Dream Come True

7

I saw him before he saw me. His smile was calm and natural as he chatted with my mum. Brad had come down and leaned over the counter munching on chips, joining in on the conversation. I stood on the stairs halfway down watching the easiness as Xander interacted with my family. The natural curve of his smile as he laughed at something that was said set off a round of flips in my stomach. He turned his head then and saw me come down the rest of the steps.

"Hey Thia." His eyes glowed, reminding me again just how beautiful he was. I considered pinching him to try and make myself believe that he was real.
"Hey. Should we go?" He nodded.
"There's food in the fridge for you for the next few nights. All our numbers are on the fridge." Mum said as she hugged me. I looked up.
"Where's Brad going?" I asked confused. Mum tsked at me.
"I swear Pippa, are you ever listening when I talk to you?" She said with that laugh mum's do when visitors are over. "Brad is at a school camp for the next few days. It'll be just you till Tuesday. Call Grandma if you need anything." I told her I would and followed Xander out the door.

I placed my feet carefully as we walked down the footpath.
"So... where are we actually going?" I asked turning to look at him. He stood casually hand in his pockets, smiling at me.
"You'll see. I think you'll like it." I bit my lip as a smile won over my tense expression and followed him down the path. I watched him out of the corner of my eye. His hair blew back as he looked ahead. His quiet confidence and stability calmed me, as if he took some of my burden off my shoulders just by being there. The left corner of his mouth lifted and he looked at me through the corner of his eye and I knew I was caught. I felt my face burn a little and turned away, tucking my hair behind my ear trying to act casual. He grabbed my hand from where it was near my face and gently entwined our fingers. I looked up from our tangled hands and up to his eyes.

"This way." He said softly, pulling me around the corner of the building.

Just past the wall, the beautiful green field of the park stretched out in front of me, flowers spotting the thick blanket of grass. In the middle a red and white checked picnic blanket was placed neatly, a picnic basket on top. I grinned broadly now, giddily looking back and forth between him and the set up.
"Do you like it?" He asked, raking his free hand through his hair.
"This is amazing, Let's go!" I said, grabbing his shirt and pulling him forwards.