"The Zipper"

Grabbing my girl's hand we head out of the tent. My mother was watching us with cloudy eyes. She's never seen me with anyone, so I know she's excited for me.

"So what are we doing first baby?" I ask, looking into Nova's eyes. I'm so happy that she won today. She was stressing so hard over all of this.

"I'm not sure." She takes her finger and places it on her chin. "Do you like rides? Or are you way too scared?" She smirks at me knowing I'll take the bait.

"Oh I'm so in. I know where to start." The first place we head to is the zipper. It's the biggest ones we have at the fair and the scariest if you ask me. "Are you ready?"

"So ready!" We head towards the line and wait. Standing behind her I take her scent in. Calming me. I shouldn't have picked this to ride first, what was I thinking?

"So how was winning today? I told you you could do it. I've tasted what you've made before. So has Axel. We all called it." She looks down at her boots and kicks a rock.

"I was worried it wouldn't be enough. The town also seems so close to everyone that's been here for years so I didn't know if I'd even fit in." What she doesn't know is that the town is so small but so caring. Everyone looks out for each other and they will take her right into the fold.

The line moved and we're next to go in the wheel of death. I look at it and listen to the laughing and screams coming from the others from the ride.

"The town is fair. They wouldn't have skipped over you just knowing you were new in town. We take care of what's ours even if you just walked in." Kissing her temple it's our turn to get on the ride.

The teen who's in charge unlocks the gate, leads us over to the seats and opens it for us. I help Nova in and watch him strap her in. "Make sure she's in tight." I glare over at him.

He then steps over to me, fingers trembling. I didn't mean to scare the poor kid but I don't want even a little accident to hurt Nova. She means too much.

After locking everyone in their seats. The teenager walks to the control board and starts the ride. Nova glances over and grabs my hand. She looks over at me, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You okay Mads?"

"I'm perfect." I really truly am. With that the ride flings us in the air. With all that's holy I hold in my scream. I can't let Nova know how scared I really am. She was excited for all the rides.

I look over at her and I can see the wide smile on her face, the giggles and all the stress from the past week lifted off her shoulders. With that all my fear drops from my body.

Here in this moment with Nova is everything I could have asked for. She's perfect in every way. The ride is only about two minutes long but it feels like forever with Nova's hand in mine.

The ride comes to a stop and we're just hanging at the top while the kid is letting everyone out from the bottom. "Thanks for riding with me Madz. I know you were terrified."

"Now, now. I wasn't 'terrified' Nova. Come on, look at me." I wave my hands over my body and grin. "Do you think someone as big as me would be scared to ride a ride like this?"

She's silent for a moment and then just bursts out laughing. "Yes, I do. Look at my hand." I glanced down at her hand and noticed how red her hand was. I must have been holding onto her too hard.

And yet she said nothing. "Nova, are you okay? I didn't realize that I was holding on so tightly." She just giggles some more and I wait a minute for her to control her laughing.

"Madz, really I'm fine. We don't have to do all these rides. I'm perfectly fine with walking around and playing the games. I'm also really starting to get hungry."

I'm down with that if she is done with these death traps. "And maybe we can find Eleanor and Axel? I'd love to win her a prize. I did tell her that I would see her." I smile at that with her thinking of my niece.

"That sounds perfect." The ride starts to move again and its lowering us to the ground. The kid lets us all out and I motion him off so I help her out of the straps.

Once Nova is out of the ride. We start to head towards the food trucks. "My my my. Nova I can't believe you got Madz to ride one of those things." I groan when I hear Cash, one of my brothers and the treasurer of the club.

"I'm Cash. I'm in the club with Madz. I'm the treasurer. I'm so glad to meet you." Nova moves her hand out of my hold to shake his hand and smiles.

"I'm Nova. It's nice to meet you Cash. I've heard a little about you." He glances over at me knowing I wouldn't tell her club business.

"All the good things I hope." She mumbles a 'yes'. "Madz has never rode one of those rides since I've been in the club. I've been in the club a few years and have been around for about six years for the fairs."

"I didn't even have to ask him to ride with me he just did. I'm so happy that he did but now we're hungry so I think rides are done for the ride. I'd hate to eat and get on the ride again." They both share a laugh and Cash waves his hand off.

"Ill let you two go eat. It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you again." With that Cash walks off and we finish heading towards the food trucks.

"So what first. They have everything here." She glances around and the first truck she keeps her eyes on makes me grin because it's my favorite.

"A blooming onion sounds so good right now. It was always a favorite of my dads and I. We would each get our own because I could eat one all to myself. So sorry I won't share." We walk towards the truck and lucky us there is no line.

"Two blooming onions. With sauce on the side please. And can I have two cokes with that please." The worker starts grabbing our stuff and Nova is jumping up and down. She's so excited.

We get our food and head over to the tables. Sitting down Nova digs right into the food. I look over my shoulder and I see Axel and Eleanor heading our way.

I nudge Nova, motioning to her that they are on their way over. She wipes her face with a napkin and gets out of the seat. Nova squats down and Eleanor comes running her way.

Nova holds onto her and gives her the biggest hugs. "Hi Eleanor! I;m so happy to see you. What did you and Axel do today?" Eleanor snuggles back into the hug.

"We did all kinds of stuff." She uses her fingers to count things off. "We rode so many rides. Some were scary and some were fun. But Axel held my hand the whole time. Then we played some games and now we're going to eat some funnel cakes."

"Funnel cakes are so good. You and I will have to make some type of treat that reminds us of it. We could make cookies or cupcakes or even funnel cake doughnuts!" Nova sounds as excited as Eleanor is.

"That sounds like so much fun! Uncle Madz do you think that would be okay if we did that?" Both Nova and Eleanor giving me puppy dog eyes. With Eleanor I could get passed with a maybe but with both of them giving me that look I can't say no.

"Of course. That sounds like a wonderful idea. Only If I get to try it though." They give each other a high five and jump up and down. I love seeing them so close. They both need it.

The girls sit down and Nova motions Axel to sit down by me. With that we all enjoy our food and light conversation. "Thanks for hanging out with me today Eleanor." Axel shares some of his food with both girls and I shake my head.

They've both got everyone they've met wrapped around their fingers. I'm okay with that though. We enjoy our food and once finished Nova stands up to throw the trash away.

"How about we go kick your uncle Madz and Axels butt in some games Eleanor?" She frantically nods her head. Nova grabs her hand and heads over towards the games.

My heart is full, my mind is clear and for the first time in a long time. I'm happy. "Come on Axel. Let's go let our girls kick our asses." We both chuckle and clean up the rest of the mess and head towards the games.