Letters

Chapter 13 New Year's Eve

Ryan yawned as he slowly opened his eyes.
The quiet in the room was amazing after the noise of where he usually slept and the travel sleeping he'd done in the last few days.

As he laid relaxing he glanced at the bed side clock.9 am, it seemed so late to him but when your use to getting up by 5 anything later seems lazy.

His thoughts quickly focused on the reason for this whole crazy trip.Aurora.Rory.

She was as beautiful in person as her writing had been.Fun, easy going and generally seemed happy despite her loss of her mother.

Ryan knew he had made a good choice and he was pretty sure Aurora was going to agree to be his girl.He knew tonight she planned on revealing her answer by whether or not she kissed him at midnight.Would it be just a friendly kiss on the cheek or more?
Ryan grew warm at the thought of Rory's mouth and lips against his.He'd watched her speak last night and had wondered if her lips were as soft as they looked.

Ryan shook his head.Imagining where that would lead was exciting but even he knew it was too soon.They'd just met in person yesterday and he still had 2 years before he could leave the army.After the ex, Brenda, he was leery of rushing things.

He climbed out of bed and checked his cell he'd brought with him.A message binged saying he had a Facebook friend request.He puzzled this for a moment and then logged into his Facebook page.It was Aurora.She must've search for him on Facebook and sent it last night.Ryan quickly clicked yes then feeling like a stalker scrolled down her page.
He smiled as he read her post from that morning.Apparently he hadn't been the only one thinking about new beginnings and changes.He quickly hit like under it and added a smiley face as a comment.

Ryan set his phone down intending to go shower when it dinged.

~You up yet Pretty Boy ;)

Ryan smiled as Rory's text opened.

~Yes I am.Just about to jump in the shower.Wanna have a late breakfast or early lunch with me at the hotel restaurant?
Ryan messaged her back.

~Sure.30 minutes ok with you?

Ryan answered yes and gathered his shower gear.A smile across his face and he quickly shaved first.Sure he had a dopey grin, but he also had a whole day to get to know Rory better, and a whole day to imagine that kiss.

Aurora arrived at the restaurant just in time to see Ryan approach a table and sit.She took a moment to admire him when he was unaware.

Ryan glanced up, a smiling filling his face as he noticed Aurora in the doorway.He waved her over as he rose from his chair.

Aurora quickly walked to his table and sat.

"Beat you down Rory!", Ryan laughed as he spoke.

"I had trouble finding my door key.I forgot if put it in my bag last night."

"Aw, I'm just kidding.What do you want breakfast or bunch?"

"I think brunch would be best Ryan.Then we can explore all afternoon and have an early supper.Sound good to you?"

Ryan nodded as he looked at the menu options.A waitress approached the table at the same time and asked for their drink orders.

"Coffee", they both spoke at the same time.

"No, problem.You guys here for New Year's Eve?" The waitress asked.

"Yes," Ryan answered.

"Do you have any recommendations of places we should visit while we are here?"

"Oh, yes!The casino is great if you wanna play and spend a little money.The Dip 'n Sip has a mermaid show, but you should probably make reservations if you wanna go there tonight.We also have some great parks and museums that are still open in the winter.", the waitress rattled off.

"Thanks! We hoped to see the mermaids.we will probably check it all out! ", Ryan and Aurora smiled as they nodded to the suggestions.

Their coffee was delivered quickly and they both ordered the buffet for brunch.After listening to instructions, they gathered plates and food from a nearby group of tables.

"It all looks so good!"Ryan announced as he sat with a heaped plate.

Aurora's laughter bubbled over them as her gaze fell on his plate.

"Better than army food Ryan?", she giggled.

"Yup!", Ryan answered as he began eating.

"The army has good chow and lots but it's food for energy not taste."

The table was quiet as the both turned their attention to the food on their plates.

Sighs filled their table as they both say back, coffee in hand.

"So, wanna take a walk and check out the parks?"

Aurora nodded,"Yes, then a few museums maybe?"

Ryan copied her nodded as he rose for his chair.They both dressed in their coats and outside gear and headed to the cashier near the door.

After paying and typing their waitress, they left the restaurant to begin their day.