting for me. “Hurry up, lazy bones, what’s taking you so long?”

  “Now you’re pushing it.” We both start back up the last incline. My heart is beating hard and it has nothing to do with the physical exertion.

  ***

  “Are you ready to be overwhelmed with the beauty from the lookout? It’s just around one hundred more metres through that group of trees.” Pulling Ally by her arm, I’m excited to show her the place I love to stand and just breathe. I stop her just before we reach the clearing. “I want you to close your eyes so I can walk you to the perfect spot. You need to see this the way I do. You will never forget this picture in your mind. Close your eyes and take my hand.

  I can see she is a little scared to walk with her eyes closed.

  “Do you trust me?”

  Nodding her head, her eyes close and her hands come out for me to take. I tread carefully making sure she is placing her feet on solid ground every step. We break through the edge of the trail to the best view in the city. Walking her carefully to the perfect spot, I come beside her and place my arm around her shoulders.

  “Open up, baby, and see the most amazing view.”

  Slowly her eyes flutter open and adjust to the brightness. “Oh, my goodness. It’s so much more beautiful than I remember. You were right, you can’t appreciate this kind of spectacle as a child. It’s like I’m seeing it again for the first time.” We stand there joined for a while, not talking, not moving, just breathing.

  Ally turns and looks up with watery eyes.

  “Thank you for bringing me here. I’ve been missing out on something special.”

  I know it’s time. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.

  Reaching my hand into the backpack and then lowering it to the ground, I turn to face her.

  “I thought the view from this lookout was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, then I met you. You stole my breath away. Having you standing here with me now just proved me wrong about this view. The most captivating view I have ever seen is now standing in front of me. Your beauty in front of this view is a vision I will have for the rest of my life.” Already she is blushing heavily but I’m not stopping, I need to tell her how I feel.

  “Ally, I know everything is happening fast, it’s only a short time ago we met. Yet I feel like I’ve known you forever. You are the woman I never expected to find and now I never want to let go. Here is your surprise. It’s a promise to you of how committed I am to this relationship. When you’re ready, I will marry you one day. Th
e circle will be a little smaller and more sparkly and it will say you’re mine. But in the meantime, this is so you know that I want you and I never intend on letting you go. Our relationship is like this circle, there is no end to it.” I slip it over her wrist as the tears start to trickle down her cheeks.

  “Xavier.” She starts to talk but I put my finger over her lips.

  “I’ve fallen in love with you, Ally. I love you more than I ever imagined I could love someone.” Now the tears are running fast down her face. Stumbling to get her words out through her emotions.

  “I love you, too. I can’t believe I found you. Someone who completes me.” The only way I think I’ll ever stop these tears is to distract her with the most earth-shattering kiss she has ever had.

  We stand there for quite a while just holding each other. No words are needed. Just physical connection that represents the connection between our souls.

  I get her to stand looking out off the cliff so I can take a photo. I want to remember this day for a long time to come. It’s a story to tell our grandkids.

  Pausing to just take in her beauty in this moment, she turns to look at me over her shoulder as I snap the perfect shot. Then the look on her face changes and she is yelling my name.

  “Xavier…” is the last thing I hear as I feel immense pain at the back of my head and the world goes black.

  27

  Alesha

  MY HEART HAS NEVER felt so full. Standing in front of Xavier, listening to the words I never believed I would hear from a man who’s not my dad.

  I’ve known for days that there is no turning back. I have such deep emotions for him and what I am feeling must be love. It completely takes over your body in a way that everything just seems so much better, bigger, brighter and the only person you want to share it with is the person you’ve fallen in love with.

  When I first met Xavier, I thought he was just another hot guy who was so cocky and full of himself. He definitely caught my eye that first night, but I never expected him to see me. Usually no one notices me, but he did.

  Xavier sees the real me. The woman who just doesn’t know how to step out of my little world where I’m in my comfort zone. He didn’t push me out of it, and instead took my hand and showed me the way.

  To hear him say he loves me, broke me in the best way possible. All the happy emotions I have been storing inside since we met just come pouring out. That he planned such a beautiful moment, in a place I will always remember, is so romantic. I can feel his presence behind me, insisting to take my photo looking out at the view. Something is making me feel tingly, though, and it’s not a nice feeling. The air has changed. I don’t like how it feels. I’m sure it’s just nothing and I’m feeling super emotional.

  I turn to see Xavier so he can make me feel better, for him to calm me down. My worst nightmare is happening before my eyes.

  Standing behind him is a man dressed in green camouflage clothes with a big tree branch, swinging at his head.

  “Xavier!” I scream. It’s too late as the wood connects with his head and I see the light in his eyes fade and he drops to the ground. I freeze. I want to get to Xavier, but the man is standing above him, poking him with his foot to make sure he is knocked out. I should run. I know in my head I should run but my legs won’t move. I can’t leave Xavier. I need to fight for him. I only just found him, there is no way I can lose him now.

  “He’s out. Get rid of her,” the man yells.

  “Please, leave him alone. My brothers will be here in a minute. They were only a little bit behind us.” I’m panicking and trying to think of anything to stop them from hurting him again, while I work out what to do.

  Slowly, I start to edge forward closer to Xavier so I can see if he’s breathing. I need to know he is still alive. He isn’t moving.

  “You’re lying, bitch. There’s no one coming. We’ve watched you all morning. Say goodbye to lover boy. He was never yours, you little slut, he was always going to be ours.”

  My heart is thumping fast in my chest. Who is he and what the hell is going on? I’m close enough now to see Xavier’s chest rising up and down slowly. Thank God he is still alive. Now I need to fight. I have to save him.

  “Stop wasting time, get rid of her,” the man yells towards me. It’s then that I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. Quickly, I turn to see Dana with another stick up over her head, getting ready to strike at me. I jump sideways to get away from her.

  “Dana!” I scream, trying to move quickly. “Please don’t hurt me. We’re friends, remember? You need to help Xavier. You like him.”

  “You are so dumb. That’s why we are here. Of course, I like him. We both do. We’ve been watching him for months, and then you had to turn up and wreck things. He’s my lover, not yours. He was never yours, you were just a fling. He never loved you. He loves me and he will love Bear. Now finish her off, Bear.”

  Her smiling gloating face is the last thing I remember as I hit the ground.

  ***

  Ooohhh… my head hurts. I don’t know why, but I can’t even open my eyes it hurts so much. It’s hot. I feel wet from sweat. Maybe if I sleep more, I will feel better. It just hurts so much. I fade into the unknown again.

  What is that noise? It’s making my head hurt. It sounds like a bird screeching. Xavier said there was eagles up here.

  Xavier! Oh no. I try to sit straight up but my head hurts so much, I fall back down. I try again and just sit for a minute trying to stop everything spinning. Opening my eyes, I desperately look for him.

  No! He’s gone. They’re all gone. Where did they take him? What the hell happened? I’m confused, and nothing makes sense. I need to find him. If I could just stand up and move. Running my hand over the back of my head where it hurts, it feels moist. I can feel liquid on my fingers. Pulling my hand back in front of my face, I see blood. I need to stand up and get my balance. I need to find Xavier, but I also need help.

  Getting my bearings, I see the sun is getting low in the sky. I must have been passed out for a while. I need to get help before dark. I feel torn. I don’t want to leave Xavier up here, but I don’t know where he is or what they have done. I can see drag marks where they have taken him somewhere. I walk slowly, trying to follow them, but it stops at a point where it looks like some tire marks start. My vision is still slightly blurry. I stagger backwards and see Xavier’s phone still on the ground in the dirt. His bag is gone so I grab his phone and head towards the trail. There is no signal on the phone up here. Goddammit. I need to get to the car before it gets dark. I know Dad taught us how to get to safety here but not in the dark. I need to stick to the trail and get to the parking lot. I need to find some people to help me.

  I’m so scared on my own up here.

  What if they are still watching me?

  I can do this.

  I have to do this. Xavier needs me.

  I need to save him.

  He’s mine, Dana, and you can’t have him.

  Hang on, baby, I’m coming for you.

  Just promise to hang on.

  My footsteps are getting quicker as I start to run down the trail. It’s hard on my wobbly legs and with a head that feels like it’s going to explode. I stumble a few times and pick myself up and keep running. It feels like hours before I finally break into the parking lot, just as the last of the sunlight disappears. I run to the Jeep only to realize I don’t have the keys.

  “Fuck!” I scream out at the top of my lungs.

  The only other car in the parking lot is the black SUV that was there this morning. Suddenly, I have a flashback to the day out front of my office building when the car went screaming down the road as Xavier arrived. A black SUV just like that one.

  Shit, I need help. Anything could be happening to Xavier. I feel sick thinking about where he is and what their plans are.

  His phone still has a weak signal, so I start to run along the gravel road that takes me back to the highway. Still not strong enough to make a call, so
I just keep running. It is now dark, and I think of everyone at dinner wondering where we are. I’m hoping someone will think something is wrong. Surely Lilly and Luke will know I’m never late. Please, for once let Lilly be on time so she notices I’m missing, or Luke think it is weird for me not to be there first.

  I just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I’m running out of energy fast, but I can’t stop. I can feel the blood still running slowly down my neck. I have no idea how far the road is. I need the adrenaline to keep me going. Xavier’s phone starts vibrating in my hand as messages start lighting up. I stop dead as the phone starts ringing. I see Kane’s name light up. Thank God. He will know what to do. He will save my Xavier.

  “Come on, lover boy. Stop playing with Ally—”

  “Kane, help me!” I scream into the phone.

  “Shit, Ally, what’s wrong?” I can hear the change in his voice. Kane the cop is now on the phone. “Where are you?”

  My breathing is fast and I’m feeling dizzy again. “Dana, she got him. They hit him and took him. I can’t find him, Kane help me.” I’m crying and screaming now. I’m so scared I’m no longer calm.

  “Try to breathe, Ally. In and out. Slow it down. I need you to tell me exactly where you are.” I can hear him telling the others in the background and there is noise that sounds like they are moving.

  “I’m in the mountains. We walked the trails. We were at the lookout and they took him. Dana and some man. Someone she called Bear. They knocked me out and took him. Kane, I can’t lose him. Please, you have to help me find him.”

  “Over my dead body are they taking him. You are not losing him, and neither am I. We are on our way to you now. I want you to stay on the phone and talk to Luke. I need to get help on the way. Can you do that, Ally? I need you to stay calm and safe.”

  “I’m trying but I’m so scared.” Shock is now setting in and I’m trembling.