It Started with Skinny Jeans

(Epilogue) It Started with a New Beginning.

(Epilogue) It Started with a New Beginning.

One year later…

The tears flowed freely as I recalled what I’d gained and how much I’d lost only one summer ago. A rush of emotion took over me; all the pain, the love, thoughts of new beginnings and endings.

Yes, so much had happened in one summer and I’d changed through it all.

My heart fluttered and my stomach knotted as the familiar feeling of two warm and strong arms enveloped me. I relaxed against the wall that was his chest and relished the fulfilment it always brought me.

Soft lips brushed against the flesh at me neck, a smile brightening my face, as the rippling effect of his affection washed over my entire being.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” I felt a strong sense of déjà vu as he said this. “And yet somehow I knew you’d be here.” He whispered in my ear. It’s like I could hear the smile in his voice.

“I just needed to see this place one more time.” I said as I turned in his arms, my hands tangling itself at the nape of his neck.

The smile dimmed from his lips and dark eyes as Scott took in my tear stained eyes. “Aria, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

I brushed my lips lightly to his. “I’m fine.”

“This doesn’t look fine.” He stated as he brushed the stray tear from my cheek, his eyes filled with concern.

I let out a light laugh. “These are tears of joy. Haven’t you ever heard of the expression, ‘I’m so happy I could cry’?”

He smiled shaking his head. “Even after a year, you amaze me at every turn.”

“Well, I have to keep you interested.” I winked at him.

“Me losing interest in you is something you definitely don’t have to worry about.” He said as his arms tightened about my waist.

“Good, that’s exactly what I want to hear.”

I pulled his lips to mine, kissing him deeply. It still amazed me how even with a year gone by, Scott still had the power to drive me crazy with his kisses, leaving me breathless, weak kneed and wanting more.

“What were you thinking about that reduced you to tears?” he asked, his forehead lightly pressed to mine, his voice husky and breathless.

My eyes met his. “About the last time I was here.”

I didn’t need to say anything else. Scott knew full well what this place meant to me, to us.

We both turned to gaze at the waterfall, my head resting on his chest as he pulled me closer to him. It was so wonderful to think how things have changed for us both and yet this place, our own piece of heaven, hadn’t changed over time.

I knew Scott understood why tears would come so easily while standing here. This was the place I’d felt love and thought I would lose it again for a second time. But things turned out differently. The man, whose arms a stand securely in now says much of how things had gone.

It was one year ago, to this day. We were to leave Art Haven that afternoon and this time it would be for good.

The night before our inevitable departure, one we both felt the weight of but wouldn’t speak of, Scott surprised me with a romantic late night dinner for two in his room. He’d remained in the single room bedroom and had snuck me in as he had many nights before.

Blankets and pillows were scattered on the ground, while a few candles flickered around the room. It was beautiful and romantic, and far more than I had expected.