Sleep Tight Elsie x
Kate looked out into the darkness; the waves lapping against her feet as she watched the tiny pinpricks of white light permeate the inky abyss.
She focused on the circle of reflected light, shining across the beach where she stood, surrounded by her family.
Alexis, Martha and Jim all stood a few paces behind where she was crouched, each ready for their cue while Rick, as always, was at her side, ready and waiting for her signal.
Her right arm held the tiny bundle wrapped in his sky blue blanket, safe into her chest while her left trembled around the string between her fingers.
"We got this, Kate." Rick murmured against her ear as he knelt beside her.
The knees of his jeans were soaked in a matter of seconds, not that it mattered to him. He was there to support his wife, not worry about his clothing.
Kate nodded, smiling bitter sweetly as his warm palm encased her shivering fingers. Kate slipped her digits out from under his, trusting him to keep a hold of it, and carefully wrapped the edge of the blanket back around their newborn son.
"I, I think I'm ready." She murmured, turning to find Rick's eyes in the darkness.
"You sure?" He asked softly, he had to double check; it wasn't as if they could bring it back once it started. She nodded though and he kissed her softly before lighting the ring at the bottom of the lantern.
Kate took back the string and looked up to the sky before letting go.
The paper lantern floated softly, elegantly, into the sky, a warm orange hue against the midnight black.
Kate watched it go, tears gathering in her eyes while Rick turned to the other three and nodded.
In seconds, the sky was alight with star bursts.
Squealing rockets that exploded into bright white chandeliers. Bright pink and green and blue and purple torrents of light. Silent missiles that burst into silver and gold streamers.
The sky was alight with colour.
The lantern stayed it course, flying higher and higher until Kate could no longer see the blue gossamer bag tied to the end of the string.
Encased safely inside was a copy of their baby son's foot print, his name penned above it, and a photo of the whole family: Kate, Rick, Martha, Alexis, Jim and the baby. They were all crowded around Kate's hospital bed. All had beaming faces, despite the nearly nine hour wait.
"She'd be so proud, Kate." Rick murmured, wrapping his arm around her waist as they watched the shadowy night give way to a rainbow of colour.
Kate nodded, leaning her head against Rick's shoulder.
"I know. And she'd love him." She whispered back, emotion constricting her throat's ability to make it any louder.
Rick kissed the top of her head and took his son's palm between his thumb and fore finger.
"Say 'hi' to Grandma Johanna little man." He cooed, waving the miniature hand at the sky. "You have a grandson Mrs. Beckett, I hope you like the picture." Rick smiled while his wife beside him choked on a sob.
"Happy Fourth of July, Mom."