A One Way Ticket To Anywhere (Complete)

Magic Really Does Exist

Shawn and Camila lay on a blanket looking up at the stars. Camila was pointing out the constellations and Shawn was trying his hardest to memorise them, envisioning a day when he had children of his own and he could lie in his garden and teach them the way Camila was teaching him now.

It was the first time he could ever remember allowing himself to consider being a father and as he turned his head to gaze at Camilas profile he couldn't help but think what a wonderful mother she would make one day, if anyone could keep her still long enough to start a family with

Today, with the exception of the assholes in shorts and hiking boots had been the happiest he had felt since losing his family. He and Camila has spent the morning swimming, she gave him tips on how to strengthen his stroke and delighted in making him blush with inappropriate innuendos.

When they were exhausted they had laid in her van listening to relaxing pipe music and snacking on an array of nuts and berries she had foraged from the forest. After lunch she taught him to fish and they were both surprised to find he was a natural, catching more than they could use and then throwing the excess back in. She had taught him which flowers were edible and they used them to make a brightly coloured salad to go with the fish and Shawn decided the hibiscus blossoms were his favourites

"When are you leaving?" Asked Shawn, his stomach clenching at the thought of returning to his old, empty life

"I think I'll leave early tomorrow morning before the traffic gets bad, I love my van but a speed demon she ain't"

He nodded but couldn't bring himself to answer, too afraid she would hear the disappointment in his voice

"Do you want to stay over again tonight?"

"Can we sleep out here?"

"Of course. You can cuddle me again if you get too cold" she winked and then giggled loudly as his cheeks went red remembering how they had woken up that morning "You're screwing up our face but I bet you miss me when I'm gone"

Shawns face stilled from the dramatic way he was trying to show her how much he disapproved of the thought of cuddling her again.

Was it possible he would miss her after only knowing her for two days?

Not only was it possible it was definite. He would miss her and this new way of life she was showing him, he would miss this new, lighter version of himself when he dropped back down onto the darkened shell of himself he had become since the accident

"If it makes it easier to admit I'll miss you too" she said quietly as she intertwined their fingers. Never looking to him for approval but silently pleased when he didn't pull away

This was new for Camila, she'd been travelling for months now and yes she'd met friends and lovers along the way but never someone her soul connected to like the way it did with Shawn.

Shawn was shy and damaged he was living at 1%, barely surviving just pushing through, grinding the days out until his time was done and the thought of him living like that hurt her heart

"Do you really have to go?" He asked keeping his gaze firmly on The Big Dipper

"Yeah. I do" She let go of his hand and Shawn had to fight the urge to grab hold of it again but she pushed herself to her feet and disappeared inside her van leaving Shawn alone with the darkness and his thoughts

"Here" she suddenly shouted and a blanket landed in Shawns head causing her to giggle loudly and Shawn couldn't help but think how much he would miss that laugh when she was gone

Next he was pummelled by two flying pillows which he grabbed up and arranged in a sort of bed on the ground for them, considering putting a gap between them for a second and then deciding to place them side by side instead

"Perfect positioning for cuddling I see" said a voice from behind him. She'd changed into a long T-shirt and leggings and wore a woolly beanie hat and Shawn was amazed by how a fully grown women could look so cute and innocent one moment and then be so hot in a red bikini cracking out innuendo after innuendo the next.

"Come on then, better get that cuddling over with sooner rather than later" he huffed as he pulled back the blanket for her and she slid in, immediately snuggling up and laying her head on his chest

"I like this... with you" she admitted and felt his body move as he nodded his head "Sleep well Shawn"

"You too Camila"

He had just closed his eyes when he felt her weight shift on him and his eyes flew open to find her leaning on one arm and gazing down "What?" he asked but she just smiled that wide smile that made his heart stutter in his chest and then leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

The kiss was soft and gentle and over in just a second or two but in that brief moment Shawn knew the books were wrong, magic really does exists