29. Alex Sebring
Chapter 29
Alex Sebring
The trail winds deeper into the lush forest, sunlight filtering through the canopy in dappled, shifting patterns. The hum of the outside world fades, replaced by the tranquil melody of birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. The air here is cooler, rich with the earthy scent of rain-kissed soil and tropical blooms.
I brush aside a low-hanging branch and glance back. Magnolia steps over a rocky patch, her eyes wide, her expression caught somewhere between awe and curiosity. She’s seeing Samoa through fresh eyes, and I can’t get enough of the way it lights her up.
“You doing all right back there?”
Her gaze snaps to mine, a playful challenge sparking in her eyes. “I can handle a hike, Alex. Don’t worry about me.”
I reach up and pluck a ripe guava from a nearby branch. “Good, because you’re about to experience the freshest snack on the island.”
She takes the fruit, sinking her teeth into it, and her lips glisten with juice as her eyes close in bliss. “Oh, wow. I didn’t know anything could taste this good.”
Her reaction holds me captive, the way she savors something so simple. “That’s Samoa. Untouched. Pure. Unlike anything else.”
Her gaze sweeps over the vibrant green all around us. “It feels like we’ve stepped into another world.”
Reaching for her hand, I lace our fingers together, the connection as natural as the path beneath our feet. “Just wait. You haven’t seen the best part yet.”
The sound of rushing water grows louder as we follow the path, the foliage thickening around us. Hand in hand, we climb a small ridge, the trail narrowing as anticipation builds with each step.
Magnolia glances at me, her cheeks flushed from the hike, her eyes bright. There’s an energy about her that makes me smile without meaning to.
“Almost there.” I push aside a curtain of vines, revealing the clearing.
The waterfall cascades over dark rocks into a crystal-clear pool framed by bursts of vibrant tropical flowers. The sunlight catches the water, scattering beams of light across the lush greenery.
Magnolia freezes, wide-eyed. Her gaze sweeps the scene, focusing on the falls, the shimmer of sunlight on the surface, the untouched beauty surrounding us. “This is like a dream. A beautiful dream.”
“I knew you’d love it. Not many people know about this place—locals only.”
When she turns to me, her expression is soft, her gratitude unmistakable. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
I pull my shirt over my head. “Come on. The water’s waiting.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Her smirk deepens as she shrugs off her cover-up, revealing a bikini that sends my pulse into overdrive.
“Careful,” I say, reaching for her hand. Her fingers slide into mine, warm and steady, trusting me to lead her into the shimmering pool.
The first step makes her gasp, her sharp inhale breaking into a laugh. “Colder than I expected.”
I send a splash her way, the water catching sunlight in glittering arcs as it lands.
Her gasp turns into laughter. “Oh, you’re in for it now, big guy,” she says, sending a wave of cool spray back at me.
The cool water hits my chest, and I throw my hands up. “Truce! You win!”
Her eyes narrow, playful and challenging. “Giving up already? That’s disappointing, Alex.”
I wade closer, grinning. “I know when I’m outmatched.”
The playful energy fades as we drift toward the falls, the mist surrounding us, cool and sparkling. I reach for her hand and pull her close, the quiet between us deepening. She meets my gaze, her face framed by the dappled light breaking through the spray.
Gently, I tuck a wet strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers hovering.
For a moment, the world narrows to this—the sound of the falls, the rhythm of our breathing, the unspoken connection hanging in the air.
“I’ve never brought a woman here before.”
“To this waterfall?”
I shake my head. “To Samoa.”
“Not even Celeste?”
“ Especially not Celeste. This place—my family, my culture—it’s who I am, and I didn’t want to share it with someone who wouldn’t understand.” My hand finds hers beneath the water. “Because with you, it’s different. I don’t have to explain or worry you’ll see yourself as above it. You just… get it.”
Her fingers tighten around mine, her smile soft and sincere. “Thank you for trusting me with this, Alex. I love being here.”
The water flows around us, but all I feel is her hand in mine, steadying me. “We haven’t known each other long, but I swear, you know me better than anyone ever has.”
Her smile shifts, touched by something deeper. “I see you, Alex—all of you. And I love every part.”
I lean in, resting my forehead against hers. Our breaths mingle, the quiet between us thick with unspoken emotion. The world blurs, leaving only the steady rush of the falls and the gentle beat of her pulse beneath my hand.
When my lips meet hers, it’s slow and deliberate, a kiss meant to convey everything I can’t put into words. It’s tender, unhurried—a silent promise. In this moment, nothing else exists. Just her. Just us.
When we pull apart, her eyes hold a softness that stirs something deep in my chest. I smile and swim back, diving beneath the cool water.
Resurfacing, I spot a delicate flower floating nearby. I catch it, returning to her to tuck it behind her ear.
“Perfect.” I’m struck by how naturally she fits here, as though this place has been waiting for her all along.
Her fingers graze the flower, her smile bright and unguarded. “I never want to forget this moment.”
“Neither do I.”
We drift in the water until we both prune. Here, in this hidden oasis, nothing else matters—no expectations, no plans.
We eventually climb out and settle on a blanket near the edge of the pool. I unpack the small picnic I brought and hand her a slice of mango. She takes a bite, her eyes closing as the sweet juice drips on to her lips.
“This is relaxing,” I say, watching her. “No phones. No deadlines. Just us.”
Magnolia leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Very peaceful.”
She glances up, her eyes holding a quiet intensity, like we’re both quietly acknowledging the shift between us—something neither of us names but both feel.
We lie back on the blanket, side by side, the sound of the waterfall filling the stillness around us. My arm slips around her, her head finding its place on my shoulder.
Sunlight dances across the rippling water, and her fingers thread through mine, fitting so naturally it’s like they were always meant to. She doesn’t say a word, but her touch speaks of everything we’re both holding close, everything unspoken.
I glance at our joined hands, my thumb rubbing her knuckles. This isn’t just a moment—it’s something bigger, something I’ll carry with me long after we leave this place.
The steady rhythm of the falls surrounds us as we sit together, letting the quiet stretch. But faint laughter filters through the trees, growing louder with each step. I glance up, already recognizing the unmistakable energy of my siblings and cousins.
She laughs. “Well… so much for our private moment. Looks like the family fa’aaloalo squad is out in full force today. Not a chance at fooling around.”
I squeeze her hand lightly. “At least we had a little time before they found us.”
The clearing bursts into life as my family arrives. My brothers head straight for the cliff, their eyes lighting up as they size it up, clearly planning their next jump.
Leilani, Sefina, and a few of my female cousins make their way to Magnolia, their laughter bright as they draw her into their group. She glances back at me, smiling, and I watch how she connects with them, already part of their circle.
My brothers launch into their usual antics, daring each other to make the wildest jump, their laughter and banter filling the clearing.
Niko’s voice rises above the noise, his grin sharp. “Alex! Don’t tell me you’re chickening out in front of your girl.”
I glance over as Magnolia raises a brow, her smirk amused. “Afraid of heights, are you?”
I shake my head, chuckling. “Afraid? Not a chance. I grew up jumping off this cliff.”
My brothers keep up their relentless taunts, their competitive grins making it clear someone’s about to do something ridiculous—probably me.
Climbing the rocks with my brothers, I glance back and see Magnolia with my sisters and cousins, their laughter rising above the sound of the falls. Leilani is teaching her how to weave a flower crown from wild blossoms, her hands guiding Magnolia’s as she picks up the technique with ease.
From above, I take a moment to watch the way she leans into their laughter, her focus on the delicate folds of the flowers. There’s something captivating about how she connects with them, drawing them in, her joy shining through every gesture.
Niko leans in, his expression sure with a knowing glint in his eye. “You’re in love with her. Admit it—it’s written all over you.”
I laugh, crossing my arms in a half-hearted attempt to deflect. “It’s too soon to start throwing around words like love.” I try to sound convincing, but even I hear the crack in my voice.
Asa’s grin deepens. “You might not see it yet, but we do. Bringing her here, sharing this part of your life—it’s not nothing, Alex. We’re your brothers. We know what this place means. It’s a big deal for any of us.”
I glance away, my eyes finding Magnolia. She’s laughing with Leilani and Sefina, her head tilted back as the sunlight catches the golden strands of her chestnut hair. She looks at ease, fully present in the moment. Something tugs in my chest, and I wonder if my brothers are right.
“I’m taking things as they come.”
Niko claps me on the shoulder, his grin a mix of teasing and something more serious. “Sometimes, mate, you’re the last one to see what’s staring you right in the face.”
“And since when are you an expert on love?”
He shrugs, his smirk widening. “I’ve learned a thing or two. But that’s a story for another time.”
As their laughter fades, my eyes drift back to Magnolia, and the edges of a realization press in. It’s a truth I can’t say out loud yet, but it feels unavoidable, like the tide drawing back to the sea.
My brothers go quiet. These rare moments of silence remind me that they know me better than anyone. And as much as I hate to admit it, they’re right.
I glance at Magnolia again. She leans into Leilani, whispering something that sets them both laughing, their heads thrown back in easy joy. She isn’t simply blending in—she’s shining here, adding something to this place I never knew was missing.
The thought crashes into me, undeniable and all-encompassing. This isn’t simple attraction or a fleeting connection. It’s solid, unshakable.
I’ve fallen for her.
The realization hits me, both exhilarating and terrifying, spreading through my chest like a steady pulse. Standing here, surrounded by my family in the place that shaped me, there’s no denying it.
I love her.
It’s a simple truth, but it shifts everything.
I draw in a deep breath, letting it fill every part of me. Watching her now, full of life and light, I know this isn’t something I can fight—not that I want to. She’s woven into me, into this life, into everything that matters.
No matter what lies ahead, this love is mine to hold. And right now, surrounded by the people and the place that mean everything to me, one thing is clear: she’s the one.