Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to the Seven Network. This is simply my way of evening the couples out.

Beautiful Disaster

Part Ten

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I watched as he absentmindedly twisted a strand of her dark red hair around his finger. She leant into him, closing her eyes as she soaked up the last rays of sun the day had to offer. He murmured into her ear and she smiled, her eyes remaining closed, a content look on her face. His smile stuck to his face, as he settled down once more.

I felt my own hand being tugged, and, knowing that neither of us would be missed, I felt myself being pulled up as we walked down the beach towards the setting sun. His hand held onto my own loosely as we became surrounded by silence, only interrupted by each wave gently crashing on the shore.

I looked over my shoulder too see six people lost in their own worlds. I'd always believed we were fine the way we were. But as I looked at Ric and Anna, who were practically glowing with happiness, I knew that I'd been wrong about that.

What I hadn't been wrong about was the way he'd looked at her that day she walked into the surf club. And into our lives. I'd seen that look before. When Henry had come home, he'd given Cass that look the moment his eyes locked with her own. When Drew had arrived in the bay, and Belle had pranced into his life, he'd looked at her like that, and never really stopped.

And Luke? Well, our relationship had always been full of looks and glances. The kind that can bare your soul in a second. Can make your knees go weak and your stomach flutter in fear… in delight… in excitement… in love.

Our lives were based around first impressions, first looks, and in the end, I was truly glad it was Anna Ric had looked at, because it turned out she was perfect for him, and for us.

Stopping in my tracks, I turned to look back at my friends, and felt Luke move instantly next to me.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me against him.

"Look at them." I said, pointing to Ric and Anna "They are made for one another. Destined. Fated." I said, as Luke laughed a little, making his chest vibrate against my arm.

"Ric is in awe of her." He said finally, which only created more laughter. "Ric, he's in awe. He couldn't believe someone like Anna would be interested in someone like him."

"What do you mean 'someone like Anna'?" I asked, curious at the new insight that was being offered.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Smart. Witty. Cool." He said, "Someone different to anyone he's ever known before." He continued as he pulled me down onto the sand with him. "That's why he was all vague and non-responsive at first, because he couldn't read her like he could you three." He finished, and suddenly everything clicked into place

The avoidance. The lack of communication between the two. Anna's belief that he wasn't into her. It was all to do with Ric not believing in Anna's feelings for him… so…

"He finally worked up the courage today then. Why?" I asked finally, because apparently Luke had all the answers.

"He just decided to finally act on his gut feelings." Luke answered me, looking down to where our friends sat. "He said that it was time, and if he didn't do it today, he never would, and he couldn't go through life never knowing."

I couldn't help but laugh at this revelation, and Luke looked at me, confused. "You're such girls." I said to him, pushing him lightly as he looked at me sourly. "With your little mothers meetings and everything! Do you talk about what you're going to wear on a date?" I mocked, as Luke grimaced. "Oh, oh!" I said excitedly "And I bet there's an after date discussion about everything too…" I said, but was cut off when Luke covered my mouth with his hand.

"One more word out of your mouth Matilda Hunter and I'll…" He said, as I removed his hand quickly and replied "Or you'll what?" Grinning up at him, he sighed, shaking his head at me.

I looked innocently into his eyes, and he smiled back at me, his light blue eyes sparkling.

"It's disgusting how much power you've got over me." He said, groaning, as I turned on the sand and shuffled a little, leaning in against him. He draped his arms around me loosely, and I intertwined my hands with his own, pulling his arms tighter around me.

"What were you really thinking about?" He asked me later, as we watched the sun set over the cliffs.

"About first loves." I replied dreamily, and I felt him smile as he kissed my hair gently "And how you can never go past that first, all encompassing, all knowing, all empowering look."