NOTE: This story is set after my other stories, Distances, Lemon Juice Letters, and Lemon Juice Droplets, but before Rhyme or Reason. So please feel free to read them in that order accordingly. Thanks, enjoy.

MBS - Wishes of Summer

Chapter 1 (Reynie's POV)

Summer was new over Stonetown. The view from my office window like the front row of a grand performance. The actors, the many passersby on the street below. Even the green of the trees seemed to play a role. But none were as clearly unforgettable as the sun. Drifts of white from clouds danced to and fro, falling and rising between the rays of the summer sun. The blue sky seemed like a fitting canvas for such a perfect day as this. All memories of the chill from the winter before seemed fake as if we had always enjoyed this season.

Hesitantly turning my attention back to my desk I shuffled the papers that lay strewn. Arranging them into a stack that seemed at least somewhat orderly. From the room beyond I heard my secretary speaking to a man, gesturing him toward my door. With a start, I watched as the man came through with the twist of a knob.

"I was told a Mr. Reynard Muldoon could help me? A Detective Muldoon?"

The man in question had white hair that framed a cheerful but brilliant face. A man I knew well, Mr. Willam Gilbert, Detective Gilbert, my old mentor.

I smiled, filled with surprise. "That would be me, sir."

His eyes lit in obvious affection as he rounded my desk to shake my hand. "So it is, my boy, so it is."

Throwing his arms out he laughed. "And this would be your very impressive practice?"

I felt bashful under the praise. "I learned from you, after all."

Tapping the side of his brow he disagreed. "A formality, Reynie, you have your own unique brand of brilliance."

"What brings you to Stonetown, sir?" I added, diverting the conversation lest I turn red.

"Oh nothing out of the ordinary, my boy, just a bit of investigation of my own. I'm meeting a certain client here and I thought it only right that I say hello."

I smiled so very sincerely. "I'm quite pleased that you did."

Mr. Gilbert's eyes turned to the room surrounding us, pleasantly taking in the modest but cozy amenities I had arranged for my office. A map of Stonetown, a few choice photographs, and books without number. However, it was the photographs that seemed to catch and hold his attention.

"My family, my friends," I explained, knowing the two phrases were one and the same.

A soft smile drifted to his lips. "I can see why you so longed for home, just look at what a large happy bunch. Except for…" He pointed playfully at Constance, to which I laughed.

"And this…" he added, beaming softly. "Ms. Wetherall, yes?"

"Mrs. Muldoon, actually," I mumbled with no little embarrassment and pride.

The photo had been taken nearly a year and a half ago. The occasion was obvious enough from our elaborate dress.

"Congratulations…" was all he said, his blue eyes filled with some sort of fatherly pride.

"Thank you, sir…" A silence fell over the both of us, comfortable but profound. As if the both of us were thoughtfully considering the passage of time. I had often mused on just that, but try as I might, I could never come to terms with it. How I arrived at this summer… This beautiful day. We had found our way in the routine of it all, but the meaning was yet to turn dull. To lessen any of the speechless wonder. It wasn't everyone's life that granted a person happiness. So many people had exhausted their years without ever feeling what I did now.

Was it a privilege granted only a fortunate few…? No, I had surely proved that… Even those given the gravest disadvantages could find their way. It was a sentiment I wanted to instill in anyone I met, that hope was a force never to relinquish.

Kate had surely taught me that…

So to the extent that I could, I thought of my biological parents, to the faceless concept. I found peace in hoping they would be proud of me. But most of all, I felt gratitude so acutely it was as if the feeling were tangible within my veins. Grateful that I'd gotten to live this life, to find this way…

"Mr. Gilbert," I whispered, finding my voice. "If your time allows, I'd like to invite you to dinner. It would be lovely to have you meet everyone, and to see Kate again."

He smiled at me with a nod of his head. "I wouldn't think of missing it, Reynie."

"6:00 then? I can give you directions."

"Thank you, that will do wonderfully."

With that, he took his leave. I made a note to call ahead and tell everyone we could expect one more at the table tonight. But as amazing as ever, they were hardly bothered at all. Instead, Kate's voice seemed to light with the excitement of seeing old friends again. The contrast of noisy, happy dinners never seemed lost on me. I still remembered the quiet lonely evenings at Stonetown Orphanage. Lukewarm tea and cold sandwiches…

At 5:00 I took the city bus home. Even my light coat felt hot in the summer heat, but something about it felt familiar like an old friend. I rested my hands in the pockets as the squeal of brakes signaled my stop. Finding my feet, I stepped out onto the sidewalk. In front of me was an old but truly charming house. The roses by the gate were struggling against the summer heat, but I knew they would find their way through. Constance had watered them with extra care, in spite of how she denied being concerned with a plant.

Looking overhead, I took in one last glimpse of the blue sky. Summer would keep twilight at bay for another couple of hours at least. I didn't mind seeing that blue for a little longer…

I put my hand on the gate, anticipating the blue of her eyes most of all. But first to meet me were the dark orbs of a certain falcon alighting on the fence.

"Well hello, Madge…" I whispered, nearly at ease around the bird after all this time. We had become such old friends that I dared to reach out and stroke her feathers. She silently allowed it, albeit with an intense gaze placed on me. Though, I rather thought she looked at everyone like that…

As I stepped through the gate, I heard a sharp whistle that recalled Madge nearly instantly. The gust of flapping wings brushed past me so quickly that I jumped.

"And why are you so jumpy?" Kate asked, half seriously, as she stepped out of a bush nearby.

I sighed playfully. "I keep underestimating the amount of gust Her Madgesty can produce."

Kate smirked at me with a teasing wink. "A possibly deadly mistake…" Then she laughed. "But I wouldn't worry, Madge is smitten with you, Reynie."

"Oh really?" I asked, a bit incredulous.

Kate leaned to leave a small kiss on my cheek. "Yep, trust me, I know what it's like, poor girl."

A small bashful silence filled my throat, in spite of how silly that seemed at this point. So shifting where I stood I went on. "I hope, I'm not imposing to bring company at such short notice…"

Kate clucked her tongue with a laugh. "Ha, it's Constance's turn to cook dinner, so I'm not fused at all."

I frowned. "Oh...I didn't realize… How did she take it?"

Kate slapped my back playfully. "No worries, old Connie Girl is practically a real adult now. I'm sure she doesn't mind. And if not...a few eggshells thrown in our supper would still add calcium. Just make sure you chew real good."

"I'll keep that in mind…" I whispered, thinking of how highly unusual our lives were. The many out-of-the-ordinary, dare I say extraordinary things. The sight of such a beautiful young woman with a bucket at her side and a bird of prey lighted on her gloved hand. The way her face said it was typical, even boring for things to be that way. The fact that her blue eyes conveyed so plainly that she...was in love with me.

Those were the extraordinary things I would never have changed...