But according to him.
I'm beautiful.
Incredible.
He can't get me out of his head.

****

They went to the Buttermilk ski resort and got their equipment. They rented a pair of skis, ski boots, poles, and a helmet with goggles. They also brought a water bottle and some snacks from a shop.

They then joined their group that they were going to have their lesson with. A pro skier and three other people. In the distance, they could see the mountain ends gliding across each other, their slopes curved to the other side like water waves.

When their gear got fitted, is when reality became real to Mariana. As soon as her boots got put on and buckled up, she realized she was just inches away from actually skiing, gliding down the slope, and going past the trees at fast speed. Her spirit bubbled with the anticipation that you get when you're just about to do something you've never done before. She just hoped that she wouldn't fall, but that would probably be unavoidable.

Once she got up, she tried walking around but struggled a little bit since the boot was fit tightly around her feet so for a few minutes, she struggled along with the group until their instructor gave them a demo on how to walk comfortably, including uphill and downhill.

"This is really cool," she said to Micah as she started to got the hang of the controls. At first, she didn't know where to put her foot but soon, she began walking along comfortably, lifting her heel and then going forward on her toes.

"Yeah, it's so different than normal walking," Micah said, going around in a circle.

Mariana practiced walking around, she kicked off some snow while the blizzard unraveled the dazzling sun. It burned in the sky like a twirling star in the bright, blue ocean laid above them.

When everyone was all set, they were taught parts of the ski and carried them over by their bases to Panda Peak to practice using them. Each person got a piste map, showing the different skiing areas of the mountain. But the area where they were, was a perfectly flat surface, to begin with, and had chair lifts going above them with trees nearby.

Their instructor showed them how to move around the snow, the twists, and turns and how to propel themselves forward.

They got onto the skis and Mariana and Micah worked together and slide a few meters slowly. They had their knees bent and used their poles to push themselves forward. Feeling the slippery snow glide under their feet sent the jiggles to Mariana, she couldn't believe she was actually skiing down a glade of snow, something she wouldn't dream of doing sometime in her life.

Her kneecaps clapped together as she continued sliding down slowly. Her body wobbled a bit but she stayed calm and cool, still kept a positive smile on, hidden behind the checkered pattern of her scarf, as she rode against the snow.

"Look at me, Micah!" She exclaimed, jumping a little on the ground, gaining momentum.

"Well done Mariana!" He stopped and started clapping.

She started laughing out of joy and went faster. She pushed herself out more and tried turning but ended up losing her balance. Her skis slide around, causing her feet to stretch out, almost making her do the splits before she landed flat on her butt.

"Ouch!" She squeaked.

"Mariana are you okay?" He asked, carefully skiing across to her.

"Yeah." She picked herself up and continued skiing around.

They went a bit higher, walking on their tiptoes like ballerinas, and then skied down the lane. Their scarves flapped around them, obscuring their sight a little as they heard the vicious sounds of the wind rumbling in their ears.

Mariana's eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly as the snow spat onto her goggles. Even though nothing touched her eyes, she felt uncomfortable by the white sparks flying everywhere and feared that they might poke her through the glass.

They decided to stop and take the magic carpet, which was a long conveyer belt, further up the hill. They took it together with some other people and waited till they go to the end.

"This is really fun," Mariana said, as she peered up at the sun which kept shining.

"Yeah. We should do this again when we have more time," Micah said, looking to the sides. There were some families with their young children skiing along, holding onto their parents. They were in a line and were making some designs, and figures of eights in the snow. They made him think of him and Mariana in the future, with their own, little family.

He pulled Mariana's face close to him and started kissing around her cold cheeks and near her lips, making her suddenly grin.

"That's gonna be us one day," he whispered into her ear and pointed towards the kids. She looked in his direction and her heart melted at one of the small girls walking around in pigtails. She had chubby cheeks and her tiny fingers picked up a little flower from the ground.

She then looked back at Micah and for the first time in forever, her eyes sparkled like never before. Her chest tightened up and her eyes watered. She never thought that in her life she would love someone as much as she loved him, and someone could love her to the point of everlasting despite her imperfections. Even if she wasn't as pretty as Electra, but it didn't seem to matter.

"And I can't wait for that moment," she murmured and kissed his lips. 

When they got off, they skated at a soft pace down the hill. They stayed close together as their skis glided down the snow. The pointed trees were their audience as they raced down with others. The thick, deformed clouds were their audience above their heads. They swerved around the corners and the little plants that stuck up. They had their poles in their hands, as they let their skis whisk them away down a new world.

After a long and fulfilling day of skiing and trying something new, they took a shuttle bus to Glenwood hot springs for a nice, relaxing massage and getting some time in the spa.?

They went in into a building that had a huge mountain attached behind and ordered a spa treatment from the office. One of the employees then led them down a dark stairwell, with a rocky rooftop above them. It was only a little dark, except a single light that lit up the doorway that led them through a stone corridor. There was fresh light coming through the windows that brightened up the floors.

Before making their way to the cave, they went into separate locker rooms and took off some of their clothes so they won't be too hot.

They were then led into a small area in the cave and sat down on the marble, brown benches waiting for them. They sat down and Micah took off his durag and allowed his scalp to breathe while his abs flexed across his chest. Mariana watched his chest go up and down, a bright smile appeared on her face, making her cheeks burn. Looking at your man's abs, was the most entertaining and sexiest thing.

"So, did you enjoy skiing?" He asked, leaning down so his back was flat.

"It was good and really fun!" She felt a wave of accomplishment, trying something that she had never done before and actually being good at it. She was definitely not going to forget about a day like this anytime soon.

"Me too. Coming up here was such a good idea," Micah said, a grin coming up as steam filled the area around them, relaxing their muscles and the stiffness in their feet.

Mariana was enjoying herself until she heard her stomach rumble. She realized it has been a long time since they are.

"I'm feeling a bit hungry, can we go somewhere to eat after we get a massage?"

"Sure, where do you wanna go?" Micah said as he closed his eyes.

"I don't mind, just anywhere," she said, her voice faded away into oblivion.

"Okay," he said and got his phone out.

Mariana let out a peaceful sigh and got more comfortable as the room heated up. She could the sweat seeping down her back and her forehead, but she didn't feel sticky. She felt nice and cozy like she's resting inside a bubble bath, with the warm water bubbling around her.

"By the way Micah," Mariana said like she was in a trance, "You looked pretty cute when you were younger." She smirked.

"How do you know what I looked like?" He said, becoming alarmed as his eyes snapped open.

"Your mom showed me some pictures."

"How far back did she go?" He asked suspiciously, hoping there weren't any embarrassing ones.

"Don't worry, I didn't see any diaper ones if that's what you're wondering."

"Okay good." He sighed in relief.

"But maybe I'll ask her to show me that next time." She only wanted to tease him at first but now, it didn't seem like a bad idea.

"No!"

"Yes yes." She nodded. "I want to see baby Micah running around in little diapers." She made little feet with her fingers as she started laughing at his bewildered face.

"No, I don't want you to see that." He started sulking.

"Aw, calm down I was just kidding," she said but the thought didn't disappear from her mind.

After some time, they went outside to cool off and then went to the Spa of the Rockies and got a Swedish massage. They laid next to each other in pure bliss as their backs got rubbed near a fireplace. The embers softly burned, making the air around them warm as Mariana began purring. She felt the soft thumbs stroking against her back, as it folded her skin to release any soreness. It felt so good that she wished she could stay like this forever.

Micah glanced over at Mariana who looked more than peaceful, getting her back rubbed. He smiled seeing how relaxed she looked. The rosy tone of her cheeks like flower petals, her sweet lips that he loved kissing, and those beautiful brown eyes like drops from a honey cone.

Being alone with the person you love truly makes you realize how much of a treasure they are to you, how no one will be able to replace them, like a diamond in the rough, he loves and values her so much, like a priceless pearl.

"Baby girl, do you want to have a pedicure and a facial after this?" Micah asked in a little mumble.

"Hm, a pedicure?" She repeated to herself. It seemed like a good idea and she would like to look fresh and new before going out to eat.

"Sure."

"Okay because I need to go prepare something but I'll meet you at this restaurant. I'll send the address to your phone."

"Oh sure, okay," she muttered, half-listening.

She and Micah then joined hands in the middle. They smiled at each other, their expressions synchronized as they wiggled their pinkie fingers. For seconds went by like an eternity, they heard the gentle hum of the employees and the distant sounds of the birds.

No moment could feel more perfect, more put together, more beautiful than this.

And that's when she murmured:

"Oh Micah, amore mio." (My love).

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Mariana has really improved😁❤️❤️, I remember her crying that Electra was prettier than her and that would steal Micah away 😂😂.