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Costa Rica was definitely not somewhere Tim Bradford thought he’d pick for his vacation, granted has never really taken a vacation to begin with (the one he planned with Ashley fell through rather quickly thanks to an undercover operation and a surprise kiss that left him questioning his entire life), but Lucy Chen can be persuasive when she wants to be and he’s never been able to say no to her on the best of days.
(And the best day is definitely not when she gives him the puppy dog face after they’ve spent the better part of an hour in bed — not sleeping.)
It started with small hints of taking a trip together, how they’d been together for a while now (minus those few months when they weren’t) and had never gone away together, mentioning various vacations they’re coworkers had been on, her dreams of traveling outside the country. And then bigger hints, names of places she wanted to go, ideas of things they could do together, when and for how long they could potentially go away, who they could get to watch Kojo while they’re gone.
He knows her well enough to know she’s never going to straight up ask, so after the seventh not so subtle hint, Tim did some research himself. Cruises, European destinations, hiking trips, beach vacations, and he found the more he looked into it the more he loved the idea.
Getting away from Los Angeles, just the two of them, getting to create new memories in a place neither had been before sounded a little like heaven.
After some more research, lists and talks — and one particularly breathtaking smile from Lucy when he agreed to a vacation — they decided on Costa Rica. Outside of the US, somewhere new for them both, with plenty of activities they’d equally enjoy.
And so with a few months of planning, making sure their passports were up to date, and one shopping spree (that resulted in a fashion show in their bedroom of bathing suits Lucy purchased, which he thoroughly enjoyed), Tim finds himself strolling the beach hand in hand with his girlfriend, more relaxed then he thinks he’s ever been in his entire life.
“I’m excited for tomorrow.”
Lucy’s soft, soothing, voice pulls his attention, and he looks down at her with a subtle smile.
“Me, too.” He pulls their joined hands to his lips, pressing three quick kisses to her knuckles.
The plan is to get up and out early for a guided hike up to some beautiful waterfalls with a pool big enough for them to swim in as well. He’s not entirely sure about that part of it, no matter how much he’s looking forward to the hiking park, because Tim still struggles a bit to get out of his comfort zone, but he knows Lucy is excited.
And more often than not, her enthusiasm rubs off on him and he’ll find himself just as excited as she is. Add onto that, the fact that she makes it so much easier (and safer) to try new things, Tim knows he’ll have a good time and end up swimming under the falls with her.
“You’re not just saying that, right?” She doesn’t look up at him, instead gently kicks a shell in front of them.
“Hey,” Tim comes to a stop and tugs on her hand, pulling her into his space. He reaches up, tucking her hair behind her ear and forcing her eyes up to his at the same time. “I’m having a good time, Luce.”
“I just want to make sure you’re not just putting on a front for me. You know, grin and bear it for my sake. This is your trip, too.”
“I’m not. Maybe I didn’t love the beach day as much as you did, but I still had a good time because I was with you. And, for what it’s worth, baby, I’m here now with my feet in the sand again, willingly.”
She smiles at that, letting go of his hand and looping her arms around his neck. “Next trip we can go to a baseball game on the east coast. Boston maybe? Or New York? Pick a stadium you’ve never been to.”
“Yeah? You’d do that?”
“Babe, I’d go anywhere and do anything with you.”
The words, soft but said with so much conviction, have his chest caving in and his heart melting.
He feels the same, of course, but it’s still surreal that she loves him like that, so completely and unconditionally. That she forgave him for walking away like he did, gave their relationship a second chance, continues to trust him and love him in a way no one ever has before.
Overwhelmed, and at a loss for words, Tim wraps his arm around her waist a bit tighter. He’s just about to dip down and kiss her, his hand cupping her cheek softly, when they hear a distant rumble of thunder and suddenly the skies open up.
Rain pours down around them as they both jump apart and Lucy squeals. They stand frozen for a few seconds, eyes on each other, until Tim breaks out in a laugh. A full, carefree type that has Lucy joining in.
“Come here.” Tim sweeps her into his arms, her laughter trapped between their lips as he kisses her with unbridled joy.
Their kiss quickly falls apart around their smiles, full and bright, contrast to the storm clouds rolling through. He gives her three more quick, but no less loving, pecks before pulling away entirely.
He watches as Lucy tilts her head back, radiating joy as if she is the sun, dancing in the rain without a care in the world and so he decides he doesn’t care either.
Tim charges toward her, capturing in his arms from behind, spinning them in place as their laughter echoes across the beach.