“You know, develop.Let’s just let things happen naturally.We will start with kissing and let things progress.”
Trying to process what Ella was saying, Ben squinted his eyes and asked, “And if they progress to say a certain point of no return, will you be okay with that?”
Ella did not even need to think about it.This was Ben.The fact that he had even asked the question told her all she needed to know.Nodding yes, she said, “I have thought a lot about it.I trust you.I trust us.”
That was all Ben needed to hear.Moving faster than he ever had, Ben scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.
Over the next hour, Ben took his time, kissing and arousing Ella to a fever pitch.He knew from their previous conversations that Ella was not on birth control.He had found it hilarious that just as things started to get intense, she had sat up in the bed and said she had left the condoms in the bathroom.She started to get up to get them.Ben roared with laughter, assuring her that while he appreciated the gesture, he had plenty of his own.Just in case.
Several hours later, Ben gathered Ella in his arms and rolled her over, snuggling her closer to his body, which was covered in sweat.Burying his face in all her glorious hair, he whispered, “I know this is too soon, and you don’t have to say it back.But I got to tell you something.I can’t keep it in anymore.I love you.I mean I really love you.I have never said that to anyone before.”
Ella did not even have to think about it.Taking his face in her hands, she replied, “I love you too.”
They lay intertwined for several minutes, enjoying the silence that comes from being wrapped in the arms of the one you love and not needing to say or do anything but enjoy each other.
Suddenly, Ben bolted upright and said, “Oh my goodness.I totally forgot to ask you.How did your presentation go?”
“It went great.I am all done!Can you believe it?I am finished.I amactuallyfinished.I did it!”
“So that is it.You are ready to graduate?”asked Ben.
Nodding, Ella added, “I still have to come back and present my group project in November, but otherwise, yes, I am done.Graduation is the second week of December.I haven’t decided if I am going to walk or not.It is a Saturday.I know my whole family will want to come.They would have to close the diner, and I doubt my folks can afford to lose a Saturday’s worth of business.”
“Of course you are going to walk.What are you even talking about?”replied Ben.I am sure one Saturday wouldn’t make that big of a difference.Your parents have to be so proud of you.I know I am.”Then Ben let out a whoop, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Hey world!!Ella Santiago is a college grad!Look out, Michigan!Here she comes!”
Shushing him, Ella said, “Hush!You are too loud.The people next door are going to hear you.They will call the front desk on us.”
Laughing, Ben added, “I am so proud of you.You are amazing.I bet your project was the best.”
“Best?Worst?I don’t care.It is done, and I am so happy,” replied Ella snuggling into Ben.
“I am happy that you’re happy.And I am serious about walking.You really need to do it.”
Ella shrugged.Walking at graduation was not something she wanted to think about that moment.She had too many crazy emotions going through her to think about something that probably would never happen.Instead, she fell asleep, safe and secure in Ben’s arms.
The next morning, they slept in until almost 10:00.Ella woke to see Ben lying next to her, watching her sleep.“Good morning,” she said as she stretched and turned away from him to keep her morning breath from ruining the moment.Morning breath was not something she had learned how to deal with yet.
Giving Ella a quick peck on the lips, Ben bounced out of bed.“Okay, my beautiful girl, go take a quick shower and get dressed.I have a surprise for you.”
Sitting up in the bed with the sheet held against her, Ella asked, “What kind of surprise?”
“We are going to play tourist today.We are going to Hearst Castle,” replied Ben.He loved seeing how excited his plans were making her.
Ella’s eyes lit up.She had lived in California her whole life and had been coming here for three years, but she had never been to Hearst Castle.“Really?”she asked.
“Yes, so hurry up and get dressed.I have a full day planned,” ordered Ben as he wrapped Ella in his arms and rained kisses up and down her neck.
“I will just as soon as you let me go,” Ella replied as a giggle slipped out.It tickled where he was kissing her.
“Okay,” replied Ben, slowly releasing her.“I could spend all day in that bed just kissing every inch of you.”
Racing off to the bathroom, Ella said in a sing-song voice, “I am so excited!I am going to Hearst Castle.”
It was a short drive to San Simeon.On the way, Ben rattled off all kinds of interesting facts about William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper tycoon who had built the beautiful home for his movie star girlfriend, Marion Davies.When Ella asked Ben how he knew so much about it, he said that he spent some time researching it all to help him plan the day.To say Ella was impressed would be an understatement.Ben had reserved tickets to tour the house, gardens, and guest houses.Each tour took a little over an hour.They spent the entire day exploring the massive house and property.
Ella was blown away by the magnificent Assembly Room, where the Hollywood elites would meet back in the 1920s, next to the gorgeous fireplace mantle.She could easily imagine herself at one of those movie star parties.Ben liked the main living room too, but he also loved the pool area.After their final tour of the day, they took a walk around the grounds, hand in hand, soaking in the sheer magnificence and vastness of the surroundings and the incredible view of the valley below.
To finish off their perfect day, Ben treated Ella to dinner at the Sea Chest.A buddy of his had told him that if he was ever in the area he had to try it.They had oysters on the half shell for appetizers.For the main course, Ben got the catch of the day while Ella had pasta with shrimp.
