297: BEAR PROBLEMS

LUKE'S POV The first light of dawn began to paint the sky with soft pastel hues, I gently shook Ariel awake. "Hey, love, wake up," I whispered, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. Ariel stirred, blinking sleepily as she slowly registered her surroundings. "What's going on?" she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep. "Come on, I have a surprise for you," I said, my excitement bubbling beneath the surface. With a curious glance, Ariel allowed me to help her up from the cozy nest of blankets we had made on the floor. I led her outside, where the crisp morning air greeted us with its invigorating chill. The sky was a canvas of soft purples and pinks, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of dew-kissed grass. "Where are we going?" Ariel asked, her curiosity piqued. "You'll see," I replied with a grin, taking her hand in mine as we made our way through the quiet streets, leaving the hospital's location. And we got into my car, I drove to somewhere dif