A/N I've got to admit that this is really fun to write and I'm on a roll with it. I hope this chapter isn't too corny though because I love writing the little Ray and Lily flashbacks. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside lol. I'm so weird. shakes head I haven't gotten many reviews so far but hopefully this chapter will be different. crosses fingers

Disclaimer: I don't own RFR or the characters. I don't own Bird's Hill Provincial Park (which is an actual place that I've been to countless times) or the tree which belongs to the park I guess. It's a real tree too! Go me for be inspired by a tree! lol

July 1st: Fireworks

July 1 2005

Summer has officially begun. It was Canada's birthday today so I woke up early like I do every year to help my mom pack a picnic lunch. I couldn't remember why I was so nervous until my mom mentioned it to me this morning. The annual trip to Bird's Hill Provincial Park with the Brennan's. The one that we've taken every year since Ray and I were old enough to be pushed side by side in strollers.

Flashback: July 1st

At about 10:00am the Randall's all started the trip to the Park. Even though it was almost 28 degrees celsius outside Lily began to get goose bumps as well as knots in her stomach as they got closer.

Simone noticed and nudged her little sister.

"So you've really got it bad for him don't you Lil," Simone said quietly to Lily so their parents wouldn't over hear.

"Shut up Simone, you don't have any idea what it's like," Lily snapped back. Usually the two girls got along pretty good but Lily's nerves were causing her to be cranky.

"Yes I do, I know more then you'd think," Simone replied going back to the book she was reading. Lily's curiousity won over in the end.

"What do you mean-oh wait didn't you and Tim..." Lily said a look of comprehension on her face.

"Yes we did, so I'm just trying to say you can't let fear get in the way of what could be a great relationship," Simone replied looking wistfully out the window of the car.

"So I've heard," Lily replied. She'd tell him today, Lily thought to herself as they pulled into the parking lot. She saw Ray get out of the Brennan's green minivan and start walking over to her. Lily knew she'd have to say it sometime but it didn't stop it from being scarier then the roller coaster her and Ray had gone on at age nine.

"Hey Lily," Ray said as the two families walked towards their usual picnic table under the trees.

"Hi Ray," Lily replied wiping her sweaty palms on the sides of her jean cut offs. They sat down and listened to their parents talking and laughing as they unpacked the sandwiches and drinks that they'd brought.

After they ate Lily and Ray were left to clean up while the rest of their families walked down to the lake. After they were done they sat down on the grass together enjoying the feeling that summer was really there and that they wouldn't have to deal with school, homework, and Cougar Radio for two months.

"Hey do you want to climb that tree like we used to," Ray asked suddenly pointing to the twisted old tree that was perfect for climbing. They'd climbed it every year on July 1st and hidden from their parents.

"Why not," Lily said standing up and brushing herself off.

The two teenagers headed over the the old tree and stood there awkwardly. Lily was nervous, she hadn't climbed the tree in years. She hesitantly reached up and grasped the first branch.

"Don't worry, I'm right behind you," Ray said reasuringly sensing her nervousness. Feeling safer, Lily pulled herself up and started to climb. After going a little way's up her foot slipped and she felt herself falling backwards. A strong hand stopped her and held her there.

"It's okay Lily, I've got you," he said quietly. Lily felt a small chiill go through her as she felt Ray's hands supporting her on her waist.

Lily completed the rest of the climb without incident until she got to the top branch. She pulled herself up and sat down on the limb revelling in the feeling of flying she always got from being up here. A few seconds later Ray sat down beside her and they enjoyed the veiw of the park together.

"Don't you love it up here Ray? It just makes you feel free you know," Lily said looking over at Ray on the branch beside her.

"Yeah, remember when we thought that we could talk to the birds up here," Ray replied smiling back at her.

"We'd talk to them for like half an hour until Simone and Tim told us that we were stupid and that we couldn't talk to birds," Lily said laughing at the memory. They sat and talked up there for hours, remembering all the memories that this place held for them. Memories that only they knew about.

While they were talking and laughing Simone and Tim came back to look for them. They heard them talking up in the tree thinking of the times they'd done the same, back when Lily and Ray were just toddlers playing on the grass.

"Do you think they'll end up like we did," Simone asked remembering the conversation that she'd had with Lily in the car.

"Well it's obvious they're totally in love," Tim replied refering to the endless times Ray had talked to him about Lily, starting in the third grade.

"But the question is if they'll ever admit it to each other," Simone said. She knew that love like that wasn't common and she wanted her sister to be happy.

"I think they will eventually, but you of all people should know how difficult that is," Tim teased her earning himself one of the infamous Randall punches on the shoulder.

"Shut up," Simone joked pretending to be mad at him. The two walked back to the lake together Lily and Ray oblivious to the fact that they'd been there in the first place.

Natalie felt tears stinging her eyes and bluring the page as she finished reading the entry. She wished she had a friend like Ray who was always there for her.

Unlike Lily Randall, Natalie had been moved from home to home throughout here life not being able to form any lasting bonds. No one from the places she'd lived in ever called her or kept in touch although she never did either. It was easier that way.

Natalie quickly wiped the tears away and continued to read. She wanted to know what happened, why this was supposed to matter to her in the first place.

The day flew past like so many summer days do with both the Randalls and the Brennans having a great time. They had the usual kids verses adults soccor game which the kids won, as usual although this year it was pretty close.

As it started to get dark they layed out blankets on the grass and got ready to watch the fire works. They were all stuffed after after the barbecue that Mr. Brennan had prepared with Mr. Randall. They sat down and relaxed, the mother's gossiping, their father's discussing sports, and Lily, Ray, Simone, and Tim talking about school.

"So have you guys noticed Ms. Mitchell and Waller," Simone asked the rest of them. Ray and Lily looked at each other.

"Well I don't get why everyone cares so much, I mean they deserve some privacy don't they," Ray said.

"You're right Ray," Lily replied taken aback by the fact that Ray had said something so grown up. She was used to seeing the immature side of him but she liked this side of him just as much if not better.

"Oh look the fire works are starting," Tim said interupting her thoughts. The noises of the fire works filled the summer night air as the four teenagers watched.

"Isn't it pretty," Lily whispered more to herself then to anyone else.

"Beautiful," Ray agreed looking at Lily as he said it. Lily was oblivious to it though, until she felt Ray's hand brush hers. She smiled to herself and kept her hand where it was. Ray didn't move his either and they sat there watching the fire works like that.

Simone smiled to as she watched her sister and Ray. She had to admit that it was cute. They'll make a really great couple one day, Simone thought to herself because she had no doubt in her mind that they'd be one, eventually.

After the last firework faded into the darkness they all got up and packed up their things. Ray and Lily got up and helped the others pack up, not saying a word to each other.

"Goodnight Lily," Ray said as they prepared to leave.

"See you Ray," Lily replied before walking over to join the rest of her family. After taking only a few steps she turned around to see him watching her leave. "Ray, I had a really good time today."

"Same here," Ray replied. The looked at each other for a second before they turned around and walked to their designated families.

On the drive home Lily sat beside Simone in a daze. She felt like she was forgetting something. Oh well I'll probably remember tommorow, Lily told herself. She closed her eyes and immediately fell asleep and dreamnt about fireworks.

A/N Well another chapter written and hopefully reviewed. Crizzy4rfr is going to edit this chapter as well so it won't be filled with spelling mistakes. Hopefully this plot isn't too confusing with all the flashbacks and stuff but tell me if it is.

Keeley