((A/N: Ahhhh! I am (once more) deeply apologetic for the wait! Here is the latest chapter, it's kinda short (sorry!). Any how... THANK YOU to everyone following along, I really hope this is worth the wait and that everyone is enjoying it. Feel free to review. Thanks thanks thanks thanks and thanks!))

Chapter 10

"How did you accomplish all of this," Candy asked with astonished wonderment.

Lysander lightly laughed, "I did have some help."

Candy turned to look at him, "please thank whoever helped you for me" she smiled.

The Ferris wheel continued slowly rotating downwards.

"You might as well, thank them yourself. I believe that is them," Lysander stated as his eyes made out the three firemen waiting next to the Ferris wheel.

Candy and Lysander got off the ride and made their way to the firemen.

"Hey! Kid! How'd she like it" Captain Matthews asked happily and genuinely curious in his load and rumble-some voice.

Lysander laughed, "You can ask her yourself. Captain, this is Miss Candy. Candy, this is Captain Matthews and his men Bill and Marcus."

"Hello! It's very nice to meet all of you. I loved the surprise. I'm sure it took a lot of effort and work. I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you" Candy finished bashfully.

"Awww, it was all Lysander's idea," Bill exclaimed.

"Yeah, we didn't do much," added Marcus, "Lysander was the one that made it happen."

"On the contrary, without you this all would have been possible. Thank you so much, again," Lysander gratefully bowed his head.

Captain Matthews playfully punched Lysander's shoulder, "No trouble at all Kid! I'm glad to hear you liked it Miss Candy. We wanted to come meet the girl that inspired such a gesture! You two make is nice-looking pair!"

Both Candy and Lysander's faces turned bright red causing the three firemen to let out a booming fit of laughter.

"Well, it was nice seeing you two tonight. I'm happy everything was a success! Now please excuse us, we should be making our way to the chili contest" explain Captain Matthews.

"Oh, you're entering a dish" Candy asked.

"You're looking at the judges" Bill and Marcus said in unison.

Candy laughed, "Lucky you!"

Lysander and Candy said farewell and the group parted ways.

Buzz! Buzz!

Candy's phone began vibrating, loudly.

"Oh, sorry" she said, "It's probably Rosa, she's been texting me all day wondering if I knew anything."

Lysander smiled as he watched Candy fish her phone out of her pocket. She found her phone and inspected the name on the screen. Her face suddenly looked worried.

"Is everything okay?" Lysander asked.

"It's my mom," she said as she answered the phone, all the while taking a few steps away from Lysander.

"H-hello" Candy spoke into the phone.

"Hey sweetheart, haven't heard from you in a while" her mom said on the other side of the phone line.

"Oh, I'm sorry mom. I guess I haven't really checked in that much. I'm sorry" Candy apologized.

"Don't be sorry, dear. It's not the end of the world" responded her mom, "I was just calling to say hi and also, your dad and I are going out for dinner tonight and we can't remember which one is the Chinese restaurant that serves the green tea we really like? You're dad keeps saying it's Szechuan Garden but I'm pretty sure it's Wong's, right?"

Candy lightly chuckled. For a second she thought that she had been found out and was in trouble. She usually didn't lie to her parents and was feeling guilty about the whole weekend, but still… relief washed over her when she realized she was jumping to conclusions.

"It is Wong's. You're right mom" she answered.

"I knew it," her mom practically shouted, "She says I'm right honey."

Candy could hear her father on the other end; really? It's not Szechuan Garden, is she sure?

"Tell dad I'm sure, but Szechuan Garden does have the egg rolls we like better" Candy told her mom who in turn repeated the information.

"Okay sweetie. Thanks. Love you, stay safe," Candy's mom said.

"Love you too, mom. Tell dad I love him. Have fun at dinner, also… I'm sorry for not checking in" Candy said.

"It's alright, we'll talk soon. Love you!"

"Love you." Candy let out a sigh of relief. She hated lying, but was glad everything was okay.

"Candy?" Lysander hesitantly said.

Candy turned at once, "Sorry, it was my mom."

"I understand. Is everything alright" Lysander questioned.

"Yes. It is, I just wasn't checking in enough" Candy admitted.

"Oh, you could have talked to them more. I truly don't mind!"

"That's sweet, but they were off to dinner anyway. I'll call them tomorrow," Candy smiled.

"In that case, would you like to take a walk by the lake?"

"Yeah, I'd love to" Candy smiled.

Lysander laced his hand in hers and led the way. The pair strolled silently, both completely content. They reached the lake and walked along the water's edge.

It was Candy that broke the silence, "I almost embarrassed to admit it, but… I've often daydreamed about walking with you, hand-in-hand, in a place like this."

"How does the reality compare to the fantasy," Lysander inquired in a silvery voice.

"The reality is far superior" she answered truthfully.

Lysander brought Candy's hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on it, "You're a dream come true Candy."

Candy was glowing after that compliment. Her smile spread from ear to ear. They continued their walk in comfortable silence. The view was perfection, the lake's ripples were glittering with the moonlight, the trees were dark stoic silhouettes and the sky was a deep dark blue. Lysander and Candy walked on listening to the lapping water and the various crickets and frogs sing their lovely songs. They were half-way around the lake when the wind started picking up, Candy's body slightly shivered from the cold.

Lysander noticed, he let go of her hand and began to take off his long coat.

"Take my coat Candy, please" Lysander said as he placed his coat on around Candy's shoulders.

"N-no, I'm fine" Candy attempted to protest and tried to hand him his coat back.

Lysander stopped her and smiled, "Candy, I have all these layers. That's one of the perks of wearing clothing in my style."

Candy laughed, "I suppose you're right." She put on the coat without further debate.

Lysander couldn't help but be amused by the sight. Candy's small frame was drowning underneath his coat.

Candy gently flipped her hair out from underneath the coat and smile at the boy standing in front of her. She noticed a loose thread by one of the buttons on Lysander's vest and mindlessly reached out to touch it. Lysander took the opportunity to take a step closer to Candy.

"Good thing your brother can take care of these things," she pondered with a smile.

Lysander simply nodded and placed one hand on her waist and the other inspected the loose thread as well.

"I was beginning to miss seeing you in your usual fashion..." continued Candy; "N-n-not that you didn't look good in your other clothes… you did. You always do… uh-umm… I like to see you in these clothes or even out of your clothes. Wait! That sounded weird…"

Candy began to ramble.

Lysander blushed but was entertained at the same time. He placed both hands around Candy's waist and brought her in closer, this instantaneously stopped her adorable babbling.

"I get it," he said lowly.

Candy smiled and looked into Lysander's mismatched eyes. Lysander's breath hitched when she met his gaze. At that moment he tilted his head and leaned in closer until their lips brushed. He kissed her slowly at first, Candy laced her hands behind his neck and deepened the kiss; it became more passionate and thrilling…until the two had to come up for air that is.

Their faces pulled away slowly, they were both a bit dizzy from the excitement and lack of air. Their eyes met once more and the two of them shared a shaky laugh.

"Candy, will you be mine…May I be yours" Lysander whispered, still holding Candy close to him.

Candy smiled, "I'd love to," she placed a light, quick kiss on his lips, but as she drew back Lysander captured her lips once more.