The fire flickered from the fireplace inside the log cabin as the couple lazily lounge in front of it. Alex felt like they were not really camping. The cabin they were staying in was the most convenient one complete with amenities, like a fully furnished apartment except that it was made of logs.
The first time Alex camped with her family here was when she was very young. They had their van filled with pots and pans, a bag full of clothes and canned goods, and tents. It was one of her most memorable experiences and that was the first time she and Robbie had met.
Their cars were parked side by side on the lot as her father happily took their tents in one arm. Her mother whose angelic face could make everyone in the room warm up to her, suddenly exclaimed as she saw someone familiar from the other car.
Alex was only four years old that time and it was their first time to camp at Camp Grizzly. Her mother had always wanted to come since they never experienced going to a family camp together.
So when Marife came across an ad about the campsite, she was thrilled. Not only was it just two hours drive away from their home, it also offered so many activities that both children and adults could enjoy individually and together.
Marife was a nurse that time and it would take months to request for a vacation. So when the hospital granted her request, she was ecstatic.
"Laura? Ohmigod! Is that you?" Marife exclaimed, walking towards the woman in a black fitted shirt and jeans. Despite of the casual clothing, the woman still looked classy yet down to earth.
Surprised and excitement were clearly on her face as she recognized the person who called her.
"Marife?! Ohmigod!" and she walked towards Marife. They both hugged each other.
"How have you been?" asked Laura, as she pushed Marife slightly away from her. "It's been ages."
"I know. Last time we saw each other was in college. I'm married and have two daughters now."
"Me too. I have a boy."
"So you married Ramon?"
"Yes. You know how in love we had been since college. How about you?"
"Married, too. That's my husband, Richard," pointing to the man unloading the van.
"What happened to George?"
"We broke up after college."
"I really thought you and him are..."
"I know. Me, too. Glad I met Richard."
"I'm glad for you, too, Marife. He seems like a good man."
"He is," and Marife glanced towards her husband who in turn looked up. She smiled at him as he smiled in return.
Small footsteps soon approached as a little girl came walking towards them.
"Mommy," four year old Alex called. "Who is she?"
"Oh, and this is my youngest, Allison. But we call her Alex for short," then she turned ro her daughter. "Say hi to Tita Laura. She is mommy's friend."
Alex waved and said, "Hi Tita Laura."
"Hi there, Allison. What a cute girl you are! She looked exactly like you, Marife."
Marife smiled. "Thank you."
"Robbie, come here," called Laura.
The little boy ran towards her mother and stood beside her. Laura wrapped an arm around her son's shoulders.
"This is Robbie, my son. He's four. How old is your girl, Marife?"
"Four years old, too," Marife replied. "My older one is ten. That's her in the blue chair."
"Say hi to Tita Laura, Clarice," Marife called her from a distance.
Clarice smiled faintly and raised her hand to wave while sitting on a folding chair. She never really wanted to come since she would rather be home with her friends. Camping for her was boring and she was glad she brought a book with her. She happily went back to reading again after the interruption while her father was busy unloading the car.
Alex stared at Robbie who in turn did the same. The boy smiled and walked towards her.
"Do you want to play? They have a really nice playground here. Maybe we can play together," Robbie said and offered his hand.
Alex smiled. She studied him closely as she noticed the Mickey Mouse watch on his wrist. She took his hand as she examined the watch.
"Where did you get this?" she asked.
"It was a gift from my mom. Why? Do you like it?" Robbie replied.
"Yes. But Minnie Mouse is my favorite."
Little Robbie smiled. "Okay. So maybe you can be Minnie and I'm going to be Mickey. Now can we play?"
Alex smiled widely and nodded, as Robbie took her hand.
That was the start of their friendship.
Ever since then, their families would do so much together. Soon, they both found out that they lived near each other, and every week either one of them would come over to one another's house for a playdate. Since Robbie had a bigger house, with five bedrooms, he would often invite Alex for a sleepover which her parents did not mind.
Alex had made the Magsano family to be her extended family even after her mother passed away. Laura had even offered to give her money to continue her studies if only Clarice did not interfere and said they did not need it.
She was indeed part of a family... until she ruined it all and now Laura hated her for it.
Alex sighed as she continued to stare at the glowing light in the fireplace.
Robbie held her hand, and brought it to his lips as she smiled.
"Something's bothering you?" Robbie asked, concerned.
"I missed my mom..." Alex blurted out and Robbie held her cheek. He pulled her head towards him, and she laid her head on his shoulder. The hot cocoa gave more warmth inside her as the beautiful face of her mother embedded in her mind.
"This place really brought back memories, huh?" Robbie commented.
"Yes... so many memories."
"What do you remember?"
Alex lifted her head, and turning to him, she smiled.
"How we met..." she replied.
"Really?"
"Yeah. I remember your Mickey Mouse watch."
He laughed. "It was an heirloom. I still have that kept in the basement."
"Ohmigod! At the beach house?"
"Yes... we actually came back to Disney World after my parents broke up, but it was not the same."
Robbie looked away remembering how his parents' divorce devastated him so much. He used to have good memories with his father... until he decided to choose the other family over them.
Ever since then, he loathed his father for life.
Alex held his hand and he turned his eyes back to her.
"Let's just forget bad memories, okay. We should try to make new ones for us.. for Sasha," he said.
"For us?"
"Yes... I mean," he trailed off.
Alex saw something different from Robbie's eyes as he held her face.
"Alex..." he whispered.
"Yeah."
"What if..." he trailed off again as he searched her eyes.
Was it right to tell her how he felt?
That he wanted them to stay forever...
That he wanted to keep memories like this and looked forward for more..
Awhile ago during the bonfire, Toni had asked them as new campers to say something about themselves, and he could not help wishing what he said would come true.
"This is our first time to camp together as family and I wish we could do more in the coming years," he stated.
He saw how Sasha was hopeful and he really wanted this to continue.
He wanted to end the agreement for good.
But the question is, what about Alex?
"Robbie," Alex called, holding his cheek.
He leaned his face on her palm as he felt warmth from it.
"Do you want to tell me something?" she asked.
Would he tell her that he loved her?
Her heart suddenly felt hopeful.
"I was thinking..." he trailed off, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Somehow he was scared of her response. He did not want to lose her again... and he felt that if he told her about what he was thinking, she would be gone again.
"I want you to stay with me..." he whispered that made her confused.
"What do you mean? I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
"No... I mean... Alex..." and he leaned in to kiss her. It was stupid but that was all he could ever do so he could ease up the nervousness he felt inside.
And to let her feel that this where she should stay..
In his arms... in his heart... in his life... forever.
It surprised Alex but she kissed him back. After a few seconds, he let go of her lips and leaned his forehead on hers.
"Please... don't leave again," he finally said, searching her eyes. "I want you to stay with me... you and Sasha... forever."
A smile curled up in her lips as she parted her lips to speak but Robbie captured them again. He cupped her face as they continue to kiss, and Alex wrapped her arms around him.
The kiss went deeper and the warmth from the fire could not be compared to heat they suddenly felt inside.
Robbie wanted her to feel that he would never let her go this time and that she could trust him.
That beyond the desires they had for each other there was friendship and love.. and home.
"Allison..." he whispered on her lips, as he let go of her lips once again. "I-"