4th of July.

This one is a bit longer than the other. I know it isn't really Independence Day anymore, but I wrote this a week ago and just re-edited it.

The sun had finally gone down and stars filled the black sky. Jeff and Chip were getting out the fireworks, clearing a space in the backyard of Chip's house. His wife was away visiting her mother, so he decided to invite some of the Improv crew over for a party.

"Who trusted them with fireworks?" Ryan wandered next to me, beer in hand. You smirk. "I know what you mean. Earlier he burned himself trying to light one," pointing to the bandage that was wrapped around his wrist.

Ryan laughed and took a sip of his drink. "Drunken people shouldn't light fireworks… I'm just buzzed, I'll go help them." He walked over to the two of them and you watched the argument commence over who could handle the dumb thing.

Despite the lull in the get together while waiting, you were having a good time. How could you not with Jeff, Chip, Ryan, and Jonathan all together?

"Where's your lady this fine summer evening Mr. Mangum?" you ask, jokingly throwing him a wink. He grinned back and said "She said it was a girls night out, so I'm here by myself…" returning the flirty tone and over-emphasized body language, obviously kidding.

Suddenly Chip sprints over and jumps onto Jonathan's lap, who groans at the unexpected weight. "How dare you try an' pick up this fine woman!" he snaps in a high pitched southern accent. "You came 'ere with me!" he went on, feigning sobs. The three of you continue to go along with it, when you here Jeff holler from the yard.

"Alright, lets start this thing up!" he yells, clapping his hands together. Ryan lights the first fuse and it shoots into the sky, exploding into red and blue sparks. You all take turns lighting the fireworks as the night goes on, pausing only for beer in between.

The last one went off, and everyone applauded. "Damn. That's the wife," Ryan grumbles, looking at a text. "Sorry, I'm gonna have to go." He shakes hands with the men and kisses you sweetly on the cheek then drives off. No sooner does he leave Jonathan curses at his phone as well. "I have to go too. Sorry guys." Jeff groans, mourning the death of the party.

"Well Chip, I guess now…" His voice trails off when he finds him passed out in the hammock. You're lying down in the grass, somewhat pissed at Jeff, who'd unknowingly been ignoring you for a good part of the night.

Jeff lies down next to you and slips his hand into yours. "Hey baby," he purrs in your ear. "Hey," you reply in an annoyed tone. He snuggles closer to you and sneaks an arm around your shoulders. "Hey," he repeats, moving to look into your eyes. "I've kinda been a dick. And I'm sorry."

Staring into those deep brown eyes, though bloodshot, was still mesmerizing. "Thanks for the drunken apology." You kiss his nose and rest your head on his chest. His breathing was deep, and the sound of his heartbeat was entrancing.

"You know," he whispers, "Way back across the lake, they should be setting off the last of their fireworks too." He kisses the top of your head as you cuddle deeper into his defined torso. The finale goes off and Jeff locks his lips with you, each pair of feet playing with the other.

Then, silence. You two finally break the bond and go back to resting your head on his bare chest. Your leg is comfortably bent over his thigh, and slowly your eyes begin to shut as sleep creeps in.

Forcing yourself to stay awake, you mutter, "Jeff, I probably shouldn't just—" but he shushes you. "Its fine. Go to sleep babe," he murmurs, placing one last peck on your forehead. The rise and fall of his chest matched the strokes of his thumb against the top of your hand, still loosely grasped against his. Right before sleep overcomes you, you smile because this was the real celebration of how life should be.