The plane was working its way to connect the door with the corridor that will lead its passengers into the arms of loved ones.
Inside the plane, Brooklyn just sat there, staring out the window without moving. She was in an enravished state, from which Alex had no such luck of waking her up.
Within a minute, Brooklyn snapped out of it. She took a deep breath and looked at Alex. "It's time!" He told her, as he hugged her. She took a deep breath and whispered, "This is it." as she pulled away from the comfort of her new friend. "Call me sometime during the week; we'll do lunch." She added. "You better believe I will. I wish you only the best luck with you and Matthew." He said.
By this time, 10 minutes after the plane connected with the corridor, it was still relatively full. People were having trouble getting their luggage from the overhead compartments, as other people were in a rush to leave that metal contraption that seemed to have held them hostage for 14 hours.
As the minutes passed quickly, people began making it to the corridor, and filtering themselves to the outside world. As they ran to hug loved ones, they could not help but notice the handsome sailor in his uniform waiting for his treasure to surface. His eyes were full of love and anticipation. He was sure that there was no vacancy left in his tummy for any more butterflies.
Unknown to each other's actions, they both felt the same, and were thinking the same thing. They both thought it was odd how they were less then 100 feet away from one another, yet they were still far away from one another. There hearts were close, yet their bodies weren't. Don't these people know that there is someone waiting for me to finally feel my skin, my touch, and my lips? Why are they taking so long? They both thought.
Brooklyn rummaged through the overhead compartment alone in search for her carry on. Alex had somehow found his way through the sea of mostly oriental people, and had set foot on international grounds. His presence was now in the lounge, which was full of excited people greeting their loved ones, mostly from the oriental descent. He smiled to himself when he saw a sailor in uniform waiting nervously. "That has got to be him." He whispered.
Alex felt the need to reassure Brooklyn that he did see Matthew. To tell her that he was outside waiting for her, and very nervously he might add. To tell her that she had no reason to worry, by the looks of it, Matthew was waiting anxiously to finally see his exquisite Brooklyn. He moved through the oriental crowd until he found a corner. He began to shuffle through his carry on to find his cell phone. Once it was in his hands, he dialed the number Brooklyn gave him on the airplane.
Brooklyn had already started to become part of the mile-ish long line that took place in the airplane, when she heard her cell phone ring. She searched her pockets until she found the ringing box. She looked oddly at the number; she did not recognize it. "Hello?" She asked. "Hey! It's Alex." Said the other person. "What's the matter? Is everything okay?" Brooklyn asked with concern in her sweet voice. "Everything is mighty fine here in the outside world. Just figured you would be interested in knowing that indeed there is a handsome looking sailor waiting for you out here. Remember all those useless doubts you had your heart worried about? Throw them away." Alex informed.
Brooklyn stood in silence as her new friend told her exactly what she wanted to hear. The news that would ease her nerves just a little. Brooklyn's dream was finally going to come true. She did not have a thing to worry about. He was telling her the truth all along, since the day she met this wonderful man. She did not believe this was finally going to happen until now. Her tummy was getting twisted in knots, her arms were slowly getting covered in goose bumps and the butterflies in her tummy were moving north up her throat, to where she swore she could feel them fly out of her mouth.
"Oh my gosh!" Was the only thing that was capable of leaving Brooklyn's tasteful mouth; tears slowly began to drop from her eyes to her lips, as if they were simulating droplets of rain. Her mind was feeling numb. She could not believe this. He was actually out there - waiting for her.
"He's out there waiting for me." Brooklyn said in a whisper. "What?" Alex, thinking Brooklyn was talking to herself. "He's out there! He's actually out there!" Brooklyn said, her voice full of excitement. "Yes. He is waiting for you. He seems nervous also." Alex mentioned. Brooklyn smiled into the cell phone, as if Alex had the sense of knowing what her actions were. "Do you have a camera?" Brooklyn asked Alex. "Sure I do! It is somewhere in my duffle bag. I'm going to have to do a scavenger hunt to find it, but I will. Why?" Alex said, as her scavenger hunt began, in search of that camera she told Brooklyn he had. "This is what I want you to do." Brooklyn began.
Brooklyn was on the cell phone with Alex for a few more minutes when they finally hung up.
The line to step off the metal contraption, and to re enter into the world seemed to go by turtle-like. People were still searching for their duffle bags and back packs in the little rooms located above the seating area. Children were fighting with each other; perhaps out of exhaustion of the 14-hour flight they had just finished experiencing. Babies were crying as if they had not been fed in hours; their eyes and nose were red, their cheeks and eyelashes were wet. She began to envy Alex, who without any effort at all, was able to push through this eager mob, and set eyes on her Matthew first.
"Thank you for flying with us." Brooklyn heard the pilot tell her when she approached the exit of the airplane. Her eyes were full of excitement and anxiety as she heard those words departed from his sumptuous lips. Brooklyn couldn't resist; with tears in her eyes, she replied to the young pilot "Thanks for a safe flight. You just made my dream a reality." And hugged him. She moved her arms around his neck. She felt the pilot tense up due to the unusual circumstance. She felt his arms lightly brush her sides as he moved them around her waist. They both squeezed each other as if they were long lost friends reunited for the first time in years. They pulled apart after the 10 second hug. "I am glad I was able to make you that happy." He told her, unable to take his hazel eyes off of her big, brown eyes that were full of tears. She smiled at him one last time, and headed towards the corridor that would take her soaring into the arms of her loved one.
The pilot could not believe what just happened. Some stranger, some strange, beautiful girl just hugged him. He had never seen such eyes before. It was like he could feel her soul when he looked into them. He had never felt skin so soft brush his sensitive neck. Her skin felt like lovely rose petals you would give to someone you loved with more then all your heart. He was lost in words and in thoughts. He had never had that done to him before, but then again, he had only been flying for a mere few months. He slowly turned his head and saw, what he thought as brave girl walk away from him. She was full of mystery; the way she hugged him, how she thanked him, her skin. He wanted to know about her, more about her past and her present. He couldn't let this beauty slip right through his hands, especially since she made him feel the way he was feeling.
"Ma'am!" He shouted as he jogged towards Brooklyn. Brooklyn kept on walking. There were tons of "Ma'am's" on this flight, what made her believe that it was her that male voice was calling to. "Excuse me, Ma'am?" The pilot said, as he touched Brooklyn's shoulder.
Brooklyn turned around to see the attractive pilot standing behind her. Why did he call me, Brooklyn thought. She did not leave anything in the airplane besides her nervousness and doubtfulness she had during the flight. Was it a crime to hug a pilot for a job well done? Especially one as good looking as the one standing behind me, his eyes full of hope and curiosity, she thought.
"Yes?" Brooklyn asked, now feeling a little foolish having hugged the pilot.
The pilot just stood there, gazing at Brooklyn. His hands were now in front of him. He was playing with his fingers nervously as he now wondered what he was doing. This girl was way too beautiful for him. He did not think of the consequences of chasing down this girl who unexpectedly hugged him.
"Um" He started. "I am sorry to have disturbed you. I shall leave you. You probably have some loved one, or worse yet, a boyfriend waiting for you at the end of this metal rainbow." He finished, as he turned away. "Sir?" Brooklyn said, her heart breaking due to the short utterance the young man recited. "What is the matter?"
The pilot turned back to look at Brooklyn. He smiled. "Your eyes; they are the most beautiful I have ever seen. It felt like I was experiencing your happiness with you, as I looked deep into them, able enough to see your essence. Your skin, it was the most softest I had ever touched. It felt like petals of a newly born rose you would to someone you loved with more then all your heart." He said, without blinking his hazel eyes, gazing into Brooklyn's brown eyes.
Brooklyn looked at him and smiled. Her hand reached up and took his face in her hands. She felt sorry for him. He did not know who was waiting for her on the end of this trip. She wanted to kiss him. Not out of love, but out of pity. She did not want him to suffer. Not especially since he was brave enough to chase down a total stranger and tell her those beautiful words that touched her heart and soul.
"You're right." She sadly started. "I do have a boyfriend waiting for me outside. I don't know what to say. I would not have guessed that under all that conservativeness you display, hides a rebellious man, who has shocked me with his kind words and undauntedly behavior." She kissed him on the cheek and turned around to leave.
"I'm Harold." He practically shouted. She turned around. "I'm Brooklyn. It was so nice meeting a guy like you." She said. "Please do not take this the wrong way pretty lady, but I feel like I need to get to know you. That unexpected hug you gave me was able enough to send jolts of chills through my body, and make me weak at my knees on how such a lovely girl like yourself could ever do something so daring to someone they do not know. I have never had anybody do that to me before. It is something that only a mystifying lady would do. Kind of like leaving her mark so everybody would remember her. I will always remember you." He told her, as he handed her a business card. Brooklyn accepted the card. She noticed it had his phone number, along with his email address. She shook her head and smiled. "You are persistent, aren't you?" She asked him. "Not most of the time. I just felt this unexplainable urge to go after you." He answered. "I'll email you." She said with a smile. "Count on that." She reassured. "Can I have yours?" He asked her, making sure he would be able to contact this mysterious beauty. "Sure you can. Write it down." She said, as Harold took out a pen and scribbled the information she said on the back of one of his business cards.
They smiled at each other, not able to stop gazing into each other's eyes. It was like some bizarre force kept them standing in the middle of the busy corridor with people; people hurrying by to jump into the arms of their loved ones. They just stood there, looking into each other's eyes.
The force pulled them closer as they, once again, felt each other's touch as they hugged. Her arms brushed against his neck; his arms brushed against her waist. They pulled apart, and said good-bye with their eyes, as she turned around to leave. Harold watched as she inadvertently wiggled her buttocks as she walked. He turned around as he saw her turn the corner to step into reality.
Outside, Matthew was waiting patiently as he saw fewer and fewer people step out into Tokyo.
Where could she be, Matthew thought. He thought that she was scared to step off the plane. Maybe she saw him and did not like what she saw, so she decided to stay hiding in the plane until the coast was clear for her to come out. He knew he was being too hard on himself. He knew Brooklyn, especially well enough to know that she was not capable of inflicting pain like this to anybody.
He stood there, in the same position since the airplane landed. Bouquet of roses in his hands, eyes glued to the entrance of the corridor. Entrance for him, exit for her.
His butterflies ran around his tummy as if they were on drugs when he saw his curvaceous vixen exit the corridor. Her hair was loose, adding to the drama of the situation. Her miniature duffel bag was on her left shoulder. Her hands were free of any objects. She looked happy, yet nervous. He saw her looking around for her sexy sailor. She wiped the almost dry tears from her cheeks.
That's her, he thought. She is more gorgeous then I would have imagined. She looked perfect, so simple, so innocent, and so childlike. It was just like she was the only person in the room. She smiled to herself nervously, wondering where he could be.
She smiled a huge smile when she saw her sailor waiting for her feet away, holding a beautiful bouquet. He noticed that her eyes found him. They were still across the room, staring at each other. They were curious as if this were really happening. It just wasn't a dream, or wishful thinking. This was the pure reality. They were finally going to touch each other's skin, feel each other's lips, and savor each other's sweet kisses.
There he is, Brooklyn though, adjusting her duffel bag. He looks so innocent, so nervous, so lost. He wants to hug me, to feel me, to touch me. I can feel it. I can feel him. It was like his arms were around me already. Do I run? Do I walk? Do we kiss? I want to touch him already. It has been so long since we have wanted this moment to finally happen.
Yes Brooklyn, thought Matthew, as if he were talking to her, face to face. I do want to feel your soft skin, your luscious lips and your out of this world kisses. Our moment has finally come for this to happen. Our dreams have come true, just like we had hoped and wanted. Our fantasy has turned into a reality. Run to me. Walk to me. Kiss me. I do not care, just come closer, close enough to feel your skin.
They do not look away from each other's sight. Their eyes were locked with each other's; not permitting any eccentric force to interrupt their first moment has a "real" couple. Brooklyn began walking towards her awaiting sailor. Slowly. She bit her lower lip out of nervousness. She cracked a cocky smile, those she has seen on Matthew many times in pictures and through the web camera. She began to fidget with her fingers. She was nervous, no matter how badly she wanted this.
Matthew began walking towards Brooklyn as well. His palms were slightly sweaty due to the clutching of the bouquet, which made him place them carefully in one of the available seats. From far away, he was still able to look deep into her eyes. He knew what she was thinking, what she was feeling. He cracked a cocky smile as well. At that moment, Brooklyn knew that in reality, it was her sailor. The one with the cocky, yet ostentatious smile that she loved so much.
At that moment, it felt like they had mentally come to an agreement, they began running towards each other. Every step brought them closer together. Almost in Matthew's arms, Brooklyn dropped her carry on. She wanted to be able to feel his skin, to touch it, and hug him the way she thought he was meant to be hugged.
Their hearts collided the instant their bodies did. Their hands roamed each other's tender skin; skin that so many had been able to touch in the past. But to them, it was a time to savor each other's untouched skin, which then turned into a long awaited embrace. We finally made it, they both thought as they squeezed each other.
At that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the excited room filled with reuniting families. Time seemed to spontaneously stop the instant Matthew's and Brooklyn's hearts were at last united. The void they each were feeling had finally been filled. All their hopes, dreams, fantasies; all had come true that very second.
They quietly hugged. They stayed snuggled, standing, in each other's arms as people hurried by screaming or crying excitedly due to the departure or arrival of a special someone. Brooklyn's arms were snugged around Matthew's soft neck, which smelled of delicious cologne. Matthew's arms were tight around Brooklyn's waist, never wanting to let go of the love of his life. They each had their head rested on each other's shoulder. They never wanted to let go. Brooklyn started to cry again. Tears dripping from her eyes were making Matthew's uniform soggy; he did not care though. He was too enraptured to care about something unimportant right now like a moist uniform.
They smiled to themselves, overjoyed by the fact they finally made it. They were finally in each other's arms. They were finally able to touch each other's skin, that was virgin to their touch.
Out of nowhere, Brooklyn felt something wet that landed on her back. Matthew's tears were also flowing from his blue eyes.
He's crying, she thought, wanting to stay in that position forever. Where she is holding onto him and he's holding onto her. It was perfect. Brooklyn felt him fight back his tears, knowing that he did not want to, and she did not want him to either. She had no reason to ridicule him about showing her his feelings. She pulled away from that safe place in his arms, but not too far away.
His arms were still around her waist when she brought the hug to an inspiring end. Standing four inches above her, Brooklyn looked up at Matthew. She saw his tears swarming down his slightly red cheeks. He was still holding his cocky smile. "You're crying." She whispered, as she took her face in her hand, and slowly dried up some of his tears on one cheek.
He looked down at her. She smiled a loving smile. He saw her eyes were full of warmth. He swore he could see castles sitting on clouds in her eyes, as if they were full of desire, wanting her life from here on end to be like a dream come true, a fantasy.
He gently placed his hands on both sides of her face. "So are you." He whispered; as he bent down to finally experience the softness of her lips.
In their bodies, it felt like it was the 4th of July. The fireworks in them were going off without any warning. It was a soft, gentle kiss; one they had talked about many times before. That was the kind of kiss they both wanted to "suffer" their very first time they met.
As all this was going on, Alex was in the corner, camouflaged by some artificial plants, and taking photos of this joyful encounter. Brooklyn was to call Alex later on during the week to set up when to meet. At the same time, he would hand over the secret photos. The photos Brooklyn wanted to use as the beginning of the scrapbook she was brainstorming in her mind to create.
Moments later, they pulled apart and opened their eyes. "These are for you." Matthew said, as he picked up the bouquet he left, almost abandoned on the seat. Brooklyn smiled, accepting the unexpected roses. She smiled into the rosebuds as she lifted them up to her nose to take a whiff of its enchanting aroma. "Thanks." She said, with love in her voice. "I am glad you like them, my dearest sugarplum. Now, shall we go get the rest of your luggage?" He asked, picking Brooklyn's carry on bag off from the floor and tossing it onto his left shoulder. "Sure!" Brooklyn answered, taking a hold of Matthew's soft hand. They fit perfectly, they each thought, as Brooklyn and Matthew intertwined each other's fingers with their own.
The walked to the baggage claim unhurriedly, just enjoying the beginning of the many minutes they would spend together during Brooklyn's trip. They made small talk, slowly getting use to the idea of being so close to one another.
Minutes later, they found their way to baggage claim. Here they would have the opportunity to talk for a while as they waited for the luggage to start going on the merry go round that was intended for suitcases and duffel bags only.
Brooklyn summoned up some thoughts she was having once she saw the carousel, and the awaiting people eager for it to start so they can go home with their loved ones, as if they were on cloud nine.
It was probably during her mid-teen at the time of one of her family's many yearly family outings. They had just landed in Atlanta, and the two girls; her sister and herself, were anxious to step off of the airport and set foot on the exhilarating streets of the city what would be their home for the next week. Her family, among with many others surrounded the carousel, waiting impatiently for the thing to kick into action. Tired of waiting for it to start whenever it felt good and ready, Brooklyn and 14- year old Gabriella, Brooklyn's younger sister, decided to playfully sit on the conveying belt. Unknown to what was going to happen next, they stayed sitting on it, making plans with their parents on what they were going to do once they left, besides the obvious "rent a car & check in at the hotel" plans. They also ignored the constant warning of their parents of getting up from the belt. Out of nowhere, the black, rubbery belt started to slowly move, Brooklyn and Gabrielle's butt still on it. They didn't know who was more scared of the current happenings, their parents or them! They jumped off after seconds the belt started to creep along, falling into a heap of pile on the floor, where everybody had a good laugh, even the two victims.
Brooklyn had always been the type of girl who did not care what people thought of her. If she fell down, she would laugh along with everybody else, always showing her good spirit. Deep down inside, Brooklyn was and always will be a lovable goof ball.
"You must be tired." Matthew told Brooklyn, as he placed his arm around her shoulder, giving her the hint she could use him as a pillow until they got to the car. "You have no idea, honey." She replied, accepting his arm around her by resting her head on his shoulder, and slipping her arms around his waist. Matthew smiled and looked down at his sleepy little angel. He began to run his fingers through her curly hair, which was really making her sleepy. She slightly closed her eyes when she felt him kiss her on her forehead. She smiled to herself.
Brooklyn opened her eyes a few instants later. To her surprise, she saw Harold standing all across the room. By what she could interpret, they might have been short handed in arranging the luggage on the carousel, and Harold, being the sweet soul that he was, decided to help out. Maybe that is why they were taking so long, Brooklyn thought. Harold met with Brooklyn's eyes across the room. He smiled at her. She smiled back. That's when she figured he might not have been such a bad guy after all, wanting to get to know such a "mysterious" woman like Brooklyn.
Loaded with bags, suitcases and duffel bags of all shapes and sizes, the carousel began its first trip around its perspective, designated route.

"You'll let me know when your suitcase pops up, right?" Matthew asked. "Well, for starters, it's a duffel bag; and it's blue." Brooklyn stated, with a huge smile on her face. "You silly thing." Matthew told her, looking deep into her eyes. "I, I sir! That's me. I yam what I yam" Brooklyn giggled, imitating Popeye.
That comment made Matthew crack up laughing. He would always relate to Popeye, since he was a sailor himself. He was always proud of being who he was, and, like Brooklyn, did not care what other people thought of him. He was there to live out his dreams and expectations of himself, not of everybody else's.
"There it is!" Brooklyn shouted excitedly when she saw one of her two duffel bags emerge from the hidden room behind the wall. Matthew walked over and took a hold of the moving duffel bag. "Is that it?" He asked. "Nope." She had a smile on her face. "There is one more." She said. Her voice was making it sound like she was challenging Matthew to carry all three duffel bags to the car. She could not help but laugh when she saw him, already carrying two duffel bags. She knew there was no way she was going to let him take a hold of the third one. Be lucky he's helping me with those two, she thought.
Brooklyn was never the type of girl to have a guy help her out. She was a slight feminist, to a point. She knew where to draw the line of standing up for herself due to the fact she was a woman and being a total heartless bitch; something she could be from time to time when things did not go her way.
The third duffel bag seemed to appear out of nowhere. "I got this one." She told him, walking over to the moving belt and grabbed her duffel bag before it ran away, and she'd have to wait for the next round for a second attempt to grab it.
"We're ready to go!" Brooklyn excitedly said, practically jumping in front of Matthew. Matthew smiled innocently as he shook his head in a slight disapproval. "You are forgetting one thing my adorable sugarplum." He mentioned. "And what may that be, my sexy sailor." She said, emulating the tone of Matthew's sweet voice. "You have to pass by customs." He smiled. Brooklyn put a tired look on her face. She did not want to walk any more. A 14-hour airplane ride would make just about anybody exhausted, and with a high amount feeling of jetlag. Brooklyn rolled her eyes just like a 16 year old does when her father says she can't use the car a particular night due to some brainless reason. "I don't want to go." She joked in a whiny voice, although she was really quite serious about it. But, she knew better then to mess around with Customs, especially in a foreign country. "Come on sweetie." Matthew said, taking Brooklyn's hand into his and walking towards the direction the arrow pointed, signaling the way to the Customs. The place Brooklyn feared would be flooding with undocumented people trying, for some abnormal reason, to sneak into Japan.

As they arrived to Customs, the picture Brooklyn saw before her confirmed her suspicion of what she might encounter; a long line of, what she thought were really undocumented illegals trying to sneak into Japan.
Brooklyn stepped into the, what she called, almost a mile long line, followed by Matthew. He tossed the duffle bag on the floor, Brooklyn did something similar, but with much more force and attitude. She gazed angrily at the peacefully resting duffel bag, as it sat on the floor. She let out a sigh of exhaustion as she practically let her butt fall directly on the bag, as if she has lifted her legs up, or they had magically disappeared.
Matthew handed Brooklyn her carry on; she needed to find her documents: passport, birth certificate and a picture ID. Matthew sat down on the available duffel bag, and began to admire Brooklyn's beauty.
Brooklyn found her papers, and held onto them with all her might. She knew how some people would thrive for the opportunity to have in their possession some valid documents.
"I want to go night night." Brooklyn mentioned in a weary voice. She seemed to have calm down after her short display of anger she expressed with juicy details.
She understood that there was a process when someone came into a foreign country. What did they expect? They did not know how badly she wanted to be able to ride in Matthew's car already; something a normal couple would do, even though it would only be for a rapid week.
I know patience was a virtue, but why are they taking their sweet time to do something as simple as stamp a book that contains a menacing picture, like the one of me in the silly blue book, Brooklyn thought, getting apprehensive that the line was barely moving as fast as she would have wanted it to.
"Don't worry sweetie, you can sleep in the car if you'd like." Matthew whispered, trying to comfort the one he loves, as he took a hold of her empty left hand, and kissed it. "You wouldn't mind? I would feel terrible though. I imagined us goofing around on our road trip to the base." She asked, concerned. "Sweets, I don't mind. I have taken that 14- hour ride from hell before-I know how exhausting it can be. Tomorrow is another day. Or maybe that 3 hour nap you'll have will make you feel refreshed; refreshed enough to pull an all nighter maybe?" Matthew commented.
Brooklyn and Matthew always loved the idea of pulling an all nighter their first night together. Just wanting to snuggle with each other, talk, laugh, and their favorite, be goofy. They wanted to experience all what normal couples usually go through; they just wanted to do it all that first night. "You can sleep when you're dead," is what Brooklyn would always joke around with Matthew. Clearly, Brooklyn had more spontaneity in her then Matthew, but he was just as much on top with her when it did come to that. He loved having a good time as well.
"You do know that we are still on for that all nighter." Brooklyn reminded Matthew. "No matter how worn out I might feel. We have waited months to pull that off." She added.
Matthew smiled at his gutsy Brooklyn. He knew that was similar to the answer he would have expected from her. Always wanting to do everything at once.
"You got it then." He replied, with his cocky smile. "Good! I knew you'd see it my way." Brooklyn joked.
Matthew then started squirming on his duffel bag seat, trying to get comfortable. He then did get comfortable. He was positioned himself in front of Brooklyn, his legs on either side of the duffel bag she was using as a seat, Brooklyn between them. He took a hold of Brooklyn's soft, red cheeked face and said, "I will always see things your way my beautiful princess." And kissed her.
They were so caught up in that explosive kiss, they did not realize when the line, that looked like was crazy glued to the floor, began to finally move.
They were on that line for what seemed like hours, even though it was just for 20 effortless minutes.
Again, they began walking hand in hand as they said good-bye to the Customs officer and began their journey to the parking lot. Her left hand did not want to let go of his right hand. His hand didn't want to let go either. He carried the duffel bag on his left shoulder and was holding the carry on with his left hand. Brooklyn had her duffel bag on her right shoulder. She did not like carrying things on her right side, even though she was right-handed. She did feel a little bit strange cause of that, but that did not stop her from keeping in on her right shoulder, and keeping Matthew's hands lovingly in hers.
"That's my car!" Matthew stated, pointing to a black, 4-door car.
Brooklyn winced secretly when she saw the car. She loved 4 door cars, but she loathed black cars. "They just seem too damn depressing," she would invariably say to who ever she was talking to at the time. But the car certainly looked new. Brooklyn remembered Matthew mentioning to her about a car one of the higher-ranking officers were selling due to his almost near PSC'ing time. He also got a good price for it, which wasn't an odd thing for someone to do on a military base.
Once their time came to relocate, mostly everything must go, the cheaper, the better. That would have almost guaranteed most of the person's belonging's would have been sold the time the mover's came to put the person's life in boxes and ship it off to his next destination.
Matthew seemed like the hit of the ball when he purchased the car. He was the only sailor that had arrived in Yokosuka with or before him to afford such a car, and especially owning a car like that.
Brooklyn smiled. "So that's the car you told me about when you got your cute ass all the way over here?" She asked with a sly look on her face when she said the word "ass." Matthew let go of Brooklyn's hand, and pointed to the car as he went, "Ta-da!" "Goodie" Brooklyn started, "At last we meet, oh wonderful, black, transportation vehicle!" Joked Brooklyn. She extended her hand as if the car was going to lift up one of its four tires to shake hands with its owner's girlfriend. "Cute." Matthew joked, popping the trunk door open.
Brooklyn followed Matthew's steps of placing the canvas bags in the trunk. She closed it when she was done, and caught herself staring at Matthew. "Yes?" He asked, curious as to why she was looking at him the way she was. "I'm glad I'm here." She practically shouted, but came out in a medium pitched voice. She let out a swaggering smile, her eyes shimmering in the evening sun. She looked down at the pavement, a little bashful of what she told him.
She was glad that she was there though. It has been an hour since she had been in Tokyo, and she still cannot believe that she was standing face to face with Matthew. She already experienced the cherished occasion to where she had Matthew in her arms, as he had her in him arms. She loved how he kissed her so gently on the forehead, as if he could be capable of harming her if he kissed her any harder. As restless as she was, she had to wait for the road trip to be over to be able to feel him in her arms again. Being as patient as she figured she as, she knew that she'd have to wait until they got to Nick's apartment.
Brooklyn had promised Nick that she would do her best to set him up with one of her friends if he would let them use his apartment while he was on leave. Being the good friend to Matthew that he was, and desperate for companionship, Nick accepted Brooklyn's generous offer. She had tons of friends in Colorado and all over the world. They both knew that inadequate Nick wasn't going to be in Japan forever. He was scheduled to return to his home base in California in the next year, or even less. He was 24, breaking up with his last girlfriend when he had freshly turned 22, and wanting someone in his life once again. There was no hesitation that Nick would not accept the offer.
Brooklyn did feel a little remorseful about running her business proposition to Nick. It felt like she was taking advantage of someone's fragile heart. Brooklyn did find someone who would be willing to email and, communicate with this tall, handsome, tanned sailor until he found his way back to the United States.
They each kept their side of the bargain. Brooklyn found her friend, 23-year old Sarah Hues who was willing to accept the challenge. Sarah disliked military guys though. She thought of them as arrogant and self centered, but she could not help to know that Nick was very funny and honest, and was also looking for love. She jumped at the opportunity to befriend the sadden sailor. Hoping her words would cheer him up. That was a month ago, and it seems like Sarah has lost her dislike for military men, and the two of them have plans on meeting when he gets stationed in California.
Matthew slowly walked over the Brooklyn, cupped her chin in his hand, looked deep into her eyes and informed her "I am super glad that you are here also," as he kissed her on her cheek. Smiles filled with ostentation covered their faces after the kiss. He walked with Brooklyn to the passenger's seat, and being the handsome gentleman that he was, opened the car door for her. As she began to step foot inside the car, she noticed the uniformed teddy bear protecting a pink envelope.
Brooklyn looked down at the white teddy bear dressed up in dress blues. She giggled to herself as she thought that in some way, it could resemble a miniature Matthew. Instead of the envelope the endearing bear was protecting, it would be her heart Matthew would be shielding. Shielding it from all danger, ensuring that the already fragile heart of hers would gain strength rather then weaken any more then it already has been.
Without touching the bear, she turned around to look for Matthew. He still stood behind her, waiting for her to take a hold of the bear; who had been waiting patiently for Brooklyn's sweet touch. He yearned for Brooklyn to take the pink envelope into her hands, and read it. To read Matthew's engaging words of what he thought of what was currently happening between the two of them.
Brooklyn wondered what else did Matthew have planned. First the intoxicating aroma coming from the enchanting roses he bought her, now the cuddily, uniformed teddy bear, shielding the pink envelope out of harm's way. What else could be next, Brooklyn thought.
"I think he is waiting for you to pick him up." Matthew stated, when Brooklyn looked at him over her shoulder. "You didn't have to." She started, being interrupted by Matthew. "But I wanted too. You mean more then the universe to me. This was the least I could do to illustrate my feelings towards you. More will come." He finished off. "Please." She paused. "Don't say that." She pleaded. She did not like the idea of being showered by gifts and attention from guys, even from guys she liked, or even loved in this situation. "I know you hate it, but you will learn to love it." Mathew stated, knowing exactly what Brooklyn wanted to say about that. He was going to soften her up a little; show her that not all guys are as bad as she imagines them to be.
Brooklyn did her eye roll trick again, smiled and placed the bear in her arms. She squeezed it, nearly as tight and close to her heart as she hugged Matthew a while ago. She smelled the bear; it smelled just like Matthew. Men's cologne always played a number with Brooklyn's mind. She graciously accepted the rosey colored envelope the Navy bear was offering her. She placed the teddy bear between her body and her arm, her arm protecting the bear as, with both her hands, worked on taking the card out of the envelope. She saw the card, realized what it said, and began to read the entire written discourse Matthew wrote with his heart, out loud. She just did not want to read his sincere words, she wanted to hear them, understand them; feel them.
As her eyes moved from one line to the next, her eyes began forming crystal tears again. They waited unwearyingly for the perfect moment to plunge from her, already glassy looking eyes. Matthew looked at her with devoted eyes, taking in what he saw with every breath. He could not believe how much he did love her; making her happy was top priority.
"Oh Matthew!" Brooklyn cried as she read the last line of the card. She could not resist but hug him. A card like that deserved a hug. She rushed to wrap her arms around him, placing her head on his chest. He cradled her, holding her head closer to his chest, as he put the other arm around her waist. She was sobbing into his uniform, making it, once again wet. She did not think she was worthy of a guy like him. One how would treat her just the way she wanted to be treated. Instantly, Brooklyn went silent; her head still on his chest. She was hearing something. Is that his heartbeat, she though. It can't be, it's beating my name. All she could make out what the heartbeat was telling her was "Brooklyn. Brooklyn." She looked up at Matthew, reached up and kissed him. He was the guy for her. His heart told her so. Matthew kissed back. I do love her, he though, moving her closer to his body.
They soon broke apart from that ardent kiss. He dried her tears up, swiping them away from her red cheeks with his thumb. "You're beautiful." He told her, looking profoundly into her eyes. She took a deep breath. "You are more handsome then you give yourself credit for Matthew." She said, almost ignoring the compliment Matthew told her. "Thanks." He said, knowing that from that moment on, things were going to change; only for the good though, because that is all they wanted.
Soon, they both were in the car, Matthew driving. Brooklyn was buckled up snuggly in the passenger's seat, clinging onto her new armed forces teddy bear. She did not want to leave it in the trunk with her other bags. "He might be afraid of the dark." Brooklyn told Matthew, seriousness in her voice.
Brooklyn had always been sensitive to inanimate objects. She would always love to think that deep down inside, they had feelings also, real feelings. When she was little, she would always tell her stuffed animals "Good night." And cover them up with their own blankie just in case it might get cold in the middle of the night. She always wished they had the power to communicate themselves to her. She would love to talk to them, telling them her secrets.
As she grew older, she began to realize that her stuffed animals, who were her beloved friends, never possessed that kind of magic. She did not love them any less. At 22, she never stopped believing that those objects always had feelings. That was innocence that Matthew loved about her. She was strong in her ways, stubborn, and at times a bitch, but she also had the innocent, childlike qualities that Matthew liked; among other ones he thought were important for a girlfriend to have.
Matthew turned on the engine of his used, yet new car, and put it in reverse to slowly ease the car's ass out of the parking lot so he could take off with his beloved finally in the car sitting next to him. Once out of the parking lot, he put it on drive and drove off. Brooklyn had her head rested on the window, and her arms were wrapped around her teddy bear. Her lovely eyes were closed, but she was aware of what was going on. Matthew slipped a CD into the radio, which began to play soft music. He took a hold of left hand, with plans on holding it during their entire time on the road.
Matthew was happy. Brooklyn was happy. There was no word simpler to use to describe what they were feeling. All was going well as they drove into the sunset.