My Tarzan (Robert Irwin / OC love story)

Hard times

Chapter 17

Day turned into week, weeks tuned into months.

First Christmas then Valentine's Day not to mention my 21st birthday came and went with little fuss.

I had just finished my junior year and was now on summer holiday.

The strain on our relationship had started to make itself known to me and Robert.

It wasn't a big thing, just little things every now and then.

Like time difference, when I would be free to talk he would be busy and vice versa.

Constantly feeling like we're growing apart.

Everyone knows that long distance relationships are hard work, but I thought we could be one of the lucky few.

However lately it just feels like we have noting to talk about, or all we ever talk about classes, the zoo, classes , the zoo.

It goes on.

We've not seen each other in person in 8 months, the longest We've ever gone without seeing one another.

I know this sounds silly but 8 months is a long time things have Changed not big things but just the little bits.

Like for instance my hair was on line with my armpits at 16" when Robert last saw me, now flowing down my back and was now resting on my mid back at 20"

I've gone down 2 dress sizes.

Just little things like that.

But things Robert wasn't here for.

I just wonder if my relationship with Robert is going anywhere.

I want to more than anything but I feel like it's something we need to speak about about in person, but that would be another trip over to Australia, I don't have the money to keep buying plane tickets whenever I feel like it.

the kicker of them all is that even when me and Robert both have a spare moment I just can't even find the energy to pick up the phone.

I still love him more than anything but I just don't know what to do.

If it wasn't for bindi and Tanya I probably would of lost my mind.

Those two girls became like a life line of mine.

Tanya always made me feel better, her bubbly personality was infectious as always and Izzy who was now 10 months was little ball of joy.

Bindi had become sort of my relationship  counsellor, having gone through similar troubles with chandler she was always happy to lend an ear when I needed one or even offer me some advice.

But I think even she can see that mine and Roberts relationship wasn't going well.

Most of the days during summer I spent working at my local bar, serving drinks mainly.

One evening after I had returned home I heard my mom on the phone, though soon as she was me she cut the conversation off.

I have noticed my family doing that a lot lately, though try not to think much of it.

Thinking back on it , knowing how loud and open my family i should of taken notice.

It wasn't until a few days after me walking In on my mum on the phone I got a call from Robert.

Strange, it's nearly 3am over in Australia  he should be asleep.

"Hello?"

"Gotta say I love that dress on you really brings out the colour of your eyes."

"Thank I only brought it a fe..."

Wait what!

"Turn around."

Turning around there stands Robert against a black car.

I walk up to him slowly.

"What? I don't under..."

"we're going to Brazil, well to the Amazon rain forest to be more exact."

"What?"

My mother and father suddenly appeared.

My mother handed me my suitcase.

"I've already called the bar , and your suitcase is packed."

"Honey it's clear that you need this, and Roberts paid for everything."

I'm still in a bit of shock when get into the car next to Robert.

"I still don't understand what's going on."

Robert brings my legs to his lap.

"I know things haven't been great between us lately, and i know that we need to discuss what we want from this relationship and I'm doing some filming and photography in the Amazon so I thought you could come along and join me in my adventures or just stay by the pool in the hotel."

Robert brings my palm to his lips.

"I love you Dani."

I smile at Robert.

For the rest time in a long time I reply with.

"I love you"

3 weeks later

I'm back from my trip with Robert feeling like a completely different person.

We spent our days adventuring through the Amazon river and sailing down the treacherous lake.

Then in the evenings back at the hotel we would have dinner and just enjoy each other's company by the pool.

After a very deep conversation that drained us both and lasted a few hours, we discussed everything, what we wanted from this relationship, where was it heading, where both of us might have failed and things that we needed to put more effort into.

For the first time in a long time It felt like we were both back on the same page.

Nevertheless we both agreed that this long distance couldn't keep going, I couldn't ask Robert to leave the zoo and I wanted to finish my senior year in collage.

Yet after having  in-depth talks with Terri and chandler and with their promise to assist me with all the paperwork, i decided  that I would apply to live full time in Australia.

It took a-bit longer to convince my parents but seeing how happy I was with robert they relented and promised to help me anyway they could to make this move happen.

We all agreed that I would apply when I started senior year, it usually took between 18 and 24 months including visits to the country for me to gain full citizenship, and that was including having employment, though Terri assured me that she had several options in the zoo I could do, especially with my wildlife science degree.

So all that there was left to do was for me to Finish my senior year and then spend a few months getting enough money together to make the move happen.

Which turned out to be in the thousands

Yes it would take over a year and a half to make it happen but I finally knew where this relationship was heading and that is what made us stronger as a couple.