Out of the Blue

13

A cool, sweet breeze glided across Stephanie's face as Andrew was driving to Miranda Falls. Slightly dosing off, Stephanie was falling into a drowsy trance from the hum of the truck engine and swoosh of the wind from the open window. She was woken up from a gentle nudge on her shoulder. Lazily opening her large brown eyes, Stephanie found herself staring at the perfect smile. Andrew joked if she needed carrying and she playfully pushed him out of the way. Stephane and Andrew started walking down the path to the falls, holding hands. Andrew would occasionally kiss her forehead and she would kiss his neck in return. While walking along the path towards Miranda Falls patches of moonlight spotted the ground floor below.

Stephanie knew they were almost and the falls when suddenly Andrew took a step behind her and pressed his hands gently onto her eyes. " Alright steoh, don't open your eyes until I say so." Andrew sweetly whispered into her ear. She smiled until her cheeks touched the bottom of his fingers. She loved Andrew's touch. Always so gentle and caring but a person could tell the strength behind it. Every touch began with a tingling sensation, a spark so to say, going through her body like a strike of lightning. Then, a warm feeling swells up inside and spreads through out. It made Stephanie feel safe. Even when there was no reason to be afraid, every embrace, every stroke of the hand and every sweet brush of his fingers made her feel invincible. She felt the pressure slightly lighten off of her eyes. "Open."

It was breathtaking. Small, twinkling lights were hung around the trees that encircled the small oasis that was Miranda Falls. There was a pearly glint on the rock wall beside the falls. Stephanie knew that was the memorial for his mother and there were twinkling light entangled in the white flowers. Even in the dark you could tell that they were flourishing. About five feet above the waterfall the rocks created about a seven foot gap and I between that gap was a hammock. There was a palm tree hanging over the hammock, ever inch of it covered in those same slow twinkling lights. It was beautiful, Stephanie was awe- struck.

Coming out of her trance, she mustered up the words, "Andrew, this, it's, wow. All the lights, they look just like--"

"Stars?" Andrew finished her thought. " My Mom loved watching stars, just like you, and I don't know, I know she's up there in the stars somewhere so I thought bringing the stars closer down to earth would make her feel closer." They just stared at each other for a few seconds. Stephanie hugged him tight and Andrew kissed Stephanie on her forehead.

"You're amazing. And I know your mom loves it." She whispered. Andrew let go and grabbed her hand.

"Here, Steph, I've got something to show you." Andrew said as he pulled her hand. They went up to the side of the wall where the rock meets the dirt ad there were step like stones carved into the side, leading to the top of the falls. As they walked up, they stood beside the hammock. The water glistened from the lights of the palm tree as it swiftly fell over the edge. Stephanie looked at the hammock and back up to Andrew's illuminated face. "I know what you're thinking," Andrew warned as he touched her shoulder, " but I have this thing locked in here ad I tested it myself. I had myself and three hundred pounds of rock in it and this thing never tore. Come on baby, you're safe with me."

Stephanie smiled, and rolled her eyes. Andrew taking that as an "ok", He pulled Stephanie's hand along with him while he slowly eased into the hammock. Letting go of his hand, Stephanie stared at him. Her heard started to beat a little faster but she slowly made her way into the hammock. She got in her hands and knees beside the rock and put her right foot in the hammock first, feeling the rope spread beneath her foot. Then she put the other one in. Andrew had his arms out, ready to catch her. Stephanie quickly swung her body off the rock and felt Andrew hold her tight.

"It wasn't that bad, see?" Andrew teased. Stephanie gave him a glare and kissed him on the cheek.

"No it wasn't that bad." She admitted. they both laughed and swung on the hammock taking for hours.