Everything Is Blue

Chapter 40

Finally, winter fully gave way to spring. The bitter cold air left the city, being replaced by a warm breeze and sunshine. Today was a sunny, spring day out. Perfect weather for a picnic. One that a certain water bottle salesman had planned for two weeks.

Bud left work at two to make the date perfect for Kimbra. His eyes brightened with excitement as soon as his feet hit the sidewalk. He'd always been one to plan ahead and consider everything. It had been too easy to fall into a routine with her. Being with the scientist felt oh-so natural to him.

He had taken her to the outskirts of the city. Refused to give up details about their destination, despite her begging for a hint. She tried every trick in the book to get him to spill the details. But Bud Flud was a stubborn man. He wouldn't ruin the surprise he had spent two weeks planning.

Half an hour later, they arrived at a view of a sunflower field. A gentle breeze swayed the flowers in a sea of yellow. In the middle of it all stood Kimbra. She stood with her back to him, her hands clasped behind her, as she watched the waves of flowers. Her purple hair brushed off her shoulders as the wind blew against it. A light blue dress hung down her figure, barely reaching her bare ankles.

There was no one but them in the vicinity. Close to nature, with one of the most beautiful views the couple had the opportunity to see.

Bud stood from the picnic blanket he'd been sitting on, petals littering the red and white checkered squares, wine glasses, and charcuterie board he'd put together for them. Wind ruffled his fur as he walked towards his girlfriend, the hound's soft footfalls disturbing the flowers around him, and petals floated around his feet. He'd kicked off his shoes, only wearing white pants and a blue shirt that matched her dress.

He smiled as he brought his hands up to caress her arms, then snaked them down to pull her close by the waist. Kissed her cheek and turned his face to the warm, golden sun with a smile. The hound watched pink clouds roll over a dusking sky, squinting against the rays as they brightened for a moment.

Dropped his head onto the Samoyed's soft shoulder and chuckled. "Our picnic is all set out. Would you like to go sit with me? Though I do love standing like this with you, so either is more than fine with me."

"Yeah, in a second." Her eyes remained on the horizon ahead, focusing. "What does that cloud look like to you?"

His eyes squinted at the sky, inspecting the cloud she pointed out. "Looks like... a dolphin."

Kimbra's head shook, swaying her long hair. "No it doesn't."

"Then what does it look like?"

"A walrus."

It didn't look like a walrus in the slightest.

But he'd amuse her. "Yeah, you're right. It's a walrus."

Pleased with his answer, Kimbra turned to face the hound. A soft smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.

"You didn't have to do all of this for me, you know." She traced a single finger along the skin above the collar of Bud's shirt, raising goose bumps across his skin.

"I wanted to, but do you know what today is?"

"What?"

"Anniversary of the day we met." He drawled lowly, voice tapering to a whisper as he let a hand rest on her waist, the other coming up to cup her cheek. "A year ago today, we were in that conference room. And my eyes fell upon you for the first time."

Her stomach dipped at the look in his eye as he said that. Today was just perfect. No one had ever done something like this for her before. And he actually remembered the day they met?