We Found Love

Chapter 28

{3 months later}

Rihanna's POV

Today I turn 27, and Marshall and I decided to fly out to California for the weekend. I don't know what he has planned for the two of us to do today, but I'm excited to finally be back in warm weather. We flew out last night and got here earlier this morning. Marshall and I spent little time unpacking and instead headed out immediately to the city. Marshall rented a convertible, so we could embrace the heat even more. My hair whips violently through the wind as we soared down the street.

"So where are we going?" I asked, putting on a pair of sunglasses to block the sun.

"I want it to be a surprise, but because it's your birthday I'll tell you. Where going to the Aquarium, I called and they said it doesn't get to busy during the winter months, so I thought it was a good idea." Marshall said has he drove the car with one hand on the wheel and the other rested on top the door.

"I love aquariums!" I said excitedly. Growing up in Barbados I have always had a fascination for fish. My brothers and I would go to one of the many beaches by our house and look for fish, sea shells, crabs, and basically anything else we could find. It was part of my childhood, and I obviously can't do that anymore now.

"I know you do, that's why I'm taking you." Marshall said smiling at me. Marshall is an amazing listener, and that actually shocks me a bit, because I would have never of guessed he would pay such close attention to what I say. So when I do say something, I know he will remember it. Even if it is a piece of useless knowledge, like how old I was when I learned how to ride a bike. Me on the other hand, I'm a terrible listener. I can't help it, I just zone out unexpectedly. It's not that I'm uninterested or annoyed, I just don't retain things that people say very well. Marshall knows this so when ever he talks to me he tries to keep his responses short and to the point, and if he's going to say something long and important he will look me straight in the eyes. That way my brain doesn't wonder during our conversation. With Marshall's help I think I'm getting better at listening though, it just takes time.

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Rihanna's POV

We stood in line behind a large family, waiting to get into the aquarium. I honestly can't contain my excitement, I feel like I'm six years old again. I tried to tilt my head just enough to see behind the ticket booth, but I was highly unsuccessful because of this large man standing right in front of me.

"Ri, we'll be in there in just a few minutes." Marshall said noticing me getting upset.

"I know I'm just so impatient." I said putting emphasis on the "so"

"Just a few more minutes, you can do it." He said rolling his eyes, and making me laugh. I guess I was acting pretty childish, I can't help it.

Before I knew it, we had our tickets and were inside the aquarium. Large tanks of water climbed the walls, containing hundreds of different kinds of fish. I tugged at Marshall's jacket sleeve to get his attention, as a large shark swam right up against the glass. My eyes were wide from fascination, and Marshall seemed to find my reactions funny.

We walked hand and hand toward one of the interactive fish tanks. Inside was small crabs and starfish. You can pick them up and pet them. I almost screamed from excitement when I stuck my hand inside the water and touched one of the strange textured star fish.

"Relax Rihanna it's just a fish." Marshall said letting out a cute boyish laugh.

"It feels so weird! Come on you try it!" I said pulling on his shirt. He did what I said and pulled up his jacket sleeve before sticking his hand into the tank of water. I small crab with a pretty decorative shell climbed up into Marshall's hand. He seemed reluctant at first, because he has this phobia of spiders and I'm assuming to him crabs arnt much different, but he kept his cool and let the small animal scurry across his palm.