Chapter 4: A Day in the Park

A persistent ringing woke Celeste from a deep sleep, and it took her several sleepy moments to realize that it was her phone. Rubbing her eyes with the back of one hand, she reached for the phone with the other. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s Jonathan.”

“You’re too cheerful for this time in the morning,” she grumbled, trying to find her clock.

He laughed, irritating her further. “Do you even know what time it is?”

“No,” she admitted reluctantly.

“Well, it’s after nine, sleepy head.”

She brushed some of her hair out of her face. “Is there a reason for this call other than torturing me?”

“Actually, yes, there is. Do you have any plans for today?”

“Today’s Saturday, right?” she asked, trying to hide a yawn.

“Last time I checked.”

She completed the yawn. “Then, no, no set plans.”

“Would you like to go to the park with me?”

Her eyes fully opened. “Today? It’s like thirty degrees outside and you want to go to the park?”

He chuckled. “Well, you know it won’t be crowded. So, what do you think? We could grab a movie later.”

“Sure, why not?” Celeste replied. “What time do you want to meet?”

There was a pause. “I’ll pick you up in about two hours. Is that okay?”

“Sure.”

“Then I’ll see you later, Celeste. Bye.”

As she hung up the phone, she couldn’t help but wonder he was up to.

* * * * *

Although the park wasn’t crowded, it was far from deserted. Children were chasing each other and taking turns on the playground equipment. Their parents, grandparents, or babysitters watched from nearby benches, laughing at the antics, while couples strolled by arm in arm.

As they walked through the park, Celeste realized that Jonathan was leading them in a definite direction. “Where are we going?” she asked, wrapping her scarf tighter.

He pointed to their right to an ice rink. Several people were enjoying themselves, from the advanced skaters performing spins and jumps to the beginners falling repeatedly to the ice. Jonathan gave her a huge smile.

“No way,” Celeste protested, grabbing his arm to make him stop.

“Why not?” he asked. “It will be fun.”

“I do not skate. Period.”

He sighed. “Have you even tried it?”

“Yes,” she replied crisply, “and I couldn’t sit down for a week due to the bruises.”

He managed to not to laugh at her but he couldn’t hide his smile. “Well, I'll make sure you don’t fall. You’ll learn in no time.”

“Jonathan, no!”

He grabbed her arm and began pulling her to the rink. “Just give it fifteen minutes. I promise I won’t let you fall.”

“Are you deaf? I can’t skate!”

He gazed at her with puppy-dog eyes. “Ten minutes? Please, Celeste.”

“Oh, all right,” she cried, groaning in defeat. “But if you let me fall, Jonathan, you’ll regret it.”

“I promise,” he replied and pulled to the rental station to select their skates.

* * * * *

Jonathan stepped confidently on the ice and turned to Celeste, who clung to the wall of the rink for dear life. “Come on, Celeste,” he called, motioning for her to move onto the ice with his hands.

She shook her head. “I’m happy just where I am.”

“Ten minutes, you agreed,” he reminded her and pried her hands from the hall.

She held his arms tightly as she stepped timidly on the ice. He chuckled silently at the irony of Sailor Sol being afraid of ice-skating. As her second skate touched the ice, she suddenly pitched forward, landing against his chest.

Jonathan held her gently until she managed to regain her balance. He gradually moved away from her and began to lead her around the edge of the rink. She blushed as she realized that four- and five-year-olds were making laps around them. However, Jonathan’s calm, steady voice made her pay attention to his instructions and not the giggling children.

“I think that you're getting the hang of this,” he stated as they finished their second trip around the rink. “Ready to let go?”

“Are you kidding!”

He shook his head. “I promise not to let you fall.”

She stood rigidly still as he let her go. They stared at each other until it became apparent to Jonathan that she wasn’t to go move anytime soon. ‘At least not without some coaxing,’ he thought.

“Okay, Celeste, just do what we practiced,” he urged her gently, ready to grab her if she lost her balance or tripped.

She nodded and took a deep breath. She managed a few strides and beamed at Jonathan with a dazzling smile. However, she quickly lost her balance and Jonathan wrapped his arms around her, preventing her from falling to the ice.

Celeste looked up at him, a blush flaming her cheeks. She was clinging to his shoulder, her face inches away from his. Jonathan's arms were locked around her waist, holding her to him.

“Uh, thanks,” she said softly, licking her lips.

He stared into her emerald eyes and unconsciously pulled even tighter to him. “You’re welcome.”

They stared at each other for a few moments, forgetting about the people around them. Celeste swallowed hard as Jonathan lowered his head to hers. She closed her eyes and felt his lips brush against hers. With a sigh, her arms slid around his neck and she pressed her lips against his.

“Well, well, well,” a voice boomed, “Mackenzie, I didn’t realize that you were the type for public displays of affection.”

The interruption caused the pair to jerk apart. Celeste began flailing again and Jonathan grabbed her arm to hold her up. They turned to the source of the voice and a tall man with longish blond hair chuckled.

“Hey, Mac, it’s been a long time. How ya doing?” the man asked, extending his hand to Jonathan. “And who’s your lovely friend?”

Jonathan ignored the proffered hand, his rudeness and the fierce expression on his face surprising Celeste. His grip on Celeste’s arm tightened and he pulled her slightly closer to him. “Ian, it hasn’t been long enough.”

“Now, now, Mac, is that anyway to greet an old friend?”

“Last time I checked, we weren’t friends. Let's go, Celeste.”

Ian shook his head. “So, I guess you don't want to hear the news from home. When’s the last time you were home, Mac? Bethany’s turning into quite a looker, you know.”

“Stay away from my sister, Ian.”

“Oh, I’ll try,” he replied, “but I don’t know if she’ll stay away from me.”

Ian turned his attention away from Jonathan to Celeste. “So, Celeste, is it? Want to grab a bite?”

“No,” she replied and wrapped both arms around Jonathan’s. “Jonathan, we’re going to be late.”

“You’re right.” Without further ado, Jonathan put an arm around Celeste’s waist and helped her make her way back to the edge of the rink, leaving Ian on the ice.

“Who was that?” Celeste asked as they headed out of the park.

“A guy I knew in high school,” Jonathan explained, running a hand through his hair with a sigh. “One of the few people I know that can set me off just by saying hello.”

“What a charmer,” she quipped, and he smiled.

“Anyway, it’s a long story that I rather not get into right now,” he said.

She glanced at him with a thoughtful expression. “One of these days we will have to get around to trading some of these long stories.”

He nodded and she laced her fingers through his. They paused and looked at each other, trying to judge the other's reaction. With a half smile, he leaned forward and kissed her briefly. At least that was his intention until her arms wrapped around his neck. After a few moments and several discreet coughs from passersby, they separated.

“I think we need to talk, don’t you?” she asked softly, as he took one of her hand and they started walking again.

“Where would you like to go?”

She glanced around the park. “How about we just keep walking? I really don’t feel the cold anymore.”

He squeezed her hand and pulled her closer to him. “I know what you mean.”


A Day in the Park A persistent ringing woke Celeste from a deep sleep, and it took her several sleepy moments to realize that it was her phone. Rubbing her eyes with the back of one hand, she reached for the phone with the other. “Hello?” “Hi, it’s Jonathan.” “You’re too cheerful for this time in the morning,” she grumbled, trying to find her clock. He laughed, irritating her further. “Do you even know what time it is?” “No,” she admitted reluctantly. “Well, it’s after nine, sleepy head.” She brushed some of her hair out of her face. “Is there a reason for this call other than torturing me?” “Actually, yes, there is. Do you have any plans for today?” “Today’s Saturday, right?” she asked, trying to hide a yawn. “Last time I checked.” She completed the yawn. “Then, no, no set plans.” “Would you like to go to the park with me?” Her eyes fully opened. “Today? It’s like thirty degrees outside and you want to go to the park?” He chuckled. “Well, you know it won’t be crowded. So, what do you think? We could grab a movie later.” “Sure, why not?” Celeste replied. “What time do you want to meet?” There was a pause. “I’ll pick you up in about two hours. Is that okay?” “Sure.” “Then I’ll see you later, Celeste. Bye.” As she hung up the phone, she couldn’t help but wonder he was up to. * * * * * Although the park wasn’t crowded, it was far from deserted. Children were chasing each other and taking turns on the playground equipment. Their parents, grandparents, or babysitters watched from nearby benches, laughing at the antics, while couples strolled by arm in arm. As they walked through the park, Celeste realized that Jonathan was leading them in a definite direction. “Where are we going?” she asked, wrapping her scarf tighter. He pointed to their right to an ice rink. Several people were enjoying themselves, from the advanced skaters performing spins and jumps to the beginners falling repeatedly to the ice. Jonathan gave her a huge smile. “No way,” Celeste protested, grabbing his arm to make him stop. “Why not?” he asked. “It will be fun.” “I do not skate. Period.” He sighed. “Have you even tried it?” “Yes,” she replied crisply, “and I couldn’t sit down for a week due to the bruises.” He managed to not to laugh at her but he couldn’t hide his smile. “Well, I'll make sure you don’t fall. You’ll learn in no time.” “Jonathan, no!” He grabbed her arm and began pulling her to the rink. “Just give it fifteen minutes. I promise I won’t let you fall.” “Are you deaf? I can’t skate!” He gazed at her with puppy-dog eyes. “Ten minutes? Please, Celeste.” “Oh, all right,” she cried, groaning in defeat. “But if you let me fall, Jonathan, you’ll regret it.” “I promise,” he replied and pulled to the rental station to select their skates. * * * * * Jonathan stepped confidently on the ice and turned to Celeste, who clung to the wall of the rink for dear life. “Come on, Celeste,” he called, motioning for her to move onto the ice with his hands. She shook her head. “I’m happy just where I am.” “Ten minutes, you agreed,” he reminded her and pried her hands from the hall. She held his arms tightly as she stepped timidly on the ice. He chuckled silently at the irony of Sailor Sol being afraid of ice-skating. As her second skate touched the ice, she suddenly pitched forward, landing against his chest. Jonathan held her gently until she managed to regain her balance. He gradually moved away from her and began to lead her around the edge of the rink. She blushed as she realized that four- and five-year-olds were making laps around them. However, Jonathan’s calm, steady voice made her pay attention to his instructions and not the giggling children. “I think that you're getting the hang of this,” he stated as they finished their second trip around the rink. “Ready to let go?” “Are you kidding!” He shook his head. “I promise not to let you fall.” She stood rigidly still as he let her go. They stared at each other until it became apparent to Jonathan that she wasn’t to go move anytime soon. ‘At least not without some coaxing,’ he thought. “Okay, Celeste, just do what we practiced,” he urged her gently, ready to grab her if she lost her balance or tripped. She nodded and took a deep breath. She managed a few strides and beamed at Jonathan with a dazzling smile. However, she quickly lost her balance and Jonathan wrapped his arms around her, preventing her from falling to the ice. Celeste looked up at him, a blush flaming her cheeks. She was clinging to his shoulder, her face inches away from his. Jonathan's arms were locked around her waist, holding her to him. “Uh, thanks,” she said softly, licking her lips. He stared into her emerald eyes and unconsciously pulled even tighter to him. “You’re welcome.” They stared at each other for a few moments, forgetting about the people around them. Celeste swallowed hard as Jonathan lowered his head to hers. She closed her eyes and felt his lips brush against hers. With a sigh, her arms slid around his neck and she pressed her lips against his. “Well, well, well,” a voice boomed, “Mackenzie, I didn’t realize that you were the type for public displays of affection.” The interruption caused the pair to jerk apart. Celeste began flailing again and Jonathan grabbed her arm to hold her up. They turned to the source of the voice and a tall man with longish blond hair chuckled. “Hey, Mac, it’s been a long time. How ya doing?” the man asked, extending his hand to Jonathan. “And who’s your lovely friend?” Jonathan ignored the proffered hand, his rudeness and the fierce expression on his face surprising Celeste. His grip on Celeste’s arm tightened and he pulled her slightly closer to him. “Ian, it hasn’t been long enough.” “Now, now, Mac, is that anyway to greet an old friend?” “Last time I checked, we weren’t friends. Let's go, Celeste.” Ian shook his head. “So, I guess you don't want to hear the news from home. When’s the last time you were home, Mac? Bethany’s turning into quite a looker, you know.” “Stay away from my sister, Ian.” “Oh, I’ll try,” he replied, “but I don’t know if she’ll stay away from me.” Ian turned his attention away from Jonathan to Celeste. “So, Celeste, is it? Want to grab a bite?” “No,” she replied and wrapped both arms around Jonathan’s. “Jonathan, we’re going to be late.” “You’re right.” Without further ado, Jonathan put an arm around Celeste’s waist and helped her make her way back to the edge of the rink, leaving Ian on the ice. “Who was that?” Celeste asked as they headed out of the park. “A guy I knew in high school,” Jonathan explained, running a hand through his hair with a sigh. “One of the few people I know that can set me off just by saying hello.” “What a charmer,” she quipped, and he smiled. “Anyway, it’s a long story that I rather not get into right now,” he said. She glanced at him with a thoughtful expression. “One of these days we will have to get around to trading some of these long stories.” He nodded and she laced her fingers through his. They paused and looked at each other, trying to judge the other's reaction. With a half smile, he leaned forward and kissed her briefly. At least that was his intention until her arms wrapped around his neck. After a few moments and several discreet coughs from passersby, they separated. “I think we need to talk, don’t you?” she asked softly, as he took one of her hand and they started walking again. “Where would you like to go?” She glanced around the park. “How about we just keep walking? I really don’t feel the cold anymore.” He squeezed her hand and pulled her closer to him. “I know what you mean.”


Chapter 5: The Visitor Sailor Sol: Homefront