Say Yes (Nostalgic Summer Romance)

It was of two young girls, one with blonde hair and blue eyes, and one with hickory hair and gold eyes. They were facing each other, but their heads tilted toward the viewer, their eyes mirrored as if to create one face. Between them, their hair was braided together, the blonde and brown weaving into one.

Around them was a swirl of colors — the bright golden glow of the sun, the pastel colors of the wind blowing through each girl’s hair, the deep blues of the ocean, the lush green and warm brown of the earth. And all around the perimeter of the canvas were dark, charred edges made from a flame.

“Wow,” she breathed as she took it in. “This is for me?”

“It’s for us,” I corrected, squeezing her hand where she held mine. “To show that our bond is greater than any element there is.”

Nella’s smile widened, and she glanced up at me before staring at the painting once more. “I have the coolest sister,” she said on a sigh.

I chuckled. “Impossible,” I said, and when she looked up at me, I tapped her nose. “Because I do.”

We took our time making our way back to the group, joining them just as the young girl leading our tour began talking about one of my most well-known paintings — a bright, colorful reef. She explained the unique way I blend colors, and how it had become a signature in all my pieces.

And while she went on and on about my unique style, about my awards and accomplishments, I couldn’t help but watch the people gathered around the canvas rather than the art itself.

Because these people, this family, this unbreakable love was my favorite accomplishment of all.

And it was a masterpiece so beautiful I couldn’t paint it if I tried.