Who: Dan and Elena What: they’re on vacation. Finally! Where: Australia When: Sept. 8th (Day 1) Warnings: TBD Status: closed/g-doc
Dan and Elena kept talking about going on a trip. And he’d known how much his girlfriend wanted to visit Australia. He couldn’t believe that they’d finally made it. Not that the cruise had been bad or anything. But with the Dome and life, they’d needed to actively set aside time for this trip. Which they’d finally accomplished.
He felt grateful he remembered to bring some nice clothes, even if he and Elena weren’t exactly fancy people.
“So, what do you want to do first, beautiful?” Dan smartly made them both cups of coffee in the room, so that the time change wouldn’t affect them as much. He had to admit the Nespresso machine made it easy to fix coffees to their likings.
Elena had always wanted to visit Australia. The wildlife was incredible and unique. One of the last true wilderness areas on Earth was located there. Not to mention, the country was rich with history and culture that Elena had always wanted to experience. Even though this was a vacation for Dan and her, Elena planned on taking just as many pictures of the environment as she did the two of them.
The blond currently lounged in one of the comfy chairs in their hotel room. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a simple top with blond hair falling in loose curls around her shoulders. Elena’s blue eyes skimmed the screen of her phone as she scrolled through a list of top things to do in Australia. There was so much to see. It was rather overwhelming, but Elena was trying to narrow it down to a few things that would be the most interesting for them both.
“How the cruise through Kimberley? It is one of the last true wilderness spots on the planet. Or we could swim with some of the sea life?” Elena looked over at Dan with a smile. “I’m up for whatever.”
Dan wanted Elena to take as many photos as her heart desired. Who knew when, or if, they’d make it back to Australia? He certainly didn’t want to take it for granted, nor the beautiful blonde with him either.
“Let’s definitely do the cruise. If it’s you, then we need to check out any wilderness we can.” Dan knew his girlfriend needed wilderness for the wolf inside her. Not that he wouldn’t mind some wilderness adventures.
“Is that something we can do today? The cruise I mean. Um, yes, I want to swim with wildlife.” Thankfully he remembered at the last minute to pack a swimsuit. “For the cruise, should I see if we can get food to go from one of the restaurants?” Elena ate more often than Dan as a werewolf and he hated the idea of her being hungry.
Elena was pleased Dan agreed to go on the cruise. “I think we should be able to, but if not, we can always go swim with the wildlife. I’m sure there are plenty of places around here that offer the gear and guides for it.” Of course, Elena didn’t bring equipment to take pictures of the wildlife underwater, but it didn’t really matter. She really just wanted to have the experience with Dan.
“I think they might have food on the cruise, but if not, we can totally bring something.” Elena skimmed through her phone again quickly. “It says they do have gourmet meals so that’s even better. We can eat and enjoy the scenery.” Plus, it would provide plenty of time for Elena to snap a few pictures.
Dan nodded. “Then let’s do the cruise today. I think it would be enjoyable for both of us.” Elena could take photos and he could watch his girlfriend in her element. He picked up a brochure. “I think we can stop at the concierge desk on our way out and make a reservation to swim with wildlife.”
“I’m glad they offer food on the cruise, because I’m kinda hungry,” Dan admitted. Usually out of the two of them, Elena got hungry more often.
He grabbed a tote bag, and started to load up a few essentials: a couple water bottles, extra batteries and memory cards for Elena, and a hoodie, because he had no idea what the weather might be like. Wasn’t this technically Australia’s winter?
After everything was in the bag, he walked over to his girlfriend and dropped a brief kiss on Elena’s lips.
Elena beamed and stood from her place in the chair. “Great.” The blond eagerly took the cup of coffee from Dan and took a sip. She was going to need a little caffeine to get through the day they had planned. Yes, Elena was excited and she was more so because Dan was here with her. She’d always planned on Australia, but she thought she would be going alone. Having Dan along was the best bonus a wolf could ever ask for.
Finishing off the rest of her coffee, Elena nodded at the suggestion to make a reservation to swim with the wildlife. Perfect. They already had two days planned. “That’s perfect and yes, I’m kind of hungry too. We’ll grab something to eat as soon as we get there.” The blond briefly left the room to brush her teeth and freshen up a bit. She wasn’t overly concerned with makeup given they were about to go on a cruise where the majority of people would be looking at the landscape, but she did sweep her hair up in a ponytail before making her way back out to the living room.
Shouldering her purse as well as the case that held her camera, Elena turned toward Dan and eagerly returned the kiss he offered. “I think we should be set.” Dan had a tote bag full of goodies no doubt and they could always buy anything they were missing.
Dan grinned. “Let me duck in and brush my teeth.” A few moments later he reemerged and held out his hand.
“Shall we, beautiful?” As they walked through the hotel, he said,”If I forgot to say so, I am really happy your son is back.” The former detective liked Kate and assumed she was over the moon about her twin showing back up in town.
“Of course.” As Dan ducked into the bathroom to brush his teeth, Elena went through the bags, quickly double checking to make sure they had everything they would need for their little trip. Not surprising, Dan had remembered to pack everything. The blond was once more reminded of how lucky she was to have him in her life. After Derek, Elena never believed the Dome would let her find love again. In her mind, she’d beaten the odds in that department.
Once Dan returned, the two left their room and made their way through the lobby of the hotel. Just as the two were about to step outside, Dan mentioned Logan and Elena turned to him with a smile. “I appreciate that. I think Kate would appreciate it even more. She really missed having her twin around. I’m so glad he’s back for her. Plus, I get the chance to know him and that means a lot to me.”
He smiled at the mention of Kate. “I will reach out to Kate when we return.” After all, he wanted to get to know Elena’s family better. Except maybe Karl who always looked grouchy.
“Maybe we could do a barbecue at the Pack house before the weather turns? Give me a chance to get to know everyone a bit better without all the pressure. I could bring the girls.” Dan never expected to find love again, not after Charlotte’s death. But he wanted to enjoy every second he could with Elena.
Dan’s hand squeezed Elena’s. “I am glad you get the chance too. You both deserve it.” He saw the vehicle that would take them to the cruise. “I might be more excited than I let on.”
The idea of a barbeque at the Pack house sounded great to Elena. It would allow Dan to get to know everyone better in a relaxed environment. Maybe even grouchy Karl would warm up to him.
“I think that’s a good idea. I’ll bring it up when we get back. I’m sure everyone would love to meet the girls too.” Elena liked Dan’s daughter, Trixie, and wanted a chance to get to know her better. Rory too.
Elena squeezed his hand in return and couldn’t help, but laugh at his words. “I was hoping you’d say that.”