VANESSA
The Moonbinding Festival's children's scavenger hunt was in full swing, and I couldn't take my eyes off Roman and Fabian.
I stood beneath a weeping willow, its branches creating a natural curtain around me. From this vantage point, I could watch them without being obvious. Roman crouched beside my son, his large hand steadying Fabian's smaller one as they studied the clue card together.
"No, Dad, it says 'where the moon kisses the water.' That's gotta be the fountain!" Fabian insisted, pointing toward the center of the Moonstone grounds.
Roman smiled patiently. "Read it again, buddy. It says 'where the moon kisses the water when stars fall.' Where do stars fall during the festival?"
Fabian's brow furrowed adorably, then lit up. "The wishing pool! Where we toss the star coins!"
Roman nodded, and the pride in his expression made my chest tighten. "Exactly."