"Full of people." The crow lands on her shoulder as Bianca crouches
out on the Patio.

"Yes, I recognize a few." Bianca says in a far off voice.

"You should." Is all it replies.

Bianca walks up to the French doors and with a look of curiosity
reaches out and touches the glass. Instantly, a tear as crystalline
as ice falls down her cheek.

<<< She sees Maggie in her soft, powder blue dress walking toward
her with glasses of sparkling cider. She smiles to herself as she
absently fidgets with her dress. She knows tonight is going to be
the night that she lays it on the line. Well, if she can pull her
courage up by the bootstraps.

"Here we are, Miss Montgomery…two glasses of sparkling cider."
Maggie mock bows as she passes the glass to her `date’.

"Thank You Miss Stone, but you could have had Champagne. It wouldn’t
have bothered me." Bianca offers.

"Nah, it tastes like vinegar to me actually." Maggie confesses.

Bianca laughs as they watch the crowd in a comfortable silence.
Moments pass by and it still so early in the night. As if both young
women are on the same wavelength, they turn and gaze into each
other’s eyes. Maggie sets her glass down on the table they are
standing next to. Bianca follows suit setting hers down as well.
They never break eye contact. Finally, Maggie smiles sweetly and
raises her hands up to Bianca’s shoulders.

"I can’t wait until Midnight." Maggie whispers.

"Me…" she begins but is interrupted as Maggie’s lips brush against
hers shyly.

Bianca reacts instantly by placing her hands into Maggie’s hair and
placing her lips more firmly against Maggie’s. Both young women
embrace each other heatedly forgetting the crowd around them. They
introduce each other to the taste and feel of their love through
softly greeting mouths. Suddenly, they are interrupted by the
outbreak of applause. They break the kiss and stare at each other
blushing at their public display of affection.

"I love you, Bianca. I just couldn’t wait anymore." Maggie looks
away shyly.

Bianca gently turns Maggie’s face back toward her, "Maggie, I love
you so much. I’m so glad that one of us finally had the courage to
say something." She brushes her lips against the shorter woman’s.
The crowd applauds again.

Maggie stands up on her tip toes to whisper in her love’s ear, "I
don’t want to wait until midnight, Bean….take me home, please."