Page 26

The clamor of the city faded behind them as Liam drove north, winding through scenic back roads, his hand firmly holding Amara's in the console between them. The air was filled with a serene silence, broken only by soft music from the radio and occasional laughter as they shared stories about their childhoods, hopes, and dreams. Liam's eyes sparkled with excitement, and Amara could feel her own heart swelling with happiness, realizing that this was more than just an escape.

It was a beginning.

After a few hours, they arrived at a cozy lakefront cabin nestled in the woods, a place Liam had mentioned in passing as a retreat he rarely used.

Surrounded by towering trees, the cabin felt like it was tucked into its own world, hidden away from prying eyes, and untouched by the worries they'd left behind.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, Amara took a deep breath, feeling the crisp air fill her lungs.

She looked around in awe at the stunning view of the lake, its surface glimmering under the soft sunlight.

Birds chirped from nearby branches, and the earthy scent of pine hung in the air, grounding her.

Liam watched her reaction, a warm smile playing on his lips.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, leaning against the car, his eyes never leaving her face.

"It's perfect," she murmured, her gaze shifting to him. "I still can't believe you brought me here. It feels like a dream."

Liam chuckled, stepping closer to wrap his arms around her. "Consider this our little escape, where we can just... be ourselves. No media, no pressure. Just us."

They spent the first day exploring the area, hiking along the lake's edge, and taking in the breathtaking views. They laughed like children as they skipped stones across the water and teased each other about their attempts at skipping rocks. As the afternoon sun dipped lower, they returned to the cabin, cozying up in the living room as a fire crackled in the hearth. The flickering light cast a soft glow, illuminating Liam's face as he watched her with an expression of pure contentment.

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I don't think I've ever felt this at peace," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Being here with you... it's like I finally have the freedom to just breathe."

Amara smiled, leaning into his touch. "You deserve this, Liam. To be happy, to feel free. For so long, I saw you as this composed, untouchable figure. But now I see... there's so much more to you."

They sat in comfortable silence, sharing sips of warm cocoa, their hands interwoven. As night fell, Liam stood, offering her his hand. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you."

Curious, Amara followed him outside, where the sky was a blanket of stars.

He led her to a small dock that jutted over the lake, the wood creaking softly beneath their steps.

They sat side by side, gazing at the reflection of the stars on the still water.

The silence was profound, filled only with the soft rustling of the trees and the occasional call of a distant owl.

Amara leaned her head on Liam's shoulder, feeling her heart swell. "This place... it's magical. I can see why you come here to escape."

Liam wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "I've always come here alone. It never felt right to share this part of myself with anyone else. But with you... it's different."

They stayed that way for hours, sharing whispered dreams and stolen glances, the world around them dissolving as they focused solely on each other. The starlight cast a soft glow over them, as though the universe itself had conspired to make this night perfect.

The next morning, they woke to the gentle sound of birds chirping outside their window, sunlight streaming through the trees and casting dappled patterns on the cabin floor.

They spent the day cooking breakfast together, laughing as Liam attempted to flip pancakes with only moderate success.

Later, they took a canoe out onto the lake, where Amara playfully splashed him with water, giggling at his mock look of outrage.

As the day wore on, they found themselves lying on a grassy hill, staring up at the sky, comfortable in each other's silence. Amara reached over, entwining her fingers with his. "Liam... thank you for bringing me here. I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Liam turned to her, his expression soft. "You don't have to thank me, Amara. This is our escape, our world. I want you to feel like you can be yourself with me, always."

She gazed at him, her heart swelling with emotions she could no longer ignore. This wasn't just infatuation or excitement; this was real, profound love, and it terrified and thrilled her in equal measure.

That night, as they sat by the fire again, Amara finally found the courage to say the words that had been on her heart since they'd arrived. "Liam, I... I've never felt this way before. You've shown me a world I didn't know existed, and I... I think I'm falling in love with you."

Liam looked at her, his eyes filled with warmth and vulnerability.

He reached out, taking her hand in his.

"Amara, I think I've loved you from the first moment I saw you on the ice. Every day since then, I've felt more certain that you're the person I want to be with. No matter the challenges, no matter what the world says... I choose you."

They shared a long, tender kiss, sealing the promises they'd made to each other. In that quiet cabin by the lake, far from the pressures of their respective worlds, they found a love that felt both fragile and unbreakable, delicate yet resilient.

For the rest of their getaway, they let themselves exist in this timeless bubble, knowing that soon enough, they would have to return to reality.

But here, under the stars and surrounded by nature's quiet beauty, they were simply Liam and Amara—two souls bound by love, braving the world together, no matter where it led them.