One Day // Daniel Ricciardo

CHAPTER 16

We had breakfast the next morning on the balcony. I had wrapped a blanket round me to cover my legs and arms from the cold. Even the food tasted better in Austria, the strawberries felt fresh, the pancakes hot and fluffy, even the water felt completely pure.

We had agreed to go on a hike that day of the trail that started at the top of our path. The sign said it was long but not steep but after googling it the views at the top looked like it was more than worth it.

The cabin had provided some walking essentials, backpacks, waterproofs, shoes, we had no excuse.

For the majority of the walk Danny chatted away and I stayed quiet admiring the views.

At the top we stayed in complete silence, completely blown away by the views at the top. The land went for miles, I don't think I'd ever stood up so high in such an open space. It was slightly terrifying.

Danny sat on the edge of the cliff and pulled out a bottle of water. I hesitantly joined but sat a little bit further back.

"Put your legs over the edge."

"Absolutely not, are you trying to kill me?"

He laughed and took hold of my hand, "It's not that bad Jess, look!" He swung his legs back and forward and I widened my eyes in horror.

"Legs should be on the ground not over a cliff."

After saying that though I swung them round and sat up close next to him. We sat for ages taking pictures of the scenery and eating the sandwiches we packed.

"Thank you for bringing me here." I finally said. "I don't think I've ever been so taken aback by somewhere like this."

"It doesn't cure all problems but it's a pretty special place." He smiled. "I needed this too Jess."

He was hurting too, he loved Hallie like she was his own too and I know that when he gave her to my Mum, it absolutely destroyed him. I regretted making him do that but I also knew he had to say his goodbyes too.

I rested my head on his shoulder and he dropped his to rest it on mine.

"Dan, do you think I'm meant to be a mum?"

"Jess, I think you'll be the best Mum that there's ever been."

"You're meant to be a dad but every time the chance is close its ruined and its always be me.'

"It's never been by you; you need to stop thinking like that it's only going to beat you up more. When the time is right, you'll have your turn."

He leaned over to kiss my forehead and ran his hand through my hair.

"We'll get her back Jess, me you and Hal one day. I promise you."

We stayed close to each other, looking out at the scenery in front of us for a long time. Occasionally we'd point out something we spotted in front of us but generally we sat in silence, enjoying each other's company.

At around 4 in the afternoon, we decided to make our move back to the bottom, he held his hand out and pulled me up from my seat to gather our stuff. The walk down went a lot faster and we actually passed some people this time.

"You're missing the sunset view, better than what you can see now." A couple had said, powering up the hill.

We wished them good luck and continued walking, "I've made dinner plans for us, apparently it's really fancy."

I widened my eyes in surprise, "I'm happy staying here, I'll cook it's not a problem you cooked last night."

"I truly think we'll both enjoy it more if we went out tonight. Nothing personal against your cooking."