Meant to Be (The Saving Angels 1)

Shawn and Sam were listening to our conversation, but didn’t look surprised.

“We figured out the same thing when we first got together. It’s almost like we were put together to even the other person out. I’ve discovered that when I’m at school away from him, I am almost in physical pain. This week has been especially tough because I’ve been with you all week, but at least the dreams seem to replenish us during the night.” Sam said, looking at me.

I felt terrible. “Sam, you should have something. I wouldn’t have been so selfish with your time.”

“Get out of here. Shawn and I knew it was important that I spend time with you, once I realized that we shared all these crazy traits. Yeah, it has been tough, but in the long run, it’s more important that we figure out all this insanity. Besides, I like hanging out with you,” she said, reaching over to give me a quick hug. Her warmth wasn’t as strong as Mark’s, but it instantly began to sooth me.

We all piled into Mark’s charcoal Navigator.

“Nice car man,” Shawn said, running his hand over the smooth leather.

“Yeah it’s nice,” Mark said in an offhand manner, using a tone I didn’t recognize. “Sorry, my dad used it as bribery for missing my graduation. He didn’t even buy it; he had his assistant do it. I feel like a sellout every time I drive it, like I approve of his absentee parenting.” Mark cut off his tirade as he pulled into a spectacular driveway.

Shawn let out a long whistle. “Wow dude, your dad must be loaded. This house is unbelievable.”

It was every bit as beautiful as the houses I had admired on our drive to the beach the previous week.

“Thanks, I talked my dad into buying a house on the beach when we first moved here. I do admit, I did use the absentee father card on that one.”

The house was breathtaking; it looked like it belonged on some swanky T.V show. The side that faced the road looked like it was constructed of driftwood you would find on the beach. The front doors were made from the richest oak I had ever seen. Each held a beautiful stain glass window that resembled the crashing waves of the ocean. Conch shells and miniature tiki lamps lined the sidewalk. The driveway was made up of thousands of crushed shells that crunched pleasantly underfoot. The lawn was lush with palm trees placed strategically around to give a person the feeling that they were on their own private little island.

Mark opened the front door and we all stopped in awe. The inside was even more breathtaking than the outside. The side of the house that faced the ocean was made up of glass panels from floor to ceiling that were only broken up by a set of oversized French doors leading to the patio outside. The plush carpet in the living room swallowed up our bare feet as we made our way toward the patio.

I walked over to the patio doors and opened them up. Inhaling the fragrant ocean air, I looked at the deck in wonder. Jeez, his dad must be loaded; I thought echoing Shawn’s sentiments. The patio held one of the infinity swimming pools that I had only seen in movies. It seemed as if it was stretching out into the horizon. Lounge chairs were scattered abundantly across the patio and a wood patio table big enough for a party of twelve sat in the far corner next to the outdoor bar. The whole look was completed by a magnificent freestanding waterfall.

“Wow, is your dad a movie star or something?” Sam asked.

Mark laughed. “No, just a businessman.”

Mark came over and stood by me. “This is beautiful,” I told him.

“I know; I love it here. When we decided to move, my dad left the house hunting up to me and I fell in love with this one the moment I laid eyes on it. My dad travels so much, it feels like mine.”

“Your dad must be good at his job to be able to afford this,” I commented.

“He owns his own company, he’s a troubleshooter. He goes in and helps companies that are having problems get back on their feet. He’s earned quite a reputation and is in high demand. The only problem is that he’s always out of town, working. I used to get upset about it, but then it just became normal.”

Mark took my hand as we walked down the wooden steps that led to the beach.

“What a crazy day,” I said as we removed our shoes.

“You’re right about that. How are your emotions handling all of this?”

I was touched by his concern. “Their okay, I had a few iffy moments when Shawn was talking about all the UFO stuff, but I was able to pull myself together.”

“Let me know if they become a problem, I want to help if I can.”

I gnawed on my thumbnail as we walked toward the water edge. It would be tough to confide in him on that. I had spent my life trying to hide that aspect about myself.

The cool water lapped at our feet as we watched the sun begin to set on the horizon.

Mark cupped my shoulders as I slowly turned my face toward him. “There’s something I have wanted to do all week, but I wanted to wait for the perfect moment,” he said in a low voice as he stared into my eyes.

My heart began to beat heavily, and I lost myself in his warm brown eyes as his face began the decent toward mine. At the last possible moment, my eyes fluttered close. I was caught off guard at the rightness of it all. It was like walking in a meadow filled with flowers or sitting in front of a fireplace on a cold winter day. The warmth of the kiss took my breath away. I felt like I had finally come home. Mark tightened his arms around me, drawing me even closer.

The feelings that welled up in me were so tender, I felt like I could weep.

I was reminded of a conversation I had with my mom when I was thirteen. I had been observing the ease that my parents had around each other for weeks. They always seemed to know what the other needed. Often, I would observe them acting like they had just fallen in love. I asked my mom why that was. She told me that the love she felt for my dad at that moment was different than the love she had felt for him in the beginning. It was stronger and much more intense. “He’s not only the man I love, but also my best friend. I love your dad more today than I ever have. Our love has evolved into something else because of the way we respect and listen to each other’s needs,” she had said.