Chronicles Presents: The Lights In Life

(Yep, another short story challenge entry. This time for August. Theme is Summer Love)

(The time once more, it takes place during the Arc 5 timeskip. At least before Sagebear got fat)

“Sweet mercy, woman! What is keeping that top up?”

“Ya know, let’s just say magic and willpower. As long as I don’t flash yer son, I don’t care what it is.”

Summer was beginning to come to a close. Noting this, Shark and Dennis decided to take a day off at the beach. It had in fact been Shark’s idea to bring Blaise along, which Dennis happily agreed to.

Wedding preparations were all done and accounted for. All that was left for Dennis and Blaise was to wait for their planned day. And even that wasn’t too far away from now.

Now, the couple was setting out their hastily prepared picnic, while Shark went out into the water to swim and play.

“Can ya believe it, Denny? The year went by super quick. Ain’t gonna be long before we get trick-or-treaters and Christmas carols!”

“I can believe it, dear. The boy’s already preparing for the second one, if all the Snoopy ornaments I’ve been finding are any indication.”

Once the two sat down and made themselves comfortable, the sound of paws against sand was heard behind them.

“Aww, there she is! We’re over here, little girl!”

At hearing Blaise’s voice, Sagebear quickly made a beeline for the picnic blanket. She then took a glance toward the basket, her nose moving about as she smelled for dog-friendly vittles.

“Now don’t you worry, puppy,” Dennis said to her. “Grandpa packed dinner for you, too.” Satisfied with this answer, Sagebear took a seat and waited patiently for Shark to return.

“I’m glad to get a day off with you,” Dennis said to start passing the time. “Hopefully our workplaces let us off more time after we tie the knot!”

“Likewise, Denny!” Blaise then briefly chewed on her bottom lip before altering the subject. “Hell, I never would have imagined I’d end up ever getting married.

“‘Cause, ya know, most guys usually don’t go for ladies who wear Axe body spray and watch The People’s Court.”

Dennis just snorted at this. “I’ve no problems there! I prefer Axe over all that perfume and such. And let me tell you, Marilyn Milian is a handsome woman!”

Blaise nodded in agreement to this, before Dennis went on. As he spoke, she grabbed a plate of food and proceeded to begin eating.

“And if anything, I’m surprised at how you managed to find something desirable about a middle-aged divorced father.”

Waiting until she finished the food in her mouth, Blaise gave her opinion on how her future husband described himself.

“Hey, I got personal experience with single daddies. For a good part of my childhood, I was raised by one! So of course single daddies got a place in my heart.”

She paused while eating, as if reminiscing about all the fun times she had with her father. Then after two more bites, she kept talking.

“For the record, though, I doubt we could have five kids like my daddy and Myrna did. Since, ya know, sterility and whatnot. But hey, just ’cause Shark didn’t fall out of my vagina, don’t mean he ain’t my son already! I already love him like one!”

Dennis smiled at her way of describing how she felt about his son. The interesting way she phrased it only added to the charm he adored about her.

By this time, Shark was coming in from his time out in the water. He made sure to be as dried-off as he could before approaching the others to start dinnertime.

“I wasn’t out too long, was I?” When Sagebear got to her feet again, she whined at Shark, like she was scolding him for making her wait for her meal.

“Oh, heck no, boy! Everything’s still fresh and ready to be consumed!”

“I can vouch for that, Sharky! Hopefully I didn’t eat what yer daddy promised ya on the way here, though.”

After that came a relatively quiet time of eating sandwiches and drinking root beer. Once said sandwiches were gone, it was a sight to behold when Sagebear stuck her head into the basket to make sure.

Then came the odd suggestion of getting fireworks on the way home. Given it was well past the 4th of July, the fireworks still on sale were well discounted.

They all bought as many as they could carry, and still be able to get them home safe. It was then just a matter of seeing if they could get them all fired off before the end of the night.

All of them were eager to begin setting off their stash of firecrackers, even Sagebear.

Once the miniature festivities started, the air was filled with the sounds of whistling and crackling, along with jubilant cheering and happy barking.

Dennis couldn’t help but grin widely while all of them were watching the glittery spectacle. His joy was only intensified when he heard just how much the others were enjoying this.

Although he and Blaise weren’t married quite yet, she was already part of the family. For this, he couldn’t be happier.

(Word count: 843, according to the word counter)