Now That I Love You I Can't Hate You

Chapter 6

Darson and I are sitting around a table with our candlelit dinner. Everything here looks to be out of a book or a movie or something. Even the food taste exquisite.

I watch as he cuts into his pork cutlets. I take a sip of my wine, letting the bitter-sweet taste take over my senses for a few seconds. "When did you even plan this?" His eyes leave the plate to look at me.

"Most of it I did over the phone when you were in the shower or sleeping." I grin at him. "I even came here yesterday while you were still in bed." My mouth opens in disbelief. I don't know if to be impressed or concerned.

"Try not to do that often, yeah?" I joke while bringing some mashed potatoes to my lips.

"Planning surprises?"

"Sneaking around." The fact that I didn't have one inkling is baffling to me. He left our hotel room, probably spent an hour or two out and I had no clue. Darson reaches for my hand and I meet him in the middle, keeping my right hand on the fork that I'm eating with.

"Shall we go outside?" I look around the tent then back at him? Why? We're barely through our meal.

"I'm not done yet?" He rises from his seat then make his way around the round table to meet me. With a hand on my shoulder, he urges me out of my seat.

"It'll only be a few minutes." I stand, my eyes still on the plate of food before he blocks my vision with a hand over my eyes.

"Darson?" He guides me over in the direction of the tent opening. At least I think so. I focus on my legs so I don't trip and fall. I feel him move the tent aside so we can step outside. I know we're outside because a light breeze drifts through the air and across my face. Without seeing, I know the atmosphere is lovely. Everything is calm and quiet except for the chirping of a bird or two here and there.

Darson removes his hand over my eyes and I can't help but marvel at the scenery in front me. It's the most beautiful sunset I've seen in my entire existence. A canvas of orange, pink and yellow adorn the sky as the sun dips below the horizon. "Darson, it's beautiful." He hugs me from behind, his chin resting in the crook of my neck. "It's really beautiful." Water begins to form in my eyes. I can't quite explain this feeling. Joy. Safety. Adoration. Love. It's a plethora of emotions that are too much for me to handle right now, hence the tears I'm trying to hold back.

We spend the night cuddled up in blankets, in between throw pillows, watching movies. Darson chose a comedy and I think it was the perfect choice. Our laughter merges with each other amidst the comfort of the tent. It's nice spending time with each other like this. Sometimes I wish every day was like this. I want time to stop for a while so I can savour this moment. So I can dwell on it a little longer.

The next day, we fly out to France. Paris is beautiful. Our three day stay serves us the coolest tours, the most romantic of dinners and the best of dancing. I can't emphasize enough how amazing everything was. We visited the infamous Eiffel Tower and took a lot of pictures.

On the night of the last day in France, I stay in the hotel while Darson goes out to meet a friend. I settle for a crossword puzzle on the couch with the TV on in the background. I am emersed in figuring out the crossword when my phone buzzing on the glass table snaps me out of my concentration. I scoop it off the counter to see my mother's name.

I hesitantly answer the phone. "Mother?" We haven't talked in forever. She wouldn't speak to me. Even after I've seemingly forgiven her for cheating on my father. I think it was her way of punishing me. Her way of making me feel guilty for making her feel guilty.

"Honey, I can't find my green scarf. The one with the little silver deers on the end." I'm instantly confused. Green scarf? She sounds like she's currently searching for it. I'm just surprised she called me at all. Last time I checked, she didn't want to be in the same room with me.