CHAPTER 45: A DAY IN THE PARK (BONUS CHAPTER)(NON CANON CHAPTER)

The late afternoon sun spilled golden light across the park, bathing the world in a warm, dreamy hue. A breeze stirred the leaves, rustling them gently, like nature itself was whispering secrets between branches. Edward adjusted the strap of his backpack and glanced sideways at Sabrina, who walked beside him with her hands clasped behind her back and a soft smile tugging at her lips.

"You’re unusually quiet today," Edward said, nudging her lightly with his elbow. "What’s on your mind?"

Sabrina looked up at him, her brown eyes warm but thoughtful.

"I was just thinking how nice it is today," she said. "Not too hot, not too cold. Just... peaceful."

Edward smirked. "You sure you’re not secretly a weather forecaster?"

She giggled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "If I was, I’d make sure every weekend looked exactly like this."

They reached the edge of a winding path that disappeared into a grove of tall trees. It split in two directions—one leading toward the playground, the other to a wide, grassy field dotted with wildflowers and picnic-goers.

"Which way?" Edward asked, pausing.

Sabrina pointed toward the field. "That way. I brought something."

Curious, Edward followed her as she led the way through the trees, past children laughing and running with kites, and around couples sprawled on picnic blankets.

Near the far side of the field, where the grass grew taller and wilder, they found a quiet spot beneath an old oak tree. Sabrina dropped her tote bag and pulled out a folded checkered blanket.

"Behold," she said dramatically, unfurling it with a flourish. "Our royal resting spot."

Edward chuckled and helped her smooth it out. They sat down together, and Sabrina began pulling out the contents of her bag—a thermos, two cups, a small box of pastries, and a book.

"You made tea?" he asked, a little surprised.

"Chamomile with honey," she said, unscrewing the cap of the thermos. "Thought we could just relax and read."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "You really know how to treat a guy."

She laughed and handed him a cup. "Don’t get used to it."

They sipped their tea in silence for a while, watching clouds roll lazily across the sky. The distant laughter of children and the occasional bark of a dog punctuated the quiet in a way that made everything feel alive, yet calm.

"Do you ever think about where we’ll be in five years?" Sabrina asked suddenly, her gaze still on the sky.

Edward blinked. "Whoa. That’s a bit of a jump."

"I know," she said softly. "Just wondering."

He looked over at her. Her expression was calm, but there was a glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes.

"I think," Edward said carefully, "wherever we are, it’ll be somewhere good. As long as we keep choosing to walk together."

Sabrina turned to look at him, her lips parting slightly, as if surprised by the sincerity in his voice.

"You really mean that?"

"Of course I do."

She smiled again—smaller this time, more private. Then she leaned back on her elbows, stretching her legs out across the blanket.

"Sometimes I feel like I’m running out of time," she said quietly. "To figure everything out."

Edward lay down beside her, staring up at the same sky she had been watching. "Who says we have to have everything figured out?"

"Everyone," she said with a short laugh. "Teachers, parents, people online..."

He reached over and lightly flicked her forehead.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Resetting your brain," he said with a grin. "Ignore them. They’re not living your life."

Sabrina frowned, then sighed, letting her eyes close. "Easy for you to say. You’re always so calm."

"That’s just because I fake it well," Edward admitted.

She peeked at him, surprised. "Really?"

He nodded. "I worry too. I just try not to let it eat me up."

They were quiet for a while. The clouds shifted above them, changing shapes. One looked like a rabbit. Another like a dragon. Sabrina pointed them out one by one, and Edward added his own ridiculous interpretations—a rabbit chasing a taco, a dragon dancing ballet.

Soon they were laughing again, full-hearted and free, like the afternoon had lifted some invisible weight off their shoulders.

Then Sabrina sat up and reached into her bag again.

"I brought something else," she said, pulling out a small sketchpad and a few colored pencils.

"Going to draw me again?" Edward teased.

She rolled her eyes. "Only if you sit still long enough."

He struck a pose, one hand dramatically over his chest, the other stretched to the sky.

"Ah, the tragedy of it all!" he cried. "To be so handsome and yet so misunderstood!"

Sabrina burst into laughter. "Okay, okay! Stop or I’ll never be able to draw."

He relaxed and lay back down, hands behind his head.

"Actually," she said, turning a page, "I was thinking of sketching the park. It feels... safe here."

Edward looked around. The tall trees swayed gently. The grass danced under the breeze. A few butterflies flitted near the wildflowers.

"Yeah," he said softly. "It does."

As Sabrina sketched, Edward closed his eyes. The sun was warm on his face. The sounds of life around him blended into a soft hum. Time slowed. Or maybe he just stopped paying attention to it.

After a while, he opened his eyes and glanced at her drawing. It was simple, soft lines and gentle shading. But it had heart. It looked like home.

"That’s really good," he said, leaning closer.

Sabrina blushed slightly. "Thanks."

They packed up just before sunset, the sky now painted with streaks of orange and pink. Edward slung the backpack over his shoulder while Sabrina folded the blanket and tucked her sketchpad away.

As they walked back along the path, Sabrina bumped her shoulder lightly against his.

"Thanks for coming with me," she said.

"Wouldn’t have missed it."

"Even with my weird questions?"

Edward smiled. "Especially with those. They make the day more interesting."

She laughed and slipped her arm through his. "Next time, I’m bringing a kite."

"You bring the kite, I’ll bring the snacks."

"And tea?"

"Only if you promise not to make it some weird herbal blend next time."

Sabrina mock gasped. "Chamomile is classy!"

They kept walking, their laughter fading into the soft hush of the evening, two silhouettes bathed in the amber glow of a dying sun, taking long, easy strides toward whatever came next—together.