West Coast Winter

Smile, Darling

"Let's get your wings on, Tinkerbell", I say excitedly as I hold up part of Nina's costume.
Nina prances over to me with her own excitement and bright smile as we get her ready backstage. Her blonde curls dangle wildly down from her top knot and frame her pretty as a picture face.
Nicole calls out, "Henry! Come here and put on your cap."
The kids look adorable in their matching green costumes. Nina's is a bit more sparkly with all that pixie dust.
Henry complains while scratching at his backside, "These tights are itchy."
"Don't scratch. You'll put a hole right through your costume", Nicole commands as she pulls Henry's hands away from his tights.
"Alright. Do you have your pixie dust?", I check with Nina.
"Yup", Nina confirms with a thumbs up.
"Are you ready?", Nicole asks both of the kids.
They say in unison, "I was born ready."
We all look at each other and laugh because that was not rehearsed.
Wendy and the Darling family are onstage reciting their lines. Peter Pan and Tink are ready to make their grand entrance.
"A kiss for good luck", I say before kissing Nina's cheek.
Nicole does the same for Henry.
"Don't forget me, honey", Charlie's soft voice says behind us. Henry abruptly ditches his mom and hugs his dad as he crouches down. Henry kisses Charlie on the cheek. Nina is right behind Henry and leaps into Charlie's arms. She kisses him on the cheek and hugs him.
"Oh", Charlie chuckles softly. "Good luck to you too, Nina."
Henry and Nina wave at all of us before taking their places at the window backdrop.
I look over at Charlie smiling so sweetly as he stands. I so badly want to throw myself into his arms just like the kids. He looks so cozy in his gray sweater. He just came from work. His hair looks extra fluffy as if he'd been running his fingers through it all day.
Charlie gives Nicole a quick side hug and greets her with, "Hey."
"Hey", she says before she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. I pretend like I don't see them and I watch the kids enter the scene on stage.
Charlie approaches me and slowly embraces me with his hands sliding up and down my back. My arms go around his waist. He stoops his head to kiss me softly and lingeringly on the cheek.
Charlie murmurs against the skin of my now warmed cheek, "Hello."
"Hello", is all I can manage back to him.
"Did you get all your gifts wrapped?", Charlie hums softly into my ear causing me to shiver and unconsciously pull him closer to me.
"Yes. Thank you. Here's your key", I say reaching into my back pocket.
Charlie holds up his hands and says smiling the most subtle of smiles, "Why don't you hang onto it a while longer."
"Um... ok", I reply with my cheeks warmed and no doubt rosy.
Charlie announces, "Well ladies, I think we should go down to the seats for a better view."
Charlie links his arm through mine and we walk over to Nicole. Charlie offers his other arm to her and she rolls her eyes at him before linking her arm through his. Charlie escorts us to seats in front that he and Carter apparently saved. We settle in as Peter Pan places his fists on his hips and speaks of Neverland and fairies.
Tinkerbell wrinkles her nose in annoyance at Wendy and crosses her arms over her chest with a pout. She stomps her feet about the stage while Peter admonishes her. She reluctantly sprinkles pixie dust on the Darling children as Peter pushes her up to each one of them and shakes her. She shoots him a murderous look. Everyone in the audience laughs. The audience cheers as the children jump through the window and fly toward the second star to the right. Peter Pan and Tink turn and wave to the audience before leaping out of the window as the song "You Can Fly" plays through the sound system.

About midway through the play, Charlie wraps his hand around   mine. He absently strokes his thumb across the back of my hand. My heart rate picks up and I can't believe I still get so worked up over him. My cheeks are warm and I sigh contentedly.

Peter defeats Captain Hook with the help of Tick Tock Croc. The children wake up in their beds and are discovered by their relieved parents. Peter and Tink peek inside the window and wave at the audience. The curtain comes down and the audience stands in resounding applause. The curtain raises once more and the cast walks forward to bow before their audience.
Charlie reaches under his seat and hands us all red and white roses to toss at the stage. We toss them one by one at Henry and Nina's feet. Charlie and Carter retrieve two bouquets of red and white roses from beneath the seat. Henry and Nina exit the stage and we are all there to meet them with praise.
"Mom! Did you see me fly?!", Nina exclaims.
"I did! You were magnificent, Nina! You did amazing too, Peter Pan! Excellent sword fight with Captain Hook!", I praise them both beaming so hard I think my face might shatter.
"Thanks!", Henry smiles brightly.
Charlie presents both Nina and Henry with a bouquet of roses.
"Thank you, Charlie! They're beautiful! These are my very first flowers! This is so satisfying!", exclaims Nina with her eyelashes batting and a dainty twist of her knee and foot inward as she stares up at Charlie.
"Well, you did a beautiful job playing Tink, Nina. You deserve it. You were so entertaining. A true actor. You didn't have any lines, but I always knew what you were saying and how you felt. You have really good expressions in your face and body language. You were brilliant! And Henry, son, you blew me away! I think you should win a Tony for that performance!", Charlie speaks animatedly with his arms spread wide and then resting his hands on his hips.