Summer Of Secrets Revealed

Tree House

After a few minutes, we both pull away. I place my hand on his cheek, my thumb going over his bottom lip. I laugh again, this time longer, in disbelief that someone like Harry could exist. I embrace him then, letting him slip his arms around me and hold every piece of me together again.

"Thank you." I say breathlessly, hearing him laugh.

"I should be the thanking you, Autumn."

I pull away enough to see his face, trying to see the humor behind his words. But there was none.

"Why?" I demand, not understanding.

"Because I have waited for someone like you to come into my life. Someone who is so many things that you can't just mention one when explaining her to other people. Someone who's good for me, Autumn. You make me feel like I'm alive. Like I've been asleep my entire life, and when I met you I woke up. And suddenly my nightmares turned into the sweetest dreams anyone could ever have. So don't you ever thank me, because that is so clearly my job." He pecks

my lips and smiles at me.

I kiss him again and I feel him laugh against my lips. I pull away and tell him we should get back to Declan, who was probably wondering where we were. Harry agrees, putting an arm across my shoulders as we walk side to side.

When we get back inside the aquarium, Declan runs up to us, asking for me to pick him up by lifting his arms up. I lift him and hold him safely in my arms, taking Harry's hand and following the tour guide, knowing that today might not be as bad as I had expected it to be.

* * * *

After two hours of staring at fish, and learning a great deal about them, Harry, Declan, and I were all heading towards the gift shop. Even though Declan was four, he never talked, which I found strange. He had all the energy you would expect from a child, but he never spoke, not even once.

"Why doesn't Declan talk, Harry?" I whisper while watching Declan look at all the fish shaped toys.

"He was in an accident when he was two and a half. He was fishing with his dad when the boat tipped over. His dad wasn't wearing a life jacket, and drown. Declan floated in the lake for a while until someone spotted him from the beach. He still continued to learn how to talk after, but once his mom got re-married, he just stopped. Like he couldn't handle it." Harry finished and sighed deeply, playing with my fingers to distract himself.

"Poor boy." I said. It was the only thing that came to mind. It reminded me of Harry's words earlier.

How can Declan be so broken, at such a young age?

But I was in no position to be questioning and wondering, when I couldn't even figure out what was wrong with me.

I turned to meet Harry's stare, smiling as I did. He asked me where we should go next and I had the perfect idea. Harry suggested that I should drive, which I kindly declined too.

"I have a fear of driving. I'm scared I'll get into an accident or something. Even the thought of it makes me nervous." I confessed, Harry nods in response, not meeting my eyes even when he looks over to glance at me. He keeps his eyes on the road the whole time, taking my directions and not saying another word.