Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 81-Jai

Jai

The last few days have flown by.  I accompanied Megan to church on Sunday morning.  We were the first in and she opened up the building with a code beside the door to access a key.  I tried not to look but I saw the code.  I watched her make coffee for the congregation and I actually got a cup.  It was fantastic—better than a coffeehouse like Gale said.  I attempted to pay attention during worship, but she was up there singing and I couldn't concentrate on anything but her.  And even during the service, I held her hand and tried to take her brother's advice but I couldn't stop from stealing glances at her.  I can't even remember the message that was spoken. 
We went to a jazz club Sunday night and I hadn't realized this area had such a history with jazz.  Megan told me all about it since she took a course at her university.  We had a meal and listened to a live performance.  She told me there aren't many places like that left in town but it was located in the CBD.  It was right near the river and between two bridges.  I'd say this felt more like a real city to me now that I've been down there and walked the streets.  I'm seeing more of why people come and settle in this area.  I think it might not be just a family reason... because it's not that bad.  It's defo not as lively as LA or Sydney, but it's kind of growing on me.  It's a quiet place to escape the bustle of the big cities.
We visited her grandad and walked at several parks throughout the past couple days.  The temperature has risen and the snow began to melt a bit.  Even the river was high when we walked at the park and could only go so far down the path since it was closed with a barricade due to flooding. 
I'm currently driving to the indoor water park she recommended, or rather, Gale recommend it and this is her first time, too.  I told her that we could stay the night but she said it's not that far.  We rose early to drive out.  It started raining and she offered to drive but I don't mind as long as the temperature doesn't drop any lower.  I'm actually glad we planned something indoors today since this weather really does give a Seattle kind of vibe to this area.  She has me drive by the amusement park nearby.  I can see it in the distance but it is a bit hazy from the downpour. She says it's supposedly one of the best in the world but it's closed for winter.  I might have to take her there this summer.
We arrive to the water park and it does seem to be very theme oriented.  It's kind of funny seeing a place with a tropical theme have giant mounds of melting snow in their car park.  Of course the outside is closed this season but we step inside and it's fairly decent looking.  I pay for us both and she thanks me as usual.  It's actually nice how appreciative she is about that, not expecting it.  We change in the separate locker rooms and meet out by the doors.  I see her in the same bathers as before holding a towel. 
"Wearing your thongs?" she notices smiling. 
"Yeah, you got your flip flops on?" I say tasting the words on my mouth and trying not to laugh. 
"I do," she nods.  She actually looks touched that I'm saying things to make her feel more... at home with me I guess, and I realize how moved I am at her doing the same. 
We start out looking around first and I see quite a bit is geared towards ankle biters but there are several things for grown ups, too.  We start out at a pool and swim a bit before moving onto racing slides, I think they call them.  We go down side by side for several rounds.  I'm faster—probably because I weigh more.  We go to some of the more child friendly areas and there's a sort of tree house with sprinklers everywhere.  We're laughing and playing around together.  I pick her up and use her as a brolly against the water.  She chuckles at that and we move onto some sort of tube slides and I follow her down.  We end up in a pool and she signals that she wants to try the mini surfing area.  I nod my agreement and realize she knows nothing about this as she continually falls.  I try to help her a bit and pretty soon she's succeeding.  She's not as good as me but I've grown up on the water so that's understandable. 
We have lunch at a bar inside the area and the tucker is pretty good.  Then, we head back out starting at the lazy river.  We float on the inner tubes down the river.  It starts off with a few waterfalls.  I dodge them but Megan gets soaked a couple times.  I grab onto her ankle to keep us together since she keeps floating off.  There's a cavern up ahead and she scoots closer to me and grasps my hand.  I lace our fingers together and don't complain at all.  There's a bit of a safari theme going on and I watch as a few lifeguards pace the area.  As we move through the river, I notice that we can view the whole park from around here.  I see a spa pool and think I definitely want to take her over there.  We wind through the river a couple times and Megan decides she wants to do some of the raft rides.  I don't object and follow along.  There are several that we can go on together and I get to hold her close as we go down.  There's another that she picks that's a tube to go down individually.  It has a circle at the end that you swirl around.  I let her go first and I follow.  When I go through it, I realize you have to drop down the center going underwater.  It's a little freaky but manageable.  I swim and climb out. I see her standing off to the side with her arms crossed kind of defensively. 
"You alright?" I ask her. 
"Not my favorite," she tells me. 
"Not mine either," I agree smiling.  "Let's go somewhere more relaxing." 
She nods and I grab her by the hand walking her over to a spa pool.  There's nobody at this one.  I pull her in with me and she sits down.  I slide her a little bit closer and she chuckles as I put my arm around her.  I give her a moment and she sighs. 
"Better?" I ask. 
"Better," she nods smiling.  She leans her head up against me and I sigh happily.  We get to spend some time alone but then a couple approaches us. 
"Are you Jai Courtney?" the man asks. 
I smile and nod, reaching out to shake his hand.  The two of them introduce themselves.  I let them take a picture with us.  Megan whispers that she'd take it but I let the staff handle it and I keep her right where she is.  Of course they ask if she's my girlfriend and I'd love to say yes someday but I don't know if she's ready for that.  I tell them the same as everyone else—that she's my BFF—and that seems to satisfy their curiosity. 
We're left alone once more.  We stay for a bit longer before moving on.  We go around the lazy river again and then I convince her to mini surf with me.  We do a couple more things before we're at another spa pool.  I pull her even closer this time and she rests her head against mine.  I keep having this sensation in my chest when I'm with her.  It's so different than what I've felt with anyone else. 
I hear her yawn and I reach out and touch her face.  "Sleepy?" I question as I caress her cheek. 
"A little," she answers. 
"Are you hungry?  We could get cleaned up and eat, then go home.  Or we can leave and eat when we get back," I suggest. 
She rests her chin on my chest and looks up to me with her gorgeous chocolate brown doe eyes.  "It doesn't matter to me. Whatever you want," she says softly. She does look pretty sleepy.
"How about we get cleaned up and see how you feel afterwards?" I decide.
"Okay," she whispers.
I can't help but kiss her forehead, her temple, and her cheek before I take her hand and help her up. Then I rise and walk her back to the changing rooms. We separate and I shower in the locker room. I head out and she's not here yet. I lean up against the wall waiting for her. She steps out a few minutes later and she looks even more tired.
"Come on. I'll drive you home and we'll get something when we get back," I tell her.
She nods and walks with me. I take her hand because she just looks exhausted like she'd fall asleep standing. I open the boot and put our bags inside before opening her door for her. I walk around and start the ignition. She actually leans on me and wraps an arm around me. I hear her mumble something about me being a giant teddy bear before she's completely out. I chuckle softly and rub her arm before I drive us back.