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"Bye, mom! Bye, dad! Don't come back with a baby!!" Colton shouted, waving at his father's white truck pulling out of the driveway. His other siblings, Phoenix and Max, were beside him, but they were too busy battling one another on a game to bid farewell to their parents as Colton had. Amber felt herself flushing at the comment, her eyes rolling as a shy smile spread on her face. Jupe chuckled lightly, though he didn’t try to hide the growing pink on his cheek.
It was Saturday, the only day of the week that Jupe and Amber were able to swear to themselves. As much as the two parents loved their kids, it was no doubt that they still yearned to be alone with one another. Amber waved at her children and their babysitter as she pulled out of the driveway in Jupe's truck, her husband seated in the passenger seat beside her. Typically Jupe was the chauffeur when it came to their dates, but Amber had promised him a surprise this time that only she would be able to drive to.
"So, are you gonna tell me where we're going?" Jupe asked, gently nudging his wife's arm in a childish expression of loving curiosity. Amber smiled and shook her head, choosing not to answer his question to keep things mysterious. Jupe sighed, though he expected this response. His wife always took any opportunity to tease him.
Jupe was rather shy about things like this- he was usually the provider in the relationship and took the initiative in their romance. Amber liked to spoil him with affection and support but she wasn't the one to do big romantic gestures.
Jupe watched out the window as cars sped past them, the people inside each living their own lives. Jupe smiled as he leaned his head against the window- none of them were as special as he or his family. He daydreamed about the plan he had been so excited to complete- an absolute spectacle called the "Star Lasso Experience." It was still a few months before he could perform, as his stellar friends- The Viewers- weren't entirely comfortable outside of abducting horses. Probably to study them, or perhaps they just liked the creatures. Jupe thought to himself.
A small bump in the road jerked him back to reality, and he noticed they were now pulling down a dusty dirt road, trees on either side of them for miles. He had never seen this place before; were they somewhere nearby the Haywood ranch? Jupe glanced at Amber for answers written on her face, but the woman kept her calm composure and delighted expression as she steered towards what Jupe could make out as a cliff.
"Alright, my love, we're here." She said as the truck came to a slow stop a few feet away from a soft patch of grass. It was starting to turn the night by now, the cool night air and crickets chirping along as the sun began to set across the horizon. Jupe stepped out of the car with Amber, his sneakers slipping on a bit of slick dirt. Outside of his cowboy persona, he was just as normal as any other guy you would see on the street. You would never consider him 'Ricky Jupe Park' if you were able to grab him when he wasn't acting. He didn't like to make a show of himself unless he wanted to, so his wife did most of the talking in restaurants and public. "A cliff? You plan on pushing me off?" Jupe asked, teasing Amber as he closed the door of the truck. He followed Amber to where she was standing, who had a blanket in her hands and a bottle of wine.
"I thought we could watch the stars together... Maybe even see The Viewers. It's been so long since we've been able to enjoy a nice like this one." Amber said, her soft voice nearly drowned out by the sound of angry cicadas and owls chatting with one another. Jupe smiled, taking the quilt from her arms and spreading it on the ground. "It's perfect. Thank you." He said before leaning over and kissing her on the cheek affectionately.
The two cuddled up onto the quilt, huddling together to keep warm. The night was colder than Amber had expected, and it bothered her to the point where Jupe had to lend her his hoodie. When Amber inquired if he would be alright, the man simply brushed it off as being not sensitive to temperature, trying to hide the fact he was shivering.
As they split the bottle of wine, Amber turned to her beloved, looking up at him with her gentle green eyes, ones full of so much hope and love for the family they had built together. Jupe kissed her again, tender, like the one they had on their wedding night. Amber was a second chance at happiness, a life without chimpanzees or cameras, or a childhood ruined with acting. Would, Jupe thought, The Viewers ruin this? He set the thought aside, not wanting to worry about something he knew wouldn’t harm him or his family. His life was different now, and he was happy.