“I’ve missed you,” she said.
“I’ve missed you too. What should we do about that?” He smiled.
Gaia grinned. “Maybe we should kiss and make up? I hear that’s what people do after having a disagreement.”
Aaron’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, some people do that. Usually people in a relationship. Are we in a relationship?”
Gaia stiffened, then relaxed. “I think…I would like to be. May I ask you out on a date?”
Aaron’s jaw dropped, then he grinned. “You may.”
Gaia cleared her throat. “I guess I should ask you out to dinner and a movie. I understand that’s a common date night.”
“I would like that very much. When should this date occur?”
Gaia tipped her head and thought. “I imagine you want to see your daughter and granddaughter first.”
“Absolutely. How about tomorrow night?”
“Yes. I will plan for that—unless the earth decides otherwise. Until tomorrow night then,” Gaia said and took a step back.
“Wait a minute. What about our kiss to make up?” Aaron asked.
Gaia smiled shyly. Her cheeks heated, and she knew she must be blushing. It was now or never. She stepped forward, draped her arms around his neck, and leaned in, closing her eyes and puckering up, as she had seen many mortals do.
Aaron met her lips with his own, gently applying pressure. After angling his mouth and with the gentle pressure of his tongue, he teased her mouth open. They swirled their tongues together, and Gaia felt as if butterflies had invaded her tummy.So this is what everyone feels that I’ve been missing.No wonder love is so popular around the world.
When they finally let their lips and bodies leave each other, they grasped both hands. “Until tomorrow night,” Aaron said. “I need to drive back to the Fierros’ house and check on my family.”
“Drive carefully,” Gaia said. “May I dry the road for you?”
Aaron smiled. “No need. Now that the rain has stopped, I can navigate the roads, and I promise to be careful.”
Gaia nodded, wishing she could help, but she had made that mistake before. She was going to ask before she just jumped in to save him from minor inconveniences.
She disappeared into the ether and stayed there a moment to sigh privately. He was different from all the other people she had met. And she wanted the date to go well. She would have to figure out how to make that happen. There must be someone who had long-term relationship success.
Suddenly, a woman popped into her mind. Gabriella. Her new muse of parenting. She had certainly stayed in love with her Antonio, and it was very clear her love was returned tenfold. Gaia nodded to herself. “That’s what I’ll do. I’ll talk to Gabriella.” And then she remembered that everyone was going to the Fierro home to visit Ruth, the baby, Kizzy, and Aaron. The conversation would have to wait, but she would speak with her as soon as she could. This one relationship had to go well.
* * *
Aaron drove as fast as he could until he reached a place with some cellular reception. He pulled over and called Kizzy.
“Hi Dad, or maybe I should say Grandpa!”
“I just heard, Kizzy. How is she? And how’s the baby?”
“They’re good. We’re still at the clinic and could use another driver.”
He heard a giggle in the background. “Oh. Misty said you’d be at the Fierros’.”
“Yes, that’s where we’re heading soon.”
“I feel just awful I wasn’t there. I’m sure I could’ve helped. I understand it was touch and go for a while…at least that’s what Misty said.”
“She’s right. But everything’s okay now. In fact, it’s a little better than okay.”
“Do you want to tell me what that means?”
