I pull into the parking area of the hiking trail. This whole place is beautiful--lush green everywhere and a view of the ocean for miles. There's no reason why this won't be a nice morning.
"Do you know what I'm thinking right now?" It's a challenge, an irritation.
I park the car, unbuckle my seat belt, and turn to Alyssa. "Knowing you, it's probably NC-17."
"Very funny."
"You have to admit. I look sexy as hell in my shorts," I say.
She shakes her head but she's grinning. "I care about things besides fucking you senselessly."
"Fucking me sense-fully?"
"Smug bastard." She laughs, shaking her head in some great release of tension. "Sorry. I guess I'm a little cranky."
"You're cute cranky."
She leans towards me until she's only a few inches away. Her eyes find mine. Damn, those are such gorgeous eyes.
She smiles, the tiniest thing, and slides her arm behind my neck. I lean into her, pressing my lips into hers.
When she pulls back, she brings her eyes back to mine. She looks at me for what feels like forever. It's like she's finding something in me, figuring something out.
"I do appreciate the concern," she says. "But I'm not going to break."
"I know."
She nods, reassured, and gets out of the car. I follow suit.
The scenery is even more gorgeous without a window in the way. There's blue sky and ocean for miles, and the hiking trail is something straight out of paradise. It's the most vibrant shade of green over mountains and valleys. It's life, everywhere.
I take Alyssa's hand and we make our way up the steep trail. It starts off simple enough--a straight dirt path going up a mountain. We walk slowly at first, taking in the sights, the warm breeze, the feeling of being ensconced by nature.
Alyssa stops at the peak of this curve of the trail. She turns back to look at me. There's such a joy in her expression. For a minute I forget that we've spent the last few months falling apart, that she's having secret conversations on the phone at the crack of dawn, that we're going to have to deal with this impossible distance.
The trail slopes down and starts to wind. There's a mountain to the left, and it's covered with layers and layers of vines. It's so green and so overgrown, it nearly blocks out the sky. To our right is a long valley. Tiny green bushes and tall, thick trees with deep, knotty roots.
"Come on, Grandpa. I don't have all day." Alyssa rushes ahead.
She's moving fast, almost running. I pick up the pace and catch up to her. She's tired, a little out of breath, but she is holding up fine.
I was worrying for nothing.
We hike for a long time. There's so much to take in. This place is so different from anywhere we've ever been together. Hell, anywhere I've ever been. It's pure, untouched jungle. It's secluded. It's perfect.
The morning turns to afternoon. The sun rises, until it casts a soft glow over everything.
We don't stop until we come to a sharp batch of rocks. The only way up the rest of the trail is climbing. Alyssa eyes them with trepidation, but she won't admit she's scared.
I'll have to give her an easy out.
"How about we take a break?" I ask.
"I'm fine."
"Yes, but I'm in the middle of paradise. There's beauty everywhere I look." I turn to her. "Especially in front of me."
"Cheesy." She smiles.