The Aurelia

6. Hi, Lulu

Tim and Lucy spent all night looking through maps, trying to be as thorough as possible. When he returned with another cup of coffee, he found Lucy asleep on the floor with little drool trickling on the map she was laying her head on. He sighed at the sweet sight and rubbed her upper arm to wake her, but she only made a small sound and kept her eyes tightly shut.

He rolled his eyes and lifted her into his arms; a welcome weight he found he had been missing since the last time he held her like this. Slowly, as not to disturb her, he set her down into her bed. After tucking her under a blanket and sweeping the hair out of her face, he smiled at how she looked. "Beautiful," he murmured and only allowed himself another moment to admire her before leaving her to sleep.

In an attempt to ensure they had a list of every blow hole on the islands, Tim went back to check the maps once more, and then he cleaned up the mess of papers and notes scattered about the lounge. Then, he noticed the yellow notebook- the one he found Lucy scribbling in so regularly. Maybe it was considered snooping, but he wanted to scan her writings; he found questions, bullet points, fun facts, and even some commentary on aspects of their adventure.

But, there was one page unlike the rest. In the top left corner was a harsh sketch of an eye and two words at the top: "Blue Eyes". His mind already started reading the words before he could stop himself.

Blue Eyes
The longer I stare, the more I learn that those blue eyes are prettier than any blue stone or ocean, because the mystery of the man beneath becomes clearer. There's pain and regret and worry, but there's joy and victory, too. There's wisdom and wonder. There's hardships and happiness. There's fire. There's a million little things shining through those blue eyes, and I find myself wondering if maybe from the way he looks at me that there's something in there just for me.

Tim gasped. He had known that she is a talented writer, since he had read through all of her books, but he was shocked that this little page was about him, and it was a beautifully written piece that made it clear she SEES him. She KNOWS him, and to be seen and known was such a new and wonderful feeling.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's not even a real blow hole," Tim pointed out as they began packing for the day.

"The Thunderball Grotto in Staniel Cay WAS a blowhole, but the stone was eroded because of the water. It's hard to get to and close to the sight of the shipwreck, which makes it the perfect hiding place for the treasure," Lucy explained.

"I'm sure you're right, so let's go check it out," he smiled.

"Not tonight!" Angela interrupted.

"Yeah, there's a benefit gala at the Atlantis tonight! You know we can't pass up a chance to get dressed up," Jackson added.

"This is a GOOD lead. We need to go to Staniel Cay!" Lucy objected.

"And we will go tomorrow, but today, we are going shopping for outfits for the gala!" Angela insisted.

Tim rolled his eyes as his arm was being dragged by Jackson to disembark.

Lucy could not believe her friend made her stop searching when there was a such a clear lead all because of some ridiculous party, but she knew there was no use in objecting. So, as they scanned the long dresses in the little boutique, she tried her best to find something she actually would not hate wearing.

"So, which one do you think Tim would like best?" Angela asked.

"I don't care. I'm dressing for me."

"Right," she rolled her eyes and noticed the way her friend bit her lip at the sight of a green dress that would be hard to beat...and that Tim would probably like.