"Okay, one last stop before we hit L.A." Dave's firm hands on the steering wheel seemingly take another detour after only half an hour drive.

"Mmm... Wasn't Las Vegas supposed to be one last stop, Mr. Rivera?" I wiggle my finger at him playfully. "And aren't we supposed to be looking for a safe spot to spend the night at?"

"It was, and we are, your highness. I just so happened to see the perfect spot while analyzing the Las Vegas map we bought."

"What is it?" I roll down the window, peeking left and right eagerly.

"Tsk, tsk, Lewis. So impatient."

Well, he's not wrong there. I'm sometimes definitely too impatient for my own good.

"It's a surprise."

"A surprise?" I echo, slightly apprehensive. "Aand.... Is it the kind of surprise I'm going to like?" Doubt creeps into my words.

Who knows what he's plotting.

"I think so." He wrinkles his forehead but then nods, and turns to me with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"And what do I owe this surprise to?"

"Well, um, consider it as a thank you for agreeing to check out the Golden Nugget casino with me," he says. "I could tell you didn't like it much. So now, it's your turn to enjoy."

"Finally! What I will be enjoying?" I tease him.

"I want us to spend this final night, the night before the last leg of our journey, at a really special place."

I frown, shaking my head. "Dave, I... I appreciate the thought but you know that we can't afford anything expensive. Even if we did win those fifty dollars at the Golden Nugget. We have to be prudent. We need to save our money."

Dave chuckles. "Don't worry, we'll be sleeping there for free. Trust me."

"Free?" I ask, skeptical. "What's the catch?"

"No catch," he assures me. "Oh, we're approaching the place now. Just close your eyes and trust me."

Despite my reservations, I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Alright, fine. But if this turns out to be a prank..."

He laughs. "Wow, you really don't trust me, do you? I suppose that's fair. I've gotta earn your faith in me. But nope, it's not a prank. Just close your eyes. And no peeking!"

I do as he says, feeling the excitement build inside me. The blue Pontiac engine hums to life once more, and we continue moving. 

With my eyes closed, and the car window open, the world around me feels more vivid, somehow. I can hear the murmur of the distant city outside, and the occasional honk of a car horn.

Dave hums along to the radio, a familiar tune of Springsteen's "Born in the USA," that makes me feel at ease. He places his palm on top of my shaky fingers to calm me down.

"Hey. Both hands on the steering wheel, Mister," I fake-reprimand him, even if I rejoice in the warmth of his hand in mine, the gentle vibrations of the car beneath us, and this mad anticipation bubbling in my chest.

What could he be possibly planning?

After what feels like an eternity, the car comes to a stop.

"Alright. We're here. Stay there," David whispers, and I can hear the excitement in his voice. He gets out of the car, slams the door, and I clearly hear his footsteps as he walks around to my side.

My door opens next, and Dave's hands are on me, guiding me out of the car.

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes," I reply, breathless.

"Okay. Keep your eyes closed," he reminds me, his lips brushing against my ear. Then I feel his arms wrap around me from behind, his tender hug enveloping me. He walks me forward, each step careful and deliberate.

"Are we almost there?"

"Almost," he whispers, his breath warm against my neck.

David Rivera's closeness sends shivers running down my spine. His presence is so intimate that I can feel the gentle rhythm of his breathing against my skin.

Each exhale ignites tiny sparks of pleasure that make me want to melt into his arms. I find myself leaning in more toward his touch, craving more of the intoxicating feeling.

I actually have to keep reminding myself this moment is about focusing on my surprise, and not on how hungry for his closeness it all makes me feel.

We walk a few more agonizing steps, and then David stops. "Okay," he says softly. "Open your eyes."

I blink, my eyes adjusting to the light.

The very first thing I notice is the cool breeze gently brushing against my face. It takes a moment for my surroundings to come into focus, but when they do, I gasp in awe.

"Oh my God, Dave," I breathe, taking in the scene. "This is incredible."

"Red Rock Canyon," he says, smug.

Red Rock Can...??

And so it is.

The one place I've always wanted to see with my Dad, and now I have.

We're no longer surrounded by the neon lights and chaos of Las Vegas.

Instead, we are parked at the base of the Red Rock Canyon, and above us stretches an expansive sky, glittering with countless bright stars.

The night is serene and still, the only sound being the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle wind. The rugged outlines of the canyon walls loom around us, bathed in the soft silver light of the moon.

It's like stepping into another world, one that is peaceful and infinitely vast, and just ours.

Dave has already raced back to the car, and now he's setting up a checkered blanket on the ground. He looks at me as I plop down on the fuzzy cloth and stretch, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"It was just a half an hour drive from Las Vegas, no more. And so... I thought, 'Why not? Lewis might be tired of cheap motels and cramped parking lots,'" he says, his voice full of excitement. "Figured it was time for a night under the stars."

I can't help but grin. "You always know how to surprise me," I say, giving his hand a squeeze. "This is perfect."

"It's not the Grand Canyon, but I hope you like it nevertheless."

"Are you kidding me? I absolutely love it. It's Dad's favorite place in the USA. Apart from his passion for journalism he was a bit of a geography-geology nerd. He always told me how the great sandstone cliff formations here are almost two hundred million years old."

Dave wolfwhistles. "No way! Almost two hundred million years old?"

"From Jurassic time, according to Dad. When we get to L.A. tomorrow... I can't wait to tell him all about it. All about our travels. He always used to tell me that I have to travel to broaden my mind, and now, I'm finally doing it." I recite, mock-imitating Dad's voice. 

Dear April,

I apologize for tardiness. I've been traveling a lot lately and have not had the time to write. I've been thinking a lot about you lately, especially knowing how much you would love to explore the world and travel with me. I hope we'll be able to do it together soon.

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." 

This quote has always struck a chord with me. When you travel, you're not just moving from one place to another; you're opening your mind to new perspectives, cultures, and ideas. Each journey, each destination, broadens your horizons in ways that always staying in one place simply cannot.

"He's right," says Dave pensively. "Traveling counts like having a new experience. And that can change a person. It can reset our brain."

"Let me just get the rest of the letter from the rucksack," I say, and Dave moans in protest that I'm moving away from him.

"I'll be back in a jiffy," I reassure him.

He's kind of cute when he pouts. Very cute.

Especially when he pouts at my temporary absence.

"Okay, here it is. This was the rest of the letter. It was full of quotes, too. Listen to this: "Mark Twain once said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." By stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in the unfamiliar, you broaden your mind. You develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity that exists in our world. You learn to see the beauty in differences and the commonalities that bind us together as human beings.

"Love that last line," says Dave, his hand covering mine as if he's afraid I might get up again. "It means that in this life, we must not be afraid to turn the pages."

"Yeah." I smile. "And each new place we visit is like a new chapter in our life story, filled with lessons and memories that will stay with us forever."

"I guess I'm glad we're currently reading the same book, then." Dave presses his cheek close to mine.

"And I am really glad I didn't get on that Greyhound bus," I confess, my voice filled with sincerity. "Reaching L.A. in the Pontiac has been so much better. And all the detours we took were amazing. I saw so much more and experienced so much more with you."

"I'm glad you didn't get on that bus too," he admits. "I almost ran you over with my car, but it was all smooth sailing after that."

I laugh, remembering that chaotic first encounter. "Yeah, you really know how to make a memorable first impression," I tease.

He chuckles. "Hey, it all worked out wonderfully in the end, didn't it? Besides, I wouldn't trade these past few days for anything."

We share a comfortable silence, the memories of our journey flooding back. Each stop, each little adventure, had its own unique charm, making our road trip unforgettable.

"I never thought I'd have this much fun on a road trip," I say, resting my head on his shoulder. "Every detour we took, every unexpected stop, it all made the journey so much more special."

Dave nods, his gaze fixed on the slowly brightening sky. "Life's about the journey, not the destination, right?" he muses, his tone thoughtful. "And this journey has been pretty incredible."

"More than incredible," I agree softly, feeling a deep sense of contentment. "It's been perfect."

We lay down on our backs, side by side, gazing up at the celestial display. The stars seem impossibly bright out here, away from the city's light pollution.

Dave turns his head to look at me, his eyes reflecting the starlight. "Isn't it amazing?" he whispers, his voice filled with wonder.

I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from the sky. "It's beautiful," I breathe, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. "Thank you so much for bringing me here."

He takes my hand again, and we lie there in silence, on the cool, dusty ground of Red Rock Canyon, just soaking in the beauty of the moment.

The stars are astonishingly bright, each one twinkling with a mesmerizing light that seems to pulse in time with my heartbeat.

It's as if the universe itself is breathing.

Dave points upwards, tracing invisible lines between the stars with his finger. "See that one there? Shaped like a cauldron?"

"That's the Big Dipper." I smile.

"Yes. And if you follow the edge of its bowl, you'll find the North Star, Polaris."

I squint, trying to follow his directions. "You actually know this stuff?"

Dave chuckles softly, the sound a warm balm against the cool night air. "I'm full of surprises, remember?" He moves his hand to another part of the sky. "Over there, that's Orion's Belt. Those three stars in a row, they form his belt. Below them is his sword."

I stare in awe, the constellations slowly taking shape in my mind as I follow David's words.

"That's amazing. I have to admit, I've never paid much attention to the stars before; they were kind of just... pretty lights in the sky."

But listening to Dave, they become something magical.

Stories written in the heavens.

"How do you know all this?" I ask, still amazed.

"My late granddad taught me," Dave says, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "He used to take me camping, and we'd lie out under the stars just like this. He said the stars tell stories, and if you know how to read them, you'll never be alone."

I turn to look at him, his face softly illuminated by the starlight. There's a depth to David Rivera I hadn't seen before, a reservoir of knowledge that I'm only just beginning to discover. "You're really something else, Dave."

He grins, his eyes sparkling with the same light as the stars above. "Told ya. Full of surprises."

I nestle closer to him, and place my head on his chest, feeling the warmth of his body against mine, and his beating heart.

The vastness of the sky above us makes me feel small, but in a good way. In a comforting way, as if we're part of something much larger. With Dave by my side, I'm ready to explore every corner of it.

"Show me more," I whisper.

And he does, guiding me through the constellations, his voice weaving the stars into a tapestry of legends and lore. In this moment, under the endless sky, I feel more connected to him, to the world, and to myself than I ever have before.

"You're like my own personal tour guide to the stars," I tease.

He chuckles softly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Anything for you," he murmurs.

We lie there, basking in the serenity of the night. The stars shimmer overhead, their light like tiny whispers from the universe. Dave points out more and more constellations, his voice a soft hum in the stillness.

"You know," he says, turning his head to look at me, "I remember that in one of your Dad's letters, he wishes you happy birthday. It's dated on the twenty-seventh of April, so that means that you're a Taurus."

I raise an eyebrow, impressed. "You remember that?"

"Of course," he replies with a grin. "I remember what suits me. Nothing more and nothing less."

"So, what are Tauruses like?" I lean on my elbow, teasing him. "Not that I believe in astrology, much, but I'd love your take on it, why not?"

"Tauruses are known for being reliable, patient, and devoted. But also, a bit stubborn and possessive," Dave recites.

I laugh, nudging him playfully. "Are you calling me stubborn? You dare?"

"Just a bit," he teases, holding up his thumb and forefinger with a tiny gap between them. "But that's what makes you so determined and strong. You know exactly what you want, and you go straight after it. Not many people would just whoosh out of their home and go to L.A. like you did. That takes a lot of determination, Lewis."

"Alright, Mr. Astrologer," I say, smirking. "Let's say I am determined and stubborn. What about you? What's your sign?"

He taps his chin, pretending to think deeply. "Hmm, let's see if you can guess."

"You know I am awful at this. I don't even know all the signs." I puppy eye him. "Please tell me."

"Well I guess it doesn't matter because... My sign is a bit of a paradox. Technically, I am a Capricorn. I'm supposed to be ambitious, practical, and sometimes a bit reserved."

"That sounds nothing like you." I burst out laughing.

"True. Zero ambition, zero practicality and... reserved? Puh-lease?" He rolls his eyes and laughs, deep, genuine sound that makes my heart flutter. "Although, I was born three weeks earlier so..."

"So you were supposed to be an Aquarius?" I scrunch my forehead.

"Not bad, Taurus. Not bad at all."

"So, what about Aquarius?" I ask, genuinely curious. "What are their characteristics?"

Dave grins, looking up at the stars thoughtfully. "Aquarius, huh? Well, they're known for being independent, creative, and original. They're visionaries, always looking to the future and thinking outside the box."

I nod, intrigued. "That sounds pretty cool."

It sounds like him.

"They're also supposed to be humanitarian, wanting to make the world a better place," he continues. "But on the flip side, they can be aloof and unpredictable. Sometimes, they struggle with expressing their emotions."

Him again. I remember his kindness towards Harmony Moonbeam, and Sarah's son, Ethan. And he already proved his unpredictability by pulling off what he did in Harold's diner.

Also, by spontaneously bringing me here.

I chuckle. "Sounds like they're a handful."

"They can be," he admits with a smile.

"And you can be."

"That's a given. But Aquariuses are also some of the most loyal and supportive friends you can have. They value their freedom and creativity, and they always have a unique perspective on things."

I tilt my head, studying his profile in the dim light. "You know a lot about zodiac signs."

He laughs softly. "I picked up a few things here and there. It's always fun to see how well the traits match up with people I know."

"So, what do you think?" I ask, turning onto my side to face him fully. "Do you think all this zodiac stuff actually means anything?"

Dave shrugs, his eyes twinkling. "I think... it's a fun way to understand ourselves and others a little better. Even if it's not all true, it can still give us insight into our personalities and relationships."

I smile, feeling a warm glow in my chest. "I guess you're right."

"Plus, it's a great conversation starter with the girls."

"You got that right. So, Mr. Capricorn - Aquarius, what's your take on our compatibility?"

"Well, Taurus and Capricorn are both Earth signs, so they tend to be very compatible. They both value stability, loyalty, and hard work. They understand each other's need for security and are often on the same wavelength."

I feel my cheeks warm. "That sounds promising."

"Very promising. And I forgot to mention one thing. Us Capricorns are also loyal and trustworthy. And we take relationships very seriously."

"Is that so?" I say, my voice lowering to a playful whisper. "Then I guess I'm in good hands."

"You certainly are."

I nestle against Dave, feeling a sense of deep contentment. The warmth of his body is a comforting contrast to the crispness of the evening, and his steady heartbeat provides a soothing rhythm against my cheek.

Dave's arm wraps around me, pulling me closer as if to shield me from the world. I bury my face into his shoulder, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the earthy aroma of the desert. The gentle caress of the breeze is barely noticeable now, overshadowed by the enveloping warmth of his embrace.

He shifts slightly, reaching for the blanket we had spread out underneath us. With a tender movement, he drapes it over both of us, ensuring it's tucked snugly around our bodies.

"Better?" he murmurs.

I nod, feeling a contented sigh escape my lips. "Perfect. Thank you."

As I settle into Dave's embrace I think about how incredibly respectful Dave has been throughout our time together—how he never rushes anything between us.

Lying here in the stillness of the night, wrapped in his arms and shielded by the blanket, I realize how rare and precious this is.

With him, everything feels just right, and I know that whatever comes next, it will be with the same sense of care and respect that has defined our time together so far.

Dave's arms tighten around me, and I snuggle deeper into his embrace, savoring the closeness. His fingers brush softly along my arm, a soothing and rhythmic gesture that makes me feel cherished and safe.

We exchange a quiet, understanding smile.

Tomorrow is a monumental day—the day I finally see my dad after so many months apart.

But that's tomorrow.

Tonight, here, in Dave's arms, it feels like everything will be alright.

"Ready to get some rest?" Dave asks.

"Yeah," I reply, feeling my eyelids heavy. "Not just me, I think we both need it."

Dave presses a soft kiss to my forehead, his lips warm against my skin. "Well, I need it but I also deserve it after I just won us fifty bucks," he teases. His voice then grows serious, serene. "We'll face tomorrow together," he promises. "No matter what."

"No matter what." I yawn. 

As the stars continue their silent vigil above us, I feel myself drifting towards sleep, lulled by the rhythmic rise and fall of Dave's chest, his light snoring, and the gentle, yet firm embrace of his muscular arms.

As our bodies lay intertwined under the protective cover of the blanket, the world seems to fall away, leaving only the peaceful intimacy of the moment.

The new day will dawn.

The stars will begin to fade, but the memory of this night – this peaceful night I am spending in the Red Rock Canyon with David Rivera — will stay with me forever.