Love poems (Leah Clearwater story)

Chapter 25 ~ Embry's day

The morning after the engagement celebration, Vivienne woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing. Groggily, she reached for it and saw a text from Embry.

**Embry:** *Get dressed, sunshine. I'm stealing you for the day. Leah already approved. Be ready in 30.*

Vivienne chuckled, shaking her head. Embry always had a knack for being both spontaneous and bossy. She quickly threw on a pair of jeans, a cozy sweater, and her favorite boots before heading downstairs. Leah was already in the kitchen, sipping coffee.

"Embry's taking you on an adventure today?" Leah asked with a smirk, setting her mug down.

"Apparently," Vivienne replied, grabbing a granola bar from the counter. "You're okay with him monopolizing me?"

Leah shrugged, walking over to kiss her on the forehead. "He's been dying for some one-on-one time with you. Besides, it gives me a chance to finalize some plans for us."

Vivienne arched an eyebrow. "Plans? Should I be worried?"

"Just go," Leah said with a laugh. "Have fun."

Embry pulled up a few minutes later in his beat-up truck, the engine rumbling loudly. He leaned out of the driver's side window, flashing a wide grin. "Ready, short stack?"

Vivienne rolled her eyes but climbed into the passenger seat. "Where are we going?"

Embry smirked, putting the truck in gear. "You'll see."

The drive was filled with Embry's off-key singing to the classic rock station and his endless commentary about everything from the weather to pack drama. Vivienne couldn't help but laugh at his antics, her earlier grogginess melting away.

After about twenty minutes, they pulled up to a secluded beach. The waves crashed against the shore, and the salty air was crisp and refreshing. Embry jumped out of the truck, grabbing a cooler and a blanket from the back.

"A picnic?" Vivienne asked, following him onto the sand.

"Of course," he said, spreading the blanket out near a cluster of rocks. "Figured we could chill, eat, and maybe you'd read me some of that fancy poetry you're always going on about."

Vivienne smiled, touched by the gesture. "You actually want me to read to you?"

"Why not? I'm a man of culture," Embry said with a mock-serious expression, earning a laugh from Vivienne.

They spent hours on the beach, eating sandwiches and chips, sharing stories, and laughing at Embry's exaggerated impressions of the pack members. At one point, Vivienne pulled out a small poetry book she'd tucked into her bag and read a few of her favorite verses. Embry listened intently, surprising her with his thoughtful comments.

"You know," he said after a particularly romantic stanza, "I get why you love this stuff. It's like... putting your feelings into words you didn't know you had."

Vivienne stared at him, amazed. "That's... exactly it. I didn't think you'd understand."

Embry shrugged, tossing a rock into the waves. "Hey, I'm not just a pretty face, you know."

They both burst into laughter, the sound carried away by the ocean breeze.

As the sun began to set, Embry suggested one last stop before heading home. They drove up to a cliff overlooking the forest, the view breathtaking in the golden light of the evening.

"Why here?" Vivienne asked, stepping out of the truck.

Embry leaned against the hood, looking out at the horizon. "This spot... it's where I come when I need to think. It reminds me that the world's bigger than my problems. Figured you might like it too."