I look over at Jarod to find him gazing out the window on his side of the car, admiring the view. I see the joy in his eyes as the seagulls squawk and dive into the ocean, grabbing the fish with their talons, then swoop up, unscathed to go enjoy their meal. Our stomachs grumble in unison, which elicits a laugh. He looked over at me and I can tell by the look in his eyes we are thinking the same thing. He opened his door and, before I can open mine, moved around the front of the car and opened it for me, extending his hand and a warm smile. I accept, putting a slight spring in my step that sends me colliding into him, just enough that he has to steady us. I can tell he enjoyed the contact, for his heartbeat grows more rapid by the second.

"Umm." He started nervously, breaking our contact.

"The picnic basket " I finish for him.

"Yeah." He returned to the car, reaching into the back seat and retrieves the basket, returning promptly.

"Wouldn't want to forget what we came here for." He laughed.

"No we wouldn't." I confirmed.

I think back to all we've been through, and what we weren't here to talk about; not today anyway. We kick off our shoes next to the car, and steadying the basket in one arm, he took my hand in his and leaded me along the beach. Our feet are splashed by the waves as they come and go. Its almost time for the sunset; without words he leaded me to a dry spot on the beach. He spread out our balnket, smoothing out the wrinkles, and we sit down, side by side.

I open the basket and pull out some strawberries, putting one up to his lips for a bite. As he bites into it, a little juice dribbles down his mouth. I laugh, its so cute when he's sloppy. I move in closer to him and lick the juice away from his chin, stealing a kiss on the way up.

He reached into the basket and pulled out some whip cream, spraying a huge amount on an even larger strawberry. He laughed, pushing it toward my mouth. No way is that going to fit, I thought, and he knows it! He wedged the strawberry into my mouth, I nearly choke in a fit of laughter, spraying the whipped cream all over both of us. He can't stop laughing either. He leaned in and licked the whip cream off of me in various places, stopping occasionaly for a kiss. I laugh even harder and begin to question his motives.

"Two can play that game." I shriek between giddy fits of laughter, the first words spoken since the car.

I reach for the can and shake it vigorisly, spraying it all over him. We wrestle on the ground for control over the can, spraying it all over our clothes.

"No fair, you're stronger than me " I yell, the weak female thing works every time.

"Thats right I am." He laughed, spraying me even more until the can is empty. "I know im not empty." He laughed wickedly and tossed the can aside.

I giggle and climb on top of him, removing my shirt. I lean down and kiss him, licking the whipped cream off his face.

"No fair, now youre stronger." He accused.

I leap up impulsively and grab his hand.

"Lets go for a swim." I gesture toward the water, already pealing off layers of clothing. "Last one in . . . " I trail off.

We make a run for the water, streaking as we lost our clothes halfway there. We laid down in the shallow end, making love as the waves threatened to wash us away, adding to our every wave of pleasure. When we finish we walk back to our clothes, a sticky mess, and decide to just go with the underwear. We walk back to the car, huddling close for warmth. He opened my door and we slide back into the car. We kick on the heater. He turned on the radio to my favorite station. He always knows what I want. We drive silently back to my place:

I knew I loved you before I met you,
I think I dreamed you into my life,
I knew I loved you before I met you,
I have been waiting all my life

As Darren of Savage Garden sang, I felt he was singing to us. I look over at him and can tell he's thinking the same. To bad life wasn't as simple as a song there wasn't always a happy ending. but there is always the hope of one. He pulled into the lot of my house and, same as always, opened my door and walked me to my doorstep. He stood there, brushing my matted hair away from my face. I know what he is thinking, 'I got part of what I wanted tonight, but not all'. He is stalling, waiting for me to make up my mind. He drew me into his arms and held me tight, as if he never wanted to let me go. I can't see his face, but I hear his breathing deepen, turning into short, breathless, silenced sobs. He was crying. I hold him tighter, fully wrapping my arms around his slender waist. He buried his head into my neck, swaying me back and forth to the song that is playing in both our heads. We both want that happy ending. I can feel him starting to pull away, to say goodbye, so I can go inside, and just like every other time. I cry myself to sleep. I live for these moments. I want to scream, "He is all I have, I am incomplete without you!" but I know he would say we could have eternity together if we just gave it a chance. I know because we have had that conversation more times than I can remember.

"Damnit." I scream to myself, why am I doing this to him, to myself? Don't I want to be happy?

He raised his head to my ear and whispered, "I love you". Nussling my ear, tears still flowing freely from both our eyes.

"Jarod, I . . . " I choke, unable to finish the sentence, afraid what it might cause more pain.

"I want to be with you." He caressed my face, his dark chocolate eyes penetrating my soul.

"We are together." I counter, even though I know perfectly well what he meant.

"No. Body. Mind. Soul." He pressed his hand against my heart, reinforcing what he meant.

I don't know what pushed me over, but I now realize how much I love him. I pull back from his embrace, to look him into the eyes. I press my hand onto his chest, over his heart.

"I love you. Body, mind, and soul." I whisper, opening the door and leading him into my home, into my soul. This time there will be a happy ending.

The End!