Catch a Falling Star

"It's such a beautiful night," Lucy said one night in early May in the warmth of the night, as we swung on the swing on her parents' porch, her hand resting gently on the growing stomach of our little daughter that was due in just a few months.

The sky was nearly black—but the moon was silver, and the silver stars scattered all over the midnight sky making the night just as magical, as special, as wonderful there could ever be.

"It certainly is," I replied, smiling.

Lucy rested her head upon my shoulder, holding my hand, her skin so smooth, our fingers feeling as if they barely touching. She's so beautiful, I thought to myself.

Lucy had been kind of crazy when we had been dating—and now, she was relaxed and beautiful, the most beautiful thing my eyes could lay on. I loved everything about her—her smile, her laugh, her craziness. It was part me—a wonderful feeling that is inside every time I am with her.

Lucy's eyes slowly drifted close as she fell asleep on my shoulder. I smiled, kissing her head gently, rocking the swing softly.

She looked so caring and so wonderful, watching her rest, not moving an inch. I couldn't have chosen a better wife.

"Kevin?" she murmured, her eyes opening a few minutes later.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"I just wanted to say… I love you."

"And I love you, Lucy." I kissed her softly again.

"Oh, Kevin, look!" Lucy suddenly cried out, happily. "Do you see that star?"

"Which one?"

"The gold one."

I looked closely. They all looked the same to me, "No."

"Look closer, Kevin, and you'll see, but you'll have to look hard." I tried to look as hard as I could…and eventually, I found it. It was in the center, shining and glowing more brightly then all of the others, as I could see it dip beneath the rest. It was the perfect star. "See now?" she asked, though not unkindly.

"Yes."

She smiled, "Try and catch it." And I did—I fixed my eyes upon the star, not letting go of its beauty and really concentrating—and the more my eyes became fixed upon it I felt a feeling grow inside of me—something I had never felt before, as my hand reached it, trying to catch it, but couldn't succeed.

She laughed, her laugh like music, washing away all of my terrible feelings—all I could feel was pure happiness.

"Come on, honey, we should probably go now," I said, stroking her cheek.

"Oh Kevin, just one more minute?" Lucy wanted to know, her eyes shining brightly, like the stars and the moon. "I haven't felt so wonderful in so long...since the day I married you," she said softly.

I hugged her. "I know, Luce. I feel the same way." And so she sat, her eyes watching the stars and moon, concentrating on the night—the sounds, the appearances.

"Okay Luce, we should probably go now. You and Rachel need your rest," I finally said to her.

Lucy touched her stomach, "Rachel and I are fine. Besides, maybe Rachel will grow up to love the nighttime and its beauty, unlike you," she teased with a soft smile.

"If she's anything like you," I said with a smile. "And I think she will be."

Lucy took my hand and we stood up, just as Ruthie walked through the door. "We were just leaving. Good night, Ruthie," Lucy said to her younger sister.

"Good night."

Lucy and I left, my hand around her shoulders, enjoying the freshness on the wonderful night.

Please read and tell me if you like it. This will be a short story—and I have the rest all planned out!