loosing game | daniel seavey

chapter twenty five

         The next following days were good days. Daniel and I had spent time together, working and building our way into something beautiful. Aedan was officially a week sober. He said it was hard, but knowing he'd be back home in just a few weeks was all the motivation he needed to get through it. I had been accepted into one of LA's best photography programs, but was still stuck on marine biology. I sent in applications to a few schools, hoping for good results. Life was good.

        Almost too good.

        I sat in silence as Daniel's fingers elegantly ran across the strings of his guitar. The music faded from my ear sight as I looked out the window, finding a spot and focusing on it. My mind clouded and I zoned out, lost in the jumble of my thoughts. I was stuck in this state for what seemed like forever. Reality struck me again as a pair of fingers snapped in front of my face.

       "Sorry, where you saying something?" I asked and sat up, giving my attention to Daniel.

       "What's got you in a haze, Honey?" Daniel took his hand in mine. He lazily interlaced our fingers, rubbing his thumb against the back of my hand.

        "Does life ever feel too good to the point it's almost suspicious?" I blurted out. Daniel cocked his head to the side.

        "Well what makes you think it's suspicious?"

        "I'm not sure. The past week has been so good. After all the bad things that have happened in the last two months, I finally get a good week? It's weird. I can almost feel something bad is about to happen."

         Daniel lifted the guitar off his lap and set it down. He moved over to me, kneeling down in between my legs. 

         "Life isn't always bad, Malia. These terrible moments aren't going to last forever. This good week is the start of a million more you're going to have." Daniel kissed the back of my hand. A smile formed on my lips as I brushed my hands through his hair. "How about we make it even better? Spend the weekend with me at the beach?"

        Daniel didn't need to do much convincing to get me to agree. Just two hours later and a few hotel calls, we were on our way to Malibu. The idea of getting away from Los Angeles even for just two days was heavenly. And the fact I was with Daniel of all people made it more exciting. The car ride there was full of mindless conversations, singing our hearts out to the random songs that would play on the radio, and sweet little moments like Daniel pulling my hand up to his lips and placing a small kiss on the back of it. 

         Once we were settled into the hotel Daniel had set up, we changed and got ready to head to the beach to catch the last few hours of daylight. I had put on a simple olive green bikini, not thinking anything of it, but when I walked into the room Daniel's eyes burned a hole through me. I took a glance at him. His trunks hung low and loose on his waist. I moved my attention to putting together a beach bag for the both of us, when I felt a strong arm wrap around my body. 

        "You are going to kill me in that, Mal." Daniel hissed against my neck. My words were stuck in my throat. He lightly placed kisses down my neck. I took the chance to play along. Smirking to myself, I moved my butt closer to him. Daniel's hands gripped my waist and turned me around. I bit my lip before giving him a quick peck.

        "C'mon, we're gonna miss daylight!" I teased and grabbed the bag. Daniel groaned loudly from behind me as I opened the door, walking out into the hallway.

        "Wait-" Daniel's wide eyes rushed to his clothes. He came over to me with one of his shirts and handed it to me. "Please put this on. I don't want anyone seeing too much of what's mine."

---

        After spending hours enjoying the hot California weather, Daniel and I now sat on our beach blanket watching the sun set over the water. The beach was near empty by now, minus a few couples doing as we were. The sunset was beautiful. I had never seen the sky fall asleep with such colors as this one. 

         "Okay then, so out of all sea creatures, what's your favorite?" Daniel asked me, waving his arm to the ocean. The topic of marine biology had come up and Daniel asked countless questions.

         "The Anglerfish." I replied after thinking for a moment. Daniel lifted an eyebrow at me. "You know, that fish in Finding Nemo with the light bulb thing?" 

          "I was expecting you to say a dolphin. But tell me, what's so interesting about the Anglerfish?" 

        "Well, the male Anglerfish are actually really small. The bigger ones with the dorsal spine you see in the pictures are females. During reproduction the males attach themselves to the females and the kind of fuse together. And then the male is dependent on the female for blood supply, food, basically everything." Daniel starred at me with a weird look on his face. "Basically the female Anglerfish are the women of the ocean."

        "Oh is that so?" Daniel said in a mocking tone and laughed. "You never fail to amaze me, even with your weird tidbits." 

         He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him. We sat there in a comforting silence as the sun met the sea. Daniel ran his finger up and down my arm, sending chills over my body. He kissed my forehead and dipped his lips down to my ear.

         "I love you, Malia. Be mine, for good?" Daniel's warm tone whispered into my ear. I smiled to myself. I had been waiting for this moment for Lord knows how long. I looked up at Daniel. His blue eyes a lot lighter than normal. I placed my lips onto his gently, giving him my answer.

        I was his, he was mine.

        Life couldn't possibly get any better than this.