Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

I was just slipping on my shoes, ready for the usual dinner at the academy's dining hall while trying to think of a way to get ahold of Ms. Ingow’s notes, when a knock came at the door. I opened it to find Robbie, his hands tucked in his pockets and a nervous smile playing on his lips.

"Hey. I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a romantic date… through the portal?"

My heart did a little skip. A date? With Robbie? The corners of my mouth must've reached my eyes because they crinkled as a grin took over my face.

"Really? That sounds... amazing, yes," I said .

"Great. Let's not waste any time then," he said, his nervousness now replaced with eagerness.

I said a quick goodbye to my cats and turned their new toy on. A bird "swooped" overhead, and both cats lay on the floor, their tails swishing as they "hunted" the bird.

"Neat," Robbie said.

"Right? Magic can be pretty fun sometimes."

When I closed the door to my room, he slipped his hand in mine and gave me a tentative smile. My heart ached at that smile. When was the last time someone looked at me like that? Probably never, but I found I liked it when Robbie looked at me like that.

Alicia exited a room and nearly came crashing right into Robbie. Her big brown eyes widened, along with her smile. "Are you off to the cafeteria? I swear their food is so good that I’m gaining weight left and right, which is kind of weird after watching my weight so carefully for years while working as a flight attendant." Her gaze slipped down to our joined hands. "Oh! So you? So she? Oh!"

I couldn’t help but lean forward, smiling with excitement. " Yup, and we’re going to grab dinner somewhere other than the cafeteria today."

She didn’t look exactly thrilled to be talking to me, but she kept a forced smile. "Sounds like just so much fun!"

"It will be," Robbie said, squeezing my hand.

She started down the hall but called over her shoulder. "Well, have fun!"

When she disappeared from view, Robbie and I exchanged a look and laughed. I wondered what the gossip around school would be after this. We’re not a big group, but someone dating a would-be murderer seemed like it’d be a major point of discussion.

We hurried down the hall toward the portal room, our footsteps echoing against the stone archways that loomed above us. The chatter of my classmates faded away as we approached the dimly lit portal room. The air buzzed with magic, the kind that tingled against my skin and made me feel like anything was possible.

Robbie stood beside me, his hand still in mine, steady and warm. "Ready for this?" he asked.

"More than ready," I said.

We both reached out, our fingertips brushing the swirling surface of the portal. It felt like dipping your hand into a cool stream on a hot day, that initial shock that sends shivers up your arm. The room blurred around us, colors melting together until there was nothing but the sensation of moving, of being pulled by an invisible string through space and time.

And then we were there.

The rush of energy subsided, leaving me breathless and wide-eyed as I took in the scene before us. A meadow unfolded under a sky painted with strokes of orange, pink, and purple, the colors blending like they'd been applied with a paintbrush. In front of us, a small lake sparkled.

"Robbie, it's beautiful," I whispered.

"I'm glad you like it," he said, and I could hear the smile in his words. "I wanted to show you something special. It took asking around, and exploring a few places, before I found this one, which I thought was perfect."

"Special doesn't even begin to cover it," I let out a little laugh of disbelief. I looked over the landscape, taking in every detail, the way the sunset seemed to set the whole world ablaze with light, the gentle sway of the grass in the breeze, and the peacefulness that enveloped us like a warm blanket.

"Come on," Robbie said gently, leading me toward the lake. "It gets even better up close."

Robbie led the way to a flat stretch of grass near the lake's edge, his movements filled with an eagerness that made me smile. He knelt and smoothed out a soft blanket, its colors a bright checkered pattern that matched the whimsy of our surroundings. With a flourish, he produced a picnic basket from behind a nearby bush shaped like a tuft of cotton candy.

"Ta-da," he announced with pride. "Our dinner for the evening."

I sat down beside him, the grass beneath us as plush as any cushion back home. The anticipation bubbled up inside me, a mix of hunger and curiosity about what Robbie had prepared. He opened the basket, revealing a spread that would make any gourmet chef nod in appreciation.

"Wow, you went all out," I said, impressed by the array of treats neatly packed within.

"Only the best for this date," Robbie said with a wink. "I hope you're hungry."

"Starving," I admitted, and meant it too. The food looked delicious, sandwich triangles with crusts cut off, miniature quiches, and fruits that shone with a fresh dewiness. There were also little desserts, tiny cakes with frosting that glistened under the slowly fading light of the sunset.

We reached for the food at the same time, hands brushing against each other before we both pulled back and laughed a little awkwardly. Then, with a silent agreement, we began to share the meal. I took a bite of a sandwich, the flavors bursting on my tongue.

"Try this," Robbie handed me a quiche. "Made them myself."

"You're kidding," I said, and the taste was out of this world. It was perfect, the crust flaky and the filling savory. "These are amazing."

"Thanks." He beamed at the compliment. "Cooking's always been a passion of mine."

I passed him a slice of watermelon, watching as he bit into it, juice dribbling down his chin. We both chuckled, and he wiped it away with the back of his hand. We continued like that, exchanging favorites, offering bites, and chatting between mouthfuls. The food was fantastic, but the company. Even better.

"How is it that a man like you never married?" The second the question leaves my mouth, I wish I could take it back, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

He tilts his head, finishing chewing. "I had a few longer-term relationships, but none of them… felt exactly right. Even from the beginning, it was like not having a fitting when trying to put two PVC pipes together. It just didn’t quite work. And, eventually, I had to listen to that nagging voice at the back of my mind that I just hadn’t found the right person for me."

"I can understand that," I admitted. "I can’t regret my marriage because I got my amazing daughter out of it, but there were never any sparks with him. And, who knew, that spark was important?"

"Spark is so important. As important as similar interests and similar morals, maybe more so." He casts me a funny look. "That’s something I like about you. We seem to have all those things aligned, plus something else. Something I can’t put my finger on. And that something else, I really like it."

My cheeks heat. "What’s a girl to say to that?"

"You don’t have to say anything," he tells me, lifting his glass.

I lift mine, and we clink glasses, then drink the sweet wine. We continue eating. I talk to him about gardening, and he talks to me about cooking. It’s nice that we’re both so excited about our hobbies. I feel like I could talk with Robbie forever.

"I never knew a picnic could be this much fun," I said after swallowing a particularly scrumptious chocolate-dipped strawberry.

"Me neither." Robbie looked at me over the top of a half-eaten scone. There was something in that look, a spark that seemed to say this was more than just a picnic. This was a beginning.

And I couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

The last bite of strawberry still lingered on my tongue when a soft melody began to weave through the air. I looked around, but no musicians were in sight. The sound seemed to bubble up from the very ground .

"Where's that coming from?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Robbie just winked and stood, offering his hand. "Does it matter?"

I giggled and took his hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet. We started swaying to the music, an impromptu dance on the plush grass. Above us, the sky was a canvas splashed with the deepest blues and purples, stars twinkling like glitter tossed by a playful hand.

"Ever danced under the stars before?" Robbie asked as we spun lightly.

"Can't say that I have." I laughed when he dipped me slightly, the world tilting in a delightful way.

"First time for everything." He grinned.

As we moved together, our laughter mingling with the enchanting tunes, I was lighter than I had in years. It was as if the magic had seeped into my bones, making me forget I was ever anything but this moment.

"Tell me about your dreams," Robbie said softly as we slowed, moving more intimately now.

"Besides spoiling nonexistent grandchildren?" I said, then sighed. "I want a garden. Not just flowers, but a place where magic and nature meet. A sanctuary."

"I'd like to see that," Robbie said earnestly. "One day, maybe you'll create it."

"Maybe." I smiled, warmed by the thought. It was nice that I’d already gotten the wheels spinning on that one. It was a dream that was close enough to touch.

"And you? What do you dream about?"

"Me?" He looked thoughtful as we continued to dance. "I've built things all of my life. Stores, businesses... But I've never built something for myself. Something that lasts. Like... a legacy, I suppose."

"Legacy's a big word," I said gently.

"Guess I'm a big dream kind of guy," he said, and we both chuckled. He spun me again, and for a second, I was flying.

"Past experiences? Hopes for the future?" I nudged, curious about what stories lay behind those piercing blue eyes .

"Growing up in my dad's store taught me about hard work. That's the past," Robbie said. "The future, well, I hope it involves magic. And someone special to share it with."

"Sounds like a good future." A warmth spread through my chest.

"Doesn't it just?" Robbie pulled me closer.

We danced until the music faded, sharing pieces of ourselves between steps and turns. It was new, opening up like this, but it was right, like the beginning of something wonderful.

I kicked off my shoes, the softness of the meadow under my feet. "It's like stepping on a cloud," I laughed as Robbie did the same.

"Only the best for our date."

The music slowly ended, and we pulled apart, staring at each other. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I didn’t want this moment to end. I wanted to stay here with him forever.

"Should we explore a little?"

He smiled. "Absolutely."

The magic in the air was thick enough to touch, swirling around us like a comfortable blanket. We walked, side by side, through the meadow, our hands brushing now and then. Each touch sent a spark between us, making my heart skip a beat.

"Look at that," Robbie pointed to a squirrel dashing up a tree.

"Everything feels so light here with you," he said, and I nodded.

"Like all the heavy stuff just doesn't matter," I added. Robbie reached out to take my hand, and I didn't hesitate to let him.

"Exactly," he said, and we just stood there, hand in hand, watching the pastel sky change colors as the sun dipped lower.

The moment stretched, endless. It was as if time had slowed down just for us, giving us this bubble where nothing else existed but Robbie, me, and the magical world around us.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I whispered.

"Thank you for saying yes." He squeezed my hand gently .

We turned back to face each other, and I saw something in Robbie's gaze that I hadn't noticed before, a depth, a genuine hopefulness. It mirrored my own feelings, the ones I'd kept locked away for so long. But here, in this place made from imagination and wonder, I felt brave enough to let them show.

"Robbie," I said, but he put a finger to my lips.

"Shh, don't say anything," he said softly. "Let's just enjoy this."

And so, we did. We savored the silence, the connection, the laughter that bubbled up without effort. We were two people starting over, finding comfort in the joy of the present, in a meadow that seemed to have been conjured up just for us.

Returning to our little picnic, we both just stopped and stared for a minute. Should we sit and eat some more? I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to be close to Robbie. We exchanged a grin, and it was like we both knew what the other was thinking.

The stars above twinkled, scattered across the sky. Robbie and I lay on the blanket, our hands linked. His fingers were warm, strong wrapped with mine, and it seemed right, like they were meant to fit together.

"Look at that one." He pointed to a particularly bright star winking at us from the heavens. "It's like it's saying hello."

I chuckled. "Or maybe goodnight?"

"Could be." His thumb brushed over my hand in a comforting rhythm.

More time passed. Robbie told me about his friends back home. He often had dinner at various friend’s houses, but he was always the odd man out. He didn’t mind being the only person in his circle not in a relationship, but it got lonely sometimes.

I admitted the same. I liked having my space and independence since my daughter moved out, but this new life was lonely in its own way. It’s not like I’d rather be with the wrong person, but sometimes I wanted to fill the silence in my home with another person.

When we finished talking, I felt like we’d come to an understanding. Neither of us needed another person in our life, but both of us wanted someone. The right someone .

"Guess it's time we head back, huh?" he asked, sounding regretful.

"Yeah." I sighed, not wanting this moment to end. But as much as the magic of the meadow beckoned us to stay, reality waited on the other side of the portal.

"Got your stone?" Robbie asked, already sitting up.

"Yep," I answered, patting my pocket where the smooth stone rested. We stood up, dusting ourselves off, and picked up the remains of the picnic and blanket.

I pulled the stone out. With a deep breath, I activated it, focusing on the familiar surroundings of the academy. It was hard for a moment, with all this perfection around me, but I forced myself to focus. To go back home.

The world twisted for a second, then settled. We were back in the portal room, the dim light greeting us like an old friend. I looked up at Robbie. Our smiles met, speaking volumes without a single word.

"Goodnight," he said, his voice soft but filled with something new, something promising.

"Goodnight." My heart skipped a beat.

Then he kissed me. It wasn't just any kiss. This was a kiss that imprinted memories, that promised more. A kiss that sealed the connection we'd discovered in a meadow under a sunset sky.

When we finally parted, we were both breathing a little faster.

"See you tomorrow," I whispered.

"Tomorrow," he said, and with one last smile, he turned and left.

Standing there, I touched my lips, still feeling the warmth of his kiss. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to believe that starting over might just lead to something beautiful. Heck, it had already led to something beautiful.

I headed back to my room and closed the door behind me, the corners of my mouth still turned up in a smile. There was a lightness in my chest, like I'd swallowed a bubble of pure joy.

"Mom's home." Tilly and Simon came trotting over, their tails up like little flags. They circled around my ankles, purring like tiny engines. I picked them up, one in each arm, and made my way to the bed .

Their toy, the one showing the outside world, had turned off long ago. The handy thing had come with a timer, so it was just me, and them, in my quiet room.

"Guess what, you two," I whispered as I settled down with them. "I had a date. A real, magical date." It was silly talking to my cats about it, but there was no one else I wanted to share this moment with. They nuzzled against my hands, their eyes half-closed with contentment.

I lay back, the soft pillow cradling my head, and replayed the evening in my mind. The colors of the sunset, the taste of the food Robbie brought, the sound of his laugh, the feel of his hand in mine. Every detail was vivid, full of wonder.

Tilly purred louder and nestled her head under my chin. Simon stretched out beside me, his paw resting on my arm. In their warmth and the quiet of my room, I felt a sense of hope blooming inside me. Maybe starting over in my forties wasn't so bad after all. Maybe it was just the beginning of something wonderful.