The First Breath of the Pond
Amber and Dan stood next to each other, watching the water tumbling into the pond. The water was so crystal clear it almost didn't seem real to Amber—as if there were a pane of glass before her instead of cool, living water.
Dan impulsively grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. He smiled when she did not shy away or jerk her hand from him. "Let's start with the Frog Beach."
Amber smiled at him. "I am definitely going to get Thomas to make a sign saying 'Frog Beach'." She looked around in earnest to find the perfect spot, finally pointing at the edge of the shallows with excitement in her eyes. "Right here, at the bottom of the slope, would be the perfect spot."
She looked back to Dan and received an enthusiastic smile matching her own. "I think that's a great idea. He should make a larger sign listing the fish and snail species as well."
Amber nodded slowly as she stepped into the shallow area that gently sloped into the pond, carrying a flat of Creeping Jenny while Dan carried a flat of Pickerel Weed. "He is doing that one already—one for the flowers and grasses as well. This just goes along the river rocks?"
"Yes. They will help the younger frogs and tadpoles get out of the water. These Pickerel Weeds will essentially be umbrellas for them."
They smiled at each other for a long moment. Dan was proud to have her as his wife, and Amber was amazed at how thoughtful and attentive he had become.
He then began to put in Horsetail that would provide hiding places for the frogs—keeping them safe from the fish and any predatory birds. She watched him surreptitiously as she moved to a different area of the shallows to tuck in some Blue Flag Iris and Cardinal Flowers. She couldn't get over how much he had researched the entire garden for her; she didn't think it would have come out half as well if she had done it herself.
She was lost in thought about how much he had helped her over the last few months when her head suddenly snapped up. Dan had let out a high-pitched yelp.
She stood, fear rising in her chest, but then froze in shock as Dan rose from the deeper end of the pond with a lily pad and a string of Hornwort perched on his head and shoulder. Amber drew in her lips, attempting not to laugh. A few giggles escaped as she spoke. "Are... you okay?"
Dan narrowed his eyes, a knowing smile spreading across his lips. "Is it funny?"
He moved quicker than lightning, and a spray of mud and water flew toward Amber. She shrieked, but she was frozen to the spot and was hit square in the face. She frowned for a split second before bursting into laughter. She splashed him back, and he splashed her again. They ended up in a full-scale water fight that didn't end until they were laughing in each other's arms, dripping wet.
They looked at each other for a long moment, lost in the proximity. They both wanted to kiss the other, but a dozen reasons why they "couldn't" or "shouldn't" yet flashed through their minds.
Amber looked around at the disturbed water. "We haven't ruined anything, have we?"
"No, my love. Nothing is ruined. We may need to add a bit of water, but the plants are okay."
Amber watched as he swam down into the deep end to finish securing the Hornwort and Anacharis. She helped by handing him more plants every time he surfaced. They finally got out of the pond, wet and muddy, and used towels to dry off. They looked at the pond and all the greenery now populating it.
Amber smiled with pride. "And they need to stay for twenty-four hours as well before we can add the fish?"
"Not necessarily. But I think we should wait the full twenty-four hours to make sure the pond is in optimal condition. We can put the snails in now, though."
Amber looked at him with shining eyes. "Do you mind if I do it? The magenta Mystery Snails are so beautiful."
Dan couldn't help but smile. "I got four different colors, and all you see is the magenta."
Amber didn't say anything. She just went to get the two species of snails. She began randomly placing them into the water at different depths—on the rocks and the pieces of driftwood they had added to the pond. Dan was the one watching this time, and all he could think about was his wife and their future together—and how he had almost ruined it all.