Memories By The Water

I gazed into the beautiful rippling waters of the canal, lost in thought as I watched the way that the reflection of the pale full moon in the darkening sky danced and shimmered across the surface. A couple of ducks glided past me towards the shelter of the bank, no doubt in search of a place to settle down for the night. Above me where the road led back into town across the bridge, I could hear the sounds of cars as they shot by with headlights shining brightly in the gloom.
A pair of slender arms encircled my waist from behind, making me jump slightly before a smile spread across my face. A soft voice spoke into my ear; softer lips brushed against it.
"What are you thinking about?"
I turned from where I had been sitting to kiss the owner of the arms. "You, of course. What else?"
"Why would you waste your thoughts on me?" she teased, knowing full well how I would respond.
I mock-frowned and then jumped at her, tackling her to the soft, grassy ground beside the water, both of us laughing as we wrestled and play-fought. She was surprisingly strong but eventually I managed to get the upper hand, pinning her down and looking into her eyes with a grin.
"Are you going to behave now?" I asked her as she struggled to free herself. "Do you give up?"
"Never!" she squealed, giggling as she wriggled underneath me. Finally, she stopped moving and looked up at me through wide, innocent eyes. It was an expression that I could never resist.
"I promise to be good now. Will you let me go?"
I loosened my grip. "Well, I suppose –"
I was cut off as, with a sudden surprising show of power she managed to roll me onto my back and straddle me, pinning my own arms down now in retaliation to my actions, smirking at me.
"Fooled you…" she whispered, leaning down to kiss me again.
"That was rude," I replied, gladly accepting her lips on mine despite her tricks.
Besides, it wasn't as though I really objected to her being this close to me. Quite the opposite, in fact. The feeling of her now lying with her head on my chest was both comfortable and comforting. The texture and scent of her long, silky hair on my face took my breath away. Her heart beating against my own was sheer bliss. To me, she shone more brightly than the moon presiding over us from above. Nobody had ever been lovelier to me, and I doubted that they ever could.
This perfect moment in time was another to be added to the many that there had already been between us, and to what I hoped would be many, many more. I loved her. So much.
Deep within my heart, I knew that I always would.
"Where did you go, anyway?" I asked her as she sat up again.
"To get food! Are you hungry?"
"I am a bit, actually."
"Good! I went to the chip shop. Got us chicken though because neither of us like fish much."
She held up a large brown paper bag that she had set down sometime prior to our little tussle.
I smiled at her; on top of everything else, she certainly knew me very well.
She returned my smile as she opened the bag, passing me a portion of chips and several pieces of battered chicken along with it. I took a bite; it was delicious.
"You know something? I want every night to be like this one," I said quietly.
"What do you mean?" she asked me, a curious expression on her pretty face as she ate.
"It's so peaceful by this canal. I still remember the first time you brought me here. And besides that, I have picturesque scenery, good food, and the most amazing company. Could I ever ask for more?"
"But surely if every night was like this, we'd miss out on so many other pretty things together?"
I hid my smile. Her sense of taking everything literally never failed to amuse me.
"You may have a point. It won't matter where I go with you, though."   
"Why?" Her cute, curious expression had returned, her pale skin reflecting the moonlight.
I ate a couple of chips, then leant back on the grass, folding my hands behind my head.
"Because, wherever I am, the prettiest thing will always be by my side. You."
She didn't reply for a while, and I shifted my gaze from the sky to her face, wondering if I'd said something wrong. I found her looking back at me through her striking blue eyes – the eyes that continually entranced me. Those eyes that always drew me in, as if I could wander in them forever.
"You're so sweet…" she finally replied happily. "Can I have a cuddle?"
"Sure. You don't need to ask."
I pulled her down towards me and embraced her tightly. Each time I held her, I felt like I never wanted to let go, and there was always a brief flicker of sadness when one of our hugs ended, because it meant that she was no longer in my arms. Her warm breath on my cheek as she rested her chin against my shoulder contrasted sharply with the coldness of the evening's air. She stirred in my hold with a contented sound, snuggling up closer against me and nuzzling my neck.
"I love you so much," she whispered.
"I love you, too."
"I'm tired. Can I rest here for a bit?" she asked, closing her eyes.
"Yes, honey. You've had a long day, what with your exams and everything." I stroked her face tenderly. Her skin was so smooth, like porcelain. True beauty.
"Will you watch over me?" Her next question was mildly distorted by a yawn.
"Of course I will."
"Thank you, gorgeous boy."
I listened as her breathing became quiet, even and rhythmic as sleep took over her. She looked so cute. But then again, that was hardly anything new. She always looked cute.
My attention returned to the water as she lay with me. Nobody could ever know how lucky I considered myself to have what I had. They couldn't, because nobody else had it.
Her.
My one.
My only.
My all.