A little bit of retconning/adjusting in this chapter. Everything is edited and clear in the full version.
-
As the first rays of the morning sun gently filtered through the fabric of the tent, it created a play of light and shadows, painting the interior with a warm, golden hue. The soft glow slowly roused us into the world, and as I opened my eyes, I found Elena's peaceful face just inches away from mine. Her arms were still around me; we'd snuggled into each other late in the chilly night. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but a contented smile spread across her lips when she realized we were both awake.
"Good morning," she whispered, her voice as gentle as the morning breeze that curled and giggled around our tent.
"Good morning," I replied, my voice hushed, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the moment.
Elena tightened her embrace around me, and I nestled in closer. It was as if the cold morning air couldn't touch us; her presence alone provided all the comfort I needed. We lay there for a moment, basking in the stillness of the morning, wrapped in each other's arms. As the world outside the tent came alive with the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves, I took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp air. The morning chill embraced me, but I felt cocooned in a blanket of serenity. It was a new day, and the promise of adventure lingered in the air. I didn't know what to expect from Elena, which was exciting. I always knew what to expect at home.
With a soft yawn, Elena released me from her embrace and began to stretch her limbs over her head. Instinctively, I kissed her shoulder. "Time to get up and greet the day," she said, her voice laced with excitement.
I nodded and followed suit, stretching my arms and feeling the stiffness of sleep leave my body. I was still relaxed from the way she had massaged and played with my body as we fell asleep. I wriggled into an oversized shirt and underwear while Elena remained naked. God. We unzipped the tent, and the fresh scent of pine and earth enveloped us. Elena wrapped her sleeping bag around her shoulders but otherwise stayed unclothed. The view that had been obscured by darkness last night now revealed itself in all its glory.
We stepped outside onto the edge of the cliff, and my breath caught in my throat. The sun had begun its ascent, painting the sky and the whole valley with streaks of orange and pink.
Elena and I found a cozy spot to sit, our fingers interlaced once more. We watched as the sun continued its ascent, illuminating the world around us. The stars slowly faded into the daylight, but their magic lingered in our hearts.
"I'm so glad we came here," I said, breaking the silence.
Elena nodded, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "Me too. There's something magical about starting the day in nature, away from the noise and distractions of the city."
I rolled my eyes and gently nudged her. "You hardly live in the city."
"You know what I mean." She leaned her head on me. "Everything's loud when you compare it to waking up out here."
As we watched the sunrise together, the world stood still. In the beauty of that sunrise, as Elena snaked her arm around my waist and kissed the side of my head, I found solace--a brief respite from the troubles that awaited us beyond this peaceful morning. Still, beneath the tranquility of the moment, there was a tinge of discomfort that gnawed at the edges of my thoughts. I couldn't help but think about the reality of my life back home, the impending divorce, and the difficult decisions that lay ahead. The warmth of Elena's presence beside me offered a sense of comfort, but it couldn't entirely dispel the unease that settled in my heart.
As the colors of the sunrise continued to paint the sky, Elena sensed my inner turmoil. She gently placed a hand on mine, her touch grounding and reassuring. Without needing to speak, she understood the weight of the emotions I carried, and her silent support brought a measure of peace to my troubled mind.
After a few minutes of restful breathing and sighing, she untangled our bodies and said, "I've got a great hike planned. Up to a glacier lake. Let's fuel up."
We filled up our backpacks with different supplies for the hike, tentatively planning to sleep out here again tonight before I had to head home tomorrow morning. Elena hooked up our food in a bear-safe swinging thing high up in a tree, which made no sense to me but simultaneously impressed me. Then, we both got dressed. Today I opted for loose shorts and a sports bra, while she slipped on a pair of gray joggers and a flowy tank top. After about twenty minutes, we were ready to hike. She assured me, repeatedly, that it was a beginner-friendly hike, but her muscular legs and expensive sneakers made me question it.
"Make sure you have enough water," she reminded me, handing me a water bottle to add to the reusable one already in tow. "Nothing worse than having to haul a pretty girl over the shoulder down a mountain."
"You've had to do that many times?"
She threw me a cute, mischievous look. "Plenty."