New Lives (A Nathan Gardner Story)

Chapter 23 - Firelight

Author's Note: A little cheesy...

Nathan and Sydney snuck out of Just Be before the party ended, Nathan smiling widely as he left holding his new fiancée's hand. A storm rolled in earlier in the night, but he remained optimistic as he pulled out of the parking lot. They were in the car for a half an hour or so before Sydney began to wonder where they were headed.

"You disappeared for a little while tonight, Nathan…and we're headed away from home?"

Nathan turned to face her, his smile still present. "I did and, you're right, we are."

"Because we're going…?"

"Well, I can tell you where we're not going," Nathan chuckled. "We're not going to school on Monday."

Sydney raised an eyebrow. "We're not?"

"Hm mm." He reached for Sydney's hand. "Let me surprise you?"

She blushed deeply. "You've done plenty of that tonight."

"And it's worked out rather well, hasn't it?" He brought the back of her hand to his lips and kissed her lightly.

"K…" It was all she could manage. The entire night still felt like a dream and she didn't want to spoil it. They rode a little further, the weather worsening, before Nathan stopped the car.

"Really?" Nathan asked the air around him more than Sydney. "This is almost as bad as last November…"

"It's perfect," Sydney said softly.

"What? How?"

"Think about what happened in the rain around this time last year." She smiled at him.

Nathan smiled back, understanding. His finding her walking alone in the storm, despite her heartbreak, was the most wonderful thing that could have happened to either of them. "Just a little further." He continued down a long road and Sydney could see the outlines of small houses, their windows casting warm glows out into the harsh weather. After a few minutes she realized they weren't exactly houses, but cabins.

"Nathan?" she asked, beaming.

"I just…I thought a little getaway would…" He stopped the car in front of what Sydney deduced was their cabin and she decided to tease him.

"What if I would have said no?"

He laughed. "Then I would have had a place to hide in embarrassment for a few days." He looked out the window. "I don't think it's going to slow down anytime soon."

"I don't care."

They exited the car, Nathan quickly running to open the back hatch and retrieve their suitcase. By the time they reached the front door they were soaked to the skin, neither of them feeling it. When Nathan unlocked and opened the door they were met by a crackling fire and numerous candles. Sydney's hands went to her face and she wiped away fresh tears.

Nathan placed his free hand on Sydney's back. "I bet they just left."

"Ah, the reason you snuck off?"

"I had to give them an ETA." They walked inside and Nathan placed the suitcase on the floor. "Syd, is this?"

Sydney's arms wrapped around Nathan, their clothes making a slight squishing sound. "This is the most perfect night of my life," she whispered, trying so hard to keep from fully crying.

"My wife…" The two words Nathan had been dying to say for hours finally passed his lips. "You're going to be my wife…" They kissed deeply, staying where they were for quite some time…until Nathan felt Sydney shiver. "Come on, baby." He led her to the fireplace and asked her to wait for a moment. He went to the bedroom and came back with two fluffy white robes.