The Only One He Wants

“You smell wonderful, Mrs. Good!” Michael let go of her, taking her hand in his.

“I’m not a Good yet,” she said and they laughed.

“Oh, you’re so good! And hot!”

“Mike! You embarrass me.” She pinched him on the forearm and he winced.

“Ouch. Those hips don’t lie!” He continued teasing and she loved it. His jokes were a medicine to her soul.

They walked down the wooden path connecting the bungalows to the beach, the night surrounding them with its beauty. The breeze ruffled her hair a bit, but she didn’t mind. Michael’s presence gave her all the warmth she needed. Although they stepped on the soft sand in silence, she could hear his steady heartbeat and his breathing. In and out. Like the most beautiful melody. That more than anything else calmed her down.

Above them, the clouds had separated, revealing a blanket of blinking stars. One next to the other, they looked like they saw the two of them and witnessed their grand love. As if he too felt it, Michael threw an arm around Gabrielle’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

“I have to tell you something.” Michael started seriously, catching her attention. She chased away all thoughts and lifted her gaze to see his face.

“Yes?” she carefully inquired.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a real palm tree.” He laughed and she playfully hit him in the chest.

“You’re truly crazy. I thought it was something serious!”

“It is, sweetheart. Just look at those coconuts and long leaves! Beautiful!” he joked as they stopped walking to rest for a while. The beach was dark and remote. No one except them and the small waves disturbed the peace.

“More beautiful than me?” she asked, sitting on the sand.

“No, never. Nothing is more beautiful than you.” He joined her, stretching his long legs before him. “Besides, the coconuts are too hairy for my taste.”

She laughed again. “But they have milk inside!”

“Who needs milk when they see what you have inside,” he said.

“Mikey! You’re disgusting!”

“No, I’m realistic. Speaking of that, let’s see…”

“Someone might see us,” she warned him, although she never wanted the moment to end. Closing her eyes, she forgot about everything and focused only on his kisses.

But then a sound reached them. Some kind of singing and laughing mingled with music. Michael gave her a final kiss on the lips and rose to his feet. She took his hand for support and stood next to him, listening.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“I have no idea! Want to find out?” he happily grinned, already leading her between the palm trees.

Clutching his hand, she ran with him, letting the forest engulf them. It smelled of soil and greenery, so she breathed in all the nature around her. She saw branches and tall trees for quite some time before Michael finally ceased running and the sounds they had been hearing became very loud in her ears. They were there.

A wide clearing, stuffed with people, lay before her eyes. Lots and lots of them were dancing and singing with a roaring fire in the middle. Smiling, she looked at Mike and noticed that his face was lit with a wide smile as well. They were at a gathering of some sort with locals dressed in their traditional clothes celebrating something.

“It’s so interesting,” she said clapping her hands to the rhythm of the music. Mauritius didn’t stop amazing her.

“Come on!” Michael pulled her toward the clearing, blending in the crowd.

“We’re not invited,” she whispered, seeing all the colorful clothes and brown-skinned dancers.

“Who cares? Just have fun and forget about everything!” He kissed her on the cheek and began applauding as the song ended.

Lost and with no clue what to do, Gabrielle stayed close to Michael. Her eyes were all over the place. From the fire and the silhouettes gathered around it to the children running around and the singer, who was sitting on a tall rock, she tried to fit everything into her memories. Standing like that completely focused on the wonderful sight, she sensed a nudge in her ribs.

Startled, she turned back, only to see a small girl dressed in a pink dress with flowers addressing her.

“Can you please tie my hair in a braid?” She asked with puppy eyes and Gabrielle couldn’t help but smile.

“Of course, dear,” she replied, seeing Michael sitting among the locals around the fire. No one was dancing now.

He beckoned to her and she joined him with the girl in her lap.

“Who’s this?” Mike asked cheerfully.

The girl proudly introduced herself to them. “I’m Melodie, sir. Like a melody, but with ie in the end.”

“Really? Nice to meet you, Melodie,” Michael said winking at Gabrielle. Aw, he would be such a good father. Actually, he already was a father. Her Alesha certainly loved him like one. “I’m Michael and this is Gabrielle!”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Melodie said and Michael pinched her cheek.