Simple Love

3

Gabriel arrived at dawn for a long days hike around the Alaskan wilderness. May wasn't ready so he waited at her table in silence. He knew well enough they might not make it back by dusk and he had packed for it. Hopefully she would too.

"Ready?" asked Gabriel

May nodded nervously. Gabriel understood she would be nervous but he needed to tell her she would be protected.

Gabriel took May's hands in his and said "Miss May, I want you to know I would never hurt you, ever. I care about you."

May stood strait then taking her hand to his soft face, "I know you would never hurt me, that is not what I worry of."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't see how you can fancy me? I'm not a great looking person, I'm just average. I'm not even skinny."

"You are this beautiful girl who came to Alaska for my family, from the moment I saw you I wanted you. I don't need the most gorgeous women in the world, I need you."

May smiled, "Lets head out."

So they headed on a trail into the Alaskan wilderness, hand in hand. May had never seen such beauty, it was like she never wanted to leave this place.

"I could stay here forever, its so breathtaking." May sighed

"Then stay forever." replied Gabriel

May looked at Gabriel. She didn't understand what he was suggesting.

"I mean, we don't know each other that well but I find my thoughts are always about you. I would love for there to be an us."

May looked down, "I've never had anyone so interested in me. I would like for there to be an us too."

Gabriel sighed and put his strong arms around her. He knew this was his soul mate. He would always love and protect this woman. They began hiking again, May started to realize it was getting dark. They decided on making camp instead of walking in the dark.

Gabriel and May had dinner and crawled into the tent for sleep. May realized this was the first time sleeping with a man. It scared her and she began to cry.

"What's wrong, come here." Gabriel panicked

May said nothing, just sobbed.

"May, Please. What ever it is please, I beg you, tell me."

May Looked and Gabriel and wiped her face, "I'm afraid I've never slept with a man before. I am worried that you expect things from me."

Gabriel began wiping her tears and held her into his arms, "Never would I ever make you do something you didn't want to do. Besides I never laid with a woman either. I'm equally as nervous."

Gabriel placed May back on her sleeping bag. They both lay there looking at each other, falling asleep. Sometime in the dead of night Gabriel arose to find May shaking with cold.

"May, your freezing, this is my fault I should have made sure you packed appropriate clothing."

"I'm... ok..."

"No your not... Now get over here, I can keep you warm."

May didn't argue with Gabriel, his voice was serious but she liked that. So she allowed him to keep her warm, she was safe. She realized then that this man was forever going to be just for her, all she needed to do was let him in.

________________________

The next morning Gabriel awoke to an aroma of breakfast.
"What's that smell?" Asked Gabriel as he exited the tent.
May smiled and looked up "Breakfast"
"What's the occasion?"
May paused, then thought she should just come out at say it. "I..I..I..."
Gabriel came over as May looked down. "What is it?"
"I LOVE YOU!"
Gabriel giggled and blushed but may continued to look down. He lifted her chin with two fingers and said "I love you too, let's eat."
"No." May said quietly
"No?"
"I mean, I love you, and I don't want ever leave this place."
Gabriel smiled "Then marry me? I don't have a ring right now but..."
May stopped him, "I would marry you without one..."
Gabriel lifted May up and kissed her with such gorse they both were froze in that moment.

"We should go back to camp and tell the others..." Gabriel broke the silence.
"Let's eat first."
"Yes, miss May." Both giggled with delight