“Hey Jax?” Sean calls from his place in the tent where he was sketching the landscape. We have been here for a little over two hours now. At first I wasn’t sure if Sean would’ve liked it here to begin with. Then I remembered one of our conversations. He told me that he wanted to know a part of me that no one else knows. My little oasis is a place that only my family knows about. I wasn’t lying to Sean when I told him I haven’t even told my friends about this place. All they know is that I have a space that I like to escape to when I want to be alone. Luckily I have awesome friends who understood that I needed a space to myself that I wanted to keep to myself. It also looks like Sean likes this place so far.

“Hmm?”

“I’m getting a little hungry now.” He says placing his sketchbook to the side.

“Ahh… Okay. Give me a second, let me wash my hands.” I didn't want to disturb Sean while he worked, so I was tending to my little flower garden. 

Dusting myself off I think about jumping into the water to get a full wash down. Thinking better of it, I settle on just washing my hands. 

Joining Sean in the tent, I pull the picnic basket closer and open it.

“Did you make or buy this?”

“If I said I made it would you believe me?” He looked skeptical. 

“Let’s see what you got first then I’ll make my decision.” Nodding, I open the basket and start pulling things out.

“First, we have a couple different sandwiches. Honey turkey with provolone cheese and spicy barbecue chicken with cheddar cheese. Second, we have flaming hot cheetos and regular potato chips. To wash it all down we have water and cran-apple juice.” These were some of Sean’s favorites that I was able to pry out of Jasmine. 

“I see you do your research.” He smiles and grabs a juice and a chicken sandwich. 

“Of course. I didn't want to make something you wouldn’t like. I can’t let you starve now can I.” 

Grabbing a turkey sandwich and a bag of flamin hot cheetos, we dig in. 

“This is awesome! Are you sure you made this?” He took another bite and moaned his satisfaction. I’m not going to lie if he had moaned like that when he jumped into my lap, I know I wouldn’t have been able to keep myself under control.

“To be honest, my mom made the bread but I technically made everything.” I confess, still watching him enjoy his food. 

“Can I try a turkey one also?” Sean asks, finishing off the last bite of his sandwich. I love his appetite and the fact that he is not afraid to enjoy his food.

“Yeah, go ahead. Help yourself.” He does a little jig, while grabbing the sandwich with a bag of chips. 

“Sooo… Can I meet Jeremiah when we are finished?” Sean shyly asked. Jeremiah, who has been calm since we got out of the water, is now up and alert.

“Sure when you’re finished, you can set up where you want us. I will go behind the bush over there and shift. Is that okay with you?” He nods excitedly. His eyes sparkle when the light shines on his face when he tilts his head back. We talked for a bit as we finished our food. 

‘Are you ready for this Jeremiah?’ I ask Jeremiah while stripping out of my swim trunks, hanging them over one of the nearby tree branches. 

‘Can you just hurry up and shift. I don’t want to keep him waiting any longer.’ He huffs and I chuckle at his eagerness.

‘No need to be snappy. I was just checking.’ It was fun getting to tease him like this, even though I know he will make me pay for it later.

Relaxing my body I let Jeremiah take over and lead the shift. Within a few seconds the shift is complete. Jeremiah stretches himself out releasing all his kinks before slowly making his way back to Sean. Once we were back at the clearing, I could feel Jeremiah’s excitement.He has been waiting two years for this, since the day that we found out he was our mate. 

He was very upset with me once he realized Sean was afraid of me. If it wasn’t for the fact that I had already regretted the way I treated him beforehand, I think Jeremiah would have still been angry up till now.

The closer we got to Sean, the stronger his scent got. He smelled like a mix of strawberries and apples with a hint of cinnamon. It was a bit overwhelming, I could feel Jeremiah trying to get himself under control. Neither of us want to hurt Sean or scare him away. All we want is a chance . A chance to prove to Sean that he can trust us, and maybe one day love us. All we can do is be patient and wait for Sean to be ready.

Sean was standing next to the water with his head tilted back with his face in the sun. He hasn’t noticed us yet. Jeremiah doesn’t move, I guess not wanting to scare him. I decided to let him go at his own pace. After a couple seconds pass by, Jeremiah finally moves closer to Sean. 

“I was beginning to think you changed your mind.” Sean says, turning to face Jeremiah. At first, he just stood there like he was waiting for a response. Then as if thinking better of it he shakes his head. 

“Silly me.” He laughs at himself, walking closer to Jeremiah.

“Is it okay if I touch you?” His hand was almost level with Jeremiah’s head when he pulled back.

“I should’ve asked Jax all of this beforehand.”

Jeremiah took things into his own hands. He sat directly next to Sean’s feet and rested his head against him almost knocking him over. Sean didn't seem to mind though. He looked happy enough to have Jeremiah next to him. He tentatively began to stroke his hand down Jeremiah’s back, running his fingers through his fur. 

“Are you ready to pose for my sketch?”

“I’m doing it again. I know you can understand me, so please lay in front of the waterfall. He points to a thick patch of wildflowers that happen to be opposite the fall. 

Once Jeremiah was in position Sean sat facing him. He had his sketchbook in his lap and the colored pencils resting on top. He didn't do anything, just sat there watching us.

“Okay! I'll get started now.” He didn't say anything else after that. For the next hour, Jeremiah barely moved an inch. When Sean announced he was finished, Jeremiah got up and stretched his limbs. When he was finished he went to stand next to Sean, nudging his shoulder with his nose. 

“Are you going to change back now?” Jeremiah licks Sean’s neck in response. Then turns and runs back to where I left my trunks.

‘Why did you do that? I’m the one who has to face him now, not you.’ Has he lost his mind? 

‘I couldn't help myself. Sorry.’

‘Yeah, sound more remorseful next time and I may just believe you.’ He actually laughed then. It’s been a while since I’ve heard him laugh like this. He gives control back to me and we shift back. I quickly grab my trunks and rush to put them on. 

‘Relax, if you rush out there like some crazy person, you will only scare him.’ He’s mocking me now.

‘Is this payback for earlier?’ I already know the answer without him answering.

‘What do you think?’  

I don't bother giving him a response, if I do he will just continue to mock me. I don't have time to waste arguing with him, I needed to make sure Jeremiah didn’t make Sean uncomfortable with his actions.

“Sean?” I call out when I don't see him in the tent or by the waterfall. Where did he go? A twig snapped and Sean came walking out of the brush.

“Sorry, I had to relieve myself.”

“It’s okay.” I’m pretty sure that he can hear the relief in my voice. 

“Thank you for letting me meet Jeremiah. I will always treasure today.” I love seeing his smile, it just makes your day brighter. 

“You're very welcome. I know he was very happy that he got to meet you too.” I paused for a second, not really looking at anything in particular.

“I hope Jeremiah didn’t make you uncomfortable when he licked you. I didn't know he would do that. I am very sorry.” I hang my head, not really sure how to feel.

“Don’t be sorry. I wasn’t uncomfortable at all, I actually liked it. I took it as his way of saying see you later. I’m not going to lie, it did catch me off guard though.” For someone who was being smug a few minutes ago, I can feel the tension rolling off of Jeremiah. 

“Are you sure?” I had to double check. If I don't I will be thinking about it all night. 

“Yes, I’m very sure. Jeremiah is very beautiful. I honestly don't think I caught his true beauty.” 

“Please stop. His ego is big enough as it is, but we can't wait to see your sketches.” We both break out in laughter. When we both calm down a few moments later. I check the time on my watch and see that it’s almost time for us to leave.

“You can’t see it yet. I want to fix it up first once I get home.” Giving a quick nod, I stretch my hand out for him to take.

“Come on. I still want to show you the overlook before we leave, but I think we should change first.” He walks ahead of me back to the tent after nodding his agreement. 

“If you want extra privacy, you can change in the car. I’ll change out here and pack everything up.” Sean was putting the sketchbook and colored pencils back into the bag I gave them to him in. He then grabbed both his bag and the gift bag and made his way towards the car.

“Is it unlocked?” He stops to look back at me as he asks.

“Yeah, but be careful opening the trunk, it gets stuck sometimes. Even I have a hard time opening it sometimes.”

“Got it.” 

I wait for Sean to get in the car before grabbing my own bag. Heading back to the same spot I shifted in, I couldn’t help but smile. Today really turned out better than I thought it would. I was a little worried that Sean might have found this place boring. I hang my bag on the same branch I hung my trunks over earlier. 

‘I’m sorry for overstepping earlier, I didn't think it through.’ Jeremiah speaks up once I’m fully dressed.

‘It happened already and Sean says it was okay. Please, I beg you not to do that again. Especially without his permission to do so.’ If I were to be honest with myself, I should have expected something like that to happen. Jeremiah doesn’t have the freedom of getting to be that close to Sean everyday. 

“Jax? Are you finished?” Sean calls out. 

“Yeah! I’m coming out now.” I say walking out to face him. He was now wearing a loose tie-dyed t-shirt with a pair of jeans shorts and his sandals.

“Um… I packed up the picnic basket and folded up the blanket. I was going to try taking the picnic basket to the car, but then I realized how heavy it actually is.” Did I really take that long getting dressed. I hope he didn’t hurt himself.

“Are you okay? You didn't pull anything right?” I was about to ask another question and he put his hand up.

“I’m good. No need to worry.” He tries to reassure me. I let it go because I can’t force him to tell me anyway.

“How about while I put this stuff in the car, you go wait over by the trail.” I take the basket out of the tent first, stuffing the blanket inside. I take down the tent one time, folding it up and putting it back into my bag. Throwing my bag over my shoulder I pick up the basket and take it to the car. Thankfully Sea left the trunk open, so it made the transition easier.I grab my bug spray and my phone out of my bag before closing the trunk.

“I have bug spray, if you need it. The bug out here can be very vicious at times.” He takes the can from me without saying anything. I can’t help but chuckle at his antics. 

“They’re already attacking huh?” When he doesn’t answer, I full on laugh now.

“It’s not funny.” He looks so adorable when he pouts, I just want to comfort him. 

“If you don't stop laughing I’m going to go sit in the car.” 

“Okay, okay! I’ll stop, I’ll stop.” I take a deep breath to calm myself down. I finally got myself under control.

“I’m finished.” Sean made a face that almost had me laughing all over again, but I was able to hold it in this time.

“How far is the Overlook?” Sean asks as we make our way up the trail.

“Not that far. It’s about a five minute walk from here. Don't worry there isn’t much of an incline.”

We talked about a little bit of everything on our way up. It didn’t even feel like five minutes had passed but we were already to the end of the trail. We had to climb a few stairs to see the actual overlook. Once we made it to the top of the stairs. Sean gasps, covering his mouth. 

“This is amazing! Oh my Goddess.” Sean walks a bit closer to the fence that lines the edge of the overlook. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. His excitement at everything I showed to him today was becoming intoxicating. I could get used to this. I guess I can say that our first date was a success but I'll let Sean decide that.