Not that it wasn't already beautiful, because itwas.It shone under the mild English sunshine, a beautiful myriad of pink and gold and bright, healthy green. It looked almost unreal, too beautiful to be anything but the figment of Elmore's imagination.
Except that it was real, and it washere.
Aurora sat back on her heels as she wiped dirt from her dress. She was even more lovely than the flowers, even covered in dry earth and bits of grass. If anything, Elmore rather thought that made her even lovelier, because it was her natural place in the world. This was where Aurora was happiest, where she belonged.
Elmore joined her, kneeling in the grass as he gazed at the pale cream of the angel's trumpet.
"What do you think?" he asked.
Aurora's reply was a bright, adoring smile. "It looks perfect. I know that one sample isn't enough to do much yet, but it's a good start — this one plant will be the start of everything."
Elmore hummed in agreement, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. They had placed a lot of faith in this one plant. Aurora was right, it was more than just a flower; it was a symbol of everything in their future.
Hopefully, that future held good things.
Finally, Aurora stood. She was incredibly careful when removing her gloves, not allowing the outside to touch her skin. In truth she was being over-careful, Elmore didn't think that the toxic contents could be transferred through fabric; but it was better to be over-cautious than the opposite. This way, they knew that they were safe.
Elmore shed his glove too, and together they tossed everything into a bucket to wash thoroughly later. For now, though, Elmore was happy to admire their work.
"We should get something to eat," Elmore suggested, "and come back to keep an eye on the angel's trumpet."
Aurora rose a brow. "Why? It looks fine."
He shrugged. "It's only that I've seen people peek into the garden sometimes, and I'm worried that people may try to steal it."
Aurora winced. "It would be bad if somebody touched it. All right, I'll make us some dinner and we can eat outside. What do you say?"
Elmore smiled broadly and agreed. Truthfully, although hehadseen people peeking into the Washam's garden, it was mostly an excuse to spend more time with Aurora.
He wasn't subtle, but Aurora apparently remained oblivious as she darted into the house.
She arrived twenty minutes later with a tray of cold pie and sandwiches — it was the kind of thing they would usually eat earlier in the afternoon, but it was perfect for eating outside. Like a picnic, Elmore thought.
They sat together with a picnic blanket spread out between them, watching the angel's trumpet at the time crept on. The evenings were getting dark earlier now, the nights getting longer.
Elmore didn't mind; he enjoyed nighttime, and the kind of lazy peace it brought. At night, Elmore felt more relaxed, like nothing in the world could hurt him. During the day he was busy, and worries plagued him; but here, with Aurora, it was nice.
She plucked a sandwich from the tray and took a delicate bite. She didn't eat much, Elmore noticed, although she had a sweet tooth and always ate dessert.
"The garden looks so lovely at night," Elmore said with a smile. He didn't just mean the angel's trumpet, either, but the garden as a whole. It was perfect, a beautiful expanse of green grass and almost every kind of flower imaginable. No matter how often Elmore visited the Washam's house, there was always something new to notice. New colors, new flowers, it was so exciting!
Aurora nodded, a smile on her delicate features. She sat beside him with hardly any distance between them, their hands almost touching. Yet when she noticed, Aurora let out a sigh and moved her hand away.
Disappointment settled in his chest, but it was expected; no matter how much he wished for it, Aurora had no desire to be with him. After the altercation with the Baron, he wouldn't blame Aurora if she never wished to be with anyone. Goodness knew that it was enough to put someone off for life.
That thought lingered as he picked up a sandwich. This one was cucumber and roast beef, quite a delicious combination. He took a bit, enjoying the taste, all the while watching Aurora from the corner of his eyes.
She stretched then, slender arms raised towards the sky. He caught a glimpse of her bright hair as it caught the moonlight, before it tumbled across Aurora's shoulders and down her back.
He was mesmerized by Aurora, truly — he had denied it for so long, but it wastrue.She was lovely, and while they hadn't always been friends, Elmore had always admired her. She was beautiful, of course, but there was so much else to Aurora too; she was kind to her loved ones, and she always stood up for what was right. After all this time, Elmore finally had the chance to experience her kindness, too.
Elmore was brought from his thoughts when a sweet, almost fruity scent filled the air. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the familiar smell.
Aurora must have noticed it too, because she leaned towards the angel's trumpet with a smile. "Oh, it's blooming!"
Before, the flower of the angel's trumpet had been half-closed — still beautiful, but not at its best. Yet just like Aurora said, it was now blooming so that the flower burst open in a wide arch to reveal that lovely, wide bell shape that Elmore loved.
And with it came that lovely scent, carried in the breeze.