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“Kettle’s on,” she notes, leaning against the counter. “You’ve got five minutes before we have to start hiding the eggs.”

I grab a mug and set about making tea. The fire’s on in the living room, basking the kitchen in a beautiful warmth and glow. Eden looks as stunning as ever, her glasses steaming up. I watch as she pulls them off and rubs them between her jumper sleeve. By the time I’m sipping my drink, Eden’s out of the kitchen and out the front door, calling for me to follow her. Obviously, I do as she says. Outside the chills nips at my face and I pull my tea closer to me.

“Eden. It’s fucking freezing out here.”

She makes her way across the dew-speckled lawn, oblivious to my complaints. The sun is coming up with more and more strength, and the grass glimmers as it catches the morning light. “And? Grab a bucket and start hiding.”

I fall into place next to her, and we spend the morning hiding eggs in every possible nook and cranny as the sun rises over the hills. It’s so beautiful out here and I’m suddenly assaulted by the thought of spending more time here with Eden. The summer, the winter. Watching as the earth changes with each season, the freckles on her face coming and going. It would be a place of great inspiration, that’s for sure.

I steal a glance towards Eden. We haven’t mentioned the kiss from last night. Well, almost kiss. After the twins interrupted, the mood was a bit too tense to get back into the zone. I hope there will be more opportunities like that. Being with her has just been so incredible and I—

“Oliver! Are you almost done?” Eden’s voice cuts through my daydreaming and I’m brought back to reality. The cold, slightly wet reality as I stand in dew-speckled grass. Glancing down at my bucket, two chocolate eggs stare back at me.

“I got two left.”

“Well make it quick! We’re almost ready!”

I hide them quickly in a birdbath. The sheer excitement in her voice makes me nervous, and I start to wonder if I’m going to regret taking part in any sort of competition with the Miller family. And when I see them emerge from the house in matching Easter bunny outfits, I’m definitely going to regret it.

“Good morning, lovebirds!” Jake hollers across the lawn, whiskers painted across his face and bunny ears perched on his head. He stands slightly on an angle, and I can just see the fluffy bunny tail poking out from behind him. “The time for hiding is up.” He shoots us a wicked grin. “The time for hunting begins.”

Eden and I join the family up on the porch and Evelyn gives me a worrying look. “I’m so sorry for what’s about to happen, Oliver.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You’re going to get eaten alive!” Rachel quips with all the mischief a five-year-old can manage.

Mark claps me on the shoulder. “I hope you’ve got your running shoes on.” The family looks at him expectantly as he pulls out a …starting pistol? “On your marks! Get set! Go!” Before I can even process what just happened, Eden grabs my hand and squeals, dragging me into the house.

“Mum and Dad had this area. They’re really shit at hiding eggs, so we should get a good head start.”

The next half hour goes by in a blur. A panicked, chocolate-filled blur. Eden is a master hunter, well-acquainted with her families’ most common hiding spots. All I can do is try my best to keep up with her and make sure I don’t drop any of the eggs she launches at me.

Jake makes multiple appearances, each responded to with the throwing of objects. Literally. Eden is determined to win at any cost. Including throwing a chair at her brother. And a pillow. And the coat stand. Seriously, I’ve never seen someone so violent. Or so beautiful. Her face is flushed with child-like joy and I find myself falling in line beside her, her energy infectious. I know if Mum was here, she’d be loving every second. As that thought passes my mind I expect the usual ache in my chest, but it never comes. Weird.

We dodge the twins, who have a bad habit for tripping people over and stealing their eggs. Around Evelyn and Rachel, who are searching around the chicken pen. And finally, we make a mad dash through the trees to the gazebo. Unintentionally, I’m sure, by the way Eden’s face flushes even deeper. Glad to see I’m not the only one living last night on repeat. What could have been.

“Dammit! This is where Jake usually hides his stash!” Eden climbs the wooden railing easily, and I offer her a hand for support that she doesn’t need as she feels in the gutters.

“What are you looking for?”

Eden pokes her tongue out in concentration, oblivious to my question. “Ah-ha! I knew it!” Eden’s hand re-emerges and in her grasp is a tiny golden egg. A little dirty, a little wet. She holds it up, the look of pride indescribable on her face. “We’ve just won the hunt.”

“What do you mean?”

“This little baby is worth ten eggs. Dad hides it. Not chocolate, of course. Pure gold. A family heirloom, I suppose.” Her voice wavers slightly as I help her down, hands brushing her waist. We freeze.

She’s so close. Our breaths mingle, the tension palpable. I want to kiss her again. I really do.

My hands grip her waist a bit firmer, pulling her flush against my body. Her hazel eyes sparkle as she looks up at me through her glasses, and a smirk tugs up the corner of her plump lips. Hands bury themselves in my hair and pull me down to her level before I can even process what’s happening. I’m like putty in her hands, moulded to be whatever she wants me to be. Our lips brush, gentle at first. Then the mood changes.

I claim her mouth with my own, warmth seeping from the top of my head to the ends of my fingers. She’s so soft underneath my hands, so willing. We stumble until my back hits the railing of the gazebo, the bite of pain fading under the way Eden nibbles at my bottom lip.

I’m more than disappointed when we’re interrupted with a bang. Again.

“Shit,” I huff as Eden sighs. We’re so close that her warm breath tickles my lips, and I try to ignore the ache within me as she pulls away, putting more distance between us.

“That’s Dad’s pistol. It’s time for the Counting Ceremony.” She smiles as we make our way back to the front porch. I take a moment to readjust myself as she turns away. No need for her to meet the little guy just yet.