Maple Forest

Elias yanked up the blanket to cover himself and gnashed his teeth in mock exasperation. ‘Just wait till your Aunt Flo leaves, let’s see if you’ll still be able to laugh then.’ Callie stuck out her tongue. ‘Relax. It’s perfectly normal for a man to—’ In a swift move that was all Elias, he caught her shoulders and pulled her down, their lips meeting in a passionate, searing kiss that left her breathless. Callie waved the white flag before things got out of control. After washing up, they went downstairs for breakfast. ‘Where are we going?’ Callie asked as she climbed into the jeep. ‘A little place I know,’ he said cryptically. The morning sun painted the town in warm hues as they drove out of the carpark. The scent of fresh dew hung in the air, mingling with the promise of the day ahead. As they drove on, the town of Wingston gradually faded in the rearview mirror, replaced by the embrace of nature’s splendour. A short while later, Elias parked the car at the edge of a gravel path, leading them to the heart of a hidden gem - a valley cradled by verdant mountains. The scene that greeted them was nothing short of a masterpiece, as if nature had taken a paintbrush to the world, transforming it into a canvas of fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. Vibrant maple trees stood proudly, each leaf a testament to the artistry of autumn. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, creating a kaleidoscope of colours that danced in the breeze. Callie’s breath caught in her throat, her gaze sweeping across the landscape. ‘Elias, this... this is incredible,’ she whispered. ‘It’s like a fairytale.’ He nodded. ‘This place is a well-kept local secret.’ He closed the gap between them. With a gentle tug, he guided her toward a majestic maple tree, its branches swaying in rhythm with their heartbeats. Trapped between the solidity of the tree and the strength of Elias’s presence, Callie’s pulse quickened. ‘Bunny,’ he murmured, the endearment rolling off his tongue with an intimate familiarity. He leaned in, his fingers grazing her cheek as his lips found hers. The kiss was a meeting of souls, a fusion of desires long held beneath the surface. Their connection was as natural as the leaves drifting to the ground, each touch a confession, each caress a promise. Time seemed to suspend as they lost themselves in the moment, a collision of emotions that transcended words. Callie gripped Elias’s shirt, holding him close as if she could anchor herself to him amidst the whirlwind of sensation. The kiss was fierce yet tender, a symphony of passion and tenderness. As they finally parted, their breaths mingling with the cool breeze, Elias’s eyes held a depth of emotion that matched the intensity of the autumn scene surrounding them. He’d wanted so much more than just a kiss, but the timing was inconvenient. ‘Wait here,’ he said, pulling away. ‘Give me a minute.’ ‘With this kind of beauty, I could wait here forever.’ Callie twirled around, enchanted by the view. The landscape was alive with the colours of fall, a breathtaking mosaic of maples, aspens, tamaracks, and birches. A babbling brook meandered through the land, its gentle song a serenade that harmonised with the chirping birdsong from the trees. The surface shimmered and beckoned, and Callie had to resist the urge to dip her toes into the water. Elias jogged back to the jeep and retrieved a wicker basket. He set the basket down with care and spread out a chequered blanket beneath the very maple tree that had witnessed their kiss. He patted the spot beside him. ‘Come.’ Callie settled down next to him. Elias unveiled the contents of the basket - sandwiches neatly wrapped in parchment paper, a selection of cheeses and fruits, and a bottle of wine. ‘Wow, when did you prepare all this stuff?’ Elias handed her a turkey sandwich. ‘When you were sleeping.’ The hotel concierge had been extremely accommodating, rustling up the contents for a picnic at five o’clock in the morning. Of course, Elias’s generous tips had helped. Surrounded by the picture-perfect nature and the song of birds, Callie felt her heart settle. Elias had always been her anchor, the rock upon which she built her dreams. And as she looked up at a towering oak tree, she realised that their love was a force of nature in its own right, unyielding and everlasting. Callie leaned back and sighed. ‘This feels like a dream. I wish I never wake up from it.’ Elias pinched her cheek. ‘Ow!’ ‘Does this feel real enough?’ he chuckled. Callie gave him a playful swat on the arm. She stood up. ‘Let’s take a walk.’ As they wandered through the forest, Callie caught sight of a particularly vibrant maple leaf. She bent down and picked it up, her fingers tracing the delicate veins that etched its surface. ‘I can make a bookmark out of this.’ It would be a perfect memento for their honeymoon. Elias nodded, a little absently, as he scanned the surroundings for the perfect place to carry out his plan. *** The helicopter’s blades whirred to a halt as Harriet leapt onto the ground, her backpack casually slung over one shoulder. She gave a thumbs-up to the pilot, then she was off, jogging towards the familiar grounds of Valour Ridge Military Academy. A holiday cheer hung in the air, the campus unusually quiet, though a few cadets lingered, making the most of the day off. Harriet needed no guidance with the campus layout, having spent two years here as a cadet herself. The girls’ dorm felt like a second home. She collected her keys from the housemaster and unpacked her luggage. Then she sauntered to the principal’s office, which was locked, confirming that Elias was indeed away. With a nonchalant shrug, she headed to the quartermaster to requisition a jeep, then set off to explore the nearby town of Sandsville, a place that seemed frozen in time. She found her old haunt in a matter of minutes. The Sands Bunker was a quintessential desert tavern. It had a weathered wooden façade and a sign depicting a pair of crossed swords against a backdrop of undulating sand dunes. Harriet sauntered through the open door.