𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵? 𝘸.𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭

011 - Heart to Heart

A few months into their relationship, Annika and Walker had settled into a comfortable, yet still exhilarating routine. Their bond had deepened, growing stronger with each passing day. They enjoyed the stability of their time together while still savoring the excitement that came with their shared experiences.

One sunny afternoon, they decided to take a day off and escape to Annika's beach house for a relaxing getaway. They spent the day lounging on the sand, playing in the surf, and enjoying each other's company without the pressures of work or the public eye.

Later, as the sun began to set, they took a leisurely walk along the shoreline, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. The warm breeze carried the scent of the ocean, and the rhythm of the waves created a soothing backdrop for their conversation.

Walker turned to Annika, his expression thoughtful. "You know, it's hard to believe how much has changed since we first met. It feels like we've come a long way."

Annika smiled, her hand resting comfortably in his. "It really does. I never imagined things would turn out like this, but I'm so glad they did."

Walker stopped and pulled her into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapping around her in a way that felt natural and secure. "I've been thinking a lot about us lately. About how much I appreciate everything we've built together."

Annika looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection. "Me too. We've had our share of challenges, but it's made our relationship even more special."

Walker's gaze softened as he held her close. "You know, I've never felt this way before. With you, it's different. I feel like I can truly be myself, and it's something I've never had before."

Annika's heart swelled at his words. "I feel the same way. You've become such an important part of my life. I'm grateful for every moment we've shared."

They continued walking, their conversation flowing easily between them. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky darkened into twilight, and the first stars began to appear.

When they reached a quiet spot on the beach, Walker pulled a small, carefully wrapped package from his bag. He held it out to Annika with a smile. "I have something for you."

Annika's eyes widened in surprise as she took the package from him. "What's this?"

"Open it and see," Walker encouraged.

With a mixture of curiosity and excitement, Annika carefully unwrapped the package. Inside, she found a delicate silver locket. She looked up at Walker, her expression filled with wonder.

"It's beautiful," she said softly.

Walker took the locket from her and opened it to reveal two small, heart-shaped photos-one of him and one of her. "I wanted to give you something to remind you of how much you mean to me. This is just a small token of my love."

Annika's eyes filled with tears as she clasped the locket around her neck. "Thank you, Walker. This means more to me than you can imagine."

Walker brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her gently. "I'm just glad we're together. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

As they stood together, watching the stars appear in the night sky, they felt a profound sense of peace and contentment.

-----------authors note
sigh i just want to be loved