Just A Kiss

“That seems like a fair deal, but I promise that won’t happen,” he said, chuckling while he raised his right hand as a sign of a promise. “Next year we’ll go to Russia and Poland. Have you never been to Russia? I always figured you would have been there. I agree, California indeed has the best sun and to be honest, I love living there.” For so many years he dreamed of the day he could love California, but now he couldn’t even remember why he ever had such a dream. “Although being with you all the time sounds amazing, I have to admit it makes me a little sad to think of your retirement. You are such an amazing dancer.” Connor wrapped an arm around her before shaking his head. “From my perspective, you are by far more beautiful.”

“If you say so,” Nadia said with a giggle before wrapping her pinky around his own, forming her own way of sealing the promise. “I have never been there. My aunt and uncle always talked about taking Tommy and I there, but it never happened. Probably because my uncle has to run things here,” she nodded, still convinced her uncle was involved in something shady. “California is our home. Where you and I met and reconnected. I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” she said, kissing his cheek. Home was wherever Connor was, but Nadia knew that their home would always be in Cali. “Even if I retire, I’ll always be dancing. Don’t ever be sad about that. I just won’t be the star of the stage,” she said, her hand coming up to caress his cheek. “Sounds like you’re trying to get me in your pants,” she teased a bit, pressing herself to him a little more.

“Your happiness should not depend on my approval. I’m an asshole, Nads and I’m also very stubborn. So please don’t expect much of me, okay?” he said, shaking his head at the realization of how harsh his words were. “Thanks.”

“Right now, you’re just really sucking at the whole being there to support me and making an effort thing,” Nadia said, looking sad. “Bye, Tommy. Sorry to bother you.

“Sweetie, once in awhile you have to let me worry. Right now would be a great time for you to do that,” he said with a warm smile. He didn’t mind this kind of worry as he wanted to make everything perfect because of the solely reason that he loved Nadia. “You’re disappointing your Russian ancestors, babe. I think I could, but I prefer the sun of California,” he said, smiling at her. “If you didn’t work then you’d be with me all the time, but I won’t ask you that. I’m not that selfish to deprive the world of your talent.” Connor nodded as he looked at her jogging to see the view. He had seen it while he was planning the trip but looking at it live was even better. “Not as beautiful as you but close enough,” he said, feeling happy just from looking at her.

“Only because I love you am I willing to let you worry this time. However, if you start to worry too much, I will step in,” she joked, wagging her finger at him, smirking. Last year, Connor took her to Disneyland for the first time. This year, it was Alaska. She was going to discover many new places thanks to him and she was excited for it. “Russian and Polish. That should be on our bucket list! To visit both of those places as well. California has the best sun.” Nadia refused to believe anywhere else in the world had a better sun. “Maybe one day, you’ll have me around all the time. I am nearing retirement age for professional dancing,” she said with a shrug. Taking both leashes, she added a rope to them and tied them up to a secure tree branch before walking back over to Connor, wrapping her arms around him. “No, it’s more beautiful than me.”

“If I tell you I’m happy for you, would you stop leave me alone? It’s not that I don’t care, but seriously do whatever you want without needing my approval, at the end of the day it’s your life.” Thomas knew it was a harsh thing to say, but he was too stubborn to admit something else.

Nadia let out a sigh, looking at her cousin. “Yes, it’s my life, but I don’t have parents or siblings that I need approval from. I have you.” She bit down on her lip shrugging. “I’ll leave you alone, I guess.”

Since began dating Nadia he always had the need to keep impressing her, she was the perfect woman in the entire world and although many think the opposite Connor often felt not worthy of having someone like her. “Fine, I’ll try my best not to worry anymore,” he smiled when she kissed his cheek. “Well, it is expensive but it’s worth it. Plus, it’s nice for a change.” He loved the warm weather of California, but having grown up in a place that’s always sunny always made him wonder what it would be like to live somewhere like Alaska. “Just two weeks?” He pouted before releasing a sigh. “Okay, then I guess we have to enjoy the next two weeks as much as we can,” he said, looking at her with a smile. “Yes, that’s it.” He was relieved that they hadn’t gotten lost.

Nadia always felt that the love you deserve is always far greater than the love you have for yourself. Nadia was very critical of herself, but Connor loved her for every single part of her, even the parts she hates. “Worrying is usually my job. I hate it when you worry. I want to make it all better for you.” If it weren’t for the fact that they were on this journey to wherever Connor wanted them to go, she would make them go back to the house they rented and make him feel better. “It’s so odd to be in a place this cold. It should be in my blood to be fine with the cold, but I don’t think I could handle living in the cold for so many months of the year,” she said, shaking her head a bit. “Not unless you don’t want me to ever work again,” she said, kissing his pout. “We will make it work, don’t worry.” Nadia jogged over to the spot, gasping at the view they had. “Wow... Connor, this is beautiful,” she said, feeling speechless.

He squeezed her hand back, looking at her as he gave her a small smile. It was hard to describe how happy he felt, after his injury, he thought he never get to be happy again and instead that injury brought him back home and seeing Nadia again. “Still, babe, I want everything to be perfect. However, I am so happy to be here with you.” Connor tried to tug Oakley back. The dog was way anxious to keep walking and since he was not a puppy anymore, he sometimes could be stronger than Connor. “I know. To be honest, I never thought I’d be visiting Alaska. We can stay as much as you want,” he said. One of the perks of being the grandson of the boss was that he could take days off whenever he needed, although he tried not to abuse.

It was funny how back in high school, Nadia always dreamed of someone like Connor noticing her. Actually, she dreamed of Connor, himself, noticing her. She was invisible then, or so she thought. It was beautiful how life worked and how after all these years, it brought her soulmate back into her life. “It is perfect, so don’t worry about it,” Nadia said with a smile. She stood on her toes quickly to kiss his cheek before letting the dogs lead them. Winnie was better behaved than Oakley and they were both praying her obedience would rub off on the puppy. “I never thought I would be either, considering how expensive everyone always told me it was. I wish I had all the time in the world, but I only have these two weeks for you,” she said with a small frown. Unlike him, she couldn’t have endless time off. Summer was easier for vacations, but she still taught classes. Noticing a clearing up ahead, she beamed up at him. “Is that it?”

“Honestly? I wouldn’t be thrilled, but if that’s what you want then it doesn’t matter how I would feel.”

“Tommy, you know I always want your opinions on things. You’re my best friend. You know every single thing about me. I want you to be happy with the situation and for me. Why can’t you be happy for me?”

He nodded at her comment, Nadia was very organized and Connor always did things without thinking ahead. “Well, I wanted to make this trip perfect,” Connor smiled at Nadia. He had planned this for months and didn’t want anything to go wrong. “I think the only reason why he likes to swim is because he’s hot,” he said, looking at his dog that was eager to keep walking. “I know, babe. I’m very happy to be here with you.” He couldn’t feel happier now, not only he was at this amazing place, far away from his job and all that, but he was here with Nadia and that was everything he needed.

Nadia took Connor’s free hand, squeezing it softly. She never thought that she would fall in love like this and be loved in return. She never imagined someone planning forever with her and wanting it. Connor could have any woman in the world, seeing that he was a pro football player, but he didn’t want any other woman in the world. He wanted Nadia. “Sweetie, it is perfect regardless of how it’s planned. I’m with you on our dream vacation. I’m with you. That makes it perfect,” she reminded him softly, smiling brightly at him. As the dogs led the way, she couldn’t help but let the happiness surround her. “It’s even more beautiful here than I imagined. It’s going to be hard to leave when it’s time.”

“I haven’t, but I searched how to get there yesterday.” He admitted to her, although he didn’t expect everything to look the same. Oakley might still be a puppy, but he wasn’t small anymore and had more strength than Connor ever could’ve imagined. He let out a laugh when he wrapped them with his leash, slowly trying to unwrap it. “I know, and he is the only one without ten layers of clothes. I’m afraid he won’t like the idea of going back to Califonia.”

“Look at that. I’ve rubbed off on you, finally,” she teased him, kissing his cheek. “I’m proud of you for planning ahead.” Nadia was the planner of the pair, but Connor wanted full reigns for this trip and she let him. He hadn’t let her down at all. “I don’t know about that. He can’t swim in the water here because it’s too cold. He can swim back in California.” She knew that Oakley would be better suited for up here, but their home was back in Cali. Once they were untangled, she set Winnie back on the ground to let her walk besides Oakley again. “I’m so happy we finally came here. It’s one of our biggest dreams and it’s here!”

“Hostility? I’m not being hostile, that’s just who I am all the time. Not stealing, she prefers me. That’s a fact.”

“Well, let me ask you this, before you keep claiming that you aren’t hostile: If Connor were to one day ask me to marry him, how would you react?”

Coming to Alaska had been something Connor had always wanted. Since he got Oakley, he promised he will come to this place but things turned out better than he expected. Now he was here with Nadia, the person he was sure he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and he was determined to make this the best trip ever for everyone. Oakley was way too excited to be in there, Connor could tell that the dog definitely enjoyed the cold weather more than the hot one in California. He turned to see Nadia carrying Winnie. “Yes, I think so. It’s somewhere around here. Don’t worry, hun. I know where we’re going.” He petted the Winnie before leaning to give Nadia a kiss.

“You know where we’re going? I thought you haven’t been here before,” she asked with a smirk, leaning up to kiss him softly. Nadia had never thought about coming to Alaska until she started dating Connor and now that they were here, it felt like everything was coming full circle. Oakley, being the excited puppy that he was, decided to walk around the couple, wrapping them in his leash. Laughing, Nadia looked down to see a grin on the puppy’s face. “I think he’s more excited than all of us to be here, babe.”

“Okay, whatever you say, Nads. I’m the most honest person you’ll ever meet. Maybe not the nicest, but mean is a strong word. Winnie loves me because I give her the food she likes, and don’t worry I’ll let you visit her and the puppies.”

“I know you’re honest. I did grow up with you. I know you better than most people, which is why I am not understanding this hostility. Stop trying to steal my baby!”

“Of course he was polite because you did everything. Sorry but that is weird. Okay, think whatever you want but one day Winnie will be mine.”

“He wasn’t polite because I did everything. He was polite because he didn’t want to use me like that. You’re mean to me. Winnie will never be yours. If Winnie ever has puppies, then you can have one of her offsprings.”

“Weren’t you his lab partner or something back in the day? Yeah, well in his defense you were a bit weird looking in high school. I just don’t trust the guy. Are you sure? I’m pretty sure she loves me more.”

“Yeah. His senior year and my junior year. He was always polite to me, but we didn’t run in the same circles. I wasn’t weird looking! I was just shy and unable to speak. Winnie loves me more than you. I know it!”

“Maybe I am, but not sure people like him can change. I don’t know, Nads. I wish I could, but the only thing I can offer you is to try. Not stealing, I’m sure she wants to go with me.”

“Tommy, he did change. He’s dating me. Back in high school, he didn’t notice me like that. Now, he does. Just try and give him a chance. She does not want to go with you. She loves me!”