It is time for all young ones to be off to bed. Now is the time for all the adult to come out and play. Masks over their faces and feathers in their hair, the jovial people surround themselves with the sights, smells, and tastes of the frenzied cabaret.

Here all facades are gone and the working class of France can throw all their cares away. Unhappiness and uneases dare not show their ugly faces. Laughter and love are the rulers of this wonderful evening.

In the middle of Paris is a tall white building with Romanesque pillars leading up to the doors. The night is perfumed with the lovely smell of lilacs and roses from the gardens surrounding the majestic house. Buttresses hang from the window sills and oil latterns sparkle against the darkness like fireflies.

In the middle of the front yard is a beautiful little wadding pool that is full of shimmering goldfish The face of Cupid stands over it all as water flows from the fountain upon which he stands.

A full golden moon looks down on the festivities as the stars twinkle for the poeple of Paris.

This is not a festival in which the rich come to sport their newest dresses or to show off their dates. This is a party for the commonfolk of Paris. The open doors beckon to the party goers like a mother's open arms. They know that always will there be love and happiness in the embrace of the building.

A beautiful girl with eyes the color of emeralds and long red hair strolls into the house. She wears a long dark green dress that gently ruffles as she walks. The top of the dress shows off the lovely nape of her neck and the gentle sloping of her shoulders. In her hands, which are covered with green lace gloves, she holds a golden mask with green and gold feathers.

She is to meet someone tonight. The stars hold a secret message for her and the one she is to meet. She peers into the crowd for her friend.

"Gentle lady, why are you here alone?" a voice from behind asks.

"Oh, I am not alone," as a smile spreads across her lovely face, "I am here with my suitor"

"Such a beautiful woman should not be left alone, for she might be stolen by a man who's heart she has captured."

As she turns around to face the young man, his hand slips around her waist.

"Excuse me sir," she giggles, "Would you mind removing your hand. I will have to tell my suitor how rudely you have behaved."

She stared into his eyes. They remind her of the sky on a clear summer day. As they gazed into one another's eyes a silent thought exuded from their very being. How they had missed each other.

"Oh Sari, really," as he pulls her tighter to him, " we both know that their is no suitor."

Amidst the calamity of the evening the two lovers kissed. Gently she ran her delicate fingers through his jet black hair. Just then a small tear slid down the face of the young man.

"Oh, Alexse, why are you crying."

He only answered by taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. In that one gesture a million words were said and hundreds of emotions conveyed. Joy, happiness, love,sorrow, regret, and anger, and passion in just one gesture.

He led her out of the house and to the edge of the pond. For what seemed like forever, neither of them spoke. They sat on the quaint white bench by the pool staring at the summer sky. Neither touching nor speaking they sat.

"The gods have been good to us..."

"Alexse what is? Did I do something wrong?" she asks as she lays her hand on his knee. Both are still looking at the stars.

"No dear, you did nothing, Sari. I just hate myself for leaving," as he looked into her eyes. "I feared that when I came back from that horrible battle, if I did, that you would have found someone else to love you."

"Please don't say that word," she begged. Her eyes pleading to his.

"Why? That is the way I feel. I love you. You make me actually want to live. Without your letters to help me to sustain the war I would have never made it. You are the reason I am still here. Please don't cry!" lovingly he brushed away her tears.

"Oh these gentle hands," as she places hers on top of his, "how I have missed them."

Softly they kissed, than more aggresive. The waiting had driven them far enough. All barriers ceased to exist. His hand slid down her back as he other tangled in the nest of red locks.

Just then he pulls away.

"What?"

He rises from the bench and kneels on the ground before her. From the breast pocket of his purple coat he pulls a small box. He opens it and retrieves the contents. He drops the box and gently takes her hand.

"Will you please be with me forever? Be my wife for I cannot live without you. I love. I know you feel the same."

During this, tears slip down her cheeks. The time for talking is through. She pulls him to his feet as she rises to her own. Her pale arms wrap around his dark neck as his go behind her back. She cries as she nuzzles his collar. He gently kisses her ear.

Finally they are together forever. Body, mind, and spirit the join in that second. Never again can they truly be separated.

Under the moon they vowed themselves to each other. The gods once again witnessed the blessed union of souls in which they had a part in creating. The earth, the heavens, and the oceans surrounded the two lovers as they kissed in the light of the moon.