Love Unspoken

Quinn quickly put a stop to their goofing around. "Alright, cut it out. We've got serious stuff to talk about." Sean shot Kyle a dirty look, snorted, and plopped back into his seat.

Maddox, cradling Sprout, turned to Quinn. "Quinn, why don't you come up with a name?"

"Me?" Quinn shook her head repeatedly. "I got nothing."

"Just throw something out there. It's just a name, no big deal," Maddox pressed.

Quinn hesitated, then looked over at Alexander. "How about you give it a shot?"

Alexander looked a bit surprised.

Everyone's eyes were on him. Maddox urged, "Stop being so humble. Just spit it out. I wanna take Sprout to play." After a quick think, Alexander said, "Wind Island."

Maddox whistled. "Man, you can tell when someone's got class. Sounds so artsy. Any special meaning behind it?"

"Nah, it's just windy," Alexander shrugged.

Kyle jumped in with the praise. "Mr. Kennedy, you're something else. Wind Island sounds great and it's easy to remember!" The others chimed in with their agreement.

Alexander listened to the compliments, his face a blank slate.

Quinn said, "Alright, if no one's got any objections, Wind Island it is."

"Cool, it's settled. Tomorrow we'll put up a stone tablet at the entrance," Maddox declared.

Then he dismissed everyone and took Sprout to keep playing.

Quinn headed to check the warehouse where the fireworks were stashed. It was packed, enough to last three days.

On Christmas Eve, everyone hauled the fireworks to the beach. Quinn and Alexander joined them by the shore.

It was pitch black all around, except for the brightly lit island.

Alexander held her hand, quietly watching the folks setting up the fireworks.

Quinn suddenly asked, "Where are Sprout and Brandy?"

"Over there," Alexander pointed.

Following his gaze, Quinn spotted Maddox and Sprout nearby.

Maddox was showing them how to cover their ears. Seeing him do it, Sprout and Brandy copied him.

"Yep, just like that. When I say cover your ears, do it like this," Maddox instructed.

Brandy nodded seriously.

Sprout's little mouth was moving, saying something. Maddox had gotten pretty good at understanding him by now. Maddox couldn't help but smile and pinched his cheek. "You'll know what to do soon enough."

He stood up and noticed Quinn had joined them. "Why'd you two come over?"

Quinn said, "Doesn't matter where we are. Let's watch together." "Alright, I thought you two were off finding a cozy spot," Maddox teased.

"We're an old couple. Nothing cozy about us," Quinn shot back.

As they chatted, someone yelled, "When are we lighting these things?"

Kyle checked his watch. "Five more minutes. Light 'em at midnight sharp."

Quinn looked at the fireworks on the beach, feeling a bit anxious. She told Maddox to take the kids further away.

At midnight, everyone rushed to light the fireworks.

Maddox turned to the kids. "Cover your ears."novelbin

The kids immediately raised their hands, covering their ears tightly, watching with a mix of curiosity and nerves.

Moments later, the beach exploded with loud bangs. Countless streaks of light shot into the sky, bursting into colorful stars that lit up the sea and the island.