“Wala pa ba, Babe?” Fran mumbled sleepily against Gavin’s neck as they sat in front of her cottage at dawn the next day. Today was their exact monthsary as a couple and they agreed to catch the sunrise together.
Gavin smiled into her hair and held her closer. “Wake up, Babe. You might miss it.”
“Hmm, it’s still dark.” Fran snuggled closer to Gavin. The cold wind and the rhythmic sound of the waves was making it difficult to wake up.
“Not for long…..sige na, wake up.” Gavin tickled the side of her waist, making her sit up abruptly.
“Ito na…gising na.” Fran rubbed her eyes and yawned.
He gazed at her admiringly, saying nothing.
“Why?” Fran raised her brows at him, puzzled at how he was looking at her.
He let out a tender smile and ran his fingers through her hair. “You look so beautiful now.”
“Only now?” Fran faked a frown.
Gavin grinned and held her close. “Of course, you’re always beautiful. I meant you look so …adorable when you’ve just woken up.”
“Adorable like a puppy?”
He laughed. “Adorable like a baby.”
She smiled and lay her head on his shoulder, their arms around each other. They looked out to the horizon where the sky was now aglow with a faint orange hue. They watched in awe as the sky burst into a medley of pink, yellow and orange streaks while the sun peeked over the horizon.
Fran sighed at nature’s magnificence. “Ang ganda.”
Gavin turned to her. “I could do this forever.”
Fran returned his gaze. “Do what forever?”
“Watch the sunrise with you.”
She grinned. “You’re so serious.”
His gaze turned intense. “I’m dead serious, babe……..you’re stuck with me……I’m never letting you go….not ever.”
“And you’re stuck with me.” She pinched his nose playfully.
Gavin grinned, grabbed her hand and rose to his feet. “Let’s take a walk.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
They had the entire beach, now awash with sunlight, to themselves while the rest of the family slept. They walked hand in hand while the waves lapped at their bare feet. Gavin removed his shirt, seemingly numb to the cool wind. Fran’s thin white shirt, on the other hand, was no match to the cold, making her shiver a bit.
“Cold?” Gavin put his arm around her, gently rubbing her arm. “I have the perfect solution.”
Fran gazed up at him. “What?”
He let out a naughty smile. “Ready?”
“What?” Fran demanded.
In one swift motion, he lifted her off her feet and took a step towards the water.
