“Oh, you know,” I tease, “the usual.”
Paris nods and walks away, leaving the guys to stare at me in mock horror.
“What did you just order us?” Arlo doesn’t sound impressed.
Then Christian’s face falls. “No.” He shakes his head, groaning. “You didn’t.”
“What’s the matter, Christian?” I can’t hold back my laughter. “Not a fan of pineapple on pizza?”
“Paris!” Arlo hollers through the pizzeria. “I want a normal meat lovers!”
All we hear from the back is Paris’ maniacal laughter.
After stuffing my face with a whole pizza, I nearly bounce as Paris announces it is closing time.
Like a rocket, I shoot out of my seat, Arlo laughing in my wake.
“Lark!” I hop from foot to foot at the door.
“Mom, they are just Christmas lights.” She rolls her eyes.
“No, they aren’t,” Arlo counters as we head outside into the cool night air, anticipation humming all around us.
All the stores close, while people bundle themselves up and head toward the town square. Arlo squeezes my hand as we follow the throng of people.
I glance back, finding Lark’s elbow linked with Christian’s. Though we may have a long way to go before either of us feels comfortable with the other, I’m excited for the future.
When Arlo first told me how many people lived in this little town, it astonished me that there weren’t that many, but now walking downtown, it feels like a city.
Unlike the city, however, there are warm smiles, pleasant nods, and a pause here and there to ask how we are or how they are. Nothing in this world could have prepared me for this moment. We make our way over to Arlo’s garage, then to the middle of the street.
In front of us, the large tree sits in shadow, while the sun sinks below the horizon. A man I’ve never met steps up to a podium. He’s older by a few dozen years, and his smile is warm. Beside him stands Kenzie, and I imagine this must be Ernie. He doesn’t look like the weasel she described him as.
Saffron and Arlo’s sisters stand next to us, smooshing us into a little ball of warmth. Wrapping me in his arms, Arlo squeezes me into his side before brushing a soft kiss across my forehead. Not too far away, I find Paris with my brother, and Kayden riding on his shoulders while chomping on cotton candy.
“Welcome! Welcome!” Ernie speaks, gathering everyone’s attention. “Welcome to the one hundred and seventy-fourth lighting ceremony.” He pauses dramatically. “Welcome to Wonderland. Many of you grew up here, some of you got lost and found a home, but no matter how you ended up here today, know that you are home and you are loved.”
“I didn’t think there was electricity then,” I whisper in Arlo’s ear.
Instead of answering, Arlo just winks at me.
Suspicious.
In the background, Ernie carries on about unity and home and family, while I note that everyone in town watches him with rapt attention. Their faces are full of excitement and something more, something I thought only existed in a fairy tale.
Gram and Eric would have loved this.
I only hope that wherever they are, they witness something just as incredible.
That’s when all the lights go out just as the sun disappears behind the horizon.
I startle and gasp, making Arlo chuckle a bit. I feel Lark sneak in between us. Everything remains quiet. Even a pin drop would cause a ruckus.
That’s when it begins. Behind the tree, a spot of light twinkles to life. A lone light in the night.
Then another.
And another.
