Derek placed some old knick-knacks into a box. Glancing around his home, Derek reassessed what he was placing in storage and what would stay. He was able to find a nice couple who were in Los Angeles for six months on a work assignment to rent his home, furnished. This made things way easier for him because it only required him to sort through the junk in his closets to determine what he needed to throw away, take with him, or place in storage.
His back pocket buzzed. Derek pushed his hand into it and took out his phone. The screen flashed Leia’s name. With a smile, Derek clicked accept and placed it at his ear. “Hey, Leia.” Derek snatched the packing tape with one hand and placed the phone in the crook of his neck.
“Hi, Derek. I was calling to see if you were able to get your last long run in?” asked Leia.
After he tugged a piece of tape loose from the dispenser, Derek pulled it across the top of the box and taped it closed. “I sure did. I can’t believe the marathon is in two weeks.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. “I have no idea how I’ll run 26.2 miles when the longest I’ve run is twenty.”
Over the last six weeks, Derek’s feelings for Leia had only deepened. He looked forward each night to ending his day talking with her over the phone. The separation only proved to reinforce his need to be closer to her, and Derek believed Leia felt the same way.
“That’s where the adrenaline of the race kicks in and carries you those extra miles,” replied Leia.
Scratching his chin, Derek said, “Is that how it works?” He flopped backwards onto his bed, relaxing.
Leia wasn’t aware Derek was going to stay way longer than the extra two weeks they had planned after the marathon. He hoped the entire thing didn’t blow up in his face. Derek wasn’t known for taking many risks for love. Packing up his entire life to move to Hawaii was certainly a huge leap of faith. He’d know soon enough if it was the right choice or not.
“Yes, trust me. This isn’t my first rodeo,” said Leia.
“How many marathons will this be for you?” asked Derek.
“Umm …” Leia paused. “I’m not sure. I lost count after twenty. Remember?”
“That’s right.” Eyes glued to the ceiling, Derek his arm behind his neck. “I’ll be thrilled to only complete this one. I’m sure I’ll come in hours after you. How long do I have again to run it?”
“Honolulu Marathon doesn’t have any cut off time. It’s one of the only world-class marathons where every runner gets to finish, so no excuses,” said Leia.
“I guess you’re right.” Derek sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I must finish.” He paused for a second. “Are you sure you’re still okay picking me up from the airport?”
“ Derek ,” said Leia. “I’m counting down the minutes until we can be together. Of course I’m picking you up from the airport. Then we can eat lunch again at Aria and Kalon’s food truck.”
With a smile, Derek said, “I can’t wait either.”
“And I’m taking you surfing again, too,” said Leia.
“So, you can prove you are better than me at that, as well?” asked Derek.
“No,” said Leia. “Because that’s when I knew I couldn’t deny whatever was building between us. We can go back to the same beach.”
“After the marathon, right?” asked Derek.
“Of course, I’ll let you recover for a few days before I make you do anything too strenuous,” replied Leia.
“Then it’s a plan,” said Derek.
After parking the car, Leia walked to the baggage claim area. Derek said since he was staying for over two weeks, plus Christmas gifts, he had checked some extra bags. Wringing her hands together, Leia’s stomach churned on itself. It was only Derek, but so much time had passed since she last laid eyes on him, part of her wondered if they’d fall back in sync or be off from one another forever.
Sweaty palms were no good, Leia had no choice but to wipe them on the sides of her dress. Leia forced herself to walk to the arrival screens to find out if Derek’s airplane had landed. Eventually, she spotted his flight number. It indicated Derek’s flight was at the gate. Smoothing the front of her dress, Leia paced the small area in front of the exit. She wondered what the proper way was to greet Derek. Did she hug him? Kiss him? Had their time apart created awkwardness between them?
Her insides tossed and turned; the waiting was doing funky things to her. Finally, the sliding doors opened and out walked Derek. Leia ducked and dived around the others gathering to wait for their own family and friends.
Waving, Leia bellowed, “Derek!”
Their eyes locked.
BOOM.
And Leia knew she was in love.
The love that made you put everything on the line, the love that only made sense to the two of you and nobody else, that kind of love.
“Derek,” repeated Leia, in a quieter voice with a lot more shake.
When only a few paces remained between them, Derek dropped his bag down by his feet. Leia leaped into his open arms.
“Leia!” exclaimed Derek. He spun her around, making Leia giggle. Finally, Derek stopped. Leia’s toes touched the ground again. Her hands traced the length of his chest eventually wrapping around his waist. Derek mirrored her movements, embracing her in a tight hug. “You’re so beautiful,” Derek whispered into her hair.
His words tickled her neck, sending goosebumps down her spine.
Smiling, Leia tilted her chin up toward him, meeting his gaze. “It’s so good to see you,” said Leia.
Taking a single finger, Derek weaved it through her hair, pushing it over her shoulder. Clearing his throat, Derek said, “I feel precisely the same way.”
For a moment, in the middle of the airport lobby, it was only them. The world around them grew dimmer, making everything silent except for the steady beating of Leia’s heart. In the here and now, it was only them, and Leia knew Derek was everything she ever wanted but never thought she would have.
Giving his middle a squeeze, Leia said, “Just so you know, since you’re only here for two weeks, I don’t plan on letting you out of my sight.”
With a chuckle, Derek said, “I’ll gladly comply with your desire.” Then his gaze smoldered.
The air sizzled, making a fire rage in her gut. So much was being said through his glance, that the hairs on her arms stood straight up. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, Leia wanted to scream. But Derek seemed determined to drag out the heat building between them.
He moistened his lips and continued, “I’ve waited so long to hold you,” He whispered, cupping her neck with one hand. Leia closed her eyes for a second as the heat from his touch warmed her entire body.
With a shaky voice, Leia whispered, “I know.”
Opening her eyes, Leia tugged his body against hers. Their hips knocking against each other. Standing up on her tiptoes, she made her lips collide with his. Immediately, Derek tightened his hold around her waist. Leia rested one hand on Derek’s chest while the other dove into his hair. His tongue swept her bottom lip, and Leia parted her lips to allow his tongue to plunge inside. Her pulse galloped, making her dizzy and weak at the knees. But Derek supported her weight as she leaned into him to hold her upright.
People parted around them, but neither were aware of the disruption they were creating. Though it was busy and chaotic, Leia didn’t notice. The dull ache in her heart, her constant companion for so many years of longing for someone, disappeared in the blink of an eye. With Derek here with her, she knew she’d never be alone again.
Eventually, a scrappy security guard came up beside them and announced loudly, “You two are creating a traffic jam. It’s time to move it along.”
In a daze, Leia pulled her lips from Derek’s. Turning to meet the narrowed gaze staring back at her, Leia said, “Sorry, we’ll get going.” She dropped her tight grip from Derek’s waist. Readjusting her dress, Leia jutted up her chin. “We’ve just reunited after a very long time apart.” She smiled over at Derek.
His hand ran down the length of Leia’s arm, and Derek said, “Yes, I don’t usually act so inconsiderately.”
Eyeing them suspiciously, the security guard said, “Sure you don’t.” The security guard pointed in the direction of baggage claim. “Please don’t forget your luggage.”
Interlacing his fingers with Leia’s, Derek gave them a squeeze. Straightening his back, Derek said, “We won’t. Thank you.” He kissed Leia on the temple and spoke into her hair, “let’s get out of here.”
Twisting, Leia turned in the direction of baggage claim. They walked hand in hand. When they arrived at the baggage claim, only a few lone suitcases remained. Circling around and around, the baggage waited for their owners to claim them. Reluctantly, he let go of her hand. Derek yanked one suitcase off the moving belt, then another, and another. And when Leia thought he couldn’t have any more, Derek took a final piece of luggage.
Amused with his unexplainable amount of stuff, Leia pointed at the pile of suitcases next to him. “Are you sure you didn’t pack enough to move here?” asked Leia.
Derek’s gaze darted away from her. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I— I— guess I did bring a fair number of things,” replied Derek. Shrugging, he continued, “What can I say? I couldn’t decide on gifts.”
Leaning in, Leia kissed Derek on the cheek. “I can’t wait to see what you thought was worthy of bringing all the way from Los Angeles.” Her hand found one of the roller suitcases, and she continued, “But first things first, you have a marathon you’re running tomorrow. After lunch, we need to go pick up our race packets. It has your bib in it.”
With a groan, Derek replied, “I can’t believe you’ve convinced me to do this.” He took two of the other suitcases, while Leia helped with one more, so they had one in each of their hands.
As they walked toward the sliding glass doors, Leia remarked, “If I remember correctly, you jumped at the chance to run this thing with me.”
“I jumped at the opportunity to see you again,” corrected Derek.
Leia’s cheeks splashed with heat. She glanced away from Derek toward the glass doors. They swung open as they approached them. Sticky humid air trickled in. “I hope you can handle running in this type of humidity,” said Leia.
Once through the glass doors, Derek replied, “I’ll survive. But I might be the last one crossing the finish line.”
She tilted her head in the direction of her car and said, “You won’t be alone.”
“Ahh.” Derek smiled. “No, I guess I won’t be alone, because you’ll be right there with me.”