Unchained Melody (Daniel Ricciardo)

The best gift.

Daniel enjoys his run with Michael. It's always good to be outside and get some exercise done. He doesn't often get the chance to be out in the Australian nature, so he wants to take it all in as much as possible.

Michael has taken him to the Victoria Reservoir. The reservoir has a perfect path going around most of it. It's not a complete lap, but they like to go as far as it's possible, take a break, maybe get their feet wet before going back the same way they came.

"You've been pretty quiet mate. Is everything alright?" Michael asks him, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Even though he loves it here and he loves the workout. His head is still with Ayla who seemed so different this morning.

He's not really sure if it was just her being tired. She seemed worried, anxious even.
He's been going over everything they did last night. The dinner, the gifts, the games and the music. It was all amazing and he hasn't noticed Ayla not enjoying herself the entire time.

So what caused her to suddenly have such a different mood this morning?
Could it have anything to do with Melissa's call about being pregnant? Does Ayla want to start having a family as well? Is she afraid they will wait too long? He has no idea, but he will try to get some answers when he gets back.

He looks up at Michael who is still waiting for an answer.
"Sorry bud, I was just thinking about Ayla."
They keep running alongside the water. Birds are singing in the trees and they hear plenty of insects buzzing around them.
It truly is a perfect place, tranquil and beautiful. Loads of nature all around them.
He wants to enjoy it, but he can't.

"What about her? She just seemed tired, but I can't blame her. It was a long day yesterday and she has only just recovered from her amnesia. She also had a concussion right?"
Daniel nods.
"Well I think it can take a while until you're fully healed from that. Especially since it's the second one this year. I'm sure it was just a bit much for her yesterday. It's good that she's taking some rest. Even if it is with such a horrible tv series."

Daniel smiles. Michael is probably right, still there's a little voice in the back of his head that is telling him there's more to it than her just being tired.
He will have to wait until he is back home to find out though.

Feeling the need to be done with this run quicker, he picks up the pace, forcing Michael to do the same if he wants to keep up.
"Jesus Daniel. It's not a bloody sprint." Michael says, chasing his friend. As a trainer and health coach, he can't stay behind. It would hurt his pride too much if he couldn't keep up with Daniel.

For a while the men are quiet, all you can hear is the sound of their feet touching the ground as they run.
Daniel's lungs feel as if they will burst if he keeps going on like this, but that, together with the burning sensation in his legs, makes him feel alive and determined to hang in there.

When they finally arrive back at the car, both are bent over, hands on their knees, struggling to catch their breaths.
They are both fit and healthy, but this run did push them a bit more than usual.

"My god, were you trying to kill us or what?" Michael asks in between his breaths.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad." Daniel tries to sound as if he didn't struggle, but his heavy breathing proves otherwise.

They grab a full water bottle from the car and take some large sips to rehydrate themselves.
Michael then quickly makes two protein shakes for the both of them, before they get in the car to make the drive back to Daniel's house.

Daniel decides when he gets home, he will take a quick shower and then he will be pampering Ayla for the rest of the day. He will prepare dinner tonight, she won't have to lift a finger. If that's what she needs, that's what he will give her.
If he could he would give her the world, he loves her that much.