Iceskating

This is ridiculous, the voice in my head taunted.

“You’re going to do fine.” A warm strong hand gently pried my fingers off the death grip I had on the oversized hoodie he had lent me.

 I gave him a tight smile, “Says the man who is a pro at ice skating.”

 His chuckle relieved my nerves just the slightest bit.

“No one has arrived. Since it’s the middle of the week, we will most likely have the entire ice rink to ourselves.”

 I tried hard not to roll my eyes; I would still be making a fool out of myself.

 He pulled me to my feet, my legs were already wobbling at the strange feeling of the ice skates on my feet.

 He easily walked backwards, and I followed his pace.

“You see? It’s not difficult.” His confident smirk had me wanting to playfully slap him on the shoulder.

 I nervously laughed, “Sure.”

 Although we had been friends for years, and in a relationship for much less, I still hated the thought of making a fool of myself in front of him. Not when I wanted to impress him just a little.

 We got to the edge of the ice rink, the chill of the ice made me thankful I was wearing a white winter hat and some gloves. My jeans kept my legs nice and warm, the hoodie encasing me made everything better.

 He easily slid onto the ice; his legs moved with a grace I was entranced by.

 He turned to me, extending a hand.

 I shook my head, but asked, “Are you sure about this?”

“Positive. You’ll be a natural in no time.”

 I looked around the ice rink. He had been wrong. There was a young teenage couple and a young mother with her three children at the ice rink.

 I swallowed and looked at my boyfriend. The mixture of concern and amusement in his eyes made me edge towards the ice rink.

 I put a tentative foot on the ice and then quickly retracted it.

 How was he doing that?

 His legs were making graceful patterns in the ice.

 He came to the edge, a tender smile on his lips as he gazed at me.

“So cute.” He murmured as his hands settled at my waist and then dropped a kiss on my nose.

 I laughed, “What are you talking about?”

 He suddenly pulled me onto the ice, and I squealed in a moment of panic, “No!” I grabbed onto his forearms as I felt my legs give way. He held me upright until I found my position.

“You can do it.” He said confidently.

 I tried to scooch, but only seemed to be going backwards and then sliding awkwardly.

“No, I can’t do this.” Panic clawed at my throat. His right arm settled around my waist, “Yes, you can.” He gently pushed me and then my legs felt wobbly on their own.

 He came to stand in front of me, gently gliding backwards, “Come after me.”

 I raised a brow, trying to gather a bit of confidence, “If I could skate, I would be right there.” I pointed at his extended arms.

 His grin widened and I felt love for this man overwhelm me.

“Slide with your legs.” He turned around so I could see his back. His feet glided sideways, gently pushing back and forth making him go straight forwards.

 Fear tightened in my belly as he went further away from me.

“Come back here.” I half-heartedly cried. I glanced at the mother with her small children who seemed to be doing much better at this than I was.

 He twirled around, and then began spinning gracefully until he saw me. As I watched him, I completely disregarded what I was doing. His movements were so beautiful.

 I started after him, but then I was falling.

 I landed on my hip, wincing, and praying he hadn’t witnessed that.

 I looked up; Of course, he had.

“Are you okay?” I heard the swish of his ice skates before I saw the concern in his eyes. It was endearing.

 I laughed, “I’m okay, just a little bruised. Help me up?”

 He extended his hand and pulled me up.

 I cried out in panic, realizing that I couldn’t upright myself.

“I gotcha.” He held me up, my arms on his shoulders.

 I took a deep breath, looking up at his strong handsome features I stated, “I seriously can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can.” A small smirk played at his lips, “You just need the right motivation.”

 This time I did roll my eyes, “Sure.” I dragged out the word.

 He glanced around the ice rink bent his head and, all of a sudden, his lips were pressing a gentle kiss onto mine.

 My eyes slid close of their own volition, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, the ice no longer a concern to me.

 He suddenly removed himself from my grasp, “One kiss for every time you catch up to me.”

 I felt my eyes blaze indignantly, “That is unfair.”

 He laughed, shaking his head, spinning once and then twice, “I believe you can do it.” He came to stand in front of me, but not nearly close enough for me to go after him. The more I tried, the more he moved further away. I stopped trying and put my hands on my hips.

“You have thirty minutes.” He glanced at the large digital clock hanging above the ice rink, “I’ll make it easier. I’ll be doing laps across the rink. Anytime I come around to you,” he approached me and then pressed a kiss to my cheek, “I’ll give you one of these.”

 I laughed at the playfulness in his voice. He could be so infuriating one moment but endearing the next.

“Love you.” With those words, he slipped out of my grasp, and I was left stunned. I watched as he gracefully glided down the ice rink.

“You can’t just say that!” I sputtered, my heart racing.

“Come back here!” I called to him. He turned, gave me a wink, and then continued down the rink.

 I made an effort to slide and not “walk” down the rink, but I felt like a penguin waddling down the ice rink. I tried grabbing the side of the ice rink, but it only made me lose my balance further.

 I finally gave up and watched as the teenage couple glided hand in hand back and forth.

 I tilted my head to the side, trying to imitate their movements with my legs.

 I think I got it, I told myself, but then felt myself lose my balance and struggle to stay upright.

 I bent my knees and tried focusing again, my heart pounding out of my chest for many reasons.

 I looked around for him but did not see him anywhere.

 I sighed; I guess it was best if I learned by myself.

 Suddenly a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I felt my legs slip from under me, “Seriously?!” I struggled to balance myself again.

 My hat had fallen onto the ice. My dark hair was on full display for everyone. Most of my weight was being supported by him. I looked up at him, his laughter shook both of us, “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” He sounded unapologetic.

 Once I was upright, he pressed a kiss to my cheek, “I’ll be back.”

 I was left by myself once more. I looked at my hat and then back at him and then back at my hat again.

 I frowned; I was not going to be able to pick it up without falling.

“Here you go.” A small voice said from beside me.

 A little boy picked it up and was holding it out towards me.

 I smiled at him, “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled, two of his front teeth were missing. He glided back to his mother who was giving me a warm smile.

 I smiled back and then attempted to return to my battle against the ice and my feet.

 Twenty minutes later, I had received two kisses on my cheek, fallen twice, and given up on using my hat, but was nowhere close to receiving an actual kiss.

 I had gotten slightly better at moving forwards and was proud I did not have to be so near to the railing, but it was not enough to catch up to him. Even when he was only a few feet away.

 I glanced at the clock, I only had ten minutes.

 I gave up on the idea of receiving an actual kiss from my boyfriend and determined to be able to make a lap around the rink before we had to go.

“Any better?” I heard his low voice coming from behind me.

 My eyes widened at his speed and the determination in his voice as he sped past me.

“Not really.” I called after him. He suddenly tilted his foot and was facing me as he continued gliding backwards. 

 He turned and then started speeding again, his hands were outstretched and then I saw him lift and twirl.

 He landed wrong.

 He crashed onto the ice and continued to glide down the ice on his behind.

 I couldn’t help it.

 I laughed.

 I laughed so hard; tears were streaming out of my eyes. His comical expression of surprise and pain made it so much worse.

“Are you okay?” I carefully glided towards him.

 He gave me a salty look, “I’m fine.”

 I could tell his pride was more bruised than anything.

 “Show off.” I muttered as he stood, twirled, and then came in front of me.

 He shrugged but didn’t deny it.

 I used the distraction to push myself as much as I could towards him.

 Oops. I was going too fast.

 I landed against him, hoping to have him catch me, but he was off-balance.

 We were suddenly both falling. I winced as my side landed against the hard cold ice and my other side was against his side. Our legs were in a tangle on the ice.

“Are you okay?” I asked, genuinely concerned.

“I’m fine.” He lifted himself off me, “Are you?”

 I took a deep breath, “Yep.”

 I looked into his dark eyes, smiling as my heart raced in my chest. I still hadn’t said the words back.

“You’re so beautiful.” He whispered; his gaze had softened.

 I heard someone cry and quickly pushed him away, “There are kids.” I said alarmed.

 I could hear his laughter behind me as I tried standing up. Which I did. Ungracefully. But I still did it.

 I lifted my head and then gently made my way towards the edge of the rink.

 A few moments later, I was stepping onto blessed firm ground.

 My feet ached, but I kept that small detail to myself.

“Love, come here.” I heard his voice behind me but sped my steps.

 My heart was beating too fast. No one had ever called me that in my life.

 I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist. He nuzzled his nose into my neck.

“Not right now.” I stated firmly. I felt him loosen his arms, “Not until we both have proper shoes on.”

 He let me go, “If you say so.”

 I avoided his gaze as I reached for the laces on my skates. But there were strong firm hands there, “Let me.”

 He was kneeling in front of me, his hands gently undoing the laces. He gingerly slid them off my feet.

 I wiggled my toes letting out a relieved breath as the pressure of the skates eased.

“Thank you.” I softly said.

“You’re welcome.” He stood and sat next to me as he slid off his own skates.

 I quickly slid my sneakers on and then returned the skates to the counter.

 He was right behind me, our height difference even more noticeable as I grabbed my purse from one of the cubbies and he took my hand.

 I opened my mouth, but he quickly put a finger over my mouth, “Shh, not until we’re outside.”

 I pressed my lips together, my stomach clenching in nervousness and excitement all at the same time.

 Leaving the ice rink, we stepped out into the chill of the November breeze. It was already dark outside.

“I-” I started to say again, but he was pulling me away from the parking lot and onto the opposite side.

 There was a small field of grass that had turned yellowish and was scattered with leaves. A few trees were on the edges of the small field.

“Did you know this was here?”

“Of course I did.” He answered smugly.

 I looked up at the sky; I could see several stars decorating it. The moon shone in full splendor.

“It’s beautiful.” I smiled amazed, but my view was then blocked by his handsome features. His hands rested on my waist, “You’re beautiful.”

 I felt a blush heat my cheeks, “Don’t say stuff like that.”

 His hands moved to cup my cheeks, “You. Are. Beautiful.” He pressed a kiss to my nose.

 I laughed nervously, but at his seriousness, I smiled trying to agree.

 My breath came out in a fog, it intermingled with his own. His forehead gently rested on mine. I reached up to rest my hands on his neck, “Doesn’t it hurt?” I whispered.

“What?” He pulled back slightly giving me a confused look.

“Leaning so far down.” I laughed.

 He threw his head back laughing and then proceeded to scoop me into his arms. My hands tightened around his shoulders and my legs wrapped around his waist. 

“Put me back down.” I squealed in delight, laughing at his antics.

“Nope.”

“I said put me down!” I demanded.

 He finally set me down, but I then realized that our height difference was off. I was almost at eye-level with him.

 I looked down at my feet to see that he had set me on top of a broken tree stump.

“Is that better?” He quirked a brow.

“Much better.” I giggled, my hand reached up to cover my mouth, but he took ahold of it and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand, “I love seeing your smile and laughter. Don’t ever hide it. Not from me.”

 I blushed nervously, but then gazed into this man’s eyes. I could read his love for me in plain sight. He was not afraid to hide it. Not afraid to make a fool of himself for me.

 I slowly reached up to press both of my hands on either side of his face. He stilled at the contact.

“I love you.” I whispered, the words fell from my lips, and I was unable to stop them, “I have fallen in love with you, and I don’t want to ever stop. Even if it’s as scary as being on the ice rink.” He laughed at that, “But I’m okay with that because you’re so worth the risk.”

 His gaze had widened but then softened, “I love you, too.” His arms tightened around my waist, “And I don’t plan to ever let you go.”

 I read the question in his beautiful almond shaped eyes. I threaded my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and he pulled me closer. His lips finally descended against mine. They feathered across mine in soft whispers. I closed my eyes, letting him love me. I returned his kiss and pressed closer to him.

 After a moment, he finally pulled back, “I love you.” He pressed a final kiss to my lips and then scooped me into his arms.

“Let’s go back before you catch a cold.” He dropped a kiss to my head and then pulled my hand back into the direction of the parking lot.

 As I gazed at him, I let him guide me.

 I would forever be thankful for the gift of him.