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SUSAN AND DAVID SAT near the ocean on a beautiful stretch of private beach outside the Finch Bay. They huddled together on a blanket, sitting quietly, listening to the soothing sound of the surf. Further down the beach some festivities were underway. They could only hear an occasional burst of laughter, or applause, but that was all.
Together they watched a few yachts sail out into the horizon. The night was warm, the smell of salt was in the air, and the soothing surf foamed onto the beach and receded back into the ocean.
“The ocean and the stars have always fascinated me,” she said as they looked out on at the sea. “I always get this feeling inside of me when I try to comprehend the stars and the ocean. I think about the power of these mighty forces and I’m just in awe. I’ve always wanted to live by the sea.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”
“A woman must have some secrets, doesn’t she?”
He pondered the question for a moment and then said, “I believe she does.”
They lay quiet for a moment. David put one hand on his wife’s pregnant belly and absently rubbed while looking over the vast blackness dotted by bright pinholes of fire.
“I can cut down some of these trees and build us a place right here on the beach,” he offered. “I’ll build it with a nice canopied porch and three rocking chairs.”
“One for me, you, and a small one for baby. I’d like that.”
She pushed her face into his neck, breathing deeply and pulling in his scent.
“We’ll do it then.”
They are quiet again and then after a few minutes, she noticed David was crying silently. She put a hand to his cheek and wiped away his tears.
“I thought I was going to lose you,” he whispered. His voice cracked with emotion.
“But you didn’t.”
“I’m afraid to let you out of my sight. I know this fear is irrational, but I can’t stop myself from thinking the moment you’re away from me, something is going to happen, to you and the baby. You think this fear will ever go away?”
“No,” she said and kissed him on his cheek. “But it will get easier. You’ll never forget, but it will get easier.”
“I love you, Sue”
“I love you, too.”
They squeezed each other tightly.
“Don’t ever let go, David.”
“I won’t.”
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