Chapter Sixteen

*Cliff's Point of View*

I couldn't get any sleep last night so I decided to pack in advance, I still can't believe my baby girl is all the way down in Cuba she must be scared. I shouldn't have snapped at her like that I mean she did have a point after all, she deserved to know that I was not going to be around after she got older. To be honest I knew very well that once in the army always in the army, the moment your country needs you the rest doesn't matter. I knew this all too well and yet I was just to ignorant and attached to the thought of it being possible, putting your family before your country.

My alarm for 04am went off and I groaned finally it's morning, I took a quick shower grabbed my keys and hit the road straight to the airport. it felt like time moved slower all of the sudden and the road seemed longer. it felt like an hour had passed when I got to the airport but it was actually only forty-five minutes away, I parked my car and headed straight to the check-in.

*Kanzie's Point of View*

I woke up thinking it's 7am in the morning when it's actually 4am, I don't know why but I have a bad feeling about today. I look over at Mark whose sleeping like a baby with his arm still wrapped around my waist, I wonder does this man move in his sleep?? I slowly make my way out of bed trying my hardest to not disturb Mark.

I put on one of his shirts and some shorts, it seems like a god idea to go out for a run since I won't be getting any sleep and Mark will be out for another hour or two. By the time I got back from my run it was only 5am time suddenly feels like it's not moving, I head to one of the other rooms and take a shower, a long shower just to clear my mind. It's only 6:30am, wow I guess the shower was not long enough I decided to make some breakfast after all I've been sleeping in of late.

*Mark's Point of View*

For the first time she's actually awake before me and how did she get out of bed without disturbing me, I am a very light sleeper so small movement would definitely wake me.

"Good morning baby, I made you breakfast!" Kanzie walks in with a tray that has juice and a plate with beacon, eggs and toast and it smells delicious.

"Well good morning indeed." I say with a smile as she sets the tray down on the small table besides me, I couldn't help but notice how adorable she looks in one of my black shirts. Am sure it was oversized but she made it work with a cute white tennis skirt. "Are you also on the menu?" I quickly grab her by the hand and set her in my lap.

"You're such a perv let me go and eat your breakfast!" She says with a smile while trying to get up but I hold her firmly.

"I already have my breakfast in my arms the only thing left is to devour it." with that I give her a passionate kiss. I had a feeling something was bothering her and I hope that fixed that for a while.

"Okay okay before this escalates eat your breakfast and shower you stink Mr..." She says breaking our kiss and heading towards the door.

"Do you want to head out after I freshen up?"

"Sure it seems like a beautiful day for some outdoor fun." With that my beautiful lady left the room.

After my amazing breakfast I took a quick shower and wore black jeans and a white shirt, l grabbed my car keys and phone and went to the living where Kanzie was seated watching Tom and Jerry, she might be eighteen but the inner child in her still lives. I give her a kiss on the forehead from behind the chair an she turns to look at me.

"Matching outfits?" She raises an eyebrow, "You're so corny do you know that?"

"If it makes you happy then I'll be the king of cringe nation." I say while taking a seat next to her.

"You are rocking the outfit though."

"Thank you mon chéri." I wrap my arm around her and she drops her head on my shoulder, don't know why it seems she has a lot on her mind, but knowing Kanzie she'll tell me when she's ready for now I just have to be there for her.

"Thank you Mark for being there for me these passed few weeks I needed this." She raises her head to look me right in the eye, I suddenly feel weak and only have one desire which is to kiss her.

"I love you Kanzie." with that I fulfill my desire.

*Kanzie's Point of View*

After my shower I stole one of Mark's black shirts and coupled it with my white tennis skirt, felt like a nice day to head out and I really need to clear my mind. I served Mark breakfast in bed and as usual he had to make me blush and smile like an idiot, I don't know what to do with this boy.

"Do you want to head out after I freshen up?" He asked almost like he read my mind.

"Sure it seems like a beautiful day for some outdoor fun." with that I made my way back to living room.

I really don't know why I have this feeling that something will go wrong at any minute, it messing with my head an the more I think about it the more it gets to me. I turn on the TV to watch my favorite cartoon it always cheers me up especially when I'm overthinking, time seemed to move faster because Mark appeared with a kiss on forehead and snapped me out of my thoughts. I notice that his wearing a white shirt and black jean, did he just decided to go out in matching outfits. His really something else but he makes me happy.

"Matching outfits?" I say with an eyebrow raised, "You are so corny do you know that?" I tease him

"If it makes you happy then I'll be the king of cringe nation." He really is something.

"You look good in the outfit." Honestly he looks good in everything and that's just so unfair.

"Thank you mon chéri." He takes his seat next to me and wraps his arm around me, I automatically rest my head on his shoulder. It feels nice to have someone I can lean on.

"Thank you Mark for being there for me these passed few weeks I needed this." I just had to say it I haven't appreciated him enough. I raise my head to look him in the eye an next thing I know his moving in for a kiss.

"I love you Kanzie." And he kisses me, I haven't said it back yet I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I pull away from the kiss and look him in the eyes.

"Have you forgotten about our plans??"

"Just two more minutes..." I raise a finger to stop him and he pouts

"Come on babe we have to go." I stand up and pack some extra water bottles in the basket I packed while he was showering.

"Okay fine." He complains and comes to carry the basket, "I know a perfect picnic spot you'd like!" Now his excited.

"Do you now?" I ask sarcastically

"Yes I do my lady." He opens the door for me and then holds my hand in his free hand.

"I am looking forward to this picnic."

~One Hour later~

*Mark's Point of View*

"Alright close your eyes we are almost there." I say while I pull into the lay by.

"Okay but then why did you stop the car?" She says wrapping the blind fold I gave her.

"We will have to walk the rest of the way." I unfasten boh our seat belts and head to her door to help her out.

"This better be worth all this blind walking I'm doing right now." She takes my hand and I lead her out of the vehicle and lock up.

Technically I've been to this spot a couple of times and it's really beautiful I only come here to think and just escape. It's not that far from the lay by so we should be there in a just a few moments, I hope she loves it as much as I do.

*Kanzie's Point of View*

After what felt like years of darkness Mark finally let me take off my blind fold to reveal a beautiful field of dandelions and daisies. It looked like it stretched on for miles and the breeze was just calming, the aura of this place was in a league of it's own, it's like one of those places that just make you feel calm ad safe.

"Wow it's beautiful Mark, how did you find it?" I say with a stung look on my face.

"Just wandering around one day and come across this place." he says taking my hand and placing a finger on my chin to make me face him, "But not even this field of dandelions compares to your beauty, I'm sure each and every one of them wants to be as beautiful as you." I couldn't say anything at that point the only thing I could do was kiss him with everything I had.

*Cliff's Point of View*

Finally landed in Cuba and I am impatiently waiting for my rental car but this guy is taking forever to get things done.

"Sorry for the delay sir but unfortunately our last rental car was already reserved an hour ago by someone else." The guy working the counter says

"What do you mean last rental???! How is that even possible?? Aren't you people one of the biggest rental companies close to the airport?" Right now all I'm seeing is red and I'm fuming like crazy.

"Sorry sir but there's a festival up town today so a lot of people are in Cuba and got rental cars."

"Where is this festival?? and where is the closest rental car company?"

"It's right up the road not far if you use the Cuba road entrance you will know when you're close because of the traffic. it's about an hour or two drive.... We have a branch just a few minutes from here I can get an Uber to take you there."

"What are you waiting for?!"

*Kanzie's Point Of View*

I love how Mark always makes me smile and blush, his extra sometimes but I love that about him. I still have a sickening feeling in my stomach, and I can't help but pounder on what could happen.

"There's a festival not too far from here do you want to go?" Mark asks looking at me with those dashing eyes.

"Sure, I've never been to one in a long time so I guess am looking forward to the experience." I say while taking in the breeze.

"Your school never hosted festivals much??"

"They did but I never went much because Holly was always trying to set me up with anyone she thinks is good looking." The flashback makes me smile and feel a little sad because she won't be able to meet Mark.

"Holly sounds like someone I need to meet so that she should stop putting my angel on the market.." He pouts which makes me smile, his so adorable.

"Am sure she would love you babe." I say laying on his chest and looking him in the eye, "The same way I love you..." I pause watching his eyes grow big, "I love you Mark." I smile and place a kiss on he lips even though he still seems a bit buzzed.

*Mark's Point Of View*

Laying on this blanket next to Kanzie in this beautiful field of dandelions makes me feels like putting it on pause and just take the view in. She still looks a bit blue like something is bothering her and I remember today there's a color festival up town and am sure it will cheer her up. I asked if she felt like going and luckily she did and she told me about her friend Holly always trying to set her up, I could tell the flashback makes her a little sad.

"Holly sounds like someone I need to meet so that she should stop putting my angel on the market.." I pout and it makes her smile, mission accomplished.

"Am sure she would love you babe." She says hopping on top of me and looking me directly in the eyes and I feel myself getting lost in her eyes, "The same way I love you...." That part made me freeze did she mean she loved me or what is she saying I could feel my eyes grow bigger. "I love you Mark." She said it, she actually said it and with a smile I was still processing everything when she kissed me. Is this happening? Did I just get an I love you or am I imagining it.