Grace Hill Chapel was one of the most popular attractions in Lanshire. There wasn't much to do in a small town like this, and on special holidays, everyone would flock to the area for the annual festival. The car could barely make it halfway up the mountain before the road became congested with throngs of visitors. Finding a place to park, they decided to make the rest of the trek on foot.
The trail, recently cleared, was still muddy and slippery in parts. Tara got out first, walking around to Selena's side and holding out her hand. "Here."
Selena paused, staring at Tara's outstretched hand.
The gesture was achingly familiar, a scene from memories she'd tried to bury, reemerging now with startling clarity. Tara had done this countless times before, reaching for her hand, helping her out of the car or guiding her through a crowd. Even now, watching other couples do the same would tug at her mind, bringing Tara to the forefront of her thoughts.
The memory was a mix of sweetness and pain, a long-buried ache that now resurfaced as Tara's hand waited patiently. Despite her hesitation, Tara's hand remained steady, unwavering, as though she'd wait forever if she had to.
Taking a shaky breath, Selena decided to seize the moment, even if it was fleeting. The warmth of Tara's familiar touch flooded through her, easing her trepidation.
Tara's lips curved into a knowing smile, "Careful, it's slippery. The snow just melted."
Selena, teasing, feigned a slip. She barely tilted before Tara's arm circled her, pulling her close. Her grip was strong, firm, an arm around her waist locking her in place, their faces so close that only a breath separated them.
Selena chuckled first. "See? I knew you'd catch me."
There was a glint of joy in Tara's eyes, like a spark catching flame. "Were you testing me?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I might've been," Selena admitted, straightening up.
Seeing her laugh, a childlike joy crossing her face, made Tara's heart swell. People often say that love brings out the youthful side in a person, making them playful, even vulnerable. It seemed this was true for Selena, too.
Selena was already walking ahead, a spring in her step, while Tara chuckled, her gaze softening as she followed. She reached out, hooking a finger around the tie of Selena's coat to keep her from wandering too far. "So, how did I do in your little test? I hope I passed?"
With a smirk, Selena replied, "Oh, barely. You still have some of your old skills, Tara."
Tara grinned, reaching to ruffle Selena's hair but then paused. She didn't want to overstep and risk driving Selena away. She'd waited five long years for this chance—rushing it now wasn't worth the risk.
As they neared the gates of the chapel, the bustling crowd surrounded them with colorful stalls and carts offering a myriad of snacks and trinkets. Every stall they passed, Tara would ask if Selena wanted anything—a candy, a trinket, or a drink. Selena politely declined each time, content just being here with Tara.
But Tara still managed to slip treats into Selena's hands. Each time Selena's gaze lingered on an item, even for a moment, Tara would quickly buy it. Now her hands were full of random snacks.
They soon reached a stand selling balloons. An elderly woman caught sight of Selena holding the assortment of snacks and grinned, calling out to them. "Young lady, would you like a balloon? They're only five dollars."
Selena looked over at the woman and the bunch of balloons she held. Instantly, memories from her childhood resurfaced—one in particular, from when she was just five years old.
Back then, she'd rarely been allowed to join her family on outings, but on one lucky day, her mother had taken her to the fair. She remembered seeing a simple, round balloon with a small sheep drawn on it, catching her eye because of her own love for animals. Watching her mother buy her younger brother the very same balloon, Selena tugged at her mother's sleeve and whispered, "Mom, can I have one too?"
In the noisy crowd, her mother's attention finally turned toward her, but rather than the warmth she'd hoped for, her mother's expression turned cold. Without warning, her mother slapped her, a sharp, unexpected sting across her cheek. "You don't get to have what your brother has," her mother had hissed, gripping her ear harshly. "Everything in this family belongs to him, and even you're supposed to serve him."
The harsh reprimand had silenced her. She hadn't cried or made a sound, but people stared, watching her with the kind of pity that only made her feel more humiliated.
Now, a brightly colored balloon filled her vision, a warm red ribbon tied securely around her wrist.
Selena glanced up, finding herself staring into Tara's calm, reassuring gaze. "Don't worry, Selena," Tara said gently, as if reading her mind. "I'll buy you all the balloons you want, as many as you like."
Selena took a steadying breath. This time, she didn't refuse. A feeling she'd long buried—a desire for something simple, something innocent—finally came to the surface.
Selena lifted her wrist slightly, watching the small sheep-shaped balloon sway above her. Holding back the welling emotion, she said softly, "Thanks, Tara."
Tara's eyes softened, her gaze darkening with tenderness. "You don't need to thank me," she murmured. "Come on. Let's head up. The view is going to be beautiful from the top."
She reached for Selena's hand, her fingers tentatively brushing Selena's before curling around them. Selena didn't pull away. Her hand fit perfectly within Tara's, a feeling of warmth and security she hadn't realized she missed.
They reached the gates of Grace Hill Chapel quickly, weaving through the crowd until the path opened up into a quieter space. Tara purchased a small bundle of incense sticks from a priest, guiding Selena toward the main sanctuary.
Together, they knelt before the altar, candles casting warm glows over their faces. Tara closed her eyes, her expression one of pure focus as she bowed her head in prayer. She didn't know which deity governed love or wishes, but she prayed to each one, carefully, sincerely.
Selena knelt beside her, following suit. As they rose, Selena hesitated, wondering what Tara might have prayed for, but ultimately chose not to ask. Wishes needed to remain secret to come true, and she wanted Tara's to be granted, whatever it might be.
As they walked back toward the gate, the old priest who'd sold them the incense stopped them, nodding at Tara. "Young lady."
Tara turned to him, hands pressed together in polite acknowledgment. "Yes, Father?"
His dark, wise eyes seemed to pierce right through her, glancing at her and then at Selena before finally resting on her face. A smile of reassurance spread across his face. "Your wish… it will come true."
Tara felt her heart skip a beat, the certainty in his words sending a thrill through her. She glanced at Selena, unable to keep the hope from her eyes. Her only wish had been for a future together.
Selena took Tara's hand, squeezing it gently. "Looks like your wish has been blessed, Tara. Aren't you going to thank him?"
Tara, flustered, quickly expressed her gratitude, her steps light and buoyant as they left the chapel grounds.
They leaned against the railing just beyond the chapel, looking out over the view of hills cloaked in soft, drifting mist, the morning sun casting a hazy glow over the horizon. It was beautiful, breathtaking, in a way that neither could deny.
Selena leaned against the railing, letting the mountain breeze play with her hair. She exhaled softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think we've ever had a day like this before."