He led her down a winding path through sleeping patches of flowers, through a quiet playground (with a brief leap up into the seat of a swing to go forward, back, then forward again and jumping off), and around the outer edge of a quiet playing field, before mounting a hill and slowing to a stop. Glancing back at her, breathing a bit heavier from the effort, he took his position as slightly ahead of her to scoop her up in her momentum and twist around, planting her in front of him and starting down the hill.

To the water. In front of them stretched a large pond, over which a stone drum bridge stretched. Reflected in its quiet ripples was the moon and many of the stars above, adding to the view. Smiling, he released her midsection, though he remained close.

"Well? Better than okay?"