Raison D'être

Let it Happen

Anastasia

As Lorenzo nods off to the guard while they open the gate, he takes a hold of my hand, his other occupied by the picnic basket I insisted on carrying. We stroll in comfortable silence as I smile. This is really happening. Lorenzo and I are together... I've never done this before. With him I want it to be right. I want everything with him to be right because if I've never felt this way. Whatever this feeling is. I know I can trust Lorenzo, I know I can go to him with anything. I am comfortable with him. I enjoy all his small acts of kindness, his assurance, I enjoy all the time I've spent with him. I don't want it to end.

"Are you alright?"

"Hmm?"

"We're about a mile in and you seem busy..."

"Just thinking is all."

He tilts his head pressing for more. In response I hold his arm "I'll tell you when we sit," until he points over to a similar oak tree that we were at on our first date. Not as big, but enough to be calling our names. As he laid out the blanket, I took off my shoes and placed them on the edge. I went over to the basket and brought out the small strawberry cake while he brought the champagne.

"What about now?" he raises a brow, pouring the champagne.

As he hands me a glass, as I begin to tear my lower lip a bit embarrassed, "I was thinking about us." I look at the drink as if it was more interesting than his eyes, it was not. I don't think there could be anything more interesting than his eyes.

I glance up when I feel him take my bottom lip out of my mouth. He chuckles, "what about us?" as he takes out the portable radio he brought.

"I was-" I looked everywhere but his eyes, again too embarrassed to say this aloud.

"Tesoro what is it?" He holds my face gently making my eyes finally look into his.

"I've never done this before..."

He raises a brow, and I continue, "I've never been in a relationship before."

He smiles sweetly, "neither have I."

"Oh."

He laughs aloud, "you're cute. Now let's try this cake you made..."

Feeding him a bite he hums in satisfaction. I giggle, "you like?"

"Mhm," as he takes the fork from my hand and feeds me a bite in return. "You taste how talented you are?" I blush, mouth still full. "Try it with the champagne," as he offers a cheer. At the clink of our glass, I taste the bubbly drink. It compliments the strawberry well, and my curiosity of that one scene in Pretty Woman is satisfied. I watch as he begins to switch the knob of the small radio and if by pure luck, one of my favorite songs begins to play. As Brenda Lee sings Lorenzo offers his hand, "would you like to dance?"

She takes his hand as they slowly sway with the grass beneath their feet. Her head on his chest as his hand engulfs hers, she hums along. With her head still resting on his chest, she starts "you know growing up I would listen to this song on repeat. It's my favorite."

Lorenzo continued to sway her, and as she sang "when at last our life on Earth is through, I will share eternity with you, if you love me really love me let it happen..." it soon became his favorite as he listened to her sing along. Her voice streamed melodies and was sweet honey to the ears. His pragmatic ways torn to shreds at the sound of her voice.

As the song came to its final line, Anastasia continued to hum along unaware that she had sung aloud. For her it was just a natural response to one of her favorite songs.