Chapter 12: Blue Ridge Mountain Girl
Baby What A Big Surprise: Part 1
Kimmy cracked one eye open and
peered across Mark’s chest, expecting to find a pair of wide little eyes and a
clown blanket pressed up against her world. Nothing. Just the quiet hum of the
house and the soft early light filtering through the curtains. She shifted
slightly and glanced at the clock—six o’clock. No Peter Pan soundtrack, no
whispered negotiations with Captain Hook. She smiled to herself, a small,
contented curve of her lips.
Beside her, Mark stirred and
instinctively turned, his eyes scanning the empty space before settling on
Kimmy. She gave him that sleepy, knowing smile, the one that seemed to belong
only to early mornings and shared secrets. “Looks like Peter Pan is becoming
more of a guest appearance than a daily show, baby,” she murmured.
Mark let out a soft breath and
pulled her closer, nestling into the warmth of her. “More time with my sweet
girl,” he whispered, his voice still wrapped in sleep. “I’m not filing any
complaints.”
He closed his eyes again, drifting
toward that in-between place, when he felt it—soft, rhythmic tapping against
his chest. He smiled without opening his eyes, letting it continue for a
beat…then another. It stopped. Silence. He waited. And then—tap, tap,
tap—again.
His eyes opened to find Kimmy
hovering over him, her eyes bright, mischievous, already fully awake in a way
he could never quite match. “Oh good, you’re up,” she said, as if she hadn’t
been the one orchestrating it. “Let’s go make coffee and head to the porch.
We’ve got things to talk about.”
Before he could form a response,
she was already gone—shirt tails swaying, ponytail bouncing, a blur of energy
disappearing down the hallway. Mark lay there for a second, smiling to himself,
then pushed the covers back and followed.
The porch greeted him with that
familiar, comforting stillness. Kimmy had already set two steaming mugs on the
edge of the fire pit, the faint curl of rising steam catching the morning
light. She patted the cushion beside her, her eyes inviting, expectant.
Mark sat, wrapping his hands
around the mug, letting the warmth settle into his fingers. “You do
realize,” he said with mock authority, “this does not replace the sacred
morning run to Wawa.”
Kimmy slipped her arm through his
and leaned into him, her laughter soft and easy. “Of course not, honey. But
this is nice…right?”
Mark narrowed his eyes slightly,
taking a cautious sip. “Sooo…‘things’?”
Kimmy set her mug down and
launched into motion—hands flying, words tumbling, her whole body animated in
that way that always made him stop and just watch. She punctuated sentences by
tucking her hair behind her ear, her ponytail flicking with each emphatic nod.
Mid-sentence, she froze and
squinted at him. “What? Is something in my teeth? Did my shirt slip too low—oh,
you wouldn’t mind that, now would you?” She gave him a playful slap.
Mark laughed softly. “No, baby.
You’re just…adorable. Especially for this early in the morning.” He took
another sip and tilted his head. “Let me see if I’ve got this. We take the
little man to Sunrise Academy together. Then Wawa. But instead of coming home,
we go to the mall…because you”—he raised a finger—“have nothing to wear
for date night tonight?”
Kimmy nodded enthusiastically,
lifting her mug and peeking over it with only her eyes visible, wide and
hopeful. Mark shook his head, smiling. “You know you do that thing…and it’s a
yes every time.”
She set the mug down and wrapped
her arms around his neck, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “You’re the best.
And it is a good plan, right?”
Mark leaned back slightly, tapping
his chin. “One thing…”
Kimmy’s expression shifted
instantly into mock offense.
He held up a hand, grinning. “No,
no—it’s a good plan. But today…today is Thursday, right?” His eyes flicked
meaningfully toward the loose edge of her shirt.
Kimmy let out a dramatic sigh.
“Well duh. Of course that is happening. I’ve got a pretty good
idea where I’ll find my dress, so we’ll be home before lunch and then—you and
me…” She wiggled her shoulders, “E-ticket ride time.”
Mark’s smile deepened just as the
door creaked open behind them.
“Mom…Dad…is breakfast ready?”
Kimmy turned instantly, her voice
warm and bright. “Coming right up, my little man.” She patted Mark’s head as
she passed and leaned down to whisper, “You did good this morning…and you will
be amply rewarded. You did confirm with Sandy about tonight, right?”
Mark gave his best straight-faced
reply. “Yes, dear.”
Her giggle followed her back
inside.
The mall buzzed with unexpected
life for a Thursday morning, the hum of voices and movement filling the air as
Kimmy pulled Mark along with purpose. He glanced around, mildly bewildered.
“Doesn’t anybody work? Where are all these people coming from?”
He nearly walked straight into her
when she stopped abruptly at the entrance of the department store.
“Oh—sorry,” he said, blinking.
Kimmy turned slowly, her
expression shifting into something deliberate. “Now…you can wait right here.”
She pointed to the side. “You’ll probably have time to go get a cookie—a small
one, mind you. Unless you get one for me too. Yes, do that. And I’ll go pick
out the dress.”
Mark stared. “Wait…we were
shopping for the dress.”
Kimmy’s face went innocent. “Well
how can I surprise you when I come out all dolled up if you already know what
it looks like?” She tilted her head. “Men…sometimes we just wonder.”
She turned to go, then stopped,
pivoted, and marched right back to him. He hadn’t moved.
She gently gripped his shirt and
pulled him close, her tone softening. “You did take your eye medication
this morning, right? I didn’t see you do it.”
Mark nodded. “I did.”
Her hand lingered a moment longer
than necessary. “And how is it?” she asked quietly. “I noticed you wiping it
yesterday.”
He shrugged, easy, reassuring.
“Some days better than others. But even on the not-so-good ones…it’s all good.
I can still see the most beautiful girl in the mall standing right in front of
me.”
Kimmy’s face lit up, the concern
easing instantly into warmth. “Good answer.” She kissed his cheek. “Now go get
us cookies. Surprise me. I’ll be…done in half an hour.” She paused. “Or maybe
an hour.”
And just like that, she was gone
again—decisive, confident, leaving Mark standing there with a question that
never quite made it out of his mouth.
Later, the world had quieted
again.
Mark rested on his elbow, pulling
the sheet just a little higher as he looked at Kimmy, her hair soft around her
face, her smile still lingering in the afterglow of the moment they’d just
shared. He traced a loose strand near her temple, his voice low.
Kimmy sighed, “Whew…that was…” He
leaned in, brushing a kiss along her neck. “It always is.”
He watched her for a long moment,
something deeper settling into his expression.
“What?” she asked softly.
Mark shook his head, almost to
himself. “I just…can’t ever get over you.” He exhaled. “I look in the mirror
and I know who I am. I’m an okay guy. Maybe even a little good-looking if I’m
being generous.” He smiled faintly. “But then I look at you…and I think, how
did this happen? Why is she with him?”
Kimmy’s expression softened,
glowing in a way that had nothing to do with light. She reached up, her fingers
brushing his cheek, the sheet slipping just enough to make her laugh as she
caught it. “No sneak peeks,” she teased, then grew serious again.
“When you look in the mirror,” she
said gently, “you don’t see what I see.”
Mark frowned slightly. “I don’t
follow.”
She leaned closer. “You love me.
You see me. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Her voice softened even more.
“You’ve given me a life I never even knew how to imagine. When I walk in
somewhere with you…I see the looks. And I can read their minds.” She smiled. “How
did she get so lucky?”
Mark fell back onto the pillow,
letting out a quiet breath. “Wow…we are so lucky.”
Kimmy brightened suddenly,
clapping her hands lightly against his chest. “Now…time to go get the boy.
We’ve got a couple hours to play whatever he wants before we get ready for our
big dress-up date night.” She grinned. “And let me tell you something…”
She leaned in just enough to let
the promise land.
“Pretty sure you’re going to like
my dress.”
And just like that, the day moved
forward—light, playful, and quietly full of promise.
Baby What A Big Surprise —
Part 2
Brad counted with exaggerated
precision, his small finger hovering over the board as he moved his piece one
square at a time. “Five…six…seven…EIGHT!” He slapped the table with triumph. “I
WIN! Dad, you lose again!” His laughter burst out of him as he sprang to his
feet and took off in a looping victory lap around the living room.
Mark pressed his palm dramatically
to his forehead. “You’re just too good at this game, buddy. I don’t know how
I’m ever going to beat you.” His tone was solemn, but the smile tugging at the
corner of his mouth gave him away.
From down the hall came a soft,
familiar voice. “Did you beat your Daddy…again?”
Brad froze mid-lap, then whipped
his head toward the hallway, eyes lighting up. “MOM! I beat Dad! Beat him bad,
Mom! I am the cham-peen!” He bolted down the hall, his voice echoing behind
him.
Mark gathered the game pieces,
placing them carefully back into the box, the small, ordinary ritual grounding
him in the moment. He slid it beside the television, then followed the sound of
Brad’s excitement. He paused at the doorway to his son’s room, peeking in just
long enough to see Brad sprawled across the bed, headphones on, already lost in
his iPad.
Mark shook his head with a quiet
smile and moved on.
The bathroom door in the master
bedroom was closed, steam curling faintly from the edges. He leaned casually
against the frame. “You going to show me the dress yet?”
“NO! Don’t spoil the surprise!”
came the immediate reply, bright and playful through the door.
Mark grinned, turning toward his
closet. “Well how about a consolation prize—come out here in just your
underwear. That’s a fair compromise.”
“Dad is a bad man…bad man,” came
Kimmy’s voice, punctuated by unmistakable laughter.
He chuckled as he pulled out a
silver shirt and his black jacket, holding them up against himself. “Hey,
baby—tie or no tie tonight?”
The door cracked open just enough
for one eye and half a smile to appear. “You’d better wear a tie, mister. This
girl is going all out tonight. You said dress-up night…don’t disappoint.” The
door clicked shut again.
“Guess she told me,” Mark
muttered, amused, as he selected a tie—black and silver with a hint of pink
threading through it. He held up two pairs of slacks, studying them like a
serious decision. “Dark or light? Come on, I need help here.”
The door opened again, a little
wider this time, Kimmy’s expression equal parts disbelief and affection. “Oh my
god…should I lay out your clothes every day like I do for our four-year-old?
Men…pick one. I have faith.” The door closed—but not before one sparkling eye
peeked out again. “Love you so much, honey.”
The muffled giggle lingered even
after the door shut.
“I’m going with fluorescent pink
pants,” Mark called out. “Final decision.”
“Fine…hope you have a great time
wherever YOU are going…alone,” came the reply, followed by laughter that
wrapped around him like a familiar song.
Mark adjusted his tie, the light catching
the glint of his class ring Kimmy had given him on their anniversary a few
years ago. The memory attached to it flickered through him, warm and steady.
Then—movement behind him.
The bathroom door opened slowly.
He turned.
And for just a second, the world
narrowed to a single point.
Kimmy stepped into the room, the
light catching her just right. The dress
was a form-fitting black with black sequins that sparkled in the light. The cut was mid-thigh in length with a little
“peek-a-boo” cut out just above the waist on both sides. Topping it off, spaghetti straps with a low
cut neckline which framed Kimmy’s two necklaces perfectly. Her side ponytail
soft and unexpected, her whole presence both familiar and entirely new. Mark
realized he hadn’t breathed.
“Are you okay?” she asked quickly,
her smile faltering just slightly. “Having one of—”
He lifted a hand gently. “No…no.”
His voice softened. “You’re just…so beautiful, baby. Now that…THAT is a dress. I don’t care how much it cost, it was made
for you.” He reached Kimmy and put his
hands on her waist. The beam of her
smile melted his heart. He looked at her
hair and said, “Very adorable to wear a side pony tonight, that’s not a normal
look for you but it’s so, so chic.”
Kimmy reached up and smoothed her hair, “I wanted a little
unexpectedness to the look. You like the
whole look though right?” Mark pulled
her in, closer than he usually held her and whispered, “You are so hot….and
you’re all mine. And for THAT I have a
little surprise tonight!”
Kimmy pulled back and looked at
him suspiciously. “Did you change the
reservation? What did you do?”
Mark wagged a finger, “Ah ah
ah….secrets – all will be revealed later!”
Lights flashed through the bedroom window and Kimmy looked over Mark’s
shoulder, “Sandy’s here!”
Brad stifled a giggle from behind
the closet door as Mark opened the front door. “Be good for Sandy, buddy,” he
whispered.
Brad nodded, hands clamped over
his mouth as Sandy called out playfully, “Brad…Brad…I’m going to find you!”
Kimmy blew him a kiss as Mark took
her hand, guiding her toward the car. “You recognize that giggle?” he said. “If
I closed my eyes, I’d swear it was you behind that door.”
Kimmy smiled, leaning into him.
“He’s a cutie…right?”
The restaurant glowed with soft
light and quiet conversation, the kind of place where time slowed without
asking permission. Plates were nearly cleared when the waitress approached.
“Would you like me to box the rest, miss?”
“Yes, please,” Kimmy said, then
glanced at Mark. “And one more wine…right, baby?”
Mark lifted his glass in
agreement.
When the waitress stepped away,
Kimmy leaned in, her voice lowering. “I love this place.” She hesitated, her
fingers brushing the stem of her glass. “Can I tell you something?”
Mark leaned closer. “No secrets.”
She drew in a breath. “I’m trying.
I really am. But sometimes…in places like this…I still get a little nervous.”
Mark put on an Oscar award winning
look of innocence. “Surprise? I don’t know anything about a surprise. I just meant our dinner would be SURPRISINGLY
good, that’s all.” That earned a cross
armed pout and Kimmy shifted to be turning just away from him. Mark paused, waited another beat….then when
he saw the look out of the corner of her eye he said, “OK….just kidding – funny
joke right?”
Kimmy turned back and answered,
“Hmmmm, we’ll see about that. Now did
you or did you not do something?” Mark
reached slowly into his jacket.
Kimmy’s breath caught. Two envelopes. He extended them, one in each hand. “You know
how this works. Pick.” She rolled her
eyes. “Coach Love is back. Seriously?”
Mark stared, Kimmy stared….just a
beat, then both laughed out loud. Kimmy
leaned back and her laughter grew louder.
Mark’s laughter followed. They
leaned into one another, the contagious humor growing rather than subsiding as
the waitress arrived with two wine bottles.
She gave them a puzzled smile.
Mark caught his breath, wiped his eye and said, “Sorry, inside
joke. Yes please…white here, red there.”
When the moment settled, Kimmy
leaned forward, eyes focused again. “Okay. Back to business.”
He held them out.
“Pick.”
She hovered, shifted, noticed the
flick of his eyebrow…and switched envelopes at the last second. “This one.”
Inside—Sunrise Academy.
Her brow furrowed. “We…already saw
this.”
Mark sighed theatrically. “Half
the surprise, woman. Let it play out.” The
second envelope trembled slightly in her hand as she opened it.
Mountains.
Glass.
Light.
“The Switzerland Inn…Blue Ridge
Mountain Bed & Breakfast.”
Her breath caught.
“Oh honey…are we—”
Mark nodded, smiling.
“When—?”
The realization hit.
Flipping through the pages, he
could see the excitement building. “Did you see this place? The views…oh my
gosh—and look!” She pointed. “A porch. Rockers. This is perfect.”
Then she paused, eyes narrowing
playfully as she leaned closer to the fine print.
“And look here…” she said slowly.
Mark frowned. “What?”
She turned the page toward him,
then back, tracing an imaginary line. “At the Switzerland Inn…it is Tuesday and
Thursday…every day…all day.”
She looked up, grinning.
“Can you imagine that?”
Mark chuckled, “Well as Gomer Pyle
used to say in that old ‘60’s show…..Sur-prize…Sur-prize….Sur-prize!” They both laughed and the waitress arrived
with dessert menus. Their laughter
lingered, easy and full, as the waitress returned with dessert menus—and the
night stretched out in front of them, quietly perfect.
Are You Ready For Love
As the week unfolded, the rhythm
of their days began to settle again, but not entirely back into what it had
been. Kimmy still found herself reaching for Mark’s hand a little more often,
still glancing over her shoulder in crowded spaces, still asking—without
asking—for him to come along when they dropped Brad off at the Sunrise Academy.
Mark never hesitated.
Monday morning, beneath the soft
hum of fluorescent lights and the quiet bustle of early arrivals, they sat once
again across from Ms. Pat and completed the paperwork for the Sleepover
Program. Three spaces left, she had said, her reading glasses perched low as
she smiled at them over the folder. It felt like a small window, one of those
moments you either step into or let pass.
Kimmy didn’t let it pass.
On the drive home, sunlight
flickering through the windshield, she called Sally. By that afternoon,
Jillian’s name sat neatly beside Brad’s on the list. Another shared experience.
Another thread tying their little circle together.
The next day, when they picked
Brad up, he chattered all the way down the hallway, his small hand bouncing in
Kimmy’s as if the world itself couldn’t keep up with him. At home, Kimmy had
just opened her suitcase on the bed, smoothing the inside lining with absent
fingers, when she felt it—that familiar sense of being watched.
Two little eyes.
“Hi honey,” she said without
turning. “Did you want to play a game?”
Brad stood in the doorway,
studying her, silent for a beat. Then he turned and ran down the hall just as
Mark appeared, rolling their suitcase behind him.
A moment later, Brad
reappeared—dragging his own suitcase with determined pride.
He planted it beside the bed and
beamed. “Where we goin’, Mom?”
Kimmy looked up at Mark, who
dropped to one knee beside their son, his voice softening into that tone
reserved just for him.
“Remember when we went on the big
ship last summer?”
Brad’s head bobbed
enthusiastically.
“Well,” Mark continued, “it’s time
for another adventure. But this one…this one’s just for you.”
Brad’s eyes widened. “Where to,
Dad?”
Mark stroked his chin
thoughtfully. “It’s called a sleepover. There’s going to be games, and food,
and—”
“Chicken nuggets?” Brad
interrupted, turning to Kimmy with urgent hope. “Will they have chicken
nuggets?”
Kimmy smiled, leaning against the
dresser. “I’m sure they will, baby.”
Brad lit up. “On a big ship, Dad?”
Mark chuckled, placing a hand on
his shoulder. “No ship this time. It’s at your school. And Jillian will be
there too.”
Brad paused, processing—and then
it clicked.
“Oooooh cool. I like school, Dad.
Mom—it’s at my school!” He grinned. “Cool.”
He spun and bolted from the room.
Mark stood, glancing at Kimmy.
“Well…that went well.”
Footsteps pounded back down the
hall.
Brad reappeared, pointing
dramatically. “Mom! Why is your bed all messed up? I helped you make it this
morning!”
Kimmy froze.
Her eyes darted to Mark.
And just like that—he was moving.
“Hey buddy,” Mark said quickly,
steering him gently toward the door. “Mom’s busy packing now. We believe you.
You’ll get your allowance on Friday, promise.”
Brad wasn’t so easily redirected.
He darted back in with his chore chart, holding it up like evidence in a
courtroom. “See, Mom—Tuesday morning! Big check mark. I did it. I really did.”
Kimmy pressed her hand to her
mouth, her shoulders beginning to shake.
Mark nodded solemnly. “That’s
right, buddy. Tuesday. Big check mark. Good work.”
Brad beamed, satisfied, and
wandered back to his room, already pulling up his iPad.
Mark closed the door gently.
There was a beat.
And then—
They both lost it.
Mark leaned in, lowering his
voice. “So…maybe we keep this one from the little man. And maybe…just maybe…we
make the bed next time.”
Kimmy’s laughter softened into a
grin as she nodded. “Agreed.”
The next morning, the familiar
stop at Wawa felt like a return to something steady.
Allan stood leaning against his
truck, coffee in hand, watching as they pulled in. His eyes flicked from Mark
to Kimmy and back again, one eyebrow lifting just slightly.
Mark caught it.
He gave the smallest of shrugs.
Kimmy slid out of the car, already
moving. “I’ll get the coffee and the paper for the puzzle. You talk to Allan,
baby.”
As she passed, she gave Allan a
quick pat on the shoulder. “Still a little anxious, Dude?”
Mark watched her go for a moment,
then spoke quietly. “She says she’s back to normal. But…she’s not quite there
yet. Not in public places.”
Allan nodded slowly. “Has to be
hard.”
His tone softened as he added,
“But this trip? Sal showed me the pictures. That place looks…perfect.”
Mark smiled, the thought settling
into him. “Yeah. I think it’s exactly what she needs. A few days away from
everything.”
Kimmy reappeared, arms full,
backing through the door. “Ready, baby? We have to pack.” She smiled at Allan.
“Tell Sal hi!”
Mark took his cup and clinked cups
with Allan then followed her to the car.
Later, the porch welcomed them
again.
Puzzle pieces clicked softly into
place as the late morning light filtered through the trees, the quiet wrapping
around them like something familiar and kind.
Kimmy set down the paper and clapped her hands once. “Okay. Enough
playtime. We need to pack. Let’s go—you can help me decide.”
Mark caught her hand as she stood,
gently pulling her back down beside him.
“Just so I understand my role,” he
said carefully, “when we went to the mall…we had two very different definitions
of ‘we.’ So…am I actually helping here?”
Kimmy reached up, patting his
cheek with exaggerated affection. “You men…you really don’t understand us, do
you?”
Mark opened his mouth. He muttered, “I guess not.”
But she was already halfway to the
door.
“I heard that!” she called over
her shoulder, her laughter trailing behind her.
Mark shook his head, smiling as he
followed.
Inside, clothes began to appear in
neat rows—Mark’s quiet attempt at organization.
Six shirts. Four slacks. One pair
of jeans.
He turned toward the dresser—
—and stopped.
Kimmy stood there, holding two
options up like a serious decision.
“Okay,” she said. “Which one?
Shorty short pajamas…or the red negligee you gave me for Christmas?”
Mark studied them, taking his
time. “Well…if I’m choosing…”
Kimmy nodded. “Right. Both. Good
choice.” She turned slightly. “And no—I am not forgetting MY shirt. I have a
list. See?”
She waved a folded piece of paper
over her shoulder. Mark stepped forward,
reaching for it. “Let me see this.”
Kimmy hesitated…then handed it
over with a grin. He unfolded it.
Neat block letters. Precise.
Organized. Detailed. In neat block letters, all lined up one right
under the other was a detailed list of clothes, toiletries, electronics, and
snacks.
He looked up slowly.
Kimmy stood with her arms crossed,
eyebrow raised. “Yes? You have a problem?”
Mark held up the list. “This is
all your stuff. What about mine?”
Kimmy rolled her eyes. “Well
first…you’d think a big boy like you would have your own list.”
Mark looked down at his shoes.
“Well, I thought—”
“Of course you don’t,” she cut in,
sighing dramatically. “Mr. Planner. Mr. Organization. No list.”
She raised a finger. “Ah ah—I’ve
got you. Your list is on the other side.”
Mark flipped it over. Three lines.
He looked up. Kimmy smiled.
“All the important things, right?”
He laughed, shaking his head.
She snatched the paper back,
already moving again, humming something unrecognizable—maybe a tune, maybe just
happiness spilling out.
“Get to it, mister,” she called.
“I have faith. And hey…if you run out of clothes…”
She turned, grinning.
“…it’s Tuesday or Thursday every
day at the Switzerland Inn.”
Friday morning came quietly.
Brad hugged Kimmy tight, then
waved to Mark as he pulled his little suitcase behind him, Captain Mickey
tucked firmly under his arm. His steps were small but determined, the weight of
independence just beginning to settle into him.
Mark stood beside Kimmy, their
hands linked, as they watched him disappear into the building. A staff member
turned and gave them a gentle wave. The
door closed. There was a small silence.
“Well,” Mark said softly. “We’re
off.”
Kimmy leaned in, kissing his
cheek. “I’m sad to leave him,” she admitted. Then her eyes brightened. “But I’m
so excited for this. How long is the drive again?”
Mark glanced at his watch.
Kimmy squeezed his arm. “You’re
not—”
He smiled immediately. “No, baby.
Just checking the time.” He looked at her, steady. “About two hours. Maybe a
little more if we stop.”
She nodded, settling into the
seat.
“Let’s do this.”
The car pulled onto the highway,
the morning stretching out ahead of them, the road opening wide.
Three days. Just them.
And the quiet promise of
returning—once again—to everything they already knew…was worth holding onto.
Our Perfect Getaway: Day 1 –
Arrival
Mark pulled the car onto the ramp
leading to I-85 north and pointed to the big green sign to Kimmy.
“Smooth sailing for the next hour
and a half before we reach I-40. You tired baby? Want to take a nap? I’m good
to drive.” He patted her leg. Kimmy
immediately took his hand and squeezed it, leaning over to press a soft kiss to
his cheek.
“I’m not wasting a minute of this
weekend by sleeping,” she said, settling back into her seat but keeping her
fingers laced through his. “What should we talk about?”
And so they did. For the next hour the car became its own
little world—full of laughter, shared memories, and easy conversation. They
talked about Brad and the things he said that made them laugh out loud. They
revisited trips—moments that still lingered like snapshots in their minds.
Friends, stories, little inside jokes that didn’t need explaining. The miles
slipped by unnoticed, replaced by anticipation that seemed to hum quietly
between them. Mark pointed ahead. “Rest
area in eight miles. Let’s stop, okay? I could use a cold drink.”
Kimmy nodded, giving his hand
another squeeze.
Back on the highway, Mark reached
for her hand again, this time holding it a little tighter.
“I wanted to tell you something…”
Kimmy turned slowly, studying him.
“You didn’t buy me anything—tell me you didn’t. This weekend is not about
things… it’s just about us. We promised.”
Mark chuckled, shaking his head.
“Well, I could have…my girl never has enough sparkly things. But no—I didn’t. I
did…um…a thing.”
Kimmy leaned back against the
window, one eyebrow lifting in that way he knew so well. “What kind of thing?
And you did this without asking me? That’s a bit of a leap, isn’t it?”
Mark laughed out loud, and Kimmy
couldn’t help but giggle with him.
“Oh my honey…could you possibly be
more adorable? And yes…all on my own, I did this.”
“Hmmm…”
“You know how I like watching the
Viking TV channel, right?”
Kimmy smiled. “And how you always
ask a question just to get the host to react? You’re such a clever boy. That’s
my hubby.”
Mark tapped his temple. “Well, I
had a thought. I saw one of their presentations—Karine’s Top Ten Reasons to
Travel with Viking…”
“The blonde one in all the
commercials?” Kimmy asked quickly.
Mark grinned. “A+ for my girl.” Kimmy beamed.
He continued, “So it got me
thinking. We’ve been on all these trips…we’ve got all these photos, videos…so I
went back through everything. I pulled the best moments and made something.”
Kimmy’s hand flew to her mouth.
“You didn’t…”
“I did. A video. ‘Why Mark &
Kimmy Love Viking – A Top Ten.’”
Kimmy’s entire body lit up.
“Seriously? That’s amazing! Is it
done? Is it good? When do I get to see it? Oh my gosh—you have the fountain,
right? And Vienna—the strudel! And Antarctica—there are at least six from
there! And the Rhine castles—oh and Egypt—did you use the pyramid shot for the
title? Oh and—”
Her hands were flying, her voice
tumbling over itself, and Mark just laughed.
“Slow down, sister… I can see I
should have made this a collaborative project.”
Kimmy blushed, settling a little.
“No… it’s your idea. Is it done?”
Mark hooked a thumb over his
shoulder. “Laptop’s in the backpack. I thought we’d have the big premiere
tonight. After dinner. You don’t mind sitting through it, right? It’s only
about ten minutes.”
Kimmy’s eyes softened. The sparkle
shifted into something deeper.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said
quietly. “I am so lucky…”
Mark glanced over—and felt it
before he fully saw it.
The air had changed.
Kimmy was staring out the window
now. Silent.
“Baby…” he said softly.
“Honey…what? You okay?”
She didn’t turn. But he heard
it—the soft, unmistakable sound of her crying.
He gave her a moment. Then reached
over, gently squeezing her arm.
“Talk to me, baby…tell me.”
Kimmy’s voice came just above a
whisper.
“I’m such a baby sometimes…” She
swallowed hard. “But thinking about all those trips…all those memories…”
Her breath caught.
“What if…what if you hadn’t
stayed? I almost didn’t ask you. And all of this…us…none of it would have
happened.”
Mark felt something warm spread
through his chest, straight to his heart. He opened his mouth, but nothing came
at first. Then he took a breath.
“It’s special,” he said softly.
“Us.”
Kimmy turned to him slowly, her
arm looping through his.
“What’s the best part?” she asked
quietly.
Mark looked ahead, then back at
her.
“We don’t take it for granted.”
A beat.
“It is all about us.”
Kimmy leaned into him, her voice
barely there.
“It is.”
And for the next few miles, there
was nothing more to say.
“Here’s our exit!” Mark pointed.
“I-40. About thirty minutes to go.”
Kimmy clapped her hands. “Whoooo
hoooo!”
As the car climbed the long,
winding drive toward the Switzerland Inn, Kimmy’s head was on a swivel.
“Ooooh—look! Now there—oh my gosh
that mountain! Honey this is beautiful…this is so, so perfect.”
Mark smiled to himself. Hit a
homerun here, my man.
They parked, stepping out of the
car—and immediately, the air felt different. Cooler. Cleaner. It carried that
faint scent of pine and earth, something untouched. It slowed everything down.
Inside, a young girl stood behind
the desk.
“Welcome to the Switzerland Inn!
Are you honeymooners? I can always tell—they look the happiest.”
Kimmy beamed. “No…we’ve been
married a few years. But we are very happy.” She turned to Mark. “And very much
still in love.”
Mark handed over his card, signed
the form, and accepted the key.
“You’re in the Hillside House,”
the girl said. “Follow the road around—last one on the right. It’s my favorite.
Very private… and the views…” She smiled. “You’ll see.”
The trees parted as they turned
in.
Kimmy gasped.
“WOW…look at that porch! Oh I know
where we’re sitting tonight—look at those mountains!”
Mark nodded slowly. “I saw the
pictures…but this…”
“Stunning,” he finished softly.
“Like my wife.”
Kimmy blushed.
He handed her the key. “You go
first. I’ll grab the bags.”
She stood at the door when he
returned.
“Key not working?” he asked.
“I wanted to go in together,” she
said softly. “Ready?”
He nodded. The door swung open. And they stopped.
The space opened in front of
them—cathedral ceilings of warm wood, beams stretching overhead, stone
fireplace framed by walls of glass. Windows everywhere. Light pouring in. The
quiet inside felt full, not empty.
Their footsteps echoed softly as
they stepped in.
“O-H my…” Kimmy breathed.
Mark stood a moment longer. “Wow.”
He squeezed her hand, then paused.
“Wait—forgot the luggage,” he laughed, heading back out.
When he returned, Kimmy was
standing in the bedroom doorway, curling a finger toward him.
“Come look at this…”
He stepped beside her.
Glass doors. Mountains stretching
endlessly beyond. Another window catching a different angle of the same view.
“This is special,” Mark whispered.
Kimmy turned.
For just a second, the world
narrowed—no past, no fear, no noise. Just this room, this man, this moment.
She grabbed his shirt, rose onto
her toes, and kissed him—soft at first, then deeper, enough to make his breath
catch.
She leaned in, whispering against
his ear.
“Right now…right here… it’s our
first Tuesday…”
The bag slipped from his hand.
Later, the light had shifted—soft
gold spilling through the windows as the sun dipped lower.
Mark traced small circles along
Kimmy’s back, her breathing slow and steady beside him. Peaceful.
He brushed her hair from her
forehead, smiling as memories flickered—Karnak Temple, that picture on his
phone, her laughter echoing across places they’d been.
Kimmy stirred.
One eye opened.
“It’s a great start to the
weekend, right?” she murmured. “I’m hungry…what’s the dinner plan?”
Mark chuckled.
Mark’s gaze shifted and met the
sparkling eyes. “Well, and of course
anything I say is to be taken strictly as a suggestion,” Kimmy’s smile broke wide open and she
snorted, “Well obviously…”
“So,” Mark continued, “I’m
SUGGESTING we don’t go anywhere. I saw a
sign in the lobby that said “restaurant” and I say we just go there. What do you think of that?”
Kimmy sat up, curled her legs into
her familiar cross legged pose, all the while pulling the sheet up and said, “I
appreciate your thoughts. But here’s my
plan…..we get dressed – obviously,” another soft giggle, “and I say we see if
there’s a restaurant on the property and we just stay there. THAT will be the plan!”
Mark’s mouth opened, only to be
met by a raised eyebrow. He paused and
through a smile said, “Well, why didn’t I think of that?”
As they walked into the lobby the
same teen was at the desk. She smiled
and said, “Is the room ok? What can I do
for you love-birds.” Kimmy squeezed
Mark’s arm and said, “Which way to the restaurant?” and nodded towards the
little sign at the end of the desk.
The clerk smiled and said, “Oh you
haven’t seen it yet? You have to….to the
sign, turn right and up the stair case.”
They followed her directions and when they opened the double doors they
both stopped.
Back at the house, two soft lights
glowed inside.
“To the deck?” Kimmy asked.
“Oh, of course baby.”
She stepped through the
bedroom—and laughed.
“What?” Mark asked.
“Housekeeping made the bed…good
thing the little man isn’t here.”
They both laughed.
Minutes later, they sat in rocking
chairs, close enough their knees almost touched. Kimmy in the shirt and
Minnie undies, Mark in his Panthers hoodie and sweats. Wine glasses balanced in
one hand, fingers intertwined in the other.
The mountains were now only
outlines. The world had pulled back, leaving just the porch, the quiet creak of
the chairs, and the rhythm of their breathing.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Kimmy
asked.
Mark smiled. “Perfect first day.”
She nodded.
“And…maybe we watch the Viking
video tomorrow?”
Kimmy giggled, color rising to her
cheeks. “I may have been…a little distracted this afternoon.”
Mark laughed softly. “Good
choice.”
Then he grew quieter.
“I was thinking about the
Derby…when you met everyone.”
Kimmy smiled. “You know what I
remember most?”
“What?”
“How nervous I was…until you stood
up. And you pulled me next to you.” Her voice softened. “And said…‘This is my
Kimmy. She’ll be around a long time.’”
Their foreheads touched.
A beat.
“Confession time,” Mark said
softly.
Kimmy sat up. “WHAT? There’s
something you haven’t told me?”
Mark lifted his glass. “Guilty.”
“What is it?”
He looked out at the dark horizon,
then back at her.
“Jeff pulled me aside that night.”
Kimmy leaned in, her hand on his
cheek. “What did he say?”
Mark smiled.
“He asked me if I was going to buy
you a ring.”
Her breath caught. “What did you
tell him?”
Mark leaned close, his voice
barely above a whisper.
“I told him… I’d already ordered
it.”
Tears slipped down Kimmy’s cheeks
as she leaned into him.
The mountains were silent now. The
crickets had taken over the night.
And on that quiet porch, under a
sky that seemed to stretch forever, two people sat side by side—knowing with
absolute certainty…
They had chosen well.
They had chosen each other.
And they would…again.
Our Perfect Getaway: Day 2,
Part 1 – What A Day For A Daydream
It was the silence that woke Mark. Not the creak of boards, not the soft rush of
the creek, not even the quiet movement of a child staring from the side of the
bed —just…nothing. A complete and unfamiliar stillness that settled over him
like a soft blanket. For a moment he was disoriented, caught somewhere between
sleep and awareness, until he felt it—the familiar hand clutching his shirt,
the warmth beside him. A slow smile spread across his face as the memory of
where they were came rushing back.
He turned his head carefully.
The golden highlights of her hair
caught the early light first, then the soft, delicate curves of Kimmy’s back
and hips beneath the oversized shirt. Mark’s smile deepened, widening into
something almost boyish as he took her in.
Still…after all this time… I
cannot believe this is the woman I wake up to.
He leaned forward and placed a
gentle kiss on the top of her head, lingering just a second longer than
necessary, then slowly, carefully, eased himself out of bed so as not to wake
her. Crossing the room, he opened the large glass doors and stepped out onto
the wraparound deck, the cool wood beneath his feet grounding him instantly.
A low mist hung over the
mountains, soft and shifting, making the distant peaks seem as though they were
dissolving into the sky. Here and there, breaks in the haze allowed thin
ribbons of sunlight to push through as the morning slowly revealed itself. The
air was cooler than back home, carrying that faint scent of pine and
earth—clean, untouched—and it made everything feel quieter, slower, more
intentional.
Mark stretched his arms high above
his head, feeling the tightness in his back begin to release. He blinked,
focusing on the trees beyond the road. They seemed sharper today, clearer.
Curious, he raised his hand and covered one eye, then the other, testing.
A satisfied grin formed.
“Oh…this is going to be a good
day,” he murmured softly.
He stood there a moment longer,
just breathing it all in, before turning and slipping quietly back inside.
The kitchen required a bit of
exploration.
Drawers opened. Cabinets searched.
A soft mutter under his breath as he worked his way through unfamiliar
territory. Eventually, he located the coffee, then the cups, placing them
carefully on the counter as if he were solving a small puzzle.
Standing in front of the machine,
he placed his hands on his hips and leaned in.
“Come on now… it can’t be that
hard.”
He squinted at the display for a
moment, then paused…then chuckled quietly to himself.
Unplugged.
Shaking his head, he reached
behind, plugged it in, and watched as the machine came to life. With a small
nod of satisfaction, he started the brew and lingered just long enough to hear
the first steady drip before heading back to the bedroom.
He slipped under the covers again,
careful not to disturb her. Kimmy stirred slightly, and Mark froze, holding his
breath. Then her hand found his shirt again, fingers curling instinctively. She
let out a soft sigh, and he thought—just barely—that he heard her whisper
“Baby,” though it was so faint he couldn’t be certain.
Moments later, with her warmth
pressed against him, he drifted back to sleep.
The second time he woke, it was to
music.
Soft, lilting, oddly familiar.
For a moment he thought it was
birds—something about the tune felt recognizable in a way that didn’t quite
make sense. Slowly, he opened one eye.
Kimmy sat cross-legged on the bed,
conducting an imaginary orchestra, her head bobbing enthusiastically as she
whistled Whistle While You Work with complete and joyful commitment.
Mark let out a quiet chuckle.
Her head snapped toward him
instantly.
“Oh THERE you are, my love!” she
cooed, crawling toward him and straddling his waist in one smooth motion. Her
hands began tapping lightly against his chest in a rhythm that existed only in
her world. “Mark is a bad man…he made me wait for coffee…” she sang, completely
off-key and entirely delighted with herself.
Mark laughed out loud.
“Don’t quit your day job, honey.
That may be the most adorable tune ever, but it is definitely not catchy.”
Kimmy giggled, throwing her hands
high above her head in triumph.
“WHAT a great day this will be!”
Mark’s eyes, of course,
immediately dropped to the miniature Minnies dancing across her underwear. As
she leaned forward, placing her hands on either side of his face, the oversized
shirt slipped just enough to shift his attention upward—but not quite to her
eyes.
“Here, mister…” she giggled. “My
eyes are here.”
He wrapped his arms around her and
pulled her down into a kiss.
“Morning, sunshine. How’s my
pretty girl today?”
Kimmy sat upright abruptly,
raising her palms on either side in exaggerated frustration.
“What’s a girl got to do to get
coffee around here? Is there some kind of fee involved?” she teased, wiggling
slightly and pressing her index fingers gently into his cheeks.
Mark pointed toward the door.
“You may not have noticed… but
coffee is already made.”
Her head whipped around.
“REALLY? Oh you are the
man. Come on—the deck is calling!”
And just like that, she was off
the bed, shirt tails swaying, ponytail bouncing as she skipped toward the
kitchen.
“Ooooh and you have the cups out
already…you are indeed a keeper!” she called over her shoulder.
Mark stood, stretched his back
once more, and followed her voice out to the deck.
Kimmy stood there waiting, holding
two steaming cups of coffee, her face lit by the soft morning light and
something even brighter from within.
“Isn’t this so cool?” she said,
her voice full of wonder.
Mark took his cup, gently turning
her face toward his. The sparkle in her eyes was unmistakable—clear, easy, and
entirely her.
They settled into the rocking
chairs, close enough that their knees brushed, hands finding each other
naturally as they began to rock in quiet rhythm. For several minutes, neither
of them spoke. There was no need.
The mountains stretched endlessly
before them, the mist slowly lifting, revealing more of the world with each
passing moment.
Then Kimmy giggled.
She pulled her hand from his and
covered her mouth, laughing softly.
Mark turned toward her, puzzled
but smiling. “What…what’s so funny?”
She reached down and unbuttoned
one more button on the shirt, glancing at him playfully.
“Remember when I stole this…on
that first cruise? I wondered what you’d say.”
Mark chuckled, leaning back in his
chair.
“I remember Vienna better…
powdered sugar all over your face. Now that was funny.”
Kimmy tapped his forehead lightly
with her finger.
“Not as funny as the dozen times
you burned grilled cheese that first time you stayed with me.”
Mark laughed, rocking back.
“Well, I seem to recall you
stealing my Panthers sweatshirt… and me getting even by stealing your blanket.
You’ve got to get up pretty early to top me, missy.”
Kimmy paused then, her expression
softening as she looked out over the railing.
“Remember when you found my
notebook?” she said quietly. “After you sent me that budget for my first year…”
Mark nodded, his voice gentle.
“The heart…‘I hope I meet someone
someday like Coach Love.’”
She exhaled softly.
“You always make me feel so
wanted,” she said. “So safe…so loved.”
Mark shook his head slightly.
“And the time you thought you lost
the shirt at that conference…you cried yourself to sleep. That broke me. I
couldn’t fix it.”
Kimmy leaned over and kissed him
lightly.
“But you did,” she whispered. “You
found it in the suitcase. My hero…then, now…forever.”
She leaned in closer, lowering her
voice conspiratorially.
“And Lake Como…when you told me
you were secretly James Bond and would have to kill me if I told anyone…”
They both burst into laughter, the
sound carrying lightly into the open air.
The memories came easily after
that, one leading to another, their shared history unfolding like pages they
could flip through anytime they wanted.
Mark looked at Kimmy and he
smiled, “The ears you got at Disney, that was so adorable the way you wore them
all day.”
As Kimmy rocked back and brought
her coffee to her lips the shirt slipped down further off her shoulder. Mark’s eyes were riveted to her smooth
skin. Kimmy pointed to her eyes, “Here
mister,” and she giggled. “Remember when
I was telling you about confessing to Sally about our Tuesday-Thursday, uh,
thing, and…”
Mark finished, “…and the sheet
kept slipping down? Oh yes – that’s
vividly burned into my mind. I’m so
sorry I didn’t have my camera ready. Now
THAT would have been a picture for my phone screen.”
Kimmy blushed and giggled. She tipped her cup up and exaggeratedly
illustrated it was empty.
“More coffee?” she asked as she
stood. Mark took her hand and said,
“Let’s watch the ‘Today Show.”
Kimmy took his cup and went to the
kitchen. Mark found the remote and
turned on the TV, navigated to the guide screen as he sat down. He’d just begun to scroll through when he felt
Kimmy’s hands reach over the top cushion and shove him down. “Hey what the….” He started to say but before
he could finish she’d rolled over the top and was kissing him warmly. He found the buttons on her shirt……the TV
shut itself off minutes later when no one was watching.
A soft buzz broke the stillness.
Kimmy reached for her phone, her
expression lighting up.
“Pics from the sleepover…”
Mark leaned in as she scrolled
through them—groups of children, laughter captured in still frames. And then,
of course, Brad—his blonde hair unmistakable, his smile wide and easy.
Mark smiled.
“He looks happy.”
Kimmy leaned into him, resting her
head against his shoulder.
“Like me,” she said softly.
Then, just as quickly, she popped
upright.
“Hey…what’s for lunch?”
Mark laughed.
She looked at him, puzzled.
“What?”
“Miss romantic one second…Miss
Piggy the next.”
Kimmy gasped dramatically,
grabbing the shirt and slipping it over her head in one fluid motion.
“Are you calling me fat?”
Mark immediately raised his hands
in surrender.
“Never. Never crossed my mind.
That’s on me. Bad reference.”
He grinned.
“But…I do have an idea.”
Kimmy stood and put her hands on
her hips. “You are NOT thinking of
making grilled cheese, right?”
Mark sat up and said, “Nope….they
have a pub here – the Fowl Play Pub and Tap Room. Let’s try it, want to?”
Kimmy clapped her hands….”Yes –
sounds great. But I need a shower….and
to save time – JUST to save time mind you….you’re invited to shower with
me!” And she led him towards the bedroom
and the adjoining bathroom.
The pub was lively, full of voices
and movement, the low hum of conversation filling the space. But at their table, none of it seemed to
matter. It was just them. Wine glasses. Half-eaten plates. Fingers
intertwined across the table. Kimmy
reached for his hand again.
“Can you tell I’m having like…the
best time ever?”
Mark leaned in slightly, smiling.
“Well, if I had to guess, I’d say
you think this was an okay idea.”
She grinned, leaning closer, her
voice dropping to a playful whisper as her eyes darted right, then left.
“And the pamphlet was right, you
know…”
Mark gave her a puzzled look.
“About the mountain views?”
Kimmy giggled softly.
“No silly…about it being Tuesday
or Thursday…every day…all day.”
Mark’s eyes widened as a grin
spread across his face.
“Ooooh…yes indeed.”
The waiter came and went, the
sounds of the room rising and falling around them, glasses clinking, laughter
drifting from nearby tables. But if you
had asked either of them later what they remembered about that lunch…
They would have said the same
thing.
There was no one else there.
Just them.
And a day that felt like it might
never end.
Our Perfect Getaway: Day 2,
Part 2 – What A Day For A Daydreamin’ Boy (Final Paragraph Flow)
Mark reached down beside the sofa
and pulled his laptop from his backpack, setting it carefully on the coffee
table. The soft thud drew Kimmy’s attention as she stepped out of the bedroom,
now changed into her shorty short pajamas, the fabric light and playful against
her skin. Mark looked up and smiled immediately, shaking his head slightly.
“You know I love those…how am I supposed to concentrate on the video now?”
Kimmy grinned, completely
unbothered, and settled cross-legged on the sofa. “These are only for lounging
around, mister,” she said lightly. “Maybe…just maybe later tonight I’ll put
them back on…or not.” She tilted her head, her eyes dancing as she giggled
softly, clearly pleased with herself.
Mark chuckled under his breath as
he powered up the laptop, but before he could begin, Kimmy reached out and
gently wrapped her fingers around his arm. “Hey baby…can you hook it up to the
big screen? It would feel more like a real movie?” She gave him that look—the
one with the bright eyes and just enough expectation that he never stood a
chance.
“You HAVE to stop doing that,”
Mark smiled. “You know when you do that thing I just have to say yes.” He stood
and glanced toward the television. “Let me see if they’ve got the right cords.”
He moved behind the TV, using his
phone to cast a small circle of light across the tangle of cables, leaning in
and shifting slightly as he tried to make sense of it. Kimmy watched from the
sofa, her smile fading just a touch when he shook his head.
“Don’t have the cords?” she asked,
her voice dipping ever so slightly.
Mark frowned and put his hands on
his hips. “I’m not sure. Even with my flashlight it’s so dark back here I’m
having a hard time seeing.” The moment he said it, Kimmy felt that small shift
she had come to recognize. His eyes. She stood without hesitation and
crossed the room.
“Here honey, let me help. What are
you looking for?” she asked softly.
Mark gave her a small smile, but
she could see the disappointment tucked behind it. He lifted the laptop and
pointed to the port. “I need something with this kind of end.” For just a
second his gaze drifted, not quite focused, and Kimmy stepped closer, wrapping
her arms around him from the side and holding him just a little longer than
necessary.
“Hey…we’re a team,” she whispered.
“We can do anything, remember?”
Mark let out a slow breath and
nodded. Kimmy turned back to the cables, gently pulling one free and holding it
up. “Is this right?”
Mark’s face lit instantly. “Oh you
are such a smart girl—that’s it exactly.” Within moments the laptop was
connected, and Mark grabbed the remote, navigating through the inputs until the
screen came alive.
The title filled the television: Why
Mark & Kimmy Love Viking, bold red letters over a sepia-toned photo of
the two of them in front of the pyramids. Kimmy gasped softly and scooted
closer. “Ooooo I love the opening!” Mark
said, “Quiet in the balcony…the show is starting!”
The video began with Mark on their
back porch introducing himself, his voice steady and familiar, and as he spoke
about his years teaching World History, the screen transitioned to a photo of
the two of them on the top deck of their first cruise. His narration shifted
naturally to Kimmy, and her expression softened as she listened to the pride in
his voice. She leaned in and whispered, “Too much about me…you should edit
this,” but Mark didn’t even look at her, raising a finger to his lips. “Quiet
in the peanut gallery, please.”
The screen faded to a deep crimson
background with the title #10 – FOOD, and a series of photos filled the
screen—meals, laughter, glasses raised, familiar faces leaning in close. The
last images lingered just a moment longer on Allan and Sally before fading into
#9 – EXTENSIONS, where Amsterdam canals gave way to Mount Rigi, then
Budapest. Kimmy smiled at the clip of herself pointing off into the distance.
“Look honey…the mountains. So epic.” Another clip showed Mark at Fisherman’s
Bastion, and over it her voice rang out, “Love you baby.” Kimmy shook her head,
beginning to whisper, “You have to—” but Mark hushed her gently, pulling her
leg onto his lap as his hands moved slowly along her calf and ankle, his touch
warm and steady.
The video flowed into #8 –
RIVER CRUISING, where sunsets and locks and quiet water unfolded across the
screen. “Where was that?” Kimmy asked softly. “Just before Passau,” Mark
answered, never taking his eyes off the screen. Then came #7 – RHINE CASTLES,
stone rising against sky, and Kimmy laughed softly at the sight of her younger
self stepping carefully over rough stones, turning back with that unmistakable
smile. “This is SO SO cool honey—we are IN a castle!” She leaned back into him,
still smiling.
When #6 – NEW FRIENDS
appeared, the dining rooms and shared tables brought a soft sigh from Kimmy. “I
miss those guys,” she said quietly as Larry and Lisa appeared, followed by a
photo of Allan and Sally in Antarctica. “Ooooo…” she added, her voice softening
even more as Mark’s hands drifted lower, working gently along her foot,
pressing just enough to make her relax.
The video continued through #5
– VIKING TV A clip from Viking TV
played out and Mark leaned back and said, “I downloaded that….obviously not my
actual video” and this faded into a close-up of a Viking host as the narrator
said, “Next we have a question from Mark who’s lives in North Carolina with his
wife Kimmy. Mark asks, ‘When sailing on
the Nile, what’s the one temple that will be most impressive?’ The host’s eyes grew wide and he said with
surprise, ‘OH that’s an excellent question.”
Mark looked at Kimmy with a big smile and Kimmy whispered, “You always
get them baby, good job!” Then came #4
– PROGRAM DIRECTORS, with Dr. Hanni and Egypt and that unforgettable
galabia photo, followed by #3 – EXCURSIONS, where Cologne Cathedral,
Venice, and gondola music filled the screen. “That was so romantic,” Kimmy
whispered, and Mark’s hand drifted just a bit higher along her thigh before she
giggled and nudged him. “Ah ah ah…pay attention to the video, mister.”
The final segments—#2 – ICONIC
PLACES Mark’s face appeared as he stood in front of the Great Pyramid of
Giza and he said, “Kimmy and I fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine to visit
ancient Egypt and sail the Nile” and he spread his arms wide, his smile
contagious. The video faded out and into
the photo of them several blocks high on the pyramid, arms extended high over
their heads as they smiled for the camera.
The picture faded and a video clip of Kimmy in Antarctica faded in. Her sunglasses were on top her head and Mark
had framed her just to the side so you could see a huge ice chunk bigger than a
house floating just off the shore which was dotted by hundreds of penguins as
Kimmy nearly shouted, “Penguins….penguins every where baby. Look at all of them! This is AAAA-MAZE-ING!” Mark looked back and whispered, “It was,
right?” Kimmy nodded, her eyes glued to
the screen. The video faded out and one Christmas ornament after another faded
in and out from all their Viking trips before the screen went black and then
finally one more title, #1 – THE
STAFFKimmy leaned forward and whispered, “That’s right, that should be
number one.” Several more shots in the
dining room where Mark and Kimmy had posed with wait staff faded in and out
before the last slide showed Sophia on the top deck between Mark and Kimmy, all
three smiling broadly with arms around one another. The final image faded to a
sepia faded background of Mark and Kimmy in Antarctica had bold red letters on
it saying, You gotta LOVE Viking and that faded to the full color photo
of Mark and Kimmy in front of the pyramids.
And the screen froze as the video ended.
The screen froze there, holding
the moment.
Mark turned slowly toward her, a
hint of uncertainty in his expression. “Well…what did you think?”
Kimmy didn’t answer right away.
Instead, she climbed onto her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck,
pulling him close. “I am so SO proud of you,” she said softly. “That was just
awesome. It made me think of everything we’ve done together…everything we’ve
been.” She rested her forehead against his. “I love you so much…you know that,
right?”
Mark smiled, a little sheepish.
“I’m not sure it was THAT good. You might be a little biased.”
Kimmy pulled back and swatted his
arm. “Don’t you even try that with me. The one thing I’d suggest…” Mark leaned
forward immediately. “Do tell—be honest. I can fix it.” Kimmy tilted her head
as if thinking deeply. “Too much screen time for that girl…she seems a little
out of control.”
Mark laughed and, without
hesitation, pushed her gently back onto the sofa, leaning over her. “Not in
this lifetime would I edit that girl out. She clearly—CLEARLY—is the energy of
the entire film.” He lowered himself and kissed her softly, and Kimmy pulled
him closer, deepening the kiss as her fingers tugged lightly at his shirt.
Behind them, the video quietly looped back to the beginning, unnoticed.
By the time the sunlight filtering
through the large picture windows softened into late afternoon gold, Mark was
lying back against the cushions, absently twisting a strand of Kimmy’s hair
around his finger as she rested against him, her breathing slow and even, a
faint smile on her lips. He leaned down slightly and whispered, “Happy, baby?”
Kimmy turned her head so she could
see him, her eyes bright as they met his. She didn’t answer right away, just
held his gaze for a long, quiet moment before letting out a soft, contented
sigh. Then, just as quickly, her expression shifted as if wiped clean. “When’s
dinner? What’s the plan?” she asked, suddenly animated.
Mark laughed out loud, dropping
his head back. “Again…Miss Romantic to Miss….I mean Head Chef.”
Kimmy giggled and pushed herself
up. “We’re dressing up tonight, right?”
Mark reached over and patted her
head lightly. “That’s right. Reservations at The Chalet, five-thirty…sunset.”
She paused just a beat. “Not on
the terrace?”
Mark smiled. “Better. It has its
own terrace—one level higher.”
Kimmy’s face lit instantly. “Well
then we’d better get ready, sweetie. I get the bathroom first!” And just like
that she was on her feet, slipping out of the shirt as she skipped away and
disappearing into the bedroom.
Mark sat there for a moment,
holding the shirt in his hands, a soft smile lingering on his face.
Some things never changed.
And he wouldn’t have it any other
way. 💛
Our Perfect Getaway: Day 2,
Part 3 – Daydream Believer and A Homecoming Queen
Kimmy stood in front of the
mirror, her fingers gathering her hair into a ponytail as she studied her
reflection. She tilted her head slightly, frowned, let it fall, then lifted it
again, trying it to one side this time. Another pause. Another frown. She
smoothed it down, fluffed it back up, then crossed her arms with a soft sigh.
“I just want it to be perfect,”
she murmured to herself. “Why can’t I decide?”
From the bedroom she could hear
Mark humming softly, the gentle shuffle of clothes as he changed, completely at
ease in a way that made her both smile and feel just a little more determined
to get this right. She looked at herself one more time, then suddenly raised
her voice.
“MARK! MARK!”
The bathroom door flew open and
Mark hurried in, eyes wide with concern. “You okay? What is it, baby?”
Kimmy turned toward him with a
pout, pointing at her hair. “What about this?”
Mark started to chuckle, the
instinctive reaction already there, but one look at her face in the mirror made
him pull it back just in time. He stepped closer, squinting slightly, folding
his arms as if he were considering something of great importance.
“You want me to pick?” he asked
carefully.
Kimmy turned fully toward him,
arms still crossed. “Look at me. A perfect weekend, and now…this. What about my
hair?”
Mark leaned in, studying her with
exaggerated seriousness, then suddenly straightened. “I got it.”
Her eyes brightened instantly.
“You’re wearing the white jacket,
right? Then it has to fall on your shoulders. It’s the only way. That’s the
look.”
He nodded with confidence, placing
his hands gently on her shoulders before leaning in to kiss the back of her
head, sneaking one last glance at her reflection as if to confirm his choice.
Kimmy brushed her bangs lightly,
then smiled.
“Yes…you’re right. That’s
perfect.” She gave him a quick look, her expression softening. “You’re so
smart. Now get out of here…a girl needs to get ready for her big date, you
know.”
Mark backed out of the bathroom,
letting out a quiet “Whew…” under his breath as he stepped into the bedroom. He
reached for his polo when he heard, through the closed door—
“I HEARD that!”
A muffled giggle followed.
Mark shook his head, smiling to
himself as he pulled his white polo over his head.
A few minutes later, the bathroom
door opened and the soft light spilled into the bedroom. Kimmy stepped out and
paused just inside the doorway.
“Well?” she asked, a hint of
nervousness beneath the smile. “Okay by you?”
Mark leaned back against the wall,
his jacket unbuttoned over his white polo, tucked neatly into his gray slacks.
He didn’t answer right away. His eyes moved slowly, taking her in—really taking
her in.
The simple black dress fell just
above mid-thigh, its clean lines softened by the white jacket draped open over
it. The neckline framed her gold heart necklace and the ruby pendant that
rested just below it, while the matching earrings caught the light with every
small movement. Her bracelet shimmered subtly as she shifted her hand, and the
black heels completed a look that was somehow both effortless and stunning.
Kimmy watched his face and felt
that familiar warmth spread through her.
There it is…that look.
She extended her hand toward him.
“Shall we?”
Mark took it without hesitation.
The walk to the main building was
short, just enough time for the cool mountain air to brush against them as the
evening settled in. Inside, they took the elevator up to the restaurant, where
a wall of glass wrapped the room in views of the mountains stretching endlessly
in every direction. The sun hovered just above the horizon, its bright yellow
softened into deep shades of orange, framed by distant clouds gathering
quietly.
As Mark eased her chair in, Kimmy
let out a soft sigh, her eyes drawn immediately to the view.
“That is so pretty,” she said.
“Like everything this weekend…just perfect.”
Mark settled into his seat,
unfolding his napkin with a small smile. “As requested—for the love of my
life.”
She reached across the table and
squeezed his hand just as the menus arrived.
Dinner unfolded slowly, easily, as
if it too understood the pace of the evening. Crab cakes came first, perfectly
seasoned, followed by soups—lobster bisque for Kimmy, French onion for Mark.
The main course arrived in quiet perfection, prime rib cooked just beyond pink,
a shared baked potato between them, simple and exactly right. They finished
with a hot fudge sundae, sharing bites, laughing softly, and then one last
glass of wine as the sun dipped below the tree line. Outside, the sky deepened into early night,
the fading light giving way to distant flashes of lightning that danced across
the horizon.
Kimmy found herself watching Mark
instead.
He was looking out at the sky,
completely still, completely present, the soft glow of the fading light
catching his face. She studied him for a long moment, then another, until he
finally turned and noticed.
“What?” he asked with a smile.
She shook her head slowly.
“You,” she said simply.
Mark set his glass down and
reached for her hands, drawing them gently toward him. “No…you,” he replied,
lifting one of her hands and pressing a soft kiss against it.
From a nearby table, a quiet sigh
drifted over.
“Look at those two…”
Kimmy’s smile deepened.
A low rumble of thunder rolled
through the mountains, closer now, and Mark glanced toward the windows. “We
might want to head back. I think those rockers are calling our name.”
By the time they reached the top
of the stairs, the first drops of rain had begun to fall. Kimmy pulled out the
key card, and as the door opened, the light drizzle turned steady, the sound of
rain settling in around them.
She stepped just inside, then
turned, pressing her back against the door. Her hands found the lapels of
Mark’s jacket, pulling him close as she kissed him—slow, full, unhurried. His
hands settled at her hips as she backed up, guiding him inside, her lips
trailing to his neck, then to his ear.
“Let’s get out of these…then go to
the porch,” she whispered.
Mark nodded, catching his breath.
A few minutes later, Kimmy stepped
out of the bedroom wearing the shirt, the familiar softness of it
wrapping around her as if it belonged there. Mark stood in the kitchen in a
Miami t-shirt and sweatpants, holding two mugs.
“No wine?” she teased.
He lifted the cups. “Hot
chocolate…with a little Bailey’s. It cooled off out there.”
She accepted one, and together
they stepped out onto the porch, a blanket draped over his arm. They settled
into the rockers without a word, their hands finding each other instinctively
as the rain fell steadily beyond the railing, thunder and lightning punctuating
the quiet.
They rocked slowly, every so often
glancing at each other with small, knowing smiles.
Mark took a sip, then set his cup
down. “Refill?”
“Half a cup,” Kimmy said,
finishing the last of hers.
Mark stood and moved toward the
door, but as he slid it open, a sharp hesitation caught in his chest. Kimmy saw
it immediately, her body already moving before her mind could catch up. She
reached him, her hand gripping his arm.
“Hey…focus,” she said softly, her
voice steady despite the emotion rising in her eyes.
Mark held up a finger, breathing
carefully. “Not…as…bad…” he managed, and after a moment, the tension eased. He
let out a breath and gave a small, wry smile. “Guess they just wanted to remind
me they’re still there.”
Kimmy wrapped her arms around his
neck, resting her head against his shoulder. “I hate those clots,” she
whispered.
The wind picked up slightly, and
she held him tighter. “Make mine a full cup…and bring another blanket.”
When he returned, she was already
wrapped in the first one, reaching for the mug with both hands. She took a sip,
then stared out into the rain.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said
quietly.
Mark nodded, watching her over the
rim of his cup.
“We’ve built a great life, haven’t
we?”
He smiled. “We have. If you had to
pick one thing—just one—what’s our secret?”
She didn’t hesitate. “We always
choose us.” She turned toward him, her expression soft. “And the best part?
It’s not even something we think about…it’s just what we do.”
Mark nodded slowly. “Yeah…it is.”
She leaned in and kissed his
cheek.
He studied her for a moment.
“What’s ahead? I’ve been thinking about that too.”
She smiled. “Me too…but you
first.”
Mark set his cup down and looked
out into the rain. “I think…we should plan another trip. That British Isles one
on the ocean ship.”
Kimmy nodded, considering. “I was
thinking a trip too,” she said, then her eyes lit up. “But those ornaments in
the video….made me wonder, what about the Christmas Markets…with Allan and
Sally. And maybe Larry and Lisa. What do you think?”
Mark stopped rocking entirely.
“That’s perfect. I love that.”
Kimmy stood and took his hand,
leading him toward the railing. The air had cooled further, and she shivered
slightly. “Hold me,” she said softly. “Tight.”
Mark wrapped her in the blanket,
his arms settling around her waist. She leaned back into him, her head resting
against his shoulder, and for a moment, everything was quiet except the rain.
Then he felt it—the subtle shift,
the soft tremor of emotion.
“Tell me,” he whispered.
Kimmy took a breath, then another.
“This isn’t even my idea,” she said softly. “But when you held me just now…I
had this thought…”
He kissed her neck gently. “Go on,
baby. I’m right here.”
She turned in his arms, pressing
close to him. “You know how life goes…things happen, and you say, ‘That’s
okay…this is still good.’”
Mark nodded.
Her voice broke slightly. “I can’t
do that without you. I can’t imagine a world without you.”
His heart tightened. “I’m here…”
“No,” she said, shaking her head.
“You don’t understand. I can’t. You have to promise…always be here.”
Mark’s eyes filled, but he smiled
gently. “I will. But if we’re doing confessions…”
She looked up. “What?”
“So life…as you say….it has ups
and downs. You know that, and I know
that. I’m a fairly intelligent guy….”
Kimmy turned with a little
mischievous smile and said, “The operative word there is “fairly” and she
giggled softly. Marks face softened
slightly, “Ok funny girl. But I’m serious. I get it.
Sometimes we’re happy some times not so much….a lot of the time it’s
just all good, right?”
Kimmy leaned back and looked out
into the rain, “Yep…all good or really good, that’s us.”
just…good.” He paused, taking a
breath. “But for me…it’s like an addiction. I can’t stand it when you’re not
happy—not just okay, but really happy. I see anything less and I just…want to
fix it.”
Kimmy kissed him softly. “You do,”
she whispered. “Every day.”
He rested his forehead against
hers. “I try.”
They stood there for a long time,
saying nothing, just holding each other while the rain fell steadily around
them.
Finally, Kimmy pulled back just
enough to look at him, her smile returning.
“Okay…so we’re agreed,” she said
lightly. “You’re not going anywhere, I’ll always be happy—it’s a plan.”
Mark laughed softly, wiping his
eyes. “Okay.”
She squeezed his hand. “Now…my
real idea.”
They returned to the rockers, and
Kimmy leaned forward, still holding his hand.
“I want you to send that video to
Viking,” she said. “But I think you should take most of me out. You’re the one
they’d want. You could do that—you could be a host.”
Mark smiled, already shaking his
head. “I’ll send it. I promise. But I’m not taking you out…not a chance. You’re
the energy. That’s the whole thing.”
Kimmy studied him, then nodded
slowly. “Okay…as long as you send it. For real.”
“I will,” he said.
She stood, pulling him gently with
her. “I’m tired…but I want to fall asleep with you holding me. Tight.”
Mark smiled. “Of course.”
They took a few steps toward the
door when she stopped, placing her hand lightly on his chest.
“But just so you know…” she said,
her eyes bright again, “if I wake up first, I can’t promise this shirt will
still be on.”
Mark chuckled. “Oh…I know.”
She grinned, nodding. “Because
tomorrow is Tuesday…or Thursday. One of the two.”
Thunder rolled across the
mountains as the door closed behind them, the kind of day lingering in the air
that most people only dream about—but somehow, for them, had become real. 💛
Our Perfect Getaway: Day 3 –
Country Roads, Take Me Home
Mark bent down and picked up the
shirt from the floor where it lay beside Kimmy’s side of the bed. She watched
him with a playful grin and said, “No thanks…I won’t be needing that again this
morning.” Mark smiled, sat on the edge of the bed, and leaned in to kiss the
top of her head, his hand smoothing her hair as it fell loosely over her
shoulders.
“How about you try to go back to
sleep,” he said softly, “and I’ll get the coffee going. We can have a quiet
morning on the porch, then head over for brunch. What do you say?”
Kimmy pushed herself up onto her
elbows and looked at him with bright eyes. “I think I’m pretty wide awake now,
mister. You get moving on that coffee—a girl needs her go-juice in the
morning.”
Mark laughed quietly and patted
the small of her back. “Coming right up, missy.”
The morning air was cool, that
crisp mountain chill that made everything feel just a little sharper, a little
more alive. Mark stepped out onto the porch with his coffee and settled into
one of the rockers, taking in the mist that still clung to the distant
mountains. A few moments later, the sliding door opened and Kimmy stepped out,
her coffee in hand, wrapped in nothing but the throw blanket from the sofa.
Without hesitation, she crossed to him and dropped herself onto his lap,
leaning in to kiss his cheek as he instinctively wrapped his arms around her
waist.
“Morning, baby…thanks for fixing
the coffee,” she said with a wide smile.
Mark felt that familiar warmth
rise inside him as he looked into her eyes, catching that sparkle he never
seemed to get used to. “Little nippy out here this morning,” he said, glancing
toward the misty ridgeline. “But it feels good, right?”
“I do feel good,” Kimmy
giggled, then paused just long enough to turn it into something else. “…oh, you
mean the morning air. Right…right…that too.”
They rocked slowly, back and
forth, the quiet settling in around them as Mark’s hand moved gently along her
back beneath the blanket. For a while, neither of them spoke. The mountains
stretched out before them, soft and endless, the mist beginning to lift as the
sun worked its way higher.
Mark let out a soft breath. “As
much as I love this view,” he said, “I won’t mind sitting on our deck tomorrow
morning, listening to the creek. You ready to go home today?”
Kimmy leaned her head against his,
her voice softer now. “Is it wrong to say I love being just the two of us like
this?” She paused, her fingers tracing lightly along his arm. “Don’t get me
wrong—I miss our little man so much, and I can’t wait to see him running around
the house again. But…” She let out a slow breath. “…I really love us.”
Mark’s hands moved up to her
shoulders, gently massaging. “No, it’s not wrong,” he said quietly. “It’s been
special since the beginning…this whole ‘us’ thing. I’m right there with you. I
miss my buddy, but you and me—anywhere, anytime, doing anything—that’s what
it’s all about. And if that makes us bad parents…” He gave a small shrug. “…so
be it.”
Kimmy turned to look at him,
searching his face. “But we aren’t, right? He’s happy…we’re doing okay?”
Mark thought for a moment, then
nodded. “I’d say he is. And I think he’s learning something too…a little
independence, even at his age. That’s not a bad thing.”
The quiet returned, comfortable
and unforced, as the sun finally broke through the mist, casting soft light
across the mountains. A breeze moved through Kimmy’s hair, and she reached up
to tuck a strand behind her ear before letting out a soft sigh.
“Okay…okay,” she said,
straightening slightly. “If you’re going to be that way, I’ll get dressed.
Fine. But if I have to put clothes on, you’re taking me to get something to
eat.”
Mark tightened his hold on her
just enough to keep her from moving. “Who said anything about you getting up
and getting dressed?”
Kimmy gave him a knowing look.
“Oh, I can read your mind, mister. No secrets in there. You want to take
me to brunch.” She patted his cheek, wrapped the blanket tighter around
herself, and slid off his lap, padding toward the door. She paused, turning
back with a grin. “Well, come on then, lazy bones…that means you have to
put real clothes on too. Chop chop!”
The Terrace restaurant was already
alive with a soft morning buzz when they arrived, the hostess guiding them to a
table along the railing where the view stretched out just as beautifully as it
had the night before, only now bathed in daylight.
“We offer a full buffet, or you
can order from the menu—whichever you prefer,” she said with a smile. “Coffee,
hot chocolate…or perhaps a morning mimosa?”
Kimmy raised an eyebrow at Mark.
“Two mimosas, right honey?”
Mark nodded with a grin. “I think
that’s the right call.”
“I’ll go check out the buffet and
report back,” Kimmy said, starting to stand, but Mark reached out and hooked a
finger lightly through the belt loop of her jean shorts. She paused, already
smiling, knowing what was coming.
“Can I just say…” he began, taking
in the way she had tied the shirt just above her belly button, “…the way you
have that tied—it’s just so…”
“So what?” she asked, her eyes
dancing.
“Adorable,” he said simply. “You
are the cutest Blue Ridge Mountain girl. And if you didn’t know…I love you so
much.”
Kimmy’s smile softened.
“Really…you do?” she teased lightly, then leaned in just a bit. “I know, baby.
I’ll be right back. Love you so much.”
Breakfast turned into something
more than just a meal, the two of them sampling a little of everything,
laughing at themselves for going back more than once, finishing with a second
round of mimosas before finally admitting they were full.
The walk back to the cabin was
slower, unhurried, both of them quietly aware that the morning was slipping
toward goodbye. Mark lifted his wrist to glance at his watch, and immediately
Kimmy’s eyes flicked toward him.
“You’re okay, right? You’re not—”
He squeezed her hand gently. “No,
no…just checking the time.”
Her shoulders relaxed, though her
voice carried a soft edge of reluctance. “We have to leave soon, don’t we?”
Mark did the quick math in his
head. “If we check out and get on the road by about eleven-thirty, we’ll be
back in town before two. Pickup is between one-thirty and three, so…yeah. We
should.”
The drive home was easy, the kind
of drive where conversation came and went without effort. Kimmy talked for a
while, then grew quiet, eventually leaning her head against the window and
drifting into a light nap. Mark glanced over at her once or twice, smiling
softly before returning his focus to the road.
As they pulled into the parking
lot of Sunrise Academy, Kimmy sat up and pointed out the window. “Look—Allan
and Sally are picking up Jillian.”
Mark eased the car to the curb as
Kimmy rolled down her window. “Hey kids! Hi Jilly—did you have fun?”
Jillian rushed over, gripping the
side of the car and leaning in. “Hi Miss Kimmy! It was fun, right Mom? We had
fun!”
Kimmy laughed. “Did you have fun
with Brad?”
Jillian clapped her hands. “We had
lots of fun! Played games…right Mom? And Brad…he sleep with me—so fun!”
Allan and Sally exchanged a look
and chuckled, and Kimmy reached out to pat Jillian’s hand. “That’s great,
honey.”
Mark leaned over slightly. “We’re
going to grab Brad now. Ask your mom and dad if you want to come over for
dinner tonight. Miss Kimmy can make spaghetti.”
“Sketty!” Jillian exclaimed,
turning to her parents. “Can we? We’d have fun!”
Allan waved. “Sounds great. Six
o’clock?”
Kimmy nodded, squeezing Mark’s
hand. “Perfect. See you later!”
A moment later, Brad’s voice rang
out from the doorway. “MOM! MOM!” He tugged at the teacher’s hand, already
trying to break free.
Kimmy was out of the car in an
instant. “You circle around,” she called to Mark. “I’ve got him.”
The ride home was filled with a
steady stream of excited chatter, Brad recounting every detail of his
adventure, each story tumbling into the next. By the time they pulled into the
driveway, it was clear he had loved every second.
That evening, gathered around the
fire pit with Allan and Sally, Mark and Kimmy shared the PG version of their
weekend, Kimmy’s hands moving animatedly as she told the story until finally
settling back in her lap. Sally raised her glass with a smile.
“How about you guys come over for
Thanksgiving this year? We’d love to make a day of it.”
Kimmy looped her arm through
Mark’s and gave him a gentle squeeze, waiting for his reaction. He nodded, and
she smiled. “That sounds great…as long as I get to help with the cooking.”
Mark lifted his glass toward
Allan. “And only if we’re cheering for the same teams.”
Laughter rose easily around the
fire, plans forming naturally as the night settled in, the kind of simple,
shared moment that somehow meant just as much as everything they had just
experienced.
And just like that, they were
home. 💛
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