Chapter 1 - Part 6: Warmth of the Sun

After Morand tucked Cecil into his tent for the night, Dixie grabbed his hand and lead him off down the beach to enjoy the sunset.  He was overwhelmed with the feelings the day had brought along with it.  Happiness, enjoyment, fun, family, and now... romance?

"I've had an amazing time," Dixie said, smiling at him in the glow of the setting sun.  "I haven't had such a good day in a long time."

"I think this might have been the best day of my life," Morand replied, putting his arms around Dixie.  He held her close as they both watched the waves rolling in.  He'd never felt so good.  Everything finally felt complete.

The kiss came naturally and unforced.  They were so comfortable with each other that it felt good to finally express how each of them were feeling.

This was a moment that Morand wanted to remember forever, as the beginning of something amazing.

"I... really like you," Morand told the glowing beauty.  "I've never felt this way before and I like what I'm feeling," he finished quietly, shyly.

"Let's sit for a second," Dixie replied and sat down, with Morand sitting beside her.  His heart stopped in his chest.  This is it, this is where she tells me it's over or that she just wants to be friends, he thought with uncertainty.

Dixie looked over to the nervous Morand and said, "I really like you too."

He let out the breath he'd been holding with a huge sigh of relief.

She continued, "I thought it might be too soon after my breakup, or that it would be too much to start anything so soon after moving to a new town, but this really feels right to me.  It's you that really feels right to me."

For the first time since meeting Dixie he was able to fully relax, knowing that she felt the same way about him.  This was how it was supposed to feel, how being cared for felt.  It felt really good.

As the sun fell below the horizon and the beach started to get dark, Dixie suggested that they make their way back to the campsite and then hinted that she wouldn't mind if he also tucked her in for the night.

That was an offer that Morand couldn't refuse.

This is the way life is supposed to be, Morand thought as he made his way back to his own tent.

Title / The Beach Boys