One month later

So, it's been at least a month since me and Michael started with the dates, and we've been on nine so far. Just one to go.

On the second date, he took me out for a normal, typical romantic dinner. I must say, it was lovely. We sat in the corner of the restaurant, candles brightening up the dimly-lit area, simple chit-chat. It was wonderful.

The third date was to a petting zoo. Why? Because we both love animals, and we both discovered that on the second date. There were guinea pigs, rabbits, mice.. it was so sweet. And watching Michael's face as he saw each and every one of them was just adorable.

The fourth date was.. scary. We went rock climbing, to bond a little and use a little team-work. We had to climb up this wall thing, all the way to the top. Michael went first, and he managed to do it, but when it came to my go, everything was going great, until I lost my footing and fell. Luckily, I had the safety gear on, so I didn't fall to the ground, but it sure as hell scared me. But Michael comforted me afterwards, and congratulated me for trying my best.

The fifth date was another romantic dinner, but this one had a live band playing soothing, gentle songs as we dined, which was rather charming.

The sixth date was a pottery class, which Michael had arranged for us, courtesy of a friend of a friend of his. We spent two hours making one pot, me sitting on the stool, with Michael hugging me from behind, guiding my hands to form the most beautiful piece, which now sits in the bedroom I'm staying in at mum and dad's house.

The seventh date was a romantic walk in the park, seeing the ducks in the ponds, feeding them bread, sitting on the grass hand in hand, and watching the world go by. That was a lovely day, I must say. Wonderful.

The eighth date was wine-tasting. I'm not normally one to drink wine, but Michael made me. It sounds like a very peculiar date, right? Well, surprisingly, it wasn't. It was rather sweet. Michael had one too many sips of wine, and got a little tipsy. I told him that he was supposed to spit the wine out after he's tasted it, but he drank it down anyway. Did I mention how cute he is when he's had a little too much to drink? He speaks such nonsense, and it makes me laugh.

The last date we went on, the nineth date, was back at the boating place, with Michael's friend Joe. We basically mirrored the precise events of the first date all over again, the falling-into-water business and all. The second time was more funny, because we'd done it before and knew what was coming.

But now.. now is our final date.

"Make sure to bring your bathing suit and some protection from the sun, sunblock and a hat. Something like that," Michael's request rings in my ears as I fumble around in my suitcase of clothes, and find the all-in-one swimming costume I always wear.

I've never been comfortable with my body, I was overweight in school, and I guess I just feel I haven't gotten rid of that, yet.

I rummage around looking for sunblock, and I run to the bathroom to see if I can find any. I look through all the cabinets and drawers, and finally find one.

I throw it into my bag, and walk back to my room. I don't have any hats, so I'm screwed in that sense.

Where is Michael taking me? Swimming? I can't swim. I hope he realises that. But then again, sunblock? It's outside.

I close my bag, and hear a faint knock at the bedroom door.

"Yeah?" I call, and the door opens.

"Oh, hey mom," I smile, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"So, this is your final date with Michael, eh?" she asks. I nod slowly.

"It sure is.. and he's still uncomfortable that you don't like him. I've tried telling him you like him, but he isn't convinced. Aren't you even starting to like him a little bit?" I ask, pouting a little to make it seem like I'm sad.

"Well, maybe I do. I'm starting to get to know him more now, and I think you are too. As long as you still like him after this final date, you can go ahead and consider a relationship."

"We've both been waiting for this day since we met, mom. I'm so happy.. I'm so happy that you're finally starting to like him."

"Yeah, well.. he seems like a nice man, and he's certainly taken you to some interesting places in the past month. He's very imaginative in that sense."

"I know.. I'm glad we're getting this final date in today, he's got work again on Monday."

"But hey, right now is Saturday. You got another two days together yet," mom smiles.

"That's true.."

"So.. have you heard from the police about Alex yet?" mom asks. My lips purse at the name.

"No, not yet. Only that they're investigating and all that crap.. ugh, I hate that man so much. I tell you, him and Lisa fit great together. Both cheaters--"

"I forgot who Lisa was, remind me."

"Michael's ex, who cheated with Alex. Remember?"

"Yeah, sorry. Anyway, where you off today, then?"

"Oh, I don't know. But Michael told me to bring a bathing suit and sunblock. I was gonna guess swimming, but then.. it's gonna be outside, so.." my voice trails off for some reason. The doorbell rings.

"That'll be Michael. I'll get it," I run down the stairs and open the door.

'"Hey, sweetheart," he greets me with a peck on the lips, and mom sees.

"Save it for later, folks," she scolds politely, and Michael chuckles nervously.

"So, you ready?" he asks. I nod and smile.

"Sure am. I can't wait for this," I run upstairs and grab my bag, before returning back to Michael.

'"See you later, mom! Love ya!" I call, then once she has responded, I slam the door and Michael leads me to the car.

"So, where are we going?" I ask once again.

"You'll see."

--

"How far away is this damn place?" I ask, my head buried in my hands.

It's really warm in this car, despite the windows being rolled down.

"We're here now, quit your moaning!" Michael laughs, before pulling up in a parking space.

I look out the window, my eyes being dazed from seeing nothing but black for the past twenty minutes due to them being buried in my hands.

Once I can see properly, I see it.

"The beach? How could I not figure that out myself?" I ask.

Michael's face is expressing amusement.

"Yeah, how could you never guess?" he mocks, before getting out the car, and walking around to my side and opening my car door.

I step out slowly, and look out at the beach.

Beautiful blue skies, crystal clear waves crashing against the golden sand, seagulls flying overhead, the sun beating down.. it's perfect.

"You ready?" Michael asks, opening the boot of the car and taking out his own bag.

"Of course.. but, why do I need to be ready?" I chuckle, and Michael slips his hand into mine.

"Just cos," he smirks, and we start walking.

We come to the sand, and Michael stops us.

"You might wanna take your shoes off, the sand might get into them," he tells me, and we both slip our shoes off quickly and place them in our bags.

We start to walk onto the sand, and it gets between my toes with each and every step.

"Did you bring sunblock?" Michael asks, and I nod.

"Sure did. Did you?"

"Nope. Can I borrow some of yours, pleeeasseeee?" he prolongs the last word, and pouts. I can't resist that face.

"Sure! Just so long as you don't mind me being without a hat."

"Oh! That reminds me!"

He opens his bag, and digs around in it, until he finds a black fedora hat and places it over the top of his black curls. How cute does he look now?

"Fedora hat, huh? It suits you," I compliment sweetly, and he smiles, looking down in embarrassment.

"Just about the only thing that does suit me," he says.

"You know that's a lie," I reply, and we carry on walking, until we find the perfect spot.

We set a towel down on the floor, and I lie on it, my arms tucked behind my head. Michael lies by me, doing the same thing.

"Might I just say how wonderful you look today?" he smiles, and I look down to see what I'm wearing.

A pair of denim shorts and a red shirt with black spots.

"Thank you.. and you, too."

Michael's wearing a white CTE shirt with red shoulders and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black slacks and his fedora.

He was wearing black penny loafers, but he took them off when I took my red sandals off.

"Thank you. Now. c'mon, we got a lot to do. We need to go change into our swimming gear!"

"Oh, Michael.. just a little heads up; I can't swim. I sorta.. 'float,' but I can't actually swim. Did you not notice when we were in the water on the boating date, how I had to get you to help me back to the boat, cos I couldn't move for myself?"

"Now you mention it, yes. I never knew that," he chuckles.

--

I walk out of the toilets that are located close by to the beach, with my normal clothes on. I've put my swimming suit on underneath, so I can just take the normal clothes off when I need to.

I also put sunblock on, too, after Michael gave me it back. I walk back to the beach, where Michael is already waiting.

My god.. he looks so..

He's not wearing any of his normal clothes, just his swimming trunks. His bare chest is showing, and my GOD he's damn fine!

He has the smallest six pack, but it's damn hot. He isn't even wearing his fedora now.

I approach him, gazing at his chest.

"Becky, hello? My face is up here!"

I avert my eyes to his face, and blush slightly. He caught me looking.

"Like what you see?" he asks seductively. I nod, not caring about how ridiculous I must seem to him.

"Good. Anyway, I've got a little something planned for us today," he smiles, before rummaging around in his bag, and producing two water guns.

"Water gun fight?" I ask. Michael gives me a look of disgust.

"No, Becky.." he says dejectedly, but then smiles and squeals with excitement, "it's a SuperSoaker war!"

He hands me one gun, and we both run to the sea to fill them up. I fill mine first, Michael not too long after.

"I hope you realise that I'll thrash you at this?" Michael warns me, pulling back the SuperSoaker's firing trigger.

"That's what you say.. but in real life, you know it's gonna be me that wins," I retort, sticking my tongue out playfully.

Michael grins in amusement, and we both stand, looking into one another's eyes.

"You better get that swimming costume of yours out, you're gonna need it for how wet you're gonna get right now," he says.

I quickly drop my SuperSoaker and remove my shirt and shorts, revealing my swimming costume.

"Such a cute figure you have," he smiles.

"Oh, please," I scoff, swatting the air. Michael widens his eyes.

"Please what? Tell the truth? Ok. You got a cute figure goin' on there!" he growls seductively.

Damn, that voice.. just.. woah.

"Let's just start this," I chuckle, aiming my SuperSoaker at Michael.

He aims his back at me, and I decide to use the safe option.

"Hey! Come back! That's cheating!" Michael calls, running after me once I've started to run away from him.

"No!" I laugh, aiming my gun at him from behind and firing, unsure of how accurate my aim is.

"Hey!" I hear Michael cry, and I look behind me to see him standing, wet through.

I chuckle, and stop running. I walk back over to him.

"Told you I could getcha," I smirk, and before I have a chance to react, Michael aims his gun at me, and I find myself soaking.

"And I told you back!" he giggles, before we resume chasing after one another on the sand.

--

It's been an hour since we started playing, and we're both soaking. I'm sitting in our little spot, hiding behind a parasol, and watching Michael look around for me. He's been looking the past ten minutes. How has he not found me yet?

"Beckyyyy?" he calls, but I remain silent.

He walks closer to my spot, obviously having figured out I'm here. He advances on the parasol I'm hiding behind, a devilish laugh escaping his lips.

I've only got one thing to do now.

"Really, again?!" Michael asks through the laughter, looking down at his drenched body.

Damn, he looks hot.

I stifle my laughter as I come out from my hiding place.

"I'm just too good at this," I say, before taking the towel and placing it around Michael.

He opens up his arms, with the towel still covering them, and invites me into his embrace.

We sit on the ground, the towel wrapped around us both. I feel so intimate with him now, being so close to his body is just.. well, you can probably guess.

"So, you're liking this so far?" he asks, resting his forehead against mine.

We're both sweating a little, but that makes it more intimate, and better, in a strange kinda way..

"Of course. Your dates are always so imaginative," I reply.

"And this is the last one," he sighs.

"Sure is. But hey, now we can officially start a relationship!"

"Oh, it's all been worth it for that!" he smiles, allowing his nose to touch mine by the tip.

"And mom does like you.."

"She doesn't, sweetheart.

"She told me herself, earlier, Michael."

"She did? I wish I was there to witness that."

"Well, when we get home, I'll make her say it in front of you, ok?"

"Alright, I look forward to that," he smiles, before wrapping his arms around my waist, both of us still wrapped up in the towel.

"And also, now it's official," Michael says.

"What?"

"I can finally tell you how I feel."

"And how do you feel, Michael?"

"I feel Extreme Fever in your presence, and I no longer have to hide that from anyone. Becky Summers, you are the one and only girl that has ever made me feel that way.. and Becky.."

"Yes?"

I smile sweetly at his beautiful words, and he kisses my lips tenderly, pulling my body closer to his. His kiss is just perfect..

He pulls away slowly, and smiles sweetly at me.

"What was it?" I ask quietly, taken aback by his chocolatey brown eyes gazing down into mine.

"Becky.. I wanna start something bigger with you.. because.." he stops to take a breath.

"Because.. I love you."

Author's note: SORRYYY I made this chapter so long.. but, final date, yay! And Michael said 'I love you' to Becky!! :D things be getting betterrrrrr... :3 ☺