A Night Under The Stars

The chill of the autumn air had definitely taken a hold of the early November evening, the moon shone brightly in the clear sky surrounded by dazzling stars, paving a pathway through the village to the field behind the pavilion, where in the middle stood the outline of a big bonfire.

A small gathering had already congregated around a few tables underneath a gazebo, brightly lit with old oil lamps and strings of multi coloured fairy lights, steam from cups of hot tea swirling up and disappearing into the crisp, cold night, the laughter of children happily playing tag filled the otherwise silent air.

"Nice hat" Cain laughed as Harriet came downstairs wearing a woollen navy hat with a big fluffy bobble on the top.

"Least I'll be warm" she chuckled hinting at his lack of head gear, while pulling a spare hat from behind her back and quickly pulling it over his head. "There" she added, stepping back to admire his big brown eyes just barely poking out from under the turn up.

"Haha, very funny" Cain laughed sarcastically, pulling her close while capturing her lips with a warm passionate kiss, hoping to distract her while attempting to remove the hat quietly.

"Not so fast mister" Harriet muttered under the kiss,

"Right you are vicar" he muttered back, kissing her lips again

"You know what that does to me when you call me that" she moaned as he slowly kissed her neck, his warm breath skimming over her skin sending shivers down her spine.

A knock at the door suddenly brought them back to reality,

"Nice hat Grumpy" Sarah remarked seeing her granddad as he opened the door,

"Don't you start" Cain snapped as he pulled on his coat,

"Mum said I can go with you and Harriet" Sarah happily replied.

They were going to the annual bonfire and fireworks display that the village proudly arrange for the community every year, only this time Harriet was a spectator rather than a volunteer so she was very much looking forward to spending the night relaxing with the new love of her life. They had been an official couple for about four months now, and despite a few setbacks everyone had accepted the fact they were together. They were no longer viewed as the vicar and the bad boy, just Cain and Harriet, two normal people in a relationship, with Cain even managing to stay out of trouble and remaining on the right side of the law, much to everyone's surprise.

"Come on then" Sarah called excitedly as Harriet wound her scarf loosely round her neck locking the door behind her.

Sarah walked on ahead singing her song to herself,

"She has a really good voice" Harriet said to a proud Cain,

"Debbie's really grateful that you spend the time practising with her" he replied

"I like her, she's a good kid" Harriet smiled

"She likes you too, but not as much as I do" Cain chuckled leaning in to plant a soft kiss on her cheek, while slipping his hand into hers, their fingers intertwining so as not to let each other go, Cain stroking her palm with his thumb as they happily walked along, chatting and laughing to each other, looking every inch the perfect couple very much in love.

A strong aroma of smoke accompanied by a lingering fog filled the air as they approached the field where the fire was well and truly blazing away, the sounds of cracking wood with bright orange flames rising high up into the cold night sky.

"Alright son... Harriet" Zak greeted them with a warm smile, he had been left in charge of the fireworks this year, to the relief of Cain as he had a surprise planned.

"Hot chocolate, or mulled wine?" Lisa called out,

"Oh definitely mulled wine" Harriet laughed, walking over to take two large mugs of the hot burgundy liquid.

"Everything is set" Zak whispered to Cain, giving him the thumbs up.

"Hope she likes it" Cain whispered back,

"Likes what?" Harriet enquired in a curious tone, handing Cain his mug,

"Oh something Cain has got for Sarah," a quick thinking Zak replied.

"Yeah just some books" Cain added, slipping an arm around her waist after giving her backside a gentle squeeze, while taking a big gulp of wine from his mug,

"Come on" he whispered softly, guiding her to a space from which to watch the fireworks, and finish up their drinks.

Standing behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist, her head resting on his chest listening to the faint sound of his heart beat pounding in her ear, the ooohs and aahhhs echoing around at the loud bangs lighting up the velvet sky.

"You ok?" He whispered in her ear,

"Yes" she answered happily, "I'm always ok when I'm with you" she added, turning slightly so his lips could find hers in a gentle, lingering kiss, his arms tightening around her waist.

"Good" he replied with a smile kissing her lips again.

"Where's Sarah?" Harriet asked worridly,

"She's with my dad" Cain reassured her, just as a bang made it's way up into the air.

"Wow" Harriet gasped as the loud bang gave way to a kaleidoscope of bright colours erupting high above them.

"Look at that one over there" Cain pointed straight infront of them,

"Where?" Harriet asked inquisitively,

"Just give it a minute" he replied softly, perching his chin on her shoulder anticipating her reaction with what was to come.

In the distance shapes in the form of letters began lighting up, until eventually they spelled out 'I love you.' Harriet just stared at the letters flickering away, had he really meant them for her, they could have been for anyone there. I mean this was Cain Dingle, he doesnt do things like this, granted he was openly affectionate towards her in public, but this. Her heart skipped a beat when he whispered "I do...Harriet, I love you" turning to face him, a wide smile swept across her face as a tear rolled down her cheek,

"I love you too" she whispered back, leaning in as their lips met in a soft warm kiss to seal their declaration.

"I realised just before I nearly lost you, I just couldn't admit it to myself" he said quietly, "but I have a habit of hurting people...and I couldn't do that to you...and then you were in the hospital...and I nearly lost you...i don't wanna...i can't lose you...not now...not ever...i love you...vicar" he said softly, holding back the tears that were now stinging his eyes.

Cupping her chin, he softly wiped away the few tears that were now rolling down her cheeks while planting a soft kiss on her forehead, holding on to his gaze she smiled a happy smile.

"I've never felt this way about anyone before, I'm in way too deep now for you to lose me" she replied in a soft tone, placing her head on his chest as the tears began to fall... tears of happiness as she realised there was nowhere else she would rather be right now than in the comfort of his strong arms, where he made her feel so safe and loved...the reason she was falling deeper in love with him each passing day...