Lone Survivors

Thankfulness and Proposals

After several attempts, Parker was able to lay Stephanie's cold body by a small fire. He rubbed her hands and face hoping to warm her up.

While he warmed her, he spoke. He talked about random things. His seven crazy sisters, his dreams of being an engineer when he was young, and even his biggest fears.

"I used to see you in school, you never really seemed to want anything to do with me so I mostly ignored you. I wish I hadn't. You're pretty cool." He admitted. "Though I also thought you were kind of mean, I wasn't wrong about that." He chuckled to himself.

"Dad. Is she going to be okay?" I asked. I craned my neck to see around him, trying to get a glimpse of the girl in the car. There were now police cars parked behind us and I could hear an ambulance approaching. 

"I have to give a statement to the police. Stay in the car." He ordered. My father opened the door but before getting out he turned his head back to look at me. "I mean it this time Parker." He added sternly.

I nodded with wide eyes and buckled my seat belt to show him that I would listen. With my reassurance, he smiled and closed the door behind him.

I watched curiously as my father talked to a cop who was writing down everything he said. A few minutes later, the cop shook my father's hand and they parted ways.

"You ready kiddo?" He asked as he started the car.

"Is she gonna be okay?" I repeated.

"Alexei will be just fine." He told me. Before putting the car into drive he turned to me. "Did you see what I did back there Parker? She told me that I could leave, but I didn't. I stayed with her until the police arrived."

I nodded.

"If you know somebody is not okay. Don't let them tell you that they are. Make the situation better for them. Do you know why this is important?" He asked me.

I shook my head, aware of the seriousness of the conversation. 

"Because one day, you will want somebody to do the same for you. There are some wounds that only passion can heal. We aren't here to help ourselves Parker." He said.

I nodded silently. Then he smiled at me and pinched my cheek. "I love you soon."

I grinned, glad that his serious face was gone. "I love you too dad."

All the while that Parker was rambling, Stephanie was listening. She found it really sweet that he was taking care of her. She'd been trying to move for the last ten minutes, but her body felt so weak and tired; she couldn't even open her eyes.

What felt like an hour later of Parker's unrelenting conversation, Stephanie was finally able to opened her eyes and gave him a small smile.

He sighed in relief. "Thank goodness." He breathed. Stephanie slowly sat up and drew her knees to her chest. "Thank you." She said sincerely. Though she was still freezing, she felt much stronger than she had an hour ago.

Parker shrugged, looking away to hide his blush.

"You built a fire." Stephanie commented after a few minutes of silence.

"You were cold." He replied.

She rolled her eyes. "You know," she began playing with the laces on her boots." I shouldn't have judged you so harshly without getting to know you." She confessed.

Parker gave her a reassuring smile. "That's okay. It's human instinct to judge." Stephanie knew that it had bothered him, though he was trying to shrug it off.

She shook her head. "I was raised not to judge. God doesn't want us to judge others. You shouldn't let me off so easily."

Parker fake glared at her. "You're right. I might just give you the silent treatment."

Stephanie fake frowned. "Parker, I'm so sorry. Please don't ignore me forever." She pleaded.

He stroked his chin as if in deep thought, not replying to her.

Stephanie giggled. "You're such a horrible actor." She informed him.

He laughed.

"Do you think anybody misses us at the lodge?" Stephanie asked him, her smile fading.

"Are you kidding me? Of course they notice. Nobody could miss you." He replied smooching the snow with his hand.

Stephanie frowned. "What do you mean?"

Parker scooted closer to her. He slowly turned her chin so that she was looking at him. Before she could do anything about it, Parker's lips were on hers.

She gasped allowing him to deepen the lips. Their lips molded together creating a warmth that Stephanie couldn't resist.

She leaned into him until, frustrated, Parker lifted her onto his lap.

She didn't even question why she was kissing Parker Warren, the person she once despised.

His lips caressed hers though, making her forget all about her previous opinions.

Stephanie ran her fingers through his soft blanket of hair, until a harsh gust of wind awakened her to what was happening. 

"What was that for?" she breathed. Parker smiled sheepishly as a light shade of pink colored his cheeks.

"I've been wanting to kiss you since I first saw you. You're beautiful Stephanie." He admitted.

Stephanie blushed. Parker then grinned to eases the awkwardness.

"Well, you're not pummeling me with your fists, so I'm guessing I can kiss you again." Parker joked.

She actually did want Parker to kiss her again. 

She smiled at him in reply and he gathered her in his arms again and kissed her passionately.

"Do you think we can become those lone survivors who fall in love, get married and have three children who will eventually take over our food production business when we retire?"

Stephanie smirked. "Are you asking me out?" She asked.

Parker fluttered his eyebrows playfully.

Stephanie laughed. "Okay."