Chapter 30: Chapter 30

April's POV

"Pick a place...any place."

Are the only words I remember Ethan saying considering where to go for our second Christmas together.

Second.

Yes. Our second.

And the first time we had spent Christmas together was after our one year anniversary. It had been a nice quiet Christmas, first time we had both spent iy without family and i enjoyed every bit of it.

I feel a small blush creep to my cheeks and heat my face as I remember getting to the kitchen that night after he had insisted on cooking...one glance at the bandaid on his finger had sent me into a fit of laughter. But there was a beautiful setting of a candlelight dinner with the view of christmas city lights, snow in treetops and roof tops like frosting on cookies just outside his window. The table was set with the same wine we had on our third date and next to it, there was a long table filled with a buffet of specials.

I can feel a small smile creep on my face as I remember how cute and disoriented he looked wearing an apron and smelling of cinnamon.

"Romantic or sloppy?" He had asked when I'd finally stopped laughing.

"Romantically sloppy but definitely swooned my heart."

"Mission accomplished." He had said before taking off the apron and....let's say the rest of his dressing came off some time later.

"April? Are you leaving early for Christmas as well?"

Taylor asks, bringing me back to reality and I stare at my nearly empty desk where I'd already shoved the last of my article ideas for the magazine in the top drawer.

Yes. I'd gotten a job just a month ago at "Shick Couture Magazine" and working on getting a page to myself where I write out all my experience and articles from trips to different fashion designing enterprises in L.A.

It was more than a dream come true.

"Yes, I'm leaving early. Christmas demands are at my door." I tell my colleague, Taylor, and she giggles.

"Tell me about it. Stay safe and Merry Christmas." She says and returns her fingers to her keyboard, tapping busily.

"Merry Christmas." I reply and make my way out, the question of earlier still on my mind.

Where do I want us to go for Christmas?

Wby is Ethan so concerned about my opinion?

"Haygrove Block." I say to the driver as I slip into the taxi, pondering whether or not to do it.

Should I?

Do I let Ethan know that more than anything, I just want us to travel, take a trip and spend a whole new experience of Christmas somewhere with him right next to me.

For the two years that we've been dating, it has always a secret desire or fantasy of mine to travel out somewhere exciting and spontaneous or quiet and peaceful...But I can almost swear I still sense some fear in him to travel.

After what happened with Heather,...I guess it's normal for him to be hesitant about travelling but,... we've been dating for two years now.

Hasn't all this time with me given him a sense of safety? Or trust? I would never turn my back on him, no matter the situation.

The taxi stops in front of the tall, black building which I am all too familiar with and I hand the driver a 20 before stepping out.

The snow is coming down steady, frosting up almost everything in the parking lot but I can't help but smile when I spot Ethan's car.

He left work early too.

Maybe I'd pitch him the travelling idea just this once to see...

The elevator ride is fast and I'm at the door in no time. When I open it, he is standing in the middle of the living room with only trousers on, hands shoved deep in his pockets and his eyes, which were intent on the game, dart to me.

The coy, naughty smile that follows after gets my heart beat accelerated but I can't lose focus of what I wanted to talk to him about.

"Hey, beautiful." He says, walking over to me.

What did I want to talk about again?

"Hey--" and he shuts me up with an air depriving kiss, both hands sweeping around my waist.

Lord help me.

I let a moan escape as I kiss him back, linking my arms behind his neck for support after letting my bag drop to the floor.

When the kiss is over, he looks down at me, eyes dark with intense passion that capture me hook, line and sinker.

"I've missed this breif moments we had to ourselves."

"Me too." I say breathlessly and then like a slipping memory, the idea of the trip comes to mind but before I can say it out--

"What do you say we take a hot bath together? I have the bathtub all set." He says in that deep passionate voice of his, pulling me closer and holding me tighter.

The position we are in...the intense look on his eyes, the extreme warmth of his body,  the snow outside and the idea of snuggling daringly and dangerously close to him, with the tub filled with heated water and scented soap has me melting on the insides already.

But...the talk.

"Ethan..." I muster weakly with my last fading power but his lips are have found their favourite spot under my ear, trailing kisses down my neck.

Fuck it.

"You're gonna have to carry me." I whisper to him and he doesn't hesitate as he swoops me up in one move and carries me to the bathroom.

My clothing is pooled at my feet in  a minute and I'm panting his name and clutching his back half an hour later.

"You look fucking beautiful when you hit climax." He says, panting with relief and pulling me close with the warm water lapping around us.

I dwell in the comfort that I'd missed so much ever since we both got jobs.

"Maybe we should spend Christmas in here." He says and I nearly lose myself in the enchantment of the vibration on his chest when it dawns on me....

Christmas.

The trip.

"Speaking of Christmas...." I begin and he turns to look at me, eyes studying.

"You finally picked a place?" He asks with a coy smile and I know I've dragged this out long enough.

I have to tell him.

"Yes. Not a place per say,...but--"

"You don't have to be in hurry to pick, April. I want this Christmas to be all about you. Whatever you want to do--"

"I want us to travel." I blurt out but I catch sight of it anyway.

The fear.

The way it was exposed for the fastest, briefest second.

He tries to maintain his expression but I can see the smile wavering.

"Travel? Why? And to where?"

"Because it would be a great experience and you know I love travelling. We can go anywhere at all, get a whole new exposure in celebrating Christmas."

"Yes, but...some airlines wouldn't be functioning then. Plus are you ready for all that change?--"

"Ethan--"

"What if you can't handle the change in weather? What if the Christmas spirit is lacking?"

"Ethan--"

"You sure you don't just want to stay here and have a nice family dinner?" He persists and I can't help the anger brimming in me that he would go through all this trouble to discourage me.

"You know what? Never mind." I say and detach myself from his addicting warmth as I climb out of the tub.

He is silent for some time then I hear the sloshing of water behind me as I dry off and Ethan is in my front in a bit, a towel loosely tied around his waist.

"Hey, what just happened?" He asks calmly and I want to push him.

What just happened?

What does he think?

"I don't want to talk about it." I say, avoiding his gaze. If he was going to pretend, then so was I.

"Hey." He says and lifts my chin up with his finger.

"You can tell me, we've stayed together long enough to be passed this." He says and I sigh with surrender, knowing he is right.

"You asked me to pick any place to spend Christmas, but the minute I mention travelling, you shut me down."

"April,-"

"Yes. I know. You're not quite fond of travelling, I get that. But I'm your girlfriend, Ethan. You still haven't gotten over the travelling thing with Heather after our two years of being together. Do you know how that makes me feel? It's like you still don't trust me, like you still have this doubt towards me and it's like of all the things we have done for the past two years, your mind has been on Heath--"

"Of course not." He says and I know he isn't lying because for the past 2 years, I've learnt his eyes are the windows to his feelings.

"Then what is it? Why are you so hesitant?" I persist. There's got to be a reason for his behaviour.

His gaze wavers a little before he looks away and I swear I know that look.

And I don't like the feeling I'm getting.

"Are you...Are you hiding something?" I ask and he frowns.

"What? No." He says and I don't know what to believe anymore.

"You know what, its fine. I'm going to get started on dinner." I say and try to leave but he pulls me back gently.

"Hey. I'm not hiding anything I swear. You want us to travel? No problem, we'll go."

"Ethan, you don't have to--"

"We'll go. I just have to book the tickets now before the airlines close for good, then we'll leave tomorrow."

I want to stop the growing smile on my face but it shows anyway and Ethan smiles as well.

"Really?" I ask.

"Yes. And I've got just the place."

"Where?" I squeal and Ethan makes a face.

"Hey, you did your part, this is my secret." He scolds but I giggle anyway and peck him on the nose.

"I love you." I say and scurry to get dinner started.

****

10:50.

20 more minutes before the plane leaves.

Where is he?

I don't know whether to feel impatient, annoyed or frightened at the fact that Ethan was supposed to be here and hour ago but I'm here in the airport all alone.

I can't believe I let him talk me into coming here alone because he had some "things to deal with".

He had picked a Palm Springs, and I have no idea why but I was excited none the less. And after we were done packing this morning, he dropped me off at the airport to get the tickets he had booked online while he "rounded up and stuff at the office".

10:55.

The last announcement for boarding the plane sounds and I dial Ethans number for what seems like the hundredth time.

Straight to voicemail.

Again.

Was he okay?

Was he hurt?

Did something happen?

Or did he just simply not want to come?

Sighing, I pick up our luggage and head for the exit with a bundle of emotions within me.

No matter how much I want to get angry, I can't help the feeling of fear and worry.

Certainly he won't do this to me on purpose.

Then where is he?

What had happened?

And why---

My breath catches as I spot his BMW on the lot, but what makes me stop dead in my tracks is the person leaning on it, deep, grey intense eyes studying me.

Hands in his jacket.

"Ethan?" I say and relief washes over me over every other feeling of fear, or anger.

Somehow, I find myself abandoning the luggage and covering the few feet between us as I throw my hands around him, completely thankful that he was okay.

Ethan hugs me tighter, burrying his face in my hair. Then that's when it dawns on me.

He is okay.

Perfectly okay and right here.

I pull away from the hug almost immediately, searching for the overwhelming feeling of anger and failing. But I blurt out my concern nontheless.

"What the hell is wrong with you? You didn't show up at all and you had me completely worried. I didn't know if something had happened to you."

He has his hands folded with a satisfied smile on his face, eyes steady on me and I don't know what the coy expression is for but I keep talking.

"I couldn't leave without you and yet you werent busy or in danger at all. If you didnt just want to travel, you could have atleast told me instead of switching off your phone and going AWOL on me."

"I didn't. I've been here the whole time." He says and I frown.

None of this is making sense.

"I wanted to see what you'd do." He says and I still dont get it.

He wanted to---

I frown now, realising what he is getting at.

"You thought I would leave without you?" I ask and he shrugs.

I want to get angry at him. For the life of me I want to throw a fit that he would even entertain that thought.

But all I feel is concern.

And love.

"Ethan, that's absurd. I would never leave without you. No matter the circumstance, or the place or the event. How can I go for a Christmas trip without the one person I want to spend it with? What's Christmas or life in general without you? If you don't want to travel, then we won't travel. We can spend Christmas in your car for all I care, I just want to be with you."

"Don't talk like that." He says, making a face as he pulls me close, hands around my waist.

"Being cheesy is my thing." He completes and I laugh.

"Yeah, well not today."  I say.

"We'll see about that." He says, as he stands fully and moves past me to pick up our luggage, then puts it in the back seat.

"What are you doing?" I ask but he just grabs me with his free hand and pulls me into the car

It's 5 more minutes before the plane leaves and I don't know what he intends to do.

He gets in the driver seat and I can't help looking back and staring at the airport, wishing that atleast we still had time.

The drive to God-knows-where is short and fast and when Ethañ stops in front of a huge, grey painted building, I'm literally biting on my lips...trying to decipher where we are.

He doesnt say a word to me but climbs out and pulls open the trunk while a couple of men had our luggage pass the huge wooden doors of the building.

Then Ethan opens my door and helps me out.

"Now this is cheesy." He says and leads me through the big doors, and down a hallway to the back door.

"Ethan..." I say, letting my voice trail off because I am completely lost.

Until we step out through the door.

And the jet is there.

Just huge and white and......

Oh.

My.

God.

"You HIRED a jet?!" I scream, completely overwhelmed and Ethan just laughs at my expression.

"When I say I'm ready to do what you want and however you want it, lets just say I have no limits." He says and I don't know how to respond, so I do the first thing I think of. I throw my hands around his neck and he pulls me close, kissing me senseless.

"Now we're even." He says when the kiss is over and I just laugh.

He hired a jet.

"You're amazing." I say and he just winks at me.

"Wait till you see the rest of the surprise."

*****

The flight was amazing.

But shorter than I expected and I don't need a magician to tell me this is another in of Ethans tricky surprise.

As the jet lands, all I can see is the beautiful over view of blue skies and tall, elegant palm trees. But the minute the jet touches land, I'm staring out the window when a black, lacy cloth sweeps over my eyes.

I can't help but laughing.

"Ethan, what's going on?" I ask, excitement bursting within me and Ethan doesn't answer as he helps me out of the jet.

"Where are we?" I ask Ethan as we descend the jet and he leads me down until a car I hear a car door open and he helps me inside.

I sit, waiting patiently until someone slips in the driver's side.

"Ethan?" I ask, a little scared, then I feel his hands on mine.

"April, relax. I'm here." He says and I smile with relief.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He says and helps me strap my seatbelt before I feel the car moving.

The drive is short, like 15 minutes before I hear the car honk twice and metal clanging softly.

My heart beat is accelerating by the minute, and I don't know why I'm feeling nervous.

The car comes to a halt and Ethan climbs out of the driver's side. Then my door opens and he takes my hand and helps me out.

"You ready?" He asks and I not excitedly.

Then the lace cloth comes undone...

The first thing I notice is that there is no snow, but it's definitely chilly.

Then the entire place comes into view.

It's beautiful.

The huge mansion, the beautiful, well-trimmed garden hedges, the palm trees at the corner and the fountain in the middle of it all.

"Oh, my goodness. Ethan.....I......" I run out of words as I turn to face him. He has his hands in his pocket, studying me with a smile.

"I'm literally speechless. This place is beautiful. Where are we?"

"Palm Springs, La Palmas. It's where I lived with my parents before the accident. Its my family home." He says as he walks ovêr to me and takes my hand.

"Come on, let's go inside." He says and leads a speechless me into his family home.

It has 6 bedrooms, a huge living room, the widest kitchen I've seen, a pool, a beautiful lawn behind and a beautiful master bedroom.

As Ethan is leading me up the spiralling staircase, I can't help but ask the question that has been on my mind.

"Ethan, this is all so beautiful and amazing but I can tell it's something very dear to you. For the times I've been with you, you've never mentioned it but---"

"Hold that thought." He says as we get to the top floor and he lead me out a double door to a wide, open setting.

The roof doesn't cover here, and there is a table, a set of chairs, and the softest white rug with a brown wooden mahogany bench to the left.

The sun isn't fully out but I can tell it'll hit the perfect spot here through the palm trees.

The place is simply enchanting in its own way.

"This is my favourite part of the house. The sunrise and sunset from here is divine." He says from behind me, while I'm walking around, taking the view all in before I turn back to him.

"I haven't been here since the accident and I guess I felt I didnt want to be happy anymore. Like I didn't deserve it, because this place always had a great effect on me whenever I felt down. It was my happy place and I always thought I would never need it again. That I would never need, ache or deserve happiness."

He takes my hand.

"Then I met you. And not only did you make me happy, you made me want to be happy. With you I feel my happiness is limitless, April. You became my enchanting sunrise and sunset. You shared all you had to offer with me, and now I want to share mine with you. I want to involve you with something I hold so dear to me and know that it's ours now, because you made me know I'm worth it. You're my true happiness. And so..."

He goes down on one knee.

"April Skye..."

He digs in his back pocket.

My breath catches.

"Lets say..."

He brings out a small box and pops it open.

It's beautiful. It's elegant and glimmering still. It's the size of a chocolate chip and absolutely perfect.

"Do you want to hitch a ride, a ring and a road to forever with me?"

"Ethan...." My voice catches and my overwhelming feeling is beyond words.

He is proposing.

He is PROPOSING!

"I..." I try to speak again and fail.

"Talk to me baby. Will you be mine?" He asks again, those eyes holding mine with lifetime of promises in them and I want to be a part of it.

The storm and summer of whatever lied in them.

"Yes!" I squeal and he slips it in my left fourth finger. It fits perfectly.

Then Ethan stands up and pulls me close.

"I'm in love with you and I'll never give up this feeling for the world."

"I'm in love with you forever." I say and he plants his lips on mine.

The books tell you you're supposed to see stars when you kiss the one you love.

But I'm not seeing stars. No.

I'm feeling them. Bursting within me, with happiness and love and joy.

And now I feel like a star too.

But he...

He is my galaxy.

Authors Note

And that's a wrap for painful pleasures. Thank you all again so much for reading.

Don't miss my new books,

"Taming Mr.Robinson."

"Blue Sunsets"

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!!!!!!