It was 5:00 AM, as she stared up at the ceiling, listening to the peaceful silence. She knew that she needed to get up, so she sighed deeply, pushing back the covers on her bed and got dressed. Bella had made plans to swim with Will that morning, but had forgotten about how early she needed to get up to avoid anyone seeing her tail. She tied the strings on her bathing suit, slipped on a pair of shorts, and headed for her back door, which lead down to the beach. The cool white sand chilled her body, the sound of the waves crashing along the shore getting louder each step she took. Bella didn't see Will yet, so she sat on a sand dune and pulled her legs toward her chest. She watched as the sun just started to peak over the horizon, making soft colors throughout the sky. She looked to her left, where she saw a figure walking towards her. Although they were far apart, Bella's heart started to beat faster, and a gentle smiled played on her lips.

Will strode across the sand swiftly, holding a pair of flippers. He smiled at the sight of how beautiful Bella looked in the soft morning light. Her blonde hair was wavy, gently blowing from the breeze off the ocean. She had gotten up, and brushed the sand off her legs, running towards him. Will dropped the flippers, and met her halfway, picking her up by the waist and spinning her around. Bella's smile widened and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Will gently set her down, and brushed a strand of blonde hair away from her face. She slid her hand along his cheek and kissed him gently.

"Good morning", she said.

"Good morning beautiful. Are you ready?" Will asked.

She nodded, and Will put his flippers on, walking towards the ocean. She took a deep breath and followed him, before walking in the water and diving beneath the waves. Will followed right behind her, diving deeper and deeper beneath the depths of the ocean, before finding Bella waiting for him. He held out his hand, lacing her fingers with his. They swam together through the water; occasionally pointing out a fish or sea creature, but both happily enjoying each others company. Will guided Bella towards Mako Island, heading towards the Moon Pool. Bella let go of Will's hand, pulling herself onto the sand. She held her hand over her tail, turning the water into jelly, and brushing it off her. Will helped her onto her feet, waiting as she took a look around the cave. He had spread out a picnic blanket with a picnic basket brimming with food.

She turned to him and said, "You did all of this for me?"

He smiled shyly, "Yeah"

"I love you", she said.

"I love you too Bella".

She hugged him, placing her head against his chest, giggling as he rested his head on top of hers. She left his embrace and sat cross-legged on the blanket. He laughed, and opened the basket, bringing out fruits, juice, pastries, and jellies. She gasped at the sight of all the food, not knowing what to eat first. Will filled a plate up high with food, and handed it to her. Throughout the meal, they talked about their lives, friends, school, and their family.

They were on Christmas break, giving them 4 full weeks together before they had to go back to school for the second half of their first year at school. They both were studying to become marine biologists, and due to their common interest and passion for the ocean, they decided to take biology courses at the University of Elmsbury. Will laid back onto the blanket, pulling Bella by her waist closer to him. Bella snuggled against his chest, her arm wrapped around his stomach, her head against his chest, as Will put his arm protectively around her. They stared up through the eye of the volcano, admiring the first rays of dawn to peak through the clouds, making colors run along the sky.

Will had fallen asleep beside her, allowing Bella to check the time on her phone, seeing that she needed to still go shopping for Will's Christmas present. She wanted to get him something special, that he would cherish, but was having a hard time finding anything. Will stirred in his sleep, causing Bella to gasp slightly. She rose to her feet, and silently slipped into the Moon Pool, diving beneath the cool water. She would text him later, claiming that she had errands to run. As she swam towards shore, she started to feel the difference in temperature of the waters, suddenly aware of the changing seasons and dropping of temperatures. Christmas was only a week away, and she still wanted to decorate the boathouse. Bella neared shore, and pulled herself towards her normal hiding spot, a group of rocks that was away from the beaches, that were now scattered with locals. She looked around, just in case, and waved her hand over her tail, instantly turning the water into jelly, and then brushing it off. Her legs reappeared, and she grabbed her phone, and headed home to change out of her bathing suit.

Will felt a rush of warmth leave him, causing him to wake. He searched for Bella, unable to find her. He grabbed his phone and texted her, "Where are you?" Bella texted him back, "I had a few errands that I needed to do. Didn't want to wake you. I'll catch-up with you later at the boathouse." He stood and shook the blanket out, grabbed the picnic basket, and walked up the stairs out of the Moon Pool. He had left his boat on the shores earlier that morning, hiding it so Bella wouldn't have known he was there earlier. He placed the blanket and basket into the boat, and revved the motor, riding back towards the boathouse. Will found his mind wandering towards Bella. Christmas was in a week, and he still wanted to get her something special. He reached the dock, tied up the boat, and headed inside. He had a couple of hours before he was going to meet Bella, so he threw on a sweatshirt, athletic shorts, and his sneakers, and went for a run.

After 2 hours at the mall, Bella still hadn't found the perfect gift. She checked what time it was, and saw that she was going to meet Will in 45 minutes. She drove home, and quickly took a shower. She picked out a big cream colored sweater, black skinny jeans, and her dark brown UGG boots. She left her straight blond hair down, and walked to the boathouse. She smiled at the thought of seeing Will again, making her feel warm and protective every time her thoughts wandered to him.

When she got to the boathouse, she didn't see Will outside, so she knocked on the door. He didn't answer, so she went on in. Bella heard the shower running, so she just took off her boots, and spread out on the couch. She texted Rikki and Cleo until she heard the water turn off. Will came out a few minutes later with shorts and a sweatshirt on, rubbing his hair with a towel.

"Hey." Bella said. Will jumped, unaware she was there.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I knocked, but you didn't answer, but then I heard the shower running, so I just waited." She said.

"That's ok." He smiled, "You look beautiful."

She blushed and looked down at her hands. Will loved when she did that; how she was so unaware of her natural beauty that gave Will shivers every time he saw her. He threw his towel into the bathroom, and Bella got up off the couch. She clasped her hands behind his neck, looking into his blue eyes. He looked down at her, running his hand along her cheek. He closed his eyes, and kissed her soft lips. They continued to kiss, until they absolutely needed air. She giggled, and placed her hands on his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the sweatshirt.

"So what movie shall it be tonight. Action.., maybe a little romance..?" she said with a smile.

"Hmmmm. I'm feeling romantic, so what about A Cinderella Story. I know you love Hilary Duff" Will replied.

She giggled and nodded in approval. "I'll make the hot chocolate." she said.

While Will looked for the DVD, she started warming the milk, standing on her tippy toes trying to reach the marshmallows. Will laughed, and she turned around sticking her tongue out at him, finally reaching the marshmallows. She poured the hot chocolate into 2 mugs, plopping a few marshmallows into each. Will came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She smiled, leaning back into him.

"Is the movie in?" she asked. She looked up at him, as he nodded.

They grabbed their mugs, placing them on the coffee table in front of the sofa, and Will pulled Bella into his lap, as he started the movie. They sipped their hot cocoa throughout the movie, occasionally laughing at various scenes. Towards the end of the movie, Bella felt her eyes become droopy, eventually giving in, and leaning back against Will's chest. Will smiled softly, and stopped the movie. He kissed her forehead, and closed his eyes.