Slow Me Down

Chapter 26

The naked tree limbs shutter as the sky blows frigid air past them at temperatures that inch closer and closer to zero each day. The sun lazily makes its way higher into the sky to provide some semblance of warmth but it only provides light. The quiet hum of cars pushing on by past the barren sidewalks breathes life into the snoozing city. Leaves crumble beneath the weight of two teens walking towards an empty lonely wooden park. The smaller of the two carries a wicker basket in one hand, grasping onto the taller teen with the other hand.

"What are we doing out here so early in the morning? It's freezing C," Foster grumbles through his shivers. Even with his hefty leather jacket on, the wind still manages to chill his bones. 

"It's a surprise. You will just have to be patient or is that too much for you to handle?" C torments him, sticking out her tongue to add to the charade.

"You have no clue who you are talking to right now. I am the sovereign king of the lost land of patience. I was just making sure you actually knew what you were doing and weren't just wandering around in the freezing cold with no plan, potentially getting us killed by hypothermia or something." Foster breathes some of the frigid air, puffing out his chest, showing his feigned authority to Claudia. She just waves her hand at him, holding in her laugh. 

"Oh of course. How could I forget my manners in front of royalty," Claudia turns and curtsies at him, bowing her head, finally letting her laughs erupt.

"Damn right. Show some respect to your king," he breaks character to scoop C up, spinning around, carefree. Seeing him so relaxed and calm puts C at ease. Her plan is working. 

"Okay big guy. Put me down so I can show you to the first stop of many that I have planned for today." Foster lowers her to her feet. As soon as Claudia has her footing, she marches forward towards the deserted wooden castle. Foster slows behind her, burning the image of her surrounded by this charming structure into his memories. 

Claudia stops in front of the wooden climbing wall and hands the basket of supplies to Foster. He takes it from her, watching her scale the small wooden wall. He catches a quick glimpse of what's under her skirt, feeling heat warm his face. He quickly turns and scans the area to make sure no one else is nearby sneaking glances at his girl. Unsurprised by the lack of life in the area, he turns back, hoping to get another glance of Claudia's tempting ass but unfortunately, she has already made it into the castle. He does however notice her small pale hand gesturing for him to hand her the basket so he can follow behind her. He does as she wishes, climbing into the small structure. 

With knees touching and frosty breath clouding the space, C begins to unpack the surprise. She unlatches the top of the picnic basket, opening it to reveal heaps of homemade goodies. She pulls out banana bread, breakfast sandwiches, grapes, a thermos full of hot cocoa, and a giant fleece blanket. She starts unraveling the folded fabric, planning to cover the ground with it, but Foster pulls her into his lap, wrapping it around them. C just smiles and starts dishing up some of the snacks she made. Once she feels satisfied with her plating skills, she hands a plate to Foster who happily takes it, popping a few grapes into his mouth. They sit in silence like that, enjoying their food and the scenery around them until they both finish. 

"It's so pretty here. Frosty grass and bare trees remind me of some of my favorite memories with my family." C leans back into Foster's chest, recounting the few times she was able to spend with her dad when he was home.