Her Warbler

28

Let's just say, it's Tuesday and I went home. It was time I faced my dad. I took a deep breathe as I turned the doorknob to the household. It was mid day which meant he could possibly be at work. As I pushed through the door into the house, I walked into the house.

I lifted my stuff up the stairs to my bedroom. As I rolled my bag down the upstairs hall, and as I entered my room. I saw my dad sitting on my bed looking through my photo album.

"Elle?" He asked. After a moment of hesitation, he got up and hugged me.

"Dad I..." he cut me off.

"You are right." He stated as he pulled away.

"What?" I stuttered.

"I don't know you. I've been horrible as a father. Even when I tried to be one last year, I still don't know what you have accomplished and who you are." He explained.

"Dad, when mom died, you and I both lost each other. I intentionally was pulling away. We both created the relationship we have now." I responded. "It wasn't just you."

"I don't know what caused me to get to the stage to where I made my daughter feel neglected." He added.

"Grief." I commented.

"Can we just find a way to completely start over?" He asks.

"Always," i grinned as I hugged him.

"You remind me of your mother," he started. "You have her beautiful smile and gorgeous eyes. You are a spitting image of her." He stated. "You have her fire, persistence, and her will power." He sniffled. "I just miss her so much," his eyes began to water.

"I miss her too," I felt my own eyes to water as I rest my head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around me.

After a few hours of just talking with my dad, I start to believe that there is actually a chance to restart things with my dad. Maybe I will begin to move past my mother's death and finally be at peace with it. We spent the entire day just talking about my mom and watching our old home videos.

My phone buzzed. I looked down at my phone.

From: Sebastian
Hey! Can we hang? I have the perfect date if love to set up.

I grinned and said I can meet up with him in an hour. He sent me the address. It was an odd location but whatever.

After changing and fixing my hair, I went out. I drove off to this location which happened to go into the forest. Then, onto a dirt road. When I got there, I saw Sebastian standing there in a dress shirt and jeans. He was also holding a rose on a cute, chest on the ground picnic. I parked my car, and got out. The picnic was set kind of near the lake but maybe five feet away from the shore line.

"What a cheesy romantic," I teased.

"You don't like?" He raised his eyebrows.

"I love," I kissed him.

"You look lovely," he complimented

"You don't look too bad yourself," I smirked. We sat down and began to eat the delicious meal he had planned.

"Thank you," I started.

"It was no problem. I mean—it takes five minutes to make a picnic basket." He shrugged.

"No, I mean for you talking to me back in New York." I smiled.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He stated.

"I was going through a lot, and you have no idea how much this meant for me." I paused. "I thought nobody understood, and I was angry for no reason."

"Listen, I never want to lose you. I will do anything to make you happy. Whether it is listening to your rants, supporting you, making out, or even just eating a cheeseburger. I love you Giselle Archer." He placed his hands on my mine. "I love you."

"Forever and always?" I raised my eyebrows.

"I'm in it for the long run, Elle." He looked into my eyes. I smirked as I planted a huge kiss on his lips. I felt our tongues hit each other, and as gross as it sounds, it felt normal to us. We pulled away. I looked at the water. I stood up.

"Where are you going?" He asks as I slid off my shoes.

"For a swim," I grinned as I slid off my dress. Leaving me in my bra and underwear. I quickly walked into the water. At first it was cold and then it warmed up to me. "Come on!" I begged him.

"You are insane!" He teased as he slid off his nice shoes. He then began to undo his belt and buttons on his shirt. Eventually, he was just in his boxers. He walked into the water.

"Jesus, Elle, the water is freezing." He shivered.

"It warms up to you." I rolled my eyes. He went deep enough to where his head was the only part not wet.

"Are you afraid of getting your hair wet?" I teased as I went all the way under water. Then, I came up.

"No, it's just the fact that it's gelled for a reason." He defended. I grinned as I went underwater and swam down to his feet and picked up both of his feet causing him to go all the way under. I released his feet as I swam up for air. He quickly refrained balance and shot straight up from the water.

"Awwww, did you get your hair wet?" I teased.

"Oh you're going to get it." He grinned as I swam away and he followed. After ten minutes of him chasing me, we both took a breather and stood right in front of each other.

"Oh, Smythe, who knew you could be the one who changed my life." I pointed out.

"And who knew I would have fallen in love." He answered.

"I love you Sebastian." I stated.

"Forever and always?" He questions.

"For all of eternity." I smirked as I wrapped my legs around his waist putting me in an upright sitting position. He put his arms around my back to hold me up. I leaned in and kissed him. This kiss felt different. This one made reality go away. It was romantic in a way. Under the moonlight. Romantic picnic. It was...... special.