Forever and a Day

by Alexis Konsantino

  He began hacking away and tossing loads of tall bamboo off to the side. More goats were coming up from both sides of the trail, bah-ing away with their tails wagging excitedly.

  He began making a headway towards the rock face when an ugly dark gray bird with a small white head, flapped and chirped a weird sound in his face then took off flying, angrily screeching at him. Looking down he saw he was in front of its nest and several brown eggs were laying peacefully there. They looked a lot like small chicken eggs, he thought excitedly. He took four of them and gently placed them in his pockets then backed away.

  Looking at his handiwork, he saw that the goats would be able to eat well tonight. Looking over to the goats cleaning the leaves off the bamboo stalks gave him another idea. He was not sure if he wanted to use Mr. Pelekue’s hut… it smelled horrible for one thing.

  He watched the goats move into the opening he had cleared, the white pregnant goat tried to move in but soon was edged away by the more active goats. She voiced her frustration with her bleating. Xander hacked a few more bamboo stalks down and held them out to the Nanny goat. With caution, she came close and after eyeing him, her tail began wagging as she started in on the fresh bamboo leaves.

  Yet another idea popped into his head with a smile.

  “Time to see if that outrigger floats!” He laughed and headed towards the pathway to the beach.

  Halo was getting bored and was beginning to miss him. She had read for a while on his reader, but she could not get into it with not knowing how he was faring. She placed it back in his bag and saw his phone in its plastic bag. She picked it up and the urge to snoop was pushing her to turn it on. She kept telling herself no, but her curiosity won out and she pulled it from its protective Ziploc bag and turned it on.

  As the apple appeared at the start up screen she felt the wrongness of snooping, but he did tell her it was ok. So why did it feel wrong? As soon as the phone booted up she turned it off and placed it back. Listening to his music was one thing, but checking out his family and his pictures were another.

  She realized the sun was starting to begin its descent towards nightfall. She stepped out of the tent, reached for her walking stick and slowly and surely made it to the loo. When she was done, she looked out towards Xander’s Island and wished he would soon be home, she missed him with every passing moment. Rather than walking back, she headed out towards the west beach looking for a place to sit and wait for him or his signal flare. She found a nice spot and settled in, promising herself she would head back as soon as she saw his flare.

  Gazing out over the white sand and out to the long lagoon, she thought of her Mystery man. She knew she was growing too attached to him but she could not help herself… and when he talked about his wife the pit in her tummy deepened. From the moment she saw him at the audition she felt something, it was new but familiar at the same time. It made no sense, no other guy had made her feel like he did. She looked down at the sand between her toes and shook her head. She was trying hard to be good... “Fuck!” she called out and kicked at the sand. “So not fair…” She mumbled.

  With a sigh, she hoped he would be home soon. She looked up at the sky and saw the first star of the night. She made a silly wish, kissed her finger tips and blew it towards the star, as her hand dropped something far out in the distant water caught her eye. Squinting, she saw it was a boat. Squinting harder, her heart dropped into her belly. Two people were on the boat, Xander found somebody…

  “So much for my wish.” She grumbled sadly. Squinting at the distant boat, she watched as it slowly made its way closer. Halo pushed herself upright and using her walking stick, she slowly walked to the shore.

  With her heart sinking further, she brought her arm up and gave them a wave. As they came closer, she squinted again and saw that something was amiss. Whoever was in front of the boat was very pale.

  They were still at least 200 yards out when Halo realized that the person in front was not a person, but an animal. “A goat!” She exclaimed aloud. Her heart jumped when she finally recognized Xander in the back paddling away with his goat sitting contentedly up front. She waved to him excitedly again and he waved back.

  Soon he was jumping out of the boat and pushing it up on the beach. He ran up to her and gave her a big hug.

  She was happy again, with his arms around her, “I missed you!” She said exclaimed as she gave him a huge hug back.

  “Hey, I missed you too! I brought you a friend!” He laughed. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I decided to come out for a bit and wait for you or the flare.” She shot him a big smile.

  “Thank you, you made the last leg home much easier. My arms were ready to fall off until I saw you!” He chuckled.

  “I’ll give you a massage later.” She offered and slowly walked up to the boat and the goat bleated at her.

  “I better get her out!” Xander laughed and reached in and lifted her out. He untied her legs and let her stand up. “We can’t let her roam here, we need to keep her penned up or tied up.”

  “Xander is she just fat or pregnant? Were there more?” Halo asked.

  “Well, it’s either that or she’s very gassy! And yes, I counted sixteen. She was having a hard time. Besides, when she gives birth and if she is around males, her milk will sour. When her kids gets weaned we can keep milking her. Goat milk is good! Hell! I might be able to make cheese!” Xander laughed.

  Halo’s eyes popped open wide, “Really? You can do that?”

  “Yes, I think I can. Time will tell! Hey I have lots to tell you…”

  “Did you find anyone?” She asked tentatively.

  “Yes, a Mr. Samson Pelekue.”

  Halo held her breath as he continued.

  “He passed on some time ago. Hey let’s head up and get the goat tied up and watered. Then I’ll tell you all.”

  “Of course!”

  “Here hold her a moment please.” Xander said handing Halo the lead. He went back to the boat and grabbed the frying pan and came back then took the lead from Halo. “After you, my lady.”

  Halo saw sand in the frying pan and looked up at her Mystery man, “Gonna fry up some sandcakes?” Halo giggled.

  “I hope you like omelets…” He shot her a sidelong glance.

  “Oh! Yes!” Halo replied.

  As they came up to the first copse of trees and greenery close to the camp, Xander tied up the goat as she excitedly began chomping away at all the greenery surrounding her, the little stub of her tail wagging rapidly.

  “Hey, you should name her.” He chuckled.

  “Me? Oh! Lemme think…” She replied and began biting her lower lip.

  Xander chuckled, “I think I’ll call the male at the other island, Eric, after my agent.”

  “Uh oh. Don’t like him much?” Halo giggled.

  “No, we are friends, but I feel it’s appropriate. Any ideas for her?” Xander nodded back towards the white goat.

  “Well… it’s not very imaginative, but I think I’ll call her Billie Jean. Ok?”

  Xander bowed his head, “Then Billie Jean it is.”

  Halo settled down in the tent and patted the blanket next to her, “You look exhausted, come lay down for a while.”

  “I should get dinner going before I fall asleep.” Xander joked.

  She continued patting the place next to her, “Come relax a bit and take a little nap. I’ll rub your back, I think I owe you one or two.”

  “Uh, well I was supposed to do you… I mean, give you a massage!” He blushed and sat down next to her. He saw her eyebrow arch high at his remark, “I’m really sweaty…”

  “Oh, like that matters. Take off your shirt already.” She ordered.

  Xander did as he was told, knowing he should just go make dinner and be done with it, but he was too tired to even resist at this point.

  “Lay down.” She ordered and he laid himself out on the blanketed tent floor with a sigh. He closed his eyes and smelled baby oil. Her hands began rub
bing at his shoulders and he was instantly in heaven. She was kneading away at his stiff shoulder muscles and the feeling was marvelous. His thoughts drifted to her hands touching him, he so loved the feeling when they touched. Drifting off towards sleep, he pushed the nagging thoughts of Evie away and how angry she would be right about now if she knew what was going on. He tried to concentrate and stay awake and enjoy Halo’s fingers digging in and loosening his taut and tired muscles but his resistance was futile and was quickly fast asleep.

  She heard his breathing deepen signaling that he was out. She eased up on the deep massaging, as her hands were sore and tired. Instead, she began gently running her hands softly across his broad strong shoulders, then down his back. Closing her eyes, she relished the contact with him as she continued to gently caress his skin with her fingertips. Feeling her naughty bits warm, caused her to pause for the briefest of moments. She wondered how he would respond if she began getting friskier with him.

  Sexy thoughts of turning him over and straddling him raced through her mind. Kneeling at his side, she squeezed her knees together and the pressure sent a wave of pleasure through her. The thought of him being inside her while she kissed his full lips caused her to gasp quietly as her breath caught in her throat.

  Looking down she found her fingers had found their way under the back of his waistband and were caressing the upper part of his muscular bum. With a start, she pulled her hands away and set them in her lap with a forlorn sigh.

  “So unfair…” she whispered to herself.

  She laid down next to him and decided to let him rest awhile before she woke him to make their dinner.

  Kryptonite

  Halo woke up with herself wrapped around Xander, who was still fast asleep on his back. The dim golden light from the sunrise brushed over his handsome stubbled face. She so yearned to place a discreet kiss on those sexy lips.

  She thought about his wife and with it came the familiar sinking feeling in her insides. Sure, Evie may have taken care of him but she doubted she loved her husband. From what she gleaned from Xander, it really sounded like she treated him like a possession, a child even. Did Evie even enjoy being with him? Her perception was that they did not have sex much. He certainly was not lacking as every morning she was relentlessly teased by his erection as he slept. She briefly wondered if Xander was not good in bed. With a small shake of her head, she dismissed it. She bet herself that he knew his way around a woman due to her experience with his wonderful massages.

  She wrapped her leg around his and got as close as she could. He would be getting up soon and once again, he would be off for the day on the other island, only to come back exhausted. He would tiredly make them dinner, begging off her help and would collapse in their tent and be fast asleep even before she could offer up conversation.

  She continued to pester him about what he was doing for days on end over there, he would just smile and tell her, ‘you’ll see’. He told her about having to bury the poor man. He had brought back the picture of his wife and showed her before he buried it with him. They both silently understood that since Samson Pelekue was not buried before they landed here, that this island must not be visited. For her it gave her hope for an opportunity to win his heart and make him hers.

  Then there were the times when he spoke about Athena, the hurt in his eyes was so apparent and made her guilt pile up for wanting her father to stay here with her. She knew that he was keeping himself busy to keep the distance between them. She would watch his eyes, but by the way he looked at her she knew there was something deep in there concerning her. Not knowing how deep and what exactly he felt for her was maddening. What was making it worse was that these past few days he began bringing beautiful flowers home for her. She wished desperately JJ were here to help keep her sanity… she could hear JJ’s voice telling her, ‘he’s a married man’. So unfair, she thought as she watched him sleep.

  Soon she saw his eyes flutter open, they were so green and deep she wanted to just get lost in them.

  He turned to her with a smile and covered his mouth with his hand, “Good morning, beautiful.”

  She gave him her biggest smile, “Right back at you, handsome.” She watched him roll his eyes at her and smile. “I think I want you to stay right here today, I’m too comfortable for you to go.”

  “Yes, it’s nice…” Xander said trailing off.

  “Can you at least come back a little earlier? I’m getting lonely without you.” Halo offered a compromise.

  “Sure! I’m sorry, I’m not trying to ignore you, really.”

  “Oh Xander, I know…” She smiled a sad little smile for him and she pushed the urge away to climb on top of him and feel his manhood she knew was hard under the blanket.

  “I’ll only be gone half a day, is that ok?” He offered.

  “Yes!” She replied and propped herself up on her elbow and began circling his chest with her finger happily.

  “Halo, did you just wake up too?” Xander asked with a chuckle.

  “Um, no… I’ve been awake for a bit, why?”

  “Uh… well you always look so gorgeous…” He mumbled. “Sorry.”

  “Why thank you, no need to be sorry.” She laughed. “Why be sorry?” She asked in afterthought.

  “You must hear it all the time, from famous people to followers on Twitter and stuff…”

  Halo laughed good naturedly, “I think I’ve heard it a time or two, but when it comes from you it’s more meaningful.”

  “Oh…” Xander replied and segued quickly, “Uh, you hungry?”

  He made to get up but she pushed him back with her hand, “Will you let me help today?” She asked.

  “Are you up to it?”

  “Of course.” She said stated proudly.

  He began roll over and get up. On a whim, she casually let her hand glide down his chest past his taut abs. She felt the muscles quiver ticklishly under her fingers. She stopped with the sudden realization that he was ticklish and suppressed the urge to dig into his belly and hear him laugh.

  With his back to her he turned his head and smiled, “Be right back.” Then he was out of the tent leaving her to watch him walk away.

  She sat up and reached for her brush and began running it through her thick golden hair. About the time she got it up in a ponytail, he came ambling back with the blanket over him. She watched as he began working on getting a fire started. She surrounding herself with her red blanket, walked out and sat down by him.

  “So what’s for breakfast?” She asked.

  “Pretty much some fruit, breadfruit and leftover fish. Sorry…” He gave her a pained look.

  “Stop being sorry all the time!” She jested at him, “I can’t believe how well you are providing for us.”

  “It’s not me, it’s Mr. Pelekue. Without him it would be mostly fish and coconuts.” He wrinkled his nose at her then smiled.

  “Well, my thanks to both of you.” She rubbed his arm affectionately, “Are you leaving soon?”

  “Uh, yes. I will try and hurry, it’s quite the paddle over there and back. I’m making a sail for the outrigger…”

  “Oh? Is that what you are doing over there?” Halo asked excitedly.

  Xander turned and looked at her and raised his eyebrows up and down at her, “You’ll see!”

  “Xander! C’mon already you’ve been at this for more than a week! I’m dying to know, can I at least have a hint?” She stuck her lower lip out and batted her eyelashes at him.

  “Oh my God. Don’t do that!” He laughed.

  “Mr. Superman, whatever do you mean?”

  “Superman, again? Well if that’s the case, you are my kryptonite, especially with that look!”

  “You mean this one?” She pulled her scrunchie out of her hair letting it fall around her face with a shake of her head. She dipped her head slightly, looked up at him with her blue eyes open wide in desire. She relaxed her mouth, letting her lips part slightly. She then turned her head slightly and stared deep
ly into his eyes then bit her lower lip gently with her teeth.

  Xander swallowed hard and did his best to look away, but could not, “Oh hell…” He said hoarsely.

  She blew him a little kiss and whispered seductively, “Kryptonite…” She saw his face flush and it made her insides all warm. Let him think about that while he is away, she giggled inwardly.

  “Yeah…”

  “Xander, you are going to catch your cape on fire.” She pointed at the edge of his red blanket that was near the flames.

  “Oh shit!” He yelped looking from her to the blanket pulling it clear. Looking back to her with a wan smile, she began pulling her hair back into its ponytail. “See!” He chuckled.