Picture Perfect

Epilogue

Sabrina Daniels
Overhead, the opening set of fireworks screeched past us and into the night sky. I was a tad bit disoriented to even comprehend that Francis had wrapped his arm around my shoulder, locking us together for the whole display. The door to the Mercer's residences swung open and a loud voice yelled for us to come and eat.

"Let's go guys, enough of the mushy stuff, "Avery clowned, making us simultaneously twist around and head for the door.

Everyone was gathered around the hearth, enjoying the heat it gave out. Mrs. Mercer offered two mugs of hot chocolate to Francis and me and ordered us to sit down on the couch. We did so and sat there, sitting closely to one another.
Oliver entered, greeting the whole household and getting cozy next to Avery.

Everything was perfect.

"Hey," Francis whispered in my ear, his breath tickling against my ear.

"Hey," I replied.

"I was wondering if you'd want to go for a night stroll through the neighborhood. Don't worry; we'll bring the mugs of hot coco with us."

I giggled and approved.

**

Francis Payne
I peered at the statue in the middle of the park as we were settled on a wooden bench transversely from the figure. When Sabrina turned around and our eyes met, I couldn't help but give her a grin.

"So you're going back to work again after a few weeks." She managed to say, as she scooted closer toward me.

"Actually, Terrence has given me a year off. The only way to convince him to make me spend a year with you is by threatening him that I'd move to his arch enemy's label." I chuckled.

She beamed evidently cheerful. I locked her in a long embrace.

Right now  the headlight above the bench was the only source of brightness between us. We walked through the hushed trails in the direction of the small playground. I took a seat on one of the swing sets as Sabrina followed. We swayed; laughing at the stories Sabrina had told me when she was a kid.

I focused on my watch which read *2:00*. I squinted at her. "We should go."

She nodded and we advanced toward the yard again. I pulled to a stop, making Sabrina rotate to see me perfectly.  When I walked toward her without holding back to kiss her, she remained there in shock, closing her eyes. I pulled away and we both stood there, gawking at each other for minutes.

"I wish this could last forever," She said hope was evident in each word

"We can make forever possible even after the trials we've been though. Because I believe that we can get through any obstacle that life's giving us."

With that I pull out a ring- cliché moment I suppose.

"Would you marry me?" I question in a sort of desperate tone.

"In the future yes, but now we're seventeen, so let's live while we're young." Sabrina accepts and I put the ring on her finger. "This will serve as proof that we have survived."

"Of course,"

The endless fireworks screech once more and we both jolt of surprise and laugh.

Now I know forever is real, once you believe in it and once you strive to make it come true.