Meadow Valley book series- Everything's changed

Chapter 74: More than Fireworks

     Just then the fireworks started to go off and Ana got all excited and jumped up off of the ground then she leaned over and gave Zach a hand to pull him up. Zach stood behind Ana and wrapped his arms around her and held her hands.

     Every couple of fireworks, Ana would squeal with delight and point up at the sky. Ana could practically feel Zach's heart beating up against her back and she was growing more nervous. Ana had swished her hair to one side and then held onto Zach a little tighter as they continued to watch the fireworks go off. He leaned over and softly kissed her on the back of her neck and she flinched a little bit. Ana felt a tingling sensation sweep across her neck when he kissed her and she bit her bottom lip then squeezed Zach's fingers tightly.

     Then right before the finale Zach had spun her around and played with her fingers and hands and just gazed at her. They started to dance slowly together as if there was still music playing somewhere. Ana wrapped her arms around his neck and their heads touched as they continued to dance slowly. They pretended like they were doing a part of the dance they did earlier to the song 'Thinking Out Loud'. Ana slightly giggled as Zach spun her around and she continued to dance and wrap her body around his.

     As the fireworks started to shoot up the last ones into the sky for the finale, Zach had dipped Ana downward and as he brought her back up slowly she grabbed a hold of his face with one hand and stroked his cheek softly. He linked his arms around her waist and swayed with her gently. Ana could feel Zach's breath in her face, they were so close to each other. They just stared at each other waiting to see what the other was going to do next.

Then Zach whispered "I really want to kiss you right now," as he looked passionately at Ana.

She bit her lip and said "me too."

     Zach gently grabbed her face with his hands and then leaned in to kiss Ana on the lips for the first time. Ana felt sparks of electricity flow through her body as their lips touched each other's for the first time. It only lasted for a few seconds but it was the sweetest kiss Zach had ever experienced. Ana's lips tasted like plump sweet strawberries and he wanted to taste her more. Ana's heart was fluttering like a butterfly.

     She shyly looked away not knowing what to do next so she just held on to his hands and looked up at the last fireworks in the sky. Her face was full of amazement and she had a huge smile on her face as she thought about what just happened. Zach couldn't help but stare at Ana as she looked up and crinkled her nose a little bit when she smiled.

     Ana took Zach's hands and moved them around in circles and played a little game where she would push him away and then pull him closer to her as she giggled. Zach loved how Ana was so playful and full of laughter and love. Zach watched as Ana threw her head back and shook her long wavy hair and how her mouth smiled from her cheeks. Zach just took it all in, soaking up every ounce of her presence.

     Then he pulled her in close to him once again and Ana leaned in towards him. This time she placed her hand on his face as she kissed him on the lips a little bit longer this time. Zach put his hand around her head as the kiss grew with passion and intensity. Ana was starting to feel a little light headed and dizzy.

     After a few minutes of staring at each other and kissing, Zach told Ana that they better start heading back to her house because he promised her mother to get her back before midnight. Ana was feeling a little weak from all of the excitement and she just wrapped her arms in between Zach's arm and leaned on him as they walked together to his car. He opened up her car door and helped her in and then went skipping towards his side. Zach had never felt like this before and after their first kiss he was falling in love with Ana even more.

     As they drove to her house Zach had reached over and held Ana's hand. He couldn't help but constantly glance over at her beautiful face as she just kept giggling and asking him why he was looking at her that way. As they playfully teased each other Ana would squeeze his fingers when he looked at her and stick out her tongue. She crossed her eyes and made silly faces at him. Zach laughed at Ana as she made so many different funny faces at him. Once you got to know Ana she was a really silly and fun loving person to be around. Ana loved playing around, joking and laughing as she was so full of life.

     When they pulled up into her driveway and parked Ana waited for Zach to come around and open up her door before she got out. Then Zach walked her slowly to her front porch steps before kissing her on the hand goodnight and waving goodbye to her. He was like a true prince charming. Showing much love and restraint to Ana.

     Zach stood there and watched as Ana walked up the steps and into the house where her mother was waiting for her in the living room. Ana just gazed blissfully ahead and her eyes were beaming with pure happiness. Lisa had asked her how her date with Zach went but Ana could barely respond to her because she was still thinking about everything that had just happened. Lisa told her to go upstairs and get ready for bed and to tell her all about it when she was ready.

     Lisa knew that look in her daughters face and she wanted to give her some space in order to get the chance to process her thoughts. Zach had kept his promise to Lisa and brought her daughter home early at 11:00 p.m. She was impressed with him for that. David and Cecily had returned home shortly after Ana had went upstairs for bed.