Disclaimer: All characters in the story, The Host, belong to Stephenie Meyer.

(A/N: This is my first story so I hope you like it.)

Chapter One

"Aw Jared, they are beautiful," I say as I smelled the daisies, my favorite kind of flower. "Thank you!"

"Only the best for my sweetheart." He wrapped his strong arms around my small waist. As he pulled me in close I got a strong whiff of him and boy did he smell wonderful.

It was our lunch break and we were standing in his room. I held the flowers up to my nose again and my face lit up. I looked into his eyes and we both smiled like little kids.

"I have a surprise for you Mel." Jared looked excited as he said this. He tired to let go of my waist, but I wasn't about to let him go so quickly.

I put my free hand up to his cheek and caressed it. He smiled again. I pulled my hand back and sighed, "Okay I'm good now," I said with a small grin.

He kissed my cheek and let go of my waist. I watched him as he walked over to his bed and picked something black up off of it.

"Here, put on this blindfold, then I will take you to your surprise." He took the three steps back to me.

"Ooo I do love surprises." I pulled my hair back into a ponytail so he could tie the blindfold around my eyes.

After securing the blindfold Jared traced his hand down my arm and gently took my hand. His hand was so much bigger than mine, it made me feel safe. "Are you ready to go babe?"

I loved how attractive his voice sounded when he talked to me.

"Of course," I answered as I grinned and grabbed his hand harder.

He giggled, "Alright, just follow me then, it isn't that far."

Jared started to take a few steps as I replied, "I'll follow you anywhere, any day." As soon as I said this he stopped. I could feel his eyes on me, but I couldn't tell what expression he was wearing. I felt him take a step closer to me and then out of nowhere I felt his lips touch mine.

It was gentle at first, but turned passionate within a few moments. I flew my arms around what I assumed to be his shoulders and felt his hands touch my warm face. I had no idea where we were or who was watching, but I didn't care. All I cared about was never letting Jared go.

Jared suddenly stopped, dropping his hands from my face. I heard him breathe heavily, as though he wanted to keep kissing, but was holding himself back. I kept my arms around his neck, and was probably wearing the stupidest expression on my face, with my lips still open, wanting more.

"What's wrong?" I asked in a small voice, not sure if I had done something he didn't like.

"Nothing's wrong Mel," Jared replied. I could tell he had a huge grin on his face.

"Then why did you stop? I thought it was going fine…" As much I as tried to make my voice sound normal, I could hear the hurt come through.

"It was going better than fine, it was great! Amazing even! It's just that if we keep this up you will never get to see your surprise. Besides, there will be plenty of time for that later."

I didn't know what he meant by that, but I didn't care. As long as I got to be in the same room as him I would be happy, kissing him was just a bonus.

He kissed my forehead. I finally pulled my arms back to my sides and reached around for his hand. I found it and squeezed it tightly.

We started walking again, turning this way and that. I heard voices every once in a while, but could not make out which room we were in. Finally after walking for what seemed like fifteen minutes we stopped.

"Where are we?" I asked, looking around, Jared laughed. "What's so funny? Oh, right." I quickly stopped searching, realizing that no matter which way I looked I would not see anything. The blindfold was still wrapped snugly around my eyes.

He let go of my hand and I felt him reach up to the back of my head, starting to untie the blindfold. It dropped to the floor, as it went down it grazed my leg. I opened my eyes and before me was one of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen. It was like it came straight out of a movie and it took my breath away.

There was rose petals lining a path that lead to a red blanket laid out on the floor. Lining the blanket were multicolored daisies. Throughout the room there were dozens of flickering candles, some short, and some tall. On the edge of the blanket there was a big, brown picnic basket. Next to the picnic basket were three heart shaped pillows.

I gazed around the room, taking it all in. I could even smell the daisies from where I was standing. I turned to look at Jared, who was watching me intently, waiting for me to speak.

"Jared, it's…. gorgeous." I hugged him tightly, and kissed him.

"So you like it? I wasn't sure if you would." He looked so cute when he was nervous.

"Are you insane? How could I not like this? You are the sweetest guy in the world. Jared, I love you."

"I love you too, Mel," He took my hand and brought it up to his full lips, kissing it softly. "And I always will."

After staring into each others eyes for a few moments we walked over to the blanket on the floor and sat down. We were a few feet apart until he scooted closer to my side. He proceeded to put his right arm around my back, grazing his finger along my arm. This sent shivers down my spine and goose bumps appeared on my body. I leaned in closer and rested my head on his shoulders.

"You know, this is the first date we've ever been on," I said as I stared at one of the candles nearest to me. It was a cream color and was dripping wax onto the floor.

"I know. I wish it could have been more romantic though," He continued to run his fingers down my arm. "I hope you like all the candles, Wanda got them during the last raid. She said she had a heck of a time explaining to the cashier what she needed them all for. So now I owe her big time. I told her I would just give Ian tips on how to execute a first date perfectly."

We both giggled. "Oh? And what makes you think this first date is so perfect?" I asked jokingly.

"Well for starters you are here alone with me, so that by itself must make you thrilled."

"You know me too well. I don't know if that would make a perfect first date for Wanda and Ian though. I mean Ian would need to be in the room for that to work, unless you meant that you wanted to be alone with Ian?" I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Now that would be one hot first date," His raised his eyebrows and nodded. "I should ask him what he's doing tomorrow."

"Ha ha. So what's in the basket?"

He didn't answer right away so I turned to look at him. He was still nodding his head while staring at nothing in particular. "Jared?"

"Huh?" Jared said as he turned to look into my eyes.

"You were day dreaming about your first date with Ian tomorrow weren't you? I knew you were gay!" I pretended to be hurt, but couldn't keep the joke going for long. I burst out laughing.

"I was not dreaming about Ian, I was dreaming about... you. I am just so happy to be here with you." He smiled and leaned in to kiss me.

I leaned back, putting my hand to his mouth. "Nice save," I replied, as I gave him a smile.

I pushed him onto the floor and laid on top of him. I pushed the hair off of his face and stared into his gorgeous eyes.

"I am so lucky to have met you. I can't imagine myself with anyone better."

"We do make a perfect couple don't we?"

"Yes Jared, we do."

I rolled off of him and sat up to take a peak into the basket. Before my hand could lift the lid he grabbed it.

"No peaking sweetie," He said as he kissed me on the forehead. "I don't want you to ruin the surprise."

"Surprise? I thought this was the surprise?" I eyed him, trying to get a read for what was in the basket. He was so good at keeping secrets.

"This was part of the surprise." I looked at the basket and then at him again. I had no idea what was coming. "Now would you please turn around so I can get it out?"

"Get it out? What are you hiding in there a dog?" Now I was really curious.

"No silly, I'm not hiding a dog. How would I have gotten a dog? You really think Wanda could manage that one? I mean she would have to come up with a really believable story for that. And you know she is a terrible liar." He laughed at his own speech. "Sorry, I didn't mean to go on a whole spiel about how there is no way Wanda could get a dog."

"Okay, okay. If it's not a dog then what is it?"

"You want me to show you?"

"Jared come on, just open the basket!"

"Are you sure you're ready?" He was torturing me now, and he knew it. He loved to watch how I got angry. Why do guys always say girls are cute when they're angry? I've never understood that. I started to squirm around; I can't keep still when I want something.

"Yes! I'm ready! Now open it please?" I knew I was acting like a little kid on Christmas morning, but I was really curious. I mean it was a pretty big basket, and we never get presents here in the caves.

"Okay turn around."

I did as I was told, turning around. I heard him open the top of the basket and whisper something, but I couldn't make out what he said.

"Alright babe, you can turn around now."

I turned around to see Jared sitting on one of the heart shaped pillows. He was staring at me intently again. I looked down and on his lap was something small and brown. I scooted closer to him and stuck my hand out to touch it. As soon as my hand touched the brown ball I jumped back and screamed.

Jared laughed at me. "Aww Mel, you scared him."

I moved in closer and put my hand back on the brown fur. "A puppy? Oh my gosh Jared you got me a puppy?! It's so cute!"

"Well technically Wanda got him, but it was my idea. So yeah I got you a puppy. Do you like him?" He sounded proud, and who could blame him. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever given me.

"I love him! Can I hold him?"

"Of course you can Mel, he's yours." Jared handed the puppy to me. He was so small he fit on my lap, with lots of room to spare.

"Oh my gosh! Jared he is adorable! Thank you!" I leaned in to kiss him, and he met me half way.

I went back to petting the puppy.

"What should we name him?" I was so excited, I couldn't stop smiling. Jared was definitely the best boyfriend in the world.

"Whatever you want babe." He was looking at me with a huge smile on his face; I could tell he was waiting for something else to happen.

"There's more?"

"Only one small thing, I'm sure you'll find it eventually." He looked down at the puppy that was now up and shifting sides in my lap. His caller jangled.

"You even got him a little bell for his collar? Aw Jared, that is so cute!" I felt my hand under the puppy's chin for the bell. My hand felt something round and hollow. "Wait, this isn't a bell…" I lifted the puppy up so I could see the collar.

My jaw dropped. "Is this a… a ring?" I looked up at Jared who proceeded to get up on one knee.