The nostalgia tour

It was clear that hearing about Anthony's happy childhood had affected her more than she thought it would, but she would never want to give Anthony the feeling that she wasn't interested in hearing his stories or that he couldn't tell her about them. So, Rebecca smiled. For the first time in hours, Rebecca had shown Anthony a genuine, and love-filled smile, as she used her free hand to touch Anthony's face.

She looked into his eyes, and said, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for making you feel this way. I was lost in my own thoughts about my own childhood. Hearing your happy memories, reminded me that I don't have many of my own from my childhood. But I didn't notice that my thoughts were affecting how I was behaving on the outside. I don't want to taint your happy memories with my sadness over my own childhood. That was never my intention. Don't worry, I won't let it happen again. Your words made me snap out of it."

But Anthony shook his head. "No, that isn't what I want. I want you to tell me when these things happen and when you feel this way. Just like I want you to learn about me, I also want to learn about you. Besides, talking about it, might help you process them better or it might lift your mood to get the words out of your system."

Rebecca chuckled at Anthony's sweet attempt to help. So she obliged. "Very well. If you are sure you want to hear about it, I'll tell you all about it. Then you'll know why I am no longer in contact with the people known as my parents." Rebecca then proceeded to tell Anthony about her childhood or lack thereof. How much she and her brother had to struggle growing up and how awful her parents really were. She also told him about how hearing his stories, made her realize that things had been even worse than she thought they had been. Making her feel a bit down.

"There. I told you all about it. But I want to make one thing clear, you aren't to blame for any of that. At. All. So, please continue to be your cheerful self, because that is what I love about you. It is that happy, goofy nature of yours, that has lifted my mood over the years more than once. So, don't hold yourself back. Continue the tour. Tell me all there is to know about the Anthony that I wasn't able to meet until we reach the current you." Anthony smiled and with a cheeky smile asked, "Love..? So, it is no longer an 'I think I love you too', but an actual 'I love'?"

Realizing her own words, Rebecca felt her cheeks growing a bit more pink as it had been the first time she had used that word since the day of Anthony's proposal. But while she was feeling a bit embarrassed for saying that word so mindlessly, Anthony was enjoying this moment to the fullest. With a teasing look in his eyes he asked, "When did this happen? I would 'love' to know. With it being so effective, I'll make sure to repeat whatever caused this change in order to see how much more we can make your feelings towards me grow."

While avoiding his eyes, Rebecca muttered, "I think we have established that they have grown plenty enough. No need to push things any further." Anthony chuckled and pulled the shy Rebecca closed as he leaned his head against hers, and they continued to sit at the bench a little while longer, enjoying the calm view. As they did, Rebecca smiled with a look of amusement, as Anthony had just done what she said he praised him for before. He had lifted her mood. From that serious conversation, with just one remark, he had managed to change what she was thinking about entirely.

After sitting there for a few more minutes, Rebecca patted his leg as she said, "Let's go. I think there are plenty more places for us to visit, and you still haven't revealed your final surprise that is supposed to end this nostalgia tour. So, let's not waste anymore time here and get going again." Anthony chuckled again and jumped up from the bench, before he saluted Rebecca as he said, "Aye, aye, captain. I'll get us right back on track. All aboard the 'Trip down memory lane' - Express!" Rebecca shook her head and laughed as she accepted Anthony's extended hand. This time with a lot less hesitation and pause as the first time.

Hand in hand they started walking again to the next destination. During their walk Rebecca was finally her usual self. Allowing them to actual enjoy the remainder of their little tour, chatting like the friends they were before this big change.