48. Calder
Calder
Holding my omega to my side, I reach my other hand out collecting a small piece of thick paper and pencil from Sage as he moves to join us, on her other side.
For the first time since starting this festival, I have nothing to wish for.
My eyes drift down to my perfect mate, still a little astonished at times that she's real and she's mine.
She is my life's biggest wish and greatest gift.
With that, with her as my muse, I let everything I am grateful for flow messily onto the folded paper in my hand.
Each of us stand together, the orange glow from the flames dancing and forming shadows at our backs. Despite the noises and movement around us, the crackling of the fire, we're each silent, lost in thought, putting exactly what we each need to, on the paper.
Folding mine in my hand, I wait for Sage and Adrian to finish, each of us moving closer to support Opaline in her bravery.
The postcard we picked up months ago sits in her hands, thumb tracing slowly over the tiny flowing script she's written on the back, covering every centimeter of available space.
"Ready, sweetheart?" I ask gently, leaning to press a kiss into her hair.
With a watery smile, she looks up at me, nodding.
"Yeah." Shuffling forward, one by one, we toss ours into the flames, before moving collectively to touch and offer support to her.
Folding it in half, she presses her lips to the glossy image before gently tossing it in with a whispered, "I love you, so much.
" The cardstock slowly burns, embers eating at the edges as small ashes and remnants start floating north, further and further into the sky.
Her green eyes glow, tracking them as they go, the sheen growing more evident.
"Come here, babygirl. Can I hold you?" A frantic nod is all more than enough confirmation as I sweep her into my arms, holding on as tight as I can without hurting her.
The others join, hugging, rubbing her back, and offering praise.
"I'm so proud of you. You're so strong." The stream of everything else I want to say stays locked behind my lips, pressing against her temple and cheek, nuzzling into her hair.
How much I admire her. How unbelievably beautiful she is.
How sweet and kind and empathetic she is.
How resilient and determined. I'm not sure how many times I can say it all before it becomes too much.
The need to let her know how wonderful she is never leaves me, though.
Eventually, the flames absorb the moment and our energies. Any heaviness that had lingered for too long. With a deep breath, she pulls back, eyes tracing my face, landing on my own. "I love you."
"I love you, too, baby. More than you could possibly know. You feel okay? Want to stay? Or we can go home?" I offer, trying to hide my hesitancy. With what we have planned, I'm hoping like hell she wants to stay. But, ultimately, her happiness and comfort are number one, always.
"Definitely want to stay," she smiles.
"You got it."