Unveiling Destiny

Chapter 23: Griffin

I wake with a start to my alarm blaring from the side table. Aria does a cute little snort in surprise, waking from a very clearly deep sleep.

Clicking the alarm quickly off, I ask her softly, "So, what'll it be, Princess? Are we getting up or sleeping in?"

"Ugh," she grumbles, twisting away from me and throwing her hand over her face. She sighs dramatically. "Let's get up."

"Are you sure?"

"No, but let's do it anyway," she says.

I chuckle at how cute she is, flipping back the covers.

"On it, boss."

Soon enough, we're on our way, picking up breakfast sandwiches from the lobby's surprisingly well stocked store to eat on the way.

The day passes in a haze, my brain still disbelieving just how lucky I am to be at one of my favorite places on Earth with such an amazing woman.

I can't decide if the best part is. Watching her carefree nature as she waltzes around the park? Her humming the tunes to each song in the different areas of the park? Her randomly kissing me in the lines as we wait?

It'll be a miracle if I don't have another slip up.

I can't believe I did that yesterday. Almost telling her that I loved her.

I mean, I do. I can't deny that at this point. The feeling in my entire body when I saw her. The way I relax and everything feels lighter when I'm around her. The way I want to wrap her up in my arms and support her as she chases everything she wants.

I can see it.

The future.

I can see it in a way I had never seen it with anyone else I've ever been with.

And I had just about shit my pants when I thought I had ruined it by verbalizing my feelings. My recovery had been weak. She had seen right through it.

But she said it back.

Not the three big words, per say. But she had repeated the words I had said to try and cover my mistake.

That meant something right?

But, I can't slip up again. I can't risk scaring her off. Especially not when I have a much bigger issue to deal with.

Lillie still won't leave me alone, and I know I'm going to have to call her to set her straight. I didn't need Aria thinking I was only saying... that... to distract her from the bigger problem. Knowing her past, I can't have her jumping to conclusions that aren't true.

I'll deal with Lillie. I will.

But not right now.

Right now I just need to focus on enjoying myself with the perfect woman at my side.

The hours quickly slip away from us until finally, I look at the time and announce "We officially have just under an hour left before we have to head to the airport. Anything specific you want to do before we leave?"

"Let's just slowly meander down the shops on the way out and enjoy the atmosphere," she says brightly.

We do, and I admire her as she traipses through the shops, her hand in mine the whole time.

Finally, we make it to the gates, and she sighs as we move one at a time through the turnstiles.

"You know, I'm always bummed when I have to leave. The post theme park blues are really just no fun. Having to return to life and responsibilities," she turns to look at me.