"The sound of the rain needs no translation."

-Alan Watts

  ABBIE

  Pet Peeve: Having to get out of bed during winter. I dread pulling the comforter open and allowing the warmth to escape from my sheets, letting the cool air nip at my exposed skin. I hate the feeling of my warm toes touching the cold hardwood floors as they turn to ice, causing a chill to ripple up my feet and to my fingertips. But I can't hold it any longer, I have to pee so bad I'm about to burst. Shopping List: Area rug and fluffy socks.

I need coffee. The warmth that radiates off my oversized coffee mug into my cold bones counteracts my grumpy mood, the hot liquid running down my throat as the full-bodied flavors of honey and hazelnut brings my mind back to life, lifts my mood even more. But when I reach the bedroom door, my eyes set on my morning worth. My mood turns to grateful. I hate knowing that by the end of the week, He'll have to leave me for nine months. But if waking up with the sun until then gives me this, I'd do it without hesitation. Did I wake him? As I lean into the door frame, taking another sip of warm coffee, I watch him. He has sat up since I've gone to the kitchen, and although its winter, he still sleeps shirtless. One of his arms is reached back acting as a head rest, as he reads. He is so damn perfect. He turns a page before noticing me, folding the corner, he removes his reading glasses, setting down the book.

"Come back to bed, you look cold babe." He says, shifting his body to face me with outstretched arms. As I place my mug on the nightstand Wyatt lifts the blankets inviting me in, revealing his close to naked body and his growing boxers, leaving little to no imagination as to what's on the other side of the thin cotton fabric.

"Look at all the goosebumps." He growls, sending butterflies to my core with his raspy voice. He huffs his breath on my neck, brushing his current stubble into my collarbone, followed by heartfelt kisses.

"We need to get your body heat elevated abs." he teases, as his hot huffs continue down the valley of my breast, to my navel and down to my thighs. As his mouth claims my body in all the right places, I can't help but toss my head back with each moan, arching my lower back with each sweep of his perfect tongue as it licks at my bud.

"I'm hot." I cry out through my panting, but not wanting this to end. My body craves more of his touch, more of him.

Planting one last kiss that tingles at my skin.

"No need to tell me things I already know Abbie." He grins before crawling up my body, kissing the trail, he paved in his hot huffs that stirred up my arousal to start with. As he parts my thighs again, the feeling is much different. The pressure of our bodies colliding is awakening, and as he begins to rock his hard body into mine, my eyes roll into the back of my head from the intoxicating effects, ascending my soul to a different dimension. The gravitational pull and heat of our bodies is more stimulation than I can bear along with the friction each movement causes, bringing me to the edge of my cliff. When I find my release, it's as if I'm flying, as all the peace in the world overtakes my core.

As Wyatt rolls off of me, he is out of breath and panting just like me. Coming out of my euphoric state, I lean into kiss him with gratitude for the way he took control, pleasing every inch of my body. And from the wide grin that appears from my kiss , I know the intoxicating effects that awakened my insides did the same for him.

"What's on the agenda today?" He whispers, pulling me against his perfectly naked body, nestling his nose into the hollow of my neck.

"More sex, if we don't get out of bed!"

"Wow, Abbie, I'm not a piece of meat." he chuckles, turning his nose up to add effect.

"Actually, I was thinking about touring a campus," I pause, pulling a floral blouse over my head. Watch the light rain began to sprinkle outside our bedroom window, I run my fingers through my waves, before walking to the adjoined bathroom. My hair is getting long. About the length it was when I left Louisiana. Twisting my hair, I gather it into a mess bun securing it in place with a hair tie and few bobby pins. Before joining Wyatt back in the room. 

"My father wants to put me through school. Before mom left us, I always thought it was in the cards for me to go to University like she did and be a teacher. I remember wanting my room to resemble classrooms, with each wall covered in educational posters, the Alphabet lining the molding and shelves of old textbooks the teachers would toss out on the last day of school, to make room for the latest editions. But being out of state, I know we can't exactly afford a big school like CU, so we are opting to look at a few smaller schools around the area. I'll probably end up choosing an online school like, Liberty University, but it will be fun to tour the campus and dream." Turning to face him, as if for support, I intertwine my fingers together, rocking on my heels. " Do you think it's too late? For me to go to School. For the longest I thought working my way up to management at the Café, was the best I could do here with only a High School Diploma. But, College. Wyatt I could make a difference.. And seeing you, how far you have come, it makes me want to do better, -be better."

"Babe! Are you kidding, it's never too late! And by the way you spoke, tells me not only that you are ready, but you were born for this! Your students will love you, just like I do. You're naturally nurturing you'll be an amazing teacher.

"Really?" I beam with excitement as I slip on my rain boots.

 I was thinking, Early education, Language Arts and Reading. I want kids to love the idea of opening a book, just like us. You know? No matter what home is like, you can always escape at the turn of a page. Or live a lifetime of different people, living in different eras of time, location, all through books."

A clap of thunder interrupts our conversation continuing to crackle in the distance as the wind pushes in fat droplets of rain to pelt the window. More rain was moving in.

"Can I come too? To the campus? I'll even let you drive." He stands, handing me the key, before pulling me into his arms. 

"Abs. I'm going to miss you so much, But I'm really glad to know you'll be busy while I'm gone with work, classes and your dad being back. Besides, the drive to Boulder, should give you plenty of practice with the Yota since it will be your ride while I'm gone. Weston helped me with a tune up so she shouldn't give you any problems."

"Wow, it didn't even dawn on me that your car would still be here, -thanks!" I reply, opening my hand to reveal a lone key before adding it to the current collection that occupies my ring. 

"It's gonna be so odd to use it without you. I wish you didn't have to go."

"I know, love. But it will only be nine-months" He chirps, trying to seem enthusiastic. "With facetime, letters and your soon to be busy schedule, I'll be back home before you know it!"

It will take some time to get use to the get up of the 4runner compared to Liv's little car. Luckily, the weather stayed on the other side on the mountains. I hated driving in the heavy rain, especially in the winter, everything was icy, and the roads made me nervous.

But thankfully this time, with the lack of snow on the roads and the recent trips back and forth to Boulder, we seem to arrive thirty minutes early, even after stopping to pick up my dad at his new place. I must be getting better with the terrain here. That are with time I've learned to pay more attention to the road than the open valleys, and mountain ranges that decorated the winding highway.

By the time we park and made our way toward campus, a fine mist starts to saturate the pebbled concrete. Pulling an umbrella from beneath his underarm, my dad opens it handing it to me before flipping his hoodie over his head and quickening his pace. Before soon a burst of lightning strikes from behind the football field, flashing bolts of blue jolt across the sky before dissipating, queuing for the bottom of sky to fall. Large beads of rain fall down like bombs against my umbrella. Wyatt's sizable boots splash the accumulating puddles of water as he runs with laughter for shelter, causing a small tide to hit my leg and run down into my rain boots. Soaking one of my socks.

Joining the boys beneath an awning, I shake off my umbrella as we wait out the small cell of storms pasting through. We laugh at the panic that spread across our face's moments ago, so hard my knees buckled, and cheeks began to ache. The tinging on the tin softened as the storm eased its way past Campus.

"Looks like we are meeting up for the tour this way." I point holding up my soggy map, after placing my umbrella against my shoulder.

"Lead the way Abs."

Entering the large auditorium, we weave our way past the crowd to the small black and gold tables that lined the makeshift walls.

"Name, Please?"

"Oh, uh Abagail Carr- Uh Pectin." I correct shaking my head.

"Here you go! Enjoy your tour Abagail!" The table attendee chirps back before handing me a color-coded name tag. That would later divide the potential students into groups, per our concentrations. After breaking into teams, each possible student was handed a gift bag which included a CU koozie and T-shirt, with a folder of print outs of menus, student housing breakdowns, semester credit requirements and a few smoothie king coupons that expire before classes even start. After a few ice breakers as an attempt to get our group more comfortable, I realize College life, the Campus experience isn't appealing to me. I'm here for a degree, not to party and get weaseled into paying for a meal plan.

After an announcement, a wave of eager students file out of the auditorium's double doors leading the way to our next destination. I allow us to fall to the back of the group, as an overwhelming flash of anxiety floods me, stopping me at my feet. I can't do this. I don't want -this.

Clearing my throat. "So, uh, Let's blow this popsicle stand!" I say followed with a burst of laughter, nerves clearly coating my throat.

"The um, the tour guide did mention Boulder is "America's Foodiest Town." Let's test that theory with." I continue trying to calm my nerves as I lift the thick cardstock menu of "Recommended Bites" from my bag, glancing over the names of restaurants, but not truly reading any of them.

The guys share an exchange of wide and curious eyes, before Wyatt steps forward, brushing fly away strands of hair that fell from my messy bun to the sides of my face. "Woah, where is this coming from?"

Shrugging, I look down at my boots before answering, "I- I don't think this place suits me," restlessly dragging my foot back and forth along the freshly groomed grass, I continue,

"The commute to campus, the clubs, fees, students' activities- It's too much. There is too much expectation for campus-young adult living. I wanna explore other, more practical options. I've never been one for overcrowded areas anyways."

"Sooo, America's Foodiest Town?" I press, waving the menu in the air with a snicker in hopes of dismissing anymore questions. My dad playfully snatches the menu from my fingertips as Wyatt peers over his shoulder to read the menu.

"The Sink."

"Fat Shack sounds great!"

 Both Wyatt and my Dad suggest at the same time, causing a burst of laughter from the three of us, that causes the group ahead to all turn back to glare at us in confusion. And for a moment, time slows as I watch his perfect lips part into the brightest, most natural smile. My heart melting when he effortlessly runs a hand through his hair, showcasing the veins and muscles in his forearm and furthermore, when his mossy green eyes fix on me, gently moving along the length of my body to find my hand. His touch intensely pulling me back to regular speed.

"Let's eat" Wyatt speaks up, lightly squeezing me hand, leading us back to the car. After driving around, the block a hand full of times and comparing menu's, we decide Fat shack, dad original choice, was the lucky winner.

Their promise of delicious fried pickles, filling sandwiches and perfectly deep-fried Oreo's were far from disappointment. Over lunch, Wyatt and I look up different online schooling options, reading down the list to dad, before deciding.

"Ah, here is one!" I say waiting for the web page to load, popping a warm bite of fried pickle drenched in homemade ranch into my mouth. Before listing the bullet points as I scroll down the screen.

"Liberty. It's a hundred percent online eight-week course. Let's see, um 36 credit hours and, on average can be completed in a year and a half. They offer Master of Arts in Teaching – Elementary Education. NCATE-accredited."

"Abagail, you sure?" my dad questions, placing his hand over mine. "Don't worry about the cost, I don't mind paying for it."

"I'm sure, this degree will give me the same job and grant me the same opportunities, for less money and sooner. I'll fill out the online forms and apply tonight! Don't worry daddy, I wanna do it this way."

The car ride home is quieter than I'd like, but I know were all in deep thought. The cloudy overcast and misty air add to the gloomy mood we all are in. In two short days Wyatt will be leaving for Afghanistan. The brakes squeak as I pull into the driveway of my dad's new place.

"Thanks for letting me tag along with you kids today, I enjoyed every minute of it." Opening the backdoor, he sides out, grabbing his umbrella from the floorboard. "Wyatt, can I have a word with you son?"

"Of course, Mr. Scott." Wyatt nods, releasing my hand with a slight squeeze, before exiting the car. I hadn't noticed he had been holding my hand the entire drive back, I guess it's just become second nature to me. The release of his warm palms sent an instant chill down my spine.

Turning the dial up on the car's heater, I clasp my hands together, rubbing them back and forth creating friction for warmth. Peering, I watch as the two men I love most in this world speak, their voices muttered from the engine still running. The mist starts to accumulate against the windshield, as Wyatt reaches his hand out for a shake, but dad grabs his hand pulling him into a firm hug instead. Through the droplets, I can see Wyatt's shoulder sink as he grips my father's coat, and as they part ways I can see the moisture forming along my dad's lashes. With a wave goodbye my father turns to go inside.

"What was that about?" I ask, rubbing Wyatt's shoulder after he shut the car door.

"Uh, just saying bye before my flight." He answers with a subtle smile, barely revealing his dimple, before shifting to look out the window.

The rain begins to fall on our ride home, and even with our short walk to the door, the rain soaks us before we can reach the awning. We manage to still find humor, in the midst of all this sadness, my boots squeaking with each step as I tried and failed to open the extra umbrella in the downfall. Tossing his head back, I join in on his laughter, even if it was at my expense.

"The damn Umbrella! Haha You set me up!" I accuse him with a tease, tossing my boots to the corner of the porch before pulling my soaking -knotted hair from its messy bun, shaking out my length with my fingers. And just like that, smiling ear to ear, his lone dimple appeared again. Making my heart flutter as always.

"Is that so?" his response, low and steady.

Wiping the smile from my face, my knees go weak, my eyes filling with desire as I notice his drenched, clinging t-shirt. Clinging to his chest of realistic expectation, realistic shape, and form. Not over muscular and beefy, but ideally toned and beautiful. Thick droplets of heavy rainwater still run-down Wyatt's head, darkening his brown-amber hair as it streams down his face forming perfectly beaded droplets as he walks toward me. Slow and dreamier than ever.

"Dance with me."

"In the rain?", without hesitation Wyatt lifts me in the air stepping back into the rain fall, spinning me around, before gently placing my feet on the toes of his boots, guiding his arm through the small of my back as he hums the course of "Makin' Me Look Good Again".

Something so sweet about this moment, makes my heart swell of pure happiness. We sway as my tears mix with rain, until he lifts my chin with his curved index finger. So much passion claiming my lips as his mouth collides with mine, the cold rain runs down his nose onto my flaming cheeks as he lifts me once again, guiding my legs to wrap around his hips. Soaked in more ways than one, Wyatt refuses to break our kisses, trailing water all the way to our room. He sets me near the bathroom sink, as we franticly peel each article of drenched clothing off of one another.

Without delay, Wyatt's hands graze my body, gripping my ass, before hoisting me up with ease and taking a few steps into the shower. Pushing my back against the tiled shower wall, he continues to kiss my neck. Steam coating our lungs and naked bodies , the hot water stings at my bitter skin, as he runs his thumb across the hard pink peeks of my breasts before cupping a handful. They're made for his hands, fitting perfecting as he kneads with each deep kiss before bringing both to my nipples with a twist! I launch my head back, moaning his name as my fingers rake his wet hair. I never want this to end. My nails graze and claw at his back and I bite his shoulder covering my mouth to keep me grounded from the rush. I need him deeper. With each grinding motion my eyes roll further back followed by a repetitive moan. Until the life leaves my legs and relaxation takes over my body, conforming to his for support.