Dakota couldn't handle Lailah's filthy questions.
One glance was enough to make her face turn bright red. She quickly replied, "Don't say that!" and then flipped her phone face-down onto her lap.
Originally, they had planned to go straight to Moonlit Bay after leaving N Mountain, but this unexpected twist had delayed them.
Not wanting to worry Reagan and Andre, they decided to return to Seaside Bay first to shower and change into clean clothes before driving to Moonlit Bay.
It was the Thanksgiving Day.
Moonlit Bay was lit up beautifully.
Tonight, Andre himself was cooking, with relatives from all sides pitching in to help—uncles, aunts, cousins, you name it.
Even the little girl who had once called Dakota "super cute" was running around excitedly, throwing candy onto the coffee table, waiting for the arrival of the "super beautiful sister-in-law."
Dakota had always said she loved how lively the Pineda family was.
Compared to the cold, distant atmosphere at her parents' place, Pineda family is all about tradition and warmth. It feels so much more welcoming.
Even though she didn't grow up here, she never felt like she was an outsider, as if she had always been part of the family.
After everyone was full and satisfied,
The kids were begging to make Thanksgiving crafts, some were hanging out with Grandpa in the living room watching football, while others headed to the basement to play pool and board games.
Unfortunately, the rain had started again.
Dakota had had a bit to drink.
She stood on Curtis's bedroom balcony, letting the breeze clear her head. She watched as raindrops slid through the light, occasionally landing on her face.
Curtis had been talking with Reagan for a bit before he was sent back to find Dakota.
When he opened the bedroom door and didn't see Dakota, he figured she was probably on the balcony. Sure enough, he found her leaning on the railing, staring up at the sky.
There was something undeniably lonely about her silhouette.
It was as if she had returned to solitude after the noise had faded, standing alone in this quiet world.
Curtis frowned slightly.
He grabbed his trench coat, pushed open the balcony door, and walked over to her, draping it over her shoulders.
Dakota felt a sudden weight on her shoulders.
Curtis's familiar scent—clean, woodsy, and undeniably sexy—filled her senses.
She turned her head and saw Curtis standing behind her. Smiling softly, she asked, "Aren't you supposed to be talking with your family? What are you doing here?"
Curtis casually walked over, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "You think I'd leave you out here alone?"
"You seem to be unhappy.."
He placed his hand higher, holding her shoulder, and pulled her into his embrace, "What were you thinking about?"
Dakota looked up from within Curtis's embrace, "Thinking about how it's raining again, so we can't see the fireworks or the moon."
Her wish hadn't come true.
Curtis kissed her hair gently, "Who said you can't see fireworks? Didn't I say I'd take you to see fireworks after coming back tonight?"
Dakota looked at Curtis with surprise.
She didn't doubt him.
But the weather...
Dakota hesitated, "But it's raining heavily outside, and it won't stop tonight. Where are we going to see fireworks?"
Curtis didn't answer but asked, "Do you want to see them?"
Dakota hesitated for only two seconds before nodding lightly.
Curtis responded with a low "Mm," and then took her hand again, "Then put on a coat, I'll take you to see them."
The flame that had died down in Dakota's heart reignited.
Fireworks...
She looked at the pouring rain, but somehow, maybe because of the certainty in Curtis's tone and the determination in his deep eyes,
she felt he wouldn't deceive her.
So Dakota turned around, put on her coat, and followed Curtis out.
The Moonlit Bay was still bustling.
After all, it was the annual Thanksgiving, even the elders weren't rushing to bed, determined to enjoy themselves fully.
When Curtis led Dakota out, an aunt noticed the sneaky young couple, "It's raining so hard outside, where are you taking your wife?"
Dakota didn't dare to speak.
Curtis held her hand tightly and smiled warmly, "Taking her to see some fireworks."
"Fireworks?" The aunt looked out the window skeptically, "With this rain, where are you going to see fireworks?"
But no one tried to stop them.
The elders had their own interests, and the young naturally had their own romance.
Curtis took an umbrella from the entrance hall and led Dakota out.
The courtyard of Moonlit Bay was lit up.
Under the arched gateway of the garden design, there was a small path of cobblestones glistening with rain, the garden meticulously designed and artistic, the pathways smooth and level.
Curtis held a black umbrella large enough to cover both of them, shielding her as he led her out of the courtyard.
Dakota couldn't help but turn to look at him, "Curtis, where are we going to see the fireworks?"
"Outside, by the roadside," he responded. "Hmm," he responded.
Dakota couldn't guess Curtis's plan, nor did she know if they would see any fireworks.
But she trusted him unconditionally and was quietly led forward. The gate of Moonlit Bay opened, and two figures embraced each other as they stepped into the rainy night.
Curtis protected Dakota from behind, giving her a strong sense of security. She didn't need to look down at the road, instead, she kept her gaze upward, filled with anticipation.
But the sky was dark.
Apart from the occasional raindrops glinting past the headlights, there wasn't even a glimpse of the full moon unique to the Thanksgiving Day.
"Kota."
Until Curtis's voice came from beside her, "Sometimes, wishes aren't just fulfilled by looking up."
"Hmm?" Dakota turned to look at him, puzzled.
She saw Curtis looking down at the side of the road, and she followed his gaze.
There was no grand fireworks display.
No fireworks.
Beside the asphalt road was a common streetlight, under which a small puddle had gathered.
At first, Dakota didn't understand what Curtis meant.
Suddenly, Curtis took out his phone, the flashlight suddenly turned on, illuminating the puddle.
Dakota's attention was drawn.
In the light, under the curtain of rain, the raindrops pattered down, creating ripples in the otherwise unremarkable puddle, blending with the light.
In that moment, Dakota was amazed by the natural scene, and she almost guessed what Curtis meant, "The fireworks you said you'd show me... is this it?"
"Hmm."
Curtis responded softly, "Kota, I can't promise that every Thanksgiving Festival, New Year, and your birthday will be sunny days when I can take you to see fireworks."
"But—"
He handed the umbrella to Dakota, "In every rainy night to come, when you hold the umbrella and look down at the puddles, remember me saying that the rain is God's fireworks."
