A Gaze to Remember

Chapter 5 - The Hug That Lasted Forever

THURSDAY 15 AUGUST 2024

"Hey, I'm really sorry about yesterday," Reid said, his voice softer than usual. He stared down at the bottle of white wine he was holding, almost as if he was embarrassed. "I might have had a bit too much to drink... and well, you know how that went."

They were sitting side by side in the same park they'd visited a few days earlier. Vivienne couldn't help but smile as she thought back to when they had lain together on the grass, talking and laughing like they had known each other forever.

"It's okay, Reid," she said, her voice gentle. "Did you have a good time, at least?"

"Yeah, I did," he replied, lifting his eyes to meet hers. "But honestly, I wish you had been there. I really wanted you to be there with me."

Their hands were so close now, almost touching on the cool grass between them. Vivienne held his gaze, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Maybe next time," she said softly, returning his smile.

She reached over and took the wine bottle from him. "Now, hand this over," she teased, "I'm not letting you finish the whole thing by yourself again."

Reid laughed, the sound light and easy, as he let her take the bottle. They both knew this was more than just about sharing wine—it was about sharing a moment, just like the many others they'd already had.

As they sat in the park, sipping wine and enjoying the quiet, it was clear that something unspoken hung between them. The closeness, the shared moments—they were more than just the product of chance encounters in Rome. Vivienne wondered if Reid felt it too, this connection that seemed to deepen every time they were together.

But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside, content to just be in the moment with him. "So, what should we do today?" she asked, passing the bottle back to Reid.

He took a sip, grinning at her. "Whatever you want, Viv. The day is ours."

As usual, they ended up with another bottle of wine, making their way back to the park where they'd spent so much time together. They lay down side by side, their bodies brushing against each other, and fell into the familiar rhythm of laughing, talking, and joking. This had become their thing—a ritual that felt effortless and special. It wasn't like the grand gestures you see in movies; there was no dramatic music or sweeping declarations. Instead, it was simple, quiet, and deeply meaningful to both of them.

Vivienne knew that these moments would stay with her forever. Reid had a way of making everything feel more alive, more vibrant. She couldn't imagine forgetting the way his laughter sounded, or how the warmth of his presence made everything feel just a little bit brighter.

But she also knew that this was temporary. After his vacation in Rome, Reid was heading to Vienna for a new job. And she was going back to London, to her old life. They would go their separate ways, maybe exchange a few text messages at first, but eventually, the distance and time would create a gap too wide to bridge. Slowly, they would stop responding, and the connection they had would fade into a distant memory.

Yet, despite knowing all of this, Vivienne was certain of one thing: she would never forget these moments with Reid. No matter where life took them, the time they spent together in Rome would always be a part of her—a beautiful, simple, unforgettable chapter in her story.

"I could stay here forever," Reid said softly. Vivienne turned slightly to look at him, her curiosity piqued. "You mean in Rome?" she asked. As she spoke, Reid shifted his head to meet her gaze, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"No, idiot," he teased gently, his eyes never leaving hers. "I mean here, in this park with you. Just lying down, listening to the city. It's peaceful. I like it."

Vivienne couldn't help but smile back at him, a smile so bright it felt like it could light up the entire night. In that moment, she was truly happy—happier than she had ever been.

"I wouldn't mind dying like this, you know," Reid said suddenly, his tone still light but with a hint of seriousness.

"Dying?" Vivienne asked, confused by the sudden shift in conversation. Why were they talking about death all of a sudden?

Reid laughed, the sound comforting. "I mean, if I had to spend one last day before dying, this is how I'd want to spend it," he explained, his voice calm and sincere as he looked at her.

Their eyes locked, and something deeper passed between them. It was as if their souls were speaking, forming a connection that went beyond words. Vivienne felt a warmth spreading through her, a sense of belonging she had never experienced before.

Without thinking, she rested her head on his arm, letting out a content sigh. They stayed like that for a while longer, savoring the moment, neither of them wanting it to end. It was simple and pure, a moment that felt like it could last forever.

Sadly, everything has to come to an end, even a beautiful day like this one. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft glow over the city, Reid reached out a hand to help Vivienne up from the grass. "I'll walk you to your apartment," he offered, a gentle smile on his face. This was something new; he had never offered to do this before. Vivienne simply nodded, "Okay," and they began their walk.

The streets were quiet, the world around them settling into the calm of the evening. They didn't talk much as they walked, but the silence between them was comfortable, almost peaceful. It was as if words would have only disrupted the delicate connection they felt at that moment.

When they finally reached the building where Vivienne was staying, they both paused in front of it. "Thank you," she said softly, her eyes meeting his as she smiled.

"Not a problem, really. I like spending time with you," Reid replied, his smile matching hers.

For a few seconds, they just stood there in silence, facing each other. The moment stretched out, filled with unspoken words and the weight of what could be. Neither of them seemed to know what to say or do next. Maybe they didn't really know what they wanted, or perhaps they were too afraid to take a step that might change everything.

Finally, Reid broke the silence. "I'll be heading back now. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Yes," Vivienne nodded, her warm smile never fading. Reid returned it with one of his own, but still, neither of them moved.

It was clear that something was left unfinished, like the universe was holding its breath, waiting for them to realize it. Reid took a small step closer, his eyes locking onto hers, and then, without saying a word, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into a hug.

For a moment, Vivienne was surprised, but she quickly melted into the embrace, her arms finding their way around his neck. Reid was much taller than her, so she had to stand on her tiptoes to hold him properly. Their bodies were closer than they had ever been before, and the warmth of his embrace felt like a new beginning, even if neither of them fully understood what that beginning might be.

They stood like that for what felt like hours, though it was probably only a minute. But in that minute, time seemed to stretch, as if they were the only two people in the world. It was a moment that would stay with Vivienne forever, no matter what the future held.

"Bye, Viv," Reid whispered as they slowly pulled apart.

"Bye, Ree," she replied, her voice just as soft.

And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the night, leaving Vivienne standing there with the lingering warmth of his hug still wrapped around her.