Michael's Point Of View ~

This place is so beautiful. The trees all around blow gently. The smell is fresh. The view . . breathtaking as nothing but grass is seen for miles, it appears. A pool and even a fire pit on the outside. And as for the house on the inside - a large space indeed. A master bedroom with a king double bed and a bathroom attached, even. The plunk sound as each of our bags hit the recently polished floor boards. I giggle softly as I see Ella fall back onto the bed.

"So comfy . . " She says, smiling. 

This weekend away is just what Ella and I need. After everything that has happened . . this is something that we never thought we would get to experience again. We would always go away together, spend time with each other and absent from others. Until I got very sick. And all of that . . had to stop, of course. I leap onto the bed myself, landing on my stomach and elbows. A smile on my face the entire time.

"Oh yes, very comfy . . " 

I lay down on my stomach completely. My arms out straight as well as my legs.

"Okay. Let's stay here until sunrise . . " 

I say. Ella giggles at my words. I hold out my hand to her, she takes it. We walk all through the rest of the house hand in hand. Our amazement oozes out of us both as our eyes focus on everything around. A spacious kitchen and the a lounge room with all the fixins - three seater couch, air conditioning, flat screen television and this time, an indoor fire place is here. Wow. The decorations are spectacular too. A variety of different paintings occupy most walls. Black and white chiefly with a space of red . . but some would argue it's even a maroon. Ella looks outside once again. The view is something you will never grow tired of. 

"I love it here, Michael . . " 

Ella sweetly says. Her eyes set on the exterior of this spectator establishment. She seems blown away by it. Living in the city, we never get to see what nature can really offer the world. I walk up behind her, wrapping my arms around her. I rest my chin upon her shoulder . . her hands come up and take a loose hold on my arms. I feel her lean back into me. Her reflection faintly seen in the glass that we stand in front of. She looks calm, at peace. It makes me very happy to see her this way . . finally. She has been through so much this past year, especially.

We both have. 

The sound of a rumble is heard suddenly. But instantly we both know it's not the rumble of a storm that has unexpectedly come through . . but the rumble of Ella's stomach. The giggle that she makes is the sweetest sound. We make our way towards the kitchen with my arms still around her her waist. We both stop once we stand in the kitchen . . grocery shopping done already on our way here. 

"What are you hungry for, Ella? . . " 

I ask her before my lips attach to her naked shoulder. I hear a soft hmm as she thinks. Her coconut scented skin and the smell of mixed berry from her hair invades my nostrils. 

"What about pancakes? . . " 

Ella responses with a question it sounds. I giggle as I know it is nowhere near breakfast as it has well and truly pasted. But later afternoon now. Nevertheless, I agree. Ella scurries off with a skip in her step. She returns with her hands loaded up with plastic shopping bags that holds the ingredients. The unopened milk carton, flour, butter and sugar is tipped onto the kitchen bench top with no real care while an egg is placed very gently upon along with a small glass bottle of vanilla extract. I retrieve a large bowl and spoon that this Airbnb has graciously provided for us. Ella gathers up her long brown locks, restraining it into a messy bun. She claps her hands, rubbing them together. She is ready. Her excitement is undeniable. It makes me chuckle. 

Spoon in hand, she mixes it all in sync. I watch her with a smile . . occasionally biting my lip. Her back to me, unaware of my presence as I have returned from getting something out of the car. Her denim shorts reveal her tan slim legs . . white painted toes that sit in her thongs. A simple black t-shirt she also wears. She begins to dance. Moving her hips from side to side, such gentle sway moments. A soft humming is then heard. I shuffle towards . . my arms around her waist once more. 

"Oh Michael, you scared me . . " 

She says sweetly, an embarrassed chuckle it seems. She doesn't need to be. It's only me. I look at the batter as everything is combined, the mix overlapping neatly over itself as the spoon runs through it smoothly. I dunk a finger into it . . sweet in taste. A holt pan now, as the batter is poured it begins small before it expands almost instantly, covering the entire pan almost. Ella swaps the spoon her a spatula, flipping each one with such ease. Our plates topped with three pancakes each - maple syrup and strawberries to finish it off. 

The sun setting. It's almost gone. 

I walk outside to get the fire going. 

It is a warm evening but the fire would make it that little bit more special. The crackle and pop of the flames breaks up the serenity but doesn't ruin it. Ella comes out to where I am, holding our plates of piled pancakes in each hand. 

"Thank you, Ella . . " I say. 

She sits beside me with our plates sitting freely but securely on our laps. The cling sound of our silverware is heard as we enjoy a different kind of dinner. I was starving myself . . so starving that before I know it, I have cleared my plate entirely. 

Ella too. 

I see her hands on her stomach now as she leans back in her seat. 

"I'm full, Michael . . " 

She says giggling a little. I nod as I feel the same. It's quiet for a few seconds as Ella looks up at the sky. It's completely dark. The sun gone but never forever as it will return once again within hours. The sky has many stars and a full moon that has replaced the sun. The wind still gentle as it blows. I know where her mind is going. It upsets me. She doesn't need to think that way. 

Not anymore. 

"You okay, Ella? . . " 

I ask but feeling like I already know the answer. She looks at me, just a nod. A strand of hair is tucked behind her ear as she squeezes her lips together. She is trying to be strong and not let her mind go there. I know she is. But sometimes she can tell me. I want her too. I don't want her to keep it to herself. I'm here now. I know the past year wasn't easy for her as he mind was left in the clouds. Not knowing. But now, there is no need for those thoughts. I need to get her mind off that thought. 

I've got it. 

Let's look at the sky, but let's make it fun. Let's make it positive. I stand up from my chair. Walking over to the open grass area . . still close enough to the fire pit. 

"I don't wanna stargaze all alone . . " 

I say with a smile. Ella giggles, standing up herself and joining me immediately. I lay down on the grass, on my back with Ella laying on her side. Her head on my chest and my arm around her. It's like instantly, we both can see many shapes that the stars make. 

"Ooh look. I can see a rabbit . . " Ella says pointing. 

She says look - so I do. But not before I see something myself. 

"Oh, over there . . " 

"I can see Cassiopeia . . " 

I point to it, allowing Ella to see where exactly my eyes are. It's something that is easily recognizable due to its distinctive 'W' shape. Formed by five bright stars. Cassiopeia shines right in front of us. Ella is left amazed, confessing to me that she has never seen this star before . . only heard of it. I feel her body come even closer to mine. Like she wishes to sink into me. Her head falls back onto my chest and her arm on my stomach, bent at the elbow as her fingertips trace my skin there. 

"I know you would've shined that bright, Michael . . " 

"Like the very middle star in Cassiopeia. If you . . if you . . " 

I feel she has tears. I don't hesitate. I know what she is trying to say. I say her name but very softly so I don't startle her. She looks up at me. Oh yes, I was right. Tears are there and this time she doesn't hide the fact that she is upset. My poor girl. Her mind really is her worst enemy. I hate that she still thinks that way . . but it was a close call. 

"You need to talk to me when you think that way . . " 

I whisper to her. She sits up, supported by her elbow. A soft "I know . . " is all she says. My thumb gently brushes her cheek as I look into her eyes. She leans closer and closer to me, her lips only inches away from mine. 

"Please smile. I'm here. Don't forget that . . " 

She nods gently as I wipe the tears that fall away. She lays back down on me. 

"Your here. I'm here. So let's stay here until sunrise . . " 

Ella whispers back sweetly.