Part 14

The sounds of laughter and talking filled the air as the two of you walked hand in hand through the crowd on a brisk evening. The  first signs of fall were beginning to show themselves on the leaves of the trees near the riverbank. The world around you illuminated by the lights of the stalls. The realization that this was the first time you had been to a festival of this sort since childhood fell upon you as you gripped her hand tighter. Perhaps an attempt to grind yourself in the present or perhaps to remind yourself that this dreamlike state was your reality now.

She pushed her hair behind her ear and looked up at you. You tilt your head down and stare into her eyes. "Shall we get something to eat?" She smiles and nods in response. The two of you walk the festival grounds to find something to eat. Looking around you see children running around. "A long time ago, that was me," you think to yourself as you watch parents chase after the kids. You look down at your love, past her face and turn your gaze towards her stomach, "And some day, that will be me as well." You release her hand a wrap your arm around her waist, pulling her close. She rests her head on your shoulder as you continue your way through the crowd.

Settling on a the stall with the shortest line the two of you get your food and make your way towards the riverbank. Thinking ahead you brought a small blanket for the occasion. You spread the blanket out and chat while you eat. She looked up from her food and as her eyes met yours she said, "You know, I saw you watching the kid's play. Looking forward to being a daddy, are you?" "So you saw that? Yeah, I can barely keep my mind off of it. I have to admit, I'm scared," you replied. Your chest suddenly felt light, like you had been holding your breath and finally released it. Had that thought been weighing on you that much since you first heard the news? Your eyes drifted downwards as you contemplated. Her hand touched your thigh and she said, "I've felt the same way. I watched those children playing and I was scared. What sort of mother will I be? Will our child be happy? Will they have friends to enjoy their youth with? My mind was racing, but when you put your arm around me all of the worry disappeared. I know we'll do our best, and I know we'll make them happy." You felt tears well in your eyes. Even an encouraging word from her is enough to shake you to your very core. You reached across the cover and wrapped her in your arms.

As you wrap your arms around her a whistle-like sound fills your ears and then a burst of vibrant color filled the sky to the elation of the crowd when had formed around you. She turned around and sat between your legs. The two of you turned your eyes to the sky to watch the gleaming beauty that filled the sky above you. You pulled her close to your chest. With each burst reverberating through your body you felt as through your hearts were beating in tune, that your bodies and souls had melded together in that moment. As you watched the brilliant explosion overhead a spark much like the one that sent the rocket skyward was lit in your own heart. You turned your gaze towards her. You watched as her face shrouded in the darkness lit up with each eruption in the sky. The fireworks paled in comparison to the beauty that you held in your arms. You brought your face next to her and pressed your lips to her cheek. She turns to you and kisses you. You run your hand across her stomach and feel the lump that signifies the crystallization of your love. The biggest fireworks of the evening were not the ones in the sky, but the ones between two young lovers nestled atop a blanket.