It Was a Clear Dark Night by Renesmee

It was a clear night. The moon's pale reflection glimmered on the placid pond and the crickets in the tall grasses struck up a chorus of chirps and hums. Lily couldn't sleep. In fact, she could barely lie still in the bed she had made herself of pine needles and grass. Something was missing. After a while, Lily got up. As she meandered around the perimeter of the pond, she noticed a dark shape sitting alone in the tall grass. As she approached the figure, it quietly whispered, "Sam?"
"No. It's Lily." Lily's voice was soft too, almost soothing.
"Listen, I'm sorry about this morning. I… " Max's apology trailed off into silence. They sat there for a while, just staring up at the stars and breathing.
"I thought you'd left for good."
"So did I. After the fight, I was furious with myself. I… I don't know. It felt different without... well… I guess I…" Max buried his face in his hands, and Lily could sense his frustration.
"It's okay. I understand. It was… different… without you around to nag me about this or that. I almost missed it." Lily meant for this statement to be kind, but she unintentionally added what she had been through with him around.
"I'm so sorry. I've been a fool, acting like I was so much better than you. I… While I was gone, I missed you too." Max's resolve shattered, and his words tumbled and tripped over each other like a small child's feet, only just learning to walk.
"I missed you like I've never missed anyone before. I… I… I guess I never noticed before, but when you hold Charles like that, and look at him that way, you remind me of my mother, and when you look at me with pain in your eyes… I just can't stand it. And when I'm near you, whenever I see you now, my heart beats wildly against my chest like it's ready to burst right through me just to be closer to you, and my mind goes blank, and I always say the wrong thing. When I left… it nearly tore me in half to know that I might never see you again, and I…"
Lily silently pressed her finger to his lips, and whispered, "Quiet now, or you'll wake Sam and Charles with your lovesick talk." Lily's teasing smile was more beautiful than ever because of the tears that silently streaked her smooth face. "If it makes you feel any better, I love you too." Lily's tone was surprised but pleased.
They lay in the tall grass, gazing up at the stars.
"Everything will be different now." Max's statement needed no reply, but Lily provided one anyway.
"Yes."
Max turned to face her. "Lily, will you do me a favor?" He was desperate now, pleading.
"That depends on what it is." Lily stretched up on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned into his chest. Max's finger found her chin and gently raised her head to look at him. His other hand reached up and brushed away a fresh tear. Max ran his fingers through Lily's hair, then down to the small of her back. Their eyes met in a loving stare. They leaned closer, then paused uncertainly for a moment. Lily's eyes closed and Max leaned the last two inches until their soft lips brushed for the briefest second; then they were kissing passionately.
The pale moon watched high above as the young couple completed their walk around the perimeter of the pond, and lay once again under the stars, dreaming of what tomorrow would bring.

By Renesmee