The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer) (16 page)

             
“A little mermaid saved me,” I barely whisper the words.

             
I don’t have a chance to watch his response before Jen yells over the bonfire, “Alex, will you help shuck the corn?”

             
I silently stand up to go help with dinner. It’s best if we eat so the Pedersens can drop us off before Christian goes screaming for the hills. I kick myself for allowing myself to think, for even a second, that Christian could possibly like crazy Alex Singer. 

After a delicious meal, the five of us roast marshmallows on the dying fire. Christian and I slowly toast our marshmallows, eating them just as slowly. We are both deep in thought. Sven and Jen have every kind of competition possible: they see who can start a marshmallow on fire the fastest, who can toast the most beautiful marshmallow, and who can throw flaming marshmallows the furthest. Henrik roasts a marshmallow before going to the car to make a phone call.

“He’s calling his girlfriend,” Sven says as he cleans up their marshmallow mess.

“What’s she like?” Jen asks.

“A lot like him. She’s very serious, quiet, and good with numbers.” He grabs a couple brightly colored cloths from the basket. “Now, the two of us are going to play capture the flag.”

“What does the winner get?”

“What do you want?

Jen thinks for a minute. “If I win, you have to take me to the homecoming dance.”

“Deal, but if I win you have to stop complaining about our seafood,” he replies.

“Okay, but it’s best if you know something up front,” she says.

“Yes?”

She grabs the flags from his hands. “I cheat!” She runs off into the dark.

“That’s not fair!” He runs after her.

“Uh-uh, you’re taking me to homecoming so you better order your tux. With your shoulders you’ll want to do it sooner than later…” Her voice is drowned out by the ocean.

“He didn’t have a chance,” I say to Christian.

“Sven would have let her win, regardless. He is extremely fond of Jenifer and was a
lready going to ask her to the dance.” He reclines against a rock. His eyes stare at me through the shadows.

             
“He’ll want to wear some steel-toed shoes because she’s a terrible dancer.  She’ll walk all over his feet.” I force a laugh.

“I’ll warn him. And what about you, do you want to go to the dance?”

I’m shocked that he wants anything to do with me after my previous revelation. Maybe he didn’t hear me. It’s too much to hope for. If he didn’t hear me, I can salvage what little dignity I have left and avoid him like the plague. Let him find out the truth from someone else.

I shake my head. “I completely deserve my grounding. I feel guilty just being here. I should probably go home.”

“You are a very good granddaughter.”

“Yeah, I should be awarded the granddaughter of the year award for sneaking off to Portland and forging Gramps’ name.” I pause slightly before changing the subject. “Do you think Sven and Jen are about ready to go?”

I pull Christian’s jacket tight. The night air makes me shiver next to the dying bonfire. He puts an arm around me and pulls me to him.

“I believe this is where we were earlier,” he says, tenderly rubbing my arms to warm me.

I try to stand, and he stops me by holding on tightly.

“Christian, didn’t you hear what I told you?” I ask.

“Every word, you told me you were saved by a little mermaid.”

“Then why aren’t you running?
”

“Alexandra, I told you that I love you, and
nothing will change this fact.  If anything, your disclosure makes me love you more.” He sounds sincere.

This revelation is startling. I was convinced that as soon as he found out the truth that he would change his mind about wanting to have any type of relationship with me. My mind backtracks. Jackson knows the truth and still pursues me, but he does so with a condescending pity. Christian’s reaction is puzzling in that he honestly appears to feel more affection for me.

I hesitantly lay my head on his shoulder. Not being treated like I’m crazy is oddly endearing. “You were going to tell me what you were thinking about.”

He is silent for several moments. “I was just thinking about how nervous I am. This is all uncharted territory for me.”

“We can find you a map of Maine,” I tease.

“What I need is a map to your heart,” he whispers.

I turn and look at him. “Why me?”

His blue eyes penetrate into mine. “You never do what I expect.”

“And what have you come to expect?”

“Vanessa Powers is what I always expect, but you’re different.”

“Yes, I’m a bit of a freak,” I say.

He continues to stare into my eyes. “You are everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’m going to love you forever.”

He moves the hair out of my face.

“You’re too serious about us.”

“Alexandra, I love you with my whole being, and all my future plans now include you. I believe this is a very serious matter.”

I am very frightened by this and my first impulse is to run, but Jen’s words ring in my mind. I know she’s right, I can choose Christian. I can choose to love him and let him love me. It is terrifying to know that I am at a very important crossroads in my life. I take a deep breath and reach across my lap. Gingerly, I place my hand in his.

He tenderly grips it and smiles slightly. Leaning forward, he swallows nervously. He hesitates for a split second before gently putting his lips to mine.

Electricity shoots through my body and chills run down my spine. I force myself to breathe as I kiss him back. His lips are warm and soft. He tastes like the ocean air itself, fresh and slightly salty. He wraps his arms around my waist, and I put mine around his neck.

I can’t explain it, but I know this is much more than a simple kiss. The reverence in which Christian has behaved this evening tells me that he knows it too. I feel connected to him, as though the kiss has somehow awakened something in me and bound us together. The connection is so intense I pull away.

Christian takes a deep breath, peering deeply into my eyes. As always, I am caught in the depth of his. We sit silently in the moonlight, just looking at each other.

My hands go to the necklace around my neck.

“I need to give this back,” I say. “It’s too expensive.”

He pulls me into his arms and kisses my neck. “It is more than an appropriate gift for my girlfriend.  We are in a serious relationship, after all.”

I want to ask him why he always talks in absolutes when it comes to us, but I can’t help myself. Regardless of my mind’s objections, I feel drawn to him like a moth to a flame. This time I am the one who kisses him. He responds by cupping my face in his hands and kissing me in return. I am surprised by the pure force behind this kiss, as though his emotions have been penned up and are being released through a floodgate.

“Hey, it’s getting late. Are you two ready to go?” Jen asks, walking into the glowing light of the smoldering coals. She sees us kissing and chuckles. “I can see why you didn’t join our game.”

I pull away from him and turn around. He refuses to let go of me, holding tightly around my waist.

“What’s that?” Sven joins Jen. He’s soaking wet, and flips the wet locks out of his eyes so he can see.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Jen shrugs her shoulders before saying sarcastically, “Christian was just showing Alex how the Danes kiss, that’s all.”

Sven eyes open wide, and his jaw drops open.

“What’s your problem?” Jen swats at him. “People kiss all the time.”

Sven responds by yelling something in Danish. Henrik comes running from the car, shutting his cell phone. Sven rattles off a long stream of Danish to Henrik. Henrik responds by opening his phone. Christian adamantly joins the conversation. They talk heatedly for several minutes.

“Hey, go ahead and have your rude and strange discussion.” Jen helps me to my feet. “Alex and I are going to wait in the car. It’s freezing out here, and we really don’t need to wi
tness all your craziness.”

I’m grateful to escape to the car with her.

              “Do you know what all that was about?” I ask her as we get in the car and shut the doors.

             
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the Pedersens are extremely protective of each other. They’re really close, even for cousins. I mean they’re practically joined at the hip, aren’t they? I think that Sven and Henrik might be upset with Christian for making out with you before talking to them about it.”

             
“It doesn’t have anything to do with them,” I object.

             
“The Pedersens are a package deal; you date one, you get all three. Now if only I can convince Sven to date me,” Jen says from the front seat.

             
“I pretty sure he already thinks the two of you are dating. Christian told me that Sven really likes you and was going to ask you to homecoming.” I stifle a yawn.

             
“That big brute’s really been holding out on me!” I can tell she’s smiling even though I can’t see her face in the dark car.

             
I’m blinded when the car lights turn on. Christian climbs in next to me while Sven and Henrik put the picnic things in the trunk. 

“I’m sorry
for taking so long,” Christian says. “We need to get Alexandra home before Thomas extends her grounding another month.”

“Did you three work out your problem?” Jen asks.

“There wasn’t a problem. Apparently, my cousins were ignorant about how deeply I feel for Alexandra.”

“How deep do these feelings go?” Jen asks. I immediately give her a dirty look. She just smirks and waits for Christian’s answer. He smiles.

“You will not answer that question,” I interject. “Jen needs to mind her own business.”

She sticks her tongue out at me.

“I see you’re being as polite as usual,” Sven says to her as he squeezes his huge frame into the car.

“Yeah, and what are you going to do about it?” She furrows her brows, daring him to try and stop her.

“I have half a mind not to take you to homecoming. After all, you did cheat.” He starts the car.

She shrugs her shoulders as indifferently as possible. “Fine, don’t take me.  Three diffe
rent juniors have asked me, and I’ll just go with the one who annoys me least.”

“I hope you enjoy the dance,” he says, but even in the dimly lit car I can see his shoulder muscles tighten.

“I will. There are loads of guys who don’t mind that I can beat them at sports.” She cranks up the radio and crosses her arms.

Christian chuckles under his breath. He puts an arm around my shoulders. I lay my head on his chest and stifle another yawn.

“It has been a very busy day,” he whispers in my ear.

“Yes, I decided to date this certain guy and making that decision was exhausting. My head still hurts.”

“I assure you that guy is overjoyed by your decision.” He kisses my head.

“It’s just too bad that I happen to be grounded at the moment. I won’t be able to see him very often.”

He gently raises my face to his. “Then we will just have to use what time we do have wisely.” He bends over and tenderly puts his lips on mine.

             
We are jostled as the car swerves.

             
“Would you watch where you’re going?” Jen grabs the steering wheel from Sven.

             
“I’m sorry.”

             
“Well, stop watching Christian and Alex kissing in the back seat and keep your eyes on the road or you’re going to crash!”

             
Christian blows through his lips. Sven’s attention is instantly on what he’s doing.

Hypothesis #9 is upgraded to Theory #
8 – There is definitely something up with the blowy thingy.

Observations – The guys do it whenever they are upset with each other.

              “You guys keep doing that. What is it?” I ask. “Some strange Danish custom?”

             
“It’s nothing,” he shrugs it off, moving hair out of my face.

             
“Show it to me,” I sit up.

             
“It’s just an odd mannerism. Don’t worry about it.”

             
“Please?”

             
He puckers his lips, ever so slightly, and blows.

             
“What does it mean?” I ask.

             
He doesn’t answer. He’s too busy kissing me – again.

I pull away and nestle next to him. I wearily close my eyes. When I open them again, we’re pulling up to my house.

              “Where’s Jen?” I sit up, seeing that Henrik has moved to the front seat with Sven.