Before...

"Oh come on mom, that's enough!"

Milly complained, rolling her eyes. She was dressed in the same dress Eric had gifted her a few years back. Thankfully, she had now filled out a little bit more, and actually looked quite beautiful in the shimmering dress. She had gone down the street to Misty to do her hair earlier, which was styled, and pinned up. She wore low silver heels, and Geneva's mother had helped her with her makeup. Now she stood in Geneva's living room, posing with Eric who was in a rented tux. Mrs. Sherman had helped Uncle Hugo get it for him, and he wore a light purple bowtie and cumberbun. He stood with Milly, right in front of the fireplace. Andy was in a tux as well, his bowtie blue. Geneva stood posing with him, dressed in a hot pink dress. Her mother swooned over how adorable they looked as she snapped a million photos with her disposable camera. Garry, and Milly's mom had come over to snap a few photos, and Mrs. Sherman was there as well since Uncle Hugo didn't quite seem up to going over. She had helped Eric with everything, including ordering the stunning bracelet of light purple and white flowers that slipped onto her wrist when they first walked in. Milly saw how nervous Eric looked, his wide brown eyes darting around, as he held the plastic container, before Mrs. Sherman motioned over to Andy who was slipping on Geneva's flowers as well across the way. He watched carefully, before showing Milly the container, then opening it, and as careful as a bomb squad member trying to disfuse a bomb, he slipped the flowers onto her arm, before he saw her smiling in awe down at them, and smiled right back at her. They then all posed for photos, and for once Milly noticed her mother seemed to actually be in a good mood.

Of course in the weeks leading up to senior prom, she hassled Milly into perhaps picking out a brand new dress at the mall, instead of the dress Eric bought her when they first started really seeing each other. Milly kept her foot down, saying she had been saving it special, and liked how it fit. They bickered plenty, until finally she knew Milly wasn't going to change her mind. Milly actually had fun planning everything with Geneva who was going to the same prom with Andy. They had searched high and low for Geneva's dress, and went shopping for shoes and makeup together. Milly had loved how everything came out, and actually felt pretty beautiful. Usually, she wore jeans, and button down shirts with her hair tied back in a ponytail. Today, she actually felt pretty. Garry laughed, sticking his tongue out at her, before he nabbed the camera from her mom, and snapped two more photos of them, causing Milly to laugh.

"Too bad kiddo. Just making memories."

The four of them all posed together, before they all filled out to Andy's car, who was driving them to the dance. As Milly walked hand in hand with Eric, she couldn't believe that just a few years ago she was the new girl in town, having absolutely no idea that she was just about to meet the boy who would honestly change her life.

Later...

It's my Life by Talk Talk played, as Milly danced with Eric on the crowded gymnasium floor. The theme was "Beyond The Stars." and glittering cut out stars, and streamers fluttered from the ceiling and walls. They had different colored lights flashing, as a DJ played popular songs, and the entire crowded class of 1990 danced. Eric had his earplugs in, and was actually doing really great. The only condition was that Milly wouldn't let go of his hand, which he was squeezing in a death grip the entire time. Geneva and Andy had been a blast, and everyone had actually been really nice. Most of the girls all made the biggest fuss over how cute Milly and Eric looked, and when it was time, they posed for their senior prom photo in front of a backdrop of silver streamers. Joe and Erin were crowned prom king and queen, and besides a few stops by the punch bowl to cool off, Milly was enjoying herself dancing with Eric. He didn't really move much, but would loosely put his arms around her shoulders, or hips while she did most of the moving, and twirling. Eric would faintly smile, but all the while nervously eye everyone else.

By the time they left, it was almost eleven at night, and both Milly and Eric were exhausted. They had an all night after party in the gym, where the seniors would be given breakfast, and there were raffles held for them. Geneva and Andy had snuck off to go parking, and had invited to give them a ride back if they weren't staying. Instead, Milly said they were going to walk home, and catch up with her tomorrow. Walking, carrying her heels in one hand, and holding Eric's hand in the other, she was dead tired. She had a blast tonight, but faintly in the back of her mind she was worried that in just a few weeks meant graduation...which meant after the summer Milly would be going to her school...and Eric would be going to his. In fact, in the last few months it seemed like that's all they were doing was touring and researching schools. She knew Eric was going to have a hard time with it, but Mrs. Sherman reassured her that they were going to do everything possible to make this a smooth transition. The scary thing was, Milly knew she might actually have the hardest time out of the two of them to be separated from him. For the last four years they had spent nearly every single day together. She knew his secret, and knew for certain that he was the one. The very thought of no longer seeing him scared her to death.

As they walked side by side, hand in hand, on this gorgeous May night, Milly looked up at the stars and smiled. She then glanced over at Eric who was looking at her, and smirking. His big brown eyes motioned up, and Milly stopped, looking around the dark street, before she laughed.

"Really? Here?"

Eric looked around, before he shrugged. Shrugging, Milly tossed down her heels, honestly not caring if she saw them again. Laughing, she took his hands tightly as they locked eyes, and slowly they lifted off the ground.

Present

It was Marshall's twelfth birthday. Or...at least when they really celebrated it. Marshall loved using his pool, so on his actual birthday, he would have a cake, and open a few gifts with just his parents. Then, the real party would wait until the summer so they could swim. About three years ago Eric and a few of the guys constructed an above ground pool for Marshall, and all of his friends up and down the block to swim in. Marshall loved the water, in fact he took to the water just like a fish. Eric wouldn't allow swimming lessons until he was older, but when he finally started taking them, he shocked everyone with how wonderful he was at it. In fact, when he was eight, he showed so much interest that they enrolled him in the Camp Blackstone summer camp, which was about fifty miles up North. At first both Milly and Eric weren't exactly sure if they wanted to send Marshall away for the whole summer. They were beyond attached to their son, and any stranger could see how crazy they were about him. Marshall was an active, happy go lucky, full of live young boy. He shared the same common interest as most boys his age. He loved cars, squirt guns, basketball, dinosaurs, and always attempting to dare his friends over sleepovers to try and watch A Nightmare On Elm Street without chickening out. His teachers all loved him, and he was constantly surrounded by tons of friends. Still, they had been unable to give him siblings. They expected Marshall to get scared, and become homesick, but instead much like his first day of preschool, he surprised them by grabbing his backpack, and gym bag, itching to climb out of Eric's car, to join his other friends, lining up with the councillors.

The first night he was gone, Eric and Milly went on another long motorcycle ride up and down the backroads of town. That night, they got back to the house, depressed, missing their son, waiting for a frantic phone call from him begging to have them come get him. Instead...he proved yet again what a wonderful amazing independent young man he was. They ended up splitting a bottle of wine, and decided to toast to their son, who clearly was worth the wait in being born. So every summer like clockwork, he went to summer camp, and the house would get a little lonely. When he was home, he filled the house full of noise and laughter.

Now, as much as they couldn't believe it...he was twelve.

The pandemic was currently being a huge issue, but they safely allowed four of Marshall's friends to use the pool out back, and have pizza and ice cream afterwards. Milly and Eric had strung up green and blue balloons and streamers around the yard, and were currently sitting at the table in the screened in porch having beers with some of the parents. Geneva and Andy were there, their daughter having no interest in going to Marshall's birthday, and was currently at her grandmother's. As usual they all talked about the virus, having all tested negative before agreeing on getting together. It was the usual chatter, mostly about how crazy everything was. It had certainly been scary, and for the last few months schools had been closed, and Milly and Eric were attempting to figure out virtual learning with Marshall, who had longed to see his friends. Eric just did side work from out of the garage, and Milly was currently in the middle of a new book. It seemed as though night after night they were watching the news, growing nervous, until finally Eric signed that enough was enough, and was doing everything possible to take Marshall's mind off what was happening in the real world. He was devastated that camp was canceled, so Eric had set up a few camp games in the backyard, along with a brand new trampoline he had purchased off line for him. It warmed Milly's heart, whenever she was writing and would glance out the window, seeing Marshall doing jumps and backflips as Eric watched and clapped. Sometimes they were swimming, or running around laughing and chasing each other. There hadn't been any sign of Marshall having the "gift" that Eric possessed, but both Eric and Milly closely watched him for anything.

So far nothing. Yet still, both knew he was beyond special and a true miracle.

That night...

Marshall was sitting up in his bed, reading a Marvel Comic. This had been his latest obsession, and he had dragged Eric to the movies to see almost every single one so far. As a special treat, they had ordered up a bunch of the comics, even the vintage ones as a birthday gift, and allowed him to read one a week. Tonight, he sat up in bed, his floppy brown hair laying across his forehead, as he wore his plaid PJ pants, and a black T=shirt with Thor on it. He was flipping through his comic, smiling, his face sunkissed from the sun earlier. He seemed to have had a complete blast with his friends, swimming and splashing around, then fooling around jumping on the trampoline. When it came to blowing out the candles, Marshall had to wave a dishcloth in front of them instead of blowing them out. Everyone laughed, and finished the party spread out, but celebrating all together on the screened in back deck. Milly and Eric knew Marshall was suffering from cabin fever despite how much they tried to entertain him, and had missed his friends badly throughout this whole thing. Eric and Milly both knocked on the doorframe, causing him to look up with those big eyes of his, before he smiled, and both of his parents walked in. Eric signed...

"Did you brush your teeth kiddo?"

Marshall, who constantly signed second hand, smiled and signed back as he spoke aloud...

"Yep, just finishing this comic."

Milly smiled as both approached the bed.

"How is this one?"

Marshall made the so-so motion as he signed and spoke...

"It's okay. Thanks again mom and pop for today. I had so much fun!"

Milly and Eric glanced at each other and smiled. "Good, now lights out in ten okay?" Marshall nodded and smiled.

"Okay. Night."

Eric leaned down, brushing his son's bangs out of his eyes, before he softly kissed his forehead. Milly then leaned over, and kissed his cheek, before ruffling his hair, and standing back up straight. Both looked down at their son, and knew they had done good. He held up his comic and smiled at them, before returning his attention back down towards it. Sliding her hand into Eric's, the two of them then walked out, closing their son's door, before flicking off the last of the lights, and heading to bed themselves. Once they got changed, and climbed into bed, the two of them smiled in the dim darkness, and Milly softly said as she gently rubbed her husband's hand.

"We did pretty good with him huh?"

Eric smiled and nodded, before leaning over and kissing her forehead.

Later that night...

"Mom? Dad?"

Milly and Eric stirred awake, before Milly blinked and saw a very sleepy looking Marshall, his hair sticking up, standing in the doorway. Instantly, Milly felt panic leap into her heart, hoping he wasn't sick, or that it was covid. She had been nervous about the little party get together, even though everyone had tested negative. She sat up straight, and looked at him.

"What is it?!"

Eric woke up, his hair slightly thinning now, but sticking up just like their son's. Marshall shrugged, and slowly climbed into bed with them, scooting up between them.

"I had a bad dream..."

Milly looked down at his surprise, and out of pure instinct, felt his forehead, and was instantly relieved to see he wasn't warm. Eric nudged Marshall, making him look back at him.

"About what?"

Marshall made a face.

"Can't remember much, but it was that stupid clown from IT. He jumped out at me."

Milly shook her head.

"I'm going to kill Jimmy's parents for letting you boys watch that..."

Marshall cuddled between them, laying his head down and closing his eyes.

"Oh mom. Don't have a cow..."

He softly said, before almost instantly falling asleep. Both Milly and Eric eyed each other, before Eric signed...

"He hasn't done this in years..."

Milly glanced down at their beautiful sleeping son, and softly smiled, gently brushing his thick brown hair back.

"Yeah...well...I think tonight it's okay."

Eric smiled back at her, as they both settled down, and laid back, both gently brushing their son's hair in the darkness. Both smiling and looking at each other, both very proud that they had made this wonderful boy.

Before...

Eric and Milly laid on the spread out blanket in the park that early June. Tomorrow was graduation, and Milly's mother was throwing her a party, which she had been planning for weeks. The two wore T-shirts, and shorts, staring up at the clear blue sky, soaking up the sun, and watching a small blue kite fluttering in the air that two young girls were trying to manage. Milly kept glancing over at Eric smiling as his eyes tracked it and lit up with wonder as it fluttered and dipped up and down across the sky. Slipping her hand into his, she gently squeezed his hand and smiled.

As afraid as she was for this upcoming year, she had made a promise to herself that she was going to try and make this summer one for the record books with Eric.

She promised herself that.