Joy of Sunset

1

”Do we honestly have to do this?” she inquired.2

He turned back to her, one hand straying to hers, the other touching her cheek softly. His mysterious smile gave her the answer to her rhetorical question. He bent down to her, brushing his lips softly against hers. Still smiling, he pulled her into the seclusion of the forest.3

She followed patiently, waiting to find out what he had found so intriguing; she was used to his whims.4

He stopped just before the last clump of trees and demanded, “Close your eyes and I’ll lead you on this last bit.”5

Obediently, with a suppressed giggle, she closed her eyes.6

True to his word, he led her safely until he whispered in her ear, “Open your eyes, love.”7

Opening them, she gasped. He’d led her to the beach cliffs at high tide and the sun was setting. The sky was a deep crimson to the west as the stars emerged in the blanket of indigo to the east. “Oh, David,” she whispered. “Oh, it’s beautiful.”8

He grinned and laughed softly, drawing her into his arms. “As are you, love,” he replied9

Her hand caressed his cheek as he kissed her deeply. When she pulled away, she gasped, “I love you, David. I always have.” 10

“And I love you, my fair princess.” He held her tightly as the stars came out and the opalescent moon shined down on them, sharing their joy.11