Reclamation

7 - Beach

Ella and I just moved into our apartment. We didn't have much to unpack. With Vic's help we organized everything in one day. Tonight Vic is taking me out on a date. He called a babysitter for Ella already and they should be getting here any minute now.

I adjust my clothes one more time before grabbing my house key.

"Bye, El." I hug her tightly. "I'll be back soon."

"Bye." She mumbles, a bit distracted by the TV.

"I love you." I nag, wanting her full attention.

She turns to me and smiles. "I love you too, Mommy."

I kiss her head and leave the apartment. Vic stands out in the hall waiting for me. His face visibly brightens when he sees me and I try to hide my excited smile.

"You look amazing." Vic beams, grabbing my hand and holding it tight.

I'm just wearing a long sleeve thermal that has a hole in it somewhere and my jeans. Vic wears the same but with his ugly tie dye hoodie.

"Thanks." I let him lead me to his car before we begin a long drive.

When the car finally slows to a stop we are parked facing the ocean, a wide expanse of empty beach stretched out before us. "Isn't it a bit cold for the beach?" I ask.

"We're not going in the water. I brought blankets." Vic brushes some hair from my face as I look at him smiling. He gives me a big cheek smooch before exiting the car and stretching out in the empty parking lot.

The thick salty smell of the ocean floods into the car immediately, soothing any nerves that I had. Vic opens the back seat and pulls out some blankets and a basket. I take the blankets from him so we can hold hands. He leads me down to the sand, my ratty sneakers sinking in and making it hard to walk. Halfway to the ocean Vic stops and lays the bigger blanket down, kicking his shoes off and spreading out on top of it. He pats the spot beside him and I follow suit.

He pulls out two wine glasses from the basket and a large champagne bottle with a metallic gold label. Last, he takes out a fancy looking box, pushing it towards me. "Happy early Valentine's Day." Vic smiles.

"What?" I gasp. "Why didnt you tell me we were celebrating tonight? I didn't bring anything for you."

"I don't need anything. I just want you to be happy." He reaches over to hold my hand again and I smile at how touchy feely he's being today.

I open the box with my unoccupied hand and gape at the fancy tray of chocolate covered strawberries. "Wow, Vic." I gasp "These look expensive."

"I spared no expense for you." He smiles. "Here." He takes one of the strawberries and feeds it to me, making me giggle. I feed him one back.

"This is so sweet." I swoon. I rest my head on his shoulder and wrap the other blanket tightly around us.

"Are you cold?" He asks. I shrug, not wanting to bother him but not wanting to lie. "Here." He sits up and pulls his sweatshirt over his head. "Put that on." His voice is firm and insistent. I feel like a high school girl for a second, my stomach fluttery since a boy gave me his sweater.

I pull it over my head and sigh at the warmth. It smells just like him. Warm and musky.

The cool sand is soft beneath us and the sound of the waves crashing fills the silence with the beautiful sounds of nature. In the distance it's hard to tell where the dark waters end and the night sky begins. I start to lose myself just watching it.

"The ocean is so beautiful." I sigh, turning to look at him.

"Just like you." His voice is soft, eyes staring intensely into mine. He moves the basket away and lays down, pulling me down beside him. His hand comes up to hold my face. He's so close that when he breathes his nose brushes against mine.

I close my eyes and push my lips against his. He immediately kisses back, pressing closer to me under our blanket. My legs feel fuzzy from the champagne and I exhale into his mouth a breath I didn't realize I was holding. He tastes sweet like the chocolate and I smile into the kiss.

When we finally separate I'm still out of breath. I expect him to say something but he just pulls me into a hug. His hand is warm on my waist as I rest mine on top of it.

We eventually roll onto our backs, stargazing with the ocean waves playing in the background. I want to call this love but I don't want to be naive. I don't have any clue what love is. I thought I loved Trevor but I'm realizing that I was just desperate for his support. The only love I've known is the love I hold for Ella. That's obviously much different than romantic love.

I've finally gotten to a point in my life where I can focus on romantic love. Up until now the days were just passing by, filled only with caring for Ella and trying to survive.

I glance at Vic, watching the way he dreamily watches the sky. I try to focus on how he makes me feel. Warm and comfortable. Supported. Is this what love feels like? Isn't there supposed to be fireworks when we kiss? I forgot to pay attention. I sit up a little, "can we kiss again?" I ask him.

He chuckles, "of course."

I meet his lips slowly, trying to see if I really do feel fireworks. He holds my face in his hands and I do feel comfort from that. I like the warmth of our bodies touching. His lips don't feel like sparks but when I try to pull away I find my heart yearning for more. An odd feeling erupts in my chest of pure elation when we kiss and heartache when we break apart. My entire soul just craves more of him.

I rest my head on his chest and close my eyes. I listen to his heartbeat and everytime it thumps it reminds me that he's real. He's a real, alive human-being laying beside me. I decide that I do love him. He brings his hand to my head and combs through my messy hair with his fingers. I close my eyes and debate when I should share my new revelation. We only kissed once and we haven't even had sex so I should probably wait. But I wanna tell him so bad.

Unfortunately time makes the decision for me. "It's getting late." Vic groans, sitting up a bit. "We should probably head back."

I nod and help him gather the things. I hold the basket and he carries the blankets back to his car. I try to think of ways to make the night last but the car ride is too short and soon we're back home.

"Goodnight, Honey." He says softly. He kisses me against my front door and tucks my hair behind my ear. His eyes twinkle as they look at me so fondly, with such loving care.

I love you "Goodnight." I kiss his lips one more time before opening the door to my apartment and going to relieve the babysitter.

I fall asleep that night with my fingers to my lips, remembering how Vic's lips had been on mine just minutes before.