The Lion’s Cross Species Baby

*****

An hour later, he said, “Get ready. It’s just around this bend.” He parked the jeep under a tree and turned it off.

Annie tilted her head; an unfamiliar roar could be heard just behind the trees. She frowned, contemplating the noise, pondering the possibilities. Then her eyes widened when she realized what was making the noise.

“A waterfall!” she gushed. She jumped out of the jeep and ran around the copse of trees, leaving Cooper behind to get their picnic, laughing at her haste to see the magnificence the trees held. He rushed after her, only catching up to her when she had stopped and stared in awe.

The waterfall appeared to rush straight out of a rock formation nearly thirty feet wide. Only ten or fifteen feet in height, the undertow wasn’t strong enough to pull a person under. The water didn’t rush too quickly over the rocks, which would allow one to sit and let the water flow over her. Surrounded by lush greenery, the water was the perfect contrast, a soft azure. An outcropping made of rock slipped out over the water, hovering above the water, almost begging for someone to have a picnic on it or use it as a makeshift diving board.

Annie imagined Heaven looked a lot like this. Her eyes refused to look around. One of her bucket list items had been crossed off. She’d found a sight that literally took her breath away. She reached out her hand and waited for Cooper to take it. When he did, he stepped to her, and despite the heat, he put his body against hers and an arm around her waist.

“Cooper, thank you,” Annie whispered almost reverently. Speaking in a normal tone of voice seemed inappropriate in this place.

“You’re welcome, Annie” he whispered back.

“Truly dazzling,” she murmured, staring, mesmerized by the magnificence.

Cooper was watching Annie, his eyes on her face. His heart, which he’d commanded to behave, thumped at the sight of her mesmerized by something he’d shown her. I think I’m in love with her, he thought. And it doesn’t even scare me. Damn. Her eyes were watery with unshed tears, and he was amazed. He had fallen in love with the beauty of this place, but for her, it was so lovely it made her cry. He was proud to have given someone a moment such as this, and even more proud that he’d given it to Annie.

“I’ll give you twenty bucks when we get back to camp.” Annie’s smile had not left her face. “Can we swim in it?”

“Of course. And if you’ll go naked, we can forget that twenty bucks,” Cooper suggested with an eyebrow wiggle.

Annie looked at him, a mischievous smile on her face. “Last one in has to get out first and set up lunch.” She was stripping before she’d finished her sentence. Cooper slowly undressed, more intent on watching her lithe form as she, rather ungracefully, stripped. And still he found her sexy as she kicked her shoes off with her pants around her ankles. He’d only unbuttoned his pants, and she was completely nude before him. She pointed at him, laughed as if she’d never had a better time in her life, and jumped off the rock outcropping, disappearing in a plume of water.

After jumping into the water, Annie waited for Cooper to join her, and her thoughts returned to the little being in her belly. She put her hand on her stomach and jolted; she had a small bulge, just big enough to feel. She doubted it was noticeable if one only looked at her. She smiled; she was becoming accustomed to the idea of a baby in her life. But then she frowned. She had to tell Cooper. Guilt was beginning to set it.

Lost in thoughts, Cooper jungle screamed as he flew off the rock outcropping and cannon-balled into the water, dousing her completely.

A lengthy splash fight later, they swam together to the waterfall. The rush was just a little too much to stand under, so they climbed up and sat on the rock formation, allowing the water to slosh over their legs. Their legs were entwined, and Cooper was running his hand up and down her thigh.