NOTE: This chapter was inspired by Disney's Festival of the Lion King.
If you had told Riftan Calypse eleven years ago that one of his favorite memories would be made in a cramped, loud arts festival in the sweltering heat of midsummer he would not have believed you. And yet, there he was sitting in the front row with his family watching a lively musical performance at Anatol's annual summer arts festival.
A special stage had been constructed for this particular performance. The stage was surrounded with viewing areas on all four sides with the stage in the center. Looking down at the stage meant that there was never a bad place to sit. Even so, Andrew had insisted that they arrive early to get good seats.
There were acrobats, dancers, stunning costumes, and energetic music throughout the performance. Riftan didn't pay much attention to the story, but he found immense joy in seeing how happy his wife and son were as they watched the show. Little Victoria sat in her mother's lap giggling gleefully as she watched the bright colors of the dancers' costumes move around on the stage. Maxi and Andrew sat on the edge of their seats the entire time, completely captivated by the performance with a look of awe gracing their faces the entire time.
Towards the end of the show a few of the performers asked that all the children come down to help kick off the celebration finale. Andrew was out of his seat before they finished giving the announcement.
"Come with me mom! Please!" he cried gleefully. He grabbed the sleeve of her dress and tugged impatiently as he tried to get her to join him.
Some of the younger kids who were too shy to go on their own often pulled one of their parents along with them so they would feel less intimidated. Andrew was a very brave boy but huge crowds like this made him a little uneasy, plus he didn't want his little sister to miss all the fun.
Andrew pleaded and pulled harder on her arm and Maxi couldn't say no to his sweet request. She adjusted her young daughter who now sat comfortably against her left side as her young son took her right hand and pulled her into the crowd of children rushing down to the stage.
Each participant was handed a small noise maker that had small beads inside that they could shake as they danced to the final song. The other kids along with some of their parents or nannies lined up around the stage and the music started. Following the guidance from the performers the kids began to shake their noise makers as they walked and danced around in a circle around the rectangular platform that held the stage, almost like a loosely choreographed conga line.
The audience clapped along to the lovely beat as lively music played. The performers sang and danced on the platform, waving ribbons and streamers as they moved about. Riftan wasn't paying attention to the performance anymore, he was transfixed by the sight of his family, the three people he loved more than anything in this world, swaying, and laughing as they made their way around the stage. Riftan would have paid any price to make time slow down so he could enjoy this perfect moment forever.
He watched as Andrew danced along to the rhythm of the music as best he could, not quite on the beat but he didn't mind, he was just having fun in the moment. Victoria was completely captivated by the little noise maker she had been given and waved it around wildly, squealing with laughter as the small instrument brought her endless joy.
And then there was his Maxi. Great heavens she was so beautiful. His wife swayed to the music with their daughter on her hip as she followed their son in the line. Her movement had caused her hair which had been put up on this sweltering summer day to come loose and now it swung behind her as her body moved gracefully. What really struck at his heart was her smile. It was blinding, so full of love and happiness as she danced with their children. Her eyes crinkled slightly as she laughed with joy as they moved around the stage. She was glowing, the way only a mother can when she sees that her children are immeasurably happy.
Andrew suddenly broke the line and came running towards his father. The young boy had a joyful smile on his face that Riftan thought could easily rival the bright sun.
"Come on Dad!" the boy yelled as he tried to speak above the music and other noise. Riftan didn't care much for dancing, but he couldn't refuse his son's request. He didn't give a damn if his men, who were also attending the show, and would likely tease him for weeks about his. He only cared about the opinions of three people, and he was about to join them.
Taking his son's hand, they hurried to catch up with Maxi and Victoria. His son rejoined the line and Riftan slid in line behind Maxi and followed her. He reached out over Maxi's shoulder and caressed his daughter's rosy cheeks, which were bright pink from her excessive laughter. The girl cooed at her father's gentle touch and then raised her noise maker as if she were showing him her trophy.
Maxi witnessed the cute exchange and beamed at them. She couldn't resist leaning over and kissing her daughter on the cheek. The child squealed at all the attention she was receiving which caused her parents to chuckle.
They watched as Andrew continued to dance in front of them as they made their way around the stage. It was good to see him doing something so carefree. Usually, he tried to be serious like the Remdragon Knights he aspired to be. In Riftan and Maximilian's opinion, sometimes he took his sword training and other lessons too seriously, so it was nice to see him so relaxed.
The music swelled as the song came to an end and the line slowed down to a stop as they all looked towards the stage to see the very end of the show. Andrew ran over to his father who swiftly scooped him up with one arm. He placed his other hand on Maxi's waist and pulled her close as they faced the stage to watch the end of the performance together. Maxi leaned her back against Riftan's chest and he kissed the top of her head. She wasn't facing him, but he could see that the tips of her ears were bright pink. They had been married for years and yet he still found ways to make her blush which made him beyond happy.
The audience roared with cheers and applause when the song ended. Riftan simply hugged his family a little tighter, savoring this blissful moment for as long as he could. He sent a silent prayer of thanks to the heavens for the three precious blessings he now held in his arms.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with fun activities. There were rides, shows, and games that children of all ages could enjoy. Andrew liked the ring toss where you could win little prizes while little Victoria enjoyed the puppet show.
By the end of the day, Andrew and Victoria were completely exhausted, so much so that they fell asleep as their parents carried them back to the carriage which would take them back to the castle. After a short ride back to their home, the couple took their young children to their rooms. The children were so tired that they didn't stir one bit.
Once they had tucked in their precious children, the couple walked hand in hand back to their room. They quickly changed into their nighttime attire before sinking beneath the soft covers of their large bed. Maxi groaned. She felt totally relaxed as though she were laying on a fluffy cloud. It had been a fun but very exhausting day.
She blinked sleepily as she looked over at her husband. She was surprised to see a bright smile on his face as he stared off into the distance, his mind far away. Curious to know what was making him smile, one of his rare genuine smiles, she moved closer to him. She pressed her body against him, laying her head on his chest. Instinctively he wrapped his arms around her that always made her feel safe and loved.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
His arms squeezed her a little tighter, hugging her from the side before he answered.
"Just thinking about all the fun we had together as a family today." he said quietly, His voice sounding slightly distant as though he was still transfixed by the priceless memories of all the joy they had shared that afternoon.
Maxi closed her eyes and hummed contently in agreement. She hugged his side tightly before looking up at him once more.
His brow was slightly furrowed as he looked down at her.
"What is it?" she inquired.
"Are you sure we can't have a festival every day?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow at her.
Try as she might, Maxi couldn't help but chuckle at his question. He had once asked her a similar question after her first spring festival in Anatol. She knew he wanted to have one every day if it kept her and their children as happy as they were today.
"I'm sure," Maxi said with a gentle smile, "as much as our children would love that idea, part of what made today's memories so special is their rarity. Of course, we want them to be joyful and full of laughter every day but special events like today's festival because they only happen a few times a year make it all the more precious and priceless. Though it was a lovely thought."
She felt the rise and fall of his chest as he took a deep breath.
"Today was..." he began before pausing to try to find the right words. "I honestly cannot begin to properly put it into words, Maxi. Truly."
He moved his hand to the side of her face, making sure he had her attention before he spoke again.
"I will never take a single day, a single moment of my life for granted." he said in a gentle but serious tone. "You have blessed us with two perfect, precious children. Sometimes I feel as though I am living someone else's life because mine feels too good to be true."
Maximilian's eyes became glossy at her husband's sweet and sincere words.
"I thank the heavens every day and every night for you and for our children." she said softly, her voice shaking slightly with emotion.
Maxi and Riftan held one another a little tighter as they pondered the day's events and all the many things they were grateful for.
In a few months, the annual fall festival will be celebrated in Anatol. Another day of fun together as a family. The couple fell asleep holding each other close with soft smiles on their lips as they dreamed of all the memories they looked forward to making together as a family.