Chapter six has been updated so if you have not read the bar scene with Marlin and Lily you should re-read chapter six before reading this chapter.
Thank you for reading
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Lily checked the clock, 4pm, Griffin would be at her house in an hour to escort her to the festival. She changed out of he normal work clothes into a blue sundress with a floral pattern, leaving her work gloves on the small table in the center of the room. Looking in the mirror she briefly debated pulling her hair back into her usual ponytail, but decided to leave her hair down, allowing strands of hair to frame her face. Taking a deep breath she checked herself in the mirror, feeling jittery. There was a light tap at the door, almost as if someone was afraid to knock. Jumping Lily bounded to the door and took a deep breath before opening. Griffin stood in the doorway wearing his brown vest over a black dress shirt, his hair was neatly tied back into a low pony tail that hung down onto his left shoulder, a bright red happy lamp in his hand.
"Are you ready?" Griffin looked at his feet rather than at her.
She nodded, trying to hide her excitement. This was her first firework festival after all.
Griffin tucked the happy lamp behind her ear. "People will gathering at the beach soon."
She closed the door behind her and they started their long walk to the beach.
He glanced at her, at the same time she had turned her head to look at him. "You look nice today." He stumbled forcing the words out.
"So do you."
By the time they reached the beach, two posts with steamers were to either side of the dirt path and there was a large group of people already gathered. Most people were in groups of three or four, sometimes five, all talking to each other. Takakura was under a beach umbrella talking to Patrick, Kassey and Thomas. Muffy stood closest to them, flirting with Kai who looked like he was desperate to ignore her while he cooked and served food for the event. Kate, Hugh and two of the children from mineral town, May and Stu, were playing catch with a beach ball. Chris, Wally and Grant talked while watching the children play. It seemed as if all of the valley and half of Mineral Town had turned out for the festival. Celia and Marlin waved at Lily, who bounded off to meet them. Griffin watched as Lily gave them both a hug, Marlin had said something that made Lily and Celia laugh. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Muffy walking toward him.
"I didn't think you'd be here." Muffy held her hands behind her back shifting side to side.
Griffin didn't know how to answer and instead looked to Lily, who was busily talking to Celia and Vesta.
Muffy glared at Lily. "You may have walked here with her but she isn't going to want to be seen with an old man. You may as well go join the other old guys." She gestured toward Takakura's group, who were all laughing. Before Griffin said anything Muffy ran back to flirt with Kai.
He looked at Lily again, who was now talking to Galen and Nina sitting on a bench. He turned to leave when he heard his name called from behind him.
"Griffin!" Lily ran up to him. "Where you going?"
"Home. You don't need an old mans company." He continued walking.
Lily caught his sleeve. "You're not that old." She pulled him toward the beach.
With a sigh Griffin agreed and turned back toward the beach, again stopping just before the grass turned to sand. People are staring at him and Lily, he shifted uncomfortable under their eyes. He debated leaving anyway, apologizing to Lily later. Lily took his hand and held it the way you'd hold a small childs, it was soft and comforting in his though it only calmed him a little as he watched people give them puzzled looks. Lily lead him along to were Marlin and Celia waited. Marlin forced a small smile to the other man. "Glad you could join us." He mumbled.
Celia tried to initiate small talk. "I haven't seen you come to one of these festivals before."
"I haven't come to one since I was a young man."
Lily, realizing she was still holding his hand, let go quickly and looked up at him blushing. "We should probably get a seat, the fireworks will be starting soon."
Celia ran to a group of blankets laid out in the sand and hopped on one, Marlin joining her. Lily and Griffin took the blanket next to them. Together they watched the sun set and fade away. Griffin and Lily sat side by side in a comfortable quietness, both leaning back on their palms, their fingertips just barely touching.
"Last call for orders before the fireworks!" Kai called out.
Griffin looked to Lily, then adverted her gaze as her eyes met his. "Do you want anything?"
Lily frowned slightly as he looked away. "No Im fine." She shot Marlin a look hoping he'd see her, and to her amazement he nodded.
Marlin stood and offered a hand to Celia. "Let's grab something to eat before Kai closes." Celia took his hand and walked away with him, leaving Lily and Griffin alone.
Lily turned her attention back to Griffin. "Why don't you ever look me in the eye?" She asked him quietly, keeping her voice more hushed than needed.
Griffin stared at the ocean, waves washing up onto the shore. "Its nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Griffin I've lived her for a full season and you've never once kept eye contact with me." A cold breeze forced her to scoot closer to him.
"I'm sorry."
Celia returned and jumped onto the blanket like a child with a bag of popcorn, Marlin behind her holding their drinks. Patrick and Kassey lit off a couple test fireworks to announce the beginning of the show.
Patrick and Kassey had some of the best fireworks in the world, each one was hand crafted and they worked year round to stock up for this one night. There were fireworks of every shape and color, making a swish sound before they exploded so loudly Lily could feel it in her chest. In the cover of night Griffin held Lily's hand staring up at the sky, Lily spent more time watching him than the fireworks. There was a faint smile on his lips that only Lily could see.
"This the first time I've ever watched fireworks with someone else." He said leaning closer to her to be heard over the fireworks.
Lily squeezed his hand lightly. "Then I'm glad you're watching it with me."
When the fireworks had ended people went back to their groups to talk more. Griffin and Lily took the opportunity to sneak away before they got caught talking later than they wanted to be out.
The walk back to Lily's farm was quiet though they could hear the commotion from the beach until they had nearly reached Tim and Ruby's inn. Lily would occasionally look up at Griffin and smile as they walked, and hugged his arm as soon as the trees bordering her farm blocked them from anyone else that may have been returning from the beach.
"Griffin you never answered my question on the beach." They stopped in front of her house, Lily held both of his hands while Abel barked loudly inside.
He looked at his feet. "Its foolish of me to say."
"You can tell me anyway. I won't laugh." She glanced at the dirt path leading to the farm, making sure Takakura hadn't come home yet. "I promise." There was a cool, but gentle breeze flowing through the valley.
"I'm afraid."
She tilted her head confused. "Of what?"
"Of what you might see."
"I just want to see you." Abel had stopped barking and it left the couple standing in a tense silence. Lily raised her hand, and frowned slightly as Griffin flinched away from her closing his eyes. Gently she touched his face, tilting his head up and kissed his cheek. "Good night Griffin."
"Good night Lily."
She smiled closing the door.
When the door latched Griffin touched his cheek an began his long walk back to the bar, grinning though there was a heaviness in his chest.
