Ella and Wilson

15

Weeks had gone by. Amelia had left and Ella was on her own again. We were closer to the end of summer than I wanted to realize. We were spending every night together at her place not getting much sleep as we explored each other still figuring each other out. If I thought I was intoxicated by her previously, that feeling was quadrupled. Every time I looked at her, I could see my future in her eyes. I could picture us laying on the beach, our kids running around playing in the sand. I could picture us sitting on the front porch, hair gray, sipping coffee on a crisp morning. Everything that was to come in my life, I knew she had to be there by my side. There was no doubt in my mind that this girl was my future.

"We are here." I threw my car in park. We had arrived at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. We got out of my car and walked into the main building to check in for our kayaking session. We were given the safety spiel about no littering, no plastic bags, no disrupting the wildlife etc to ensure that the wildlife remained safe. The springs are known for their amazingly crystal clear water and manatees munching on the sea grass.

We walked down a short gravel road with our paddles to the kayak ramp. A tandem kayak was out ready for us. Ella got in the front seat and I sat behind her. I strapped in our bag with our waters and phones. The workers pushed our kayak into the crystal clear water. The water moved like a natural lazy river. We hardly had to paddle, just here and there to make sure we didn't run into the river bank. As we got further from the ramp, Ella took off her hat and sunglasses. She looked down into the water in awe. I found myself smiling as I watched her take in the spring water. Like a little kid in a toy store, she began pointing out all the crazy looking fish that swam with us or under us in the water. The seagrass flowed peacefully with the current exposing small, unusual fish hidden between the leaves.

Large, gray fish swam in huge schools in the water. They would move away from the kayak slightly as we passed above. Other large fish jumped out of the water here and there. We couldn't figure out why they were doing that but it got Ella laughing every time. We passed many storks and herons searching for their next meal along the vegetation by the river bank. They paid us no mind as we floated right by them. 

As we kept floating through, Ella pointed ahead excitedly announcing that there was a manatee up there. I helped steer our kayak in the manatee's direction. Sure enough, there was one large manatee going to town on the seagrass without a care in the world. I held our kayak there as long as I could and watched as Ella looked down at the manatee with so much happiness on her face. 

"Wilson, this place is not real. It is absolutely gorgeous." She told me as we kept floating downstream. She was leaning back in her seat taking in the unique nature around her.

"I love coming here." I told her. 

Ella turned around and gave me a soft smile.

"Wilson," she bit her lip as if nervous, "I'm in love with you."

My heart stopped. I blinked a few times. Did I just dream that or did she just say it?

"What?" I blurted. My mind was short circuiting.

"I love you!" Ella laughed. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding in. I pinched myself discreetly just to confirm that I was experiencing this. She looked at me expectantly waiting for my response.

"Ella," I couldn't make my mouth work how I wanted it to. I was so taken aback. Get yourself together, man! I shook my head as if trying to restart my brain so I could talk. Finally I stammered, "I love you, beautiful girl." Her face lit up as she reached behind and ran a hand on my leg.

"You are my other half, Wilson, I have felt it in my bones for a while. Being here with you, I knew I had to say it."

"You have made me the happiest I've been in so long. Hearing those words come out of your mouth...I love you. I'll tell you that for as long as you'll let me."

"Every day? For forever?" Her brown eyes were glued to me with an intensity that sent chills through my whole body. I could get lost in those eyes and I would be okay with it. I leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. 

"Every day forever."