𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓻𝓼. 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓜𝓮𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽...

Chapter 87

When I awoke, I found myself lying on top of Remington asleep while laying on the seat and my head resting on his chest. I smiled as I saw him resting so peacefully and I love waking up near him. His chest rose up and down as his breathing was steady and slow. I closed my eyes for just a little longer, until the sound of a camera shutter woke up both of us. Rem sat up as we spotted Luis taking a picture of us sleeping together and then ran away. "LUIS RODRIGUEZ!!!", Rem shouted in annoyance, causing the others to jolt up from sleeping. "I'm sorry, Remington", Luis tried to apologize, "But you and Carina looked so cute together, I just had to capture the sweet moment." Rem and I looked at each other, and smiled widely while also bearing deep blushes across our face and then laughed to ourselves.

We stopped at a small breakfast diner and we had breakfast there. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I smelled pancakes and bacon when we entered inside. I sat in a small booth while sitting next to Remington and with Delilah and Sebastian sitting across from us. She was explaining that we should already be in California and in about two more hours, we should arrive at the hotel soon. She said she booked four rooms and believes its best if two of us share our room with one more person, and that it will be figured out when we get there. After we finished eating, we took turns practically hogging the restrooms in the diner using it and also changing clothes before going back on the bus. We almost forgot Zion at the diner and had to go back two minutes after realizing they weren't on the bus.

As I looked out the window, I admired the beauty of the countryside and seeing the trees and animals and people around as we started entering civilization. I looked around to see Nina resting on Emerson's shoulder as he was drawing, Sebastian was dancing and acting goofy with Zion and Austin was hanging out with Luis as he took pictures of outside and us inside the bus. Remington put his arm around me and kissed my head as we looked out the window. "What are you thinking about, ma chérie?", he asked me. I held his hand and replied, "I'm thinking about how happy I finally am now that I have a family who accepts me and cares about me. And how blessed I feel that I met you and found love for the first time in my life." I faced him and he smiled so genuinely as he kissed my lips sweetly and then my forehead.

The ride took about another hour when I was starting to get bored. I looked around to see everyone looking drained and restless. I decided to make it interesting and started singing one of my favorite songs by The Mamas and The Papas. As soon as I sang the first few words, Remington caught on and sang the backup lyrics. Then everyone joined in:

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

There was a sort of positive energy created as we sang the words and stayed to the rhythm of the song playing in our heads. Even Del was singing along while driving and her soulful voice made it even more majestic. We tapped our feet in sync to the beat and clapped along as well. The smile on my face grew bigger as the song progressed and our voices sang louder.

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')

On such a winter's day (California dreamin')

On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

When we finished, we all cheered and clapped and then Remington hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek repeatedly. Another hour passed and I got up from my seat and walked closer to the front window and I could see a large and marvelous building peeking out and coming into view. "Is that it, Del?", I asked her as well got closer. She nodded and smiled brightly as she stated, "Yes, Carina. That is it. We're finally here!" "WHOO!!! FUCK YEAH!!!", Sebastian shouted with excitement and relief as we drew nearer to the hotel. We passed the beach near it and I stared at the beauty of the water and the people hanging out on the beach. It looked so fun, I just had to try to get over my insecurity if I wanted to enjoy my time here. Rem held my hand tightly and I could feel that he matched my excitement for the amount of fun we were going to have here as kissed my hand softly as a sign of reassurance. I relaxed a little more and got antsy as we got closer to the hotel.

OH BOY!!! I waited so long to use that song because it is one of my favorites. Also, I agreed with a Soldier once that Palaye Royale should cover that song and I believed it would be awesome. They should just make a cover album, TBH, including Teenagers. Anyway, I'm gonna try to make this special saga as good as I can and not rush anything to make it as enjoyable as I can. Thank you!!! 😊😊😊