Contemporary story
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Return to Paradise

Lisa gazed out over the Caribbean Sea, feeling the faint breeze against her face - eyes shut, the white sand warm between her bare toes. The place was beautiful beyond belief, but it was still unable to ease the grief she felt as she remembered the last time she had been here.

She had married James right here on this spot three years ago to the day. Dressed in a simple white shift dress, miniature white roses attempting to tame her long dark curls, Lisa had been happier than she had ever thought possible. James was even less formal but utterly irresistible in creased summer trousers and a loose white cotton shirt. His dark hair slightly ruffled and his eyes full of adoration as his looked at his bride to be. The justice of the peace had read their vows as they held hands and laughed at the sheer joy of being young, in love and staying in a five star resort on the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic. They had seen the years blissfully stretching ahead of them, together forever. They planned their children, two she said, he said four so they compromised on three (two girls and a boy of course); where they would live, the travelling they would do together - it was all certain, so they had thought then.

But that seemed such a long time ago now. A lot can change in just a few years - a lot of heartache can change a person and drive a wedge through the strongest ties, break even the deepest love. Three years to the day and they had returned, though this time not for the beachside marriages the island was famous for but for one of its equally popular quickie divorces.

Lisa let out a sigh that was filled with pain and regret. What could she do but move on, find a new life and new dreams? - the old one was beyond repair. How could this beautiful place, with its lush green coastline, eternity of azure blue sea and endless sands be a place for the agony she felt now?

The man stood watching from the edge of the palm trees. He couldn't take his eyes of the dark-haired woman he saw standing at the water's edge, gazing out to sea as though she was waiting for something - or someone. She was beautiful, with her slim figure dressed in a loose flowing cotton dress, her crazy hair and bright blue eyes not far off the colour of the sea itself. It wasn't her looks that attracted him though; he came across many beautiful women in his work as a freelance photographer. It was her loneliness and intensity that lured him. Even at some distance he was aware that she was different from any other woman he could meet.

Lisa sensed the man approaching even before she turned around. She had been aware of him standing there staring at her and had felt strangely calm about being observed. She looked at him and felt the instant spark of connection she had only experienced once before. He walked slowly towards her and they held each other's gaze. It felt like meeting a long lost friend - not a stranger on a strange beach.

Later, sitting at one of the many bars on the resort, sipping the local cocktails they began to talk. First pleasantries, their hotels, the quality of the food and friendliness of the locals. Their conversation was strangely hesitant considering the naturalness and confidence of their earlier meeting. Onlookers, however, would have detected the subtle flirtation as they mirrored each other's actions and spoke directly into each other's eyes. Only later, after the alcohol had had its loosening effect, did the conversation deepen. They talked of why they were here and finally, against her judgement, Lisa opened up about her heartache of the past year and how events had led her back to the place where she had married the only man she believed she could ever love. She told him of things that had been locked deep inside her, able to tell no one. She told him how she had felt after she had lost her baby.

She was six months pregnant and the happiest she had ever been when the pains had started. She was staying with her mother as James was working out of town. He hadn't made it back in time. The doctor had said it was just one of those things, that they could try again. But how could she when she couldn't even look James in the eye. She hated him then, for not being there, for not hurting as much as her but most of all for looking so much like the tiny baby boy that she held for just three hours before the took him away. All through the following months she had withdrawn from her husband, family, friends. Not wanting to recover form the pain she felt - that would have been a betrayal of her son. At the funeral she had refused to stand next to her husband and the next day she had left him.

Looking up, Lisa could see her pain reflected in the man's eyes. For the first time in months she didn't feel alone, she felt the unbearable burden begin to lift from her, only a bit but it was a start. She began to believe that maybe she had a future after all and maybe it could be with this man, with his kind hazel eyes, wet with their shared tears.

They had come here to dissolve their marriage but maybe there was hope. Lisa stood up and took James by the hand and led him away from the bar towards the beech where they had made their vows to each other three years ago. Tomorrow she would cancel the divorce; tonight they would work on renewing their promises.

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Average: 4 (3 votes)

Comments

Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/25/2007 - 08:16

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Brilliant, unexpected, i would not go as far as to say superb as i have not yet sampled any of your other work but after reading this i look forward to it.... a brilliant quick read to pick you up in the rainy afternoons.

Many Thanks
K~

Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/14/2007 - 11:34

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Thats really good. Im not normally a romance type of person and only reading it to "broaden my horizons" and all that, but this is the first tale Ive come across that actually makes it feel worth the effort, specifically because its an almost stereotypical romance, with enough of a twist to lend new power to the tropes of the genre.

Thank you.

Submitted by admin on Fri, 08/24/2007 - 12:52

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I really like this story. I love how they fell apart so much but in the end, if you love someone, love conquers all. I don’t understand though why they would go back to the island where they first got married. I can totally understand how hurt she would be if her husband was out of town when she got the horrible news of her baby not making it but you would think that with all of the pain she felt, sooner or later she would want some comfort. It really just shows that if you love someone, that’s all that matters and that you can work anything out. Atleast with a couple drinks in your system!

Submitted by admin on Fri, 08/31/2007 - 07:07

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I think this was a great short story.
Some people say it was too short, some people say it was long-winded, which means it was just right in the middle!

Losing a child must be the worst thing a couple could ever have to face. The trauma and drama behind all of this is so eloquently described in so few words.

I hope you write a lot more.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 14:22

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i am a teacher, and i love to read love stories to my students to teach them what love really is, and that is why i chose this story to read to them it is beautiful and has so much meaning to it.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 12/13/2007 - 06:08

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Its very intresting story. I like it. I am a student, and I have a task to find some intresting stories to translate on Ukrainian (I am from Ukraine), and I decided to take your story. Thank you. it would be a pleasure for me to translate such story. sorry for mistakes, I have study English only for two years. Natali.

Submitted by admin on Fri, 12/14/2007 - 09:29

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I loved the story, but it was also kind of sad when she lost her baby and that split them up. Other than that i loved the story and also that part. There is not anything wrong with a little love.

Submitted by admin on Sun, 12/30/2007 - 21:42

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There were typos in this story, however this did not take away from the story line. It was wonderful. I love the ending. I love how you portrayed them as strangers meeting on the beach. Great Story.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/24/2008 - 19:07

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This story wasnt really for me, but I dont think thats important. There are so many comments on this story - people love it. So ignore the bad comments (there are not many are there?)- or take on board anthing constructive. You obviously have a market; one that views your writing favourably. I would take great heart from that.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/26/2008 - 23:30

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To my mind, this story has a deep moral.It teaches us that no matter how hard life can be, you should always find a way out.Loving people should not hide their feelings from each other.Tey need to know how to talk to each other to solve problems.If you listen to the person with a loss or problem you can feel their loss and pain.Looking into each others eyes tells everything.
Olesya P.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 22:16

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I loved how the story was able to portray a couple who got married and then split up, then get together again, while also including a moral stating that no matter what bad things happen there is always hope in making up and forgiving each other.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/14/2008 - 14:35

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i think this story is amazing, because when the author first mentions the man standing there i kinda thought it was her husband but then again when they sat down to talk i was sure he wasnt and then in the end it does turn out to be him....i love just love stories like this

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