I could not help myself but smile at what he did. I agreed with Emery’s advice that we should follow our hearts if it could make us happy.
Failing to suppress my delight, I placed some roasted vegetables onto Ashton’s plate and instructed in a coy manner, “You need to eat more too!”
I distributed it to everyone else while Cameron and Zachary smiled at each other and looked at me with warm gazes.
It was the perfect time with loved ones. It had been a long time since our hearts were that full.
After dinner, Cameron and Sally pulled me out of the kitchen to watch the fireworks in the yard.
It was the only festive season with fireworks display in the bustling K City.
That made new year’s eve even more special. “I’m going to make a wish at the fireworks later,” Emery exclaimed while she lifted her head to gaze at the snow falling.
Hunter pulled Emery into his embrace and inquired with a light chuckle, “What are you going to wish for?”
After giving it some thought, Emery replied, “I wish for our baby to be born with great health.”
Both of them exchanged sweet gazes and smiled.
I turned to spot Ashton looking at me, so I asked him, “Are you going to make a wish?”
The corner of his lips curled up as he nodded. “Yes. I’ll wish for us to be well.”
I was not satisfied with his perfunctory reply, so I exclaimed, “How is that a wish? Any other wish?”
He gave me a sidelong glance and redirected the question at me. “Do you have any wish to make?”
“Hmm… I wish for us to have an adorable baby in the future.”
He landed his gaze at me for a long time, gaze as deep as the sea.
Pow! The fireworks exploded in the night sky, dazzling everyone with their beauty.
My head lifted naturally to gaze at the work of art. In excitement, I grabbed onto Ashton’s arm and exclaimed, “Ashton, it’s the fireworks! Quick! Look at the fireworks!”
I clasped both my hands together, faced the fireworks, and made a wish. “I wish for us to have an adorable baby!”
There was an old wife’s tale about the lonely deities who loved to catch shooting stars for fun.
Hidden within the stars were the human’s wishes. The deities would fulfil their wishes if they took pity on them.
Therefore, many people made wishes upon shooting stars, hoping the deities would fulfil their wishes.
When I was younger, there were many shooting stars at R Province, so I made many wishes. I made so many of them that I could not remember any.
As I grew up in the bustling J City, there were no shooting stars – only fireworks. I stopped making wishes due to the pain I experienced as I grew up.
However, I sincerely wished for a child with Ashton.
I felt warmth as Ashton pulled me into his embrace. “Scarlett, I still owe you a wedding,” he whispered to my ears.
I smiled at his words and lifted my head to look at him. The glorious lights from the fireworks landed on his face at the right spots. It made him look exceptionally dashing.
“Ashton, I don’t need a wedding. All I want is for us to stay together for the rest of our lives.”
He pulled me close, planted a kiss on my forehead, and said softly, “Okay, let’s make a promise to never leave each other.”
After many years, I realized that sometimes, ‘forever’ eventually turns into regrets.
The fireworks painted the dark sky of K City for the whole night, along with the snow.
Ashton could not stay out for long with his injuries, but he held in the pain for me to gaze at the fireworks for a little longer.
I was worried, so I helped him to the bedroom. “I can see it from the balcony too! Meanwhile, you can go and take a shower.”
He smiled, poked the tip of my nose teasingly, and entered the bath.
I have always loved the fireworks despite their short lifespan.
My phone had vibrated for a long time with an unknown number on display. I stared at it for a while and eventually decided to let the call through.
There was no response from the other end of the call.
As I was about to hang up the call, someone exclaimed, “Happy new year!”
That low and timid voice sounded familiar – it was Marcus. Ashton wanted me to stop keeping in contact with him, so I had deleted his number.
While gazing at the fireworks, I felt a sense of peace and replied in a relaxed mood, “Happy new year!”
“Great!” He replied.
A long pause followed. I was probably too focused on the festive atmosphere to sympathize with his pain.
I did not notice the loneliness in his voice as I continued staring at the shimmering view. “Thank you, Marcus. Tonight’s fireworks are really stunning. I wish for us all to be well.”
If possible, I would love to wish for everyone’s wellness.
For Marcus to build his own family and have kids of his own; for Ashton and me to receive the same; for us to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
