Our Night Under the Stars and Lights

     We had just gotten out of the car, I looked around, nothing seemed familiar. I had never been here before that was for sure, all I know is that He said that he had a surprise for me, and he knew I would like it. He took my hand and told me to follow him, I complied without the slightest bit of doubt because I knew I could trust him. We walked hand-in-hand, our fingers intertwined, a bond that I know, will never be broken. We came upon a field, I was awe-struck with how the gentle spring breeze made the dandelions sway, as if they were dancing amongst each other. He must have seen that admiring look in my eyes because he slightly squeezed my hand and said, "Beautiful, isn't it?" "Breathtaking," I replied. I turned to look into his wondrous, deep brown eyes, and before I was about to look away, he lightly ran his fingers across the bottom of my chin, moving down and barely brushing my neck. He leaned in, my lips pressing against his in a gentle kiss. I shivered at his touch and smiled. "Are my hands cold?" he asked when he parted his lips from mine, in barely a whisper. "No." I said, "it just tickled a lit-" I ass cut off by him as he started tickling my sides, "No!" I shouted as I was overwhelmed with laughter. I broke free from his grasp just long enough to get out of reach and playfully started running. I knew he was close behind and would catch me any second, but I didn't mind.

     We were both laughing as we leapt around and in a few minutes, he wrapped his arms around my waist, stopping me and spinning me around. Before I knew it, he had me laying on the ground and continued to tickle me, he knew all my weaknesses, but luckily for me, I knew his too. We laid there having g an all out war, filled with laughter, smiles, and a few little squeaks. After we got a little tired, we proceeded to lay there on our backs, looking up at the clear sky. I heard the rustling of him turning on his side to face me, I did the same so that I could see him clearly. A few minutes past and he was still looking, I couldn't help but wonder what that look in his eyes meant and why we were so caught up in gazing at each other. My curiosity got the better of me and I asked, "Why are you looking at me? The sunset is getting lower and lower, it'll be gone soon, you'll miss all the beautiful colors." After a moment of him still looking into my eyes, he came a little closer and said, "I can see the colors of the sunset any day, I'd rather see the colors that shine in your eyes while I can, I never want to forget those colors, and never will, because I hold onto every second I spend looking into them and love it when you smile back at me." I was at a loss for words and as the sky was almost completely dark, I laid my head in his shoulder, and he held me in his arms while the sun slipped away.

     When it had gone, he came really close and quietly said, "I love Bri, and I always will, I'll love you until we see out last sunset, and if we ascend to the afterlife together, I will love you then, should we be separated, I'll do whatever it takes to have to you back by my side." I looked at him in astonishment, and I could feel my bottom lip start to quiver as the tears filled my eyes. The only thing that was able to escape my mouth was a quiet, soft spoken, "I love you too," as I nuzzled my head into his chest. He lifted my head up so that I was looking at him. After wiping away the few tears that had ran down my cheeks, he wraps me in a tight hug, and I happily returned it. We released from our heart felt embrace and he slowly lifted his hand and pointed up at the sky. "Look." he said, and I did, no sooner had I glanced up, fireworks started to litter the immense dark canvas, an aray of reds, greens, blues, and dozens of other colors. He once again held me as we watched. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else unless he was with me. We watched them explode overhead for a long time, I can never keep up with the time around him. They waved farewell with multicolored sparks, and waited about five minutes before he concluded it was over. He let go of my hand, only to stand up and extend it again to help me up. "Where are we going now?" I asked, "I have another surprise for you," he replied. "Come on, You'll love it."

     We walked to the edge of the forest, he clapped and a soft trail of soft light emitted from the darkness, he took my hand again and we followed the lights. When we finally got to the end, he clapped again and the light went out, he walked to the direct center of the gaping hole in the tree canopy and laid down. I was still standing at the entrance and when he realized this, he looked at me and patted the ground beside him. I walked over to him and laid down to his left. He pointed up at the sky and slid closer to me, I put my head on his shoulder and he put his arm around me, I could have stayed in that moment forever. "I can't think of a single thing that could possibly make this better." I said with a smile. Then he took out a small remote from his pocket and pressed a button. Soft music started to play, it was a mix of all our favorite songs. With my head of his shoulder, I could faintly hear the beating of his heart, and to me, it was like harmony between them. I don't know why but every time I hear it, I seem to tap my fingers along with it. He out his hand over mine, "What are you doing?" He asked, a small smile on his face, "You're way off beat with the music." "No I'm not." I replied. "Not with the music you can hear." He fave a slight laugh and squeezed my hand, I started yo get very tired after that, and closed my eyes for what felt like only a few minutes, when I opened them, I found I was laying on the couch at my house. I had no idea what had happened, and feared the whole experience to have been a dream.

     "Michael..." I said in a faint voice, hoping that someone could tell me where he was or what had happened. I heard a rustling in the floor beside me. "Bri...?" I heard in what sounded like his low and concerned voice. I turned to see him kneeling beside me, "What happened?" I asked. "And what about earlier, did that really happen? Why are we here?" he answered with, "Well you fell asleep. A few minutes later you started to feel really hot. I thought you might be getting a fever, so I brought you here and wrapped you in this blanket since you started to shake. I asked if I could lay in the floor here and make sure you were okay through the night because I was really worried." I was silent for a while, still trying to wrap my brain around what was going on. After a minute or two, he continued. "As for earlier, yes, it did happen, all of it. Let me just say that today was the best time I've ever had, and I'm sorry you're not feeling well, I'm glad I get to spend more time with the person that makes me melt with just a smile. Not to mention the way she looks at me." I managed a smile since the headache and feeling of fatigue had started to make their presence known, it was awful, but I wasn't going to tell him that.

     "You know what?" I whispered. "what?" he replied also in a hushed voice, leaning in closer so he could hear me better. "I love you." I said, running the tips of my fingers down the side of his face, he did the same to me, saying, "I love you too." He placed a kiss on his forehead before continuing. "Now. as much as I'd love to talk to you, you need to get some rest. If you have a nightmare, or wake up and can't get back to sleep, wake me up if I'm asleep, please, I'll do whatever I can to help you. okay?" "alright." I said weakly, a smile still on my face, even though I felt my eyes flutter as I said it. "Goodnight My Love. Sleep well." he said lovingly. "Goodnight..." With that, I slowly drifted to sleep to the sound of him humming some of my favorite songs. I've never felt so... secure and... comforted by anyone. I felt completely safe and shelter from everything.... even myself.

~forever and always; even after the end~