"This beach..."Gillian trailed off, realizing she was standing at the very place she had dreamt of.
"We used to come here after my race to watch the sunrise," Edison explained, appearing on her right. His eyes were looking straight ahead, as if their past selves were right before them.
In fact the distant memories were replaying before his eyes.
- - - - - flashback starts - - - - -
The races had just ended.
Gillian excitedly pushed him into the car, worried that they would miss the sunrise.
When they arrived the sky was still dark and the air was chilly from the long night.
"achoo!" he heard Gillian sneeze as she ran toward the sandy beach.
Neither one of them were wearing more than a t-shirt. Instinctively he slipped his arms around her waist, snuggling against her, using his body to warm hers.
"Warmer?" he asked, whispering close to her ear.
She nodded then rewarded him with a stunning smile that made his heart flutter with happiness.
Moments later, they watched as the sun slowly rose before their eyes, glowing everything in its path, and sending warmth to their bodies with each additional morning ray.Suddenly he was no longer able to suppress the urge to tell her the three words that had been in his heart for a while, "I love you."
"I love you, too."
The words made him smile as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Hey, who said you can kiss me?" Gillian pulled away and crossed her arms.
"I can kiss my girl anytime I want," he smirked, his eyes trailing her as she moved further away.
"I don't think so," she said, making a run toward the waters.
In no time he caught up with her and carried her in his arms, holding her above the waters.
"If you won't let me kiss you then you'll have to suffer the consequences," he threatened teasingly.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh, but I would," dropping her slightly, she clung closer to him; their heads were only inches apart. Entranced by each other's eyes, their heads slowly leaned closer until their lips met, sharing a hunger-filled passionate kiss.
- - - - - flashback ends - - - - -
The memory brought a smile to his lips. "One time, you were cold so I hugged you from behind to keep you warm. It was also the very first time that I told you that.."
"I loved you," "you loved me," they said in unison.
"and still do," Edison continued softly, his earnest eyes resting on her porcelain face.
---------------------------------------------------------
The next day, Gillian arrived at the community center later than usual due to her weekly appointment with Kenny.
Kenny was helping her work out the issues revolving her parent's death. Even though she could not recall the occurrence of horrific event, just the knowledge was upsetting enough. Had she stayed behind instead of leaving with Edison that day then her parents would not have met the fatal accident.
She had inadvertently caused her parents' premature deaths.
She had inadvertently taken away her parents not just from herself but from Charlene as well.
Perhaps the only reason her conscience was still able to bare the guilt was that she could not recall the incident. Luckily, her twin sister did not blame her or else she would feel even worse; instead the other only reassured her over and over again that it was just an accident, an event that no one wishes for.
When she was settling down at her desk, a coworker informed her that a volunteer was already attending to the elderly group that she was in charged of at this time.
Slipping into the huge room filled with elderly people, Gillian heard a distinct deep voice, reciting what seems to be the news. A surprised smile lit her face when she saw a familiar head of blonde spikes sitting a few feet away, next to an elderly couple with a newspaper in his hands. Gillian didn't walk over immediately; rather she stood and listened as he patiently read a news article to the couple, only approaching when he ended.
"I didn't know you have a habit of volunteering," Gillian smiled.
"I don't. This is my first time," Edison confessed shyly, pushing his hands further into his jean pants.
"Umm, we better get back to work," Gillian said, blushing slightly from Edison's stare.
For the rest of the day, Gillian and Edison continued tending to the elders separately but stealing glances at each other occasionally.
---------------------------------------------------------
"Nic," Edison called, strolling up to the bar where his friend was sitting.
"Hey man," the other returned a greeting.
"I need you to do me a favor," Edison handed Nicholas a thick manila envelope.
"Sure thing."
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