Celino sat by the river and waited for Cira to appear. This time was the first time that Venus hadn't insisted on going or sending anyone else with him. Now that his mother was fine with them seeing each other he didn't have to sneak away. He peeked inside the basket his mother had prepared for them and smiled at all the food.
"I don't usually prepare food," his mother laughed as she handed him the basket, "but it's not every day that my son falls in love."
"Um, excuse me," a voice whispered from behind him. Celino turned around and saw a red headed lady standing there. "You're Prince Celino, aren't you?" She whispered never making eye contact with him.
"I am," Celino smiled at the lady. She walked toward him and handed him a square box adorned with red and white wrapping. He took the box and opened it. Inside of the box were little pieces of chocolate. "I absolutely love chocolate," he gasped and popped a piece into his mouth.
"I made it specifically for you," the lady smiled finally looking up at Celino. Her reddish orange eyes sparkled bright in the sun. Celino popped another piece into his mouth and smiled.
"This is so delicious," he cooed popping another piece into his mouth. "Thank you so much, uh," he paused and looked at her, "what's your name?"
"Beryl," she smiled as she watched him eat the honmie-choko she had prepared for him. In the distance Celino spotted Cira. He waved her over and smiled at her.
"This is Beryl," he smiled as he placed another chocolate in his mouth. "She brought us chocolate," he offered Cira a few. Cira frowned and pulled a golden box from the bag she had brought. She opened the box and unveiled her honmie-choko.
"I made you chocolate, too," she pouted at him. "Mother told me on Earth they celebrate something called Valentine's Day and the women make their lovers chocolate," she recovered her box, "but it seems like you don't want my chocolate."
"No, no, no," Celino said trying to reassure Cira, "I definitely want your chocolate." He covered the box Beryl had given him and held his hand out for Cira's box. "Please," he pleaded quietly, "I want to try yours. Please." Cira giggled and handed him the golden box she had brought for him. Beryl crept away silently and watched the two of them from behind a tree.
"What's in the basket?" A nosy Cira inquired and peeked inside.
"Oh, right," Celino gasped, "my mother made us lunch." He began laying the food out on the blanket. The last thing he laid out was a small silver square box that said "To the happy couple." Cira stared at all the food on the blanket then smiled at Celino.
"I guess your mother is a big fan of us," she giggled.
"Yeah," he shrugged, "let's dig in." Cira set her bag beside her then gasped.
"I have something else for you, too," she dug inside the bag and pulled out a tiny box. She placed it in his lap then smiled. Celino looked at Cira then opened the box slowly. Inside of the box was a gold and silver pendant. Etched in gold was a sun and in the silver was a moon. He leaned over and kissed her lips gently.
"I love it."