Page 90 of Wed to the Devil

"What should we explore first?" Talia asks.

Solana's brow knits. "I don't know. I don't want to miss out on anything."

"Maybe you should start in one corner and work your way around the exhibits," I suggest. I point at the water maze. "Maybe you should start over there? The water looks cool."

Solana turns her wide brown eyes to me.

"Will you come with me?"

Her question makes something in my chest tighten. "Yeah. Of course. Maybe we can persuade Talia to come, too."

Talia stands up, twining her arm with mine and leaning her head against me briefly. "Lead the way, Solana."

Solana takes the lead, her little hand grasping tightly onto mine. I can't help but feel a sense of protectiveness over her. It's a foreign feeling, but one that I can't seem to shake. As we approach the water maze, Solana's eyes light up with excitement. She runs ahead, eager to play in the cascading water. I follow closely behind, watching her intently. Talia joins us a moment later, her eyes filled with wonder as she takes in the exhibit.

The sound of the rushing water gets louder as we approach, but it only adds to the excitement of the moment. Solana jumps and splashes , laughing and squealing with delight. I can't help but feel a warmth spread through me at the sight of her joy. Talia stands off to the side, her arms wrapped around herself, watching us with a small smile on her lips.

"Come on, Talia," I say, reaching out my hand to her. "It's not every day we get to have fun like this."

Talia hesitates for a moment before taking my hand and stepping into the water. Her gasp of surprise is music to my ears as the cool water splashes up onto her toes. Solana jumps up and down, coaxing Talia to play with her.

I take a deep breath and smile. I’ve been a little apprehensive about being around so many children. But as I watch Solana and Talia lift and lower gates to start and stop the flow of water in the river, I can’t help but feel my anxiety melting away.

This isn't so bad.

Scratch that. This is something that I could get used to.

When Solana tires of the water maze, I point to the next exhibit twenty yards away. "How about we go over there to check out the dinosaur exhibit? It looks pretty cool."

"Yeah!" Solana shouts. "Let's go! Let's go! Hurry!"

"We are right behind you. You go ahead," Talia calls. She looks at me with a smile and shakes her head. "She's going to be so tired after we leave here."

I slide my arm around her waist and amble over to the earth sciences exhibit. Talia smoothes her hand over her belly with a gentle smile. When we get to the exhibit, Solana and another boy are busy climbing on the back of a small brontosaur.

"Look at me and Nathan!" Solana calls. "We're going into prehistoric times. Right, Nathan?"

"Right!" the boy shrieks. "We have Dino-Power!"

I start to pull back from Talia, but she flings her arms around my waist.

"Just another minute," she whispers. "This is comfortable."

She's right. It is comfortable. Being with her seems to make everything else disappear. The only thing that matters is her and the way she makes me feel. It's like a whirlwind of emotions that I can't control, but I don't want to. Not now, not ever.

This newfound sense of recklessness and lack of emotional control feels dangerous, but I refuse to put the brakes on. It seems doomed, like it can't go on for very long... but I'm testing that theory today, it appears.

Talia kisses my cheek and pulls away. She walks over to a messy arts and crafts area with a huge banner encouraging visitors to get their hands dirty.

"Look Solana," I call to her, pointing to the bags of plaster, clay and tools. "We can make our very own fossils!"

Solana slides off the brontosaur and hits the ground with a thump. She bounces back up and runs to where I stand, assessing the situation. Her friend Nathan is hot on her heels.

"Whoa! Cool! I'm going to make one, too."

I scan the directions printed on the wall.

"That's a great idea. This seems pretty simple. Here, let me hand you each the stuff you will need."