"Why are you smiling?" he asked.
"Because I'm happy."
"Good." They kissed again then headed to the house where they saw Brett and Faith sitting on the front porch. When Megan waved, Brett approached them. "It's about time," Brett said.
"You don't mind, do you?" Colby said.
"No. You two were made for each other." The men shook hands. Bewildered by this display of friendship, Megan stared, speechless. "Come on, cuz, I don't hold grudges," he said. Faith now stood beside Brett.
Megan shook her head. "Faith, are you sure you want to marry him?"
"Yes," she said. "He needs me."
"Definitely," Megan said, laughing. Brett looked at the women, unsure of what just happened.
"Man," Colby said, "Let it go. Don't try to figure them out. It will drive you crazy."
"You got that right," Brett said, putting his arm around his fiancé.
Laughter and friendly voices surrounded her, but Megan's happy moment flew away. Should she stay guarded lest something bad happen? Why did she feel that with happiness comes pain and sorrow?
"What's bothering you?" Colby asked, holding his girlfriend.
Stars dotted the sky, new ones lighting every few seconds. "I'm afraid my happiness will disappear as quickly as it entered my life," she said.
"Life makes no guarantees where happiness is concerned," Colby said. "Remember, we promised to take it one day at a time. Let's make the most of each day. Isn't that the best way to live?"
"I don't know. I tend to live in the past and the future, disregarding the present." She looked at Colby and exhaled. "How much have I missed?"
"Not much. You've dealt with a lot in your life. Now's your chance to live, have fun, find love, and go to college. Make the most of it. You deserve it and you know your parents would tell you that if they were standing here."
He knows the path to my heart. How did he break through the obstacles? "They would have liked you," she said, smiling, with happy tears cascading down her cheeks.
Colby gently kissed them away and then turned her so she could rest her back against his chest. They stared into the night sky, letting their hearts beat together as one. Time passed quickly. Colby glanced at his watch. "I hate to leave, but I promised my grandparents I'd be home early."