by Kara Hart
“Ugh,” Eric groans and drinks the last remnants of beer left in his can. “I guess I’m going to have to follow the married couple.”
“My best man, everyone,” Cole announces.
“I’m only joking,” he says. “I’m honestly glad you finally admitted to yourselves that you might die without the other. The whole push and pull between you two was getting really annoying.”
“Yeah, well defending your ass against that brute was more annoying, so I think I win,” Cole says.
I kiss his stubbly cheek and keep my head against his shoulder.
“I can’t believe we did it. Everything. You’re getting married, the interview worked out, and Dan even donated a ton of beer to the station,” Eric says.
“It’s all onward and upward at this point,” Cole says.
“It really is, isn’t it?” Eric gazes toward the sky as if what he said was literal.
“It really is,” I say.
“Merry Christmas, guys,” Cole whispers.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Chapter 33: Olivia
“Honey? You there?” Cole’s mom’s voice calls out. It echoes around both our ears as Cole holds the phone eagerly.
“We’re here, mom! Did you watch the interview?” Cole asks her.
I remember this woman when she was in her early 40’s. Now, she’s much older, but she’s still very much the same woman.
“Your father is here too!” she says. “And we watched every last second of it, my boy! You’re getting married?!”
His dad shouts into the phone, “Congratulations, you two!”
“Hal, you’re yelling too loud into the phone. You’ll burst their ear drums,” his mom says.
“No, I’m not,” he defends himself. “You are!”
“Guys, we’re going to come visit soon,” Cole interrupts their small argument.
“How wonderful!” His mom exclaims. “Why didn’t you tell us you were dating again? You know we were always so fond of Olivia.”
“It just sort of happened,” he says. “I’ll explain it all when we’re there. It’s a long story.”
“Well, you know we love you, boy,” she says. “And we wish you the very best. We can’t wait to see you, Olivia! It’s been too dang long!”
“I miss you guys,” I say. “I can’t wait to celebrate with my family again.”
“Hugs and kisses!”
“Hal!” his mom shouts before hanging up the phone.
Cole falls onto the bed, shaking his head. “They’re crazy, right?” he asks.
“Probably. But they’re still in love,” I say. “I love old couples so much.”
“That’ll be us someday,” he says. “Old and bickering.”
“That’s us now,” I laugh and pounce on him. “We just settle our bickering in a better, healthier way.”
“Healthier?” He laughs and spanks my ass.
“Much healthier.”
Chapter 34: Cole
We set out on the adventure of our lives. Though it’s only a few hours away, the excitement makes it seem like it’s a much bigger trip.
I don’t talk to my parents as much as I should, but as I’m growing older, I’m starting to realize every little thing they did for me.
They raised me, sacrificing everything, down to their dreams. My mother dropped out of college just to have me. Well, I’ve achieved all of my dreams now.
We drive from the beach, up into the mountains. The forest quickly surrounds us and a dark fog creeps around the car. We play old rock ‘n roll classics, and laugh as we remember old times together.
It’s weird to think about the past in this way and it makes you feel like you’re getting older. To me, however, it feels good. It feels necessary, as if the next phase has already begun.
We pull off the side of the road, at a small café. It’s dark outside because we left late, but there’s warmth surrounding us.
The fog has begun to close in and everything outside looks like an 80’s horror film. We order some pie, and some coffee. But since we’re running late anyway, we decide to call it a night next door, at the creepiest roadside motel ever.
“You think anyone has ever died here?” She asks.
“Oh, most definitely,” I laugh, trying to freak her out. “In fact, I think there was that trucker that never got caught for his killings. He prayed on hot women. Come to think of it, it happened right around these parts.”
“Stop it,” she warns. “That is not funny.”
We get inside and the bed is as hard as a rock, and so is my cock. When I have her in my arms again, I can’t hold back.
“My sexy ass fiancé,” I smile. “Welcome to the married life.”
“You better fuck me hard every single day,” she says.
She wraps those warm lips around my cock and I groan loudly with pleasure.
“Every day. Every night. Every single afternoon,” I say. “And once we have kids, I’ll kick them out of the damn house if they stay indoors too long. I need you far too much.”
“You need this?” She bends over for me and pouts her lips.
“Fuck, baby,” I moan.
She holds her tits in her hand and slowly walks over to me. She kisses my chest as she lowers herself to the floor.
“You need this, don’t you?” she asks again.
She knows I do. Now more than ever. I reach out and touch her and get chills up and down my spine.
Goose bumps flood my body as the tip of my cock touches her lips. When I push inside her, I feel like I’m on top of the fucking world.
All the sensation rushes my senses. I thrust forward and she moans my name. This is mine forever.
I fuck her until our muscles give way and we’re both trembling with all the pleasure in the world, kissing until the life comes back into our bodies.
When it’s over, we lie in the cheap motel bed and fantasize about our wedding.
“I used to think about it a lot,” she tells me. “Our wedding.”
“Me too. All throughout math class, I’d be thinking about you and what we’d be like when we’re older,” I tell her. “But I never knew it would be like this. I thought it was going to happen much earlier.”
“You actually thought about our wedding in math class?” She laughs at the thought.
“Head over heels,” I say. “That was my whole senior year.”
Seeing her now feels like a dream I never want to wake up from. She looks stunning, even in her pajamas, when she’s feeling gross and glancing at herself in the mirror. I can’t help but feel like she’s a work of art.
Shedding my old skin was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It’s easy to say that you’ve found the person of your dreams.
The hard part is staying the course and making sure things work. There’s a lot I’ve had to step away from, including focusing on the pain from my past.
At the end of the day, I made every single choice to get to where I am now. Luckily, I made my way back to the woman I love. I’m not ever leaving.
Epilogue: Olivia
The forest outside is cold and desolate. In fact, the only noises that can be heard is the occasional gust of wind, pushing across the trees.
It is Christmas Eve. I never thought I’d be going back to Cole’s parents’ home for Christmas.
When I close my eyes, I can feel the air come in through the window. The sounds start to converge and diverge, all at the same time, until it turns into music.
Cole is holding my ass tight, and I can sense that we’ve woken at the exact same time.
“What’s that noise?” Cole asks.
We both crawl up to the window. Outside is a group of carolers, singing near an old, Christmas tree outside.
“Let’s stay like this forever,” I whisper.
“In this motel?” he says. His voice is grumbly and cute.
“Sure,” I smile and snuggle close to him. “Why not? It wouldn’t be that bad, would it?”
“I supp
ose not. We’d never have to clean the house. We could go out to eat everyday and go on hikes,” he says. “Sure. Let’s move in today.”
“Ugh,” I sigh. “I wish.”
He’s completely naked right now and I can’t stop staring at his butt. I finally get out of bed and we pack our things.
Before we leave to his parents, I notice a trail next to the motel. “Should we walk the trail before we go?” I ask him.
“You’re a hiker?” he asks.
I laugh because I’ve never really hiked before in my life. Well, maybe once when I was much younger, but it’s been at least a decade.
“Today marks something special,” I say. “From here on out, I want to try new things. I want to make exceptions. I want to fall in love with life as much as I’ve fallen in love with you.”
“Sounds like I’ve got some competition,” he says. “Let’s do it.”
I’m always astounded by the beauty of natural world. As we walk the trail, we head deeper into the forest. The leaves create a dense atmosphere where we both get lost in our thoughts.
I’m happy that we’ve fallen into each other, in the most obvious and un-obvious ways. I’m excited to re-enter Cole’s family, with Diana and Hal.
The trail loops around and we come to a giant log that’s been hollowed out by time and the pressure of life. We sit down for a second and hold hands. Cole looks into the sky and smiles, while closing his eyes.
“It’s beautiful,” he says. “You know? It’s just perfect.”
“It really is,” I whisper.
As the air tunnels through the trees, it makes a peaceful noise. I can’t help but wonder why we haven’t ended up here already. Why were we stuck in the city for so long?
“Cole,” I whisper.
“Yes, my love?” he asks.
“Can we get married this week? Something small? Of course, your parents can come,” I say.
“You can’t wait either can you?” he asks. “I’ve been thinking about it all morning. I used to want a huge wedding with hundreds of guests.”
“We can have that if you want,” I say.
“No,” he says. “I think it would be nice to do it somewhere secluded and invite only the people who matter the most. Our bond is sacred and bound through the ages, right? It has to be. So let’s make the ceremony as special as this is.”
“Thank you,” I say.
Some people feel like the same person for the whole of their lives. They walk through the years acting as if nothing has changed.
Maybe nothing has changed for them. For me, my life has done a complete 180. I don’t feel like the woman in the restaurant anymore. I feel weightless, yet solidified. I feel as if I can do anything.
And it’s all because of him. It’s because of his arrogance, his determination to move things forward, and his ability to accept change.
Back from the trail, we drive 30 more minutes to get to his parents house. When we arrive, my eyes light up.
“Oh my God,” I whisper. “It’s exactly the same.”
He parks the car and I give him a huge hug.
“I haven’t been here in over a year,” he says. “I’m glad I get to come back with you.”
His parents open the door, both Hal and Diana. They used to be my rocks. They were better listeners than my parents.
I remember the trips we went on together, how Diana would help me with my English homework, and Hal would calm me down if I was having a crisis at home.
There is so much of me in them and this house, that it almost seems impossible that I ever let those memories go.
His parents wave and smile. We step out of the car and I’m practically shaking. Honestly, my heart feels like it’s about to pop out of my chest.
I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to act. There is the feeling of familiarity, but I’ve been so detached all of these years. They welcome me with open arms, as if they’ve been waiting for me to return to their family.
“Welcome back!” Hal laughs and pats me on the back, as he always used to do.
“This is just so wonderful.” Diana tears up.
“Can you believe it?” Cole smiles. “We’re getting married.”
“Get ready for the ride of your life,” Hal winks. Diana pushes him lightly and walks inside.
“Come on,” she says. “We have breakfast ready for you.”
We walk inside and the smell hits me fast. I remember everything. The long hallway into the kitchen, the scent of old wood in damp weather, and the beautiful backyard. It all brings back the craziest memories ever.
“I can’t take it. I’ve missed this home so much,” I say, as we walk into the kitchen.
They’ve made French toast, glazed with maple syrup, and Hal is finishing up some eggs and bacon for us. Diana pours us all orange juice.
“We’ve made it,” Cole says.
“We really have,” I laugh. “It only took us over a decade of searching.”
Hal turns around and nods. “Sometimes it takes that long to realize just how good you had it,” he says. “I can tell you that we’ve missed you two a lot. Both of you. Cole hardly ever visits us anymore.”
“We’re just the old people who raised him,” Diana says.
“No way,” Cole says. “I’ve got no excuses, though. I’ve missed you guys too.”
“No, you’ve been busy. I understand,” Hal says.
He’s a small, older man, with jovial cheeks and a balding, head of hair. His glasses rest on the end of his nose.
“Too busy,” Cole says. “But I think we can rest easy now. I’m not thinking about the past anymore.”
“Well, you’ve made us both so proud,” Diana says, digging into her eggs.
“Thanks, ma,” he says.
“So,” Hal clears his throat. “What’s next on the schedule? What are your plans and where is the wedding going to be?”
We both look at each other and straighten our backs. “Well, were talking a little today about it. I think we want something small and closed,” I say.
“Something familiar and somewhere secluded,” Cole says.
“Well, that’s easy,” Hal says. “I’ve got just the place.”
“Where?” I ask him.
“Well, it has to be special,” Hal says.
“Obviously,” Diana interrupts him.
He waves his hand at her to back off and she rolls her eyes.
“Tell us!” Cole says. “We’re open to ideas.”
“The trail by Oak Lane,” he says. “Remember? You two used to ride your bikes together down there. I have no idea what you guys did down there, and don’t want to know, but you guys went nearly every single day.”
“Oh yeah,” I smile and close my eyes for a brief second. “I can’t believe I forgot about that!”
There were the long bike rides, the cold winters and breezy summers. We used to hold hands while riding our bikes for hours. Back then, time moved slow and easy.
Once school got out, we’d hurry back to this and not give a damn about the homework that was assigned that night.
“We’ve got your bike still, Cole,” Diana says. “I’ve got an extra one you can use, Olivia. If you want, it’ll hold up on the trail.”
“You want to?” Cole asks me.
Instinctually, I nod. I want to see everything again. I want to see his room again. I want to see the big back yard, and the long narrow alleyway behind it.
“I really do,” I say.
We had “our tree” on that trail. If you go out the gate in the back yard, it leads to the alleyway. From the alleyway, you go straight until you hit the edge of the forest. There’s an old walking trail there, but we made our own trail a lifetime ago.
When we’re done with breakfast, we roll the bikes out to the backyard and head out in search for it.
“You really want to have the wedding out here?” I ask him.
“Let’s check the clearing,” he says. “Remember how big it was? It would be perfect, rig
ht?”
“It really would,” I say, hoping they haven’t messed with our little sanctuary.
When we’d go riding, we’d end up in the clearing. We used to bring food and desserts. Any loose beer we could steal from Hal’s fridge was also taken.
It was our own safe space, a place we could tune the world out in. Inside that big, secluded clearing, we could be anything we wanted. Finally, we could have the world to ourselves. No one ever found us there.
We ride our bikes to the edge and jump off, our feet hitting the dirt and leaves. It’s just how it used to be, seeing the trail-sign and feeling so free, even if it’s only a mile away from the house.
We walk our bikes, holding each other’s hands, tightly. The snow slushes beneath our feet.
We take a left when we see the big boulder on the trail next to us. We walk under an old, leaning tree, and keep walking. Then, we see it.
The grass is green and unexpected amongst the leafless trees of the turning season. Spring will come soon enough and this place will explode with wildflowers and other shades of green and red. T
he clearing is a big, round circle. Cole smiles and takes a breath, closing his eyes.
“We’re here,” he says. “We’ve made it.”
He grabs his bag and takes out a folded blanket. He waves it down onto the grass and sets out a picnic for us. Wine, cheese, fruit, and some bread.
We sit down and enjoy the afternoon sun, while drinking from the bottle.
“At least there’s no tide to soak us here,” he says, laughing.
It’s hard to find the words to say right now. It’s all come full circle in the best way possible.
“This is it,” I finally say. “This is where we’re getting married, right? Your dad was right. This was our spot.”
Above us is one small tree that hangs over the edge of the clearing. Sometimes, he used to climb to the top and show off for me. One time, he fell off and sprained his ankle. I had to carry him the whole way back.
“We could hang lights there,” I say. “On the tree.”
“That would be perfect. We could have the wedding in May,” he says. “Right when the fireflies come out.”
“And the altar could go right under the tree?” I ask him.