The two stars finally joined as one at last.
Chapter Thirty-Three — Mauna Kea
I assumed Lee was taking the five of us to a picnic by the waterfall, but he banked the helicopter away from the island to a breathtaking view. The sun beamed high in the early afternoon, casting golden sparkles along the vast ocean, while the whipped cream-shaped low clouds scattered about the blue gave me the illusion I could reach out and touch them.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“You’ll see. It’s a surprise.” Lee’s voice reverberated through my headphones.
I glanced behind me at Abby, Tyler, and Bridget for answers, but they were no help. Their wide grins told me they were in on the plan. I scrunched my face into a playful grimace and turned to focus back on the endless ocean to prevent from getting airsick.
“We’re almost there. You feeling okay so far?” Lee squeezed my hand and that simple touch gave me all the comfort I needed.
“Yes, but I’ll feel much better if you tell me where we’re going.” I had taken half the pill and worn my wrist band as Lee had suggested. So far, so good.
A sly grin unfurled on his lips as he veered the helicopter lower. “Kate, look.”
My stomach dipped, but my heart soared. I pressed my nose to the window, unable to believe my eyes. “Is that ...? It can’t be.”
A thick white blanket covered the mountain like a sea of clouds, the kind I’d only seen on a plane. The sight of snow always filled me with peace, exactly the way the sound of wind chimes did.
I glanced at Lee and behind to the trio, whose smiles grew larger as they cackled.
“Surprise!” the trio cheered.
“It’s snow. It’s real snow.” I sounded like a child who had just met Santa Claus. “Is that my surprise?”
“Yes,” Bridget and Tyler shouted, clapping.
Lee lowered the helicopter. “We’re at Mauna Kea Mountain on the big island. It’s one of the places that snows in Hawaii. You told me when we were at the waterfall you wanted to see snow. I wanted to be the one to take you to see it. We didn’t get to spend Christmas together so think of it as a second Christmas with me.”
“Thank you, Lee. It’s magical. How I imagined it would be.” Tears pooled in my eyes. This man. He was too much. I loved everything about him. “But we’re not properly dressed.”
Abby rested a hand on my shoulder. “We’re good. I’ve packed everything we need.”
I twisted in my seat to get a good look at her. “You sneak. You told me that duffel bag was stuffed with a blanket and picnic food.”
She shrugged. “What are sisters for?”
We shared a laugh, and then I smiled. A silent way of thanking her for always being there for me. She never failed to be the best older sister.
“I’m guessing Mom and Dad knew?”
“Yup. Lee offered to take them, but they declined. They said it was too cold.”
It was the reason why my parents never took us to see snow in the mountains. Beach, yes, but never snow. It had worked out since Lee’s helicopter transported five at the most, anyway.
After we landed, we took turns changing into snow outfits in the helicopter. When I stepped out, the frosty air nipped my nose and bathed my face.
“I can’t believe I’m actually here.” I reached down without my gloves and pressed my hand into the ice, the cold digging into my flesh. It made a crunch sound when I squeezed.
“Can we go over there?” Tyler pointed to the crowds about a hundred feet away, icy mists escaping from his mouth.
“Hold on, Ty. Put on your hat.” Abby adjusted a backpack over her shoulder and fussed with her phone.
“The internet is horrible,” Lee said, shoving his cell inside his jacket pocket. “And you’ll have none after this point.”
Lee wrapped his spare gloved hand around mine. The other one held a large backpack. As snow crunched from out steps, we left a trail of footprints behind us.
Lee took us to an area where it was less crowded, where families with smaller kids had gathered. I was surprised how packed it was considering it was New Year’s Eve day.
“Let’s stay here,” Lee said, glancing from the barren tree to the fallen log. “This is a good spot.”
I couldn’t agree more.
“Look, I’m making a snow angel.” Bridget flapped her arms and legs, her back on the crystalline surface. Her cheeks were rosy and she looked adorable in a pink beanie that covered her ears.
“Me too.” Tyler snickered next to her, purposely puffing out breaths and watching cool mist float out of his mouth. “This is fun. Let’s make a snowman.”
The kids rose and dusted white powder off their legs. Then they gathered fresh, fine ice in their gloved hands and patted it into balls next to the tree.
Abby placed her backpack on the log. “Thank you, Lee, for inviting us too.”
Lee flashed a quick grin and set his pack beside hers. “You’re welcome. I do whatever makes Kate happy.”
“Awww. I want you to be happy too.” I caressed his arm, his words filling me with warmth.
“I’m happy when you’re happy.” Lee kissed my forehead and walked toward the kids.
That man. He made my world complete. He filled me up with hope and joy and made me feel like I was enough.
I sat on the log and pulled Abby into my arms. “Steve is smiling, watching his son having a great time.”
“I know,” she said softly. “And he’s so happy you found someone who’s worthy to have you.”
Lee was everything I wanted and never thought I could find. “Steve is also proud of you and your new journey with me.”
After my art exhibition at the hotel, we had gotten countless requests, as Lee had said we would. Abby and I were going to be busy filling orders for the next year at least.
I couldn’t wait to start on this new adventure. It was a dream I hadn’t thought possible. Lee had helped make it come true. I would always be grateful. He was my angel. And perhaps I was his angel too, in a different way.
“How was your date last night?” Abby adjusted her scarf and lowered the zipper on her blue goose down snow jacket.
When Lee and I had decided to give us a chance, he’d taken me out the next day and then last night again. We’d spent those nights talking and getting to know each other. Although he’d kissed me, he hadn’t pressed for more.
“It was great.” I played it off as if it was no big deal, shuffling my feet into the snow, giving me something to do besides look at my sister.
“Great? Give me details.” She lightly smacked my arm with her gloved hand.
I frowned and shrugged, watching Lee using his hands like a shovel to gather more snow. “We had fun.”
“And ... anything else?”
“Abby,” I drawled. “It was only our second date.”
“You didn’t come home, Kate.”
I hadn’t. I’d spent the night in Lee’s arms. We planned to take our relationship slow. I had finally felt peace of letting go of Jayden so I thought it was best not to rush things. Currently, I lived with my sister, but one day soon I would be able to afford a place of my own. And perhaps I would move in with Lee, someday.