𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘, ronance

FIVE

the warm summer sun beats down on us as we stroll through the park, the air alive with the sounds of children playing and music flowing through the trees.

robin walks beside me, her hand warm and steady in mine, while holly skips ahead, her laughter filling the air.

"we should get ice lollies!" holly exclaims, turning back to look at us with wide, pleading eyes. "please, nan?"

"yeah, nan, please?" robin pouts playfully, giving me puppy-dog eyes.

i look over at them with a smile, my eyes sparkling with amusement. "well, since you asked so nicely," i say, my voice filled with mock seriousness. "i suppose we could."

holly squeals with delight, her excitement palpable as she tugs at our hands, urging us towards the nearest stand. robin and i exchange a glance as we follow holly's lead, her infectious enthusiasm contagious as we make our way through the crowd.

we reach the freeze stand, the sight of colourful ice lollies lined up in neat rows like a rainbow of frozen delights filling me with a sense of childlike wonder.

holly bounces up to the counter, her eyes wide with excitement as she gazes up at the array of flavours on display.

"can i have the blue one?" she asks, pointing to a vibrant striped lolly the practically glows in the sunlight.

robin nods, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "blue it is," she says.

i reach into my pocket for change, and place it on the counter, giving the man a soft smile as he hands the lolly over to me. holly snatches it from my hand with a squeal of delight.

i watch her and robin with a loving gaze, the warmth of their interaction filling me with a sense of joy and contentment. robin has always had a way with kids, a natural ease and warmth that draws them to her like a moth to a flame.

"it's so cold!" holly exclaims, a giggle escaping her lips as she savours the icy sweetness.

robin laughs, a smile lighting up her face. "that's the best part," she says, her voice soft. "just be careful not to get a brain freeze."

holly nods solemnly, her expression serious as she takes another lick of her lolly. "i won't," she says, her words slightly muffled by the lolly in her mouth.

intense focus crosses holly's face as she continues to lick, her eyes serious as determination to follow robin's instruction sets in.

i catch robin's gaze and she's smiling at me, her blue eyes bright with happiness.

as we continue to walk through the park, holly chatters excitedly about her sticky fingers and blue tongue as we listen with smiles.

"it's like magic!" holly cries, sticking out her blue-stained tongue for us to see.

"it sure is, bunny," i say, ruffling holly's hair.

and as i watch them fall into step beside each other and start talking, i can't help but imagine what it would be like to have children of our own someday, to watch robin's eyes light up with pride and joy, just like they do with holly.