The Distance Between Us

7

Rachel

I haven't felt this way since our honeymoon seventeen years ago. We're still in bed even though it's almost ten in the morning. His touch is like fire to my skin as his finger traces circles on my arm. I'm overflowing with joy knowing clearly now that I had never stopped loving him, it had just been buried under all my hurt. That's gone now, and all I want to do is be near him.

He props himself up on his elbow to look down into my eyes. He bends his head and his lips find mine. He carefully pulls away, and I see something sad lingering in his gaze as he stares down at me.

I lift my hand up to rest on the side of his scraggly jaw. "Are you okay?"

His hand runs down my arm to grab my hand from his face. His lips press into my palm before he speaks; totally ignoring my question. "I've never seen someone so beautiful."

I stare up at him wanting to brush it off as a stupid worry, but my gut holds firmly to the fear that lays in the pit of my stomach. He kisses me once more before turning over and standing from the bed. I turn on my side and watch his muscular frame disappear into the bathroom. A moment later he pop's back up at the door and I study him.

The stubble on his face makes his jaw appear firm and chiseled. His dark eyes hold nothing now but mischievousness as he grins at me.

"What to take a shower with me?"

I giggle and lazily make my way to the bathroom while leaving my worries on the bed.

~~~*~~~

Lane

After getting ready for the day I fix breakfast while my wife tries to seduce me away from the stove.

"We have to eat sometime." I chuckle as she kisses my neck.

She sighs before answering. "Why must you be so sensible?"

We continue to laugh and talk as I finish up breakfast and we sit at the bar to eat. Afterwards we don't even bother with the dishes, and head out towards the beach. It's about an hours drive from our home, so it doesn't take too long before we're out walking hand in hand with the waves brushing our bare feet.

I look over at Rachel as the breeze blows her hair in her face. She tries to keep it under control, but it won't obey her. I smile feeling my heart tug towards her. I'll miss her terribly.

As we continue to walk on in silence I wonder if she'll miss me. Something says that maybe I should just forget about it and stay like this, but I don't know if I could. I'm at ease with knowing Rachel has forgiven me for cheating on her, but could our marriage really stay like this forever? It didn't before, and what if I accidently go back to my old ways without noticing until it's too late? What would I do then?

"What are you thinking?" Rachel's voice interrupts my thoughts.

I sigh looking off in the distance in front of us. There aren't many people out today. "Just day dreaming."

I can feel her eyes on me. "What was it about?"

I grin knowing she won't stop until I tell her. Stopping, I turn to her and sweep her up into my arms. "I was just thinking how sweet it would be to stay like this forever."

She rests her head against my chest with her arms around my neck, but she doesn't notice me walking out into the waves. "That sounds like a great idea."

"I don't think you would like it." I tease.

She looks up at me with mischievousness in her gaze. "Why is that?"