Wet Leaves

Myra sat on the cushioned window sill with a warm cup of tea in her hands, cherishing the warmth in her palms. An open book lay face down in her lap which had been turned down for at least ten minutes now. Her head leaned against the misty window, her skin cold against the glass. Her eyes stared out into the street, not looking at anything in particular, just admiring the scenery.

The outside was damp. Wet from overnight showers that had ceased for the most part although the weather forecast predicted that there would be more in a few hours as the world succumbed to darkness once again. But for now, it was just damp. The roads were a deep dark grey; the pavements were a grainy burgundy; and the trees were drooping downwards with the weight of pooling rainwater in their leaves. Wet leaves painted the earth, glued to the ground like stickers.

Myra breathed in deeply. The scent of cleanness invaded her senses. She adored the scent of the rain. It cleansed the world around her. No longer was the smell of petrol and fumes from the busy road, it was now the scent of freshly water greenery.

She was interrupted by the sound of the front door clicking open, then clicking closed, and then the sound of an umbrella being opened and closed rapidly to disperse the water.

"Do you have to do that in the house?" Myra remarked as she pulled her gaze away from the rain-sodden outside world and to those same rain droplets dotting her floorboards.

"Do you want me to do it in the corridor?" Daniel raised his brow. "Do you want Mrs. Frescle to slip? That's horrible, Myra!" He exclaimed.

Myra stared at him with blank eyes. "You're not funny." She deadpanned although there was a touch of a smile at the corner of her lips and Daniel had known her long enough to know that they were there without having to look.

"I think you'll find that I'm absolutely hilarious." He gargled as he disappeared behind the wall separating the living room from the kitchen; most likely to dispose of the umbrella in the pot that sat next to the shoe rack.

"And I think you'll find that you're the only one laughing!" Myra raised her voice so he could hear over the distance of their apartment.

"The only laughing I care about." Daniel grinned cheekily, popping his head out and winking at her.

"Of course," Myra muttered to herself with her own little laugh at his antics. She sipped her tea which was now getting lukewarm.

Daniel spent a few minutes in the kitchen before emerging with his own cup of tea and plopping himself on the sofa adjacent to Myra's position on the window sill. "Have you left the house at all?"

"There's no need to." She shrugged. "I'm nice and warm here."

"But it's lovely out there too!" Daniel stated. "Very quiet, as expected."

"I do expect that."

"Are you mocking me?"

"Oh yes." Myra laughed. She too found herself funny; in turn, making herself a hypocrite for poking fun at Daniel for the same thing.

Daniel confidently sat up and approached his girlfriend. "Let's go for a walk." He offered a hand.

"You just got in. Just let yourself relax." Myra declined.

"And you've just been inside! Let yourself explore!" He giggled, bending down and carefully taking her tea from her hand and placing it next to his. He clasped her hand and lifted her from the sill and found no resistance. She only waited for what was to happen next. "I know the perfect stroll too."

"Why am I not surprised?" Myra smiled. "But if I get too cold we're coming straight back."

"Yes, Ma'am." Daniel nodded in acceptance.

Myra grabbed an overwhelmingly thick coat and cuddled herself into it, already insulating heat. She also wore gloves and a beanie.

Daniel opened the door for her and they both wandered down the hallway, down the stairwell, and out into the open air. Myra immediately inhaled, sharply and deeply. A natural smile befell her face and she clasped Daniel's hand in hers. She began to lead the walk despite Daniel proposing it. She turned left and upon hearing no complaints she continued.

They strolled peacefully down the empty pavement. Their arms swung between them as they walked, their steps mirroring each other. The sky was grey and overcast, the sun nowhere to be seen. The pavement was littered with wet leaves that squelched whenever either one of them stepped on one. The sound was almost comforting. It had been a long time since it had rained like this. There had been light sprinkling but no showers. The couple were both equally thankful for the winter weather finally making an appearance.

As they rounded a corner, Daniel tugged Myra's arm up a small and windy pathway.

"Where are we going?" Myra wondered and she admired the ground's turn from wet concrete to healthy soil and little plants.

"I found this spot a few weeks ago and it's beautiful!" Daniel gushed.

"Not as beautiful as you, I'm sure." Myra teased.

"Impossible." Daniel joked back.

He continued to lead her up and up, walking further and further away from their home and into unknown areas of their town. The surroundings got more unfamiliar to Myra as they progressed but she was not fussed. She was more admirable; having no knowledge of such a special secluded spot. She was beginning to even get excited.

They approached flat land after at least ten minutes of uphill. It was a very small area that looked like a hobbit hole made of wet trees and leaves. It seemed to be a chip in the hill, like a dent in the rock. It was shadowed by a looming willow tree that created a beautiful fairy tale cubby in nature. It overlooked their hometown and the sea that surrounded it.

Myra's eyes gleamed and glittered at the location. "This is beautiful..." She breathed a large grin drawing onto her face. "This is absolutely gorgeous, oh my god!" She laughed. She rushed forward to the edge where a short stone wall protected anyone from tipping over the edge. She leaned her hands carefully on the ledge and stared out into the view that encapsulated her mind. She felt the cold on her face and consequently could feel her cheeks and nose warm to fight off the kisses of ice that brushed against her skin. She again inhaled, feeling light on her feet in a place that replicated everything she loved about nature. "How did you find this place-" She turned to look at Daniel but he was no longer her height. He was shorter. He was on one knee.

"Myra Lianne Tricker." Daniel began, unable to keep tears from his eyes and to disperse one of the biggest smiles his lips could muster. "Will you do me the greatest honour of a lifetime, and marry me?"

"Oh, my god." Myra rapidly blinked as tears began to brim her own eyes, blurring her vision. She rubbed her gloved hands over her eyes frantically. She wasn't going to let her tears interrupt this perfect image. "Oh my god, Daniel, yes!" She cried out.

She didn't let him stand. She dived into him to which they both crashed into the wet leaves, dirtying themselves with soil and mud. Not that either of them thought about that. She rubbed her face into his chest and more tears fled her eyes. His arms tightened around her and held her close, mushing his face into her hair, dotting her scalps with gentle and loving pecks.

"That went well." He joked with a teary smile.

Myra laughed loudly, sitting up slightly to look into his eyes. "I love you so much." She said, her voice shivering. "And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." She confessed. Her hands cupped his cheeks and she pressed her lips against his. Passion, love, loyalty, and bottomless devotion enveloped their hearts as they kissed.