THE FOREST WAS silent. The deafening noise of the rain drowned out the familiar sounds of birds and other life hidden in the trees surrounding me. I could barely even hear my own footsteps pounding against the wet dirt as I made my way through the forest.
That was the main thing I noticed about living in Oregon, the weather was only good for a few summer months. The rest of the year was rainy, cold, and cloudy. In the six months we had been living here, it rained for three and counting. Aileen said it was a good thing though, that it kept us hidden. I clutched my stomach with my free hand.
I really hoped that was true.
After a little while, the rain began to lighten and I held the bundle of flowers to my chest and picked up my pace. Hopefully, I would get there by the time the clouds cleared. I knew I was getting close when I began to recognize certain trees.
When I first arrived here, every tree looked the same. I could have easily gotten lost numerous time in the forest without Elias's superb hearing. But over time, I became more perceptive.
Aileen showed me how to tell trees apart by their markings and branch placement. I could also find the lake now by following the moss, apparently moss always grew on the side of the tree that led towards water. I didn't believe it at first, but it never failed me.
As a biology major, Aileen put me in charge of the community gardens. I wasn't a botonist or anything, but I knew more than the previous gardner who seemed to only be able to grow potatoes despite Alieens supply of different seeds. Since I started working, we now had an array of different vegetables, herbs, and even flowers.
Elias, on the other hand, helped in construction. With his strength, he helped harvest trees for wood. Not only that, but since he could fly, he helped carry the wood set the roofs for new houses and other structures.
Aileen said he's a great help, and I could see by how much faster buildings are being put up. Because of him, I was able to expand the community garden by adding a greenhouse to grow more delicate crops. And, with the help of the community engineer, we were also able to build a place of our own; a small two bedroom house with a kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms. It was beautiful. Elias even suggested that we put windows all throughout the house, so that it looked open and light. It took us almost six months, but it was much better than living in a guest room.
Elias had really opened up in the past few months we had been here. By helping around the community, he was able to get to know a lot of new people. He even goes out with the townsmen on their Saturday hikes. I remember the first time he was invited. He was so nervous to leave me alone, but with some encouragement, I was able to convince him it would be worth it. When he came back that night, I laid with him in our bed for hours, listening to all the stories he couldn't wait to share with me.
I never thought that I would admit it, but Aileen was right, we fit right in. I was even more surprised by how well Elias fit in. Everyone accepted him, no questions asked.
There was one occasion when the daughter of one of his construction partners had come up to him while he was working on a roof and asked him why he could fly. Apparently, it ended with Elias taking every child in the town flying. I remember being speechless as Elias told me how the children would laugh and cheer as he flew them around. It shocked me how good he was with children. I wondered if it was the first time he had ever even seen a child.
I smiled at the memories, pulling myself from my thoughts as I walked into the clearing. Walking through the grass field, I made my way towards the large stone that rested in the center.
I made it.
Walking up to the solitary gravestone, I kneeled, carefully placing the bundle of flowers I grew down. Standing back up, I took a minute to close my eyes and say a silent prayer.
"Rest in peace Jeanine."
I let out a long breath, running my fingers through my hair. Eventually, I would tell Elias about his parents, but not yet. Only when he was ready to ask the questions would I give him the answers.
When I was done, I took advantage of the sudden appearance of the sun and headed to the creek. It had become a special place for Elias and I, and we came here mulitple times a week for some alone time.
Following the direction of the moss, eventually I walked far enough to hear the familiar sound of rushing water. Passing through a line of trees, I saw the pool of water and all the memories Elias and I had created here came flooding back. I remember the countless conversations we shared as we laid out on the grass after hours of swimming. I remembered the way his dark hair would fall in his face as he leaned over to kiss me. I remembered the first time I came apart beneath him under the shade of the trees. I remembered everything.
I was still cold from the rain, so instead of swimming, I decided to sit down at the base of a tree around the perimeter of the water. Leaning my back against the cool bark, I closed my eyes and let the rays of sun warm my skin.
I must have fallen asleep because I woke with a start when something hit my cheek.
Opening my eyes, I surveyed my surroundings, finding nothing but empty forest and quiet waters. Frowning, I looked around the ground to see what had hit my face. I paused when I saw a perfectly round blueberry sitting in the grass beside my hand.
A slow smile spread across my face as I discreetly closed my fingers around the berry. Then, I leaned my head back against the tree and pretended to close my eyes. Waiting.
As expected, another berry flew towards me, hitting me in the cheek. Not wasting a moment, I flung my eyes open and chucked the berry at the form that tried to hide behind a tree across the way.
I heard a satisfying thud followed by a light hearted laugh and I knew my berry had hit home.
Glancing over at my attacker, I smiled as Elias emerged from behind the tree. He smiled sheepishly at me before spreading his wings and lifting off the ground to glide over to me.
With a gush of wind, Elias landed in front of me, smiling down at me with that lopsided grin I grew to adore. I also saw that in his hand he was rolling another berry between his fingers.
I cast a suspicious glance up at him when I noticed the mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes.
"Don't you even dare," I warned, failing to hide my smile.
He smirked, raising the berry to his mouth. His blue eyes remained on mine as he brought it to his lips and ate it.
I blushed.
Not that I was complaining, but Elias had definitely gotten bolder over the last few months. I was crazy about him and he definitely knew it.
Noticing my blush, Elias bent down, placing his hand on the tree beside my head.
"You should have saved me one," I said, my voice sounding breathier than I hoped it would. Berries were quickly becoming my favorite food, and I could have easily eaten something after being out here for so long.
Elias let out a breathy laugh, fixing me with his captivating gaze.
"How about a taste?" Capturing my jaw between his thumb and index finger, he drew my mouth to his. His lips met mine with a raw and claiming hunger that made me breathless. Running his tongue along my lower lip, I opened my mouth to him, tasting the sweetness of the berry in his kiss. Wanting more, I drew his head closer, scraping my nails down his scalp. He let out a strangled noise and immediately pulled away from me.
I froze. Just as I was about to apologize, I felt his hands grab my waist and hoist me up, pressing me against the tree. Pressing his lower half against mine, I gasped at the delicious friction, my words dying on my tongue. I didn't have a moment to breathe before his lips came crashing back down on mine.
By the time he peeled himself away from me, my lips were red and swollen. He rested his forehead on mine and our labored breaths mingled as we recovered and reveled in the passion we had shared. After a few moments, Elias leaned back, looking at me in a way that made my stomach flip. He always looked at me like I was his whole world, his everything.
And I looked at him like he was mine.
"Hello," He whispered softly, still a little breathless.
"Hello," I responded just as softly, my lips quirking up into a half smile.
"You have an interesting way of saying hello," I added quickly, making him chuckle.
"Is that a complaint?" Elias quipped, raising one of his perfect dark brows in question.
"Never," I replied, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
His smiled widened, circling his arms around my waist and pulling me closer. I rested my head on his chest and let him hold me. His wings circled around us and I felt one of his arms shift to wrap protectively around my stomach.
I placed my hand on top of his and smiled into his chest.
For the first time in my life, I didn't have a plan for the future, but I wasn't afraid.
Not as long as I had Elias.