Page 19 of The Ringmaster's Secret
"Go, Leo! You can do it, Max!" Ava called out, clapping her hands.
I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close. "They’re having the time of their lives," I murmured into her ear.
She leaned into me, her body warm against mine. "So am I."
Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world faded away. The intensity of her gaze, the curve of her smile—it all sent a familiar thrill through me.
Leo and Max ran back to us, their cheeks flushed with excitement. "Daddy, did you see? I won a prize!" Leo exclaimed, holding up a small stuffed animal.
"That’s amazing, buddy!" I lifted him onto my shoulders, his laughter echoing in my ears. "Let’s go show Mommy."
We made our way to the Big Top, Max now riding on Ava’s hip. Inside, the performers were practicing their acts, the air thick with anticipation. Leo pointed at the trapeze artists, his eyes wide with wonder.
"Look, Daddy! They’re flying!" he said, clapping his hands.
"One day, maybe you’ll be up there," I told him, ruffling his hair.
Ava held Leo’s hand, guiding him closer to the ring. "Do you want to see the clowns next?"
Max clapped enthusiastically, his little hands making soft smacking sounds. "Clowns! Clowns!"
We spent the afternoon exploring every corner of the Big Top, introducing our boys to the wonders of the circus. The joy on their faces was infectious, filling my heart with a deep sense of gratitude. This was the life I had always dreamed of—a family, a home, and the woman I loved by my side.
As the day wore on, we finally headed back to the main grounds, the sun beginning to dip towards the horizon. I couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss Ava’s cheek, the softness of her skin sending a shiver down my spine.
"Thank you for this," I whispered, my lips brushing against her ear. "For everything."
She turned to face me, her eyes full of love. "We did this together, Dante. And I wouldn’t change a thing."
Her words resonated deeply, the truth of them settling in my chest. We had built this life together, faced every challenge head-on, and come out stronger. The love we shared was a testament to our journey, a bond that nothing could break. As we walked back to our caravan, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of fulfillment. Our life was far from ordinary, but it was perfect in its own way.
And as I looked at Ava, her smile lighting up the fading day, I knew that as long as we were together, we could face anything. Our love had been tested and proven, and now, surrounded by the magic of the circus and the laughter of our children, we were ready to embrace whatever the future held.
As the day turned to evening, a golden hue cast over the circus grounds, Ava and I set up a small homeschooling station near our caravan. The air was filled with the distant sounds of performers rehearsing and the smell of popcorn wafting from the food stalls. It was the perfect blend of chaos and tranquility that had become our everyday life.
Ava was in her element, engaging Leo and Max with a fun and interactive lesson. She used juggling balls to teach them about addition and subtraction, making math come alive with the rhythm of the circus. Her voice was animated, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as the boys giggled and tried to catch the colorful balls.
"Alright, boys," Ava said, her tone playful yet firm. "If Max has three juggling balls and Leo gives him two more, how many does Max have now?"
Max furrowed his brow in concentration, holding up his small fingers to count. "Five!" he exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
"That's right!" Ava cheered, clapping her hands. "Great job, Max."
I watched from a few feet away, my heart swelling with admiration. Ava was a natural teacher, her patience and creativity shining through. I stepped in to help keep the boys focused, gently redirecting Leo when he got distracted by a passing clown.
"Leo, buddy, eyes on the lesson," I said, ruffling his hair. "What comes after five?"
"Six!" Leo shouted, his face lighting up with pride.
"Exactly," I said, giving him a high-five. The bond between us was stronger than ever, a testament to the life we had built together.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the family gathered with the circus performers around a large campfire. The crackling flames cast a warm glow on our faces as we shared stories of past adventures. Leo and Max sat on our laps, their eyes wide with fascination as they listened intently.
One of the clowns, Benny, leaned in and made a funny face, eliciting giggles from the boys. "And that's the story of how I once got stuck in a giant balloon!" Benny said, finishing his tale with a dramatic flair.
The performers treated Leo and Max like family, making them laugh with funny anecdotes and magic tricks. It was a comforting, tight-knit community that embraced us all.
Ava leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder. "This is perfect," she whispered, her voice filled with contentment.
