My Darling Shina - Book Three

Chapter Five

Watching as Lucas was placed gently into the crib for the night, I couldn't help the smile that curled my lips upward at the sight of Leon tucking our son under his blankets. It grew even bigger when he turned and walked over to me, grabbing my hand and quietly leading me from the room as he shut the door behind him.

The slightly mischevous look in his warm brown eyes had me trying to hold the laughter in as I was led outside, the grass soft under my feet as we gazed up at the stars filling the sky above us. It was amazing how many were visible, the lack of light beyond that of our own home causing every star to seem that much brighter as it held its place in the distant heavens.

Under the soft glow of those stars we sat leaning against each other, quietly whispering words of once forgotten affection as we held hands, our fingers laced together as if to deny ever having been apart. As we watched the quarter moon slowly rise higher in the night sky, we finally stood up and headed back into our home, hands never seperating.

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As summer faded away and autumn took a foothold on the mountains, the nights were growing too cool to stay outside comfortably. When Lucas slept, Leon and I would sit in front of the fire and stare at the flames or read books on the different stars and constellations we had looked at during those warmer summer nights.

Lucas was finally walking on his own, exploring the house as we watched carefully to make sure he was safe. From time to time the house would be filled with laughter when he discovered something new, be it something he could do or something new to see. Leon loved to leave new toys for him to find around the house after going to town for supplies.

One night, after Leon had spent longer than usual in the town, I came out of the bathroom to find a note on the middle on the bed. Upon reading the simple words, I followed the instructions and exited the bedroom, heading down the hallway to the almost pitch black living room.

The moment I stepped into the room, I was left breathless as hundreds of tiny lights came to life, slowly shifting across the walls in a seemingly endless dance. Feeling familiar strong arms wrap around me from behind, I leaned back against Leon's chest and gave a small sob of joy as we stared together at the newly created starscape that covered the walls and ceiling of our home.

I could feel the warmth spread through my chest as his lips pressed softly against my hair, his whispered words of love warm against my ear.