Page 64 of Levi

Hannah giggled and looked at Levi, expecting to see him looking at least a bit embarrassed. Instead, she saw her mate looking up at the stage with frank admiration in his eyes.

His father was wearing a corny, checkered shirt and a cartoonish, oversized cowboy hat. He was making a big show of walking up and down the stage, engaging the crowd with humor and plain charisma. Hannah giggled, listening to him bang on about how “nothing was spicy enough these days” and how most people needed “a bit more bang for their buck … or their dough. Whatever.”

“He’s so funny.” Hannah laughed, grabbing Levi’s arm.

He nodded. “Yeah,” Levi said, his voice coming out soft and whispery. Hannah looked at his face and saw a look of pure joy.

He had never understood before. He thought it was all childish bravado…a ridiculous advertising ploy. He never realized that it’s about community, bringing the town together, and seeing everyone have a good time.

Levi’s dad dropped into a skit that involved an overdone cowboy drawl, and now Levi’s cheeks did color up. He looked away, trying to hide his grin as he shook his head.

“You okay?” Hannah whispered.

He nodded. “It’s cool … I’d much rather my legacy be about oversize cowboy hats and cheesy commercials than … other things.”

Hannah took his hand and kissed it, knowing he was referring to the death and destruction he could have been known for if he hadn’t changed his stance on how his tech was used.

“You can have more than one legacy,” she said, whispering in his ear. “You can be a Hot Sauce King and a humanitarian, all at once.”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “I suppose I …”

“And I’d like you to welcome my son!” The voice boomed through the air, almost shocking them apart. Levi’s eyes widened as he realized his father had crossed the stage and was now right in front of them.

The crowd began to chant, and Levi paled. He had to go up there. He had no choice.

Hannah grabbed his hand and held it tightly, nodding to let him know she was going with him. He breathed a sigh of relief and kissed her quickly as they went up the stairs together.

“My boy!” his father cried, his voice booming through the mic. “Everyone, I want you to meet the next Hot Sauce King!”

The crowd went wild, and Levi blushed so hard that Hannah knew he was incapable of speech. Before the moment could get awkward, she took the mic, giving Levi’s dad a wink. He shrugged, not knowing what she was up to but ready to roll with it.

“Levi might be the next Hot Sauce King!” she cried, loving the attention of the crowd. “But he won’t hold the position for long!”

Whispers swept around the crowd. Levi’s mom and dad gave each other the universal shrug for “what the fuck?”

Hannah turned to Levi and stroked his cheek.

“There is a new generation of Hot Sauce Kings on the way,” she said gently. Realization was starting to dawn in Levi’s eyes.

“Because I’m pregnant!” she screamed.

The crowd went absolutely berserk, cheering and crying. Levi wrapped his arms around Hannah, whispering nonsense in her ear and shaking his head. Levi’s family came charging onto the stage and surrounded the couple in a massive embrace.

“Free drinks!” roared Levi’s dad. “And free hot dogs!”

The crowd erupted with even more noise. Through all the chaos around them, all Hannah could see was the deep serenity of Levi’s eyes as they looked into hers. In the vast sea of excitement, there was a silence between them that needed no words.

A feeling that needed no explanation.

Eternal love.

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