Hello lovely readers. To answer the popular question yes you will find out who sent the flowers! Thank you so much for your continued support on this fic it means so much *virtual hug to all of you* Keep reading and reviewing.

Ch. 10 Alex's POV

At the end of a long day trying to get an idea of an engagement ring for Casey, I come up completely empty. I thought I might have some clue. But after seeing how many rings there are, I think I might have less of a clue than I did this morning. Why are there so many rings? I didn't even know there could be so many. One cannot begin to conceptualize the amount of engagement rings that exist in one little jewelry store. Different bands, different diamond cuts, different meanings. It's alot of things going on for a ring.

I'm overwhelming myself, I know that, but this is a big deal. This ring could make or break this. What if she hates the ring and says no? Or worse what if she laughs at me? I make this nice speech and propose put it all out there my heart and soul only to have her laugh and call me a dork. Not only that but say no. She calls me a dork to tease me, it's kind of our joke and she doesn't really mean it meanly, but what if she thinks I'm a complete loser for this?

Damn it I'm doing it again. I'm psyching myself out. I need to stop doing that and make my mind shut up. I use to make my mind shut up pretty well with a drink, but of course I'm not doing that anymore. As much as I want my mind to shut up I can't drink that's just not an option for me, and not worth it. I can't betray Casey like that. I'd rather psych myself out than betray Casey and touch a drop of alcohol. Then she'd really think I was a loser. If I really want a shot at Casey saying yes to marrying me then I can never even consider drinking again.

When I get home I feel down and out. My mind still screaming at me telling me that she's going to say no, and I'll pick the wrong ring.

Her voice brings me out of my thoughts though.

I sit on the couch next to her and give her a kiss telling her I missed her. She's concerned about me. I try to divert it telling her I couldn't find a pair of shoes. It works I guess, because then she tells me she has a surprise.

She starts talking about a long weekend getaway. I promise her that anywhere she wants to go I'll take her. I would take her anywhere she wants. Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, hell if she wanted to go to Antarctica to see penguins I'd take her.

"well I already found some place to go."

"where do you want to go?"

"well I thought that maybe this weekend we could go camping."

Camping. I've never been camping in my life, or had an experience even close to camping. The outdoors and I do not get along at all. I can honestly say my only exposure to camping is Survivor.

Casey and Barry always talk about camping when they're together, as Casey and her family use to go when she was young. I said I'd take Casey anywhere in the world and if she wants to go camping then I'll take her camping. I will make a truce with nature to make Casey happy.

"I'm sorry." she adds.

"no no don't be sorry. That sounds great honey. I know you and your uncle and Jake always talk about camping, and it sounds fun."

I start to think about how camping sounds. It's not a hotel they don't have soaps and towels. We have to bring everything it's in the middle of the woods.

"We'll just need to get supplies and sleeping bags and bear repellant, toilet paper-." I start listing things off.

She starts teasing me about how bear repellant doesn't exist and ensures me that bears shouldn't be an issue.

When she falls asleep I take it upon myself to Google about camping. I want to be prepared. What if something happens, or a bear really does show up? I need to protect my Casey and if bear repellant isn't a thing, which it should be, I need a plan B.

Going into the pharmacy I get anything and everything I can. I don't want to forget anything. No one will have a good time if we are out of the essentials.

"baby we don't need four packs of band-aids. It's three days."

"we need extras just in case you never know." I say trying to find extra blankets.

"Alex, we have four blankets, plus our sleeping bags. We'll be plenty warm. Plus we'll be able to keep each other warm if need be." she kisses my neck.

"I don't want to forget anything."

She giggles.

"I'm sorry."

"it's alright baby. You don't need to worry or get anxious. You've been so anxious lately I want this to be fun and for you to relax."

I take a deep breath. I need to relax. I'm so worked up from trying to find Casey the perfect ring that I've become obsessed with trying to make everything perfect for her.

The night before we leave I can barely sleep. I'm nervous and excited to go camping. I like doing new things with Casey. Even if there's a chance I might encounter a bear I'm still excited.

"Alex. Alex. Time to wake up baby." she kisses my lips waking me from sleep.

"I might need another kiss."

She kisses me again.

"come on. Let's go, let's go." she shakes me.

After going over the lengthy check list one more time, we head out.

I am less than handy when it comes to setting up the tent. I almost poked my eye out with one of the sticks. For a vacation this is quiet a lot of work. I wish I was more handy to help Casey, but she ends up better off without me getting the tent up.

"tada!"

"I give you château Novak and Cabot." she smiles widely.

"come on let's go for a walk." she says taking my hand.

We spend the rest of our day walking around the woods. I don't let go of her hand the entire time.

"don't worry I wont let the big bad bear get you." she teases me.

Okay, so maybe I'm a little nervous we might run into a bear out here. Can you blame me? I've always lived in a city. The closest I get to nature and camping is on tv shows and some how there's always a bear or raccoon chasing the characters. Or worse a snake.

Don't think about the ugly monstrosities that nature has Alex it'll be okay. They're more scared of you than you are of them. Everything will be alright you have enough band-aids for a life time. This is suppose to be relaxing.

"I'm not worried about a bear. I just like holding your hand."

We get back to camp hungry for dinner.

"can I try to light the fire?" I ask her.

I was a complete failure with the tent and I want to do something.

"go for it. Remember stop drop and roll."

I pull her towards me.

"you're not being nice." I whisper.

"it's a safety tip." she giggles.

Why does she have to be so cute and adorable when she giggles and teases me?

"you just like to tease me."

"yes I do. Now go light that fire." she kisses my nose.

After multiple tries and failures I manage to get a flame going. It's no bon-fire, but it's something, and I didn't light myself on fire either.

"here we go."

She hands me a stick with two hotdogs on the end.

"you're letting me cook?" I tease her.

"I know I must be crazy! Just hold it over the flame." she teases back.

Maybe I'm not completely horrible at this camping thing. I light a fire and prepared food without burning it. After our hotdogs Casey brings out the s'more makings. In her usual fashion there's extra chocolate.

"this is my favorite part." she says.

She puts her head on my shoulder.

"I think I only use to go camping as a kid just to have an excuse to eat s'mores."

"thank you." I say to her.

"for what?"

"taking me on this trip. Sharing this with me."

It means alot to me when Casey shares her favorite things or memories with me. It makes me hope that we can make our own memories someday that will become her favorite.

When we've filled ourselves with the delicious s'mores and the mosquitos start to take over along with chilled air, we retreat to the tent. I slip into some sweats and into the sleeping bag. Casey comes in and undresses.

Clean thoughts Alex.

She's so beautiful, it makes me wonder how I got so lucky. Beautiful and amazing and all mine.

She gives me a side smile as if she knows what I'm thinking. I try to cover up my smile hiding my face under the blanket.

She climbs into our sleeping bag next to me. That's when I notice she's lacking clothes all together.

Wrapped in a sleeping bag keeping Casey warm. I am starting to like this camping alot more than I expected.

I kiss her lips. Her hands wrap around me and she kisses me back. Her tongue grazes my lips begging to deepen the kiss.

God damn it why did I think wearing clothes was a good idea?

Her hands run down my waist and to my stomach just above the waist band of my sweat pants. A chill goes down my spine. Her hand passes the clothing barrier between us and her fingers trace my wet folds. Try as I might to hold back a desperate moan escapes my lips between our kiss. Her fingers push inside me and all the comes out is her name. She smiles and kisses my neck.

I don't want this camping trip to end with Casey. Maybe it's her telling me about the memories she had with her dad, but I feel closer to her. She loved her dad very much, and I know that because of what happened with Susan, she misses him that much more.

As we pack up the car I hear a sniffle. She's crying. I go over to her alarmed. Why? Why is she crying? Did I do something? Did she get hurt?

It turns out to be over reacting as I tend to do sometimes when it comes to making sure Casey's happy. She tells me that she just misses her dad. I should've known she would get a little sad. She told me this was her first time coming back to this camp ground since her dad passed away. I can't blame her. I know I miss my parents alot too and it's hard not to get upset when you think of them not being here.

As we drive home I'm excited to get back into my own bed. I liked camping, but an air mattress is not meant for long term sleeping arrangements that's for sure.

Getting off the elevator I realize just how tired I am from all the activities of the weekend. When I finally get my keys and open the door my heart drops at the sight in front of me.