I do apologize for the random Chapter inserts in the posts. I have this typed in its entirety and am editing as I write re-write and post - it gets a bit crazy, but hopefully the meaning is not lost. Again, thank you so so much for the kind words and encouragement, feel free to question and critique - please post comments I am still learning as I go and having a great time with this!!
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Up at 5 am for a long grueling trip, 15 hours straight to Mauritius and then 3 more to the Seychelles, an entire day of travel. I loathe flying.
Thankfully, I end up sleeping most of the way. I am almost rested by the time I touch down in Praslin. My poor-boy French comes in handy. Easily getting a cab to the hotel I drop my bag off with the clerk before going down to the beach. It's almost six pm. The sun will be setting soon.
She ran away to paradise. I force myself to slow down and take it all in. I sit down and take off my shoes. Rolling up my jeans, I knot my shoe laces and throw them over my shoulder. Pink, sugar soft sand, very fine, blue water golden sunset, postcard beautiful. I walk around a clump of trees.
There's a girl reclining on a folding chair staring intently at the setting sun. Not only has my little Toffee girl has turned milk chocolate dark, she's cut her hair. I hate it when women cut their hair but as rakish as it is she's prettier than ever, all cheekbones, eyes and lips.
My walking catches her eye and she glances distractedly in my direction and then cocks her head to the side and looks my way again. She blinks and gives her head a slow shake.
I reach her chair. "That bikini is outrageous."
She looks up at me, eyes big as saucers.
"You're missing the sunset."
"What? . . . How?"
I smile at her. "Finish your sunset. There's plenty of time for talk."
Her eyes follow me as I sit in the sand beside her. She's still curvy, but altogether leaner and smaller. That dark red bikini is no joke, there's not enough of it. I can't help but stare.
"You got pretty dark."
"Well I am black Dax."
She snaps irritably.
I chuckle to myself.
"I missed that."
And just like that I've earned my first tiny smile.
There's a dark golden glow to her skin like the sun has in my absence been loving her all over, touching her when I couldn't, kissing her shoulders, legs, hair and cheeks, lovelier than I remembered. She really cut her hair though.
I decide to start with the obvious. "You look beautiful Lulu."
She thanks me with a timid smile.
"I came a long way to apologize."
She frowns slightly, looking vaguely confused. "Apologize?"
"Yes, apologize for the many things I'm sorry about. Eddie explained."
Her look instantly sharpens.
"She didn't betray you. You covered your tracks well but I found you on my own. She told me a little about your history and what happened with the pregnancy."
Clearing her throat she says, "I should have tried harder . . . to tell you. I just didn't know how. I didn't think you'd ever forgive me. You were so very angry."
She looks down.
The sun has finally set and the sky is blue and gold and purple and red, it's glorious. Calming by degrees, she starts to fidget. Standing swiftly, she folds the chair.
"It's almost dinner time, you must be exhausted. Did you check in?"
This could get awkward.
"I dropped my bag off, but am hoping I can crash with you tonight. There are only 9 rooms and they all appear to be booked."
"Of course." Under her breath I think I hear, "What is it with you and hotels?"
She gives her head another shake as if to clear it.
"I can carry that for you." I reach out to take her chair.
"No, it's ok, I've got it." She clutches the chair, using it as a shield, skittish. From the vein pulsing in the side of her neck I can see her heart beating a mile a minute.
We walk quietly to her room, which from the outside looks like a small beach shack, but is in fact quite modern. Extracting a robe from the closet she puts it on. Modesty. Ok different.
I take a look around. Exposed stonewalls and wooden beams make it very cozy, a rather small sofa, television, an iMac, a shower, tub, huge bed; all the basics of home. Picturesque ocean and park views from the two small balconies.
"You certainly run away in style."
"It is what it is - standards you know." She shrugs. I missed her sass.
"Did you want a shower? Those are some pretty long flights."
"Yeah, it'd be good to rinse the road off me."
We stand looking at each other.
"There are plenty of towels and I have soap from home, so feel free."
She gives a forced smile and leaves the room. Any other time we'd be showering together. Already I'm wondering if she has tan lines.
Despite the humidity I quickly take a hot shower. I start to shave, but stop remembering how she likes me slightly stubbled. I give a quick trim, carefully cleaning the sink afterwards. I have not flown almost nine thousand of miles to piss her off the first night.
A shirt, jacket and slacks and I look ok. On the bed, she's laid out a pair of slacks, a simple top and some little panties. I've missed the sight of those. Hearing a voice followed by her exasperated sigh, I stop to listen. She's video chatting, whispering frantically.
"Fine, fine, fine. I believe you. I think I know how he came to be here. June's the only one I email because I have to. But I was beyond careful - the messages bounced off I don't know how many places before reaching me. I don't understand how he found me."
"C'mon think Lou. The man is your chief information officer. Hell, I'm surprised he didn't find you sooner. Hacked my email accounts several times when I didn't to tell him where you were. He's actually as stubborn as you, maybe even more so. I can't believe he waited as long as he did, but it's pretty impressive that he came after you. That's a long way to fly, even for the likes of you," says Eddie.
"You may not have told him where I was but you fucking told him everything else. I know it was you Freddo!"
