“Our beach?” Rune queried as he started up the car. “It’ll take us a while to get there and it’s already late.”
“I don’t care,” I replied, “As long as we make it before the sun.” I sat back, taking Rune’s hand in my own as we began our ultimate adventure to the coast.
* * *
By the time we arrived at the beach, the night had drawn on. Sunrise was only a couple of hours away. And I was content with that.
I wanted this time with Rune.
As we pulled into a parking spot, Rune looked over to me. “Do you want to sit on the sand?”
“Yes,” I said hastily, staring up at the bright stars in the sky.
He paused. “It might be cold for you.”
“I have you,” I replied and watched as his expression softened.
“Wait here.” Rune slipped out of the car, and I heard him taking things from the trunk. The beach was dark, lit only by the bright moon above. In the moonbeams, I saw Rune laying a blanket on the sand, a few extra blankets from the trunk beside him.
As he walked back, he reached up and undid his bowtie, then snapped open several buttons of his shirt. As I stared at Rune, I asked myself how I had gotten so lucky. I was loved by this boy, loved so fiercely that other loves paled in comparison.
Though my life had been short, I had loved long. And in the end, this was enough.
Rune opened the car door, and reaching in, he took me in his strong arms. I giggled as he cradled me. “Am I heavy?” I asked as he shut the car door.
Rune met my eyes. “Not at all,Poppymin. I’ve got you.”
Smiling, I pressed a kiss to his cheek and laid my head on his chest as he walked us to the blanket. The sound of crashing waves filled the night air, a gentle warm breeze blew through my hair.
When we arrived at the blanket, Rune dropped to his knees and gently laid me down. I closed my eyes and inhaled the salty air, filling my lungs.
The sensation of wool covering my shoulders made me open my eyes; Rune was wrapping me up warm in the blankets. I tipped my head back, watching him behind me. Noticing my smile, he kissed the tip of my nose. I giggled, suddenly finding myself held tightly in Rune’s protective arms.
Rune’s legs straightened to box me in. My head fell back to rest against his chest. I let myself relax.
Rune pressed kisses to my cheek. “Are you okay,Poppymin?” he asked.
I nodded. “I’m perfect,” I replied.
Rune’s hand pushed the hair back from my face. “Are you tired?”
I went to shake my head, but wanting to be honest, I answered, “Yes. I’m tired, Rune.”
I felt as well as heard his deep sigh. “You made it, baby,” he said proudly. “The blossom trees, the prom…”
“All that’s left are our kisses,” I finished for him. I felt him nod against me. “Rune?” I said, needing him to hear me.
“Ja?”
Closing my eyes, I lifted my hand to my lips. “Remember, the one thousandth kiss is to be when I go home.” Rune tensed against me. Holding his arm tighter around me, I asked, “Is that still okay?”
“Anything,” Rune replied. But I could tell by the hoarseness of his voice that the request had hit him hard.
“I can’t imagine a more peaceful and beautiful send-off than your lips on mine. The end of our adventure. The adventure we’ve been on for nine years.”
Looking back at him, I held his intense eyes and smiled. “And I want you to know that I’ve never regretted a day, Rune. Everything about you and me has been perfect.” Gripping his hand, I said, “I want you to know how much I have loved you.”
I turned my shoulder so I was staring Rune straight in the eye. “Promise me that you’ll go on adventures around the world. Visit other countries and experience life.”