A Love Like This

The Sun and Her Smile

12 years ago......

"Morning." Link smiled pulling the blanket up more on them.

"I fell asleep on the couch?" Amelia asked sleepily.

"You did, and you were too cozy to move so we slept on the couch." Link said.

"It's cold." Amelia shivered.

"It's February." Link said.

"Yes but we are in Alabama isn't it supposed to be warm here?" Amelia groaned.

"Well it has weather cycles just like everyone else." Link laughed.

"Well it's too cold to be the south." Amelia shivers throwing Link's over sized crew neck onto her.

"What do you want to do today?" Link asked pouring coffee into two mugs.

"Fairhope is boring when it's not summer. We can't go on the beach it's cold." Amelia said.

"Fairhope isn't boring there's an amazing chocolate store downtown. If you wanted to go." Link offered.

Amelia smiled. She liked that idea. It was somewhere inside, so it would be warm and she would get something sweet.

"Yeah I like that idea. When would we go?" Amelia asked sipping the hot coffee.

"Whenever you want." Link laughed.

"How about at lunch?" Amelia asked.

"That works. I'm going to run over to Marcus' for a minute call if you need me." Link said rushing out the door.

He ran down the steps and threw Marcus' front door open.

"Dude we are eating breakfast." Donna said.

"I need Marcus for a minute." Link said.

"Fine." Donna said grabbing her plate and heading onto the porch.

"What's up that you bust your ass into my breakfast time?" Marcus said sipping orange juice.

"I want to marry her." Link said quickly.

"You do?" Marcus asked.

"Yes. I want to marry her." Link said.

"Then propose. Propose to her. Marry her." Marcus said shoving french toast into his mouth.

"Do you approve. I mean my parents adore her and so does my other family but you get a say in it too." Link stuttered.

"I love her man. She's brought out a whole new side of you. I think you should do it. Marry her." Marcus said.

"Okay thanks." Link said getting up from the table.

-

"What do you see that you like?" Link asked putting his hand in the small of Amelia's back.

"It all looks so good." Amelia smiled.

"Well whatever you want to try we can." Link said.

"Ouu that chocolate caramel bar looks really good." Amelia laughed.

"Then grab the sample and try it." Link encouraged her.

Amelia grabbed the sample with the black rings and put it in her hand. She placed it in her mouth and let the creamy chocolate dissolve.

"Mm that is really fabulous." Amelia said.

"I'm glad you like it." Link said grabbing one himself.

They walked around the small shop. Trying different candy and chocolates trying to decide what they wanted to buy.

Eventually they had bars of chocolate and bags of assorted candies. They sat on a bench outside the store and just enjoyed themselves for a moment.

"That is a really great place. I could eat there everyday if I could." Amelia said her mouth full of chocolate.

"Well when I bring you back next time, that will be the first place we go." Link kissed her cheek.

-

Link sat in a low beach chair. Amelia sat in his lap, leaned back in his chest. Link pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and she smiled softly in her sleep.

"I'm gonna marry you one day." Link whispered pulling the blanket up onto her.

The cool February wind blew in their direction. The soft waves crashed in the background. The breeze blew salty air into Link's nose.

The sun painted a pink and orange painting onto the water. Link looked down to see Amelia's eyes flutter open.

The bright blue hue in them staring back at him sleepily.

"I'll admit. It's nice out here." Amelia whispered snuggling into his chest.

"I know. It's beautiful." Link kissed her cheek.

He was going to marry her one day. One day very soon. He wanted moments like these for the rest of his life. He wanted to wake up to her every morning.

Link wanted to bring her down here to have sunsets on the small beach in the winter for as long as he could. Link definitely didn't believe in perfect but he truly thought moments like these were as close to perfect as one could be.

"I love that smile. Believe it if you want to. Your smile is brighter than that sunset." Link whispered.

"I love you." Amelia smiled.

"I love you too." Link replied looking back at the sunset, now a purple hue.