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Agustín had planned today for a long time. Planned it to the point of detail, wanting sure that everything was perfect for the two of them. For him and Julieta.
For them to finally be able to spend a moment, just the two of them, just like the old days. Such moments that had become increasingly more rare to them with three daughters to tend to. Not that either would ever complain, because their daughters were their whole world and they wouldn’t trade them for anything. The arrival of them had simply meant that more of the time they spent together was also together with the girls, and it was something neither of them minded, especially since they would always get time for each other at the end of the day, especially now when Mirabel properly slept through the night, being a few months older than two.
They had gotten used to doing everything as a family, and Agustín loved it. Family life together with Julieta and the girls was a blessing to him. But so was also their alone time and the happiness and warmth of the end of a day, getting ready for bed, cuddling close, taking a bath together and falling asleep happily chatting, and all that it entailed. Everything felt just as exciting as when they were still so young and newly in love. It’s something he would never forget as the spark had never dwindled, not even a little. He’s sure that the love would never die, as both of them treasured each other and their life together, as well as all of the wonderful memories of the past.
Agustín adored family life. He adored raising the girls with Julieta. So did she, and the girls were everything they talked about. But from time to time they reminisce about the time of old, back before they had children, when they were still so young. Isabela is a little more than eight and a half. More proof of just how quickly time had passed, and how quickly the girls were growing up. A clear sign of the passage of time. They’ve been together for eighteen years in just a few months time. That was such a large amount of time that it made Agustín truly feel surreal.
It’s like he’s already spent a lifetime with Julieta, and he was excited to spend several lifetimes more with her. Growing old with her, the two of them always side by side.
And to celebrate their past, and how their relationship had developed, and to remember where they had come from, he wanted to do something special for her. Just the two of them, without kids, to remember the old days and their budding love. When they had still been young and figuring relationships out, almost drunk on love and excitement as everything feels so perfect. It had been such an exciting time of his life that he would always look back at with fondness, and he knew that Julieta did the same.
It felt nice and secure being happily married and settled, and he wouldn’t change it for the world. But from time to time, he really wanted to remember the old days, and how filled with fun and love the days had been. And it made Agustín want to reexperience some of those memories together with Julieta, so that they would always remember the beginning of their relationship, and to treasure the experiences with a new light.
Today was one of those days. A day where he would finally have her all to himself, as they could do whatever they wanted. Pepa and Félix were so kind, babysitting Luisa and Mirabel while Isabela was at school, leaving Julieta and Agustín without children for a few hours.
And Agustín had plans to get her out of the house.
To the lake.
Their special lake, where they had spent so much time in their youth.
Enjoying each other’s company, swimming together, fishing, going on nice little boat rides as they talked about everything, getting carried away by the boat and falling out of it. All of it brought back such fond memories as the lake had a special place in his heart. When they were younger, they had gone all the time. Over the passing years, the lake had gotten less visits each passing year because of their lives getting busier. A shame if you asked Agustín, because he really enjoyed the lake and a moment away with Julieta.
It’s been so long since they had last gone. And today he was going to make sure to change that.
He was going to take her there. Just the two of them for an hour or two. Enjoying the water, going on a nice boat ride as they could talk, or sit in silence and listen to the birdsong. Perhaps even go for a swim if they so desired. Just like old times as they could remember their fondest memories.
They deserved some time for themselves.
“I’ve got a surprise for you today,” he had told her when he had begun to set the plan in motion. “You and me, away from the house for a few hours. No chores, just the two of us.”
He gives her his special eyebrow wiggle for good measure, causing her to laugh as he tenderly grasps at her forearm, pulling her in closer with gentle care as he wants to show her his affection with a soft touch. His other hand rests on her shoulder as he gives her a little smile. She smiles back, and it lights up something in his heart. She’s so perfect when she smiles.
“I’d love to. But what about the kids?”
“Already solved. Félix and Pepa are taking care of them. Nothing holding us back from leaving for a few hours.”
“Thought about everything, didn’t you?”
Of course he had. He had wanted everything to be perfect and for them to be undisturbed when away. Just a moment for the two of them like old times sake. Of course Agustín had planned everything. He wouldn’t be Agustín if he hadn’t. It’s one of his best skills.
“Perhaps.”
“Always so prepared.”
“You know it. Now, let’s head out. I know that you’re going to love it.”
He’s confident she will. He knew Julieta as well as he knew himself.
“I absolutely trust you on that. Come on then. Show me what you have in mind.”
There’s a teasing undertone to her voice. A playful flirtiness. He returns it, giving her a teasing smile as he presses a kiss to the side of her neck to take her off guard before he continues to speak.
“That’s the surprise. You’ll have to figure it out while we get there.”
“Always so secretive.”
“That’s the fun part.”
She laughs.
“You’re so right.”
He takes her properly by the hand, and the two of them leave the house. The excitement is rushing through him as he guides her towards the very edge of the Encanto, further and further away from the village. He enjoys the breath of fresh air, as the air is nice and warm, and the skies are clear and sunny. A perfect day for them to go outside on their little outing. Just like he had hoped for.
Things couldn’t be better.
He saw the smile on Julieta’s face, and how the happiness seemed to light up inside of her as she put the pieces together, realizing where they were going. She tightens her grip on his hand and speeds up their walk, just a little.
“I’m pretty sure I know where we’re going.”
“Enlighten me then.”
“The lake, obviously.”
“You got it,” he says as he kisses her cheek. “A good surprise?”
Julieta nods.
“The best. It’s been way too long since we went there.”
“It has, hasn’t it?”
“It really has. I don’t know why we haven’t.”
He laughs.
“Probably a little something called lack of time.”
“Yes, our beautiful girls. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Neither do I. But I do want us to have some time for each other from time to time. For us to just enjoy some time together undisturbed to do stuff. Just like the old days. To keep the flame going.”
“Oh, you know the flame is never going to burn out.”
“I do. But it’s so much fun fueling it, isn’t it?”
She nods as they keep walking.
“It is,” she replies as she gives him another fond smile. She’s got such a beautiful expression on her face, and Agustín can’t look away. “We had so much time and energy when we were young. We did so much together. Every single day we did something. I don’t know how we had the energy for it.”
“Well, that’s what youth does to someone. We were in our early twenties without kids.”
“Ah, the old days. Back before our backs started hurting and before our gray hair.”
“You’re making it sound like we’re fifty. We’re in our mid thirties.”
“Same thing down the line. We’re old timers now compared to when we got together. We were nineteen.”
Nineteen. It truly feels like a lifetime ago. Especially when Julieta was thirty seven, and Agustín was turning thirty seven himself in two weeks. Life seemed to have passed by in the blink of an eye, and here they were now, reminiscing over the old times. A time that still felt like it had been yesterday.
“We were,” he says. “God, we had so much energy.”
“We did,” she says. “I miss it. Being able to do so much with you.”
“So do I. Which is exactly why I’m taking you to the lakes. We can pretend we’re in our early twenties again.”
“And I’ll enjoy every moment of it.”
“That’s all I want to hear.”
After a few more minutes of walking they finally arrive at the lake. Peaceful and excluded, with the only sound around them being the sound of nature. No other person in sight, and the air is fresh and clear. The green vegetation is thriving, and the water is nice. By the bridge is a boat. A wooden one with oars, docked with some rope around the bridge. Up for the taking of anyone, as was the rule with all boats in the Encanto. They were mostly shared.
“I can’t believe the boat is still here.”
“Of course it is,” she says. “We’re not the only ones using the lake. There’s always at least one boat docked.”
“Well, more fun for us. Wanna take a ride?”
Just like old times sake.
She nods.
“I’d love to. As long as you don’t make us fall overboard again.”
“You know what was always your fault. I never had anything to do with it.”
“Guilty, but no one would believe you,” she teases as she gets into the boat, sitting down as she gestures for him to follow before taking the oars in hand. “Come on.”
“On my way.”
Agustín gets down in the boat, steading himself as he sits down, feeling how the wood wiggles unsteadily as he sits down. It’s been so long since he had been on a boat, and he had a hard time balancing, but he managed.
“Let’s go.”
“I thought you’d never ask,” she replies as she hands him one of the oars, taking the other one. “Let’s row to the middle of the lake. It used to be our favorite spot.”
“Used to be?” he teases, wiggling his eyebrow, and she chuckles.
“Still is,” she replies. “I’ve got a lot of nice memories from there.”
“So do I. And many hilarious ones from when we fell into the lake half naked when you made us trip the boat.”
“I’ve got no regrets,” she says. “And many times we managed just fine without tripping the boat. Not every time ended in disaster.”
“Disaster because you were way too excited.”
“You weren’t exactly stopping me or telling me to slow down either.”
“You got me there.”
“How about we really pretend we’re young again?” she proposes. “And see if we’re still skillful enough to not end up in the lake?”
She sees the sudden fire in her eyes. The happy little smile, made to tease him. And the warmth quickly rushed through him as he had to accept. He couldn't say no, not when she was looking at him like that. He remembers the excitement of their youth and getting carried away on boats on this very lake.
Fond memories.
“Well, you know I’m always up for a good challenge.”