A New Beginning (Epilogue)
The overhead flight attendant buzzed over the intercom, “We are now arriving in the Eastern Capital of Xanadu. We hope you have a wonderful trip.”
Lapis lifted her head from the seat, and shook Peridot awake. “Good morning Peri, we’re here,” her voice full of nurturing warmth.
Initially the blonde felt disoriented waking up in a place which was not her own bed. Rubbing her eyes awake, she remembered last night going through security and boarding the plane with her now wife.
Now wife.
The thought still made her heart race.
It never ever got old waking up to the smell of plumerias either.
Once the passengers started walking off the plane, Peridot helped Lapis with getting to her carry on. They each checked in a bag as well, so they would have to wait around a bit longer for their luggage.
They waited a month after Lapis’ graduation to get married. Because of the way she scheduled her classes, she was able to graduate a semester early. Not working a job also sped up the process as well. Ultimately their wedding was not grandiose in any extravagant way. Rather it was small and intimate, and they invited their closest friends. They held the ceremony on the pier of the beach, where they went on their first date. It could not have been any more perfect to either of them.
It was a month after their wedding, and they were finally going on their honeymoon. Peridot surprised Lapis with buying tickets to Xanadu, a country Lapis had always dreamed of visiting. Now they were about to take their first steps in the country. Peridot was amazed that she could be on the other side of the globe, yet strangely feel so close to home.
Once they boarded off the plane and searched for a hotel, Peridot changed her mind once she was hit with culture shock. She was not expecting it to be like this, and never imagined the world could operate so differently.
But it also inspired her.
“When your eyes sparkle like that, your whole face shines,” Lapis whispered to Peridot after they grabbed their luggage and found a taxi.
Peridot blushed, which only made Lapis smile even more.
The cab took them near the shopping district, to the hotel they planned on staying at for the first couple nights. For the remainder of their time, they agreed upon staying in hostels, which neither one was opposed to at all.
Everything was different; the lights, the language, the people. Peridot was enthralled by everything, even the smaller details.
Tomorrow she and Lapis would officially start their new adventure, after they planned out the next two weeks.
At their hotel room, the planning process was a bit confusing but a whole lot of fun. After spending half the day scheduling, they decided to go out to eat, and simply walk around the city to become familiar with their surroundings.
Even the sidewalks and buildings were different, narrower. Perfect for her size. It was much colder than Beach City, so much so that they had to wear several layers to warm up. Cars drove on the other side of the road, but more people seemed to walk than drive anyway. They also seemed a lot happier than the people from Beach City.
Lapis entwined her fingers in Peridot’s hand, as they walked along the main, famous strip of the shopping district. Soaking everything in and enjoying the moment, they strolled in silence, both wearing smiles. Peridot knew just being here meant the world to her wife. Lapis did not have to say anything for her to know that.
It was a whole new experience, traveling with the girl she loved.
They took their first honeymoon picture together with the tall shopping and retail buildings in the background. As soon as they had WiFi back at the hotel, they posted it on Lapis’ social media.
At night, the city transformed to a whole new place. Luckily, their hotel room was on the twentieth floor, and had its own deck. At least for the first few days they would travel luxuriously, Peridot decided. The city below sparkled and flashed all sorts of colors, and created contrast and silhouettes of the buildings. It was the same mesmerizing feeling as watching a candle flame flicker.
Peridot stood, at the edge of the deck, leaning on the rail. The color of her green eyes turned brighter from the lights and reflections. She wore a typical button down shirt, skinny jeans, and tucked her glasses into her shirt, replacing them with contacts.
“Hmm beautiful,” Lapis came up to hug the shorter girl from behind. Instead of flinching, Peridot melted into her embrace, and cradled her wife’s cheek.
In that moment, they both expressed “I love you.” It did not need to be said in words for them to know. Every movement, every gesture, like poetry, meant it; from the way Lapis kissed down Peridot’s neck, to how Peridot brushed away Lapis’ blue hair from her face.
Love. It was so much more powerful than words. From the first time they met, they expressed it. From the very beginning, they fell in love.