Fall'n For The New Guy | | Harrison Reid

Chapter 129

The morning sun was just starting to peek through the trees, casting a soft golden glow over the trail. The air was fresh and crisp, and I took in a deep breath, feeling the mountain's coolness fill my lungs. Harrison was already a few steps ahead, adjusting the straps on his backpack, his face lit with that grin I loved.

"You ready for this, love?" he called back, his voice warm and excited.

I smiled, a little nervous but also excited. The idea of hiking had been mine just as much as it had been his. We'd talked about it long before booking the vacation, and I was eager for the adventure, even if my growing belly was making me second-guess myself.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," I said with a chuckle, rubbing my stomach. "Though, I didn't quite picture it being this steep."

Harrison slowed his pace, walking beside me now. "No worries. We'll take it easy. Remember, we planned this because we wanted to get away and really enjoy the time together."

I nodded, trusting him. I wasn't going to let a little strain hold me back from doing something I had looked forward to. And besides, the trail was stunning, with the sound of birds and wind rustling through the trees. Even if my legs started to feel heavy, I couldn't deny how much I was enjoying being out here, away from everything else.

"You good?" he asked after a few moments, glancing back at me.

"I'm fine," I said, trying to sound confident even as I felt my back starting to ache. "Just a little slower than usual, that's all."

Harrison's eyes softened, but he didn't push. Instead, he slowed his pace, making sure I wasn't rushing. "No rush. Let's just enjoy this. We've got all day."

We continued on, side by side, the peacefulness of the hike surrounding us. The path grew more rugged, but with Harrison by my side, I didn't feel like I was facing it alone. As we rounded a corner, the view opened up before us—a sweeping valley framed by mountains, with the first rays of sunlight catching the peaks. It was more beautiful than I could've imagined, and I couldn't help but stop and take it all in.

"This is incredible," I said, feeling a quiet sense of peace wash over me as I looked out over the valley below. "I'm glad we decided to do this."

Harrison stopped beside me, his arm casually around my shoulders as he leaned in close. "It's perfect, eh? Different from home, but I reckon I'd take this any day."

I laughed softly, the sound blending with the natural quiet of the mountains. "I'm glad we made this part of our trip. Even if I wasn't sure how I'd feel hiking at this stage... it's worth it."

He smiled, his hand drifting to rest lightly on my belly. "I'm glad too. You're doing amazing, Tessa. And the little one is along for the ride as well."

I smiled at him, my heart swelling with love. "Thanks for helping me out."

As we continued on the trail, we turned a corner, and suddenly, the sound of rushing water filled the air. We stopped in our tracks, both of us pausing to take in the sight. The trail opened up to reveal a stunning waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff. The water tumbled over the rocks, shimmering in the sunlight as it hit the pool below, sending mist into the air that caught the light and created tiny rainbows.

I couldn't help but gasp at how beautiful it was. The sound of the water crashing against the rocks was calming, almost magical. The air around us felt cooler, the scent of fresh water mingling with the earthy smell of the forest.

"Wow," I breathed, stepping closer to the edge to get a better look.

Harrison stood beside me, his eyes wide with awe. "This is something else, eh?"

I nodded, taking it all in. The waterfall was surrounded by lush greenery, the rocks slick with moisture, and the mist from the falls hung in the air like a soft veil. It felt like we had stumbled upon something untouched, hidden away in the heart of the mountain.

As we stood there, entranced by the beauty, I noticed a set of wooden stairs winding down beside the waterfall. The steps, built from weathered timber, spiraled downward along the edge of the rocks. The structure seemed like it was a part of the landscape, naturally blending in with the surrounding trees and foliage. The stairs seemed to lead right to the base of the falls.

"Should we?" Harrison asked, his voice filled with excitement.

I glanced at the stairs, my curiosity piqued. The wooden steps seemed like the perfect way to get a closer view of the waterfall. "Let's do it," I said, eager to explore more of this hidden gem.

We carefully descended the stairs, which were surprisingly sturdy despite their age. Each step creaked softly beneath our feet, but they held firm as we made our way down. The sound of the rushing water grew louder, and the air grew cooler, with the fine mist from the waterfall lightly spraying our faces. It felt refreshing and almost magical as we moved deeper into the mist.

When we reached the bottom, the view was even more breathtaking. The waterfall loomed above us, its power and beauty overwhelming up close. The pool below the falls was crystal clear, the water swirling as it cascaded over the rocks. The mist hung in the air like a veil, creating tiny rainbows in the sunlight.

"This is incredible," I whispered, feeling completely immersed in the beauty of it all.

Harrison stood beside me, his hand resting gently on my back as we both stared at the falls. "Yeah, this was totally worth it," he said, a contented smile on his face. He leaned down to kiss my forehead, his touch soft and reassuring.

I smiled up at him, and enjoy th peaceful moment. We lingered there for a while, soaking in the scene before I pulled out my phone to capture the moment. Harrison and I posed in front of the waterfall, the mist swirling around us as the camera clicked.

We stayed for a while to enjoy to the view.