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Shannon
Shannon drove along Olde Towne’s winding sea road toward the peak of the bluffs and parked her car at the overlook. Lucas had proposed here, and it felt fitting to return for their anniversary. But she sensed there was more to this late-night adventure.
She looked over at Lucas, who watched her closely. “Why are we here in the dark?”
“It’s a surprise.” He gave her a sexy, secretive grin.
When they exited the car, he came up behind her and covered her eyes with his hands.
“What are you up to, Lucas?”
“No peeking,” he whispered against her ear. “We’re almost there.”
He guided their walk over the grassy bluff toward the sea. She could hear the waves and smell the ocean on the air.
“Ok, open your eyes.”
His truck was parked a few feet away with the truck bed facing them. This explained Lucas and Declan’s mysterious errand earlier. Dozens of candles lit up the edges of the bed, and blankets stretched across the center.
“Happy tenth anniversary.” He brushed her hair over her shoulder to nuzzle her neck from behind. “I discovered something about our anniversary.”
“What’s that?”
“Climb into the truck with me, and I’ll explain.”
The candles were romantic, the blankets cozy and inviting. But why did he do all of this? They lay on the blankets and snuggled up to each other. He rested quietly a few moments, looking up at the sky.
“Look up,” he whispered. “Hurry!”
She did and caught the wisp of a shooting star glowing across the black. Another and another blazed across the stretch of sky. They gazed up at a meteor shower, a sky full of bright wishes.
“Oh, Lucas,” she breathed.
“They’re called the Perseids, and they come every year on our anniversary.”
Tears streaked from the corners of her eyes. “It’s breathtaking.”
“You like it,” he said, and she could hear the happiness in his voice.
She turned her head to look at him, so close their noses touched. “It’s the best anniversary gift ever. I can’t believe it.”
“I know,” he whispered. “I couldn’t either when I found out.”
She snuggled closer and touched her mouth to his in the softest of kisses. “Thank you, Lucas, for loving me, protecting me, for never giving up on being my husband.”
Tears misted his eyes as he gazed at her. “Thank you, Shannon, for loving me, believing in me, for coming back to me.”
They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, celebrating their love and commitment to each other, and watched as the universe put on its show of light.
