Again, I'd like to thank Wolf Vixen for her amazing editing job! Also, I'd like to point out that this story does not revolve around sex, so if that is all you are looking for you may want to skip it. In addition to previous authors I mentioned last chapter, a lot of inspiration was drawn from DQS1, Rehnquist, Frozenhero1, and rpsuch, just to name a few. As for musical inspirations, I probably listened to U2 more than was healthy as I wrote this story, in particular during Chapter III. Please enjoy.
III
As he began to stir, he realized he was holding Trixie in his arms. It was adorable how she snuggled up against him with her legs intertwined in his. He placed his hand upon hers, her hand already lying upon his chest.
Ryan could smell the fresh air from the wind blowing through the open window and hear the ocean waves rolling up the beach. Looking at Trixie reminded him he was all but in heaven. He had never experienced so much joy, and so much sorrow, all at the same time. A single tear silently rolled down across his nose and down the other side of his face, dropping onto the bed. He kissed her forehead and slowly sat up, trying not to make a sound.
---
Trixie sprawled across the bed, suddenly realizing that it was empty. Slowly she awakened and sat up. "Ryan?"
She shimmied out of bed and checked the bathroom and the living room area but he was nowhere to be found. When she walked in the kitchen, she found a small breakfast tray with a note attached:
Trixie,
Good morning! I had to run off for some business, but not before I picked you up a croissant and some chocolate covered strawberries. Not a breakfast of champions, I know, but I didn't want to make you anything warm that would wind up getting cold. Besides, that's what room service is for! Feel free to order whatever you like and put it on my bill.
I'll meet you back at the resort at noon and will take you to lunch. Please wear your yellow sundress and high-heeled sandals. Until then, enjoy the beach and the shopping. See you then.
Yours truly,
Ryan
She smiled at the note and picked up one of the chocolate covered strawberries, taking a small bite.
---
Speechless didn't even begin to explain how Ryan felt when he pulled the car up to the resort entrance where Trixie was waiting. He couldn't take his eyes off her even as he parked the car and got out.
"So, how do I look," Trixie asked while doing a quick twirl in her yellow sundress.
"Y-you look... amazing, Trixie. I...," Ryan tried to finish his sentence but was at a loss for words. Trixie smiled and curtsied as he ran around the car to open the door for her.
"Why thank you, kind sir. Oh, by the way, open up," She held out her last chocolate covered strawberry.
Ryan smiled and opened his mouth, gratefully accepting the strawberry, "You're too good to me."
Trixie snickered, "I know. I kind of am, aren't I?" She turned her head to the side and batted her eyelashes.
"But, from what I've seen so far, you're too good to me, too. I think you keep forgetting I am something of a sure thing, you know. Not many guys can say that. Just remember you don't have to try so hard to impress me."
With a bashful smile, Ryan said, "I know."
His face froze for a moment. Then it contorted. He held it that way for a few seconds, leaving Trixie to try and figure what on earth was going on.
Ryan turned his head to sneeze.
Trixie laughed, "What was that about? Are you allergic to blondes now?"
He grinned sheepishly as he helped her in the car, "Actually, I sneeze when I eat really dark chocolate. Not sure why, I've just always done that."
Sitting in the car and crossing her legs, she smiled at him and said, "You are a strange one, Ryan." She shook her head while looking at him inquisitively, "Adorable, but very hard to figure out."
Ryan closed her door and ran around to the other side and got in, "I'll take adorable as a compliment." He leaned towards her an inch or two and hesitated as if caught in a dilemma. Making a decision, he leaned further across the armrest and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. Her eyes opened wide; she was caught off guard, but her surprise swiftly turned into a genuinely warm smile.
VERY hard to figure out,
she thought as they drove off to lunch.
---
"I'm glad you skipped the rest of the afternoon to take me out here. The North Shore is absolutely beautiful," Trixie exclaimed, kicking her legs to stay above the water while viewing the scenery.
"It was all my pleasure, Trixie," Ryan looked around the bay and also took the scene in; there was no doubt he agreed with her. "The conference ended early today; they don't seem to be very well organized. But I guess that's our gain."
Ryan asked her, "So about this time last week, did you imagine you'd be on the Hawaiian Islands, snorkeling in crystal blue water and swimming with sea turtles?" Three large sea turtles were only a few feet underneath Ryan and Trixie. They slowly swam by, and seemed to be fully aware of the humans, yet they were unafraid and content.
"They look so strong. I bet their skin is at least a half-inch thick." Trixie looked like she was caught up in a daydream, "I knew they were big, but seeing them up close... well, they're a lot bigger than I thought they would be."
The three turtles made a slow descent towards the sand at the bottom of the ocean floor below.
"Ok, Ryan. You are officially in my rolodex," Trixie giggled. "Any time you want me, just let me know. Even if you never take me to Hawaii again."
She snickered, "Though, if I could talk you into it, I would."
"That would be wonderful," Ryan replied.
It didn't dawn on Trixie until a few seconds after he said that -- probably because of her state of euphoria -- but Ryan actually seemed a little sad when he said that. Or if not sad, at least a lot more monotone than she would have expected after making an offer like that. When she looked over at him, however, he was nothing but smiles.
Ok, note to self: let's not talk about the future,
she thought.