It's nighttime, and the sky is remarkably clear. Of course, the night sky is always clear here in Star City, but on this night, it is almost surreal. The moon is full, shining brightly, illuminating the bare branches of the trees lining our street, creating a beautiful, albeit skeletal, illustration of the effects of winter. The air is crisp, almostcrackles as you breathe it in. One can almost imagine the carriages and horses carrying new and old lovers alike down the boulevards. We sit inside our large, Victorian style house, warm by the fire, looking out of the window, remembering times past. Not a word is spoken, for fear of breaking the spell that seems to hang over this magical night. As we sit, cuddling and cradling mugs of steaming hot chocolate, we each allow our imaginations to fold back the years...
Soon the spectral images of years long gone flit past our windows...our first date, first kiss. Our first year anniversary...and the night that I proposed. You smile wistfully as you remember the butterflies in your stomach right after I asked. I'd been so nervous I dropped the ring a half dozen times! Then, once again surrendering to the paths your imagination most desires to go, you release that memory for the time being...
I'm remembering our wedding day, how scared and terrified and overjoyed I was. When I saw you walk down the aisle for the first time, I forgot how to breathe. For a moment, I thought that I was dreaming. But then the reality hit me, and I worked hard to quiet the nervous giggle's rising inside of me. Then I jump forward, a few years...the news knocks me to my knees...I'm going to be a father. Tears seemingly well up from nowhere as you fold me into your arms, and we laugh and cry together...then again, forward nine months. Holding my baby girl...and I'm so overwhelmed with emotion, my heart could burst. It hurts, loving someone this much...
Eventually we both come to the same track, watching our daughters and son playing in our front yard, remembering teaching our children not to climbon the rooftops, to ride a bike...the images appear so real, it's as if everything was happening all over again. We can see ourselves on special occasions, celebrating.
As we sit, huddled underneath the large blanket, with a fire roaring in the fireplace beside us, we gaze into each other's eyes, so deep in love. No words are spoken, no movements made beyond that one gesture...but a lifetime of love and experience passes between us, and we do not even need to speak to know let the other know what we are thinking. And we turn and again surrender to this magical, hypnotic winter night.
Finally, I turn to you and say, "Dinah Lance, I love you." And I can see the sentiment reflected in her gorgeous eyes, still clear after all these years.