The walk in the park seemed to take longer than it usually did. Or maybe we were just walking slower than normal. Either way it didn’t matter. I liked it. Kaley couldn’t have picked a better day to come out for a walk with me. A perfect day to spend with the one I loved. The sky was overcast with just a tinge of turquoise that refused to give up to the perpetual grey. The autumn leaves had chosen today to reach their peak and they seemed to shimmer and blend in with the surroundings in a variety of different autumn hues. We had stopped at random moments for Kaley to take advantage of the beautiful day and capture the memories that would last forever. There was something somewhat intriguing about spending today with her. The park seemed to exert some magic that made me want to hold onto her and love her even more than I already did. To cherish each moment that today would bring.
We came to the fork in the walk where we would normally follow the trail through the woods and come out on 112th Street and buy her favourite roses from Mrs. Kendall two houses over from our own. Today she did something different. She just continued along the walk that would continue along the edge of the park and the lake and end at the baseball park on the other end of 112th leaving me still standing at the fork with a bewildered expression on my face. It must have been quite amusing because when she turned around she couldn’t help but laugh. It made me laugh too. She was so beautiful. Everything about her was perfect and it made me so happy that I would be the lucky one to hold onto her for the rest of her life and that she wanted me too.
She walked back to me with an outstretched hand when she noticed I wasn’t moving still smiling. I sauntered over to her and met her half way taking her hand in mind and pulling her into me. She wrapped one hand around my waist and rested the other on my shoulder as I held onto her back. She nestled her head under my neck. I kissed her beautiful auburn hair and hugged her tighter drinking in the feel of her warm steady breathing against me.
“The trees are beautiful today, love. Don’t you want to go through the woods?” I asked her gently.
She spoke softly her voice just above a whisper but I heard it all. Her voice was a sweet melody to my waiting ears. “Let’s go your way today, there’ll be more autumns to come.” As she spoke her lips brushed lightly against my neck. I closed my eyes and reveled in the sheer bliss. My arms tightened slightly around her just to ensure to myself that she was real. She looked up then gazing into my eyes through the long strands of hair that fell over her face. I smiled, she smiled back. I brushed the hair behind her ear caressing her perfect face while still holding onto her for fear that she may disappear if I let go. She leaned into my palm gently. I stared down at her. Brilliant hazel eyes stared back at me. I smiled again. The eyes are the gateway to the soul. I read that somewhere and right now I was gazing at the most precious soul ever.
“You’re always smiling…” she trailed off still staring at me.
I lowered my head slightly bringing my lips to hers softly then looked at her. I pulled her tighter against me kissing her lightly again. She wrapped her arms around my neck. I wanted this to go on forever but it seemed to take my breath away. I leant my forehead against hers breathing deeply. Her scent was like a drug and I was addicted. I drank it in.
“I smile because I’ve got you in my life.” She smiled as I whispered those words to her and continued, “I love you so much.”
“I love you too J.” She brushed her lips against mine then took my hand and we began walking again. I suppose she decided to come this way with me because she knew I loved to pass this way. I loved that about her.
We had passed the fields and were now walking with the lake on one side and the park on the other. Despite the cold weather a few birds had still chosen to swim around in the lake. Kaley stopped to stare at them again. Being a photographer made her notice everything beautiful about the world around us. Another thing I loved about her. A cold gust of wind blew past us. I heard Kaley shiver beside me as we walked. I slid my jacket off and tucked it over her shoulders. She clutched it closed and smiled at me.
“Aren’t you cold hun?” she asked me.
“I’m fine mi amor,” I said softly throwing my arm around her pulling her close to me. She leant her head on my shoulder as we walked, her hand around my waist.
A few minutes of more walking led us to the edge of the path so we decided to sit on one of the benches and take in the day. I sat length-ways on the bench with my feet up. She sat between my legs leaning against my chest with her head tucked under my neck again. The sky, still calm, had held its beautiful smooth mix of grey and turquoise. The wind had picked up now but it wasn’t as cold as it was earlier. I still held onto Kaley though.
We talked about random things as were all our conversations together. Me occasionally kissing her forehead or her hair or brushing it out of her face. Nothing could compare to the happiness I felt in that single moment. To hold such a delicate beauty in my arms and know that she was mine was the greatest feeling on earth. The trees had given up now and their brilliantly hued leaves fluttered everywhere in the air. Kaley sat up to look at the scene of swirling colours before us. It was all a blur of golden yellow and red against the evergreens. Her cheek rested against mine. I held her hands in mine and prayed to god I’d never lose her.
“Que bello…” she uttered softly, her accent coming out strong as ever then. She leaned into me and kissed my chin. I smiled down at her and kissed her forehead again. She smiled that beautiful dazzling smile. I knew then, I may not have her forever but I had her now and that’s all that really mattered in the end. I had her here with me in my arms. With me on this perfect day…