Angela sat down on a blanket with Kevin and Elli. The Ocean Festival was in full swing. Molly was over by Chase playing a rock skipping game. Seeing how happy Molly was assuaged any of Angela's lingering worries about Chase.
"It's good to see her so happy," Kevin sighed, looking over at Molly.
"She has quite a crush on Chase huh?" Elli asked. Angela nodded. She knew that her response would determine whether or not Kevin and Elli approved. She remembered her promise to Molly to trust her judgement.
"Yeah, it has brought out some maturity in her," Angela replied. It was true. Molly was blossoming into a beautiful young woman. Since moving, Angela had seen a more mature Molly. She had mixed feelings about it, but knew that it was ultimately a good thing for Molly to start growing up.
"Well, he is a nice guy," Elli mused. Kevin nodded in agreement.
"How are you feeling these days?" Angela asked her sister in law.
"Like a house," Elli chuckled. Angela laughed at that comment. Elli was getting quite big.
"You look radiant," Angela replied. It was true, Elli looked beautiful. Kevin nodded in agreement.
"I agree," Kevin replied.
"I'm pretty sure that both of you need your eyes examined," Elli laughed. She pulled some cold fried chicken out of the basket she had packed for the picnic lunch. Kevin leaned in and kissed his wife on the cheek.
"I brought you some orange cake," Angela informed Elli. "Kevin told me that was one of your favorites."
"Oh!" Elli exclaimed. She looked a excited. Angela chuckled. It was good for her fractured heart to be around family. She had missed Kevin, and had only had limited interaction with Elli before moving to Waffle Island.
"Angela's orange cake is amazing," Kevin stated. Angela blushed. She wasn't sure she would say that.
"Can't wait to try it!" Elli exclaimed.
XxXx
Molly laughed at her feeble attempts to skip stones. Each landed with a plop into the ocean. Chase's rocks skidded across the water.
"I guess you can tell I'm a city girl," Molly chuckled.
"Why don't you go back there then," Maya grumbled. She had come up beside Chase. Molly felt irritated at the redhead, but said nothing. Instead she smiled. She wasn't going to allow Maya to ruin her day.
"Maya," Chase chided. "That's not very nice." Maya pouted. Molly knew that Maya was digging herself deeper into a hole acting like this around Chase.
"Chasey," Maya said. "Are you going to come sit by us during the fireworks?"
"No I promised Molly and Luna I'd sit with them," Chase informed.
"Why do you insist on spending all your time with those children?" Maya asked, as if Molly was not even present.
"Maya I will not have you insulting my friends!" Chase stated angrily.
"Fine!" Maya shouted. She glared at Molly, before stomping away.
"Sorry about that," Chase muttered.
"It's okay," Molly assured. "She doesn't bother me much." Truth was it didn't bother her at all. Maya was only making her look better. Chase smiled.
"Let's go get some orange juice," Chase said.
"Sounds great!" Molly replied. She followed Chase to one of the booths that was set up. Molly didn't care that Maya was glaring at them. She was happily spending the day with Chase.
XxXx
"It's such a nice summer day," Kathy sighed. Gray turned his head to look at the small blonde girl. He often wondered why Kathy had married Owen. Gray liked Owen well enough, but Owen was a drunk. Hayden, Kathy's father, made no qualms about his dislike of his son-in-law.
"Yeah," Gray mumbled. Owen opened up another can of beer. It was only two in the afternoon and he had already had five of them.
"You really think you need another one of those?" Hayden growled. Kathy glared at her father. Gray could see a fight coming between the two.
"I'm going to go get some juice from the booth," Gray announced. He stood up and walked away as father and daughter started arguing. Gray couldn't help but glance in Angela's direction. For the summer festival she had dressed in a tank top and capri pants. Instead of her normal tight bun, her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. It made her look at least three years younger. He was struck again by her beauty. He scowled at himself. He really needed to stop staring. At that moment, Angela looked up at him. When she caught his eye, she smiled. He quickly looked away. What was it about her that had him so captivated? Gray was not sure, but he made a concentrated effort not to look at her again.
XxXx
Just before the fireworks started, Angela slipped away from the happy couple. She wanted to give them some alone time. She walked over to the old lighthouse. No one else was around the lighthouse, everyone else was huddled up on the beach to get a good view of the fireworks. Angela didn't mind, she needed a bit of time away from the crowd.
"Don't like crowds either huh?" A voice asked. Angela jumped. She hadn't seen Gray standing in the shadows of the lighthouse. He stepped out into the light. Angela's heart started beating faster. She was amazed that this man could make her feel so nervous.
"You scared me," Angela stated. She lifted her hand to her chest. She knew the rapid beating was not only because he had surprised her.
"Sorry," Gray replied. "That wasn't my intention."
"It's alright," Angela said. "No I'm not much of a crowd person. I like them in small doses." Gray couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. It was almost as if she had described his feelings, not her own.
"I agree," Gray said. Angela liked watching the way his face lit up when he laughed. The harshness that his scowl brought was gone, making him appear almost approachable.
"Well do you mind if I hang out here with you and watch the fireworks?" Angela asked.
"Not at all," Gray replied. Angela smiled at him, as the first firework exploded in the sky. Angela watched the lights in the sky illuminate his handsome face. She couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks for allowing me to stay and watch the show with you," Angela stated after the fireworks were done.
"Oh, well yeah, you're welcome," Gray mumbled. Angela walked away, feeling her heart flutter softly.
