The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 48: Cecilee's Dream

The roses and calla lilies sweet smell mixed together and filled the air on this beautiful autumn day that was not too warm, nor too crisp. It was actually the perfect day. Cecilee and Krinx found themselves sitting down on the ground at the base of a small waterfall that drained into the largest lake in Rendarg.

At that moment, it was serenely peaceful and they were alone. The sky was the most wonderful of blue and dotted with puffs of cotton candy like clouds that never covered the lemon yellow sun which seemed to shine just for them.

Both would be almost unrecognizable out of their uniforms. Cecilee is in a lavender blouse that brings out the gold in her eyes and shows off her swan like neck and a pair of casual pants. Her freckles more visible, now paint a story across her face and her dimples are deep, showing she that laughs a lot.

Her hair free flowing and not pulled tightly back as per military regulations, glistened in the sun with shades of red and deep brown. She is calm, happy, peaceful and free. This woman with no walls or defenses up is more beautiful than all the sunsets in the world.

Krinx is in a white button down shirt and tan slacks, both ironed into an inch of their lives. He is much less intimidating to others as "Casual Krinx" and has a smile that can light up a room. Not reserved as he normally is with his command but being loose with laughter, it echoes throughout the silent woods.

At no time has his life felt more right, he feels he's in the right place in his career but most importantly he knows he's in the right place with his personal life. In the right place and with the right person, his eyes sparkle with mischief and joy like diamonds.

The silence they are enjoying is not awkward, it is so peaceful and something that two soldiers never take for granted. The air is clean, the wind is whispering secret plans to the trees as they sway in agreement with birds flying and soaring far overhead.

As the butterflies seem to dance for their amusement while listening to the song the birds created, help set the mood. They sit side by side watching leaves slowly fall from the trees and land in the water, causing the most peaceful of ripples.

The way the ducks would swim away from the ripples caused by the leaves was just too adorable and Cecilee couldn't help but giggle, yet feeling kind of sorry for the ducks at the same time.

He looked at her with a grin. She looked back at him while a gentle breeze blows through her hair causing it to dance seductively as if it were hinting for him to steal a kiss.

...She is so...beautiful. He thought while taking it all in.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked softly with a grin.

He jokingly replied, "You know, you are the biggest dork I've ever met."

She nudged him with her shoulder, then whispered with her lips just out of kissing range, "So what, you know you love it."

He swiftly looked away while blushing, "Psh, whatev...."

Krinx tried to brush off Cecilee's comment but was interrupted by his own nervous hiccup.

"Aww, that was so cute, do it again." She teased with a smile while pinching his cheek.

He looked at her embarrassed while muttering, "You know I hate you right?"

She leaned over again, but still with her lips out of reach, "Really, why don't you tell me just how much you umm hate me?"

His heart began to pound uncontrollably as he nervously tries to speak but is cut off by his sudden burst of laughter as she tricked him and began to tickle him. The two roll on the ground tickling one another laughing.

The temperature is the kind of warmth you would bathe in. In times like this, this time, this moment, this feeling, you remember forever. The two stop with Cecilee lying on her back and Krinx lying on his side next to her, looking down at her while running his fingers through her hair and gazing into her eyes.

She is looking up at him not with a smile but with the facial expression that seems to say, "I'm where I'm meant to be."

I truly love this man. She thought while looking into his eyes.

Looking down at her, he realized that he no longer wanted to fight how he felt inside. He wanted her to know right then at that very moment what he had been trying to say all along, but never had the courage.

It's true what my mother once said to me, "If you truly mean it with all of your heart, saying it will be just as easy as breathing." He thought.

Speaking softly while looking into her eyes he whispered, "Cecilee."

"Yes?"

"I love you." He responded lost in her eyes and with all of his heart.

Flashing back to the present, Cecilee's eyes finally open as she awoke from her ordeal.

"Ceci, are you okay? Say something please." Llaw asked while leaning over her with a mixed feeling of concern and relief.

She does not reply, instead she stares at the ceiling with a slight smile on her face as the tears run down the side of her face onto the pillow as she thought. I love you too.