When the boys stubbed out their cigarettes and stepped back into the house to join us, Taylor and I couldn't help but smile at each other. We were both so relieved by the result of our talk that we couldn't stop laughing at every little detail. Con raised his eyebrows in anxiety, and Jere looked at us, irritated. He was the first to talk.

„I can't believe we're going back tomorrow."

The realization hit us all quite hard. Tay wanted to respond, but I shook my head and stood up. „No depressing talks tonight. I'm getting the beer."

Conrad looked down rather sheepishly, which was very unusual for him. I tried to ignore the awkward memories from last night and walked to the fridge, pulling out a few bottles and throwing them across the room for the others to catch. We then all settled back onto the porch. It was dark by now, and the stars reflected onto the ocean, making every individual wave glisten in the darkness. I loved that. I loved Cousins by night. I loved the warm but chilly air. I loved the wind that stroked my face. I loved the sound of the water.

But most of all, I loved the people beside me.

I turned to Con, who was right beside me.

„Truth or dare" I whispered into his ear so only he could hear.

After a few moments of silence, he grinned. „Truth," he replied faintly.

„Are you in love with someone?"

He didn't reply right away, purposely. He moaned annoyed, but then he took my chin between his hands and forced me to look directly into his eyes just like his brother had done in my dream. Only that this was better. Much better.

„I think I am, yes."

And before I could reply he was kissing me, Conrad Fisher was kissing me, and although he had been my husband for seven months, although we had kissed what felt like a million times, I still had not gotten used to it. When we broke apart I laughed a little. „Well, that's good news." I said, and looked at him obliquely. „Because I think I'm in love too."

Beside us, Taylor and Jere were cuddled together and pointing at the stars, Jere saying something incomprehensible and her laughing about it. She was clutching her beer with one hand, the other hand was stroking his hair.

So everything had turned out well. They both seemed like a great team, just like me and Con were. Us four sat there for pretty much the whole night. Inbetween the boys went upstairs to get blankets, and we settled into the beach chairs and huddled together. None of us drank much, we all sensed the importance of this moment, the last night. We wanted to be sober and taste the salty air. The things we talked about at that night were fun and light, we laughed a lot. I couldnt remember the last time I had laughed so hard. At one point Jere sprung up and took his shirt off, yelling „I love the Fisher boys!" So I got up, supported by Tays laughter and Conrads cheering, and chased after him. Of course, I didn't catch him. He had always been a faster runner.

I fell asleep sometimes, but whenever I awoke, I could hear someone talk. There was always someone awake; someone who enjoyed the last precious hours.

The last time I opened my eyes, the sun was slowly rising. I streched my arms and yawned loudly. My back was hurting immensly. And when I shifted to see if someone was awake, I saw Jeremiah doing the same thing. We glanced at each other and he smiled. „Good morning, Belly."

I smiled back, tired. „Morning Jere."

He looked around and said, unnecessarily: „They're still asleep."

„Yeah."

He yawned wildly and nodded towards the beach. „Wanna go for a last walk?"

The sunrise discolored the sky beautifully. It was throwing shadows on Jere's face, and he narrowed his eyes sleepily. We walked for a long time without saying anything. The water was drawing through my toes and I couldn't help but wonder why exactly he wanted me here, with him. I looked at him sideways, and he returned my gaze. He was still as handsome as ever. Then, out of nowhere, he took my hand.

Startled, I didn't withdraw it. „Look, Jere-"

He sighed. „Don't you look, Jere me Bells. I want you to know what this-" he squeezed my hand slightly. „-means. It means that you're my best friend in the entire world, okay? And I don't want anything to come between us."

I didn't know what to say, but I was happy about whatever it was that he was telling me.

„There's nothing coming between us, Jere."

„I know." He let go, gently. I bent down and picked up a shell, circling it between my fingers. He crouched down in front of me and watched. „I want you to know that it doesn't matter." When I eyed him questioning, he continued. „It doesn't matter wheather or not the person I am in love with is you. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're happy, and that we're friends. I really do love you, Belly."

„I love you too, Jere." I replied, and hugged him. Then, suddenly, we broke apart and he flung me onto his back, running across the white sand. I laughed breathlessly, and crossed my arms around his chest. The wind flew through my hair and I closed my eyes, amazed about how perfect everything was. To annoy him, I shifted my weight and we fell backwards, him landing on top of me, and we were both laughing and throwing sand in eachother's faces. I got up, ran to the shore, turned to him and said: „Let's take one last swim."