Chapter 3- Falling in the Blue

David had been the perfect gentleman having insisted on walking her back to her home away from home. They had talked for nearly two hours, the food and wine disappearing with ease. She'd never felt so happy with anyone before. He made her laugh. Really, truly, tears running down her face laughter. And he listened, like she was the only person in the world, nodding and smiling eagerly at every word and she found herself doing the same. Hanging on to every word that came out of his ridiculously handsome mouth, the only time they disagreed was when David wanted to pay the bill and she insisted they split it.

However, that was surprisingly easy to solve when she saw how fast his resolve had broken when she said.

"Please Charming." It was completely deliberate, a tactic that Ruby had used time and time again on her boyfriend Peter. She wasn't normally a fan of playful manipulation but, seeing the rueful smile on his face before he uttered an "alright" had all been worth it. It was scary, the power they had over each other, he could make her melt with just a look and Mary-Margaret was starting to feel like it was the same for Charming as they arrived at the red door that would separate them.

"This is me." she whispers, feeling the humid breeze catching her shoulders. If she were at home, sleep would have already taken her. A cup of hot cocoa and a meal for one her only solace. But, here, now with him gently wrapping his arms around her delicate body she feels so very warm. Safe.

"This is you." he replies, beaming as Mary-Margaret's arms have found themselves equally content to wrap her arms around his neck. "I have a perfectly good hot water bottle you know." Mary-Margaret feels herself smirk, despite loving every second of the contact.

"I know." he assures, unfazed and looking quite smug. "Maybe I just wanted an excuse to hold you."

Can he feel her heart racing in her chest? How she's trying so hard to form a coherent sentence. Why does he make it so beautifully hard?

"Tonight has been…" she pauses, finding the words. "So wonderful."

"Thank you Charming." Her eyes light up with such sincerity he feels like his heart could burst.

"My pleasure." David breathes. "Mary-Margaret?"

"Yes Charming?"

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I was going to visit the archaeological museum; I heard they have fantastic exhibits and then maybe if the weather was nice I thought I'd go for a walk down to Amoudi Bay."

Had she read his mind? He was just thinking of taking her there. It was one of the best places to swim on the entire island. You jump from the rocks and then the exquisite waters are yours. He could just imagine how breath-taking she would be. They'd swim over to the little island he'd read about. Watch the sunset over the caldera.

"Would you like to come with me?" she asks. "I mean… if you don't have any other plans."

"No. No I'd love to. It could be an adventure." His voice sounds full of promise. "Okay, meet me here at say 7:15? That way we can have breakfast together and then have plenty of time before the museum opens."

"Breakfast? Is Mary-Margaret Blanchard asking me out on a date?"

Her eyes sparkle and suddenly he feels a soft kiss pressed delicately on his lips, she's pushed herself up on her tiptoes and he can hear her hum musically as he responds tenderly, gently stroking his thumb across her hot cheeks as their mouths fit slowly together. The kiss, turns into several, clinging but, slow kisses. Neither of them is in any rush.

When their lips do finally part, he watches her as she whispers breathily. "I prefer to think of it as... picking up where we left off." Mary-Margaret says flashing him a dazzling smile.

Pressing a lingering kiss on her forehead which causes her to sigh gorgeously as he whispers. "Absolutely."

Reluctantly they release each other and she presses her back against the door as if to ground herself. "I'll see you tomorrow?" Mary-Margaret calls like an unsure child as she turns the key in the lock.

"7:15." He says, sure.

"7:15." The teacher grins, the smile not leaving her eyes even as she shuts the door behind her sinking down to the floor with joy. Ruby's about to get a very long, very expensive phone call.

He dreams, a vivid magical dream. She's standing on a sunlit balcony, her rich raven pixie cut replaced by wild curls that he loves to stroke as he feels himself wrap his arms around her waist.

Dream Mary-Margaret hums and turns instinctively her hands framing his face lovingly before they give into a honey drenched kiss. The glistening peridot ring given with love from his mother proudly on her left finger. It's sitting in a drawer in his hotel dresser he knows, but, this is heavenly. The thought of them, together, married and about to… no! She guides his hand to her growing bump. "Mmm. Our daughter says good morning." Mary-Margaret says blissfully.

He strokes her stomach in gentle, soothing motions before pressing a kiss to her bump. "Good morning sweetheart. I love you."

"Hmm." Mary-Margaret sighs into the inevitable kiss. "Charming. Love you." Oh, it feels so real if this is even a fraction of what he might have with her he'll take it.

"I love you too." he replies, because how can he not. But, she just gives him a cheeky smile.

"What?" David beams, mesmerised by her angelic beauty. "Don't be late."

And then, he wakes. After the most heavenly dream. It's six thirty giving him enough time to shower, dress and meet the very real Snow for their breakfast date.

Mary-Margaret over sleeps, dreams of him kissing her on dewy grass causing her to fall deeper and deeper. By the time she wakes its seven. "NO!" she gasps, "NO! NO! NO! NO!" The shower is the quickest she's ever had, scrubbing every inch in record time before drying herself off and throwing the used towels in the laundry basket. Peeing and then brushing her teeth, the teacher runs to her room and sifts through her outfits.

"No. No. Yes!" she says finally hugging the pastel blue and floral dress. Ruby advised her to go sweet but, with a hint of "I really like you." It was perfect.

Minutes later, she has is throwing some fresh fruit into a bowl and putting it next to some pastries and orange juice on the table and just as she breathes a sigh of relief, he knocks.

"Oh! I'm coming!"

When Mary-Margaret opens the door all the stress of the morning melts away at the sight of him with wildflowers.

"Charming." she beams. "Hi!"

"Can I come in Miss Blanchard?' The vet croons.

"No, I only want you for your flowers." she jokes. "I'm kidding Charming." she loves his smile as he hands her the small bouquet of pinks, blues and purples. "They're beautiful." Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, she shuts the door and guides him through the short distance to where their breakfast awaits.

"This is amazing." he says as they tuck into some fruit and a pastry each. "This is waking up fifteen minutes before you were due to come."

"You did all this in fifteen minutes?" He's more thrilled raising his orange juice up so she clinks in celebration.

"Again. Amazing." David reiterates.

"Charmer." she smiles.

The Historical and Cultural Archaeological Museum of Santorini is incredible, full to the brim with everything from artifacts and sculptures to geometric red and black vases from the 5th Century. They have a blast and after eating their weight in tuna and cucumber sandwiches they make their way to the bay,

It's not an easy walk by any stretch of the imagination. It's hot and slippery and they both swear if they ever come back they will take a car. Three hundred steps in this heat is too much.

However, it is all worth it when they dive in. Not caring, if their clothes get soaked. They are the only ones in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean. They surface at the same time finding themselves laughing and kissing greedily.

"Mmm. I wish you could stay for another week." she breathes against him. He'd only booked a week long break convinced a short burst was all he needed.

"I'll get a later flight." He insists but, she knows he can't. He'll only have so much money.

"No. Charming, it's too expensive. And there's Izzie and your mom. Hmm. They'll miss you."she tries to plead as he catches her lips in another kiss. "And what if I want to stay with you?"

"What if I want to be with you?"

Her heart nearly bursts out of her chest. "You- want to be with me?" she gasps, elated and really scared. He's only known her for a few days. She feels like she should tell him no! You can't mean me. Plain, normal Mary-Margaret but, she doesn't. She just strokes his face tenderly.

"I have an idea." Mary-Margaret says playfully.

"I'm listening."

"What if we have an awesome week and then at the end of it I fly home with you?"

"Snow, I can't ask you to cut your vacation short. What about all the things you wanted to do?" He says shocked but, she just shrugs. "Then we'll just have to squeeze in as much as we can won't we?"

"I feel the same. David. I've felt it since the first moment I saw you." Mary-Margaret promises, rubbing her nose softly against his as he kisses her ecstatically.

"Oh gosh," The teacher giggles and for a moment he worries. "What is it?"

However, the look of complete adoration and slight humour on her face soothes him. "Ruby was right. Charming. She was so wonderfully right."