#97leo

Living in a small town in nearly the very middle of a country, Abbie had never seen the ocean. Of course she’d dreamed about it all her life - everyone had. She had dreams about standing on the shoreline and watching the edge of the water tickle her feet and drift back. But she’d never felt it for real. Until Niall.

He called her one Saturday like he normally did, and they’d talk for a few hours. Just before they ended the call, he asked if Abbie would like to come stay with him in Ireland for a week or two. It was no surprise to Niall when she screamed yes into the phone. They wasted no time, starting the next day, making the plans; they were eager to see each other as they hadn’t in about two months.

A week and a half later, Abbie sat on a plane. Headphones on, she was in her own world, patiently waiting for the next couple hours to pass. Her plane landed, and it took no time for Niall to flag her down and have her in his arms. “Hey, Abbs,” Niall mumbled with a smile into her neck while they spun.

“Hey,” Abbie beamed.

“I was thinking about something the other day, you know,” he said as he threw her bag across his back and reached for her hand.

“What were you thinking about?”

“You’ve never seen the ocean before. Well, except for just flying over it. We’re going today.”

Abbie paused, paralyzed by the excitement that burst inside. Niall felt her stop, and turned back to see her standing still, an even bigger smile on her face. “Niall... really?”

“Yes,” he grinned back, “really.”

Within the next twenty minutes, he and Abbie were headed down the highway. She was practically shaking, she couldn’t contain her joy. Abbie was finally going to feel the sand between her toes, and get to feel the cool water float over her feet. It was such an amazing feeling. All she could do, or wanted to do, for that matter, was smile. Just smile.

Niall pulled up into a parking spot, climbed out and went around to get Abbie’s door. Her hand fell into his, and he led her down the old stairs to the beach. A few steps before the last, Abbie stopped to slide her shoes off. She took the final steps carefully, preparing herself, in a sense. Her toes met the soft, warm sand. She breathed in, capturing the deep scent of the salty air, and let out a giggle.

Niall watched, admiring the child-like excitement in her eyes. He was happy he was the reason for the smile on her face. Abbie looked up at Niall, eyes wide, then she glanced to the water and back. “What are you waiting for?” he laughed. “Do it!”

Handing her shoes off, Abbie nearly sprinted to the water’s edge. When she hit the water, she was beaming. Her cheeks felt they were ready to fall off, she’d been smiling so long. She kicked the water around, felt it on her fingertips. Abbie was sitting on cloud nine. She paused, and looked all around - at the miles and miles of outstretched water, the waves, the other beach goers. The moment of serenity was semi-interrupted by Niall’s arms around her waist, followed by kiss on the cheek. Abbie turned to hug him back. “Just… thank you, Niall. You made a  dream come true. Everything I’d ever hoped it would be.”